Archives for May 2025

Memorials in the Bible

Good morning,

A memorial is an object which serves as a focus for memory of something, usually a person (who has died) or an event. The most common type of memorial is the gravestone or the memorial plaque. Also common are war memorials commemorating those who have died in wars. 

God has given us many memorials. This week we will look at three of them.

PRIEST’S GARMENTS

9 And thou shalt take two onyx stones, and grave on them the names of the children of Israel:10 Six of their names on one stone, and the other six names of the rest on the other stone, according to their birth.11 With the work of an engraver in stone, like the engravings of a signet, shalt thou engrave the two stones with the names of the children of Israel: thou shalt make them to be set in ouches of gold.12 And thou shalt put the two stones upon the shoulders of the ephod for stones of memorial unto the children of Israel: and Aaron shall bear their names before the Lord upon his two shoulders for a memorial. (Exodus 28:9-12)

Exodus 28:9-12 describes the creation and placement of the onyx stones on the ephod. These stones, engraved with the names of the twelve tribes of Israel, are to be worn by the high priest on his shoulders, serving as a memorial of the people before the Lord. The stones, set in gold, are to be attached to the ephod’s shoulder pieces. 

An ephod was a sacred vestment, an apron-like garment, worn by the High Priest of Israel in ancient times. It was made of fine materials like gold, blue, purple, and scarlet yarns, and finely twisted linen. The ephod was an important part of the priestly ritual and was often associated with seeking divine guidance through the Urim and Thummim, which were attached to it. 

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com

Memorials in the Bible

Good morning,

A memorial is an object which serves as a focus for memory of something, usually a person (who has died) or an event. The most common type of memorial is the gravestone or the memorial plaque. Also common are war memorials commemorating those who have died in wars. 

God has given us many memorials. This week we will look at three of them.

God’s Name

14 And God said unto Moses, I Am That I Am: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I Am hath sent me unto you.15 And God said moreover unto Moses, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, the Lord God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, hath sent me unto you: this is my name for ever, and this is my memorial unto all generations.16 Go, and gather the elders of Israel together, and say unto them, The Lord God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Jacob, appeared unto me, saying, I have surely visited you, and seen that which is done to you in Egypt: (Exodus 3:14-16)

In Exodus 3:14-16, God reveals his name to Moses as “I AM WHO I AM” and instructs him to tell the Israelites that “The God of your fathers has sent me to you.” Exodus 3:14 This reveals God’s self-existence and faithfulness, and also instructs Moses on how to communicate this revelation to the people. God also commands Moses to gather the elders of Israel and deliver a message about his intervention and the promised land, Exodus 3:16 demonstrating his commitment to their liberation from slavery.

Thy name, O Lord, endureth for ever; and thy memorial, O Lord, throughout all generations. (Psalm 135:13)

LORD GOD

4 Yea, he had power over the angel, and prevailed: he wept, and made supplication unto him: he found him in Bethel, and there he spake with us;5 Even the Lord God of hosts; the Lord is his memorial.6 Therefore turn thou to thy God: keep mercy and judgment and wait on thy God continually. (Hosea 12:4-6)

Hosea 12:4-6 emphasizes the contrast between Jacob’s powerful encounter with God at Bethel and the Israelites’ current state of disobedience. It highlights Jacob’s struggle with the angel, his perseverance, and the importance of returning to God, maintaining love and justice, and waiting for God’s guidance. 

PRIEST’S GARMENTS

9 And thou shalt take two onyx stones, and grave on them the names of the children of Israel:10 Six of their names on one stone, and the other six names of the rest on the other stone, according to their birth.11 With the work of an engraver in stone, like the engravings of a signet, shalt thou engrave the two stones with the names of the children of Israel: thou shalt make them to be set in ouches of gold.12 And thou shalt put the two stones upon the shoulders of the ephod for stones of memorial unto the children of Israel: and Aaron shall bear their names before the Lord upon his two shoulders for a memorial. (Exodus 28:9-12)

Exodus 28:9-12 describes the creation and placement of the onyx stones on the ephod. These stones, engraved with the names of the twelve tribes of Israel, are to be worn by the high priest on his shoulders, serving as a memorial of the people before the Lord. The stones, set in gold, are to be attached to the ephod’s shoulder pieces. 

An ephod was a sacred vestment, an apron-like garment, worn by the High Priest of Israel in ancient times. It was made of fine materials like gold, blue, purple, and scarlet yarns, and finely twisted linen. The ephod was an important part of the priestly ritual and was often associated with seeking divine guidance through the Urim and Thummim, which were attached to it. 

28 And they shall bind the breastplate by the rings thereof unto the rings of the ephod with a lace of blue, that it may be above the curious girdle of the ephod, and that the breastplate be not loosed from the ephod.29 And Aaron shall bear the names of the children of Israel in the breastplate of judgment upon his heart, when he goeth in unto the holy place, for a memorial before the Lord continually.30 And thou shalt put in the breastplate of judgment the Urim and the Thummim; and they shall be upon Aaron’s heart, when he goeth in before the Lord: and Aaron shall bear the judgment of the children of Israel upon his heart before the Lord continually. (Exodus 28:28-30)

Exodus 28:28-30 describes the Urim and Thummim and their purpose in the breastplate of judgment worn by the High Priest, Aaron. The verses state that the High Priest would bear the names of the twelve tribes of Israel on his heart, and that the Urim and Thummim would be placed within the breastplate to help him discern God’s will and make judgments on behalf of the people. 

