The Word for Today with Ray: May 2024

Thursday, May 30, 2024

Phinehas Executes Judgment - Psalms 106:30

In Psalms one hundred six the Psalmist said the people of Israel, “joined themselves also unto Baalpeor, and ate the sacrifices of the dead. Thus they provoked him to anger with their inventions: and the plague broke in upon them”, and in chapter one hundred six and verse thirty of Psalms the Psalmist said, “then stood up Phineas, and executed judgment” where we read,

Then stood up Phinehas, and executed judgment: and so the plague was stayed.

The verse begins, “Then stood up Phinehas, and executed judgment:” The Psalmist began with the words, “then stood up Phinehas” or “at that time, therefore and on this account, Phinehas whose name means mouth of brass and was the son of Eleazar and grandson of Aaron; his zealousness for the Lord averted a plague on Israel and gained him the promise of the Lord of an everlasting priesthood in his family took a stand, presented himself and was attentive”, “and executed judgment” which means “and intervened, mediated and interceded with entreat, prayer and supplication”. (See Numbers 25:6-15) The Psalmist referred to when “Phinehas” raised himself up in the location of the plague that affected the people of Israel, and therein He interceded for the people to Jehovah God with prayer, entreat and supplication.

The verse goes on to say, “and so the plague was stayed.” The Psalmist continued with the words, “and so the plague” or “and therefore, wherefore and these things begins so, even so and indeed the slaughter, blow, strike or smiting of the people of Israel” “was stayed” which means “existed as restrained, halt, stopped and under restraint”. The Psalmist said when “Phinehas” was exalted among the people of Israel and “executed judgment”, the “plague” was stopped.

When we consider the words in this verse, we see how the Psalmist referred to the time when the people of Israel began to worship a false god. Because of this, they suffered a plague for which “Phinehas” made intercession to Jehovah God that resulted in the plague being stopped. God knows us, and He cares for us more than anyone else. He sent His Son Jesus to be crucified for the sins of all mankind, and when we surrender our lives to Him as our personal “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and protect us from the “plagues” that come upon unbelievers in alignment with His Divine will, plan and purposes.

Next time Psalmist says, “that was counted unto him for righteousness”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".

Provoking God to Anger - Psalms 106:29

In Psalms one hundred six the Psalmist said the people of Israel, “joined themselves also unto Baalpeor, and ate the sacrifices of the dead”, and in chapter one hundred six and verse twenty-nine of Psalms the Psalmist shared how the people of Israel, “provoked him to anger with their inventions” where we read,

Thus they provoked him to anger with their inventions: and the plague broke in upon them.

The verse begins, “Thus they provoked him to anger with their inventions:” The Psalmist began with the words, “thus they provoked him to anger” or “thereby, therefore and on this account they, the people of Israel, vexed, grieved and indignantly made him, Jehovah God, to be filled with wrath ” “with their inventions” which means “by the use of their, the people of Israel's, acts, practices and deeds”. The Psalmist said the people of Israel vexed Jehovah God toward wrath and ire by the use of their acts and deeds.

The verse continues, “and the plague broke in upon them.” The Psalmist added the words, “and the plague” or “and the blow, slaughter, pestilence and smiting” “broke in upon them” which means “burst, spread and was distributed on the people of Israel”. (See Deuteronomy 32:16-21) The Psalmist referred to how slaughter, smiting and pestilence spread and was distributed upon the people of Israel.

When we think through the words in this verse, we see how the Psalmist recounted the repercussions suffered by the people of Israel because they began to worship gods other than Him. God wanted Israel to listen to and obey Him and Him only, and when they began to worship and eat food that was dedicated to “Baalpeor”, they did so to their own demise. God sent His Son Jesus into the world to die on the cross for the sins of all mankind, and when we yield our lives to Him, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and protect us from the “plagues” that may come upon those who worship other gods.

Next time Psalmist says, “then stood up Phineas, and executed judgment”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Joining to Baalpeor - Psalms 106:28

In Psalms one hundred six the Psalmist said the people of Israel, “despised the pleasant land, they believed not his word, but murmured in their tents, and hearkened not unto the voice of the LORD. Therefore he lifted up his hand against them, to overthrow them in the wilderness to overthrow their seed also among the nations, and to scatter them in the lands”, and in chapter one hundred six and verse twenty-eight of Psalms the Psalmist shared how the people of Israel, “joined themselves also unto Baalpeor” where we read,

They joined themselves also unto Baalpeor, and ate the sacrifices of the dead.

The verse begins, “They joined themselves also unto Baalpeor, ...” The Psalmist began with the words, “they joined themselves also” or “they, the people of Israel, fastened, bound and combined their own selves even so and indeed” “unto Baalpeor” whose name means “lord of the gap which was a deity worshiped at Peor with probable licentious rites”. The Psalmist referred to how the people of Israel began to combine themselves to and worship the false god “Baal” in the location of “Peor”.

The verse goes on to say, “... and ate the sacrifices of the dead.” The Psalmist continued with the words, “and ate the sacrifices” or “and consumed and devoured the animal flesh offerings” “of the dead” which means “belonging to that which is put to death and killed”. The Psalmist mentioned the way the people of Israel were eating the animal flesh offerings which were killed to worship “Baal”.

When we meditate upon the words in this verse, we see how the Psalmist referred to the complete rebellion and rejection of Jehovah God by the people of Israel. They began to worship false gods, and they participated in their eating ceremonies and fleshly practices. God's desire is for all people to have Him as the only God in their lives, and He sent His Son Jesus to die on the cross for the sins and errors of all mankind. When we believe and trust in Him as our personal “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and keep us from giving homage and worship to any other god.

