By What Authority

Mark 11

Jesus came into Jerusalem in the manner of a triumphant king, riding on the back of a donkeys colt with the people shouting: 

“Hosanna!

BLESSED IS HE WHO COMES IN THE NAME OF THE LORD;

Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David;

Hosanna in the highest!”

After looking around, Jesus departed with the twelve disciples for Bethany because it was already late. The next morning, as they departed Bethany for Jerusalem, Jesus was hungry and he cursed a fig tree that had no fruit. When he entered the city, Jesus drove the merchants out of the temple to the consternation of the chief priest and scribes; however, the crowd was astonished at his teaching. Every evening, Jesus and the twelve departed Jerusalem and every morning they returned. Peter noted that the fig tree that Jesus cursed had withered, so Jesus took opportunity to teach his disciples about having faith in prayer and forgiving others. The chief priests, scribes and elders challenged the authority by which Jesus taught but he refused to answer unless they answered, “Was the baptism of John from heaven, or from men?”

Jesus entry into Jerusalem riding on the back of a donkeys colt answered Jesus’ belief about himself. 

Zechariah 9:9 says:

Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion!

Shout in triumph, O daughter of Jerusalem!

Behold, your king is coming to you;

He is just and endowed with salvation,

Humble, and mounted on a donkey,

Even on a colt, the foal of a donkey.

Zechariah 9:9 is a messianic prophecy; therefore, since Jesus came riding into Jerusalem in this way, it is evident whom Jesus believed himself to be. He believed himself to be the long awaited Messiah, who is called Christ. Jesus believed that he had the authority to clear the temple of merchandizers and the authority to teach. This greatly disturbed the chief priests, scribes and synagogue elders. When someone has a certain amount of authority, they do not want anything offsetting the balance, less they lose their position of authority. Jesus upset the balance of things. When he cursed the fig tree, it was not the fig tree that Jesus was cursing but the teaching that had taken over Judaism, it had no fruit. Jesus always the teacher, used the withering of the fig tree as an opportunity to teach his disciples about believing in prayer and not praying to God with an unforgiving heart. 

Come Follow Me

Mark 10

It was Jesus’ custom to teach when a crowd gathered. He taught that it is not God’s will that a wife and husband should separate, for he considers them one flesh. Later, his disciples questioned him about this and Jesus told them that to divorce and marry another is committing adultery. Jesus used the metaphor of how a child excepts as being the way we should except the kingdom of God. Jesus corrected a rich young man’s understanding of good and showed him that to repent and follow Jesus Christ is the only good that a man can do. It is impossible for people to enter the kingdom of God but with God all things are possible. Jesus promised eternal life to all who leave whatever is holding them back from following him. On the journey to Jerusalem, Jesus told his disciples about his coming arrest, trial, humiliation, suffering, death and resurrection three days later. James and John sought honor for themselves at Jesus right and left sides in his kingdom, but he told them, it is for whom it has been prepared by God. The greatest in the kingdom of God is a lowly servant in the kingdom of man. Jesus healed a blind man who had lost his sight because he asked Jesus to heal him, believing that he could. 

The kingdom of God is much different than the kingdom of man. The man who has the most things and is served by others is considered greatest in the kingdom of man. Jesus says to leave all and follow me. He says to not worry about what you are loosing in this life to follow him. God will provide for your needs in this life and give you eternal life in the age to come. 

Following Jesus means doing what he commands. I have seen many attempt to discount the words of Jesus as meaning something different than what he actually taught. Jesus used metaphors and parables to teach but he often spoke directly. Jesus directly said to divorce and marry another is committing adultery. This is not a metaphor, nor was it a parable. No one should leave their spouse and marry another. If you have already done so, this cannot be undone but you should remain with the wife or husband to whom you are presently married.

Following Jesus Christ is not easy. It can mean much loss in this present life but their is the promise of eternal life in the age to come. All sin can be forgiven in Jesus Christ. Jesus does not say live such and such a way and you will receive eternal life. He says that whoever follows him will receive eternal life. If there is anything holding you back, leave all and follow Jesus today!

Listen to Jesus

Mark 9

Jesus said that some of the disciples would see the kingdom of God come with power. Peter, James and John saw Jesus transfigured into his glorified state and were told by the Father to listen to him before Moses and the prophets. Jesus commanded that they tell no one what that had seen until he rose from the dead. Jesus healed an epileptic boy but more than that, he helped a doubting father have faith. Jesus prepared his disciples for his death at the hands of men and his bodily resurrection on the third day. Jesus taught his disciples that the greatest in the kingdom of God is the one considered last among men because he is servant of all.  Jesus taught his disciples to not be particular regarding persons who think differently but love Jesus Christ and the followers of Christ. Jesus warned his disciples to not be the cause of a weak believers stumbling because stumbling leads to hell. Jesus commanded his disciples to have a purifying influence and be at peace with one another. 

Peter, James and John saw Jesus as the glorified Son of God. Jesus is better than Moses and better than Elijah. Moses represents the law and Elijah represents the prophets. Peter wanted to make tabernacles for all three but the Father negated this saying, “This is My beloved Son, listen to Him!” Asking if the Christian is under the Old Testament law, is not a question that should even be asked. Asking that questions leads to an unfruitful discussion. The word Christian means, “Follower of Christ.” We are not followers of Moses and the prophets, we are followers of Christ. I read the Old Testament, because doing so, gives me more knowledge and understanding of God and man. However, we are not lead by Moses, Aaron or the prophets. Jesus Christ is our prophet, priest and king. It is the teaching of Christ that we are to observe and it is the person of Christ that we are to emulate. Jesus suffered and died for our sins, and he was buried, and he bodily rose from the dead the third day. Jesus, not Moses, nor Elijah is coming on a day and hour of the Father’s choosing to judge the earth. He will give eternal life to his followers and eternal punishment to his rejectors. All of Jesus commandments are love and truth.

Inheritance by Marriage

Numbers 36

The son of Machir of the tribe of Manasseh came to Moses with a concern regarding the land given to the daughters of Zelophehad. (cf. Num 27:5-7) He was concerned that if they married outside of the tribe, the inheritance would be transferred to another tribe and made permanent in the year of jubilee. Moses said, “Let them marry whom they wish; only they must marry within the family of the tribe of their father.” No inheritance shall pass from one tribe to another and if a daughter receives an inheritance she must marry within her own tribe. Thus the daughters of Zelophehad did as the Lord had commanded Moses, they married within the tribe of Manasseh and their inheritance remained in that tribe. The book concludes the commandments and ordinances of the Lord through Moses, given on the plains of Moab by the Jordan. 

