OYB February 15

February 15th readings

Exodus 39:14 and Exodus 39:30

One little phrase jumped out at me today. "... like signets ..." The stones on Aaron's shoulders, and the diadem Aaron wore, were engraved with the names of the sons of Israel, "like signets" and the phrase "Holy to the LORD" respectively. Before the days of digital encryption and SSL browsers, signets, stamped into hot wax, were the way a person could be sure that a message came from the right person, and hadn't been tampered with. I guess these vestments were God's "stamp" on the "hot wax" of the Israelites.

Psalm 35:3

"... say to my soul, 'I am your salvation."' Throughout the rest of this Psalm, David seems to be asking for "external" signs of God's favor. This little verse he seems to me to be the heart of what he's asking. Victory over David's enemies would be wonderful, but I think what he really wants is reassurance to quell the doubts in his own heart. Which is certainly where I find myself.