Christ in all the scriptures Numbers 14 part 3

 Christ in all the scriptures

Numbers 14 part 3

 "Great God of wonders all thy ways Display Thine attributes divine; But the bright glories of thy grace Above Thine other wonders shine.

Such deep transgressions to forgive! Such guilty, daring worms to spare! This is Thy grand prerogative, And in this honour none shall share.

Pardon from an offended God! Pardon for sins of deepest dye! Pardon bestowed through Jesus blood! Pardon that brings the rebel nigh!

Who is a pardoning God like thee? Or who has grace so rich and free?"

The hymn by Samuel Davies far better expresses the thoughts of these scriptures than I could.  Pardon from an offended God was the portion of rebellious Israel; it is also the portion of every true believer today.  The next section-v21-39, however, begins with a "But". 

"But as truly as I live, all the earth shall be filled with the glory of the Lord".  This reveals the reality of fellowship with God.

The discipline of the Lord  Numbers 14v21-39

Divine pardon is full, and final, and free.  It guaranteed the future of Israel, that stands until now, and forever.  There are no eternal consequences, but there certainly will be earthly ones.  God will be glorified on earth no matter the situation.  As Psalm 72v19 prophesies, "And blessed be His glorious name forever; and let the whole earth be filled with His glory. Amen and Amen."  The heavens are filled with the glory of the Lord, and earth will be the same.  The dark night of sin will be ushered away to leave this earth in the full blaze of His glory.  On the way to that there will be correction.  God pardoned the nation, but must deal with the rebellion, and this He does.  He is holy, and must be seen to be so, and open sin must be put away.  The judgments were severe, and all rebels must suffer in some way.  We can do no better than to list the discipline that came on those who, so blatantly, strayed from trust in the Lord.

1)  They were forbidden to enter the land  "Surely they shall not see the land which I sware unto their fathers, neither shall any of them that provoked me see it"-v23.  Caleb stood out as an example of faithfulness.  The Lord said of him, "My servant Caleb, because he had another spirit with him, and hath followed me wholly, him will I bring into the land whereinto he went; and his seed shall possess it."  They were told to turn away from the land where the Amalekites and the Canaanites were living, and go toward the wilderness by the Red Sea, for they were in no fit state for conflict (verse 25).  Only Caleb and Joshua were permitted to enter (verse 30).

2) They were prescribed to wander in the wilderness for forty years  The equivalent of one year for every day they spied out the land and returned with an evil report.  During this time an entire generation who left Egypt in redemption power will perish in the wilderness at God's own choosing and in His own time.  Of the millions who left Egypt, only two entered the land along with the children born in the second generation, under 20 years of age.  Such was the scale of the rebellion, and such was the discipline of God.  The Spirit of God writes through Paul in 1st Corinthians 10v5, "But with many of them (the greater part of them) God was not well pleased: for they were overthrown in the wilderness".  This is a devastating culling of His people, and it serves as a warning to all today who would continue in sin in the face of the grace of God.  The Spirit wrote, following the exposition of the grace of God in Christ in the gospel, "Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? God forbid!"-Romans 6v1-2.  And God will forbid, for He will introduce discipline as the following New Testament scriptures confirm: Acts 5v1-11;1st Corinthians 3v17; 11v30-32; Revelation 2v22-23.  Five of the seven churches of Revelation were told to repent, to change their thinking and their ways!  To all seven, the command was repeated to all individuals within those churches, "He that hath an ear to hear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches".

3)  The ten leaders who brought the evil report died by the plague instantly.  Leadership which has gone astray is a blight in the congregations of the Lord's people.  "And the men which Moses sent to search the land, who returned, and made all the congregation to murmur against him, by bringing up a slander upon the land .  Even those men that did bring up an evil report upon the land, died by the plague before the Lord".  In these days of clamour for spiritual leadership, it is important to observe that with high status comes high responsibility.  The people would suffer eventually but the leaders were removed instantly.  Scripture warns us about this; Hebrews 13v17 they must give account for those under them; James 3v1 "Become not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation.  Jesus said, "To whom much is given, of the same shall much be required"-Luke 12v48.  It is one thing for those led to sin, it is another for leaders to incite rebellion.  To lead the people of God is a position of solemn responsibility, ultimately answerable to God.  Paul wrote concerning elders, "Them that sin rebuke before all that others may fear"-1st Timothy 5v20.  They are to be honoured for good, but rebuked for evil.  To lead a whole camp astray is unacceptable.  Elders must be apt to teach and they will be held accountable for their teaching.  They are to feed the flock of God, they are to discipline the unruly.  To do that they must be blameless and have a good report of the outside world.  The absence of these things diminish the authority of God invested in them, which is the only status they have.  But to lead God's people astray, and foment rebellion will not be tolerated. This is God's house and He will take control.

The delusion of false remorse  Numbers 14v40-45

Moses declared all these things to the people, and they mourned.  The sense of loss was deep, but the reality of it was shallow.  There is a difference between remorse and repentance.  They had plenty of the former but little or none of true heart repentance.  Contrary to the command of the Lord, they attempted to exonerate themselves by gathering at the hill top, intending to enter the land to expel the enemy.  This is an amazing picture of human behaviour.  When the Lord told them they could enter the land they were fearful and refused.  Now the Lord forbids them to enter the land, and, now they want to do it (and enthusiastically for they rose up early in the morning).  It seems that erring humanity is intent on solving its own problems, doing things their own way.  Yet another display of self trust and mistrust in the Lord.  Moses warned them not to go, but they entered the land with disastrous consequences.  They went WITHOUT THE LORD for "...they presumed to go up unto the hill top: nevertheless the ark of the covenant of the Lord, and Moses, departed not out of the camp".  They went but the Lord was not with them.  "Then the Amalekites came down, and the Canaanites which dwelt in that hill, and smote them, and discomfited them, even unto Hormah".   This was an ignominious event in Israel's history, for their army was not only defeated, in what was their first conflict, but they were pursued as far as Hormah which is said to be 100 miles north of this point.

Their tears were "crocodile tears, they were false.  Remorse is not repentance, for it focuses on how an action affects me, rather than how it affects others, including the Lord.  They went in their own strength and contrary to the word of the Lord, and were defeated.  Not until Israel learns that "obedience is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams", will they become overcomers.  This withering observation by the prophet Samuel to king Saul sums up their history.  For us, in the present day, there is a tendency to focus on self effort, pointing to the great sacrifices we are making for the Lord in terms of time and resources, yet where are we in the matter of obedience?  Is the Lord with us in all that we do; are we heart sorry for our failures, seeking to trust only Him?  Otherwise, Israel's failures will become ours.  These things are "written for our admonition upon whom the ends of the age are come" (1st Corinthians 10v20).  We are living in momentous, dangerous times, and we need the Lord with us.

 

Christ in all the scriptures Numbers 14 part 2

 Christ in all the scriptures

Numbers 14 part 2

We continue this astonishing chapter in which the judgment and mercy of God are displayed in awesome harmony.

The Dialogue of Moses  Numbers 14v13-25

In view of the whole rebellious congregation the Lord speaks directly to Moses.  This episode reveals to us God's attitude to sin, even amongst His redeemed people.  "I will smite them with pestilence, and disinherit them, and will make of thee a greater nation and mightier than them".  We must never minimise God's intolerance to sin, particularly wilful sin in the face of privilege.  What follows is an intercession by Moses of unparalleled appeal.  He ignored the offer to exalt Himself and exterminate the rebels.  He appeals to God on three grounds: 1) the reputation of His name.  2) the superior character of His person.  3) the greatness of His mercy.  This was a high point in Moses life, even greater than his decision to refuse the palace of Egypt.  Moses relinquished personal grandeur for the greater glory of God, and the needs of his beloved people.  Most of us would place personal glory above everything else.  

We ponder for a moment what this reveals.  Firstly, human sin is hurtful to the Lord, it is offensive to Him.  We can only truly know this when we understand that MY sin is hurtful and hateful to Him.  Secondly, Moses denied himself highest honour in order to save his erring people, here he becomes the saviour of Israel.  Ask yourself what you would do if you were offered this by the Sovereign Majesty in heaven.  Thus he foreshadows One who would deny Himself to save the world.  It is written of Jesus, "He thought it not robbery (a thing to be grasped) to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation (emptied Himself), and took upon Himself the form of a servant..."Philippians 2v6-7.  He "looked on the things of others" to become their Saviour and Intercessor, He looked on my things to be my Saviour and Intercessor.  What follows in Moses prayer reflects what is happening every day in heaven for us, as "He continues to make intercession for us"-Isaiah 53v12; Romans 8v34; Hebrews 7v25.  His intercession for us reveals His deep connection and concern for us, and for the glory of God.

He appeals on the basis of the greatness of His name  Numbers 14v13-16

"And Moses said unto the Lord, Then the Egyptians shall hear it (for thou broughtest up this people in thy might from among them;) and they will tell it to the inhabitants of this land: for they have heard that thou Lord art among this people, that thou Lord art seen face to face, and that thy cloud standeth over them, and that thou goest before them, by daytime in a pillar of cloud, and in a pillar of fire by night.  Now if thou kill all this people as one man, then the nations which have heard the fame of thee will speak, saying, Because the Lord was not able to bring this people into the land which He sware unto them, therefore He hath slain them in the wilderness".

