Number 33:9 Twelve fountains of water…

December 30, 2016

And they removed from Marah, and came unto Elim: and in Elim were twelve fountains of water, and threescore and ten palm trees; and they pitched there.

In Number 33, there is a review of the wanderings of children of Israel. It is written every place that the Israelites went; where they pitched and where they departed.

Numbers 33:2  And Moses wrote their goings out according to their journeys by the commandment of the LORD: and these are their journeys according to their goings out.

It starts at their departing from Rameses in Egypt to the plains of Moab before they crossed over the Jordan near Jericho. There were supposedly 42 different smaller journeys that made up the one big journey.

Going through this list, I stumbled across an interesting fact I hadn’t ever known. Apparently this is previously mentioned in Exodus 15 when it actually happened. However, nothing really happens there so I just glossed right over it.

The Israelites had just removed from Marah. If you recall Marah was the place that had bitter waters. They had just come out of the Red Sea. God had split the Sea. Pharoah and his armies were drowned in the sea. They were delivered safely to the other side. Moses is singing. Miriam is singing. It was great victory. They came out of the Red Sea into the wilderness. It had only been three days and there was no water to be found.

So, then they made it to Marah, which was some place with a source of water; a lake, a spring, I’m not sure. But disappointingly the waters were bitter; hence the name Marah. Marah means bitter. They were so bitter that they couldn’t drink and they did what any sensible Corpus Christian would do when there’s no water to drink!

“And the people murmured against Moses, saying, What shall we drink? (Numbers 33:9)

There was a city wide ban on the tap water recently. We couldn’t drink it, wash hands, or bathe with the water for days because it was contaminated with something. The waters were Marah! I live in Sinton, and work in Corpus Christi so it wasn’t a big deal for me. But I feel like I can sympathize somewhat.

Nevertheless, Moses cried unto the Lord and the Lord showed him a tree that he could cast in the waters and make them sweet. Is that another type of the cross? God has a got a tree that he can throw in your water and turn a bitter life into something sweet. Amen? Sure it is. But that’s not what this devotional is about.

So Marah is the place they where thirsting much for water; so much that they murmured against Moses, the man that just delivered them from the armies of Pharoah. And God met the need when Moses asked, but look what was in the next town of Elim. The bible says in Exodus 15:27 that there were twelve wells of water there in that place. Numbers says there were twelve fountains of water. There was one for every tribe.

They wanted water and in the next city there was PLENTY OF WATER; a fountain for every tribe. If they just would have waited a little longer. If they just would have trusted God a little longer. When I first read this in Exodus I glossed right over it because my mind was so concentrated on what happened in Marah. Can I say this: I didn’t appreciate it at the time. I didn’t see it until I got to Numbers. Is it possible, that God’s people glossed right over Elim and the twelve fountains too because of what happened in Marah?

Jesus said on his sermon on the mount, “Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink… But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” (Matthew 6:25,33) Don’t settle for second best. Wait for the Lord. He will provide what he promises. Hold on just a little longer.

You took the hand of Jesus, stepped out upon his promise.
Yet is seems you have trusted in vain.
The answer you have prayed for, it’s on its way and paid for.
Hold on a little longer. Hold on.

Hold on a little longer. Hold on a little stronger.
The testings of the Lord are pure gold.
He’ll take you through the fire. He’ll burn out the dross and mire.
Hold on a little longer. Hold on.

Here’s a link if you want to hear the song.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Notes 12/29/16

December 29, 2016

Balaam and Balak

Numbers 31:8  And they slew the kings of Midian, beside the rest of them that were slain; namely, Evi, and Rekem, and Zur, and Hur, and Reba, five kings of Midian: Balaam also the son of Beor they slew with the sword.

Numbers 31:16  Behold, these caused the children of Israel, through the counsel of Balaam, to commit trespass against the LORD in the matter of Peor, and there was a plague among the congregation of the LORD.

There’s old Balaam. I was always confused on this matter because there doesn’t seem to be any mention of Balaam being bad in Number 22,23,24. It’s not until 31:16 that it is revealed that Balaam was behind the whoredoms of Israel with the Midianite women. In fact, 31:16 seems to be the only negative verse about him in the Old Testament. (This is actually not true, Number 22:32 is negative)

The New Testament reveals a bit more:

2 Peter 2:15  Which have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness; (16) But was rebuked for his iniquity: the dumb ass speaking with man’s voice forbad the madness of the prophet.