The Lord had promised to give the land of Canaan to the seed of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. (Gen 35:12) The Lord changed Jacob’s name to Israel (Gen 35:10) and made this promise to him. The sons of Manasseh were worried that the sons of another tribe might obtain Manasseh’s inheritance. Each tribe was to have there own inheritance in the land of Canaan but were to think of themselves as one congregation. This final chapter indicates future division within the congregation and is the background for the historical books. Israel would become divided into northern and southern kingdoms. Through Moses, a spirit of vengeance and possessiveness was solidified in the law, but Jesus changed this way of thinking during his sermon on the Mount.

Matthew 5:38-42

“You have heard that it was said, ‘AN EYE FOR AN EYE, AND A TOOTH FOR A TOOTH.’ But I say to you, do not resist an evil person; but whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. If anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, let him have your coat also. Whoever forces you to go one mile, go with him two. Give to him who asks of you, and do not turn away from him who wants to borrow from you.” 

Cities of Refuge

Numbers 35

The Lord commanded through Moses, that the Sons of Israel give to the Levites cities to live in and pasture lands around the cities. There shall be forty-eight Levitical cities spread throughout all of Israel, of which, six shall be cities of refuge for the man-slayer to flee. The cities of refuge are for a man who has killed without intention to flee too until he stands trial before the congregation. The man who has killed by malice of forethought is a murder and shall be put to death by the avenger of the one murdered. If he is found innocent of murder by the congregation he is to be protected from the avenger in the city of refuge but cannot leave that city until the high priest dies. The murder is to be put to death but the one who killed without malice is to live in the city of refuge and no one shall take a bribe but make righteous judgment.

The Levites belong to the Lord as representatives for all the first born sons, whom the Lord passed over, when he took the lives of the first born in Egypt. The entire tribe of Levi became the servants of the Lord but they needed places to live. They were not given a section as their own, in the land of Canaan, but they were given forty-eight cities to live in throughout Israel. Six of those cities, three west of the Jordan river and three east of the Jordan river were considered cities of refuge for the man-slayer. Human beings were created in the image of God. Therefore, all human life is holy to the Lord. Human life is to be considered so valuable, that the life of a man should be protected from those who intended to do him harm. Blood pollutes the land and the only covering for that blood is the blood of him who shed it. There is an exception clause for accidents, but the man is not allowed to return to his own land, he is confined to one of the cities of refuge until he or the high priest dies; thus expiation is either made by the man’s blood, or the blood of the high priest’s; remember, “the life of the flesh is in the blood.” (Lev 17:11) 

A day and an hour is coming in which God will judge the world in righteousness. (Acts 17:31) Inasmuch as it is appointed for men to die once and after this comes judgment. (Heb 9:27) Jesus is the High Priest of those who have repentance towards God and faith in Jesus Christ. (Heb 3:1) He died for our sins according to the Scriptures and he was buried and he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures. (1 Cor. 15:3) We can now leave the metaphorical city of refuge and receive our inheritance in Christ Jesus our Lord. This is already but not yet!

Apportioning the Land

Numbers 34

The Lord commanded Moses to give the sons of Israel instructions for apportioning the land of Canaan. He gave them instructions on the boarders. He appointed Eleazar the priest and Joshua son of Nun as the leaders responsible for apportioning the land among the tribes. The Lord through Moses appointed leaders for each tribe. 

Aaron had already died and his son Eleazar had taken over as high priest. Moses would die before the sons of Israel entered the promise land and Joshua would take over from Moses. Caleb was one of the spies who forty years prior spied out the land of Canaan. Caleb and Jacob were the only two remaining from that generation. Joshua was to take over from Moses and Caleb was to be the leader for Judah, but all other tribes had new leadership.

The Lord is the one who was giving them the land and expelling the inhabitance of the land. Therefore, the Lord decides the borders and appoints the leadership. Eleazar and Joshua are the main leaders appointed by the Lord and each tribe was appointed a leader. The apostle Paul wrote: Christ is the head of every man and God is the head of Christ. (1 Cor 11:3) 

Jesus said, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” (Mt 28:18-20

Jesus being our High Priest and King appointed twelve men to make disciples of all the nations, baptizing and teaching. The boarders have expanded to the entire earth and not just a strip of land on the western shore of the Mediterranean Sea.

From Salvation to Promise

Numbers 32

Moses recorded every place from which they the started and camped during the forty year journey in the wilderness. The journey began at Rameses in the first month, on the fifteenth day of the first month; the day after the Passover, in the sight of all the Egyptians, while the Egyptians were burying their first born, whom the Lord had struck down. The Lord had also executed judgement on the Egyptian’s gods. There were many places that they camped at on the way but the stages of the journey include:

1. Egypt to the wilderness of Sinai (vv. 5–15)
2. From the wilderness to Ezion Geber (vv. 16–35)
3. Ezion Geber to Kadesh in the wilderness of Zin (v. 36)
4. Kadesh to Moab (vv. 37–49). 

The forty years of wondering had ended at Moab. On the plains of Moab, the sons of Israel were poised to cross the Jordan and enter into the promise land but the leaders that led them for forty years (Moses and Aaron) would not enter with them. Thus, the Lord gave it to Moses to give one last bit of instruction to the sons of Israel before they crossed the Jordan into the promised land.

The wondering in the wilderness can and has been equated by many to the journey that we have in the kingdom of man; from salvation to the death of our bodies. The Lord’s judgment on the Egyptian gods is seen in the plagues. The final plague was the death of the first born in Egypt but the first born of Israel were protected by the blood of the lamb. We are saved by the righteous blood of the Lord Jesus Christ through faith. From there we begin our journey towards the promise land. He does not immediately take us to the promise land but sends us into the wilderness. The journey should be thought of as a time of sanctification. The putting away of the old man and putting on the new. The adults who were living on the fifteenth day of the first month, when the sons of Israel began their journey from Rameses, would not enter into the promise land, they had to die in the wilderness. A new generation would take possession of the promise land. 

John 3:5-8

Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not be amazed that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ The wind blows where it wishes and you hear the sound of it, but do not know where it comes from and where it is going; so is everyone who is born of the Spirit.”