The Name of the Lord is important, His reputation matters.  From this we understand that the outside world knows what God's people should be.  This very public annihilation would diminish the reputation of God in their eyes.  He is not a capricious God, that is He is not subject to sudden and unaccountable changes in mood, He does not act arbitrarily, but according to consistent principles clearly revealed.  What the unbelieving world thinks of Him, even if they don't accept Him now, will culminate in universal acclaim to His glory.  

He appeals on the basis of His excellency of His character  Numbers 14v17-19

"And now I beseech thee, let the power of my Lord (Adonahy-sovereign Lord) be great according as thou hast spoken, saying, the Lord (Jehovah-the eternally unchanging One) is longsuffering, and of great mercy, forgiving iniquity and transgression, and by no means clearing the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation.  Pardon I beseech thee the iniquity of this people according unto the greatness of thy mercy...".

God had spoken of the power of His justice, His holy wrath upon sin.  Moses appeals to the power of His grace, which is greater even than His judgment.  The New Testament makes this clear in Romans chapter 5 where the power of grace is superior to the power of sin (sin reigned...grace reigns-verse 20).  The power of God is awesome in judgment, just as He said He could terminate a nation at a stroke; the power of His grace is even more.  The music industry produced a song called "the power of love", and God's version of it is the greatest drawing power on earth.  It is to this Moses appeals.  The character of God is such that He is apart from all in His judgment, but also in His merciful dealings.  His mercy toward people does not compromise in any way His revulsion of sin, and will be enacted within families in the course of time.  However His lovingkindness is always to the fore, and He must act in accordance with His character.

He appeals on the basis of God's consistent dealings with His people  Numbers 14v19b

"...and as thou hast forgiven them from Egypt until now".  If He would pardon them for the treachery of the golden calf (as an extreme example), will He not also pardon them now?  Consistency is implicit in the title Jehovah, and Moses appeals to the Lord on this basis.  Note the reverence with which he spoke to the Lord; in chapter 33v13 he had referred to them as "thy people", now in the wake of God's threat to disinherit them, he spoke of "this people", repeating how the Lord described them in 14v11 (refer v13, v14, v15, v16, v19).  In this Moses is acknowledging the Lord has a right to disinherit them, but because of the greatness of His mercy He will pardon them.  "And the Lord said, I have pardoned according to thy word".

The prayer intercession of Moses that day saved a nation from extinction, and preserved an undeserving people, a status that continues to this day.  We can only imagine, yet we know it is true that our Saviour in heaven lives to intercede for us.  His work of intercession will go on until we are glorified, yet its purpose is to wean us away from sin and mistrust in the Lord.  The grace of God toward us is truly amazing, but we must not tarnish it with perpetual sin.  As we shall see next, although they escaped eternal consequences, there were earthly consequences, the glory of God must be paramount. 

 

Christ in all the scriptures Numbers 14

 Christ in all the scriptures

Numbers 14 part 1

"Now all these things happened unto them for examples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world (ages) are come"-1st Corinthians 10v11.

This text could be written across Numbers 14 along with other O/T scriptures.  This chapter is solemn in its outcome, for what it reveals about human nature and the Divine character.  Nothing is hidden, or embellished.  The details are at times excruciating, but it is a warning to us today.  This is  how God acts with the rebellious spirit amongst His people.  The chapter presents the enduring principles of God's justice, His mercy, His faithfulness in His dealings with His people.  We should take note for we are at the end of things, as they were at the beginning of things, and we are therefore more responsible, for we are more informed.  To sin against light is a serious matter.  God will judge all sin, but first He must judge it when it arises amongst His people, "Judgment must begin at the house of God"-1st Peter 4v17.  At stake was the glory of the Lord (Numbers 14v10 and 14v21) which is the last consideration when sin grips the minds and hearts.

This difficult chapter can be divided as follows for our learning:

The Dissension of the people v1-10

The Displeasure of the Lord  v11-12

The Dialogue of Moses  v13-19

The Discipline of the Lord  v20-39

The Delusion of remorse  v40-45

The dissension of the people  Numbers 14v1-10

This was no minority uprising; this was wholesale rebellion, similar to the golden calf  atrocity in Exodus 32.  The toxic poison of the rebel spies had infected the entire camp.  This is a warning today against unhealthy talk taking hold in the congregations of God's people: "All the congregation lifted up their voice..."-v1; "All the children of Israel murmured against Moses and against Aaron..."-v2 (the word murmured is more than an undercurrent, it suggests a public dissent); "The whole congregation said unto them, would God that we had died in the land of Egypt! or would God we had died in this wilderness"-v2 (their rejection of Moses and Aaron was a rejection of God); Then Moses and Aaron fell on their faces before all the assembly of the congregation..."v5; Joshua and Caleb "Spake unto all the company of the children of Israel..."-v7; "But all the congregation bade stone them with stones..."-v10.  The Lord intervened in no uncertain terms, "The glory of the Lord appeared in the tabernacle of the congregation before all the children of Israel"-v10.  God's servants had acted and spoken, and now the Lord will finish the matter.  They rejected God's appointed servants calling for new leaders to take them back to Egypt, and threatening to stone Joshua and Caleb who spoke the truth. 

The displeasure of the Lord  Numbers 14v11-12 and 14v22

At this the Lord appeared in the cloud above the tabernacle.  Decisive action was about to be taken, for God only moves thus in judgment.  "And the glory of the Lord appeared in the tabernacle of the congregation before all the children of Israel"-v10.  Not now resting upon the mercy seat in the sanctuary (symbolic of His presence among them in blessing), but confronting the whole congregation in judgment.  "And the Lord said unto Moses, how long will this people provoke me? and how long will it be ere they believe me for all the signs which I have shown among them"?  He expands on this in v22, "All these men which have seen my glory and my miracles which I have done in Egypt and in the wilderness, and have tempted me (put me to the test) these ten times, and have not hearkened to my voice".  We must take from this that the Lord is weary with our mistrust and unbelief.  He understands our weakness but will not tolerate our wilfulness.  Ten times is not an arbitrary number, for God does not estimate, He is meticulous in His words.

1) Questioning God at the Red Sea  Ex.14v11-12

2) Complaining of bitter water at Marah  Ex.15v24

3) Murmuring at the desert of Sin  Ex. 16v1-3

4) Transgressing in collecting the manna Ex. 16v20

5) Collecting manna on the sabbath Ex. 16v27-29

6) Complaint about lack of water at Rephidim Ex. 17v2-3

7) Engaging in rank idolatry Ex. 32v7-10

8) Complaining at Taberah Numbers 11v1-3

9) Despising the manna for the food of Egypt Numbers 11v4-9

10) Failing to enter the promised land Numbers 14v1-4

The Lord is longsuffering, slow to anger, as it says throughout holy scripture.  Psalm 86v15 "But thou, O Lord, art a God full of compassion, and gracious, longsuffering, and plenteous in mercy and truth".  There are many scriptures referring to this, such as: Exodus 34v6; Numbers 14v18;Nehemiah 9v17; Isaiah 30v18; Ezekiel 20v17; Joel 2v13; James 5v11.  The longsuffering of God is His patience and mercy toward humanity, and is a characteristic we are encouraged to imitate for ourselves.  Where would any of us be were it not for the amazing patience of God?  He is longsuffering to the world in general (Romans 2v4; 3v25; 2nd Peter 3v9.  He is longsuffering to the believer, as is evident throughout scripture.   He waited 120 years in the days before the flood.  He has waited almost 2000 years in the present age of grace.  However there is one characteristic of God which is finite-His longsuffering.  He will not tolerate sin forever, He will obliterate it from existence and those who remain rebellious will suffer eternally.  At the heart of all rebellion is unbelief, self reliance, trust in men, and mistrust in God.  Israel, the most privileged nation on earth were in large part guilty of it, and still are today.  We thank God for those in Israel, like Moses and Aaron, and Joshua and Caleb, and many others including the apostles of Christ who brought the truth of God to us and to the world.  It falls to us to continue that work and we hope that these short blogs will do just that.  God be praised for the remnant who stand faithful today in an ever changing and deluded world.  God will judge the world and judgment begins at the house of God.