Okay so here I don’t understand the iniquity. Is the iniquity the striking of the animal? That sure would give PETA some Bible to help them out. But it’s not. It’s the fact that he going when he shouldn’t going.

So it’s go, don’t go, go, don’t go, go? I don’t understand how Balaam is supposed to know whether it’s okay to go or not. Now it does say that in Number 22:32 why the angel of the Lord was withstanding him: “because thy way is perverse before me:” So there is another negative verse in the Old Testament about Balaam.

So that gives us a hint I suppose. It’s not that he’s going. It’s why he’s going: for filthy lucre.

Jude 1:11  Woe unto them! for they have gone in the way of Cain, and ran greedily after the error of Balaam for reward, and perished in the gainsaying of Core.

See? Greedily after the error of Balaam for reward. Balak, the second time he sent for Balaam did promise to promote him unto very great honour, and will do whatsoever he said. And Balaam said correctly, “If the Balak would give me his house full of silver and gold, I cannot go beyond the word of the LORD my God, to do less or more.” Sounds good, but maybe Balaam was just playing Balak. I mean three times they go through this building seven altars and preparing seven bullucks and seven rams for what? Balaam already knew he couldn’t curse Israel. And Balaam at the end tells Balak again about that house full of gold and silver. And I believe he was rewarded because in Numbers 31:8 Balaam is listed with the kings that were slain.

So back to 2 Peter 2:15. The iniquity was the perverse way; which was greed for reward; which is as Peter said that Balaam loved the wages of unrighteousness. Balaam was determined to get promoted and rewarded. And we find out at the end of Numbers how he did it. Balaam gave counsel to on how get the Israelites to tresspass against the Lord.

Revelation 2:14  But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication.

So Revelation tells us again that Balaam was behind the whoredoms of Israel because he taught Balek to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel. Balaam’s counsel was, “If you can’t beat ’em, join ’em!”

So, there’s three things:

  1. The way of Balaam (2 Peter 2:15), which is perversion. Balaam used his relationship with God as a means of profit. I really think that Balaam was going to try to see how much he could get out of Balak.
  2. The error of Balaam (Jude 1:11), betraying God out of greed for reward. God spoke with Balaam, and Balaam conspired against God’s people.
  3. The doctrine of Balaam (Revelation 2:14), “If you can’t beat ’em, join ’em!” This would be doctrine of devils if it was to undermine the people of God. The main tenant I suppose of this doctrine would be “We all worship the same God.”

It’s kinda hard to seperate the way and the error. Now the doctrine is different though.

Numbers 32:4  Even the country which the LORD smote before the congregation of Israel, is a land for cattle, and thy servants have cattle:

Texas!

Numbers 32:22  And the land be subdued before the LORD: then afterward ye shall return, and be guiltless before the LORD, and before Israel; and this land shall be your possession before the LORD.

Dan, Reuben, 1/2 tribe of Manessah get their request. I’m surprised that this was allowed. I guess I’m just a legalistic jerk.

Numbers 32:23  But if ye will not do so, behold, ye have sinned against the LORD: and be sure your sin will find you out.

Your sin will find you out. I didn’t know that this is where that came from. Sin to abandon the congregation. They had reasonable intentions, not off doing something bad, but Moses was suspicious. If they abandoned the congregation in battle, then Moses knew that it was really sin that was behind it all. Reminds me of Paul when he says to not forsake the assembling of themselves. We try to justify laying out of church. We may even try to do something religious. But Moses is right. It’s sin that is at the bottom of it when people abandon church. You don’t like that? You want a piece of me?

There was a time after bible college that we tried to make it on our own. It wasn’t right. It didn’t feel right. It wasn’t right. My view on this comes from personal experience, not a legalistic judgemental attitude that people who don’t want to go to church think that it’s coming from.

Numbers 33:8-9  And they departed from before Pihahiroth, and passed through the midst of the sea into the wilderness, and went three days’ journey in the wilderness of Etham, and pitched in Marah.  (9)  And they removed from Marah, and came unto Elim: and in Elim were twelve fountains of water, and threescore and ten palm trees; and they pitched there.

