Day of Visitation

Monday, March 1, 2010: Numbers 16:28–29

And Moses said, Hereby ye shall know that the LORD hath sent me to do all these works; for I have not done them of mine own mind. If these men die the common death of all men, or if they be visited after the visitation of all men; then the LORD hath not sent me.

Background: Korah and others rebelled against Moses during the journey through the wilderness.

Just because you have right motives, can you approach God in the way that you choose? No, you only approach God in the way He chooses. Korah didn’t, and the earth opened up and swallowed him.

Tuesday, March 2, 2010: Job 10:10–12

Hast thou not poured me out as milk, and curdled me like cheese? Thou hast clothed me with skin and flesh, and hast fenced me with bones and sinews. Thou hast granted me life and favour, and thy visitation hath preserved my spirit.

Background: Job has lost all his property, his children have died and sores plague him.

What does Job recognize in all his misery? Job recognizes that God has preserved his spirit.

Wednesday, March 3, 2010: Micah 7:3–4

That they may do evil with both hands earnestly, the prince asketh, and the judge asketh for a reward; and the great man, he uttereth his mischievous desire: so they wrap it up. The best of them is as a brier: the most upright is sharper than a thorn hedge: the day of thy watchmen and thy visitation cometh; now shall be their perplexity.

What does Micah prophecy against wayward Israel? Their corrupt ways will be judged and they will wonder why their ways do not serve to prosper them any more.

Thursday, March 4, 2010: Luke 19:43–44

For the days shall come upon thee, that thine enemies shall cast a trench about thee, and compass thee round, and keep thee in on every side, And shall lay thee even with the ground, and thy children within thee; and they shall not leave in thee one stone upon another; because thou knewest not the time of thy visitation.

Background: Jesus Christ prophecies on Palm Sunday against Jerusalem and its temple.

What will happen and why will it happen?

Friday, March 5, 2010: 1 Peter 2:11–12

Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul; Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.

Background: Peter writes to believers who have been scattered by persecution and are suffering.

Why does Peter emphasize good works even when persecuted? In the day that God visits for judgment, they will remember and bring glory to God.