Christ in all the scriptures Fear of man or faith in God

 Christ in all the scriptures

Fear of man or faith in God?  Numbers 13

This chapter is pivotal to the whole book, indeed to the history of the whole nation; it is also practical for us in the present day.  This goes to the very heart of things; where are we in relation to God and the things of God?  The Lord did not command Israel to send men to spy out the land.  It was they who asked Moses to "spy out the land"-Deuteronomy 1v22; for some reason Moses approved this, and, graciously the Lord allowed it.  Nevertheless it was a demonstration of their mistrust in the word of the Lord.  God had repeated time and again that He would "give them the land", so why did they need to spy it-Genesis 12v7 to Abraham, "Unto thy seed I will give this land"; Genesis 15v18, "In the same day the Lord made a covenant with Abram saying, unto thy seed have I given this land (not will I give, but I have given-it was a done deal in the mind of God); Genesis 17v8, "And I will give unto thee and to thy seed after thee the land wherein thou art a stranger, all the land of Canaan for an everlasting possession, and I will be their God; did they think God would break His covenant?; He repeats it to Isaac in Genesis 26v3, "Sojourn in this land and I will be with thee, for unto thee and to thy seed, I will give all these countries, and I will perform the oath which I sware unto thy father Abraham"; again to Jacob Genesis 28v13, "I am the Lord God of Abraham thy father, and the God of Isaac: the land whereon thou liest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed."  Was God's word to the three Patriarchs not enough?  Or did they doubt the quality of the land God had chosen for them, of which He said it is the "land flowing with milk and honey", the best and richest land on earth (a fact confirmed by experts today, and possibly the reason there is so much interest in it down to the present day); also a fact declared by God through His prophet Ezekiel in chapter 19, where twice He called it "the glory of all lands"-v6 and v15.  Legend has it that Napoleon, in his conquests, while passing through Israel, said "the man who owns this land will rule the world!".  Reputation about this land of giants and fortified cities, made them cower in fear, fear what man could do to them.  Had they not witnessed the destruction of the superpower Egypt?  Had they not seen the parting of the Red Sea?  Were they not partakers of the miraculous food from the heavens? Did they really doubt God's ability to overcome the Canaanites.  It was a display of incredible mistrust.  

Fearful of their own inability, they asked Moses permission to spy out the land before any conflict.  Moses allowed it, perhaps considering their weakness, and the Lord accepted it.  Moses instructed them to search the length and breadth of the land; to assess the inhabitants; to report on the produce of the land and bring samples.  He appointed and named 12 leaders of each tribe for the task.  These were known men whose word the people would accept.  Leadership was never secretive.  In the event they did a thorough job, taking 40 days to look into every aspect.  Ten of the twelve brought back a negative report; two, namely Joshua, who was leader of the expedition, and Caleb, who gave a positive outlook with encouraging words, "Let us go up at once and possess it, for we are well able to overcome it"-Numbers 13v30.  However the majority (10 of 12) gave a negative report saying "We are not able to go up against the people, for they are stronger than we"-13v31.  What they saw were men of great stature (giants-nephilim-similar to the supernatural beings produced by angelic corruption in Genesis 6).  These were cruel to the inhabitants and made the spies fearful.  They saw giants, they did not see God, to whom giants were nothing.  This spread fear and unbelief in the camp, and the advance was halted in its tracks.  They had succumbed to the fear of man and discarded faith in God.

Faith in God is not for the fainthearted and God expects us to move with Him, without doubting and without reserve.  There was no one more courageous and steadfast than the Lord Jesus against great opposition, and He taught His disciples the value of real faith in God. God will put our faith to the test and our Lord prepared His disciples for this, as He does with all disciples today.  He spoke of no faith, little faith, great faith, and so great faith.  Faith is more than a transaction for eternity, it is a living daily reality.  It is proving God in real time, just as through it He is proving us.

Hebrews chapter 11 is the great chapter of faith, tracing the men and women of faith through the ages of the Old Testament.  An overview of that is as follows:

Hebrews 11v1-1-3 The ESSENCE of faith; 11v4-32 the EXAMPLES of faith; 11v33-56 the EXPLOITS of faith.  Faith is positive, it is active, it is productive.  Faith in God grows into ever increasing enterprise.  It is not a momentary mental assent, it is a permanent lifestyle which changes things for good.  Jesus said that if we have faith as small as a grain of mustard seed we can remove mountains.  Faith trusts God's word, it trusts God's goodness, it trusts God's power, His sovereignty, His purpose, His wisdom, His judgments.  It was the fear of man against faith in God for the majority of Israelites.  What will it be for us??  This tragic decision set them back almost 40 years, and cost almost a generation their lives.  The issues are huge, not just for us personally but for our family, for our community, for our generation.  The fear of man brings a snare, but trust in the Lord is safety-Proverbs 29v25. "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the Holy is understanding"-Proverbs 9v10 (see also Proverbs 1v7 and Job 28v28).

Christ in all the scriptures Divine authority

Christ in all the scriptures

    Divine authority  Numbers 12

Following on the events of chapter 11, the dissension and discontent within the camp continued.  The spirit of jealousy arose in the hearts of Moses brother Aaron, and sister Miriam.  It would seem that his sister Miriam was the prime mover, since she is mentioned first, and Divine sanction came upon her.  Perhaps she was peeved that her younger brother whom she protected and helped to nurse as a baby, was now in total authority in the camp of Israel.  Perhaps she was disappointed at being passed over in favour of seventy male elders to support Moses in quelling the uprising in chapter 11.  Was this evidence of the female equality issue which is prevalent today?  Aaron, also, was carried along with it, as they challenged Moses, "Hath the Lord indeed only spoken through Moses"?  "Hath He not also spoken by us"?-Numbers 12v2.  Aaron, it seems, was the kind of man to fall in with whatever the prevailing mood was at the time.  He capitulated in the matter of the golden calf (Exodus 32), and now he sides with Miriam in the dissension.  Perhaps he was also disappointed to be passed over in chapter 11.  He was obviously a man of considerable ability, for God promoted him, but there was a flaw in his character.  There are plenty such men of compromise around today.

They could not fault Moses in his work or his character, so they found what they thought was a chink in his armour by playing the racist card.  They criticised him for marrying an Ethiopian woman.  Perhaps Zipporah had died, we are not told, but Moses had married one of the foreigners in the camp, and there was no Divine issue with it.  Miriam and Aaron used it to discredit him, and on this basis questioned his right to rule over them.   It was a direct challenge to Moses' authority, which had potentially serious consequences.  At this point the Holy Spirit interjects with a character reference of Moses which is quite unique.  "Now the man Moses was very meek, above all the men which were on the face of the earth"-Numbers 12v3.  There is no doubt that leadership in the things of God brings serious challenges to a man, which can be overwhelming at times.  Moses experienced this in chapter 11 when he was forced to ask for Divine help to manage the situation.  What will emerge from it is that God has endowed Moses with an ability and authority that few men could have.  This comment by the Holy Spirit tells us exactly why God so endowed him, because he was a man of meek spirit, and did not react to criticism even when it was unjustified.  The God who gifts His people knows their character and He endows them accordingly.  We should mention that two different words for man/men are used in verse 3.  Literally it reads "Now the noble man (ish) Moses was very meek, above all the mean men (adam) which were upon the face of the earth".  Moses possessed a meekness of spirit which set him apart from all other men.  He was not concerned with the criticism of men, his ear was open only to the voice of God.  In this he is a type of Christ.  Consider the following:

"Learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart..."Matthew 11v29.  In the same chapter, in the places (Chorazin, Bethsaida, and Capernaum) where Jesus had done his mightiest works, they had rejected Him.  He did not react, but was concerned only for what it would mean for them.

As a King He entered Jerusalem in meekness, "Tell ye the daughter of Zion, behold thy King cometh unto thee, meek, and sitting upon an ass, and a colt the foal of an ass"-Matthew 21v5.

"He was oppressed and He was afflicted, yet He opened not His mouth: He is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so He openeth not His mouth"-Isaiah 53v7.

"For even hereunto were ye called, because Christ also hath suffered for us, leaving an example that ye should follow in His steps: who did no sin, neither was guile found in His mouth: who, when He was reviled, reviled not again, when He suffered He threatened not, but committed Himself to Him that judgeth righteously"-1st Peterb2v21-23.

Paul referred to this, "I beseech you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ..."-2nd Corinthians 10v1.

Meekness is not weakness, although it is considered so in the world.  Some have defined it thus: humility is taking the low place for myself; meekness is accepting the low place when given it by others.  The meek of the earth are blessed and shall inherit it, so said the Lord Jesus-Matthew 5v5.

The Lord Himself entered the argument to exonerate Moses and establish His authority through Him.  He expressed His displeasure at both critics, removing the cloud from the tabernacle, which meant the whole camp had to move.  Miriam was made leprous and barred from the congregation seven days.  Aaron had to humble himself confessing his sin.  The Lord informed them that Moses was greater than all the prophets as he, alone, spoke with God face to face.  God communicated indirectly with prophets by mans of visions and dreams, but directly with Moses.  This fact is repeated in scripture (Exodus 33v11; Numbers 12v8; Deuteronomy 34v10).  Moses relationship and fellowship with God was superior to every so-called diviner.  This needs to be understood and published more than it is.  This makes the books of Moses of sterling quality indeed.  The Lord says "Why were ye not afraid to speak against my servant Moses"? 

No one was more contradicted and maligned than Christ when He was on earth.  Yet we remember the impression left indelibly on His hearers: "He spake with authority and not as the scribes"-refer Matthew 7v29; Mark 1v22; Luke 4v32/36; John 17v2.  The word is exousia which means authority conferred from a higher source.   The people of His day were astonished at His doctrine, and also His miracles.  They said, "Never man spake like this man".  At the end of His mission upon earth He was able to say, "All power (authority) is given unto me in heaven and upon earth..." Matthew 28v18.  His word is power in every sphere of existence.  People must hear Him, His word is truth, and will come to pass.

