TODAY’S READING: NUMBERS 28-32

 

OVERVIEW:

The daily and weekly offerings: the Sabbath and monthly offerings, and the offerings to be given at the appointed feasts; God’s instruction concerning vows; God’s judgment upon the Midianites; the division of the booty obtained from the Midianites; the officers and captains bring an offering to the Lord; Reuben, Gad and half of the tribe of Manasseh settle east of the Jordan.

 

HIGHLIGHTS & INSIGHTS:

Chapters 28 and 29 deal with the subject of the Lord’s offerings, and really are an amplification of the instructions already given in Leviticus 23. Keep in mind that all of the offerings speak of Christ, and find their fulfillment in Him (Matt.5:17). Understanding that makes Numbers 28:2 beautifully significant as God speaks of these offerings as “My bread.” It is in Christ that the Father “feeds,” and has found His delight, and perfect satisfaction (Matt.4:17).

 

In chapter 30, God talks about the seriousness of making vows to Him. He wants to make certain that His people did not enter into a vow with Him lightly, or take the breaking of the vow lightly.

 

Though we are not instructed to make vows, as such, in the New Testament, wasn’t our very salvation a sacred “vow” of sorts, as we recognized that our lives were not our own because of  the price Christ paid to redeem us, and we exchanged our life, for His? (I Cor. 6:19-20; Matt. 16:24)

 

The purpose of God’s command to go to war against Midian in chapter 31 was two-fold:

1. To “avenge the children ofIsraelof the Midianites.” (31:2)
2. To “avenge the Lord of Midian.” (31:3)

 

It was to “avenge the children ofIsrael” and “the Lord” because the Midianites had devastatedIsrael, not as “enemies” in a physical war, but as “friends” in a spiritual war. The idol worshipping Midianites seduced the Children of Israel into committing “spiritual adultery” against the Lord, and became involved in “physical adultery” with their women. It had resulted in the death of 24,000 Israelites (Num. 25:9).

 

In this war that God designed it was to provide human retaliation and Divine retribution; three significant things stand out:

1. The easiness of the victory.
2. The vastness of the spoil.
3. The absence of the loss of life. (Not one of the Israelites was killed.)

 

Keep in mind that likeIsrael, we have been called to war against our physical enemy (the flesh – Gal.5:17), and against our spiritual enemy (the devil and his principalities and powers – Eph.6:10-17). As we, likeIsraelin Num. 31, walk in obedience to the Word of God and appropriate the victory, we can expect a similar result.

 

In chapter 32, Reuben and Gad approach Moses for permission to settle in a piece of property recently acquired on the east ofJordan. They had set their affection on what they could see with their “physical eyes” (note in 32:1 – “and when they saw”), rather than what God had in store for them in the Promised Land that required the “eyes of faith.” From a human standpoint, their request was very reasonable, and made all the sense in the world financially, but spiritually, it was an act of selfishness and compromise.Israel’s place was insideCanaan, not outside. That was the whole purpose of the exodus — to bring them into a new land (Deut.6:23). God wanted the entire nation, in unity, to enter the land, and for all ofIsraelto desire to be near the Tabernacle, and thus, in His presence. We see the result of their choice in I Chronicles 5:18-26 and II Kings 15:29. It wasn’t long before they bowed themselves to the gods of the people around them, and they were the first to go into captivity.

 

Obviously, these tribes are a graphic picture of self-indulgent, worldly Christians who foolishly set their affection on things on earth rather than on the things above (Col. 3:1-2), allowing physical or financial advantages to be their first consideration, and the key factor in making the decisions of life.

 

LikeIsrael, our place is inCanaan, not in this world. We are to be living in this world, but all the while seeking the things which are above, driven by our affection being set on things above, lest we, like Reuben, Gad, and half of Manasseh, be overtaken by the world, the flesh, and the devil.

 

CHRIST IS REVEALED:

In the TABERNACLES – Num. 29:12-39 (Compare Num. 29:12 with Lev.23:24) – John1:14(“The Word was made flesh and DWELT among us…” Note that the word “dwelt” is the word “tabernacle,” meaning “to temporarily live in a tent.”)

In MOSES, the RIGHTEOUS JUDGE of the wicked – Num. 31:1-17 (Rev. 16:5;19:11; II Thess. 1:7-9; Jude 14-15)

 

TODAY’S READING: NUMBERS 25-27

 

OVERVIEW:

Israel’s sin of fornication; God’s judgment in the plague of death; the plague halted because of the zeal of Phinehas; the second numbering (census) of Israel; the law of inheritance; Moses views the Promised Land; Moses installs Joshua as Israel’s leader.

 

HIGHLIGHTS & INSIGHTS:

As we saw in yesterday’s reading, Balak was bound and determined to get Balaam to curseIsrael.  Because Balaam wanted the money and honor that Balak promised him for doing so, he tried to curse them repeatedly, but God would only allow him to speak blessing.

