Sunday, November 3, 2013

The Bible Challenge: Day 307

The scriptures read are Hosea 9-10, Psalm 102 and Matthew 4.

Hosea 9-10. How Israel has done wrong and how things will go wrong for it as a consequence.

Psalm 102. Though in English, this version of the psalm is chanted in the style of the Eastern Orthodox churches.

Matthew 4. Just as Moses fasted for 40 days in the wilderness so does Jesus, whom Matthew portrays as the new Moses. Israel wandered in the wilderness for 40 years and was tested; Jesus is tested for 40 days.

Under Moses, the people received manna, "bread from heaven." Jesus' temptation is to provide bread for himself miraculously. Jesus is meant to fast at this time, though and to live on God's words.

Satan quotes scripture out of context, making a promise to protect him, into a dare, an invitation to test God. Jesus doesn't do signs for the sake of sensation.

Satan offers Jesus power in return for worship. Jesus refuses power at such a high price.

After his temptations, Jesus starts his ministry, using the same cry as John the Baptist had, and healing a lot of people.

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