Old Testament reading: Numbers 5-6
Today’s reading contains what I believe is the only miraculous test for sin and innocence in the Bible. Numbers 5:11-31 gives the details of the spirit of jealousy. This test was administered by the priests when a husband suspected his wife of adultery. The text speaks first of a woman guilty of adultery, but no one has observed or known the matter. How does the husband know? He recognizes some change in his wife or in their relationship. There is a lesson here for husbands and their attentiveness to their wives and their relationship. One final thing that should also be remembered is that this test also served to protect innocent women from the accusations of jealous husbands. In the last verses of Numbers 5 we see the husband who suffers from unprompted jealousy (as some are still prone to do) and the means by which his innocent wife can be cleared of accusations of wrongdoing. Jealousy is not necessarily a bad thing (cf Ex 20:5, 34:14), but it needs to be properly exercised (2 Cor 11:2).
New Testament reading: Acts 7-8
“Was it something I said?” Stephen was a man of various firsts in the early church. He was among the first group of men to serve as deacons (Acts 6:1-7), though they are not so called in that text. He is the first man other than the apostles to be described as being “full of the Holy Spirit.” He is better known, as perhaps rightfully so, as being the first Christian to die for the faith. Stephen gave all in defense of the truth, and his death emboldened and incited the Jews to openly and aggressively persecute the church. Stephen’s sermon also revealed a marvelous grasp of the Old Testament, the Scriptures of his day. For some reason, Stephen never made to Jesus in his account of Israel’s history. However, we know that an understanding of the Old Testament was necessary to understanding the coming of Jesus and the establishment of his kingdom, the church. Despite is harsh words toward the Jews, Stephen’s sweet spirit certainly prevailed as he imitated his Lord as he was nearing death. As our Lord prayed, “Father, forgive them,” so also did this great servant of God say, “Lord, do not charge them with this sin.”
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