Numbers 8:1-9:23
The Passover meal was/is a major symbol of who Israel is and what God has done for them. To neglect this meal is punishable by excommunication. For those who are not clean, God provides an avenue for them to take part in the meal. This meal is a constant reminder of who God is and who they are because of what God has done. Foreigners are to take of this meal as well. God wants them to understand the community that they are now part of. Though they are not native born Israelites, it is essential that they understand the formative history that has made God’s people who they are!
Mark 13:14-37
As we continue in this discourse about the signs of the end of time and being ready, Jesus finishes his symbolic statements with, “Truly I tell you, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened” (v30). When people try to use these passages to decipher when the end will come are ignoring this verse. He ends this sections with a simple instruction, “Watch!” With all the questions currently circulation about the end of times, the wrong questions are being asked. It isn’t a question of “When” but of “Are you ready?”
I am comforted by v31. All kinds of things come along in life that demand your attention and we feel often demand our loyalty, this verse helps keep things in perspective. Heaven and earth, and everything in them, will pass away. All of your stuff will be kindling for the great big bonfire at the end. God’s Word will never pass away. If you find yourself being pulled this way and that by the things of this world that demand your attention, keep them in perspective.
Northwest Church Bible Blog 
Jan Welch
May 31, 2011 at 10:42 pm
no big earth-shaking comment to make today but want to say I continue to enjoy reading yours/Kents thoughts every day. Like your graphics :-).
David Skelton
June 1, 2011 at 12:14 am
Num 8-9–Again we see the idea of the Levites being allotted to the sons of Aaron to assist them with their service and that the offering of the Levites themselves will take place of the offering of the first born. In ch. 9 it is interesting that this chapter pits cultic ritual against corporate unity and corporate unity wins out. Ritual purity has its purpose, but it is not intended to keep people from celebrating Passover.
Ps 50–In this psalm, God takes Israel to court and charges them with violating the purpose of sacrifice. They seem to think that sacrifice is food for the gods, which was a common idea in the ancient world. God debunks this. All animals are God’s already. God doesn’t need sacrifice. God would rather them offer thanksgiving sacrifices because they are not required. Sacrifice from the heart is what God desires not sacrifice or obedience done simply to placate God and make God obligated to place favor upon the worshiper.
Mark 13–The verses about pregnant and nursing mothers and winter suggest, again, that this passage is about the destruction of Jerusalem and not the end of time. Why would it matter if Jesus came back in the winter? It would matter a great deal, however, if an invading army was coming to invade the city and people were trying to escape. Also, there are many known false messiahs that tried to fight back against Rome. The most famous is Simon Bar Kokhba who fought Rome in the Third Jewish Revolt about 130 AD.