All authority today in the things of God is delegated authority from above.  No man possesses the power that Moses had, let alone the power of Christ.  Men can wield authority for God only by establishing the truth from the word of Christ which was authored by the Holy Spirit.  When that word is clearly known then we all should hear and act upon it.  God's word should be revered in the community of saints.  Those who expound it and apply it should be respected. 

 

Christ in all the scriptures The Manna What is it?

 Christ in all the scriptures

Manna from heaven   Exodus 16 and Numbers 11

"Then said the Lord unto Moses, behold, I will rain bread from heaven for you, and the people shall go out and gather a certain rate every day, that I may prove them, whether they will walk in my law or no"-Exodus 16v4.

God rained food from heaven upon a pilgrim people travelling through a wilderness.  This was a miraculous provision every morning of their 40 year sojourn on the way to the promised land.  The delivery was miraculous, descending on the droplets of dew.  There was no contact with earth, and the food was of the finest quality, it was equally miraculous, fit for the rigours of desert existence.  Scripture terms it "the corn of heaven"-Psalm 78v24; "angels food"-Psalm 78v25; "the bread of heaven"-Psalm 105v40.  Restaurateurs charge a premium price for the finest of food, God gave them the best of heaven, freely; the best that He knew would sustain them in trying circumstances.  However some among them despised it, describing it as "light bread".  The dissatisfaction spread throughout the camp and the complaint was, "...our soul loatheth this light bread"-Numbers 21v5.  They hankered back to the food of Egypt, the fish, the cucumbers, and the melons, and the leeks, and the onions, and the garlic (Numbers 11v5).  Choosing to forget the bitter bondage of slavery, when they were made to serve with hardship, they remembered only the food that was to their taste.  The Spirit of God, through Paul in 1st Corinthians 10v6, commented that this was a "lusting after evil things".  There is nothing intrinsically evil in the foods mentioned; the evil consists in the fact that God had given them something better, superior to Egypt, and they had rejected God's gift to them.  God was putting them to the test to prove if they would trust Him.  The greater part of them failed.

 He rained Manna from heaven, which covered the ground around every dwelling.  But what of the Manna

Manna, literally means "What is it"?  They had never seen the like.  There was nothing to compare it to.  It was small, it was round, the colour of coriander seed, and tasted sweet like honey.  It could be baked into bread or cakes, and had a brief shelf life.  Jesus interprets the Manna for the present day in John chapter 6.  Following the feeding of 5000 men beside women and children, He expounded the true meaning of the Manna, and its implications for today.  He said He is the true bread from heaven-John 6v32; He is the bread of God, that is the bread on which God Himself feeds-6v33; He is the bread that gives life to the world-6v33.  He said, in one of the great "I AM" claims, "I am the bread of life, he that cometh to me shall never hunger..."-6v35; "I am that bread of life"-6v48; "I am the living bread, which came down from heaven; if any man eat of this bread, he shall live forever: and the bread that I will  give is my flesh, which I shall give for the life of the world"-6v51; "This is that bread which came down from heaven: not as your fathers did eat manna and are dead: he that eateth of this bread shall live forever"-6v58.  Jesus is the fulfilment of the type which was manna.  What food is to the body, Christ is to the soul.  It is well said, that we are what we eat, our food becomes one with our body.  So in the realm of the spiritual.  Israel had to change their diet, after leaving Egypt.  In the same way the Christian has to change their diet, spiritually speaking; what we fed on before is unsuitable for the new life.  Each one must decide what that means for themselves.  In the circle of professing Christianity, there is tendency to take the attitude of the old life into what is a close knit society.  This can result in "feeding on the faults of others", instead of feeding on the delights of Christ.  

Christ is the food of the believer!  How much is this my experience, really?  He, alone, feeds the spirit and the soul, and He is superior to anything the world has to offer.  This is the lesson of the Manna, and the meaning behind the word "What is it?"  He is without compare in all the world; take your most exhilarating moment in life, and compare it to one moment with Christ.  As the hymn puts it "Are all earthly pleasures worth comparing, to a moment with a Christ filled life?" The Apostles who were nearest to Him in life expressed it, "We beheld His glory (the glory as of the only begotten of the Father), full of grace and truth"-John 1v14.  John, writing to the churches in his old age, said, "That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled of the Word of life...That which we have seen and heard, declare we unto you..."-1st John 1v1-3; why did he put it in the neuter gender, saying that and not He?  Simply that there was no one to compare with Him, and so he sets Him apart.  He is apart, He is so much better than anyone or anything we have known, and we feed on Him for our spiritual nourishment.  If He satisfies God (He is the bread of God), He can more than satisfy us and build us up, and help us grow in new life.

Some practical things to come out of the story of the Manna:

Christ is found in the scriptures, a fact we are enjoying now.  Feeding on the scriptures is feeding on Him.  Gather a portion each day, enough for the day.  Do not let one day go by without learning more of Him.  Gather early in the day before the issues of life take over.  Share what you learn with those closest to you.  God has given us a library of 66 books to reveal Him, and the study of Him is the greatest occupation on earth.  

 Some lovely aspects of the Manna that speak of Christ:

It was small-His humility; it was round-His eternity; it was sweet-His delectability (Peter quoted the Psalm "Oh taste and see that the Lord is good"); it was like coriander seed (Numbers 11v7)-His beauty; the colour of bdellium (a crystalline precious stone)-His transparency.  

There is enough in Christ to fill our lives in all the wilderness journey until we reach our eternal home.

Feed on Him, not on the chaos of the world, or the failings of others.  Make Him your occupation of thought, the subject of your conversations, the delight of your heart, and experience the life of Christ in you, life more abundant than ever before.   As often is the case, the hymnwriter catches the truth.  Written around 1160 a.d. the French Abbott Bernard of Clairvaux penned these lovely words: source Hymnary.org

1 Jesus, Thou joy of loving hearts,
Thou fount of life, Thou light of men,
from the best bliss that earth imparts,
we turn unfilled to Thee again.

2 Thy truth unchanged hath ever stood;
Thou savest those that on Thee call;
to them that seek Thee, Thou art good,
to them that find Thee all in all.

3 We taste Thee, O Thou living Bread,
and long to feast upon Thee still;
we drink of Thee, the Fountain-head,
and thirst our souls from Thee to fill.

4 Our restless spirits yearn for Thee,
where'er our changeful lot is cast;
glad when Thy gracious smile we see,
blest when our faith can hold Thee fast.

5 O Jesus, ever with us stay,
make all our moments calm and bright;
chase the dark night of sin away;
shed o'er the world Thy holy light.

  

Christ in all the scriptures Moses the Intercessor

 Christ in all the scriptures

Moses the Intercessor   Numbers 11

Across this chapter we could write "Behold the goodness and severity of God"-Romans 11v22.  Association with God is a solemn, if wonderful experience.  The benefits are incalculable, but the challenges can be severe, as Israel found early on in their wilderness journey.

The goodness of God      He delivered the nation, by mighty power from 400 years of bitter bondage in a strange land.  He led them through the waters of the Red Sea, where their enemies perished.  He gave them His law, and promised blessing on obedience.  He organised them and equipped them for the only true worship on earth.  He formed them into a formidable army, able to meet any who would oppose.  He fed them with manna from heaven every morning, the logistics of which were enormous (Experts have calculated that this involved over 1000 tons of food per day; 4000 tons of wood for cooking and rubbish disposal and 8-10 million gallons of water, per day, for drinking and washing and cleaning in 40 degrees heat.  By any standard, this is massive, even if only a fraction of it is real.  God furnished a table in the wilderness to sustain Israel, as it says in the Psalms.  In mercy He forgave their treacherous sin of idolatry to form them into a worshipping people.  When they demanded flesh to eat, He, miraculously took quails from the skies, redirecting them by a mighty wind to rain upon them what they wanted for a period of one month.  He proved there is nothing He could not do or would not do for them.  How many of us today are the recipients of similar provision??  He listened to the intercession of Moses, He visibly supplied support by spiritually gifting 70 others in the camp to prophesy, which inspired even two young men who did the same.  What is evident in all this narrative is the goodness of God towards an ungrateful people.

The severity of God    A beneficent God is also a holy God, and He cannot alter His character.  We dare not create a God of our own imagination, otherwise we make ourselves God!  He is the eternal, unchanging God, who must oppose sin in every form, and His people must become aware of that.  He must act in accordance with His holy character.  In the future He will pour His fire on a godless world (Revelation 8).   He cannot condone in His people what He will condemn in the world.  He sent fire upon those dwelling in the fringes of the camp who were complaining and spreading unrest-11v1-3.  Deuteronomy 9v22 says, "...at Taberah, and at Massah, and at Kibroth-hattavah, ye provoked the Lord to anger".  Psalm 78v21 comments, "Therefore the Lord heard, and was wroth: so a fire was kindled against Jacob, and anger also came up against Israel".  The God of beneficent kindness can also be wroth, and we need to learn that.  He understands our frailty, but will not accept our folly.  He must act when faced with rank unbelief and ingratitude.  The particular sin was dissatisfaction with their new lot, which was tantamount to disrespect and distrust in His provision.  At the heart of it was the age old lie of the devil in Eden that God was withholding something good from them (Genesis 3v5).

