Reading 1 - Numbers 5:11-31
"As the sin of adultery is particularly defiling and destructive of the relations existing between Yahweh and Israel -- which are typified by the husband and his wife (Isa 54:5; Lev 20:26) -- and as such sin is disruptive of the very foundations of the social order, the whole subject is dealt with in this chapter at a length proportionate to its importance [vv 11-31]. However, Scripture does not reveal one instance where this law was invoked by a jealous husband, so it is evident that it is designed to illustrate spiritual adultery and Yahweh's viewpoint towards it.
"Considered in that light, this strange law become prophetic of Israel's relationship with Yahweh her spiritual Husband, and His treatment of her as exhibited by the words and actions of Hosea, the prophet of enduring love.
"Through Moses, Israel was warned that it must have no other God: 'for Yahweh, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God' (Exo 34:14). The Law relating to the Trial of Jealousy reveals the responsibility resting upon the nation because of its privileged position as Yahweh's bride, and the consequences of spiritual adultery" (HPM, "Christadelphian Expositor").
Reading 2 - Proverbs 2:1-5
"My son, if you accept my words and store up my commands within you, turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding, and if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of God" (Pro 2:1-5).
"The exhortation in the Proverbs is God speaking. Whatever proximate sonship and fatherhood there may be in the Proverbs, their ultimate origin is God, and their aim the instruction of His sons. And Proverbs, with other parts of the 'Living Oracles', must not be limited in its application to Solomon's day. 'Ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto YOU', says Paul [Heb 12:5]; it is the Father's word to you, His sons. How persuasive is God in His counsels; how endearing in His address. To each of His children He says, 'My son' " (John Carter, "Letter to the Hebrews" 258,259).
Reading 3 - Luke 16:13,14
"No servant can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money" (Luk 16:13).
How we handle money reveals much about the depth of our commitment to Christ. That is why Jesus often talked about money. One-sixth of the gospels, including one out of every three parables, touches on money and stewardship. Jesus dealt with money matters because money matters!
For some of us, though, it matters too much: "The Pharisees, who loved money, heard all this and were sneering at Jesus" (v 14). They were highly "religious", but they could not see how money and its pursuit and acquisition could hold anything less than the preeminent place in a man's life, and for any man to question that preeminence was for them an undeniable proof of his folly.
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