 

Since Balaam couldn’t curse them, he suggests a way to put the Children of Israel in a situation where God Himself would curse them.  God outlines Balaam’s simple plan in His commentary on Numbers 25:1-8 found in Revelation 2:14 that He calls “the doctrine of Balaam.”

 

1. He taught Balak how to cause the Children of Israel “to eat things sacrificed to idols.”
2. He taught Balak how to cause the Children of Israel “to commit fornication.”

 

Though Balaam wasn’t successful in getting God to turn away fromIsrael, he was successful in gettingIsraelto turn away from God.  He wickedly suggests to Balak, king ofMoab, that the Moabite women make friends with the men ofIsrael.  (Keep James 4:4 in mind – “Ye adulterers and adulteresses know ye not that friendship with the world is enmity with God?”)  The “friendliness” of the Moabite women quickly led the Israelite men “as an ox goeth to the slaughter” (Prov.7:22), right into sexual immorality and idol worship. Israel’s disobedience resulted in a plague of death that swept through the camp ofIsrael, and when it was all said and done, 24,000 people were killed (25:9)!

 

The hero of this whole tragedy was Phinehas, the grandson of Aaron.  One Israelite was as so bold in his sin and lust; he actually brought one of the Midianite women intoIsrael’s camp to have a physical relationship with her right in Moses’ face.  Phinehas came into the tent and thrust both of them through with a javelin while in the very act.  God honors the zeal of Phinehas by turning away the plague of death before any others were killed, and by giving him a covenant of peace and everlasting priesthood.  Phinehas gives new meaning to “Blessed are the peacemakers”!

 

In chapter 26, God calls for the second numbering, or census, of the people in the Book of Numbers.  At this point, all of the 603,550 men included in the first census are dead, except Joshua, Caleb, and Moses (and at this point, he wasn’t long for this world either!).  The total of the second census was 601,730 . . . 1820 fewer than the first census taken some 38 years previous. Catch the pitifulness of Numbers 26:63-65.

 

Another significant event was to take place beforeIsraelwas to enter the Promised Land.  God wanted Moses to do two things:

1. To go up toMountAbarimso that he could view the land he had been forbidden to enter (27:12-14). (Imagine what must have been going through Moses’ heart at that moment!)
2. To install Joshua as the new leader (26:15-23).

 

Chapter 27 ends with Moses blessing Joshua, and laying his hands upon him, symbolically transferring his leadership which God had entrusted to him.

 

CHRIST IS REVEALED:

In JOSHUA, who would lead people likened to sheep which have no shepherd – Num. 27:17 (Mark6:34; I Pet.2:25)

 

TODAY’S READING: NUMBERS 20-24

 

OVERVIEW:

Miriam’s death; Moses strikes the rock twice; Edom refuses to allow Israel passage on their land; Aaron’s death; the judgment of the fiery serpents; the serpent of brass; Israel defeats King Arad, the Amorites, and the Moabites; Balaam is hired to curse the Israelites; the prophecies of Balaam.

 

HIGHLIGHTS & INSIGHTS:

Chapter 20 marks the end ofIsrael’s wandering in the wilderness. The death of Aaron, which takes place in this chapter, happened in the fortieth year after the Children of Israel came up out of Egypt (see Num.3:38), and from this point,Israeleither marched or halted, but did not wander.

 

It is significant that this chapter groups together three significant events: 1) Miriam’s death; 2) Moses sin (striking the rock twice); 3) Aaron’s death. These three events point to the fact that Aaron, representative of the priesthood, could not successfully leadIsraelinto the land of promise and rest; nor could Miriam, representative of the Prophets; nor could Moses, representative of the Law. The way into the Promised Land was to be led by Joshua, whom we will see as we study the Book that bears his name, is an incredible type of the Lord Jesus Christ (note: Joshua is the Hebrew rendering of the name Jesus!).

 

The reason God was so stern with Moses about disobeying His command to speak to the rock is revealed in I Corinthians 10:4. That wasn’t just any rock. That Rock was Christ! The Rock had already been smitten once (Ex. 17:5), and God didn’t want it smitten again. Striking it again would imply that Christ’s one sacrifice on the Cross wasn’t sufficient to pay for man’s sin. (To know more on this subject I preached an individual message titled “Water from a Rock” that is available in the sound booth) Because of Moses’ defilement of the type, he was not permitted to enter the Promised Land. (Husbands, take note, God does not take kindly when someone spoils the picture of His Son! You, too, are a picture of Christ in your relationship to your wife (Eph.5:22-32). Unless your relationship with your wife is right, it will be as impossible for you to enterCanaan(the fullness of life in Christ) as it was for Moses.)

 

Chapter 21 presents another incredible picture of Christ. The people had been bitten with the fiery serpents because of two sins: They spoke against God, and they spoke against Moses. Because of their sin, they were dying (Num. 21:5-6). In like fashion, we are sinners because we have sinned against God, and because we have sinned against our fellow man (Mark12:30-31).

 

Because of our sin, we have been bitten by the fiery serpent of sin, and are destined to die (Rom. 6:23a – “the wages of sin is death”).

