ISSUE: #25

MEM

Message

Gathering Enough

So in keeping His commandments and studying His word we will find the truth.

Reading in Exodus 16 we find the children of Israel were to gather manna for each days supply of food. Verse 16 tells us they were to gather an omer (about two quarts) each and in verse 18 we are told: "By gathering two quarts for each person, everyone had just enough. Those who gathered a lot had nothing left over, and those who gathered only a little had enough. Each family had just what it needed." (NLT)

How could those who had gathered much have nothing left over and those who gathered little have enough? I used to assume it was a miracle, if you were greedy you had only an omer after gathering much. And those who gather less than an omer had an omer when they finished. What about the lazy one, could he get up late, go out pick up a small amount and be assured of an omer before it melted away for the day? Read for yourself what is recorded in Exodus 16. How do you understand the much - little verse?

Regardless of our take on Exodus 16:18 the Holy Spirit gives us the answer through Paul in 2 Corinthians. One needs to read all of chapter 8 to fully understand. Paul is talking to the Corinthians about giving of their abundance to those who were in need; so in the day they were in need others would share of their abundance to meet their need. Then in verse 15 "as it is written, "HE WHO gathered MUCH DID NOT HAVE TOO MUCH, AND HE WHO gathered LITTLE HAD NO LACK."

As we should see Exodus 16:18 is about sharing, the needy had their needs met by those who got up early to gather much so they could share with those who could only manage to gather a little. What a wonderful message that is built into the Word of God. Each of us need to be mindful of those around us that are in need. Sometimes it may be money, sometimes it may be a helping hand, at other times it may be through prayer or counsel.

"Your word is truth!" - may you be Seeking-the-truth.

Proverb

Proverbs 12:17 He who speaks truth tells what is right, But a false witness, deceit.

Proverbs 14:22 Will they not go astray who devise evil? But kindness and truth will be to those who devise good.

Proverbs 23:23 Buy truth, and do not sell it, Get wisdom and instruction and understanding.

Saying

Stephen R. Covey

Use your Production Capability to glorify your Creator.

Bible Quiz

1. How much food was left over after Yeshua fed 5,000 Men?
2. Which disciple was known for his strong, aggressive traits?
3. What was the name of the place where Jacob wrestled with God?
4. How many have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God?
5. Including Joseph’s sons, how many members of Jacob’s family went to Egypt?
6. What were the names of Jacob’s two wives?
7. Who said, "The one I kiss is the man; arrest him."

Hebraic Lesson

Historically, they were the Northern Kingdom (House of Israel, made up of ten tribes) and the Southern Kingdom (House of Judah, primarily the Jews, the Levites, and Benjamin). Because of the northern tribes disobedience they were scattered, lost their identity and today do not realize who they really are.

Today, there are two major people groups that use the Holy Scriptures (Bible) as the basis for their belief, the Christians and the Jews. (Could these be the two houses of Israel?)

There are two MAJOR disagreements between Christianity and Judaism. Judaism has preserved the truth that the Torah (the instruction of God) [Old Testament] is eternal; where as Christianity has preserved the truth that Jesus (Yeshua) is the true Messiah.

Regardless; the good news is that in the future the two houses will become one house.

Ezekiel 37:21 …Behold I will take the children of Israel from among the heathen, whither they be gone, and will gather them on every side and bring them into their own land. V.22 and I will make them one nation …and they shall be no more two nations, neither shall they be divided into two kingdoms any more at all. V.24 And David my servant shall be king over them: and they all shall have one shepherd; they shall also walk in my judgments, and observe my statutes, and do them. V. 25 And they shall dwell in the land that I have given unto Jacob my servant, …and they shall dwell therein, even they, and their children, and their children’s children for ever: and my servant David shall be their prince for ever.

