Numbers 21 "Israel Speaks Against God"

Then they journeyed from Mount Hor by the Way of the Red Sea, to go around the land of Edom; and the soul of the people became very discouraged on the way. And the people spoke against God and against Moses: “Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? For there is no food and no water, and our soul loathes this worthless bread.” (vv.4-5)

Here we see that the children of Israel had to go far out of their way because the Edomites refused them passage (Numbers 20:14-21). In fact, to go around the Edomites, they had to turn back towards the wilderness and away from Canaan. This was obviously discouraging. Sadly we also see here that the new generation sounded a lot like the old. If they continued in the steps of their fathers, this new generation would be no more able to enter the Promised Land than the previous generation was.

So, the Lord sent fiery serpents among the people (v.6). How were the serpents fiery? Some think they were a red color, like the color of fire. Others believe their bite caused an intense burning sensation, so they were called fiery serpents. Regardless, the Lord sent these fiery serpents to get the nation’s attention at this critical place in their journey to the Promised Land. If they kept going in the direction they showed in the previous verses, they would never enter in. Those that did die were mostly of the older generation of unbelief, and this was God’s final way of fulfilling His promise that they would perish in the wilderness, and not enter the Promised Land.

Then, the people came to Moses, and said, “We have sinned, for we have spoken against the Lord and against you; pray to the Lord that He take away the serpents from us" (v.7). So Moses prayed for the people. Then the Lord said to Moses, “Make a fiery serpent, and set it on a pole; and it shall be that everyone who is bitten, when he looks at it, shall live” (v.8). So Moses made a bronze serpent, and put it on a pole; and so it was, if a serpent had bitten anyone, when he looked at the bronze serpent, he lived (v.9).

Jesus referred to this remarkable event in John 3:14-15: "And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life." Jesus clearly said there is a similarity between what Moses did here, and what He did on the cross. In both cases believing (the action of looking) brought the effect of salvation. Scripture tells us in Isaiah 45:22: "Look to Me, and be saved, all you ends of the earth! For I am God, and there is no other."

We might be willing to do a hundred things to earn our salvation, but God commands us to simply trust in Him – to look to Him. It's that simple.

The Truth: "Look to Me and be saved, All you ends of the earth; For I am God, and there is no other." (Isaiah 45:22)

Numbers 20 "God’s Rebuke and Correction of Moses"

Then the Lord spoke to Moses and Aaron, “Because you did not believe Me, to hallow Me in the eyes of the children of Israel, therefore you shall not bring this assembly into the land which I have given them.” This was the water of Meribah, because the children of Israel contended with the Lord, and He was hallowed among them. (vv.12-13)

Moses’ sinful attitude and action was rooted in unbelief. He didn’t really believe God when the Lord told him to speak to the rock and water would come out, not to strike it. Unbelief has many forms. It was easy to see Israel’s unbelief in Numbers 14 when they refused to trust God and enter the Promised Land. Here, Moses was also unbelieving, but in different circumstances. Moses did not trust God to correct His people, and took it upon himself to do so when God did not want to correct Israel. 

What Moses did was an unholy thing. He made God look no different than an angry man or one of the temperamental pagan gods. He did not reflect the heart and character of God before the people. As a result, God’s correction of Moses was hard; he would not lead Israel into the Promised Land. That which he dreamed of and felt called to even as a child in the palaces of Egypt – to deliver God’s people – would not be completed. Another person would finish the job. 

This may seem an excessively harsh punishment for Moses. It seems that with only one slip-up, he now had to die short of the Promised Land. But Moses was being judged by a stricter standard because of his leadership position with the nation, and because he had a uniquely close relationship with God. Scripture tells us that, it is right for teachers and leaders to be judged by a stricter standard (James 3:1); though it is unrighteous to hold teachers and leaders to a perfect standard. It is true the people’s conduct was worse than Moses’, but it is irrelevant.

Worst of all, Moses defaced a beautiful picture of Jesus’ redemptive work through the rock which provided water in the wilderness. The New Testament makes it clear this water-providing, life-giving rock was a picture of Jesus (1 Corinthians 10:4). Jesus, being struck once, provided life for all who would drink of Him (John 7:37). But it was unnecessary – and unrighteous – that Jesus would be struck again, much less again twice, because the Son of God needed only to suffer once (Hebrews 10:10-12). Jesus can now be come to with words of faith (Romans 10:8-10), as Moses should have only used words of faith to bring life-giving water to the nation of Israel. Moses “ruined” this picture of the work of Jesus God intended.

At the end of it all, God was seen as holy (hallowed) among the children of Israel. Moses did not hallow God in this incident, but God hallowed Himself through the correction of Moses. God will get His glory, God will be hallowed – but, will it come through our obedience or our correction? Hopefully through our obedience.

