Numbers 3 "The Levites"

"And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, Bring the tribe of Levi near, and present them before Aaron the priest, that they may minister unto him. And they shall keep his charge, and the charge of the whole congregation before the tabernacle of the congregation, to do the service of the tabernacle." (v.5-7)

Here we see the tribe of Levi presented to the LORD as a sacrifice of service entirely to the sanctuary. They no longer are their own, but the Lord's property and shall work for the whole congregation.

The Levites were to perform the most common and laborious duties. It was their business to take down, put up, and carry the tabernacle and its utensils; for it was the object of their peculiar care. In a word, they were the servants of the priests. This was an honor given to the Levites by God to serve Him. 

Every congregation has it's Levites and could not function without them. The business of set-up, break down, clean-up, parking, security, etc. Carrying out all the laborious work that goes into preparing the church, before the doors even open. Have you ever noticed that those who do the work are usually joyful in their labor? Why is that? Because it's an honor to do so.

The Truth: "Therefore, "They are before the throne of God and serve Him day and night in His temple; and He who sits on the throne will shelter them with His presence." (Revelation 7:15)

Numbers 2 “The Encampment Order”

“And the children of Israel did according to all that the LORD commanded Moses: so they pitched by their standards, and so they set forward, every one after their families, according to the house of their fathers.” (v. 34)

Here in chapter 2 the tribes were instructed to encamp around the tabernacle. Yet, they were to pitch their tents afar off in reverence to the sanctuary. Each tribe was given a specific direction and location in which to set up their company and they did so without murmuring, questioning or disputing their position. This ordered encampment became their safety and their beauty (Numbers 24:5-6).

Just as each of the tribes of Israel accepted their position in the camp around the sanctuary, it is our duty to be content with the place allotted us within the body of Christ as well. For in so doing, we make our sanctuary a place of safety and beauty as well. 

The Truth: “I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.” (Ephesians 4:1-6)

Numbers 1 "The Census"

"Then the Lord spoke to Moses in the wilderness of Sinai, in the tent of meeting, on the first of the second month, in the second year after they had come out of the land of Egypt, saying, Take a census of all the congregation of the sons of Israel, by their families, by their fathers’ households, according to the number of names, every male, head by head from twenty years old and upward, whoever is able to go out to war in Israel, you and Aaron shall number them by their armies." (v.1-3)

Our text begins with the phrase, "Then the LORD spoke to Moses." This phrase is repeated more than 150 times and more than 20 different ways in the book of Numbers. The book itself is all about God’s people in the Wilderness – how they got there, how God dealt with them in it, and how He brought them out of it on their way to the Promised Land. In Hebrew this book is titled, "In the Wilderness" instead of Numbers. 

As Moses met with the Lord in the wilderness of Sinai, in the tabernacle of meeting (v.1), God commanded him to take a census – but counting only all who are able to go to war in Israel. God wanted the count made by their families because the strength of Israel was determined by looking at the strength of individual families. The men for war were counted as those from twenty years old and older, showing that it takes some amount of time and maturity to be able to fight well. It is also interesting that there is no upper age limit declared, though one may be implied (whoever is able). 

This was a military census to see who could fight for Israel in taking the Promised Land. This was the first step in taking the Promised Land – an inventory to understand the resources they had to conquer the Promised Land. The taking of this census would have a great effect on the nation. As the count was made, every family knew preparations were being made for war. 

The order to count the potential soldiers was not meant to imply that Israel would take the land because of superior forces, or merely because of the bravery of these men. They would receive the Promised Land by the hand of God. Nevertheless, they still had to fight and know what they had available to them going into battle. The summary of the twelve tribes numbered 603,550 potential soldiers in Israel able to go to war.

Based on having 603,550 available soldiers, some estimated the total population of Israel at this time to be between two million and two-and-a-half million people, counting women, children, and others unable to fight.

The last line of chapter states, "Thus the children of Israel did; according to all that the Lord commanded Moses, so they did," is interesting in light of how they would eventually rebel. Yet, counting, or taking inventory, is an essential step in organization and moving forward. In preparing to enter the Promised Land Israel had to be organized, and it seems as though they realized this. God is an organized God and moves through organization, even when that organization is not easily seen. Therefore, it was essential that Israel take inventory and count how many men were ready to fight.