Be Inquisitive

Numbers 32

The sons of Reuben and the sons of Gad came to Moses and stated their plan to make live east of the Jordan and not the land of Canaan. This displeased Moses because he saw their plan as rebellion against the Lord. Forty years prior, spies were sent into the land of Canaan; one spy from each tribe. Caleb who represented the tribe of Judah and Joshua who represented the tribe of Ephraim came back with a positive report but the other ten spies gave a negative report. Caleb and Joshua were focused on the promise but the other spies were focused on the strength of the people who occupied the land. The congregation listened to fear rather than the promise, thus they rebelled against the Lord and were sentenced to wander in the wilderness for forty years, until that generation died. Now a new generation camped east of the Jordan, ready to cross the Jordan and enter the promise land. When the leaders of Rueben and the leaders of Gad came to Moses, he made the assumption that they were rebelling like their fathers but they were not. They planned to build cities, pens and barns east of the Jordan. However, the men twenty years old and older, who were able to go to war would cross the Jordan until their brothers received their inheritance. It took some convincing but Moses understood and their plan was expectable in the sight of the Lord.

Jesus said, John 7:24

Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment.

I think Numbers 32 is an example of how not to judge. Thus, it is an example of how Jesus is better than Moses. Moses assumed that the tribes of Rueben and the tribes of Gad were rebelling like their fathers did. However, they were not, but Moses did not listen to everything that they had to say before he made his judgment. When they spoke again, Moses had all of the facts by which he might make a righteous judgment. Moses had judged according to appearances; therefore, he did not make a righteous judgment. Once he had the facts, he made a righteous judgment. The apostle James wrote, “But everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger; for the anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God.” (Jam 1:19-20) On this occasion, Moses was slow to hear, quick to speak and quick to get angry. However, once he did hear, his anger subsided and he made a righteous judgment. 

Brothers and sisters of our Lord Jesus Christ. Let us have all the facts before making a judgment. Do not judge people according to appearances. Listen to all that someone has to say and even then, do not be angry. We need to listen to all that someone says and even then, do not make a judgment, but seek clarity. When you first speak, be inquisitive to bring clarity to what the other person is truly saying. 

The Slaughter of Midian and Division of the Booty

Numbers 31

Though Balaam, on three occasions, blessed the sons of Israel, though Balaak called him to curse; (Numbers 22, 23, 24) Balaam advised the Midianite kings to send women into the camp. (Num 31:16) The sons of Israel layed with these women and worshiped Baal at Peor. (Num 25) This lead to a plague in Israel and many deaths. 

The Lord commanded Moses to take vengeance for the sons of Israel. After this, Moses would himself die. The sons of Israel went to war against Midian to execute the Lord’s vengeance on Midian. They put to death the kings of Midian and Balaam with the sword. They took the booty, which included the women and children but Moses and Eleazar the priest advised that they put to death all the boys and women who had been intimate with a man but keep the young girls. 

The booty was divided between the men of war and the congregation; also a tax was levied on the booty. One five-hundredth of the men of war portion went to the priests as an offering to the Lord and one-fiftieth of the congregations portion went to the Levites who kept charge of the tabernacle. The booty included sheep, cattle, donkeys and the young girls who had not known a man intimately. 

The men of war and their personal articles, which included items that they had taken, were considered unclean. Therefore, they were separated from the congregation for seven days. The metal items were cleansed by fire but the men and their soft articles (clothing) were washed on the third and seventh days.

Can washing with water ever make a man clean who has taken the lives of other men by malice of forethought? Without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness. (Heb 9:22) The sixth commandment says: “You shall not murder.” However, this was understood by the sons of Israel to mean their neighbor and not their enemy. The sons of Israel were taught Moses to think of all the sons of Israel as their neighbors but the other nations as enemies.

Jesus said, (Matthew 5:43-45)

“You have heard that it was said, ‘YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.”

Dear Christian brothers and sisters. We who belong to Christ are not bond to the law of Moses, but to the law of Christ. Moses said, (Deuteronomy 18:15)

“The LORD your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among you, from your countrymen, you shall listen to him.” 

Jesus is that prophet and he changed the law. It is not the law of Moses that the Christian is bond to keep but it is the law of Christ. In Matthew 5:21-48, Jesus gives five commandments, each is signified by his saying, “But I say to you!” The second commandment is in two parts (lust and divorce), so there are five in total. 

No where in the Old testament will you find the words, “YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR and hate your enemy.” You will find, “YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR” in Leviticus 19:18, but will not find “and hate your enemy.” So, what did Jesus mean? The sons of Israel had been taught throughout their history to hate their enemies. Jesus changed this by giving a commandment for the Christian to love enemies and pray for those who persecute us. (Mt 5:44) 

The Law Concerning Oaths

Numbers 30

Moses spoke to the heads of the tribes of Israel, saying: If a man makes a vow to the Lord, or takes an oath to bind himself, he shall not violate his word. In other words, he is bound to do according to all that proceeded from his mouth. However, this is not the same concerning a woman. A man is bound to keep his oath but the oath of a woman could be forbidden by the man who is her head. For a woman, not yet married, her father is her head, but a married woman’s head is her husband. The man who is her head has the right to decide if the oath stands. If a woman’s father or husband forbids her to keep the vow, then she is not obligated to keep it, but if he allows it, she is bound to do according to all that proceed from her mouth. Silence from a woman’s father or husband was considered affirmation. 

There are two things that we can focus on in this text. The first being the making of an oath and keeping a vow. The second being that the man is the head of the woman. Not that all men are the head of all woman, but the man is the head of the woman in his household. The apostle Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 11:3

But I want you to understand that Christ is the head of every man, and the man is the head of a woman, and God is the head of Christ.

The understanding that the man is the head of the woman did not change with the new covenant. However, it should be understood, that the man is head of the women in his own household and not all women. In the making of oaths and the keeping of vows the widow and the divorced woman were bound to do according to all that proceed from their mouths. The widow and the divorced woman do not have a man as their head. This is the second thing, but now I would like to discuss the first thing.

The first thing is making oaths and keeping them. While the second thing, the man being the head of the woman has not changed with the new covenant, the making of oaths has changed. In his great sermon on the mountain, Matthew 5:33-37, Jesus said: 

“Again, you have heard that the ancients were told, ‘ YOU SHALL NOT MAKE FALSE VOWS, BUT SHALL FULFILL YOUR VOWS TO THE LORD.’ But I say to you, make no oath at all...But let your statement be, ‘Yes, yes’ or ‘No, no’; anything beyond these is of evil.

The commandment of the Lord Jesus Christ is that we should make no oaths at all. If you make no oath, then you are not obligated to keep an oath. Jesus said what he meant and meant what he said. This was not simply good advise but a commandment of the Lord. Jesus commanded that his follower make no oath at all! When people ask something of us, a simple yes or no is to be given. We shall not make any oaths. We are slaves of Jesus Christ, he bought us at a high price, the price of his own life's blood. In another metaphor, we are the bride of Christ. Like the man is the head of the woman, let us not forget, Christ is the head of the man and Christ has commanded that we make no oaths at all.