Moses interceded for them and the Lord withdrew the fire.  In the same way our Lord Jesus Christ intercedes for us before the throne (Hebrews 7v25; Romans 8v34; Isaiah 53v12).  Only in eternity will we know how much discipline we were spared by the Lord's intercession for us.  When sin blights our life, and dissatisfaction with the Lord pervades our thinking, God must act but we have one on the throne who speaks for us.  

In 11v4-15 the people among them called "the mixed multitude" (these were people, not indigenous to Israel, who left Egypt with them and sojourned with them).  Scripture is clear that in any large community of professing believers there will always be those who are not of them.  They fomented unrest concerning the food they were eating, saying that the food of Egypt was superior to the manna.  Their rebellion revealed their true nature, and God was angry with them.  Their souls were not right with God, and this was revealed in their criticism of the manna, preferring the sumptious (in their thoughts) food of Egypt.  The fact that the food of Egypt was supplied by God seems to have escaped them, but the episode exposed their true character.  The New Testament speaks of the wheat and the tares growing together, and ultimate separation will only come at the end (Matthew 13).  The modern attempt to create churches with only real believers has ended in tiny (and often arrogant) groups with rank sectarian practices, and not in any honour before the Lord.  None of us have the ability to judge in the here and now the status of any person with God.  Only the Lord knows who are His and He will make it plain.  We are suffering today from puny men seeking to act like God.  He does not require our help!

The Lord created 70 elders and endowed them with the gift of prophecy to alleviate the burden of Moses, which had become too great for him.  He caused a great wind to rain flesh from the heavens in the form of quails, to demonstrate His ability to feed them with what they wanted.  However He sent a plague among them to declare His displeasure; thereafter would only be the daily manna.

Association with God is a cultural shock.  Only those who are real will truly adjust.  In spiritual terms God wants to change not only our destiny but our diet, for He knows what is good for us, and what will enrich us and prosper us.  Next time we shall consider in detail the manna which He sends from heaven for our sustenance on the way to the promised land.

Christ in all the scriptures Moving with God

 Christ in all the scriptures

Moving with God   Numbers 10

In chapter 9 we had the visible pillar of cloud; now in chapter 10 we have the audible clarion Divine call.  God dwells among them in visible and audible reality.  He is the living God, and leads and organises His people according to His purpose.  Until now, Israel has been static at Sinai for over a year; now He prepares them to move.  The chapter is all about readiness, organisation, and destination, with obedience and reverence as the key attitudes.  We should point out here that this journey should have taken only 11 days (Deuteronomy 1v2), in fact it took the best part of 40 years (Deuteronomy 1v3).  God's people were very slow to move with God (as many of us are today) and the book presents the remarkable PATIENCE of God.  It has been said that each of the books of Moses presents a unique characteristic of God: in Genesis His Sovereignty; In Exodus His Power; in Leviticus His Holiness; in Numbers His Patience; in Deuteronomy His Love.  We are learning here of Divine patience with a wandering, wilful, murmuring people.  How patient has He been with many of us?

To make this relevant today, like Israel we are on a journey, a pilgrimage to a better land; we are travelling through a foreign land, and are now strangers in this world.  This is clear from the New Testament.  Jesus said, "My kingdom is not of this world..."John 18v36; In John 17v16 concerning His disciples, "They are not of this world, even as I am not of this world".  The New Testament position is clear, we are in the world but not of it.  The churches are commanded, "Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world..."-1st John 2v15.   The world system is in opposition to God, and is in conflict with the saints of God.  The song captures the thought, "This world is not my home, I'm just a-passin' through.  My treasures are laid up somewhere beyond the blue.  The angels beckon me from heaven's open door, and I can't feel at home in this world any more"-Albert E. Brumley 1980.  We are journeying, and, in the journey we are being prepared for glory-Heb. 2v10. God's instructions to us are unmistakable, like the sound of the two silver trumpets, with which He communicated with Israel.

Trumpets were used to proclaim the will of the Lord, calling them to urgent action.  They were urged to be ready to respond to His call.  The trumpets were made of silver, reminding them of their redemption from Egypt.  The scriptural usage of silver is of ransom, purity, wisdom, and obedience; all of these can be traced throughout.  The Divine call was from a source of great value and importance.  The trumpets were beaten out of one piece of silver, "...of a whole piece shalt thou make them"-10v2.  Intricate hammering and beating was used to mould the long trumpet with its flared ends.  This reminds us of the suffering involved in our redemption.  The God who is speaking, is One who loves us, and at great cost has saved us.  We do not turn away easily from such an one.  He is speaking plainly, there is no dubiety or confusion in His commands to us.  One trumpet blast was for the heads of Israel to gather.  Two trumpet blasts was for the whole congregation to gather.  A short alarm blast was to prepare the soldiers for war.  Repeated short blasts were for the camp to dismantle and journey.  Continuous short blasts was for the celebration festivals during sacrifice.  The camp soon got to know the various calls.  They knew that when the priests blew the silver trumpets, God was proclaiming urgent action.  On the journey to the promised land the call of God was clear, and the people had to respond.

I am reminded of a similar scenario in the book of Revelation to do with the churches.  In Revelation 1v10-11, when John saw a vision of the ascended, glorified, Lord Jesus on the isle of Patmos, he wrote, "I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet, saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last; what thou seest write in a book and send it to the seven churches which are in Asia; unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea".   What follows is a message from the Lord to each of the seven churches, commending them, condemning them where necessary, instructing them, encouraging them. Each message was tailormade to their situation, and each one ended with the same warning as of the sound of a trumpet: "He that that ears to hear let him hear what the Spirit is saying to the churches".  In the gospels, the same command was issued on seven separate occasions to the apostles, and now the churches are called to hear and to heed the call of the Lord.  On our journey through this world, we need to heed His wisdom, His correction, and experience His comfort on our way to glory.  Instead of resting on our laurels, and indulging in past glories, we need to hear the trumpet call of our Lord for our progress and for our effectiveness as lights in a dark world.  Complacency does not become the churches of God today, we need to move with God, not necessarily geographically, but certainly spiritually.  We must hear what the Lord is saying and take action accordingly.  Five out of seven churches were told to repent, to change their ways, if necessary to alter their practises.  The Lord is speaking today, will we hear Him and make changes?  Our spiritual growth, and our success in evangelism depends on it.

There is one trumpet call we will all hear and answer!  "Behold I shew you a mystery; we shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed"-1st Corinthians 15v51-52.  "For the Lord Himself shall descend fro heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall arise first: then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord"-1st Thess. 4v16-17.

Yes we shall all hear that trumpet call.  Will we, before that great day, listen to Him now; search His word; put right the things that are wrong, and move with Him for His glory??

Will even just one church repent, mend their ways, change the bad practices of years, by heeding His voice, to the benefit of all the members and, above all, to the honour of our God.  We can start by acknowledging there are things that need to be fixed.  We all have instructions from the Lord both individually and collectively.  God has spoken in a way that cannot be mistaken.  We need to hear and heed and amend where possible.  God's trumpet does not give an uncertain sound.  We need to observe Divine order, the care of all the saints, the unity of all believers, the need of the lost; then we shall truly be luminaries in a dark world.  Then we shall live in the expectation of His soon return.  Then we shall truly represent Him who gave His life for us.

Christ in all the scriptures The Divine Presence

 Christ in all the scriptures

The Divine presence for protection and guidance  Numbers 9v15-23

The phrase "Cloud by day and fire by night" is an oft repeated concept throughout scripture, and is the essence of the last half of this chapter.  Both sections compliment each other.  The people who were pardoned in the Passover lamb are now protected and guided in the Divine cloud.  I am reminded of the delightful words of the hymn, describing the wilderness journeys of Israel, "The soul that on Jesus hath leaned for repose; He will not, He cannot desert to its foes.  That soul, though all hell should endeavour to shake; He will never, no never, no never forsake."-the hymn "firm foundation", attributed to R. Kirk 1787  Those who are saved are protected by the Divine presence throughout life.  The One who died to save them (the Passover), lives to keep them (the Presence), a truth abounding in holy writ!

The cloud symbolises the presence of God amongst His people.  He could not be seen by the naked eye, so He covered Himself in the cloud.  "On the day that the tabernacle was reared up the cloud covered the tabernacle, namely the tent of the testimony, and at even there was upon the tabernacle as it were the appearance of fire, until the morning"-Numbers 9v15.