The Truth: "For the people of Israel walked forty years in the wilderness, until all the nation, the men of war who came out of Egypt, perished, because they did not obey the voice of the Lord; the Lord swore to them that he would not let them see the land that the Lord had sworn to their fathers to give to us, a land flowing with milk and honey." (Joshua 5:6)

Numbers 19 "The Sacrifice Of The Red Heifer"

Now the Lord spoke to Moses and Aaron, saying, “This is the ordinance of the law which the Lord has commanded, saying: ‘Speak to the children of Israel, that they bring you a red heifer without blemish, in which there is no defect and on which a yoke has never come. (vv.1-2)

A heifer is a cow which has never been pregnant, and thus cannot yet give milk. They had to find one with a red color – which, of course, would be somewhat rare. Normally the animal’s color did not matter, but this one had to be red to resemble blood. Without blemish, in which there is no defect and on which a yoke has never come: These requirements made this particular animal even rarer. This red heifer, therefore, would be valuable, rare, and pure (because she had not yet been impregnated). 

The red heifer would be sacrificed in the customary fashion, with a bit of blood being sprinkled on the altar. Yet, the complete carcass of the animal was burnt, and the ashes gathered by one observing the cleansing ceremonies before and after the gathering of ashes. Unlike every other sacrifice in the Old Testament, the blood of the red heifer is burnt along with the sacrifice, instead of being completely drained out at the jugular. Blood was to be part of the ashes that would come forth from the burning of the carcass of the red heifer. This was God's provision for purification, the ashes from the sacrifice of a red heifer.

When the heifer was burnt, the priest would also put cedar wood and hyssop and scarlet into the fire. In Leviticus 14:4-6, each of these three items are used in the cleansing ceremony for a leper. Each of these items has a special significance. 

Cedar is extremely resistant to disease and rot and is well known for its quality and preciousness. These properties may be the reason for including it here – as well as a symbolic reference to the wood of the cross. Some even think the cross Jesus was crucified on was made of cedar. 

Hyssop was used not only with the cleansing ceremony for lepers, but also Jesus was offered drink from a hyssop branch on the cross (John 19:29), and when David said purge me with hyssop in Psalm 51:7, he was admitting he was as bad as a leper. Scarlet, the color of blood, pictures the cleansing blood of Jesus on the cross. 

Scarlet was used in the veil and curtains of the tabernacle (Exodus 26:31), in the garments of the high priest (Exodus 28:5-6), the covering for the table of showbread (Numbers 4:8), the sign of Rahab’s salvation (Joshua 2:21), and the color of the mocking “king’s robe” put on Jesus at His torture by the soldiers (Matthew 27:28). 

The residue from the burning of the carcass, the cedar, the hyssop, and the scarlet fabric together would produce a lot of ash, and the ash was to be gathered and sprinkled in water bit by bit to make water fit for purification.

This sacrifice, reached ahead through the centuries, presenting Christ, the Messiah, who would be born of a virgin and become the Representative of God to mankind and mankind to God, who's blood sacrifice would become the purification for the sins of the world.

The Truth: “I lay down My life that I may take it again. No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This command I have received from My Father.” (John 10:17-18)

Numbers 18 "The First High Priest"

"So the Lord said to Aaron, 'You and your sons and your father's household with you shall bear the guilt in connection with the sanctuary, and you and your sons with you shall bear the guilt in connection with your priesthood” (v.1).

Aaron, the older brother of Moses, was the first high priest of Israel, an office that would belong to his descendants through the generations. They would be responsible to bring the guilt of themselves and the nation before the Lord, but as to each man, they would not be able to continue in office.

Aaron, his office, and the men who succeeded him, were people who eventually die and pass the priestly duties on to the next in line. Yet even in that temporary state, they lived as an earthly picture of our great High Priest who sits at the right hand of the Father in eternity, the LORD Jesus. And because He lives forever, we now have an unchangeable priesthood" (Hebrews 7:24). Every moment of every day, our Savior is inter-seeding for us. He knows our name, our situations, and He (Himself God), is praying to the Father for us.

The sacrifices presented by Aaron and his sons are no longer necessary because Jesus Christ payed the price "once and for all" when He offered up Himself on the cross. 

The Truth: “For such a High Priest was fitting for us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and has become higher than the heavens; who does not need daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifices, first for His own sins and then for the people’s, for this He did once for all when He offered up Himself.” (Hebrews 7:26-27)

Numbers 17 “Aaron’s Rod”

And it came to pass, that on the morrow Moses went into the tabernacle of witness; and, behold, the rod of Aaron for the house of Levi was budded, and brought forth buds, and bloomed blossoms, and yielded almonds.”(v.8)

Here Our Lord, not only confirmed Aaron’s position to the people but proved Himself to be the true High Priest over the House of God by coming forth as “a rod [or shoot] out of the stem of Jesse” (Isaiah 1:1) and as “a root out of a dry ground.”

While all the other rods remained as they were, dead wood, Aaron's rod became a living branch. It sprouted buds, blossoms and yielded almonds.

Just as Aaron’s rod became different, I do not want to be as others. I want God’s hand of confirmation on my life, that I may blossom and yield fruit. 