 

God’s remedy inIsraelwas a serpent of brass that was to be lifted up on a pole among the people, and all who looked to it were delivered from death to life. In John 3:14, Jesus said, “And AS Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: That whosoever believeth in him (i.e. look to Him in faith) should not perish, but have eternal life.”

 

Note several things comparing the physical salvation provided through the serpent of brass lifted up on the pole, and the spiritual salvation provided through the Lord Jesus Christ, lifted up on the cross:

 

 

1. Their salvation was BY FAITH. It wasn’t by anything they did, the command was simply to “LOOK and LIVE!”
2. It was BY FAITH ALONE. Israelwas not saved by looking at the serpent AND keeping the Law…or bringing a sacrifice…or by promising reform. They were saved by faith alone. Likewise, our salvation is not Christ PLUS anything! If anything needs to be ADDED to Christ, it is to say that Christ is not sufficient in Himself to provide our salvation. God forbid!
3. There was only ONE REMEDY. We have all heard countless times that, “There are many roads to heaven.” There was only ONE REMEDY in the camp ofIsrael, and there is only ONE REMEDY today! Jesus said in John 14:6, “I am THE WAY (not “a” way)…no man cometh unto the Father but by me.” Unless a person looks to Christ by faith, the sting of death (I Cor.15:56) is inevitable and eternal.
4. Their salvation was IMMEDIATE. Just as their was an immediate miracle when the bitten victim in Israel looked to the serpent of brass, so every sinner bitten by the fiery serpent of sin receives the immediate miracle of eternal life when He looks to Christ by faith.

 

In chapters 22- 24 is the strange story of Balaam and Balak. Balak tried to hire Balaam to curse the Children of Israel, but every time he opened his mouth to do so, much to his surprise and Balak’s anger, out came blessing! He eventually gets Israel to curse it’s self by defiling themselves with the women of Moab. The world cannot curse us, but we can curse our selves by uniting with the world.

 

CHRIST IS REVEALED:

In the ROCK which Moses struck – Num. 20:8-11; Ex. 17:6 (Christ, the Rock – I Cor. 10:4, was struck once through His death on the cross, and does not need to be struck again. Rom.6:10– “For in that he died, he died unto sin once.”)

In the SERPENT OF BRASS – Num. 21:8-9 (John3:14).

In the prophesied STAR and SCEPTER – Num. 24:17 (Heb. 1:8 – scepter; Rev. 22:16 – star).

TODAY’S READING: NUMBERS 16-19

 

OVERVIEW:

Korah leads a rebellion against Moses and Aaron; the plague of judgment sent by God; duties for the priests; the tithe offering; the sacrifice of the red heifer.

 

HIGHLIGHTS & INSIGHTS:

The complaints that were hurled against Moses in chapter 12 came from his own brother and sister.  The uprising against him in chapter 16 comes from his own cousins, Korah, Dathan, and Abram.  The sad thing is that Korah, the ringleader of the rebellion, was able to negatively influence 250 of the leaders ofIsraelagainst Moses and Aaron. 

 

Their accusations against Moses and Aaron, the God-ordained authorities in Israel, was that they assumed too much authority, and that there were others, namely THEM, who were deserving of an equal voice in the decisions that were made for the nation.  They, no doubt, were assured that they were right, and that they were seeking to champion the “Lord’s cause”, and a cause that was for the “good of the people.”  They were wrong.  Dead wrong!  In fact, verse 11 reveals that their actual rebellion wasn’t against the authority of Moses and Aaron but against the authority of the Lord Himself! (“. . . both thou and all thy company are gathered together against the Lord” – (16:11). As the Lord recounts this story in Numbers 26:9, He says that, “they strove against the Lord.”

 

It is interesting to note that Moses and Aaron did not seek to defend themselves.  They let God be their defense (Psalm 59:9).  Moses instructs Korah and his 250 rebels to bring censers (the pots used for burning incense) to the Tabernacle so that God could reveal who was right in the dispute.  The object lesson was incredible. The ground opened up and swallowed Korah, Dathan, Abram, and as the 250 princes offered their incense, God breathed out fire and they themselves went up in smoke!

 

One would think that the supernatural intervention of God confirming the authority of Moses and Aaron would have caused the people to willfully and joyfully submit.  Rather, they murmured once again, actually blaming Moses and Aaron for the killing of Korah and all his cohorts!  Wow!  Needless to say, God was not pleased.  He instructs Moses and Aaron to back off so that He could consume every last one of the murmurers.  Moses (what a guy!), rather than relish in God’s JUDGMENT on the people, instructs Aaron to offer ATONEMENT for them so that the people would be spared.  Before Aaron can offer the atonement, however, 14,700 people were killed!!!