The cloud covered the mount Sinai when God descended-Exodus 24v15-6.                       The cloud covered the newly reared tabernacle-Exodus 40v35; Numbers 9v15.                      The cloud rested above the mercy seat in the sanctuary-Leviticus 16v2.                             The cloud descended on the newly inaugurated temple-1st Kings 8v10-11                              The cloud departed from the idolatrous temple-Ezekiel 3v23; 8v4; 10v4; 10v18-20; 11v23.  (This was a slow, but deliberate removal of His presence due to idolatry in the sanctuary).      The cloud descended on the mount of transfiguration-Matthew 17v5; Luke 9v34-35.              The cloud transported Christ at the ascension-Acts 1v9.                                                            The clouds will transport the saints at the second coming-1st Thessalonians 4v17.                  The clouds will be present at His second advent to set up His kingdom-Revelation 1v7.

The bible describes the clouds as "His chariot"-Psalm 104v3.  The prophet Nahum says "...the clouds are the dust of His feet".   Mostly the teaching is that the cloud is for guidance, and it is so, as we shall see, but it is more than that; it is for protection.  Isaiah puts it thus in chapter 4v5-6, "And the Lord will create upon every dwelling place of mount Zion, and upon her assemblies, a cloud and smoke by day, and the shining of a flaming fire by night; for upon all the glory shall be a defence".  Not only was the cloud a visible sign of God's presence, it was a protection from the burning heat of the wilderness sun by day, and a shining warmth through the cold nights.  More than that, all enemies would be repelled at the awesome sight, so they were safe from invasion.

While the cloud rested, the camp rested, but when it moved, they must move, lock, stock, and barrel.  This could happen (and probably did) after a day, a month or a year.  Whenever the cloud rose and moved they must follow.  They were not to become complacent, but be ready to move at the will of God.  They were pilgrims on a journey.  This is a reminder that this world is not our resting place, we are on a journey, and we must follow where He leads. According to Numbers 33, there were thirty one such movements after they left Sinai, during the 38 years or so of their journeyings.  No longer do we have the visible cloud directing us, but we have the Spirit within, speaking within us, leading, guiding, protecting, preparing us for glory.  We are not here to nestle down in the comforts of this world but are travelling to a greater land which He has prepared.  The Spirit of Christ leads us, He is with us all the way and all the days.  He even sends His angels from the throne to help us when needed, according to Hebrews 1v14.  The angels who surround the throne are all "ministering spirits sent forth to serve them who shall be heirs of salvation".  A big subject, but real for every child of God.   

The New Testament enjoins us to "Walk in the Spirit...be led of the Spirit...live in the Spirit...and produce the fruit of the Spirit", all in Galatians 5.  This is not some mysterious possession of a few eccentrics. this is real Christian living for all of us, and makes the journey so much easier.

Christ in all the scriptures Christ our Passover

 Christ in all the scriptures

Christ our Passover   Numbers 9v1-14

"Let the children of Israel also keep the Passover at his appointed season"-Numbers 9v2

The Lord instituted a memorial of this all important celebration on the specific date- namely, the fourteenth day of the first month of every year.  They were never to forget their deliverance from bondage in Egypt, and, annually to engage a memorial service.  This was commanded in Exodus 12 at the beginning-"It is a night much to be observed unto the Lord for bringing them out from the land of Egypt: this is that night to be observed of all the children of Israel in their generations"-Ex. 12v42.  This is a profound verse in Exodus, and marks a critical point in their history that was to be remembered in every generation.  In the same way, Jesus instituted a memorial for Christians, called the "breaking of bread" (Acts 2v42; 20v7)-and a weekly remembrance was the practice ("the first of every week").    Jesus said to the apostles in the upper room, "This do in remembrance of me..."-Luke 22v19; Paul to the Corinthians in chapter 11v24-25.  God never wants us to forget this memorial, as it involves the One so precious to Him.  He makes exceptions, but in general those who refused to observe this were to be excommunicate (Numbers 9v13).   Christians today should observe the weekly Lord's Supper in whatever way they can.  Those who cannot for whatever reason join with a company can find one other person with whom to share it. (remember He said, "Where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them"-Matthew 18v20).  Those who missed it for reasons of uncleanness, or if they were on a journey, were allowed to observe it one month later.  Even the strangers who sojourned among them (who were forbidden to participate in Exodus 12) were allowed to do so in Numbers 9.  Presumably this was because that their continued presence with them demonstrated their reality.  The Lord is very gracious and He wants all who are able to partake of the Passover. We consider the deep issues involved:

 The Passover, one of the most fundamental topics in scripture, central to everything in connection with the people of God.  It became the first of the seven set feasts in Israel's calendar (Leviticus 23); it was also the first of three mandatory feasts to be held each year (Exodus 23v14-15 and Deuteronomy 16v16); it was the first festival to be held on entering the promised land (Exodus 12v24-27 and Joshua 5v10-11).  It is also central to the Christian faith today.  Paul, writing to the Corinthian church, said,

 "Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us"-1 Cor. 5v7.  

The link is further enhanced by the fact that Christ Himself instituted the memorial feast for Christians at the Passover meal-Luke 22v7-20. Matthew 26v17-29.  The importance of the Passover to both Judaism and Christianity is thus established.  It is, therefore, necessary to observe each and every detail for such a cardinal aspect of both.  We can profit by tabulating each step in the chapter.

This is an institution by God.  It is not of man, even of good men, either by concept or design; it is entirely of God, and should not be altered in any way by man.  Exodus 12v1 "And the Lord spake unto Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt, saying...".  It was the Lord, (Jehovah-the ever existing one) who designed and demanded it.  This observation is important for the fact of it is repeated in both testaments.  "It is the Lord's Passover"-v11;  "It is the sacrifice of the Lord's Passover-v27; "In the fourteenth day of the first month at even is the Lord's Passover"-Leviticus 23v5.  The same emphasis is placed on the New Testament equivalent, where the Christian memorial is stated as "the Lord's Table"-1st Cor. 10v21; and the Lord's Supper-1st Cor. 11v20.

The Passover represents a NEW BEGINNING.       "This month shall be unto you the beginning of months: it shall be the first month of the year to you"-refer 13v4, 23v15, 34v18, Deuteronomy 16v1,where it is called the month Abib.   The term Abib refers to the time of year when the young shoots of corn begin to appear.  In Nehemiah and Esther it is called Nisan, the Assyrian translation which means the month of flowers, or the month of spring.  At the Passover, God changed the 7th month of the civic calendar to be the first month of the religious calendar, and so the Passover feast was instituted as an entirely new beginning.  This is of courser mirrored in the Christian faith, where entrance into Christianity is described as being "born again", and the doctrine of all things new is developed: 2nd Cor. 5v17, "a new creation"; Eph. 2v15 and 4v24 "a new man".  Jesus spoke of new wine; Hebrews refers to the new covenant, and the new and living way.  All Christians are described as newborn babes, in which their lives have taken on a new destiny and a new character in the image of God.  The importance of the Passover is enshrined in this new beginning that would radically change Israel's relationship to God, and, ultimately the believing Gentile world. 

The Passover applies to all the congregation of Israel.     "Speak ye unto all the congregation of Israel. saying, in the tenth day of this month they shall take to them every man a lamb, according to the house of their fathers, a lamb for an house."  

This is the first occurrence of "the congregation of Israel"-sometimes, "the congregation of the Lord".   It becomes a regular reference to the sum total of God's redeemed people.  No less than 149 times in 140 verses of Hebrew scriptures is this phrase cited.  It refers to a gathered company, and proclaims God's view of His people in totality, He sees them as a corporate group, yet consisting of many individuals and households.  This is clear from the ensuing verses.  Each household had to choose a lamb of sacrifice; this would amount to thousands of lambs, yet, when the sacrifice was made it was declared "the whole congregation shall kill it in the evening".  Multiple homes sacrificing, yet ONE LAMB slain.  This concept is repeated in the Church in 1st Corinthians 10v17, where the Christian memorial takes place locally, yet it is declared to be the function of the corporate body the Church-"We being many are ONE BREAD, and ONE BODY: for we are all partakers of that one bread.  We must not become parochial in our thinking, for when we gather for this purpose locally we are sharing communion with the corporate body, the Church.  There is a progressive teaching of the slain lamb in scripture-Genesis 22, a lamb for the individual; Exodus 12, a lamb for an house; Leviticus 16, a lamb for the nation; John 1, a lamb for the world.  The worth of the lamb is thus proclaimed in its efficacy for human sin.

Specification for the lamb  

"Your lamb shall be without blemish, a male of the first year; ye shall take it out from the sheep or from the goats."  The offering for sin must be without sin.  A holy God requires a perfect sacrifice.  Without blemish is without defect; the N/T adds "without spot"- 1st Peter 1v19.  Blemish may be external marking, discolouration, or other defect.  Spot may be an indication of internal disease.  The substitute offering must be free from all evidence of defects.  Of Jesus, the lamb of God, it was said He was "Holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners"-Heb. 7v26; and that He offered Himself without spot to God"-Heb. 9v14.  This aspect of His offering is so crucial, for without a spotless sacrifice there is no redemption.  Not a stain upon His soul, not a defect; whether from demons or men or God, the pronouncement was the same; from demons "the holy one of God"; from the judiciary of men "I find no fault in Him"; from God "My beloved Son in whom I am well pleased".  In thought, in word, in deed, He was faultless, unblemished, sinless. 