The Urim and Thummim were a pair of objects, often described as stones, used by the high priest of ancient Israel to seek divine guidance. They were kept in the breastplate of the priestly garment, called the ephod. The Urim and Thummim were used to determine God’s will in important matters, such as seeking answers to questions or judging the innocence or guilt of individuals. 

7 And he put them on the shoulders of the ephod, that they should be stones for a memorial to the children of Israel; as the Lord commanded Moses. (Exodus 39:7)

Exodus 39:7 describes the placement of the onyx stones on the shoulders of the ephod, the priestly garment. The stones were engraved with the names of the six tribes of the Israelite tribes. This symbolized the priests carrying the burden of the people’s names, or interceding for them. 

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com

Memorials in the Bible

Good morning,

A memorial is an object which serves as a focus for memory of something, usually a person (who has died) or an event. The most common type of memorial is the gravestone or the memorial plaque. Also common are war memorials commemorating those who have died in wars. 

God has given us many memorials. This week we will look at three of them.

God’s Name

LORD GOD

4 Yea, he had power over the angel, and prevailed: he wept, and made supplication unto him: he found him in Bethel, and there he spake with us;5 Even the Lord God of hosts; the Lord is his memorial.6 Therefore turn thou to thy God: keep mercy and judgment and wait on thy God continually. (Hosea 12:4-6)

Hosea 12:4-6 emphasizes the contrast between Jacob’s powerful encounter with God at Bethel and the Israelites’ current state of disobedience. It highlights Jacob’s struggle with the angel, his perseverance, and the importance of returning to God, maintaining love and justice, and waiting for God’s guidance. 

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com

Memorials in the Bible

Good morning,

A memorial is an object which serves as a focus for memory of something, usually a person (who has died) or an event. The most common type of memorial is the gravestone or the memorial plaque. Also common are war memorials commemorating those who have died in wars. 

God has given us many memorials. This week we will look at three of them.

God’s Name

14 And God said unto Moses, I Am That I Am: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I Am hath sent me unto you.15 And God said moreover unto Moses, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, the Lord God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, hath sent me unto you: this is my name for ever, and this is my memorial unto all generations.16 Go, and gather the elders of Israel together, and say unto them, The Lord God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Jacob, appeared unto me, saying, I have surely visited you, and seen that which is done to you in Egypt: (Exodus 3:14-16)

In Exodus 3:14-16, God reveals his name to Moses as “I AM WHO I AM” and instructs him to tell the Israelites that “The God of your fathers has sent me to you.” Exodus 3:14 This reveals God’s self-existence and faithfulness, and also instructs Moses on how to communicate this revelation to the people. God also commands Moses to gather the elders of Israel and deliver a message about his intervention and the promised land, Exodus 3:16 demonstrating his commitment to their liberation from slavery.

Thy name, O Lord, endureth for ever; and thy memorial, O Lord, throughout all generations. (Psalm 135:13)

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com

Good morning,

The resurrection has taken place. Jesus has walked among men for forty days and has ascended back to heaven. Matthias has been chosen to replace Judas. 

So what happens next?

Next to the birth, ministry, death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus, the most significant event is the baptism and indwelling all believers with the Holy Spirit. Not only did it change the lives of the apostles and disciples, but literally change all of mankind forever.

This week we will look at Acts 2, the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, Peter’s sermon at Pentecost, the result of that sermon, and what happens next.

POST RESURRECTION 

ACTS 2

And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved. (2:21)

Believers continue united (2:41-47)

⁴¹ Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.⁴² And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.⁴³ And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles.⁴⁴ And all that believed were together, and had all things common;⁴⁵ And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need.⁴⁶ And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart,⁴⁷ Praising God, and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.

The result of Peter’s preaching and the Holy Spirit’s conviction was three thousand people saved. After they received the word, salvation, they publicly identified with Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection, through baptism.

These new believers then sat under the feet of the apostles and disciples and learned more about Christ.  They learned, prayed, and fellowshipped together. They witnessed and God increased the church daily.

This group of believers had a balanced approach to life. Study, prayer, worship, exhortation, and fellowship. They boldly took what they were learning to the streets so others would have the opportunity to receive Christ.

God did the work of convicting sinners.

God wants us to go. We do not see souls saved because we never tell anyone about Jesus Christ.

Tell someone today!

THINGS WE LEARNED

The baptism of the Holy Spirit was initially for the communication of the gospel

It changed the disciple’s lives from timid to bold

Three thousand souls were saved  

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com

Good morning,

The resurrection has taken place. Jesus has walked among men for forty days and has ascended back to heaven. Matthias has been chosen to replace Judas. 

So what happens next?

Next to the birth, ministry, death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus, the most significant event is the baptism and indwelling all believers with the Holy Spirit. Not only did it change the lives of the apostles and disciples, but literally change all of mankind forever.

This week we will look at Acts 2, the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, Peter’s sermon at Pentecost, the result of that sermon, and what happens next.

POST RESURRECTION 

ACTS 2

And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved. (2:21)

Hearers receive salvation (2:37-40)

³⁷ Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?³⁸ Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.³⁹ For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.⁴⁰ And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation.

Peter preaches, the Holy Spirit convicts, and the people ask, ”…what shall we do?” Repent. They had to repent of their sins. A person needs to understand that they are a sinner in need of a Savior. They then repent, or acknowledge their sin, and ask God to forgive them. Then by faith they accept Christ as Savior and Lord.

Then they are baptized. Baptism does not save. Believer’s baptism happens after one has accepted Christ. The believer is identifying with the death, burial, and resurrection, of the Lord Jesus Christ.

All believers should be baptized as Jesus was by immersion. All of us should be willing to identify ourselves as believers by being publicly baptized.

I have. Have you?

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com