Next time Psalmist shares how the people of Israel, “provoked him to anger with their inventions”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Overthrowing Their Seed - Psalms 106:27

In Psalms one hundred six the Psalmist said the people of Israel, “despised the pleasant land, they believed not his word, but murmured in their tents, and hearkened not unto the voice of the LORD. Therefore he lifted up his hand against them, to overthrow them in the wilderness”, and in chapter one hundred six and verse twenty-seven of Psalms the Psalmist shared how Jehovah God lifted his hand against them, “to overthrow their seed also among the nations” where we read,

To overthrow their seed also among the nations, and to scatter them in the lands.

The verse begins, “To overthrow their seed also among the nations, ...” The Psalmist began with the words, “to overthrow their seed also” or “to cast down, prostrate, attack and make fall away their, the people of Israel's, offspring and progeny even so and indeed” “among the nations” which means “in the midst of the non-Hebrew, heathen and foreign people groups”. The Psalmist said Jehovah God attacked the offspring of Israel in the midst of the foreign and non-Hebrew people groups.

The verse continues, “... and to scatter them in the lands.” The Psalmist added the words, “and to scatter them” or “and to disperse and spread them, the people of Israel” “in the lands” which means “within the countries, territories, districts, regions and earth”. The Psalmist said Jehovah God's attack and casting away of Israel's offspring would spread them to other countries and throughout the earth.

When we consider the words in this verse, we see how the Psalmist shared how the judgment of Jehovah God that came against Israel because of their murmuring and not listening to Him, and this would cause the attacking of their progeny and spreading them throughout the world. God's desire was to bless Israel and keep them together in the promise land, however, they rebelled against Him and would not listen to or obey Him. God wants a personal relationship with each one of us, and He sent His Son Jesus into the world to die on the cross for the sins of all mankind. When we yield our lives to Him as our “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and keep us with Him for all eternity.

Next time Psalmist shares how the people of Israel, “joined themselves also unto Baalpeor”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

God Lifting His Hand Against Them - Psalms 106:26

In Psalms one hundred six the Psalmist said the people of Israel, “despised the pleasant land, they believed not his word, but murmured in their tents, and hearkened not unto the voice of the LORD”, and in chapter one hundred six and verse twenty-six of Psalms the Psalmist shared how Jehovah God, “lifted up his hand against them” where we read,

Therefore he lifted up his hand against them, to overthrow them in the wilderness:

The verse begins, “Therefore he lifted up his hand against them, ...” The Psalmist began with the words, “therefore he lifted up his hand” or “wherefore, then and on this account he, Jehovah God, raised, sustained and bore his hand of might, power, strength and ability” “against them” which means “in opposition to them, the people of Israel”. The Psalmist shared how Jehovah God raised His hand of power and authority in opposition to the people of Israel.

The verse goes on to say, “... to overthrow them in the wilderness:” The Psalmist continued with the words, “to overthrow them” or “to prostrate, attack, waste and cast them, the people of Israel, down” “in the wilderness” which means “within the uninhabited desert place”. The Psalmist said Jehovah God raised His power and might in opposition to Israel to waste them away within the uninhabited desert place. (See Exodus 20:15)

When we think through the words in this verse, we see how the Psalmist referred to the way Jehovah God responded to Israel's murmuring and lack of listening to Him. He raised His power and might in opposition to them, and no one is able to withstand Him. God loves people, and He desires a personal relationship with everyone. He sent His Son Jesus into the world to be crucified for the sins of all mankind, and when we yield our lives to Him as our “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and never rise in opposition to us like He does to those who murmur and do not listen to Him.

Next time Psalmist shares how Jehovah God lifted his hand against them, “to overthrow their seed also among the nations”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Murmuring in Their Tents - Psalms 106:25

In Psalms one hundred six the Psalmist said the people of Israel, “despised the pleasant land, they believed not his word”, and in chapter one hundred six and verse twenty-five of Psalms the Psalmist shared how the people of Israel, “murmured in their tents” where we read,

But murmured in their tents, and hearkened not unto the voice of the LORD.

The verse begins, “But murmured in their tents, ...” The Psalmist began with the words, “but murmured” or “however, nonetheless, notwithstanding and moreover whispered, backbit, grumbled and rebelled” “in their tents” which means “within their, the people of Israel's, transient dwelling places, abodes and habitations”. The Psalmist referred to the way the people of Israel complained and grumbled within their temporary dwelling places.

The verse continues, “... and hearkened not unto the voice of the LORD.” The Psalmist added the words, “and hearkened not” or “and did not listen to, perceive, understand or discern” “unto the voice” which means “to the sound, noise and proclamation” “of the LORD” or “belonging to Jehovah who is the existing One and the proper name for the One True God”. The Psalmist said the people of Israel did not listen to Jehovah God's speech and proclamation toward them.

When we meditate upon the words in this verse, we see how the Psalmist referred to the behavior and attitudes of the people of Israel toward Jehovah God. They complained and grumbled against Him, and they did not listen to what He had to say. God knows what is best for our lives, and it is foolish to “murmur” against Him and refuse to hear Him. God loves us, and He proved His love by sending His Son Jesus into the world to die on the cross and be raised three days later so that our sins could be forgiven. When we yield ourselves to Him, He will forgive our sins, cleanse us from all unrighteousness, grant us everlasting life with Him as He helps us to take heed to His advice and listen carefully to everything He has to say.

Next time the Psalmist shares how Jehovah God, “lifted up his hand against them”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…