The type that points to Christ must fit perfectly.  It must be a male of the first year, Christ was a man.  It must be of the first year, that is in the full strength and vigour of youth-this was no offering of waning power or vitality.  Interestingly enough, the major title for Christ in the book of Revelation is the Young Lamb, occurring 28 times.  It was in the full vigour of youthful dedication that He offered Himself to God.  God allowed the offering to be taken from the sheep or the goats, for not everyone would have access to lambs.

Instructions to the worshippers

Take it from the sheep or the goats on the 10th day of the month.  God is concerned with timing, and the accuracy of this is awesome!  Written more than 1500 years before the event it was fulfilled to the very day.  Scholars tell us it can be verified that Christ entered Jerusalem on the 10th of Nisan, and was slain on the 14th Nisan.  God presented Him for inspection on the day predicted.  This ought to cause us to worship for the wonder of this; only God could make this happen as He foretold in Exodus.

Keep it from the 10th to the 14th day.  Again, scholars tell us that from the time Jesus entered Jerusalem, until He was crucified, He was subjected to the most intense scrutiny, more than He had ever been in life.  The Scribes, the Pharisees, the Sanhedrim, the Sadducees, the Priests, the Herodians, the Romans, all scrutinised Him, and could make no charge against Him that would stand.  A study of the gospels reveal the level of testing during these four days.  Jesus had largely avoided Jerusalem in His public ministry for His time had not yet come, but now the Divine clock compelled Him to move among them at close quarters.   They stalked Him, and confronted Him in the streets, in the temple, in houses; they mocked Him insulted Him, but He was beyond reproach.  This was, indeed, the Lamb without blemish ready for sacrifice.  He was tested, legally, and religiously, and socially and politically, but He remained what He ever was, the perfect Lamb of God's choosing.

Kill it between the evenings.    A perfect live person, sinless and irreproachable, cannot save us, He could only condemn us.  He must die, His blood must be shed, if sinful man is to be saved.  In the history of the bible, millions of sacrifices have been made, and rivers of blood have flowed, all pointing to the Lamb of God that must die for the sin of the world.  From the beginning it has been declared that the way back to God was only on the basis of the death of a worthy substitute.  The Lamb of God is not a role model to teach us how to live; He is a substitute who must die, and only in His death are we saved.  It is to be killed "between the evenings"-R.V.- that is during the day of the fourteenth of the month, thus underlining the accuracy of the prediction.  Jesus was crucified and died on the day of the 14th.  Preparation for the Passover, and Participation of the Passover took place in the evenings, immediately before and after the day of His death.

Strike it   The blood of sacrifice had to be applied to each individual household.  The context was that the judgment of God would pass through Egypt to slay the firstborn of every household of man and beast, not covered by the blood.  The declaration of God was "When I see the blood, I will pass over you"-Exodus 12v13, "And the blood shall be to you for a token upon the houses where ye are...".  Preservation from the avenging angel was only through the blood.  This was no mere ritual, this was a matter of life and death.  There are two expressions in the New Testament, "the shedding of blood", and "the sprinkling of blood".  The former is to satisfy the demands of God; the latter is the personal application to the individual.  The precious blood of Christ has been shed, to the eternal satisfaction of God.  Have I applied it to myself, without which, the wrath of God abides over me?  This 3500 year old ritual is relevant to every living being today.  This demands the attention of all, the obedience of all, the humility of all to accept God's terms.

Eat it    Just as the food that we eat becomes part of our bodies, so the intake of the sacrifice of Christ for us becomes food for our souls.  We are not only saved by Him, we are sustained in Him.  That which symbolises Christ, for us becomes our food.  The Passover is Christ in His death; the Manna is Christ in His life; the Old Corn of the land is Christ in His resurrection.  All three become the food of the believer.  For Israel this new life began with the Passover meal, for us today it begins with our conversion.  We can now understand the instructions for eating.  "Eat not of it raw, nor sodden at all with water, but roast with fire, his head and his legs with the purtenance thereof."  The death of Christ is presented as intense suffering, and it is in that way we are to think of it.  The whole lamb is to be roast with fire, the head-His mind; the legs, His walk; the purtenance (inwards), His inner motivations.  All these are to occupy as we "eat the Passover", the biblical equivalent of worship.  We feed on His mind, His walk, and His emotions, until He becomes part of us.  They ate the roast lamb with bitter herbs, and so we measure, as we eat, the extremity of His anguish in all these aspects, as we recall the cost of our redemption.  They ate it in haste, with shoes on their feet, and their loins girt.  Association with God in the death of the lamb. demanded separation from idolatrous Egypt.  They were to journey three days (complete separation) into the wilderness to worship God.  The Passover Lamb separates us from the world and reconciles us to God.

Christ in all the scriptures Principles of service

Christ in all the scriptures

Principles of service    Numbers 8

In chapter 8 we move from the external to the internal; from the public display of worship to the inward man before the Lord.  The scene begins in the Holy Place, and describes the key issues of service for God.  The chapter could be divided as follows:

Illumination  v1-4: Purification  v5-8: Identification  v9-15: Substitution  v16-18:  Dedication  v19-22:  Limitation v23-26.  Each of these are important features of Divine service and can be applied today.   Most of our lives are in private, where only God can see, and He looks for integrity in our service.  In Matthew 6 our Lord emphasised the need for reality in service, and spiritual exercise was to be before the Father, and not for the praise of men-6v3-4; 6v6; 6v16-18.  Divine service is not for show but for the Lord. This is underlined in the chapter before us.

Illumination  8v1-4   There seems no connection between v1-4 and the rest of the chapter.  However, on reflection these first few verses sum up the whole character of Divine service.  We are brought to the golden lampstand illuminated by the burning oil in plentiful supply.  Everything in the Holy place was illuminated by the brightness of the lampstand, but the main purpose of the lamps was to enhance the beauty of the lampstand-"...the seven lamps shall give light over against the lampstand"-8v2. The lamps were strategically placed to give light upon the golden lampstand.  Spiritually speaking, the Holy Spirit illuminates the beauties of Christ.  The excellence, the beauties of Christ, is to mark all our service for God.  Consider this lampstand, symbolic as it is of Christ.

It was made of pure gold, other vessels were gold plated but the lampstand was pure gold.  There are no dimensions given, speaking of the infinite nature of His Godhood.  He is very God of very God, yet He is eternally united to us, as seen in the six branches all one with the central stem.  The lampstand was fashioned out of one talent of pure gold, and beaten into intricate shape by skilful hands.  This speaks of the sufferings of Christ, experienced also by His people to bring this incredible and unique union into being.  Because He suffered, we will also suffer the contradiction and abuse of men-John 15v18-19;16v1-3 and 16v33.  As the lamps illuminate the glorious lampstand, we see no less than 66 golden ornamentations of crafted excellence in the whole.  A series of three bowls, knops (buds), and flowers in each of the six branches, making 54 in all.  In the central stem there are four such patterns, making a total of12.  Together they add to 66 individual symbols on the whole.  It is no coincidence that the bible is put together with 66 books.  Psalm 119v105 records, "Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path".  Thus the symbolism is of the lampstand as God's word with 66 books making up the whole library.  What is the essence of these 66 books, but a revelation of Christ, according to Luke 24v27 and44; also John 5v39.  Who penned the holy scriptures, but the Holy Spirit, who in every book extols the beauties of Christ, just as the olive oil illuminated the lampstand!  The word of God in its entirety, and the Holy Spirit's inspiration, proclaiming the wonders of Christ.  This is vital for all service, we represent one so glorious, that our understanding of bit should develop and mark every aspect of our service to God,

Purification  8v5-8  It is obvious that such service requires cleanliness of living and operation.  The One whom we serve is without sin, He did no sin, He knew no sin, in Him was no sin.  The bible is emphatic on the sinlessness of Christ.  We will never be sinless this side of eternity but we must be cleansed, and maintain that cleanliness as we serve Him.  We have the resources and we must use them, so that we are pure in the service of God.  The Levites were to be clean from all contamination, "And thus shalt thou do unto them, to cleanse them: sprinkle water of purifying upon them, and let them shave all their flesh, and let them wash their clothes, and so make them clean".   The New Testament parallel is in 2nd Cor. 7v1 and 1st John 1v7-9.  Confession of sin, when it arises, that is stating the sin and agreeing with God's estimate of it, allows the cleansing of the soul by the power of the blood of Christ to purify us to continue in service.  This is a personal exercise that we must engage in Divine service.  The prophet Isaiah wrote, "Be ye clean that bear the vessels of the Lord"-Isaiah 52v11.  This needs attention among us so urgently.