 

Evidently, even the events of chapter 16 weren’t enough to convince the people of Aaron’s authority in the priesthood.  In chapter 17, God wants to settle the issue once and for all.  God instructs Moses to tell each tribe to present a rod (a dead stick) to be placed in front of theArkin the Tabernacle.  The rod that blossomed would indicate the one He had chosen for the priesthood.  Obviously, Aaron’s rod was the only one that budded – but not only that, in a single day, it budded, blossomed, and bore fruit!  The other rods were still as dead as a door nail.  While each of the princes took back his lifeless rod, the rod of Aaron was placed in the Tabernacle before theArkto be a constant reminder to the rebels of the nation who the one High Priest of Israel actually was.

 

Aaron’s rod, of course, is a beautiful picture of the Lord Jesus Christ.  Many religious leaders and teachers have arisen throughout the course of time.  They all had one thing in common: they died!  Only One rose from the dead!  He alone is the Source and Giver of life, our Great High Priest!   

 

CHRIST IS REVEALED:

In AARON’S BUDDING ROD – Num. 17:1-8 (I Cor.15:20; Acts 17:3: 26:23) In AARON AND HIS SONS who were responsible to bear the iniquity of the people in the sanctuary – Num. 18:1 (Isa. 53:4-7; Titus2:14) In the RED HEIFER which was to be offered as a cleansing from defilement. • It was to be without spot or blemish – Num. 19:2 (Christ was “without blemish and without spot” – I Pet.1:19)

 

• It was to have never born a yoke – Num. 19:2 (A yoke is put on an animal to subdue its wild nature and compel subjection.  Christ needed no yoke, but came saying, “Lo, I come to do thy will, O God” – Heb. 10:7)
• It was to be red – Num. 19:2 (A picture of the blood of Christ – Heb.9:14; I Pet. 1:2, 19) • It was to be slain without (outside) the camp – Num. 19:3 (Christ was crucified onGolgotha, a place outside of the city ofJerusalem– John19:17)
• It’s blood was to be sprinkled seven times before the Tabernacle – Num. 19:4 (Seven is the number of completion and perfection in the Bible.  Christ offered one complete and perfect sacrifice for sin – Heb.10:12,14)

 

TODAY’S READING: NUMBERS 13-15

 

OVERVIEW:

The 12 spies sent intoCanaan; their report; Moses’ intercessory prayer for the children ofIsrael; God’s pardon, but refusal to allowIsraelto enter the Promised Land; laws concerning offerings, sins, and the Sabbath.

 

HIGHLIGHTS & INSIGHTS:

Leaving the wilderness of Sinai, the children ofIsraelwere led northward until they reached Kadesh-barnea, the southern tip of thelandofCanaan.  For the first time, they were actually able to see the land God had promised to them.  Before going into possess the land, a leader from each of the 12 tribes was chosen to spy out the land for 40 days.

 

As the 12 spies brought back their report, there was complete agreement thatCanaanwas, indeed, “a land that flowed with milk and honey” (13:27), but 10 said that overcoming the obstacles in the land was an utter impossibility.  Only Joshua and Caleb said, “Let us go up at once, and possess it for we are able to overcome it” (13:30).    The ten saw with the eye of the flesh.  The two saw with the eye of the faith.”

 

The outcome is history. Israelfirst refused to believe, and then rebelled, even suggesting that Joshua and Caleb be stoned, and that a new leader be appointed to lead them back toEgypt.  The result:  38 years of wandering in the wilderness.  (Note:  A total of 40 years, one year for each day the spies were inCanaan– Num. 14:33-34.)  And what a tragedy!  The entire generation of people who were age 20 and above at the time of their glorious exodus fromEgyptwas condemned to die in the wilderness, having never experienced God’s purpose in bringing them out.  They picture many (most?) believers today, who like Israel, refuse to trust God’s promise to grant them victory over their enemies (the world, the flesh, and the Devil), and refused to trust God to grant them entrance into the fullness of life, rest, fruit, and blessing in Christ (Canaan).

 

As we begin chapter 15, God begins the transitional part of the Book of Numbers (chapters 15-20), which covers the 38 years of wilderness wanderings where the old generation died off.  To help us understand just how much “dying” actually took place, Dr. Leon Wood (A Survey of Israel’s History) notes: “Figuring 1,200,000 (600,000 of both men and women) as having to die in 14,508 days (38½ years), gives 85 per day.  Figuring 12 hours per day maximum for funerals, gives an average of seven funerals per hour for all 38½ years, a continuous foreboding reminder of God’s punishment upon them.”

 

CHRIST IS REVEALED:

As the GLORY OF GOD – Num.14:22(Heb. 1:3; John1:14; II Cor. 4:6)

TODAYS READING: NUMBERS 11-12

 

OVERVIEW:

The complaint of the people; the lust of the people; the complaint of Moses; the 70 elders chosen; the plague of the quail; Aaron and Miriam speak against Moses; Miriam is stricken with leprosy; Moses prays on her behalf.