Fulfillment of Feasts

November 29th

The seventh month was the most holy month of all in the Hebrew calendar year. Even more so, than the first month, the month of the Passover and the feast of unleavened bread. In the seventh month, atonement was made before and on the mercy seat and the sins of the people were put on the scapegoat and taken away. The feast began with the blowing of trumpets on the first day (new moon) of the seventh month and went on for ten days. The feast of the trumpets began with a holy convocation and sacrifices and concludes with the day of atonement on the seventh-day. (see Lev 16:29-34) The autumn feast began just five days later on the fifteenth day of the seventh month. It was a seven day feast, which concluded with a special sabbatical rest, not on the seventh-day but on the eighth day. 

The apostle Paul related Jesus death, burial and resurrection to the day of atonement. (see Romans 3:21-26) Isn’t interesting that following the day of atonement was a feast that lasted seven days, followed by a command to have a solemn assembly on the eight day. Jesus was crucified on the sixth-day and on the seventh-day his body laid in the tomb. It was on the eight-day, that he rose again and appeared to his disciples, bodily resurrected from the dead. All of this accorded in the spring; therefore, all of these Jewish feast and their meaning are thus fulfilled in the person of Jesus the Christ, the Son of God. 

Time and Thanksgiving

Numbers 28

To the sons of Israel, a day ended at twilight and seven twilights completed a week. The seventh day, from twilight on the sixth day to twilight on the seventh day was a special day of rest, to honor the Lord who created all things in six days and rested on the seventh day. A day was based on the setting of the sun but a month was based on moon cycles. A new month began with a new moon and twelve new moons meant a year. The first month of the year was special because on the fourteenth day of the first month, at twilight, a lamb was slain and eaten in remembrance of the Lord’s Passover. On the fifteenth day, the feast of unleavened bread began and was celebrated for seven days in remembrance of the exodus from Egypt. Based on these periods of times, the Lord commanded regular sacrifices: daily, sabbath, new moon (month), passover, and seventh day of unleavened bread. Every day was special and there were days considered most holy. Also seasons were celebrated but this was based on the harvest.

What should we take from this? The Lord God created all things. He created the day, the month and the seasons of the year. He should be given honor and thanksgiving in all things. The Lord created all things in six days, then he rested on the seventh day. The Lord died for our sins and was buried and rose again on the first day of the week. We, therefore, honor the Lord by coming together on the first day of the week and we annually remember the special first day, when he was the first to rise from the dead, the beginning of the resurrection; all will rise at his second coming.

Joshua Commissioned

Numbers 27

The Four daughters of Zelophehad, who was of Manasseh, came to Moses about an inheritance for their father’s house. Their father died in the wilderness and did not have any sons. Moses inquired of the Lord and the law concerning property rights to the next of kin was given. After this, Joshua was commissioned to lead the sons of Israel across the Jordan river. Moses would die east of the Jordan because he disobeyed the word of the Lord and did not sanctify his name before the congregation, at the waters of Meribah.

The Lord Jesus Christ has promised eternal life to all who believe in him. When Joshua was commissioned, some of Moses’s authority was given to him. One would come later, who is greater than Moses, but all of the leaders between Moses and Messiah would be less than. The name Joshua means, “the LORD is salvation,” and this is the name given to the Messiah. Pronounced Yehoshua in Hebrew and translated Iēsous into Greek. Yehoshua is translated into English Joshua and Iēsous is translated into English Jesus. Thus, Joshua the son of Nun, was a type of Christ but not like Christ in all of his fullness. Like Christ, he was to lead the people into the promised land. Jesus will lead his people into the world to come, the new heaven and new earth. He is the way and the truth and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Jesus. (Jn 14:6) 

What Is Faith?

The Lord commanded that Moses and Eleazar the priest take a census of the sons of Israel, men who were twenty years old and upward, by their fathers households, whoever is able to go to war. The sons of Israel numbered 601,730 able men. The inheritance in the land was given by lot and the larger tribes received a larger portion. The tribe of Levi numbered 23,000 but they were given no inheritance. This was a new census because none of the men (except Caleb and Joshua) remained who were numbered in the wilderness of Sinai. 

The sons of Israel returned to the border about to enter into the promised land. None of the elders remained. They all died during the forty years of wondering in the wilderness. Of those who were twenty years old and upward, none remained but Caleb and Joshua. Even Moses would perish before they entered into the promised land. It is the children who would receive the inheritance of the Lord.

We who follow the Lord Jesus Christ are promised eternal life in the world to come. It will be heaven on earth and we will dwell in the presence of the Lord. We have already received our inheritance but not yet. It is an already not yet reality. We are between justification and glorification. We are being sanctified. The apostle Paul wrote:

For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face; now I know in part, but then I will know fully just as I also have been fully known. (1 Cor 13:12)

The sons of Israel had not yet seen the promised land but they had heard about it. We have not seen the new world but we have heard about it and trust in the goodness of the Lord.

Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. (Heb 11:1)

Do Not Lust

Numbers 25

As they camped near Moab, the sons of Israel began became interested in the Midianite women. The men were sleeping with these women and sacrificing to their gods. The Lord was jealous for his people. Moses and the elders put to death the men who had joined themselves to Baal of Peor. Phinehas the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the priest, put to death a son of Israel, while he was in his tent with a Midianite woman. This subsided the Lord’s anger against the sons of Israel.

The Lord did not want the sons of Israel to join with the Midianites because he knew that they would lead them astray, to worship other gods. The first of the Ten Commandments, in Mosaic covenant: “You shall have no other gods before me.” Lust led to their putting other gods before the one true God. 

Repentance means turning away from the lusts of the flesh and the mind. (Eph 2:3) Do not indulge the desires of the flesh and the mind. Serve the one true God and do all that he commands. Live according to the will and commandments of the Lord and not by the desires of the flesh and the mind. The Lord gave us life and has promised eternal life to all who repent and follow the Son, who is Jesus Christ the Lord. 

Progressive Revelation

Numbers 24

To the dismay of Balak, Balaam gives two oracles: In the first, he blessed Israel and this made Balak angry. Balak sought Balaam to do his bidding. He wanted Balaam to curse Israel but he blessed Israel. At the end of the first oracle, he said of Israel, “Blessed is everyone who blesses you, and cursed is everyone who curses you.” This saying was part of the covenant that the Lord gave to Abraham (Gen 12:3) and is part of the blessing that Isaac conferred on his son Jacob. (Gen 27:29)

For his second oracle, Balaam spoke of a future star coming from Jacob. This brings us back to the seed of Abraham but even further back than that, to the seed of the woman who would crush the head of the serpent. (Gen 3:15) Balaam spoke of this future star as a scepter who would rise from Israel and crush through the forehead of Moab and tear down all the sons of Sheth. This was a Messianic prophecy, relating to a future Messiah.