Identification  8v9-15  This is the laying on of hands perspective, that those who engage in a particular work should be recognised as such, and given every help in their ministry whatever form it takes.  This just goes to mutual respect among the saints of God.  The laying on of hands is a means of identification on a person by another (usually an older person).  Jacob blessed the sons of Joseph on his deathbed (Genesis 48v14).  The children of Israel laid their hands on the Levites to perform the service of the tabernacle (Numbers 8v10).  The apostles laid their hands on seven deacons to serve tables (Acts 6v6).  The church at Antioch laid their hands on Barnabas and Saul for their mission to the Gentiles.  The elders laid hands on Timothy as identification of his pastoral gift from God-1st Timothy 4v14.  Paul laid his hands on Timothy in impartation of his spiritual gift-(2nd Timothy 1v6). There is no mandate for any official, physical laying on of hands, but a simple acknowledgment of a person's work for the Lord is sufficient.  There is no doubt that gifted people can inspire spiritual exercise in others, though all gifts are from the Lord.

Substitution  8v16-18  This is a reminder that we are only of value to God in service because Christ became or substitute, He took our place before a holy God who was against us.  The Levites were a substitute for the firstborn on every family whom God had claimed as His own.  Peter wrote, "Christ also hath suffered for sins the Just for the unjust that He might bring us to God"-1st Peter 3v18.  Divine endowment on people can oftentimes produce an unwarranted conceit, unworthy of any believer.  If we remember we are utterly dependent on the goodness of God that drew us to Him, all such notions will disappear.

Dedication  8v16-22  Engagement in service of such honour and magnitude should be wholehearted.  the language of the verses promotes this thought; "they are wholly given to me from among the children of Israel"-v16; "And I have given the Levites as a gift to Aaron and to his sons, from among the children of Israel, to do the service of the children in the tabernacle of the congregation".  The Levites were wholly occupied with the service of the Lord to make atonement for them, and to avoid any plague upon them due to their causing displeasure to God.  They did not offer any sacrifices (that was the work of the priests) but they maintained purity in the camp in an advisory capacity.  There were over 22,000 of them, so the people knew they were there!  Those who keep a watch over God's people do a great service and prevent so much chastening.  There is no place for half heartedness in the service of God.

Limitation  The Levites commenced a five year apprenticeship for the task of Levitical service.  From 30 years old they commenced the work full time, but were expected to retire at 50.  This was due to the physical nature of the work, and God took account of their declining powers.  On retirement, according to the narrative they were expected to pass responsibility to younger men.  There is no corresponding New Testament equivalent, except those in service should recognise their limitations and encourage responsibility of the younger. 

Christ in all the scriptures Corporate worship

 Christ in all the scriptures

Corporate worship  Numbers 7

The chapter is a flashback to Exodus 40v17-36, when the tabernacle was erected to the specific commandments of the Lord; and to Leviticus 8v10/11 when it was anointed for Divine service.  What came in between was the sacrificial offerings and holy anointing in Leviticus.  Before they took any journey, or engaged in any war, they must learn the primary purpose of their salvation from bondage, which is to worship the Lord in the way He prescribed.  This order of presentation is important for we are called to worship as the principal function of our redeemed lives.  This is the corporate response of the princes of the tribes of Israel, to the mercy of God upon them, and there are many lessons we can learn from this today.

The bible is God's mind in print, and we should mark not only what He says, but also what He omits to say, and the context in which He says it!  In Exodus 40 the emphasis is on His authority as Moses obeyed every command of God.  In Leviticus 8, it is His sanctity as He dwells amongst His people.  Now, in Numbers 7, it is His beauty that draws the leaders in their offerings at the dedication of the tabernacle, and particularly the altar.  In all three portions, worship is the principal thought, and is the highest form of service to God.  The modern expression "Saved to serve" is o.k. if we understand serve as worship which it oftentimes means in scripture.  The New Testament underlines this principle as follows: Romans 15v16 "That I should be the minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of God, that the offering up of the Gentiles might be acceptable, being sanctified by the Holy Ghost".   After many chapters of exposition of the gospel, Paul is saying that the purpose of it all is for the corporate worship of the Gentiles. 1st. Peter 2v5 "Ye also as living stones are built up a spiritual house to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ".  Old Testament offerings were material, the New Testament equivalent are spiritual.  Ephesians 5v19-20 "Speaking to yourselves in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ".  Emphasis is on heart appreciation of the Lord.  Hebrews 13v15 "By Him let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is the fruit of our lips giving thanks to His name".  Before anything else, gratitude to God in worship is priority in any community of God's people.

The threefold ascription of the hymn of praise in Ephesians 1v3-14 is to the Trinity: God the Father in election (v3-6) "to the praise of the glory of His grace"; God the Son in redemption (v7-12) "to the praise of His glory"; God the Spirit in sealing us as the Lord's (v13-14) "unto the praise of His glory".  This is the ultimate purpose of our salvation, and it is illustrated in these Old Testament scriptures.

We note some interesting aspects of corporate worship in these verses.

The leaders led the corporate worship  The response of the people came from the leaders, as it says "the princes of Israel, heads of the house of their fathers, who were the princes of the tribes, and were over them that were numbered".  As mentioned before, there was a structure in their congregation.  A similar structure is found in the Christian churches-Philippians 1v1, "...to all the saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons".  Over 12 consecutive days the 12 leaders of the tribes brought their offering for the dedication of the altar.  All this took place at Sinai commencing from the second day of the first month in the second year from leaving Egypt-refer Exodus 40v17.  According to Numbers 1v1, the duration of Leviticus and the instructions concerning the offerings, and practical holiness, was one month.  The people had supplied the raw materials for the construction (Exodus 25).  The leaders now offer the supplies for the dedication.

Each leader brought the same gifts to the Lord  This was a superb display of unity in worship, each one brought exactly the same.  First, Nahshon of Judah (v12); then Nethaneel of Issachar (v18); Eliab of Zebulon (v24); Elizur of Reuben (v30); Shelumiel of Simeon (v36); Eliasaph of Gad (v42); Elishama of Ephraim (v48); Gamaliel of Manasseh (v54); Abidan of Benjamin (v60); Ahiezer of Dan (v66); Pagiel of Asher (v72); Ahira of Naphtali (v78).  Day after day, for 12 consecutive days they came with the same offering to the Lord,  What is the message of the Holy Spirit in this?  You do not change perfection!  Unity in worship across all 12 tribes!  Note that the order in which they offered was the same order in which they journeyed through the foreign lands (refer Numbers 10v14-28).  Internal unity was displayed publicly!!  Didn't Jesus pray for the same in John 17v21 "That they all may be one, as thou Father art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us, that the world may believe that thou hast sent me".  Notice the link between unity and credibility.  The Lord linked church unity to world evangelism.  Perhaps our disunity is the reason for our weak testimony.

Each gift is symbolic of Christ!  One silver charger (dish), one silver bowl-both of them filled with fine flour mingled with oil.  One golden spoon full of incense; one young bullock, one ram, one lamb of the first year for a burnt offering: one kid of the goats for a sin offering: two oxen, five rams five he goats, five lambs of the first year for peace offerings.  All of them point to Christ in His saving mission on earth.  We can go back in the studies to reflect the meaning of each.  God never tires to hear us extol the wonders of His Son on earth.  The silver of redemption, the fine flour of perfection in humanity, the oil of the Spirit who controlled His every move, the gold which speaks of deity in humanity, the incense that brought such fragrance to God, the animal sacrifices portraying the one sacrifice of Christ in its many aspects.  Day after day, for 12 days, the princes of Israel offered the perfections of Christ to God.  This is worship, this is what God wants from us; the wonder of that perfect life will never be exhausted (John 21v25).  Our old mentor, the late James Paton, friend of my late parents, and the man who officiated at our wedding (he was exceptional in prayer worship), he said, "when you have offered a thanksgiving on a Sunday, you start preparation for the next!"  As the hymn says, "Jesus thou art enough the mind and heart to fill...O fix our earnest gaze, so wholly Lord on Thee, that with thy beauty occupied, we elsewhere none may see".   Tracing the offerings and the instruments of the Old Testament in the four gospels is the work of a lifetime.

The offerings were valuable and each was recorded  They each contributed to the cost of one half wagon and one ox for transportation of the tabernacle.  The silver charger was 130 shekels according to the measure of the sanctuary; the silver bowl was 70 shekels; the golden spoon was 10 shekels; also animals for the burnt offering; a kid goat for the sin offering; animals for the peace offerings.  In total 21 animals per offering.  It would be impossible to estimate the value, enough to know that the material cost was considerable.  The total was counted after the twelfth day, being 12 times each individual offering.  The Spirit records everything which each tribe donated.  Heaven records everything that we do which exalts Christ and brings pleasure to the Father above.   

What we have is far better than anything this world can offer.  As Paul wrote to the Thessalonians "...ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God; and to wait for His Son from heaven"-1st Thessalonians 1v9-10.  Note, they did not turn from idols, they turned to God...from idols!  They with us found One so much better than the fiction of the world in the present, and the future is glorious! 

When Moses erected the tabernacle, he was unable to approach the sanctuary for the glory of the cloud that filled it (Exodus 40v35).  After the offering of the twelve princes, which so delighted the Lord, Moses spoke with God face to face at the mercy seat (Numbers 7v89).  In this we have been given the secret of Divine nearness and blessing, when we are prepared to follow His way instead of our own.  As He said through the prophet Malachi in 3v10, "Bring ye all the tithes and offerings into the storehouse, that there may be meat in my house, and prove me now herewith , saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it".