 

HIGHLIGHTS & INSIGHTS:

As the blessed observance of the Passover ended in chapter 9, the guiding cloud lifted from off the Tabernacle in chapter 10, sending the entire camp ofIsraelin motion.  What an exciting time it must have been as the ark of the covenant of the Lord went before them in the three days journey, to search out a resting place from them (Num.10:33), moving them ever-closer toCanaan.  SurelyIsraelwas filled with singing, and rejoicing!  NOT!  The opening words of chapter 11 begin, and when the people complained.  In fact, complaining and murmuring becomes one ofIsraels favorite pastimes! 

 

• “And when the people complained” Num. 11:1
• “And Miriam and Aaron spoke against Moses” Num. 12:1.
• “And all the children ofIsraelmurmured against Moses and against Aaron” Num. 14:2
• “Now Koran took men: And they rose up before Moses and they gathered themselves together against Moses and against Aaron” Num. 16:1-3
• “But on the morrow all the congregation of the children ofIsraelmurmured against Moses and Aaron” Numbers16:41
• “And the men, which Moses sent to search the land made all the congregation to murmur against him” Num.14:36

 

Some have even suggested that rather than being called the Book of Numbers, perhaps the Fourth Book of Moses might more aptly be called The Book of Murmurings!

 

But not only did the people fall into the trap of murmuring and complaining, they also fell into the trap of lusting.  It seems unthinkable, especially coming off of the heels of the glorious reminder of their deliverance from the AFFLICTION of their flesh in Egypt that they had just celebrated in the Passover, that only a few days later they would be lusting for the ways their flesh was GRATIFIED in Egypt (Num. 11:4-9)!  Can anyone say I Corinthians 6:10?  Now theses things were our examples, to the intent that we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted.

Sometimes it’s easy for believers to forget that this world’s system (Egypt) was the snare Satan used to hold us captive at his will (II Tim2:26).  Forgetting that it was the very system of evil that almost sent us to Hell, we begin to lust for the ways our flesh was gratified when we were in it. God help us!

 

Note the sad results of the complaining and carnality of the people upon their leader.  Moses is thrust into great discouragement, and himself, begins to voice his complaint to the Lord (11:10-15). He cries out, I can t do this, God!  The burden is too heavy.  Just kill me!

 

In the remainder of chapter 11, God deals the complaints of both Moses and the people.  He gives Moses 70 elders to assist him in his work, and he gives the Jews the meat they lusted for.  Note, however, that in both cases, THEY GOT WHAT THEY WANTED, BUT LOST WHAT THEY HAD.  The Spirit of God anointing Moses to lead the people was divided among the 70 elders, and the meat the Children of Israel lusted after was a curse that led to their death.  (But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death (James1:14-15). The lesson is, be careful what you ask God for.

 

In chapter 12, the murmuring has ascended to yet another level.  Now it flows from Moses own brother and sister: Aaron, the High Priest, andMiriam,Israel’s prophetess (Ex.15:20). They state that their complaint against Moses was the Ethiopian wife he had selected, but it is only the smokescreen to mask their own jealousy and pride.  Their complaint wasn’t really against Moses selection of a wife; it was against Moses authority.  What they really wanted was the authority of Moses position.  Verse 2 makes their motive abundantly clear.  Once again, don t miss the fact that the more things change, the more they stay the same!  Human nature still employs the same tactics in the 21st century.

 

Note that Moses in his meekness (12:3), does not seek to vindicate himself, but rather trusts God to handle the situation.  God was well able to make the point!

 

CHRIST IS REVEALED:

In MOSES who was very meek above all the men which were upon the face of the earth        Num. 12:3 (Matt.11:29Jesus said, I am meek and lowly in heart.)

 

 

TODAY’S READING: NUMBERS 8-10

 

OVERVIEW:

Consecration of the Levites; observance of the second Passover; the Lord’s guiding presence in the cloud and fire; the two silver trumpets; the children ofIsraelleave Sinai.

 

HIGHLIGHTS & INSIGHTS:

As we move into Numbers 8, God unfolds to us the consecration of the Levites.  God reveals that before these priests were to render their service to God, they were first to be cleansed (8:7).

 

There were three different aspects of their cleansing:

1. The sprinkling of water upon them.
2. The shaving of all hair from their flesh.
3. The washing of their clothes.

 

God also wants His New Testament priests (all believers – I Peter 2:9) to be cleansed before offering to God their deeds of service.  As with the Levites of Numbers 8, we too, are cleansed:

1. By the sprinkling of water upon us . . .  Heb. 10:22 –“having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.” 
2. By the cleansing (shaving) of all filthiness of the flesh…II Cor. 7:1 – (those deeds of the flesh that are as much a part of us as our very hair).
3. By the washing of our clothes. . . Eph.5:26– “the washing of water by the word.”

 

Just as the Levites acceptance with God was on the basis of the SIN offering and the BURNT offering (8:8-12), so our acceptance with God is based solely on the atoning offering for sin provided by the Lord Jesus Christ (Eph. 1:6).

 

Just as the Levites were to be presented before the Lord and completely surrendered to Him (8:13-16), we too, are commanded to “present our bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God” (Rom. 12:1).