We know that the Messiah came from the tribe of Judah and the family of David; however, this prophecy is more general, that part of the revelation is not yet given. This shows us that Scripture is progressive revelation. As we go, God reveals a little more of his redemptive plan. 

Bless and Do Not Curse

Numbers 23

Three times Balak requested that Balaam curse the sons of Israel and three times Balaam told Balak to build seven altars and prepare seven bulls and seven rams as a burnt sacrifice to the Lord. Each time, Balaam told Balak to stand by his sacrifice while he stepped away to speak with the Lord. On all three occasions, Balaam did not curse but blessed the sons of Israel.

Jesus said to love our enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. (Lk 6:27-28) Jesus said, do not resist an evil person. If they slap you, then let them. If they want to sue you, then let them. If they force you to work, then let them. If they ask of you, then give. (Mt. 5:39-42) 

Balaam came to Balak because he repeatedly requested it of him but he did what the Lord commanded and not what Balak wanted. Balak wanted Balaam to curse the sons of Israel but Balaam blessed them because he did what the Lord commanded him to do.

When he dwelt among men, our Lord commanded that we bless and do not curse. Are we to take advisement from men or observe what Jesus commanded? Jesus is the way and the truth and the life; no one comes to the Father but through him. (Jn 14:6) I choose to follow Jesus Christ and do all that he commanded.

Living in His Word

The Lord God is the creator and he is sovereign. We must keep his word. Anything else is sin. If the Lord should command it, thus we shall do it and if he forbid it, we shall not do it. 

Sometimes we find ourselves on the wrong path and the Lord puts obstacles in our way to get our attention. There are two types of people in this world. The elect of the Lord and the cursed. Sometimes it is hard to distinguish because people look alike. Sometimes the elect appear to be cursed but it is the Lord’s doing and way of guiding his elect who stray from his will. We cannot speak except what the Lord puts in our mouths. Anything else is sin. The Lord will get the attention of his elect and will use the things of this world and hardships to get our attention. 

We are justified, as a gift, by the grace of God alone, through faith alone, in the Son of God, Jesus Christ alone, for the glory of God alone, as it is written in Scripture alone. All other ways are contrary to the will and word of God. Jesus said, “I am the way and the truth and the life; no one comes to the Father but through me.” (Jn 14:6) He is the word of God become flesh (Jn 1:14) and the word of God must become flesh in our lives. We must live out the word of God in the way that we live and the things that we say. 

Balaam was asked by Balak to come and curse the sons of Israel; however, he understood that he could not do anything, contrary to the word of the Lord his God. (Num 22:18) It is, therefore, imperative, that we know all that Jesus commanded, so that we do not do anything contrary to his word. 

Victory Over the Enemy

Numbers Twenty One

The Lord delivered the Canaanites and the Ammonites into the hands of Israel but they journeyed around Edom. The people did what they had been doing since the exodus from Egypt. They complained against God and Moses. They were never satisfied with the manna that God provided from heaven and were never satisfied with the leadership that Moses gave to them. The Lord God would cause a problem for them, so they would repent and turn to him through Moses. During one of these times, the Lord sent serpents into the camp that bit the people. When they repented of their complaining and asked Moses to intercede on their behalf before the Lord, the Lord commanded Moses to make a bronze serpent and raise it up, so that everyone who is bitten, when he looks at it will live. During his conversation with the Pharisee Nicodemus, Jesus related this to his crucifixion on a Roman cross. 

As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up; so that whoever believes will in Him have eternal life. ~John 3:14-15

It was the grace of God that the Lord provided a way for the sons of Israel to be healed from the bite of the serpent. It is the grace of God that the Lord provided a way for us to be healed from the sting of sin. 

The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law; but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. ~1 Corinthians 15:56-57

When the sons of Israel followed the Lord, through the leadership of Moses, the Lord gave them victory over their enemies. Death is the enemy of mankind. “The last enemy that will be abolished is death.” (1 Cor 15:26) Jesus is the first to rise from the dead and all will rise at his coming. ( 1 Cor 15:20, 23) God will give us victory over death, if we follow his only begotten Son, Jesus the Christ.

Numbers Twenty

What does it say?

Miriam, the sister of Moses and Aaron, died in the wilderness of Zin. The people complained because it was a hard place and they had no water to drink. The Lord commanded Moses and Aaron to take the rod (Aaron’s rod) and assemble the congregation and speak to the rock, that it may yield water before their eyes. However, Moses stuck the rock twice with the rod; therefore, the Lord was angry with Moses and Aaron and would not allow them to lead the people into the land which the Lord was giving them. Moses sent messengers to the king of Edom, asking for his blessing, that the sons of Israel may pass through Edom. Edom refused the sons of Israel. Eleazar, the son of Aaron, was made high priest and Aaron died on Mount Hor, by the border of Edom, because he and Moses rebelled against the Lord’s command at the waters of Meribah.

What does it mean?

Life in this broken world is difficult. There is no promise of an easy and happy life in this world, but there is in the world to come. There is a tendency to become like the world, if we are not careful to observe all that the Lord commands. The people dishonored the Lord with their complaining. Moses and Aaron dishonored the Lord by striking the rock twice, instead of speaking to the rock as the Lord commanded them. It is easy to blame God for the decisions that we make or others make. The Lord forgives sin but there are repercussions for sin in this world.

What shall I do?

I shall honor God, exalt Jesus Christ and seek the best for my neighbor. I shall not seek my own honor, glory or self interest above my neighbors. The person who truly follows the Lord may never be noticed and may be stepped on by others. I shall seek the Lord’s glory and not my own. I shall seek the good of my neighbor and not my ease.

Numbers Nineteen

What does it say?

The Lord commanded that an unblemished red heifer be given to Eleazar the priest and slaughtered outside of the camp. He is to take some of the blood with his finger and sprinkle some toward the tent of meeting. Next, the red heifer is to be burned in his sight and the priest shall cast cedar wood, hyssop and scarlet material into the midst of the burning heifer. The ashes of the heifer are used for purification of persons and dwellings that are unclean because of contact with a dead person. A clean person is to take the ashes, which is called water and sprinkle them on the unclean, on the third day and the seventh day. If they do this ritual, they will be considered clean and received back on the seventh day, but if they do not, they will be cut off from the congregation.

