Phineas has passion zeal almost as much as God has. There always appears at least one faithful person after the heart of God; thus God alters the chastisement planned. Phinehas reminds us of Jesus. John in his Gospel cites Psalm 69:9 in reference to Jesus: “Zeal for Your house has consumed me” (2:17).

Who or what in your life receives your life-energies? If any work or person outside of God consumes you, you will indeed by “eaten alive.” However, spiritual zeal is like enthusiasm, the latter word literally meaning, “God inside-ism.” When you consume God through prayer, Scripture and the Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper, then you will be caught by the fire of God and be consumed by it.

At this point in the Book of Numbers, we are half-way through the forty years of wandering. Anew generation is on the scene; a new census needs to be taken. Good news: this group does not complain!

Numbers 25:10—26:51

This is the first of three parts of the Torah Portion Pinhas (Phineas)
Conservative and Reform Jewish congregations read only this part this year,
as also in this Bible plan.
Here is the entire portion in all three parts.

Numbers 25:10—30:1

Learn about Bible Breaths Learn More…
Example: Zeal and joy on Your behalf 25:11

The Saturday passages follow the reading list that Jewish people use in their synagogue worship
throughout the world. They are taken from
“The Torah,” the first five books of the Bible from Genesis to Deuteronomy
that are read each year beginning with autumn.

For all the Firestarters I recommend the ebook.  You will have the entire program of well over a thousand of these introductions with you on your phone or tablet. Check the menu options at the site for more information

The essences of all the readings of the week are found in today’s Gospel. Jesus’ image of the divided house recalls Isaiah’s focus on the downfall of Egypt. The Ark of the Covenant of Tuesday’s passage is recalled when Jesus tells the Pharisees that there is “one greater than the Temple” in their midst. Wednesday’s psalm about worship balances Jesus’teaching about the divine preference for “mercy and not sacrifice.” Paul’s teaching about sin and grace forms a backdrop to the sin of blasphemy against the Spirit. This is to grieve the Holy Spirit so deeply by claiming that it is the devil at work in Jesus.

Think of it this way: when the cows led the Ark back among God’s people, how would the Holy Spirit have felt if the people turned the cows around, to walk back down the road again?

Matthew 12

Create your own Bible Breaths Learn More…
Example: Never breaking a bruised reed v. 20

Fridays are dedicated to the Gospels.
In the season of Pentecost this year we read Matthew 8 to 18.

For all the Firestarters I recommend the ebook.  You will have the entire program of well over a thousand of these introductions with you on your phone or tablet. Check the menu options at the site for more information.

 The Philistines have captured the Ark of the Covenant. It is as though they took God as a prisoner of war! Read what happens to their god, Dagon. Lesson: when we try to manipulate God into our own space, instead of surrendering into God’s space, false treasures and “idols” will fall.

In the center of the reading, there is a tender and charming shift in tone and feeling you will not want to miss.

Picture the cows drawing the wooden cart as they lead the Ark back to God’s people. There is no human driver. Listen in the silence to the hobbling of the wheels and the mooing of the cows as slowly the Ark makes its way back home again to God’s people.

What is God doing to bring the divine presence into your center? Are there any animals that come to mind that God is using for this?

1 Samuel 5—7

What are Bible Breaths? Learn More…
Example: Turning not to right or left 6:12

Tuesdays are dedicated to the Old Testament books of history
and the Hebrew “Writings.”
In the season of Pentecost this year we read Proverbs 13 and 14 and 1 Samuel.

For all the Firestarters I recommend the ebook.  You will have the entire program of well over a thousand of these introductions with you on your phone or tablet. Check the menu options at the site for more information