 

In chapter 9, God deals with the issue of FELLOWSHIP and GUIDANCE.  In 9:1-14, God covers the celebration of the first anniversary of the Passover, which speaks of fellowship.  In9:15-23, God explains the pillar of cloud and fire, which speak of guidance.  The Passover, of course, relates to the New Testament believer in the Lord’s Supper, where we, like Israel, are put in remembrance of God’s work of redemption, and thus, fellowship, through the blood of the Passover Lamb (I Cor. 5:7).  The pillar of cloud and fire which provided guidance to the Old Testament saints is representative of the indwelling Spirit in the New Testament believer in Christ.  Just as the children ofIsraelwere to make no plans on their own, but were to be totally dependent upon God’s guidance for their every move, so we are to be completely surrendered to the Spirit of God to provide our guidance through His filling.

 

In chapter 10, Moses is told to make two trumpets.  These trumpets, like the pillar of cloud and fire, were for guidance.  Whereas the cloud and fire gave guidance for the eye, the trumpets provided guidance through the ear.  The trumpets were used for four specific purposes:

 

1. To be a summonsing call to ASSEMBLE the people.
2. To be a signal to ADVANCE the people.
3. To be a sounding blast at a time of war to ALARM the people.
4. To be a melodious song to provide a continued AWARENESS (memorial) to the people of the sacrifices of God.

 

The sounding of these trumpets point prophetically to:

1. The summonsing call to ASSEMBLE thechurchofJesus Christat the rapture (I Thess.4:16).
2. The signal of ADVANCE as our corruptible, mortal bodies put on incorruption and immortality (I Cor.15:52).
3. The sounding ALARM inZion(Joel 2:1) as God declares war in the Tribulation Period (Rev. 8-9).
4. The melodious song ever-sounding in our ears through out eternity as a memorial of God’s glorious sacrifice on our behalf through His Son.

 

As God prepares the camp ofIsraelto move onward from Sinai on their journey toCanaan, it may be beneficial to your understanding to see how God actually organized each tribe and people around the Tabernacle as designated in Numbers 2. 

 

CHRIST IS REVEALED:

In the PASSOVER – Num. 9:2 (I Cor. 5:7; John1:29)

TODAY’S READING: NUMBERS 5-7

 

OVERVIEW:

Laws concerning cleansing; laws concerning confession and restitution; laws concerning suspected immorality (jealousy); the princes’ offerings for the dedication of the Tabernacle.

 

HIGHLIGHTS & INSIGHTS:

The Bible tells us very distinctly that we are to “rightly divide the word of truth” (II Tim.2:15). This verse also tells us that in order to make those “right divisions,” we must see ourselves as “workmen,” employing one of the most difficult tasks known to man: STUDY!  Through diligent study and hard work, God reveals to us the divisions He has made in His Word.  In each Book of the Bible, there are certain keys that help us to unlock the divisions that God has specifically set – what God likes to call the “RIGHT” divisions!

 

As we study the Book of Numbers, what becomes key to unlocking the divisions God has set is understanding that there are two very distinct generations of people that are being dealt with in this Book.  The first group of people is the generation of people that came up out ofEgypt, but because of their unbelief, were forbidden to enter the Promised Land and died in the wilderness.  The other generation is the group of people who grew up in the wilderness, but were permitted to enter intoCanaanbecause they were under their parent’s authority at the time ofIsrael’s failure to trust God (Deut.1:35-39).  Identifying these two generations neatly divides the Book of Numbers into 3 sections:

 

• The “old” generation is covered in chapters 1-14.
• The “new” generation is covered in chapters 21-36.
• The chapters in between (15-20), record the period of transition during which the “old” generation died off, and the “new” generation grew up.

 

Whereas the first four chapters of the Book of Numbers dealt with the OUTWARD FORMATION of the camp, the next five chapters deal with the INWARD CONDITION of it.  God capsulizes the central theme of this section in chapter 5 and verse 3, “. . . that they defile not their camps, in the midst whereof I dwell.”  Because God was in their camp, it was to be holy – completely free from defilement.  The New Testament equivalent is II Corinthians 6:14-7:1 . . . because God dwells in us, we are to be separated from all uncleanness, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

 

In chapter 5, God gives instruction that lepers are to be quarantined outside of the camp (5:1-4); that anything acquired through dishonesty be confessed and recompensed (5:5-10); and that any suspected immorality be tested before God (5:11-31).  In short, God is showing us the absolute necessity for purity, honesty, and truth.

 

Chapter 6 deals with God’s instruction concerning the Nazarite vow.  The implications are this:  when a man or a woman in the Old Testament wanted to be used in God’s service, but did not qualify because they were not a Levite or priest, they could voluntarily take the Nazarite vow (“Nazarite” is a Hebrew transliteration that means “dedication by separation”).  The Nazarite separated himself from certain hindrances to holiness in order to be wholly devoted to the service of the Lord.  Although the outward characteristics of the Nazarite vow no longer apply, they point to the priority God places on our personal surrender and consecration in order to be used to carry out His will and mission.