Moses served then, as we do now, a God of order, structure, and power. Let every believer be prepared to withstand not only the enemy at the gates, but of the soul as well - even when all seems to be at peace. 

Be ready! 

The Truth: “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.” (Ephesians 6:10-13)

Luke 24 “Hope Restored”

“He is not here, but is risen! Remember how He spoke to you when He was still in Galilee, saying, 'The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.'" (Luke 24:6-7)

Luke 24 contains two themes throughout the chapter; 1) the fulfillment of Christ's teachings on His death, burial and resurrection and 2) the continued struggles His disciple had in seeing this truth as it was; predicted, unfolded, and completed before their every eyes.

After Jesus's death, His disciples were blinded by their grief, discouraged, lost, afraid, and did not see this event for what it was, the fulfillment of all that the prophets have spoken! They saw His death as the end of their Messiah and His kingdom here on earth, not reconciling it with what He had taught them. (Matthew 20:17-19)

It took the Lord Himself appearing to; Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, to Peter, then the twelve collectively showing them His hands and His feet, eating with them and finally opening their understanding to the scriptures, before their blindness turned to joy and their hope restored. (v.45)  

Just as it took the infallible truth of the scriptures to open the eyes of those who walked with Jesus then, so it may be with our loved ones today as well. With so much evil in our world, we need to keep praying that our Lord will bring His truth into their lives and open their understanding to His love and grace.  

The Truth: Now Jesus, going up to Jerusalem, took the twelve disciples aside on the road and said to them, “Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be betrayed to the chief priests and to the scribes; and they will condemn Him to death, and deliver Him to the Gentiles to mock and to scourge and to crucify. And the third day He will rise again.” (Matthew 20:17-19)

Luke 23 “Jesus Dies In Place Of Barabbas”

“And he (Pilate) released to them (the chief priests) the one they requested (Barabbas), who for insurrection and murder had been thrown into prison; but delivered Jesus to their will” (v.25)

Here in chapter 23 we see Barabbas, a known insurrectionist and a murderer released by Pilate. And Jesus, a purely innocent man, delivered to a crowed who wanted to “crucify” Him. In other words Jesus was about to die in place of Barabbas or one could say, for Barabbas.

This is very interesting when you think about why Jesus had to die. According to the law almost all things are purified with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no remission. Jesus would become the perfect sacrifice through His death on the cross. His innocent blood would become the only sacrifice needed for the remission of sin - once and for all.

Yes Jesus died in place of Barabbas but He also died for Barabbas and all sinners. Praise the LORD!. 

The Truth: “But this Man (Jesus), after He had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down at the right hand of God, from that time waiting till His enemies are made His footstool. For by one offering He has perfected forever those who are being sanctified.” (Hebrews 10:12-14)

Luke 22 "Peter Restored"

"Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you like wheat. But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you return to Me, strengthen your brethren.” (v.31-32)

The strength of our faith can be judged by our ability to regroup after a defeat. Setbacks can cause us to either fall away or to return to our faith even stronger. They allow us to show our underlying commitment to Christ. Our Lord's words to Simon Peter suggest this. Jesus knew Peter was about to trip over his own self-confidence and zeal. He knew that Peter, who said he was willing to die for his Lord (v.33), would soon deny Him.

The beauty of Christ's re­sponse to Peter's denial was that He saw beyond it, to the disciple's repentance. He assured Peter that He had prayed his faith would not fail (v.32). In essence, Jesus was saying, "An attack is coming, I have prayed for you, although you will stumble, you will return to Me." This experience in Peter's life can encourage all of us. We have the advantage of Christ's work and prayers on our behalf, and this gives us the confidence that He Himself sustains us. We too can be useful again to Him, even after a hard fall.

A spiritual reversal should not cause us to give up. It's the "return" of our faith and His forgiveness that are all-important.

The Truth: “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9)

Luke 21 “The Signs Of His Return”

“There shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring; Men’s hearts failing them for fear, and the expectation of those things which are coming upon the earth: for the powers of the heaven will be shaken. And they will see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your head; for your redemption is drawing close” (vv.25-28).

In our text, Jesus is giving us the signs of His return. Signs that will happen before His second coming. Then, at the end of the passage, declares when we see these things come to pass to “look up,” for our redemption (the rapture) is drawing near. If the rapture of the church is to precede His second coming (and I believe it does), then when we see these signs of the LORD’s return, we can know the rapture must be getting close.

The parable of the fig tree, given to us here in verses 29-33, is basically saying the same thing. When you see the tree begin to blossom you know summer is drawing near. Again we are being instructed to know the signs of His return, to be watchful and, “pray that we are accounted worthy to escape what is to come and stand before the Son of man” (v.36).

I for one do not want to be on earth when God’s wrath is poured out. I want to be standing before the Son of man, the Lamb who was slain, the One who is worthy to take the scroll and loose the seals, the Lion of the Tribe of Judah, removed from His wrath.

The Truth: “I looked when He opened the sixth seal, and behold, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became like blood. And the stars of heaven fell to the earth, as a fig tree drops its late figs when it is shaken by a mighty wind. Then the sky receded as a scroll when it is rolled up, and every mountain and island was moved out of its place. And the kings of the earth, the great men, the rich men, the commanders, the mighty men, every slave and every free man, hid themselves in the caves and in the rocks of the mountains, and said to the mountains and rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the face of Him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb! For the great day of His wrath has come, and who is able to stand?” (Revelation 6:12-17

Luke 20 “Jesus’ Authority Questioned”

 Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar or not?” (v.22)

Once again the chief priests and scribes were looking to discredit Jesus. This time, they were trying to catch Him saying something against Roman law that they might turn Him over to the governor. Thus the question, “Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar or not?”

The crafty spies (who were sent by the priests), pretended to be righteous, and hoping to seize Christ on His words marveled at His answer: “Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” (v.25)

Many issues in our society today have become twisted to man’s desires; through political agendas, party politics, and what is viewed today as politically correct thinking. However, for us as Christians it is simple, man’s law should never supersede God’s law. 

Therefore, as Christ said, "Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's."

The Truth
“Your word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You.” (Psalm 119:11)

Luke 19 "Jesus Weeps For Jerusalem"

 “As He drew near, He saw the city (Jerusalem) and wept over it.” (v.41)

Our text tells us as Jesus drew near to the city of Jerusalem "He wept.” Why? Because the people did not know the scriptures well enough to understand the reason for His first coming (v.41-44), and those who did (scribes, chief priests, and Pharisees) sought to kill Him out of fear and jealousy.

The prophet Zechariah had described the 1st coming of Jesus over 500 years before it occurred writing, "Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold your King is coming to you; He is just and having salvation, lowly and riding on a donkey, a colt, the foal of a donkey" (Zechariah 9:9).

Zechariah correctly referred to Jesus as, "having salvation." Therefore, when Jesus did enter Jerusalem riding on a donkey as prophesied the people cried, "Hosanna!" or, literally, "Save now!" (Matthew 21:9). Why? Because they were hoping Jesus had come to save them from the Roman government and establish His kingdom on earth immediately - not to die on the cross for the sins of the world. Therefore, when He was eventually killed the Jews denied His claim as the Messiah, and are still blindly looking for their deliver today. 

They missed it (His first coming), and this is what moved Jesus to tears "because they did not know the time of their visitation” (v.44). I believe Jesus still weeps today when someone rejects His moment of visitation (salvation) to them. Why? Because His second coming will be much different, and when that happens, He will no longer be the one weeping. 

The Truth: "But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up." (2 Peter 3:10)

Luke 18 “Be Merciful To Me”

“But the tax collector, standing some distance away, was even unwilling to lift up his eyes to heaven, but was beating his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’” (v.13)

May we all check our attitudes at the door of humility, that we may be exalted by the LORD and not abased (v.14). May we all bow before the LORD in repentance, beating our chests, saying “be merciful to me, a sinner” and not thinking of ourselves more highly than we ought” (vv.12-13).

As pride always comes before a fall, so a haughty spirit comes before stumbling. The moment we think we're good, we're not. The moment we think, we've got it all together, we don't. Better to come to God in humility and brokenness to receive His righteousness, than to come to Him as a filthy rag in your own (righteousness).

The Truth
“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9)

Luke 17 “Wow To Those Who Stumble Others”

 Jesus said to his disciples: "Things that cause people to stumble are bound to come, but woe to anyone through whom they come. It would be better for them to be thrown into the sea with a millstone tied around their neck than to cause one of these little ones to stumble. So watch yourselves." (v.1-3)

It appears that Jesus was directing this warning at the religious leaders who taught their converts their own hypocritical ways. Human nature being what it is, there will always be occasions that can cause us to stumble. However, Jesus makes it plain that it is a serious thing to cause a fellow believer to stumble or to tempt them to sin.

The Apostle Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians 8 to be sensitive to others, as our actions may inadvertently cause a weaker brother to stumble when we are taking our own liberty. He warns us to beware lest someone see our liberty and it becomes a stumbling block to them.

Therefore, we should lovingly watch over each other, learn to understand each other's weaknesses and do all that we can to keep one another from stumbling into sin.

 The Truth: “Woe to the world because of the things that cause people to stumble! Such things must come, but woe to the person through whom they come!” (Matthew 18:7)

Luke 16 “Life After Death”

“So it was that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels to Abraham’s bosom. The rich man also died and was buried. And being in torments in Hades, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.” (vv.22-23)

This parable of “Lazarus and the Rich Man” is a shockingly clear picture of life after death in Old Testament times. Before the time of Jesus’ death and resurrection those who died beliving in God were comforted, while those who did not believe in God were tormented.  After His resurrection all believers are, as Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 5:8, “absent from the body and . . . present with the Lord.” Jesus wanted those listening to His parable to understand the serious consequences of living life apart from God.

The rich man and the poor man (Lazarus) lived very different lives on earth, and even when they died, they no doubt received very different types of burials. But neither man was able to escape death, because that great equalizer is no respecter of persons. It doesn’t matter whether you are rich or poor, young or old, black or white, American, European, Asian, or African—death comes to all. It will happen to you and it will happen to me.

However, for those who have trusted in and surrendered to Jesus Christ, there is a wonder-filled promise of being instantly present with the Lord after our death. The only questions are, in what do you place your trust? And, would you bet your eternal life on it?

The Truth:  When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the angels with Him, then He will sit on His glorious throne. Before Him will be gathered all the nations, and He will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. And He will place the sheep on His right, but the goats on the left. Then the King will say to those on His right, “Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.” Then He will say to those on His left, “Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. . . .  And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.” (Matthew 25:31-46)

Luke 15 “Angels Rejoice”

“There is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” (v.10)

Here in chapter 15, Jesus is demonstrating to the Pharisees that it was not only right for Him to seek the lost, but their restoration pleased God. The Pharisees considered “tax collectors” and "sinners" beneath them, and questioned His disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” (Matthew 9:11). Jesus overhearing them responded, “Those who are well have no need for a physician” (Matther 9:12).

Seeking the lost, and restoring them to God was not only a major theme throughout the book of Luke, but of His (Jesus) ministry as well. What a contrast to the Pharisees' attitude of completely avoiding sinners, and caring little to nothing about their spiritual resotation.

May our hearts always be aligned with our Lord’s in compassion and love for those who need Jesus. May we see that the harvest is truly plentiful, and never grow weary of sharing the good news so that angles in heaven may rejoice.

The Truth: “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” (Luke 19:10)

Luke 14 “Take A Back Seat”

 When a person invites you to a wedding, don't sit in the most important seat. The person may have invited someone more important than you. And if you are sitting in the most important seat, then the person that invited you will come to you and say, 'Give this man your seat!' Then you will begin to move down to the last place. And you will be very embarrassed. Therefore, when a person invites you, go sit in the seat that is not important. Then the person that invited you will come to you and say, 'Friend, move up here to this better place!' What an honor this will be for you in front of all the other guests! (vv.8-10)

Jesus wants us to give up on our self-promoting ways. He calls us to be humble and then let God do the exalting. We shouldn't be surprised when the apostle Paul held Jesus up as the perfect example of humility—didn't cling to position, emptied himself of self-promotion, was obedient to God the Father even unto death, and God exalted Him at the proper time (Phil. 2:5-11).

Pride is destructive, selfish, and poisonous to Christian service and maturity. Let's humble ourselves before God and trust that He will lift us up.

The Truth: "For whoever exalts himself will be abased, and he who humbles himself will be exalted." (Luke 14:11)

Luke 13 “The Mustard Seed”

“What is the kingdom of God like? And to what shall I compare it? It is like a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and cast into his garden; and it grew, and waxed a great tree; and the fowls of the air lodged in the branches of it.” (vv.18-19)

This simile,"As small as a grain of mustard seed" was well known in the Jewish world and a proverb among the people in those days. It was a common sight to see a mustard plant (raised from one of these minute grains) grow to the height of a fruit tree, putting forth branches on which birds build their nests.

It was with sorrowful irony that Jesus compared the kingdom of God in those days to this small grain. But, at that time, it was composed of Jesus and his few wavering followers. It seemed impossible that this little movement could ever stir the world, or could ever become a society of mighty dimensions.

However, it grew outwardly into a great tree in which we now see; the spread of the Gospel world wide and the growth of grace in the hearts of millions of believers everywhere. Yet the fulness of the gentiles has yet to come to harvest. Therefore, the tree continues to grow.

Jesus and His twelve disciples, over two thousand years ago,  planted the seed of the kingdom of God and despite great opposition to its truth down throughout the ages, the seed continues to grow today.

Luke 12 “Do Not Worry”

“Then He said to his disciples, ‘Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; nor about the body, what you will put on. Life is more than food, and the body is more than clothing.” (v.22)

This was a pretty radical statement to make in light of the time period in which it was spoken. Jesus was speaking to a people who were use to farming and fishing for their daily food. And when it came to clothing, they had to shear the sheep, spin the wool into thread, weave the thread into cloth, and then finally sew it together. Having clothes to wear wasn’t as simple as going to the local department store. So it was perhaps more significant to them (than it is to us) when Jesus said, “Do not worry” about what you’ll eat or wear.

Contentment is not the result of acquiring more, but of being thankful for what we already have. Authentic, genuine contentment, springs from a thankful heart. It is a choice we make, a choice to be thankful. Godly contentment is ours for the “thanking.” It happens when we lift up our voice to Father God, who is the Giver of all that is good, thanking Him for the blessings in our lives. Then instead of desiring more, our contentment grows.

Therefore do not worry be content, praise God for what you have, share your bounty with others, and watch Him bless your way.

The Truth: "Godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out." (1 Timothy 6:6-7)

Luke 11 “The Lamp of The Body”

Your eye is the lamp of your body. When your eyes are good, your whole body also is full of light; but when it is bad, your body is full of darkness.” (v.34)

What we choose to look at matters, but equally important is how we choose to look, or more specifically, the attitude of our heart behind the look. Although sin is often expressed through our actions, it is also rooted in attitude and thoughts of the heart. 

Because sin begins in the heart, a lustful look offends God as much as the actons that will eventually follow. Many people today hold the attitude that, “I can look, but I can not touch.” Not so. What we look at enters our minds, penetrates our soul, and creates a desire for more. This can also effect how we look at others. 

The prophet Jeremiah said, “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?” (Jer.17:9). The answer to that question is God. And the only way out from the dark pit of pornography lies in His forgiveness through Christ. He and He alone can trun your eyes from the darkness of sin, into the marvelous light of Christ. 

Living in these bodies of flesh, we will always struggle with their desires. But with God’s help, we can learn to discipline them by keeping our eyes, our thoughts, and our minds, on what is good and acceptable in His sight.

The Truth: “For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world. The world is passing away, and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God lives forever.” (1 John 2:16-17)