I believe Marah was the bitter water. There they murmured against Moses. They forced God’s hand to make the waters sweet by casting that tree in the water. But if they would have waited, God had 12 fountains, one for each tribe, waiting at the next stop; Elim.  This is in Exodus also. I never saw it. Exodus 15:27 “And they came to Elim, where were twelve wells of water, and threescore and ten palm trees: and they encamped there by the waters.”

Numbers 33:38  And Aaron the priest went up into mount Hor at the commandment of the LORD, and died there, in the fortieth year after the children of Israel were come out of the land of Egypt, in the first day of the fifth month.

Signification of Aaron dying on the 40th year? Aaron was not one of the generation that would pass. Aaron was kept out because he and Moses struck the rock. Lester Roloff once said that Aaron was a worldly associate pastor!

Numbers 33:55  But if ye will not drive out the inhabitants of the land from before you; then it shall come to pass, that those which ye let remain of them shall be pricks in your eyes, and thorns in your sides, and shall vex you in the land wherein ye dwell.

Deal with everything or later it will deal with you. Sin will always find you out.

Numbers 33:56  Moreover it shall come to pass, that I shall do unto you, as I thought to do unto them.

God thinks about us and makes plans for us. Isn’t that beautiful.

Numbers 34:3  Then your south quarter shall be from the wilderness of Zin along by the coast of Edom, and your south border shall be the outmost coast of the salt sea eastward:

Borders. I like borders. It’s not just verse 3. The next several verses establish the borders of Israel. As far as I’m concerned those borders still hold true today. I really don’t know what all the fuss is about a Palestinian state and Golan Heights and Gaza and blah blah blah. It’s Israels because God said so. I think this should be there borders today, at least.

It would be interesting to see today’s borders compared to these borders.

Numbers 34:22  And the prince of the tribe of the children of Dan, Bukki the son of Jogli.

I just think it’s fun to say Bukki and Jogli. Bukki and Jogli!!!!

Numbers 35:2  Command the children of Israel, that they give unto the Levites of the inheritance of their possession cities to dwell in; and ye shall give also unto the Levites suburbs for the cities round about them.

Levites everywhere.

Numbers 35:11  Then ye shall appoint you cities to be cities of refuge for you; that the slayer may flee thither, which killeth any person at unawares.

The city of refuge.  The explanation.

Numbers 35:14  Ye shall give three cities on this side Jordan, and three cities shall ye give in the land of Canaan, which shall be cities of refuge.

3 for 2 1/2 and 3 for 9 1/2? City of refuge type of Jesus. 1/2 of Jesus on one side of Jordan and 1/2 on the other?

Numbers 35:19  The revenger of blood himself shall slay the murderer: when he meeteth him, he shall slay him.

Aye yi yi

Numbers 35:25  And the congregation shall deliver the slayer out of the hand of the revenger of blood, and the congregation shall restore him to the city of his refuge, whither he was fled: and he shall abide in it unto the death of the high priest, which was anointed with the holy oil.

Jesus is our high priest. He’ll never die. So we’re safe.

Numbers 35:26-27  But if the slayer shall at any time come without the border of the city of his refuge, whither he was fled;  (27)  And the revenger of blood find him without the borders of the city of his refuge, and the revenger of blood kill the slayer; he shall not be guilty of blood:

Stay in the city. Typology. Can we get out of the city? Is the city not a type of salvation but a type to help in the Christian life? Prolly, usually is. We’ll check that out later.

Numbers 35:31  Moreover ye shall take no satisfaction for the life of a murderer, which is guilty of death: but he shall be surely put to death.

Rolling Stones? What does this mean? Don’t make friends with the murderer? Kidding. Interesting.

While we read this about the murderer and avenger of blood, Philllip went to the bathroom. When we were done, he came out and said, “I killed the roach!” He didn’t know we just read that. It was funny.

Numbers 36:1  And the chief fathers of the families of the children of Gilead, the son of Machir, the son of Manasseh, of the families of the sons of Joseph, came near, and spake before Moses, and before the princes, the chief fathers of the children of Israel:

Regarding those daughters that wanted an inheritance.  Zelophedad: Mahlah, Tirzah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Noah.

Stick to you tribe.

Numbers 36:8  And every daughter, that possesseth an inheritance in any tribe of the children of Israel, shall be wife unto one of the family of the tribe of her father, that the children of Israel may enjoy every man the inheritance of his fathers.

Every daughter?

Notes 12/28/16

December 28, 2016

“In this the power of the Holy Ghost is practically manifested, by a reversal of the relations of the human Spirit and the flesh… The unconverted man has a spirit, but it is carnalized… The spirit is the servant of the flesh.”

“The Holy Spirit, as man’s regenerator, reverses this state of things. He quickens the spirit, and through it quickens the frame, so that instead of spiritual powers being carnalized, a mortal body is spiritualized; instead of soul and spirit being subjected by the flesh, flesh and blood become instruments of the Spirit.”

“O for men on whom the silent verdict of the observer would be, “He is a good man, and full of the Holy Ghost!” Never, perhaps, did earthly eyes see more frequently that we see in our day, men with ordinary Christian excellencies, – men in private life whose walk is blameless, – men in the ministry who are admirable, worthy, and useful. But are not men “Full Of The Holy Ghost” a rare and minished race? Are those who entire spirit bespeaks a walk of prayer, such as we would ascribe to Enoch or to John; whose words fall with a demonstration of the Spirit, and a power such as we conceive attended Paul or Apollos; who make on believers the impression of being immediate and mighty instruments of God, and on unbelievers the impression of being dangerous to come near, lest they should convert them; – are such men often met with?

The Tongue of Fire, William Arthur.

A reversal of roles? That is very interesting. This is similar to what I’ve said before:

Now you are in one of two states. You are either in the flesh and friends with it; or your are out of the flesh and struggling against it. And likewise, you are either in the Spirit and friends with Him, or out of the Spirit struggling against the Sprit of God. The bible says “And the LORD said, My spirit shall not always strive with man, for that he also is flesh…” (Genesis 6:3) When you are in the flesh, your struggle and fight is against the Spirit of God. When you are in the Spirit, your struggle and fight is against the flesh. The bible says “For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other…” (Gal 5:17) So which ever one you are in will determine which one you’re fighting against, and which one you’re fighting with. So when a lost person get’s saved, his struggle with the Holy Spirit has ceased and he’s made peace with God. Now listen carefully, a saved person can never get lost. Therefore his struggle with the flesh will never cease and there will never be peace with the flesh, until that glorious day when we lay it down. Bless the Lord. (Read this entire paragraph again)

Think on these things…

But the fullest paragraph in the Bible about horses is found in the Book of Job. And it describes a war-horse! “Hast thou given the horse strength? hast thou clothed his neck with thunder? Canst thou make him afraid as a grasshopper? the glory of his nostrils is terrible. He paweth in the valley, and rejoiceth in his strength: he goeth on to meet the armed men. He mocketh at fear, and is not affrighted; neither turneth he back from the sword. The quiver rattleth against him, the glittering spear and the shield. He swalloweth the ground with fierceness and rage: neither believeth he that it is the sound of the trumpet. He saith among the trumpets, Ha, Ha; and he smelleth the battle afar off, the thunder of the captains, and the shouting.” Job 39:19-25

He is ready for battle, eager in fact!

And not the least bit afraid!

And this ultra-complimentary Passage is in Job, why?

The horse is a tribute to the man Job, I think. Who has stood so strong and fought so valiantly! Never cursing God, not once. Though the devil certainly tempted him to do so, or predicted he would!

Oh, to be a war horse for Jesus’ Sake!

Proverbs 21:31 The Horse, Dr. Mike Bagwell

This really brings back to mind that time when The Kids and I trained that horse, ironically named Spirit. We learned so much about horses. We used Clinton Anderson’s Colt Starting and Fundamentals DVDs to do so. And Mr. Anderson lays down a real solid foundation about how a horse thinks, because that is the basis for his program. Everything he trains the horse to do is based on his philosophy on how horses think.

But through all that and in the days to come, I could see how similar the horse is to us. This struggle between the flesh and the Spirit can be demonstrated between the will of the horse and the will of the trainer. Clinton Anderson said at one time, “Horses vote every morning who the leader is going to be.” I remember thinking that that will certainly preach!

So when I read this from Dr. Bagwell, “And not the least bit afraid!” it reminds me about what I learned about horses in those days. Fear in a horse is a natural thing. They are flighty animals. They run run run even at the scent of danger. A horse, in order to get over it’s fears, must be trained to do so.

The horse is always, constantly looking for a place of rest, a place of least resistance, a place where there’s no pressure. So the trainer, through his use of pressure and a release of pressure, will train the horse to trust that doing what the trainer wants will always result in that place of rest. The horse learns that doing what the rider wants to do will always make him feel comfortable, relaxed, and without fear.

The horse’s constant training to trust the rider is why the horse behaves out on the trail or the arena.. or the battlefield for that matter. The horse draws it’s courage from the one that’s trained him, the one who directs him, and rides him into battle. He moves his feet for the rider, because he respects  him as he respects the Alpha mare. Jesus said, “I am Alpha…” So you get the picture? A horse is glorious in his strength and courage, as he is directed by his trusting rider.

Romans 8:12-13  Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh.  (13)  For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.

These are the verses we’ll covering next in Romans. Being that we’ve been going through Numbers and commenting on that whole 40 years of wandering lately, I’ve got plenty of material to draw from. Plus we’ve hit these chapter regarding vows, very mysterious. But vows implies debt and now we hit a verse on debt. Interesting.

Number 26:64 Not a man of them numbered…

December 27, 2016

But among these there was not a man of them whom Moses and Aaron the priest numbered, when they numbered the children of Israel in the wilderness of Sinai.

The Israelites were counted in the beginning of Numbers; by their generations, after their families, by the house of their fathers, those that were numbered of them, according to the number of the names, by their polls, every male from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war. But unbelief kept them from entering into that blessed promised land. And God promised that all of them that were counted would die in the wilderness.

Your carcases shall fall in this wilderness; and all that were numbered of you, according to your whole number, from twenty years old and upward, which have murmured against me, (Numbers 14:29)

And every carcass fell. But after the last one fell the Israelites again are numbered. When I see this verse, I can’t help but say, “Praise the Lord!” I remember the when Paul cried, “O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?” (Romans 7:24) I wonder if Paul was thinking about this verse in Numbers when he wrote those blessed words:

Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. (2 Corinthians 5:17)

Yes, in the wilderness, the old things passed away. It wasn’t the murmuring and the complaining and unbelief. It was the murmurer and complainer and unbeliever that fell in the wilderness. Israel was delivered from the body of this death. It was a rough road and there were hard times. There was discouragement. There was weeping. There was death and sorrow. But alas, it’s as if Jesus leaned over heaven and said, “If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.” And the Israelites cried back, “Lord I believe, help thou mine unbelief!”

When they were first numbered, there were 603,550 men counted. (Numbers 1:46) They were afraid to die. They were afraid to trust God with their lives; and yet they lost them all. This time, there were 601,730 men counted. (Number 26:51) That’s not a whole lot different; 1820 to be exact. In fact, if you do the math, the number changed by only a fraction of a percent (0.3%). What I’m getting at here is that God will provide. This is an Old Testament picture of a New Testament truth:

For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel’s, the same shall save it. (Mark 8:35)

Which whosoever do you choose to be? Joshua chose which whoever in the beginning. He said, “The land is an exceeding good land. The LORD is with us!” God led him over and on the other side, he said, “As for me and my house, we will serve the LORD!”

But now we are delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were held; that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter. (Romans 7:6)

 

 

Notes 12/27/16

December 27, 2016

Numbers 26:46  And the name of the daughter of Asher was Sarah.

Kinda odd that the daughter was named here.

Numbers 26:51  These were the numbered of the children of Israel, six hundred thousand and a thousand seven hundred and thirty.

I wonder how this number compares to the count before Kadesh-Barnea. Is it more. Its it less?

Numbers 26:64  But among these there was not a man of them whom Moses and Aaron the priest numbered, when they numbered the children of Israel in the wilderness of Sinai.

So the Bible explicitly states that not one of the men that were counted 40 years ago were alive in the count that day. Even Aaron wasn’t there. The only three would be Moses, Joshua, and Caleb. Out with the old and in with the new. Old things have passed away. Behold all things have become new.

Numbers 27:7  The daughters of Zelophehad speak right: thou shalt surely give them a possession of an inheritance among their father’s brethren; and thou shalt cause the inheritance of their father to pass unto them.

God is fair, you better believe it.

This section (1-11) regards the laws of inheritance. It would behoove us to study that I think. Very practical stuff

Numbers 28:6  It is a continual burnt offering, which was ordained in mount Sinai for a sweet savour, a sacrifice made by fire unto the LORD.

Numbers 28:10  This is the burnt offering of every sabbath, beside the continual burnt offering, and his drink offering.

Numbers 28:11  And in the beginnings of your months ye shall offer a burnt offering unto the LORD; two young bullocks, and one ram, seven lambs of the first year without spot;

Numbers 28:16  And in the fourteenth day of the first month is the passover of the LORD.

Every day, Every week, Every month, Every year

Numbers 29:1  And in the seventh month, on the first day of the month, ye shall have an holy convocation; ye shall do no servile work: it is a day of blowing the trumpets unto you.

In the middle of the years, a celebration. 1st Day, 10th Day, 15th Day, Seven Days. Practically a month long celebration. Camp meeting time.

Numbers 30:16  These are the statutes, which the LORD commanded Moses, between a man and his wife, between the father and his daughter, being yet in her youth in her father’s house.

This chapter seems to allow the father or husband to alter vows made by wife or daughter. It seems to give them authority over the woman in this matter. It gives them a chance to keep the woman from vowing something maybe they don’t see fit to vow or can’t afford to vow. I don’t know. It’s odd. Why would they put that in there? Vows were very important back then, not to be taken lightly.

 

 

Number 21:4 The people was much discouraged…

December 27, 2016

And they journeyed from mount Hor by the way of the Red sea, to compass the land of Edom: and the soul of the people was much discouraged because of the way.

Consider the typology again regarding the wilderness and the promised land. The Israelite’s journey through the wilderness is a type of a Christian’s struggle between the flesh and the Spirit. I used to pray “Lord, please don’t let me die in the wilderness.” I look back and see now it was a blessed day that prayer changed to “Lord, please let me die in the wilderness.” That flesh has got to die. Those carcasses have got to fall. God promised that they would.

We go through Numbers and see all the times that Israel murmured, complained and rebelled. We see all the times that God dealt with that. He sent plague. He opened up the earth. He sent fire. He sent serpents. All this judgment was given by God in order to fulfill his promise in bringing them to the promised land. It’s not to teach us that murmuring and complaining is wrong, but to demonstrate to us that the murmurer and the complainer within us must die.

For most, this journey is long. I noticed after the Bible says that the people were discouraged they again spoke against God and Moses, ” Wherefore have ye brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness?” This is not the first time they’ve accused God of this. In other words, they still don’t seem to get it. In fact, that sounds much like what I used to pray, “Lord, please don’t let me die in the wilderness.”

I want to say this: Between plagues, it can be discouraging, but God knows the beginning from the end. Have you ever knelt down at the altar and said with a sincere heart, “All to Jesus, I surrender. All to Him I freely give.” Maybe you’ve done this many times, yet things just don’t seem to change. Don’t be discouraged, but trust Him. “Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.” (Mark 9:23)

Best I can tell, the last incident that ended the falling of all those carcasses was in Number 25:1-13. The Israelites where committing whoredoms with the daughters of Moab. They went to their sacrifices, and ate with them, and bowed down to their god, Baalpeor. “The anger of the LORD was kindled against Israel.” (Numbers 25:3) So God once again calls for the death of the perpetrators. Moses tells the judges of Israel to “Slay ye every one his men that were joined unto Baalpeor.” (Number 25:5)

The people of Israel were before the door of the tabernacle. They were weeping. They were lamenting their sin. If they were at the door, no doubt they were bringing sacrifices for the sin that was committed. And while all this was going on, in front of all the people and in front of Moses, one child of Israel comes strolling in with his little girlfiend.

Numbers 25:7-8  And when Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the priest, saw it, he rose up from among the congregation, and took a javelin in his hand; And he went after the man of Israel into the tent, and thrust both of them through, the man of Israel, and the woman through her belly. So the plague was stayed from the children of Israel.

I know it seems harsh. I know it’s dramatic. I know it’s serious. But in light of crossing over into that promised land, those four words, “the plague was stayed.” is the most important. The bible says that in this last plague to complete the death of that generation, 24,000 people died. But the most important of those 24,000 was the last one where the plague was stayed.  His name was Zimri. He was the last one. That was it. It was get’n up time. Bless the Lord.

Philippians 1:6  Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:

 

Notes 12/26/16

December 27, 2016

Numbers 21:4  And they journeyed from mount Hor by the way of the Red sea, to compass the land of Edom: and the soul of the people was much discouraged because of the way.

Purging can be discouraging.

Numbers 21:5  And the people spake against God, and against Moses, Wherefore have ye brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? for there is no bread, neither is there any water; and our soul loatheth this light bread.

Here they go again.

The lesson is not that complainers die. It’s that the complainer should die. It’s not necessarily that we shouldn’t complain. But that the complainer in us must die.

Numbers 21:6  And the LORD sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people; and much people of Israel died.

More carcasses.

Numbers 21:8  And the LORD said unto Moses, Make thee a fiery serpent, and set it upon a pole: and it shall come to pass, that every one that is bitten, when he looketh upon it, shall live.

Plan of salvation declared

Numbers 21:9  And Moses made a serpent of brass, and put it upon a pole, and it came to pass, that if a serpent had bitten any man, when he beheld the serpent of brass, he lived.

Plan of salvation done

Numbers 21:16  And from thence they went to Beer: that is the well whereof the LORD spake unto Moses, Gather the people together, and I will give them water.

Beer? Is this another name for Meribah?

Numbers 21:17  Then Israel sang this song, Spring up, O well; sing ye unto it:

I didn’t know this was a scripture. First we’ll see how biblical that all is. Interesting.

Numbers 21:31-32  Thus Israel dwelt in the land of the Amorites.  (32)  And Moses sent to spy out Jaazer, and they took the villages thereof, and drove out the Amorites that were there.

Why did they need villages? If they would have assembled as the Law said, there should have been no need for villages.

Numbers 22:22  And God’s anger was kindled because he went: and the angel of the LORD stood in the way for an adversary against him. Now he was riding upon his ass, and his two servants were with him.

Go. Don’t go. Go. I don’t understand.

Numbers 23:11  And Balak said unto Balaam, What hast thou done unto me? I took thee to curse mine enemies, and, behold, thou hast blessed them altogether.

I don’t know what to say about that.

Numbers 23:15  And he said unto Balak, Stand here by thy burnt offering, while I meet the LORD yonder.

While I meet the Lord yonder. We need to go yonder.

Numbers 23:19-21  God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?  (20)  Behold, I have received commandment to bless: and he hath blessed; and I cannot reverse it.  (21)  He hath not beheld iniquity in Jacob, neither hath he seen perverseness in Israel: the LORD his God is with him, and the shout of a king is among them.

God is not a man.  Jesus was? Hmm? Something to think about.

Numbers 25:1  And Israel abode in Shittim, and the people began to commit whoredom with the daughters of Moab.

Why abode anywhere than by the tabernacle. Moab not good. Don’t dwell with them and you won’t anything them.

Numbers 25:8  And he went after the man of Israel into the tent, and thrust both of them through, the man of Israel, and the woman through her belly. So the plague was stayed from the children of Israel.

Ouch.

Numbers 25:9  And those that died in the plague were twenty and four thousand.

That’s 10,000 more than Korah’s rebellion.

Numbers 25:12  Wherefore say, Behold, I give unto him my covenant of peace:

Wow. For such a violent act? Mortify the deed of the flesh! Cut off the hand! Cut off the foot! Pluck out the eye!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Number 16:41 Ye have killed the people of the LORD…

December 25, 2016

But on the morrow all the congregation of the children of Israel murmured against Moses and against Aaron, saying, Ye have killed the people of the LORD.

This murmuring was not the beginning of the murmuring. This was actually the third round of murmuring.

This began with the poor little stick-gatherer? I can’t help but think of an old bearded man, skin and bones, poor and no shirt. He was out gathering sticks either to make a fire or maybe that was all he could do to make a living. