Passage: Numbers 8-10

On Sunday, February 24, 2013 (Last Updated on 1/17/2020), Yujin wrote,

I have given the Levites as a gift to Aaron and to his sons from among the sons of Israel, to perform the service of the sons of Israel at the tent of meeting and to make atonement on behalf of the sons of Israel, so that there will be no plague among the sons of Israel by their coming near to the sanctuary (Numbers 8:19).

We get a little insight into the reason for the priestly work of Aaron and the Levites. The ritual sacrifices and cleansings were to make atonement for the children of Israel so that they could be near to God, who journeyed with them. Otherwise, God might destroy them because of their uncleanness and sinfulness.

Whether it was two days or a month or a year that the cloud lingered over the tabernacle, staying above it, the sons of Israel remained camped and did not set out; but when it was lifted, they did set out. At the command of the Lord they camped, and at the command of the Lord they set out; they kept the Lord’scharge, according to the command of the Lord through Moses. (Numbers 9:22-23).

I could not help but think of the well-known-game "Simon Says" as I read this portion. In the game, one leader issues a command; however, if it is not accompanied by the words "Simon says," the participants are not supposed to follow the command or else they lose. Sometimes the participant would be doing the same thing for a long time and at other times for a short time, but they would only change when they heard the words "Simon Says." In the same way, the Israelites would only move when they saw the cloud lifted. Sometimes they would remain a short period, at other times a longer period, but they would only move when they saw the cloud lifted.

The object of the game is to win by listening carefully and by always being ready to do what "Simon says". Could this have been the purpose of God in guiding Israel by the cloud - that they should always be listening carefully and ready to obey Him?

Is this not a word for us too? I am reminded of this instruction in the New Testament:

But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have (1 Peter 3:15).

Are we always ready to testify that Jesus is our Lord?

Passage: Numbers 8-10

On Friday, February 24, 2012, Yujin wrote,

In Numbers 10:9, we read,

When you arrive in your own land and go to war against your enemies who attack you, sound the alarm with the trumpets. Then the LORD your God will remember you and rescue you from your enemies.

I thought that this was pretty cool. All they had to do was blow the trumpets, and they would be guaranteed victory over their enemies. How simple! How reassuring! Now, don't go out and buy any trumpets, but here are some New Covenant Promises that are no less wonderful:

For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved" (Romans 10:12).

We don't need trumpets. We just need to call upon the LORD.

If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? (Romans 8:32-32).

Wow! Do you hear the logic in Paul's exhortation? Since God gave us the most precious thing to us, His own Son, what keeps Him from giving us every other good thing along with Him. It is a rhetorical question. Absolutely nothing will keep God from pouring out His every blessing upon us. So why stress over anything anymore?!

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ (Ephesians 1:3).

Now, let us understand that the fulfillment of blessings will not be so much in this life as it will be in the life to come. That is why this verse speaks of "every spiritual blessing." This is also why Paul makes a contrast between suffering in this life versus glory in the next:

I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us (Romans 8:18).

Jesus set us the example for this perspective in patiently awaiting future joy:

And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God (Hebrews 12:1-2).

With such a view of things, we can understand Paul's declaration in Philippians 4:13,

I can do all this through him who gives me strength.

Friends, the only thing that matters for God's people in this life is trusting in Him and obeying His Word. We try so hard to make so much of ourselves and our children, but shouldn't we instead try to simplify our lives so that we can live more in undivided devotion to the Lord?

Paul's point in encouraging singlehood was just that:

I would like you to be free from concern... I am saying this for your own good, not to restrict you, but that you may live in a right way in undivided devotion to the Lord (1 Corinthians 7:32,35).

When we are married, we have responsibilities for our spouses. If we have children, we have responsibilities for our children. Our interests are divided. If we have money, we have to manage businesses, properties, investments, etc. These all divide our interests.

Friends, if I might encourage you to do what I'm also trying to do. Simplify your lives. By this, I don't mean for you to neglect your family. But focus your family time so that all your family activities center around trusting God and obeying His Word. Don't get your kids involved in so many sports, instruments, activities, etc., but seek those things that will draw them to a deeper knowledge of God.

While I don't espouse giving away all your money, why not simplify your investments. Divest yourselves of complicated investment instruments that require lots of time from you to manage them. Simplify your bills by automating them. Pay off your home as soon as possible to reduce the anxiety of managing a mortgage debt. Consolidate your accounts into just a few places. Carry only one or two credit cards. Simplify. Simplify. Simplify.

Then, reorient your new-found time so that you can devote yourselves to God's Word and revealing Him to others. Focus your personal pasttimes so that they help you develop the discipline of conforming your life to the principles of Christ. Find occasions to encourage others in doing the same thing. As you do this, you fulfill the two great responsibilities of every Christian in this life, namely, to know God and make Him known.