What does it mean?

Jesus said, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.” (Jn 14:6) The Lord God is holy and we are not; therefore, we must be made holy or remain separated from God. Do the ashes of a slaughtered and burnt red heifer actually make clean. No! However, it represents a truth, it makes one aware that we are unclean and in need of purification. Death is separation, there are many deaths besides physical death. Adam and Eve died on the day that they ate from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. They were separated from the tree of life. In this text, two different days are mentioned in the purification process: the third day and the seventh day. Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and He was buried, and He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures. (1 Cor 15:3-4) God rested from all of his works on the seventh day. All who trust in Jesus are made pure like Christ and will enter the rest of God. (cf. Heb 2) 

What shall I do?

I shall trust in the Word of God become flesh in the person of the Lord Jesus Christ. By his death, burial and resurrection on the third day, I am made pure. This is already but not yet. I day and an hour is coming in which Christ will return and raise all who trust in him from the dead, to newness of life, to eternal life in the new heaven and new earth which is yet to come. 

Numbers Eighteen

What does it say?

Only Aaron and his sons are to be priest before the Lord and only the Levites are to tend to the tent of meeting as the Lord’s servants. Every sacrifice and offering brought to the sanctuary of the Lord he gives to Aaron, his sons and the members of his household. The first born of man and unclean beast are to be redeemed but the clean animals are holy to the Lord. The priest shall have no portion of the land, for the Lord is their portion. The Levites shall have no inheritance either but are to be supported with the tithe. No son of Israel shall come near to the tent of meeting, only the Levites shall perform the service of the tent of meeting. The Levites are to give a tithe of the tithe to Aaron and his sons.

What does it mean?

This chapter is about honor and dependence. Aaron and his sons received the highest of honor, approaching the Lord and the holy articles, but they received no inheritance in the land. The Levies are honored servants of the Lord, but they received no inheritance in the land. The Levites were dependent on the tithe, given to them by the sons of Israel. The tithe was one-tenth of the fruit that the land produced and one-tenth of the growth of the herd. The sons of Aaron were dependent on the offerings that the people brought to the Lord and the tithe because they received one-tenth of what was given to the Levites. Both the sons of Aaron and the Levites were dependent on the sons of Israel’s observance of the Lord’s commandments.

What shall I do?

In the new covenant, there are no priest, despite there being so called priest in some Christian traditions. Jesus has made all believers priest to the Lord and all believers are temples of the Spirit. Despite what others have taught, the tithe is not an obligation for the Christian. However, we are to give out of love for our brethren and the church. We are to put aside and save, as we prosper and give to the church to serve the needs of the church. (1 Cor 16:1-2) We are to give according to what we have to give, not according to what we do not have. (2 Cor 8:12)

Numbers Seventeen

What does it say?

The Lord told Moses to get a rod from the leaders of every tribe. One rod representing the leader of each tribe, twelve rods in all. In addition, a rod representing Levi, is to be added with Aaron’s name on the rod. The twelve rods, with the names of the leaders of each tribe written on them and Aaron’s rod. Moses deposited the rods before the Lord in the tent of the testimony. The following day, Aaron’s rod for the house of Levi had sprouted buds and produced (fruit) almonds. Each man took back his rod but Moses put Aaron’s rod back before the testimony as a sign against those who had rebelled, so that they will not die.

What does it mean?

The Lord mediated an end to the rebellion. The Lord chose Aaron as priest and the tribe of Levi as his servants. The other tribes, with the leaders of those tribes had nothing else to say, because the Lord made known to all his elect. Aaron and his sons were the only ones allowed to come before the Lord and the Levites were given to serve. If anyone else came before the Lord, they would be dead, just like their leader’s rods were dead, but Aaron could come before the Lord and live.

What shall I do?

I shall remember that a change in covenant has occurred. All in Christ Jesus are priests to God. (Rev 5:10) Not all persons but all in Christ Jesus, “who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.” (Jn 1:13) The Lord has chosen people from every tribe and tongue and people and nation. Jesus purchased us with his righteous blood. (Rev 5:9) I shall remember that all whom the Father gives to Jesus will come to him, (Jn 6:37) but they must hear him; (Jn 10:27) therefore, someone must preach the testimony of the apostles to the nations. (Jn 15:27)

Numbers Sixteen

What does it say?

Korah a Levite, Dathan and Abiram who were Reubenites, with two hundred and fifty others rose up against the leadership of Moses and Aaron. Moses questioned why Korah was dissatisfied with the honor that the Lord had given to him and all the sons of Levi. The glory of the Lord appeared to the men who had assembled at the doorway of the tent of meeting. Moses pleaded with the Lord to not destroy the whole congregation because of the sins of these men. Moses prophesied to the congregation, that the ground would open up and swallow the dwellings of Korah, Dathan and Abiram. When Moses finished speaking this happened just as Moses had said and fire came forth from the Lord to consume the two hundred and fifty men. The bronze censors of the two hundred and fifty were made into a plate for the altar, as a reminder that no layman should come near to burn incense before the Lord. The congregation blamed Moses and Aaron for the death of these men, so the Lord sent a plague into the congregation, but Aaron made atonement for them, and the plague was checked, but fourteen thousand and seven hundred died from the plague.

What does it mean?

All sin is against the Lord. The Lord’s commandments were give to Moses and he spoke to the people on behalf of the Lord. The Lord commanded that only Aaron and his sons should burn incense before the Lord. When Korah, Dathan and Abiram, with the two hundred and fifty questioned Moses’ leadership and Aaron being the only one who could go before the Lord, they were actually rebelling against the Lord. When the people blamed Moses and Aaron, they were actually blaming the Lord.

What shall I do?

I shall not question the word of the Lord. Jesus said, “If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.” (Jn 14:15) The reader should understand that there has been a change in covenant. Through the righteous life, sacrificial death and bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ all believers may come before the Lord. For this reason, the apostle Peter called believers a royal priesthood. (1 Pe 2:9) And Revelation 5:9 says that the Lamb (Jesus) made us to be priests to our God; and we will reign upon the earth. When men rise up and attempt to Lord it over the people of the church, they are actually doing what Korah and the others did. They are rebelling against the command of the Lord. The Lord made all believers into a royal priesthood. No one has the right to give or take authority, it is the Lord who gives and the Lord who takes away. (Job 1:20)

Numbers Fifteen

What does it say?

