Daily Bible Reading - March 3, 2017

Today's Reading:

Matthew 9:18-38

Leviticus 5-6

Proverbs 21

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Thoughts and Commentary on Today's Reading:

In today's reading, we read one of my favorite Bible stories from the Life of Christ. I love the story of the woman with the issue of blood, who was healed of her 12-year-long infirmity. This story beautifully portrays the love of God for those who society otherwise would cast aside and wouldn't care about. But there are far deeper gems revealed in this story, as we will see.

In the Bible, Yahweh instructed His people were to wear tassels or fringes on the four corners of their Garments.  This was done so that they might look upon the tassels and remember the Commandments of God.

Numbers 15:37-41 “And God spake unto Moses, saying, Speak unto the children of Israel, and bid them that they make them fringes in the borders of their garments throughout their generations, and that they put upon the fringe of the borders a ribband of blue. And it shall be unto you for a fringe, that ye may look upon it, and remember all the Commandments of the LORD, and do them; and that ye seek not after your own heart and your own eyes, after which ye use to go a whoring: That ye may remember, and do all My Commandments, and be SET APART unto the LORD. I am the LORD your GOD, which brought you out of the land of Egypt…” 

The picture on the left above is from an Egyptian hieroglyphic. It shows a Hebrew captive (in the time of Hezekiah), wearing the “tassels or fringes” (called tzitzits in Hebrew).

The border of the garment was called the Kanaph (Covering or Wings) and was where the tzitzits were attached to the garment.

The Bible teaches us at the husband is the covering of the wife, in a shadow-picture of how Christ is the Covering of His people–His Bride (1 Corinthians 11:3-10).

Ephesians 5:23-25 “For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and He is the Saviour of the body. Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything. Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave Himself for it.”  

When Ruth desired to be under Boaz’s protective covering – as her husband – she asked him to cover her with his garment, showing her desire to be "under his wings" of protection and provision, in marriage. The story of Ruth and Boaz is a shadow picture of Christ and His Bride.

 

Ruth_2:12 The LORD^H3068 recompense^H7999 thy work,^H6467 and a full^H8003 reward^H4909 be given^H1961 thee of^{H4480 H5973} the LORD^H3068 God^H430 of Israel,^H3478 under^H8478 Whose^H834 Wings^H3671 thou art come^H935 to trust.^H2620

Ruth 3:9 “And he said, Who art thou? And she answered, I am Ruth thine handmaid. Spread therefore thy skirt (kanaph) over thine handmaid...”

When Ruth asked Boaz to spread his kanaph over her, she was asking him to be her husband, protector, and provider. She was asking to be under the covering of his "wings".
 

Jesus Christ (Yahshua), the Messiah wore the fringes (tzitzits) in His kanaph. We spiritually find healing, covering and protection under Messiahs' spiritual “wings".

Malachi 4:2 “But unto you that fear My Name shall the Sun of Righteousness arise with healing in His Wings…” 

The word "wings" in Malachi 4:2 is translated from the Hebrew word "kanaph", which means "fringes" or the borders of His garment. But healing was also foretold to be literally in His Wings. It was this prophecy which gave the woman with the issue of blood, courage to touch the Saviour’s kanaph!

Matthew 9:19-22 “…And, behold, a woman, which was diseased with an issue of blood twelve years, came behind Him (Jesus), and touched the HEM of His garment: For she said within herself, If I may but touch His garment, I shall be whole. But Jesus (Yahshua) turned Him about, and when He saw her, He said, Daughter, be of good comfort; thy faith hath made thee whole. And the woman was made whole from that hour.”

The word HEM comes from the Greek word kraspedon which MEANS A FRINGE OR TASSEL. (STRONG'S #2899). This is the Greek equivalent of the Hebrew word kanaph.

 

Being under the protective Covering of Yahweh is what it means to be UNDER HIS WINGS! When we ask to be hid under the “shadow” of His Wings”, we are asking to be covered and protected – healed – and set apart to be His Bride. 

Psalm 36:7 “How excellent is Thy loving kindness, O God! Therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of Thy Wings.”

Why was that unnamed woman healed when she touched the HEM of His garment? She was placing herself under the shadow of His Wings,and demonstrating her faith that He'd do just as He'd Promised. Like the woman in this story, we also find healing and protection under His Wings. What a wonderful place to be! If you know the beautiful hymn, and would like to accept His invitation like that woman long ago, won't you sing it quietly as a prayer just now:

Under His wings I am safely abiding;
  Though the night deepens and tempests are wild,
Still I can trust Him, I know He will keep me;
  He has redeemed me, and I am His child.

	Under His wings, under His wings,   Who from His love can sever? Under His wings my soul shall abide,     Safely abide forever.
2	Under His wings—what a refuge in sorrow!   How the heart yearningly turns to His rest! Often when earth has no balm for my healing,   There I find comfort, and there I am blest.
3	Under His wings—oh, what precious enjoyment!   There will I hide till life’s trials are o’er; Sheltered, protected, no evil can harm me;   Resting in Jesus I’m safe evermore.