For a much more thorough study of this I recommend you read Eddie Chumney’s 540 page book "RESTORING THE TWO HOUSES OF ISRAEL". (http://www.hebroots.org)

Did you know:

Brahms came from a humble background, and the financial welfare of his parents was an anxiety to him. As he made his way in music, he contributed to the upkeep of their home out of his increasing but still slender resources. Knowing that his father was rash in money matters, he provided against an unforeseen economic crisis in his own way, before leaving home. "If things go badly with you the best consolation is always in music," he advised his father. "Read carefully in my old Saul and you’ll find what you want." His father found his advice rather puzzling. Nonetheless when difficulties arose he took down the score of Saul and opened it; there between the pages was a substantial supply of banknotes.

The Little, Brown Book of Anecdotes

Humor

• Always drink up stream of the herd
• Never kick a cow chip on a hot day
• The quickest way to double your money is to fold it and put it back in your pocket
• If you are riding ahead of the herd, take a look back every now and then to make sure it’s still there

• I don’t know how I got over the hill without getting to the top
• Being young is beautiful, but being old is comfortable
• When you are dissatisfied and would like to go back to youth, think of Algebra
• If you don’t laugh at trouble, you won’t have anything to laugh at when you are old

Children’s Story

This was the first day of the week and Pierre accompanied his father down to the beach at a small cove. A creek flowed down from the forested jungle hills to the ocean at this spot. The water from this creek was used for the family’s drinking and cooking water. Jacque, with Pierre’s help, untied the boat and the two of them pushed it out into the water where the creek and ocean met.

Pierre would stay here to fish by diving among the coral reefs just beyond the island shore. Because his father would be gone for five to six days at a time, Pierre would stay behind and help his mother while he continued his schooling. His father promised to take him along when the time was right.

Jacque was on his way to another island to help build a dock where ocean going ships could tie up to take on fresh water and fruits. This is where Jacque would get a supply of gasoline for his small engine and buy items of iron and steel. Jacque took along several ornate spears, drums and necklaces he had from the Hatahs. These items would be traded to ocean going sailors which they took back to the main land to sell. It was a life of bartering.

Pierre waved good-by to his father as the engine came to life and putted out of the cove into the beautiful blue waves topped by an occasional white cap. Pierre plunged into the water and swam out to a large lava jetty and climbed up to the top and watched as his father’s boat slowly disappeared into the horizon.

He sat there for what seemed like hours as his mind dreamed about going to work with his father, trading with sailors and seeing a real ocean going sailing ship up close. He longed to hear the real life adventures of those from far away places. Suddenly a large wave hit the lava rock and brought Pierre back to reality by drenching him with salt water.

Swimming back to shore he picked up his iron tipped spear and walked out to the reef. He plunged beneath the water. Pierre was an excellent swimmer and could stay down for over a minute before surfacing for air. His trained sharp eye quickly picked up on a school of White fish. Within seconds he had speared one; pulling it off with one hand he had another as he headed up for air. His reward was about ten pounds of silver scaled fish with fins just as the Bible indicated as editable.

Walking back to their small, but comfortable, home he carried a fish in each hand by the gills with his spear tucked under his arm. It was a good half mile over a well beaten path. When he arrived at the house he called out to his mother the good news of his easy catch as he placed the fish on the outdoor table. He then scooped up the wooden pail by its rope handle and headed to the creek for water. Returning with the pail of water he pulled his knife from the sheath strapped to his waist. With the skill of a master he quickly cleaned the fish and filleted some to be preserved by smoking and some for cooking.

Because they already had an abundance of smoked fish Pierre asked his mother if it was ok to give some to the Hatahs. The Hatahs usually dried their fish if they had extra and the smoked fish of the "White People" was a real treat for them. With his mother’s permission he was off in a flash to share this treat with their neighbors.

Quiz Answers

2) Peter

3) Peniel - Genesis 32:30

4) All - Romans 3:23

5) Seventy - Genesis 46:27

6) Leah and Rachel - Genesis 29:16-28

7) Judas Iscariot - Matthew 26:48