When the sons of Israel enter into the promised land, they were to not offer a burnt offering to fulfill a special vow or make a peace offering without including a grain offering  mixed with oil and drink offering of wine. There is one law for both the native son and the alien who lives with them. Throughout their generations, every first batch of dough from the harvest, a cake is to be lifted up to the Lord as an offering. If the people error and unknowingly sin with regard to any of the commandments given through Moses, the priest is to make atonement for them with a burnt offering, with its grain offering and drink offering, and with a sin offering. If a person sins unintentionally, a one your old female goat can be offered as a sin sacrifice but if he is defiant in his sin, he is to be cut off from the congregation. One day, a man was found gathering wood on the sabbath in defiance of the Lord’s command; therefore, the congregation stoned him to death, just as the Lord had commanded Moses. The people were to wear tassels on the corners of their garments, hung by a cord of blue, so as to look at them and remember all the commandments of the Lord and not follow after their own heart and eyes.

What does it mean?

There is one law for both the native son and the alien. This does not mean forcing those outside of the covenant of faith to obey the Lord’s commands, but those who come into the congregation are to be taught to observe all that the Lord commanded. The commandments of the Lord are to be taken seriously. Atonement must be made when someone or the entire congregation errors, but defiance is another matter entirely. The example was with regarded to a remembered case involving a man who gathered wood on the sabbath in defiance of the Lord’s commandment. This man was put to death, forever separated from the congregation. 

What shall I do?

We are not under the old covenant given through Moses but the new covenant in Christ Jesus or Lord; therefore, we do not put to death those who are defiant but they are to be separated from the congregation. There are differences between the old covenant and new covenant but there are similarities; they are given by the same God. Jesus commissioned his disciples to go make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Triune God, and teaching them to observe all that he (Jesus) commanded. (Mt 28:18-20) Jesus gave us a system for church discipline: individual to individual, small group to individual, congregation to individual. If the person repents, then they shall remain part of the congregation, but if they are defiant, they shall be separated. (Mt. 18:15-18) The goal is repentance, not separation, but defiantly sinning against the Lord’s commandments is not to be tolerated by the congregation. The word of the Lord shall be honored by the congregation.

Numbers Fourteen

What does it say?

The people wanted to return to Egypt because they feared the report that they heard regarding the people in the land of Canaan. Caleb and Joshua who were of the twelve that spied out the land, pleaded with the people to fear the Lord but the people intended to stone them until the glory of the Lord appeared in the tent of meeting. The Lord questioned Moses, How long will the people spurn and not believe in the name of the Lord? Moses pleaded with the Lord to forgive the people and not destroy them. The Lord pardoned them per Moses’ request, but vowed that no one who has seen the signs and spurned the Lord will enter the promised land. The Lord sentenced the congregation to forty years of wondering in the desert and he vowed that no one, twenty years old and upward, except for Caleb and Joshua, will enter the promised land. The Lord destroyed the ten men who gave a bad report but spared Joshua and Caleb. After hearing the word of the Lord the congregation lamented; therefore, they decided to go up against the Amalekites and Canaanites without the Lord and were defeated. 

What does it mean?

The prologue to the gospel according to John is one of my favorite text of Scripture because it explains the purpose for the Lord’s incarnation. As many as received Jesus, to them Jesus gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in Jesus’s name. (Jn 1:12) In the gospel of John are recored seven miracles and seven “I AM” statements. Jesus said, “For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who beholds the Son and believes in him will have eternal life, and I myself will raise him up on the last day.” (Jn 6:40) The Lord promises eternal life to all who believe in his name and do not spurn his word. In the old covenant, the promise was the land of Canaan but in the new covenant it is heaven on earth. Do you believe in the name of the Lord? If so, do not spurn the word of the Lord. Of all those who saw the miracles done by the Lord in the wilderness, only two men believed and would enter the promised land.

What shall I do?

I shall trust the Lord and not fear the dark forces of this world. The Lord is all knowing, all powerful and all good. There is nothing that he does not know, nothing that he cannot do and all of his promises are truth. I shall trust in Jesus Christ alone. He is the word of the Lord become flesh.

Numbers Thirteen

What does it say?

The Lord commanded Moses to send men into the land of Canaan to spy out the land. Moses picked one man from each tribe as representatives. Joseph was two tribes (Ephraim and Manasseh) and there was no representative for Levi because Levi was the Lord’s servant. So, there were twelve men in all sent to spy out the land of Canaan. They returned with a report that the land was fruitful and brought back some of the fruit of the land. However, they also reported that the people in the land were mighty, fearful and the cities were fortified. Caleb was one of the spies, he represented the tribe of Judah, and he said that the sons of Israel should take possession of the land but the others contradicted him and gave the sons of Israel a bad report. 

What does it mean?

Your faith will be tested. Do you trust the word of the Lord? There was no reason for the Lord to send spies into the land of Canaan because the Lord is omniscient and omnipresent; he knows all and sees all. The Lord is also omnipotent and all good; he his all powerful and his word is trustworthy. His sending was a test for the sons of Israel, would they trust his word? Adam and Eve were expelled from the garden because they did not trust the word of the Lord. Jesus said to his disciples, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me. If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also; from now on you know Him, and have seen Him.” (Jn 14:6-7) The only way back is through faith, trusting the word of the Lord, “And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.” (Jn 1:14) Were the sons of Israel going to trust the word of the Lord or the word of their representative spies? Are we going to trust the word of the Lord or human reason?

What shall I do?

I shall trust the word of the Lord. Jesus has promised eternal life in the new heaven and new earth to all who repent and believe in him. I cannot see this now and I must walk through the valley of the shadow of death to get there. I shall fear no evil, for the word of the Lord is with me and he comforts me. (Ps 23:4) Now I see in a mirror dimly, but I will see the Lord face to face; now I see in part but then I will see fully, just as he sees me fully now. ((1 Cor 13:12) I shall trust the word of the Lord and follow Jesus Christ into the promised land. He has gone to prepare a place for me and promises to return for me. (Jn 14:3)

Numbers Twelve

What does it say?

Miriam and Aaron spoke against their brother Moses. They held animosity towards him because he had married a Cushite woman and they were jealous of his status as spokesmen for the Lord. The Lord heard what they were saying, so he commanded that the three of them come out to the tent of the meeting. The Lord exalted Moses before Miriam and Aaron because he was very humble. The Lord speaks to a prophet through visions and dreams but he spoke to Moses mouth to mouth and Moses saw the form of the Lord. The Lord was angry, therefore, he struck Miriam with leprosy. Aaron repented and turned to Moses for forgiveness. Moses asked the Lord to heal Miriam. The Lord healed her but she had to bear her shame outside the camp for seven days. When she was received back into the camp, the sons of Israel continued the journey. 

What does it mean?

