Christ in all the scriptures
On the threshold of the promised land Numbers 26-36
Chapter 25 ends the narrative of the first generation coming out of Egypt, and opens with the numbering, the organisation, and the legislation of the new generation of Israelites. The first generation ended in disaster with only two men, out of a total of over 600,000 warriors, allowed to enter the promised land (Numbers 26v64-65). It is difficult to know how to interpret this phase in Israel's history, as to their status before God. Were they saved people, and was their destruction for this life only? The New Testament suggests they were unbelievers-refer Jude 1v5, "The Lord, having saved the people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed them that believed not" (this in the context of false profession of faith). Again Hebrews 3/4 suggests the same..."I was grieved with that generation, and said, they do always err in their heart: and they have not known my ways. So I swore in my wrath, they shall not enter into my rest"-Hebrews 3v10; also v13 speaks of an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God", and v14-18 expand upon it. To balance that out we must mention that because of one sinful act Moses was not allowed to enter the promised land-27v12-14. There is no way to equate the solitary failure of Moses with the persistent rebellion of the generation. It would seem, therefore that this people have perished eternally. We must mark the solemnity of this. It is tragically possible to live with the people of God, to be involved in all the ritual of worship to God, even fighting wars for the cause, and yet to perish. True belief is never presented in scripture in terms of profession, rather in terms of heart obedience.
Chapters 26-36 establish the new generation under God's covenant promises. God has punished the old generation but He maintains, in gracious mercy, His dealings with Israel. As Paul said in Romans 3v3, "For what if some did not believe, shall their unbelief make the faith of God of none effect? God forbid!" Faith in God is in the heart, not based on externals which may pander to the glory of man. The chapters contain a comprehensive summary of the benefits and responsibilities of the nation for life in the promised land.
Chapter 26 Census of the men of war for the defence of the realm. Inheritance of the portions of the land, and the census of the Levites for religious work.
Chapter 27 Provision for continuous family inheritance as per the daughters of Zelophehad, descendants of Joseph. Denial of Moses to enter the promised land. Promotion of Joshua to leadership.
Chapter 28 The order and importance of the offerings in Divine worship.
Chapter 29 Eight days of holy convocation in the set feasts of Israel.
Chapter 30 Laws concerning vows unto the Lord.
Chapter 31 War against Midian who vexed the children of Israel. Spoils of victory shared.
Chapter 32 Allocation of land to the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and the half tribe of Manasseh.
Chapter 33 Account of every journey made by Israel since leaving Egypt. The past is gone but not forgotten.
Chapter 34 Division of the land inheritance to remainder of the twelve tribes.
Chapter 35 Cities for Levites and cities of refuge.
Chapter 36 Further laws for inheritance.
There are many lessons for the people of God in these final chapters of Numbers, as we are all on a journey to the promised land, and, indeed we are on the verge of it in these last days. Clearly God is assuring them of the certainty of their new life. Despite their many failures, since redemption from Egypt's slavery, they will possess the land. At this late time when this is being opposed from many quarters, God's people will prevail, and the promised land, the subject of endless disputes, will become a reality.
The book ends with this summary, "These are the commandments and the judgments which the Lord commanded by the hands of Moses unto the children of Israel in the plain of Moab by Jordan, near Jericho".
Like Israel, we, God's people, are heading to a new life, and we are now on the verge of it, as is clear from world trends and events. Like Moses, then Joshua, our Lord is "bringing many sons to glory", and He has left commandments and judgments for us on the way. The New Testament abounds with the fact that our Lord has left instructions for our lives on the way to glory. We can tabulate a few of them here, readers can expand them and define them at leisure. There is a tendency, in this day of free grace to think there are no commandments any more since our Lord has fulfilled them all. Nothing is further from the truth as the following scriptures declare:
"All that Jesus began to do and to teach. Until the day in which He was taken up, after that He, through the Holy Ghost, had given commandments unto the apostles whom He had chosen!-Acts 1v1-2
These same apostles have given commandments to us, "That ye may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us the apostles of the Lord and Saviour"-2nd Peter 3v2.
"If ye love me keep my commandments", Jesus said in John 14v15; "This is my commandment, that ye love one another as I have loved you"-John 15v12. In 1st John 4v22-25 the apostle John says, "And whatsoever we ask we receive of Him, because we keep His commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in His sight. And this is His commandment, that we should believe on the name of His Son, Jesus Christ, and love one another as He gave us commandment".
He has left us commandments and judgments, just as He gave to Israel for life in the new land. Commandments are to be obeyed, not questioned or ignored. There are commandments regulating personal morality; others for corporate gatherings, how to organise to ensure order and decency in church life; and yet others regulating behaviour in society for good public witness. Readers should familiarise themselves with these and follow them. These should be taught regularly in the course of any year. Judgments are decisions involving two or more differing positions. God's judgments are perfect and fair and unbiased, there is no respect of persons with God. We have been given amazing resources to enable us to walk worthy of our high calling. We have within the Spirit of God to guide us. We have the written word of God to instruct us. We have access at any time to the Sovereign throne of the universe. We have the love of each other to share in all things. His commandments are not grievous, His yoke is easy, His burden is light. We can find rest in the midst of trials, and the prospect before us, as we journey to the glory, is beyond anything this world can give us
Like Israel in the latter part of the book of Numbers, we are on the threshold of the land flowing with milk and honey, and that alone should adjust our attitude to good living.
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