Monthly Archives: October 2012

Comparing Psalm 135 and 136

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Even though I do not think these were written by the same person or even in the same time period it is interesting that Psalm 135 and 136 have similar elements. Please image David in 1 Chronicles 15:11 instructing his Praise Team to sing Psalm 135 as they carry the Ark to Jerusalem. Then image Ezra in Chapter 3:11 separating the congregation into halves and having one group singing the first part of each verse while the other group responds with “His love endures forever.”

These Psalms are included in the section of the “songs of ascents” which were traditionally sung as people went up to the Temple in Jerusalem. Psalm 115 and 118 share the idea of verse 19 and 20 of Psalm 135; the house of Israel, Aaron, Levi and those who fear Him. Psalm 135:4 talks about Jacob and Israel giving each a different emphasis. They also have a historical component remembering God’s great deliverance from Egypt and the defeat of Og and Sihon which marked the beginning of the conquest of the Promised Land. The blue sections highlight His control over nature and thus being in charge of their daily lives.

See the studies on Psalm 14 and 53  and Psalm 60 and 108.

Thanks to BibleGateway.com they are a great resource.

Tribes of Israel – Marching Order

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This is Israel’s camping arrangement and marching order as found in Numbers 2-4.

  • Click on the diagram to make it bigger.
  • The underlined family was the first to lead and also camped closest to the Tabernacle area.
  • Check the birth order of the lead families as to who were the “first-born” or family leaders.
  • The marching order was also the order they presented the offerings to dedicate the Tabernacle in Numbers 7.

Tribes of Israel – Birth Order

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Birth order is important and is mentioned many times in the Bible. The firstborn got a double portion of the inheritance but that double blessing was transferable. God seems to have fond affections for the “second born” son and several times they are put ahead of the firstborn. Ex.  Seth, Ephraim, Jacob/Israel, and of course Jesus*(see the answer to James) (see Timeline).

Leah

  • 1 Reuben*                                                                 
  • 2 Simeon
  • 3 Levi
  • 4 Judah

Bilhah

  • 5 Dan*
  • 6 Naphtali

Zilpah

  • 7 Gad*
  • 8 Asher

Leah

  • 9 Issachar
  • 10 Zebulun
  • 11 Dinah – the only daughter, see Genesis 34

Rachel

  • 12 Joseph*  – (a)Manassah*, (b)Ephraim but Jacob reversed the blessing and put Ephraim first
  • 13 Benjamin

Simeon and Levi lose their birth order rights in Genesis 34:30 and Reuben loses his in Genesis 35:22. Judah is now heir apparent until Genesis 37:3 where it seems that Jacob may be making Joseph (he was the firstborn of the favored wife) the leader of the family. Some experts believe the “coat of many colors” may have been a visible sign that Joseph was going to be given the “double portion blessing” and be made the family leader.  Not only did the brothers not like his dreams but when their father gave Joseph the “coat” that was just too much. So in Genesis 37 when they sell him to the Ishmaelites Judah is the ringleader (preserve his blessing) and Reuben is trying to rescue him (get back in favor with Jacob and hopefully he learned something).

The picture is Leah with Rachel from: http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://bibleencyclopedia.com/picturesjpeg/Leah_w_Rachel_67-63.jpg&imgrefurl=http://bibleencyclopedia.com/pictures/Genesis_29_Leah_with_Rachel.htm&h=614&w=400&sz=110&tbnid=Vci4cXEClxoKoM:&tbnh=99&tbnw=64&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dpictures%2Bof%2BLeah%2Band%2BRachel%26tbm%3Disch%26tbo%3Du&zoom=1&q=pictures+of+Leah+and+Rachel&usg=__KbmFiyhA-FIhWlDZFpBEJ8kzp40=&docid=d0RrbP5CPUreIM&hl=en&sa=X&ei=qUJyUNnONJKDqgGvwoG4Bw&sqi=2&ved=0CDIQ9QEwBQ&dur=673 

Empty – a Tribute to Hopper

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  • The dish is full      
  • His place is as it was
  • But that hole will be forever empty
  • It was free when we found it at our door, he has found freedom again
  • It blessed our lives and we his and now to wish it well
  • No more coming to our call or its run around the yard
  • For he made the hole and it is empty
  • Instead of wondering what we did, remember the little things
  • Let it go through the empty hole

This is the 10th anniversary of our little rabbit.