Well done for keeping going with your Bible in a Year. This week we continue in Numbers, starting with the strange story of Balaam and his donkey. We also continue with Jesus in Mark’s gospel including his challenges on what true leadership is all about. Enjoy!

Week 2: 5 – 11 March

OT – Numbers 22-35

Our reading this week begins with amazing story of God using the rather ungodly Balaam to prophesy blessing on Israel. We may be surprised who God will use – he used a speaking donkey! Phinehas is a picture of the kind of zeal God favours and this new generation of God’s people is signalled by a new census. We see again the importance of inheritance and of the emergence of new leadership as Joshua is appointed, because the Spirit is in him. As well as marking their pilgrimage with all the offerings and festivals Moses shows how they must completely destroy the enemies – like the Midianites – or they would become a snare to them. Certain tribes are permitted to settle on the east side of the Jordan but only after they’ve helped their brothers occupy the land first. Cities of refuge are to be established for people who have accidentally killed someone, but execution is required for deliberate murder.

Mar. 5: Num 22-23; Mar. 6: Num 24-25; Mar. 7: Num 26-27; Mar. 8: Num 28-29; Mar. 9: Num 30-31; Mar. 10: Num 32-33; Mar. 11: Num 34-35.

NT – Mark 9:30-12:34

Once again predicting his own death, Jesus seeks to show that greatness in the Kingdom is achieved by becoming a servant to all. Discipleship is serious with anything that causes us to sin requiring radical action. The radical nature of the Kingdom is shown in Jesus’ challenge to the rich man to sell his possessions and in him driving the money lenders out of the temple. As religious leaders try to catch him out yet again, the cursing of the fig tree that does not produce its fruit, and the parable of the wicked farmers who kill the servants and the son indicates God’s rejection of the old covenant people, Israel, who have failed to produce the fruit, have killed the prophets and will kill the Son, Jesus.  Once again, Jesus challenges his disciples on the serving nature of leadership, and on love for God and for each other as the key to understanding the law of God.

Mar 5: Mark 9:30-50; Mar 6: Mark 10:1-31; Mar 7: Mark 10:32-45; Mar 8: Mark 10:46-52; Mar 9: Mark 11:1-25; Mar 10: Mark 11:27-12:12; Mar 11: Mark 12:13-34.

I will try to remember to send another weekly prompt but this link will take you to Week 3 in the March readings on the website so you can simply continue there.