Open Word

FIRST READING

Numbers 21:4-9

Verse 4. Then they set out from Mount Hor along the route to the Red Sea, in order to bypass the land of Edom. But the people grew impatient on the journey Verse 5. and spoke against God and against Moses: “Why have you led us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? There is no bread or water, and we detest this wretched food!” Verse 6. So the LORD sent venomous snakes among the people, and many of the Israelites were bitten and died. Verse 7. Then the people came to Moses and said, “We have sinned by speaking against the LORD and against you. Intercede with the LORD so He will take the snakes away from us.” So Moses interceded for the people. Verse 8. Then the LORD said to Moses, “Make a fiery serpent and mount it on a pole. When anyone who is bitten looks at it, he will live.” Verse 9. So Moses made a bronze snake and mounted it on a pole. If anyone who was bitten looked at the bronze snake, he would live.

PSALM

Psalm 128

A song of ascents. Blessed are all who fear the LORD, who walk in His ways!

For when you eat the fruit of your labor, blessings and prosperity will be yours.

Your wife will be like a fruitful vine flourishing within your house, your sons like olive shoots sitting around your table.

In this way indeed shall blessing come to the man who fears the LORD.

May the LORD bless you from Zion, that you may see the prosperity of Jerusalem all the days of your life,

that you may see your children’s children. Peace be upon Israel!

SECOND READING

Hebrews 3:1-6

Verse 1. Therefore, holy brothers, who share in the heavenly calling, set your focus on Jesus, the apostle and high priest whom we confess. Verse 2. He was faithful to the One who appointed Him, just as Moses was faithful in all God’s house. Verse 3. For Jesus has been counted worthy of greater glory than Moses, just as the builder of a house has greater honor than the house itself. Verse 4. And every house is built by someone, but God is the builder of everything. Verse 5. Now Moses was faithful as a servant in all God’s house, testifying to what would be spoken later. Verse 6. But Christ is faithful as the Son over God’s house. And we are His house, if we hold firmly to our confidence and the hope of which we boast.