Passage: Numbers 8-10

On Thursday, February 24, 2011, Unmi wrote,

Numbers 9:15-23 describes the cloud by day and the fire by night that filled the Tabernacle. The indwelling presence of the Lord, the Shekinah Glory, guided and lead the Israelites through 40 years of wandering in the desert and eventually into Canaan. 1 Samuel 4 says at the glory of the Lord left Israel when the Philistines captured the Ark of the Covenant during the time of Eli the high priest. However, when Solomon dedicated the newly built temple, the Shekinah Glory of the Lord was seen again. 2 Chronicles 7: ¹ When Solomon finished praying, fire came down from heaven and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices, and the glory of the LORD filled the temple. ² The priests could not enter the temple of the LORD because the glory of the LORD filled it.

Unfortunately the Israelites again and again failed to follow God's instructions. Ezekiah prophesied that the glory of the Lord would leave the temple when God judged Jerusalem for its wickedness. Ezekiah 10:¹⁸ Then the glory of the LORD departed from over the threshold of the temple...

Upon returning from their exile in Babylon, the older Israelites were extremely distaught when the second temple was being built during Nehemiah's time. Ezra 3: And all the people gave a great shout of praise to the LORD, because the foundation of the house of the LORD was laid. ¹² But many of the older priests and Levites and family heads, who had seen the former temple, wept aloud when they saw the foundation of this temple being laid...When I read this in the past, I assumed that this weeping was because the second temple did not equal in majesty and splendor to the original temple purely from a physical standpoint, of course, this was a major aspect, but the more upsetting part is that the glory of the LORD did not fill this second temple. When the Tabernacle was buit in Exodus 40, we read that Moses could not enter the Tabernacle because the glory of the LORD has filled it and again, when Solomon's temple was built, the priests could not enter the temple because the glory of the Lord had filled it. It is so sad that this did NOT happen when the second temple was built. The Shekinah glory of the LORD left Israel when they went off into exile and did not return with them...

Finally, with the birth of Jesus, the glory of the LORD came down again in visible form. John 1: ¹⁴ The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. Just as the cloud by day and fire by night was the visible evidence of God dwelling among his people, God came again to dwell among his people in the physical flesh of Jesus Christ. Unfortunately, they did not recognize Him. John 1: and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. ¹¹ He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him.

It is sad to think the glory of the LORD came again in physical form to Israel but they could not recognize Him. But as we read in Isaiah 6, God already knew this.

⁹ He said, “Go and tell this people:

“‘Be ever hearing, but never understanding;
   be ever seeing, but never perceiving.’
¹⁰ Make the heart of this people calloused;
   make their ears dull
   and close their eyes.
Otherwise they might see with their eyes,
   hear with their ears,
   understand with their hearts,
and turn and be healed.”

Thank you Lord that You are the one who opens eyes to allow us to see and opens ears to allow us to hear and opens hearts for us to understand so that we may turn from our transgressions and be healed from our iniquties through the blood of the WORD that came to dwell among us.

Passage: Numbers 8-10

On Thursday, February 24, 2011, Bill wrote,

One of the remarkable parts of the exodus of Israel was God's presence in leading them(Num 10:15-20). God manifested as a cloud and fire to direct the Israelites in throughout the desert.

This is an amazing image - Gods physical presence in the middle of the Israelites camp (God had the Israelites arrange themselves on each side of the Tabernacle. It must have been a source of pride and comfort to know that God was present to protect and guide Israel to the promised land. I was thinking that the disciples and those that Christ encountered experienced something similar - having God in physical form walking among them. I would love to be able to hug and sit at Christ' feet hearing the truth directly from His mouth, but I guess we all will one day.

Passage: Numbers 8-10

On Thursday, February 24, 2011 (Last Updated on 1/17/2020), Stephen wrote,

Dear brothers and sisters!

I was lietrally in tears when I was reading the following verses from today's text:

⁹ Then the LORD said to Moses, ¹⁰ “Tell the Israelites: ‘When any of you or your descendants are unclean because of a dead body or are away on a journey, they are still to celebrate the LORD’s Passover, ¹¹ but they are to do it on the fourteenth day of the second month at twilight. They are to eat the lamb, together with unleavened bread and bitter herbs. ¹² They must not leave any of it till morning or break any of its bones. When they celebrate the Passover, they must follow all the regulations. ¹³ But if anyone who is ceremonially clean and not on a journey fails to celebrate the Passover, they must be cut off from their people for not presenting the LORD’s offering at the appointed time. They will bear the consequences of their sin.

The more I read, the more I feel my undeserveness of His mercy. I do not bear the consequences of my sins because the Lord already knew even before the foundation of the earth being laid and planned to rescue me through the death of His Son. He bore them for me on the cross... as the Prophet Isaiah said,

⁴Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.
⁵But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. ⁶All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.

Tears welled up in my eyes for His Grace and Mercy. May the Lord Jesus Christ be blessed today and forever!!!!!!!