The secret to true happiness is contentment in whatever situation we find ourselves. (2 Cor 12:10) Jesus said: Matthew 11:28-30 (NASB)

Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and YOU WILL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.

Miriam was the elder sister of Aaron and Moses. The name Miriam means “rebellion” in Hebrew. To be jealous of others is rebellion against the Lord. It was the Lord who called to Moses from the burning bush. Moses did not chose the Lord, the Lord chose Moses. Therefore, speaking against the Lord’s chosen servant is speaking against the Lord. Jesus said: John 13:20 (NASB)

Truly, truly, I say to you, he who receives whomever I send receives Me; and he who receives Me receives Him who sent Me.

The Lord forgives iniquity, transgression and sin to those who repent; however, there are earthly consequences. 

What should I do?

I confess that I have been jealous of others. I have lamented when I have worked hard and others received recognition. I shall be humble and content in whatever situation I find myself. If the Lord choses me for something that puts me before other people, I shall be humble, and if lowly, I shall be content. I shall remember that the greatest in the kingdom of heaven is not the person in the spot light but the one who humbles himself (Mt 18:4) and serves others. (Mt 23:11)

Numbers Eleven

What does it say?

This chapter begins with the Lord’s anger burning against the people for complaining and ends with a plague for their greed. The people complained that all they had to eat was manna, which the made into cakes. They complained that they had such good things to eat in Egypt. The people wanted meat to eat. Moses went to the Lord and told him that the people were to much of a burden for him; therefore, the Lord put his Spirit on seventy others to assist Moses in leading the people. The Lord gave the people qual, which the greedily gathered and ate. It was reported to Moses that two of the seventy were prophesying in the camp. Moses was not jealous because he desired for the Lord to put his Spirit on all the people.

What does it mean?

The Lord is compassionate, gracious and slow to anger; however, he will not keep his anger forever because he will not leave the guilty unpunished. Whenever we complain, we are complaining against the Lord. Whenever we act greedy, we are demonstrating that we have a selfish heart. The Lord hates complaining and greed, these are outward expressions of a selfish heart. Moses demonstrated the quality of thinking outwardly rather than inwardly. Moses was not jealous because the Lord had put his Spirit on other men who prophesied in the camp. He was glad because he desired that all the people have the Spirit of the Lord. 

What shall I do?

I shall be aware of my hearts desire. Am I thinking inwardly our outwardly. Is my concern for self or for the other. I confess that I am very often selfish. I even do things for others because it will benefit self. I am a professional nurse who takes care of the sick. Am I caring for them because I am compensated for my work, or is it because I am compassionate and gracious as is the Lord? I would like to say, “I shall not complain and I shall not be greedy.” I have been given the Spirit of the Lord but my flesh retains the sin nature that I inherited from Adam. It is a daily battle between these two natures.

Numbers Ten

What does it say?

The Lord command Moses to make two silver trumpets for use in the camp. The sound of one trumpet assembled the leaders but the sound of both trumpets assembled the congregation. The trumpets were also used to sound an alarm for the congregation. These trumpets were to be used differently when the sons of Israel came into their promise land. They were to blow them when an enemy attacks, that they may be remembered before the Lord God and be saved. They were to blow them at their appointed feasts, on the first days of the months and over their offerings, that they may be remembered before the Lord. The sons of Israel departed Egypt and arrived at the mount of the Lord in the wilderness of Sinai. They did not depart the mount of the Lord until one year, two months and twenty days had passed since the exodus. On that day, the cloud lifted from the tabernacle and the sons of Israel set out just as the Lord commanded them. The cloud settled next in the wilderness of Paran. Thus the journey to the promise land had begun.

What does it mean?

Communication among the people of the Lord is very important. The people knew that  a single trumpet meant assembly for the leaders and two trumpets meant assembly for the congregation. The trumpets were also used to warn when the congregation was to take up camp and set out. Later, these trumpets were used as a memorial, honoring the Lord, that they remember him and he remember them. The sons of Israel had received the Lord’s commandments, now it was time to act. They had received right doctrine and it was time for right practice.

What shall I do?

We have different ways to communicate today. There are communications for the church elders and there are communications for the congregation. Our pastor emails our congregation. The elders communicate through a group messaging service. The way of communicating has changed but the purpose has not changed. Every believer should spend time reading or listening to the word of God. Then we are to take action. James, the brother of our Lord wrote in his epistle:

For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks at his natural face in a mirror; for once he has looked at himself and gone away, he has immediately forgotten what kind of person he was. ~James 1:23-24

It is not enough that we hear the word but we shall do what the word says. I believe that we are saved by the grace of God alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone; however, we are to observe all that Jesus commanded his disciples.

Numbers Nine

What does it say?

The people observed the passover feast, at twilight, on the fourteenth day, of the second year after the exodus from Egypt. There were some who could not observe the passover because of uncleanness from a dead body. Therefore, an exception was granted for uncleanness or being on a journey during the passover. For these persons, the passover could be observed one month later. All should observe the passover. On the day that the tabernacle was erected, the cloud of the Lord covered the tabernacle and appeared as fire by night. When they cloud lifted they followed and when the cloud settled they camped. Thus, the sons of Israel followed the Lord in the wilderness and were commanded through Moses. 

What does it mean?

The Lord God is not unreasonable in his expectations of his people. He does not consider inability sin but considers unwillingness as sin. The Lord had taken the sons of Israel out of slavery in Egypt. He passed over the first born of Israel but not the first born in Egypt. The houses that had the blood of the lamb on its post were passed over. Therefore, the passover feast was done in remembrance. We do not observe this passover but we observe another feast and are commanded by the Lord to do so. We are to gather as a body and eat the bread and drink the wine in remembrance of what the Lord Jesus Christ did for us. The sons of Israel followed the Lord in the desert and were commanded by the Lord through Moses. We have the written word of the Lord and have the Holy Spirit to guide us. The Lord appeared as a cloud by day and as fire by night. We have the two hands of the Lord to guide us. The two hands of the Lord are the Bible and the Holy Spirit.

What Shall I do?

I shall not forsake assembling with the brothers and sisters in Christ. I am guided by the word in the Spirit but I am not to walk through this life alone. We are to meet together as one body in love. Jesus broke the bread and said, “This is My body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” After eating, Jesus took the cup and said, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood; do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.” We are to eat the bread and drink the wine together, as one body, in remembrance of the Lord until he returns. Those who are sick or not able to come to the assembly should have the communion take to them. Do not forget the elderly. They should not be penalized because they are unable. However, unwillingness is another matter. I shall not forsake assembling with the brethren.