The Truth: Blessed is the man, who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful; But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law he meditates day and night. He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither; and whatever he does shall prosper.” (Psalm 1:1-3)

Numbers 16 "The Sin of Pride And Ambition"

Now Korah the son of Izhar, the son of Kohath, the son of Levi, with Dathan and Abiram the sons of Eliab, and On the son of Peleth, sons of Reuben, took men; and they rose up before Moses with some of the children of Israel, two hundred and fifty leaders of the congregation, representatives of the congregation, men of renown. They gathered together against Moses and Aaron, and said to them, “You take too much upon yourselves, for all the congregation is holy, every one of them, and the Lord is among them. Why then do you exalt yourselves above the assembly of the Lord?” (vv.1-3)

This rebellion, like all rebellions, had a leader and followers. The leader was Korah, descended from Kohath. Interestingly enough, both Moses and Korah were descended from Kohath, but by different sons (Moses through Amram [Numbers 26:58-59], and Korah through Izhar). The Kohathites had the most exalted duty among the Levites; their charge was to carry the most holy things of the temple, after Aaron and his sons had covered them with the specially prepared coverings (Numbers 4:15). 

Korah was not content with what the Lord had called him to do in serving with the other Levites of the family of Kohath. He accused Moses of pride and exclusionary leadership. This accusation was made publicly, in front of two hundred and fifty leaders of the congregation… men of renown. It was a clever attack because Korah acted as if he represented the people and fought for their interests. The truth was that he desired a following and a position for himself. Korah accused Moses (and Aaron) of pride and self-seeking. The truth was that Moses had not aspired to his position, that God had indeed called him, and Moses did not in fact see himself as above the congregation. On a human level, Korah was successful because of those who followed him. 

When Moses heard this, he fell on his face (v.4), meaning he prayed. Being a humble man, he probably asked God if his critics were right or had something to teach him. He probably asked God what should be done in the situation. He certainly asked God to spare the nation and he asked God to not allow these divisive men to bring permanent harm to the people of God. We don’t know how long Moses prayed, but after prayer he had a sense of God’s direction for this crisis. Whereby he issued a challenge that Korah and his followers would come before the Lord, and Moses and Aaron would also come, so that the Lord would choose His leaders (vv.5-11).

Moses knew that the rebellion of Korah was rooted in ingratitude. They were not thankful for the wonderful ministry God gave them to do. He rebuked the pride and self-seeking that prompted their challenge which eventually killed those who argued against the leadership of Israel, God’s elect Moses and Aaron. God had established the authority of Moses as chief governor, and of Aaron and his family as priests, but it was not sufficient to restrain the ambition of mutinous men.

Korah lead a mutiny against Aaron because the priesthood was confined by him, and against Moses because this was done by his order. Korah did not recognize God’s authority and designed his own plan to elevate himself to the priesthood. Not a good idea. If one desires to be first in God’s kingdom, then one must learn to start at the bottom and be the servant of all, and never put down God’s elect to elevate yourself.

The Truth: “Pride goes before destruction, And a haughty spirit before a fall.” (Proverbs 16:18)

Numbers 15 “God’s Laws”

This chapter is all about a series of laws given by God to Moses, expected to be preformed by His people once they entered the promise land. Laws of; grain and drink offerings, unintentional and presumptuous sin, laws concerning the Sabbath and finally laws concerning tassels on garments. 

I’m so glad we do not live under the Law today. I’m sure I could not keep half of them. But praise be to God that we live under grace. We have been rescued from the law and forgiven by His blood shed on the cross. Hallelujah!

The Truth: “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9)

Numbers 14 “Unbelief Leads To Destruction”

“Then all the congregation lifted up their voices and cried, and the people wept that night. All the sons of Israel grumbled against Moses and Aaron; and the whole congregation said to them, 'Would that we had died in the land of Egypt! Or would that we had died in this wilderness (vv1-3).

The twelve spies had returned from the land of Canaan as we saw in Chapter 13, and even though they agreed that the land was fertile just as God promised, nevertheless it frightened everyone as ten of the spies excitably described those in Canaan who were of larger stature than the people of Israel, and they wept because the cities there were well fortified.

The fear of people was greater than their trust in the Lord, and there in lies the problem. Instead of believing in the one who; had parted the Red Sea, lead them by a cloud during the day and a pillar of fire by night, rained manna and quail in the wilderness, told them He would bring them to a land flowing with milk and honey, their fear outweighed their belief in God.

Therefore because of their unbelief God gave them exactly what they asked for, a death in the wilderness (v.2).  All those who grumbled against the Lord from twenty years old and up fell in the wilderness.

However, to the faithful servants Joshua and Caleb who gave the good report to the people saying; “Do not rebel against the Lord; and do not fear the people of the land, for they will be our prey. Their protection has been removed from them, and the Lord is with us; do not fear them” (v.9), did live to see and enter, the promise land. 

Unbelief can lead to distruction. Pray that the Spirit helps you in your unbelief. When He calls you—pray. And when He sends you—go. He will be with you and you will be blessed.

The Truth: Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help, And rely on horses, Who trust in chariots because they are many, And in horsemen because they are very strong, But who do not look to the Holy One of Israel, Nor seek the Lord! (Isiah 31:1)

Numbers 13 "The Report of The Land"

Now they (the spies) departed and came back to Moses and Aaron and all the congregation of the children of Israel in the Wilderness of Paran, at Kadesh; they brought back word to them and to all the congregation, and showed them the fruit of the land. Then they told him, and said: “We went to the land where you sent us. It truly flows with milk and honey, and this is its fruit. Nevertheless the people who dwell in the land are strong; the cities are fortified and very large; moreover we saw the descendants of Anak there. The Amalekites dwell in the land of the South; the Hittites, the Jebusites, and the Amorites dwell in the mountains; and the Canaanites dwell by the sea and along the banks of the Jordan.” (vv.26-29)

The word nevertheless means “despite all of that.” At that moment, Moses, and every man of faith in Israel should have cried out and said, “Nevertheless nothing! How can one say, ‘We went to the land, found it good, and God’s promise true,’ and then say, ‘Despite all this…’?” It is hard to imagine a report more unbelieving and unfaithful to God than this; a report that recognizes the faithfulness of God’s promise, the truth of His word, and yet says, “Despite all that…” 

God had promised this land to His people and their travels had now brought them to the doorstep of faith. All that needed to be done was to go in and posses the land. But because of their lack on faith they ruined themselves and their ability to live in a land flowing with milk and honey.

Courage in circumstances that seem to be overwhelming can only come from a strong faith in God. Caleb and Joshua were the only ones who possessed that faith and believed God would deliver the Canaanites into their hands. Caleb – blessed forever! – commanded the people to immediately (at once) trust and obey God and to take the land, because God had made them able (v.30). It took great courage for this man to stand against the tide of unbelief, of doubt and “despite all that” attitude. Caleb had the spirit of Romans 3:4: Let God be true but every man a liar.

Unbelief overlooks the promises and power of God, it magnifies every danger and difficulty, and fills the heart with discouragement. But faith puts our trust in Christ, who dispels all fear. May the Lord help us to put our trust in Him.

The Truth: “Commit your way to the Lord, Trust also in Him, And He shall bring it to pass.” (Psalm 37:5)

John 19 “Crucify Him”

“So he (Pilate) delivered Him (Jesus) to them (the chief priests) to be crucified. So they took Jesus and led Him away.” (John 19:16)

Death by Roman crucifixion was a result of the whole body weight being supported by the stretched arms of the victim. When nailed to the cross, there was a massive strain put on the wrists, arms and shoulders often resulting in a dislocation of the shoulder and elbow joints. The rib cage was constrained in a fixed position, which made it extremely difficult to exhale, and impossible to take a full breath. The victim would continually try to draw himself up by his feet to allow for inflation of the lungs enduring terrible pain in his feet and legs. The pain in the feet and legs would become so unbearable, that the victim was forced to trade breathing for pain and eventually die of suffocation. The length of time required to die from crucifixion could range from hours to a number of days. 

The punishment of Roman crucifixion was chiefly inflicted on slaves and the worst kind of criminals. Crucifixion was considered a most shameful and disgraceful way to die and condemned Roman citizens were usually exempt from crucifixion. The manner and process of crucifixion was that after the criminal had been scourged and sentence had been pronounced, he carried his cross to the place of execution, which was just outside the city. (John 19:17) The criminal was next stripped of his clothes and nailed or bound to the cross. Before the nailing to the cross took place, a medicated cup of vinegar mixed with gall and myrrh (the sopor) was given, for the purpose of deadening the pangs of the sufferer. (Mark 15:23) 

Roman Crucifixion was typically carried out by specialized teams, consisting of a commanding centurion and four soldiers. It was common to leave the body on the cross after death. However, it sometimes became necessary to break the legs of the criminal (as mentioned of the thieves in the Gospels) because Jewish law expressly forbid bodies to remain on the cross during the Sabbath-day. 

Jesus died this death for you and for me, that we might have forgiveness of sin - through His atonement. But the best is yet to come - He Is Risen.

The Truth
“For God so loved the world that He gave His only son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)

Mark 15 "Playing To The Crowd"

Here in chapter 15 Jesus is brought before Pilate (by the chief priests) early in the morning. One of the accusations against Him by the elders was, His claim of being a king. So Pilate asked Him directly, “Are You the King of the Jews?” His answer to Pilate was, “It is as you say.”

Admitting this before the very man that could have saved Him, brought a respect for Jesus. Pilate marveled, the Bible tells us, at Jesus for His honesty and for His silence before His earlier accusers who had mocked Him, beat Him, and spoke blasphemously against Him (Luke 22:63-65).

Pilate, the Bible tells us, believed Jesus to be an innocent man, who upon examination of Jesus said, “I find no fault in Him worthy of death. He has done no evil (Luke 23:14-15). Then turning to the crowd three times Pilate asked, “What then shall I do with Jesus who is called the Christ?” (Matthew 27:22) Upon hearing the crowd Pilate, wanting to gratify them more than doing the right thing, delivered Jesus to His accusers to be crucified as they requested. 

How many times have you given into peer pressure, allowing the crowd to dictate your actions, even though you knew in your heart, “this is wrong.” Actions have consequences. Even though Pilate believed Jesus to be innocent and literally washed his hands of the blood, still delivered Him to death. Therefore, Pilate is just as guilty of murder as were the chief priests who planned it and the Romans who carried it out. 

Our lesson here is to stand for the truth, not with the crowd. Do what is right, not what may earn you favor in the eyes of others - to satisfy God, and not man.

The Truth: “For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there.” (James 3:16)

John 19 “It is Finished”

“When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, He said, It is finished and He bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.” (v.30)

Those who witnessed the crucifixion of Jesus saw His hours of agony and heard Him cry out in a loud voice, “It is finished!” as He gave up His spirit (John 19:30). His final words from the cross were not a cry of painful defeat but of triumph, because He had accomplished all that the Father sent Him to do. In that deep darkness when God hid His face and could not look upon His Son, the rocks split, the veil ripped and the graves were opened (Matthew 27:51-52) and His work of salvation was complete. 

Jesus died that we might live, He suffered that we might rejoice, He took our condemnation that we might have justification. His finished sacrificial work on the cross brought the gift of salvation to all. But His free gift must be accepted. One must believe in His death, burial and resurrection in order to become adoptive sons/daughters, and heirs to His kingdom. 

I invite you to accept His free gift today. Simply pray the prayer to the right of this page (connect with God) to become an heir to His kingdom.

The Truth: He said to me: "It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To the thirsty I will give water without cost from the spring of the water of life. Those who are victorious will inherit all this, and I will be their God and they will be my children.  But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars--they will be consigned to the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death." (Revelation 21:6-8)

Numbers 12 "A Challenge To Moses' Spiritual Authority"

 So they said, “Has the Lord indeed spoken only through Moses? Has He not spoken through us also?” And the Lord heard it. (v.2)

The basis of the complaint here by Miriam and Aaron was essentially, “What’s so special about Moses?” This question was meant to tear Moses down, asked with the assumption that Moses was spiritually proud. The idea was that Moses arrogantly presented himself as the only spokesman of God to Israel.

God then vindicates Moses in verses 6-9. There God explained exactly what was so special about him. Most prophets receive revelation through a dream or in a vision; God spoke with Moses face to face. What did it mean that God spoke with Moses face to face? Didn’t the Lord say in Exodus 33:20, You cannot see My face; for no man shall see Me, and live? How then could God speak with Moses face to face? 

Face to face is a figure of speech, telling of great and unhindered intimacy. Moses’ face was not literally beholding the literal face of God, but he did enjoy direct, intimate, conversation with the Lord. This is also demonstrated by the phrase, and "he sees the form of the Lord" (v.8). This is what Moses had actually seen of God with his physical eyes – only the “form” of the Lord, nothing specific, because he could not see the Lord and live. The word ‘form’ is used of visual representations, pictures, or images, of earthly and heavenly beings (Exodus 20:4). Job saw someone’s form, but could not identify the person from it (Job 4:16).

Moses did however enjoy a remarkable communion with God as seen in verse 7, "he is faithful in all My house." Moses' walk of righteousness and purity (demonstrated over forty years in obscure service of God in the smallest things), revealed the faithful heart God saw in Him. As much as Miriam and Aaron did not want to recognize it, Moses did have a unique calling and equipping before the Lord. 

It was not that Moses was beyond criticism. Moses was not to be simply obeyed and praised, and never confronted or asked the tough questions. In fact, another relative of Moses, his father-in-law Jethro, did confront Moses and ask him the tough questions and he was greatly used of God in doing so (Exodus 18:12-24). Miriam and Aaron should have been afraid to speak against Moses because their criticism was simply not true; Moses was not a proud man, but the humblest man on earth. Their criticism was prompted by their own self-interest; they were jealous of all the attention Moses was receiving and wanted some of it for themselves - plain and simple. 

Because of Aaron’s slander, his wife was stricken and became leprous, as white as snow. As a result of the judgment brought on Miriam, Aaron confesses his sin and Miriam’s health was restored after 7 days of banishment outside the camp. Slander, gossip are designed to tear someone else down while at the same time, elevating the person or persons doing the damage. While this kind of behavior is never pleasing to God and will incur a response from Him, we can still be restored, brought back into His fellowship and even be used by Him. The key is repentance and a genuine repentance for sure. 

The Bible says that, “Man looks on the outside but God see’s the heart.” (1 Samuel 16:7) In other words, you can’t fool God. He sees right through you and me. Oh friends, pour out your heart to Him today, ask for forgiveness if you have wronged someone and let the healing begin in your heart today as it did in Aaron’s many years ago.

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

Numbers 11 "Complaining In The Wilderness

Now the mixed multitude who were among them yielded to intense craving; so the children of Israel also wept again and said: “Who will give us meat to eat? We remember the fish which we ate freely in Egypt, the cucumbers, the melons, the leeks, the onions, and the garlic; but now our whole being is dried up; there is nothing at all except this manna before our eyes!” (vv.4-6)

Exodus 12:38 says that a mixed multitude went out of Egypt. This means that not everyone in the great crowd that came out of Egypt with Moses were ethnically Israelites. There were many Egyptians (and perhaps other non-Israelites) who went with them. This may be because they were also slaves in Egypt, and perhaps because the God of Israel showed Himself more powerful than the gods of the Egyptians.

The yielding to "intense cravings" here by the people of Israel implies they chose to comply; their sinful desire would not be fulfilled unless they cooperated with it. James 1:14 says, "but each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed." The attraction to sin is present within all of us, yet we must still yield to that sinful desire in choosing to sin. The verb "intense" can be used for positive and proper desires too, but is especially fitting for feelings of (improper) lusts and bodily appetites as we see here.

The question (who will give us meat to eat?), was a strange question to ask considering they had a God in heaven that met their every need. It seems that some in Israel looked for another provider because they were not satisfied with what came to them from the hand of God. They were so distraught over this that they wept. Interestingly enough Israel could have provided meat for themselves. God did not prohibit them to hunt whatever animals they could in the wilderness. And, they also had their flocks which could be slaughtered for meat. Yet they did not want to do anything about their desire for meat except to weep about it.

About a year before this, God responded to Israel’s complaints by providing miraculous food for Israel (Exodus 16:11-35), which they called manna (Exodus 16:31). After a year of eating mainly manna, Israel now longed for the foods they (sometimes) ate as slaves in Egypt. The first food mentioned was fish (which they ate freely in Egypt), because there were no fish in the wilderness. They also mentioned cucumbers, melons, leeks, onions, and garlic – all juicy, crunchy, or flavorful foods they sometimes ate as slaves in Egypt. 

Israel had fallen in love with an illusion from the past (the thought that their life in Egypt was wonderful). Instead, they should have looked for what God had for them in the future – the milk and honey of Canaan (Exodus 13:5). God’s people should have the attitude later expressed by Paul in Philippians 3:13-14 – pressing forward, looking ahead, and not focused on the past. It seems Israel complained that manna was not exciting enough, that it was boring. This terrible lack of thankfulness was nothing less than to have despised the Lord (Numbers 11:20). 

The complaint that, "Our whole being is dried up" sounds over-dramatic from a people who were fed by the manna that came to them every morning. In their complaining, Israel not only romanticized the past, but they also exaggerated the problems of the present. To say, “our whole being is dried up” was a terrible exaggeration. God did not intend for them to waste away in the wilderness. In fact, God provided their every need – though not their every desire.

The root of Israel's complaining lied in what they didn’t have. It was true – they didn’t have the fish and several kinds of vegetables listed. However, they seemed to completely forget what they did have – daily, miraculous, nutritious provision from God, that could feed a nation in the wilderness, without having to sacrifice their flocks and herds. Many since that time have followed the same dangerous path of forgetting what God has provided and focusing on what one does not [yet] have.

The Lord eventually sends the children of Israel exactly what they desired in the form of Quail – but it killed those who were greedy and over did it. This is an extremely important lesson for us to understand. While we might think we know what is best for us or what we want, God sees what is truly best for you and me and gives us what we need.

Truly, I will take more of His will in my life and less of my own.

The Truth: “And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.” (Galatians 5:24)

Numbers 10 "The Two Silver Trumpets"

And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying: “Make two silver trumpets for yourself; you shall make them of hammered work; you shall use them for calling the congregation and for directing the movement of the camps." (vv.1-2)

The two silver trumpets were used to, direct the movement of the camps for marching and for battle, and also to gather the nation together for an assembly. These instruments were about two feet long with very narrow tubes with a flared opening at the end. When blown in certain patterns, they emitted a bright and piercing sound that would both get the attention of the people, and communicate clearly to them the desired intent. 

The trumpets were helpful tools for the journey to the Promised Land. Without them it would be difficult to assemble the nation and march towards Canaan. Distinctive sounds were made to indicate; gathering for assembly, marching, or warfare. Therefore, when Israel heard the trumpets, they would gathered as directed. 

Before we can obey God, we must first give Him our attention, and we can not do that if we are not listening. While God does not use trumpets to get our attention today, He still guides and directs our lives (if we will let Him) through His Spirit, that still small voice through His Word. Then, like the children of Israel, we must move forward and obey His direction.

The Truth: "God, who in various times and in various ways spoke in times past to the fathers by the prophets, has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds." (hebrews 1:1-2) 

 

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)

Numbers 9 "The Cloud And The Fire"

"So it was always: the cloud covered it by day, and the appearance of fire by night. Whenever the cloud was taken up from above the tabernacle, after that the children of Israel would journey; and in the place where the cloud settled, there the children of Israel would pitch their tents. At the command of the Lord the children of Israel would journey, and at the command of the Lord they would camp; as long as the cloud stayed above the tabernacle they remained encamped. Even when the cloud continued long, many days above the tabernacle, the children of Israel kept the charge of the Lord and did not journey. So it was, when the cloud was above the tabernacle a few days: according to the command of the Lord they would remain encamped, and according to the command of the Lord they would journey. So it was, when the cloud remained only from evening until morning: when the cloud was taken up in the morning, then they would journey; whether by day or by night, whenever the cloud was taken up, they would journey. Whether it was two days, a month, or a year that the cloud remained above the tabernacle, the children of Israel would remain encamped and not journey; but when it was taken up, they would journey. At the command of the Lord they remained encamped, and at the command of the Lord they journeyed; they kept the charge of the Lord, at the command of the Lord by the hand of Moses." (vv.16-23)

So it was always: Though Israel had been organized and ordered by God; though they had been cleansed, set apart, blessed, giving, and walking in their priesthood, they still had to be guided by God each step of the way to make it to the Promised Land of Canaan. God did not do all those previous things to make them able to march towards the Promised Land without Him, but to make every step in constant dependence on Him.

When the cloud moved, Israel moved; when the cloud stayed, Israel stayed. They only went where the presence of God led them, and they only stayed where the presence of God stayed. The New Testament also uses cloud imagery to describe the presence of God. Our Lord was overshadowed by the cloud at his transfiguration, and disappeared into a cloud at his ascension (Luke 9:34; Acts 1:9). In a similar way, we as believers must be led by the presence of God. Colossians 3:15 says, "Let the peace of God rule in your hearts." This means to let the presence of God’s peace be an umpire or a judge in our heart and life. 

The movement of the cloud was unpredictable. God would not allow Israel to be led by routine or tradition. They had to see and respond to the presence of God. Wee too should be ready to move in the direction of His leading at all times.

Through our text I believe we are taught to see God as always near us, both night and day - Leading us in His timing and by His will. And, that there is no time lost, while we are waiting on God's time. At the command of His Spirit, our hearts should always move and rest, saying father, thy will be done.

Therefore, meet with Him in His Word both day and night and allow His Spirit to guide your life.

The Truth: “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.” (Romans 8:14)

                  “In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.” (Proverbs 3:6)

Numbers 8 “The Call To Minister”

“And you shall bring the Levites before the LORD: and the children of Israel shall put their hands on the Levites: And Aaron shall offer the Levites before the LORD for an offering of the children of Israel, that they may execute the service of the LORD.” (Numbers 8:11)

Here God is telling Moses to bring the tribe of Levite before Him that He may demonstrate whom He has chosen for His service. All Israel must know that they (Levites) did not take this honor to themselves, but were called of God to it. 

This also shows us that, all who are employed for God must be dedicated to Him, according to the employment. It is not uncommon today to have a pastor and the elders lay hands on and pray before the congregation for someone stepping out in faith to serve in any capacity. The key here is, the calling to serve should be from God and not from man. 

Every true born again believer has heard and responded to the call of God on his/her life. The call to minister should be a similar Spirit type prompting confirmed by God in your heart. 

Therefore, be still and listen, pray for conformation, then step out in faith and see what happens. 

The Truth: “Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble.” (2 Peter 1:10)

Numbers 7 “The Gifts of the Twelve Tribes”

"Now it came to pass, when Moses had finished setting up the tabernacle, that he anointed it and consecrated it and all its furnishings, and the altar and all its utensils; so he anointed them and consecrated them. Then the leaders of Israel, the heads of their fathers’ houses, who were the leaders of the tribes and over those who were numbered, made an offering. And they brought their offering before the Lord, six covered carts and twelve oxen, a cart for every two of the leaders, and for each one an ox; and they presented them before the tabernacle." (vv.1-3)

Chapter 7 is all about giving to support the services of the Tabernacle. This chapter (the second longest in the Bible), records how the leaders of each tribe brought a total of six carts (a cart for every two of the leaders) and twelve oxen (each one an ox), to transport the tabernacle through the wilderness. At this time, such carts were a great luxury – and no doubt, a significant offering from the tribes. 

The LORD then spoke to Moses saying, “Accept these from them, that they may be used in doing the work of the tabernacle of meeting; and you shall give them to the Levites, to every man according to his service.” 

So Moses took the carts and the oxen, and gave them to the Levites. Two carts and four oxen he gave to the sons of Gershon, for they had the responsibility of transporting the fabrics of the tabernacle (Numbers 4:25-26). Then and four carts and eight oxen he gave to the sons of Merari, double the number of what the Gershonites had, because their carriage was heavier - boards and pillars (Numbers 4:31-32). But to the sons of Kohath Moses gave none, because theirs was the service of the holy things, which they were to carry on their shoulders. Though this seems unfair, it removed any temptation for them to disobey God's law.

These gifts (and the dedication gifts to the tabernacle vv.12-88) were given by the twelve tribes to support the work of the tabernacle. Moses did not give some big sermon on giving to guilt them into it. He did however have the responsibility to distribute them wisely to make the best use of them for their intended service. 

Today when we give to our respective churches gifts from the bounty of what God has given to us, we should indeed pray for wisdom to be given to those who are responsible and accountable for the use of those funds.   

The Truth: “So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.” (2 Corinthians 9:7)

Numbers 6 "Invoking The Name Of The LORD"

“Then the Lord spoke to Moses saying, "Speak to Aaron and to his sons, saying, ‘Thus you shall bless the sons of Israel. You shall say to them: The Lord bless you, and keep you; The Lord make His face shine on you, and be gracious to you; The Lord lift up His countenance upon you, and give you peace.’ So they shall invoke My name on the sons of Israel, and I then will bless them.”’( v. 22-27)

The priests were to solemnly bless the people in the name of the Lord. This passage records the solemn benediction, which God appointed for dismissing the people at the close of the daily service. The repetition of the name "Lord" three times, illustrates the Godhead—three persons, and yet one God. Concerning this repetition of the LORD three times Spurgeon writes,  “I will not say that this teaches the doctrine of the Trinity; but I must say that, believing the doctrine of the Trinity, I understand the passage all the better. The shadow of the Triune God is on the sacred benediction in the name thrice repeated.”

This benediction (pronounced by the lips of a fellow man) derived its virtue not from the priest, but from God. The encouraging result at the end of verse 27 "I the Lord will bless them," is the intended result of following this law. Many congregations in our society today still use this formal benediction (Blessing) at the end of their services. This blessing, with it’s origin from God, pronounced by the lips His servants to His people in faith, Had the expressed purpose of blessing those who heard it by invoking the name of the LORD. 

Thank you Lord for Your blessing upon our lives, for keeping Your promises to us. That You are mindful of our peace. And thank you for your servants who still pass on this blessing from You to us.   

The Truth: “For all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us.” (2 Corinthians 1:20)

Numbers 5 "Purifying The Camp"

And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying: "Command the children of Israel, that they put out of the camp every leper, and every one that has an issue, and whoever is defiled by the dead: Both male and female shall you put out, without the camp shall you put them; that they defile not their camps, in the middle whereof I dwell.” (vv.1-3)

Chapter 5 deals with purifying both the camp and the people. As Israel prepared to march to the Promised Land, God commanded that they must separate those considered to be ceremonially unclean. This included the leper (Leviticus 13; actually, describing a broad range of skin diseases), those with a discharge (Leviticus 15), and any priest who would touch a dead body, except that of a close relative (Leviticus 21:1). The laws spoken of here for ridding the encampment of certain impurities were not because they were physically contagious nor because they could lead to disease, it was more about God dwelling in the midst of them. 

It wasn’t that any of these things made a person or proved them to be a notorious sinner (though that was often wrongly assumed). Rather, it was that leprosy, unclean discharges, and dead bodies were reminders of the effects of sin – from which Israel must separate as they prepared to march towards the Promised Land. This vigilant care to maintain external cleanliness in the people was typically designed to teach them the practice of moral purity, or cleansing themselves from all filthiness of the flesh. These regulations made for ensuring cleanliness in the camp suggest the adoption of similar means for maintaining purity in the church.

This does not, of course, mean they were left behind to perish, but that they were not allowed to march in their proper place with the tribes of their people. The great reason for this commanded separation was because God lived in the camp of Israel, so there had to be an effort to separate from sin and its effects.

Today this might look like removing known sin from the church (for a time) in love. This becomes just as necessary to the moral purity of the body, as the exclusion of the leper was, to the physical health and ceremonial purity in the Jewish church. 

However, remember upon cleansing the people were always allowed to return to the body. Sin does separate us from fellowship with God but, “with the mouth confession is made unto salvation” (Romans 10:10) making restoration into the body possible. Jesus is all about restoration, not condemnation. 

The Truth : “Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted.” (Galatians 6:1)

Numbers 4 “Assignments”

This chapter reveals the Lord’s assignments for the descendants of the sons of Levi; Kohath, Gershon, and Merari from the age of thirty until they were fifty years old. 

This age (thirty) was prescribed as the age of full strength of body and therefore most proper for their laborious work of carrying the parts and vessels of the tabernacle, and of maturity of judgment which is necessary for the right management of holy services. At fifty, they were exempt from the toilsome work of carrying burdens, but not from the Lord’s work within the tabernacle. 

The application here is, as ambassadors of Christ there is always work to be done. We might retire from heavy labor but never as ambassadors for His kingdom.

1 Peter 2:9 states that we (believers) are a royal priesthood and that our assignment is, “to proclaim the praises of Him who called us out of darkness into His marvelous light.” 

May we all get our assignments done every day.

The Truth: “I will praise You, O Lord, with my whole heart; I will tell of all Your marvelous works.” (Psalm 9:1)