 

Chapter 7 records the free-will offering of the princes ofIsrael, (the representative heads of each of the tribes ofIsrael). Several things to note are that the gifts were totally voluntary, and although the gifts were identical, God took an enormous amount of space to specifically and separately record each one.  The New Testament equivalent is the fact that, “God loveth a cheerful giver” (II Cor. 9.7), and that though He doesn’t need our treasure, He treasures the fact that our heart of love for Him prompts us to give to Him (Matt.6:21).

 

CHRIST IS REVEALED:

In the NAZARITE who “dedicated” himself “by separation” – Numbers 6:1-8 (Jesus willingly dedicated Himself to serve the will of the Father, separating Himself from sin, even to death – John6:38; Matthew 26:39, 42)

INTRODUCTION TO NUMBERS

 

The Book of Numbers was written by Moses, approximately 1445 to 1405 B.C. (Num. 33:2; 36:13).  The Book gets its name from the ancient Greek title of this book, ARITHMOI, from which we obviously get our English word ARITHMETIC. Later, Latin translators of the Old Testament gave the Book the title NUMERI, from which we get our English word NUMBERS.  Interestingly, the word NUMBERS (or some form of it) is found 127 times in this Book, but it actually gets its name from the two numberings (censuses) of the men of war in chapters 1-4 and chapters 26-27.  The first numbering or census took place the second year after the Jews’ exodus from Egypt, and the second numbering was made 38 years later, just as the nation of Israel was about to enter Canaan.

 

The Book of Numbers actually picks up the history of the Israelites where the Book of Exodus left off.  Just one month had passed between the completion of the Tabernacle in Exodus 40:17, and God’s command to number the people in Numbers 1:1-2.  During that one month period, the instruction in the Book of Leviticus was given.  Whereas the Book of Leviticus deals with the believer’s WORSHIP, the Book of Numbers deals with the believer’s WALK.  Whereas PURITY is the central theme of Leviticus, PILGRIMAGE is the central theme of Numbers. 

 

The Book of Numbers has incredible implications and applications for believers today.  God tells us that specifically in I Corinthians 10:1-12 and Hebrews chapters 3 and 4.  In this Book we will see the nation ofIsraelafter being gloriously delivered from the bondage ofEgyptby the blood of the lamb, failing to take God at His Word, and thus, wandering in the wilderness of unbelief, rather than entering into their inheritance inCanaan.

 

As we have mentioned repeatedly in our 365 Days of Pursuit, don’t ever lose sight of the fact thatIsraelof the Old Testament is a picture of the individual believer in the New Testament.  Just likeIsrael, after being gloriously delivered out of the bondage ofEgypt(sin/world) by the blood of the Lamb, failing to take God at His Word, we too, wander in the wilderness of unbelief, rather than entering into the fullness of our inheritance in Christ.  The lessons to be learned in Numbers are “numerous”!

 

TODAY’S READING: NUMBERS 1-4

 

OVERVIEW:

The first numbering (census) of the Israelites; the encampment location of each tribe in relation to the Tabernacle; the census and duties of the Levites: the Kohathites, the Gersonites, and the Merarites.

 

HIGHLIGHTS & INSIGHTS:

As mentioned in the INTRODUCTION TO NUMBERS, the Book of Numbers picks up the narrative where the Book of Exodus left off.  The last chapter of Exodus (40:17) says, “And it came to pass in the FIRST MONTH of the second year, on the first day of the month, that the tabernacle was reared up.”  Numbers 1:1 says, “And the Lord spake unto Moses in the wilderness of Sinai, in the tabernacle of the congregation, on the first day of the SECOND MONTH, in the second year after they were come out of the land of Egypt.”  So there was a break of just one month between the time the Tabernacle was erected at the end of Exodus, and the command to number the people at the beginning of Numbers (1:1-3) — with the Leviticus instructions coming between the two.

 

Note that the census that God commandedIsraelto make was not of the entire nation, but only the men age 20 and above who were able to go to war.  The total was 603, 550.

 

One of the saddest realities in the entire Bible is that of these 603,550 men, 603,548 of them would die in the wilderness, having never experienced God’s purpose for the exodus.  As God made abundantly clear from the beginning, the purpose for the exodus wasn’t just to bring them OUT of EGYPT, but to bring them IN to CANAAN (Exodus 3:8; Deut. 6:23)!  As God warns us to learn fromIsrael’s failure in the wilderness in I Cor. 10:5-6, it makes one wonder whether out of 603,550 believers today, would there be more than two who actually fulfill God’s purposes for their exodus, by allowing God to bring them into their “Canaan” (the fullness of life in Christ)? What an incredibly sobering reality!  If those statistics are right, will you be one of the two?  Will you trust God, not only to save you from the PENALTY of sin, but from the POWER of sin?  Will you rise above the spiritual discouragement, disillusionment, defeat, and death of the wilderness, and live in the spiritual peace, prosperity, productivity, and power ofCanaan?

 

Note also, that if there were 603,550 men at the time of the census, it would strongly suggest thatIsrael’s’ total population would have been between 2 and 2.5 million people!  It has been estimated that it would have required nearly 50 railroad box cars of manna per day just to feed the people.  The land mass needed to accommodate this multitude when they camped at night would exceed 100 square miles! (Approx. an area that would cover from  our church to Dallas to Hiram, to Douglasville, back to the church) 

 

As we come through the first four chapters of Numbers, one of the things that is very apparent is that God always does things decently and in order (I Cor.14:40).  God gave specific instruction forIsraelto arrange itself into an orderly camp with its mobile worship center (the Tabernacle) at the very center.  God did not want Israel to be a chaotic mob in the midst of their journeys, but rather, intended Israel’s orderliness, organization, and structure to be one of the key ways His people stood out from the rest of the world, so they would have the opportunity to tell them of their God (See Num. 24:2,5).  God layout the design of their camp with the Tabernacle (place of worship) as the center of their lives. This is in direct opposition of the way we in this church age layout our lives. We live with things like our jobs, family, sports and leisure, and money as the center of our lives, and church is just something that is a part of our lives.   

 

As we journey through the midst of the chaotic world of the 21st century, with the lives of its people in such disarray, God wants the orderliness of the lives of His people, as we arrange them according to the instruction of His Word with worship at the very center, to be one of the key ways our lives stand out from the rest of the world, so we have the opportunity to tell them of our God (I Peter 3:15).

 

CHRIST IS REVEALED:

Through MOSES as he led the people – Num.1:54(John10:14, 27) Through AARON, the high priest, who was served by the Levites – Num. 3:6 (As a holy and “royal priesthood,” we serve Christ, our great high Priest – John12:26; I Pet. 2:5-9; Heb.4:14)

TODAY’S READING: LEVITICUS 25-27

 

OVERVIEW:

Laws concerning personal property; the sevens of rest and liberty; the blessing of obedience and the cursing of disobedience; vows and tithes explained.

 

HIGHLIGHTS & INSIGHTS:

We live in a world that believes that can live the way they want and not suffer the consequences. But God has established some universal laws that apply to all whether we believe them or not. One of these laws is gravity. Gravity always prevails.   “I believe I can fly”, sings the hip-hop star R. Kelly, but what would happen if someone was to challenge the truth of Mr. Kelly’s proposition?  Suppose R. Kelly climbed to the top of theEmpireStatebuilding and tested the validity of his belief by jumping.  What would happen?  Of course that’s a rhetorical question because before we could answer we would hear terrified screams and ambulance sirens.  You see, it doesn’t matter what you believe because truth still prevails.  In fact, as illustrated by this scenario, believing the wrong thing will kill you no matter how sincere or genuine you are.

God established physical laws or truths in our universe, gravity being one of them, that always prevail no matter how man attempts to overcome them or ignore them.  God has also established spiritual laws or truths that prevail no matter how man tries to overcome or ignore them.  Leviticus 26 reveals a very simple truth that many don’t want to believe or don’t like to believe: obeying God results in blessing, disobeying God results in cursing.  Believers and unbelievers alike prefer to believe that there are no consequences to disobedience.  God says it like this: “Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.  For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting” (Gal. 6:7, 8).  Oftentimes, the problem is that we never connect the circumstances of our lives with the consequences of our disobedience – it’s too painful to accept; “ignorance is bliss” as they say.  But Leviticus 26:18, 21, 24 and 28 shows us that the consequences of disobedience are real concrete facts of history. Israelwas punished 7 times for their sins during their 70 year captivity inBabylon(c. 536-606 BC) and they will be chastised again for seven years in the Great Tribulation because they rejected their Messiah, Jesus Christ.  So how’s your life?  Are the circumstances you are experiencing a result of disobeying God’s word?  Are there broken relationships in your life because you won’t confess your wrong, or forgive the wrong of others?  Are there secret sins you are habitually practicing, thinking that no one will ever find out, forgetting that everything you do is live before a studio audience in heaven?  Repent today.  Don’t forget that the fires of the altar are always burning because God is “good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon [Him]” (Ps. 86:5).

Looking back through the book of Leviticus we can see two clear divisions: chapters 1-10 describe our POSITIONAL STANDING before God (salvation), while chapters 11-27 describe our PRACTICAL STANDING before God (sanctification).  As we close today, let’s remind ourselves of the high points of Leviticus.  First, REMEMBER that the path to peace and fruitfulness starts with worship.  Next, REJOICE that through Jesus Christ’s finished work, God has made you (if you’re a Christian) a sacrifice (Rom.12:1, 2), a priest (I Pet. 2:5) and a place (Eph.2:22).  Finally, REALIZE that you are to be holy as He is holy (Lev.11:45).

 

CHRIST IS REVEALED:

As the REDEEMER of the kingdom of heaven – Lev 25 (Acts3:20,21; Rev. 11:15).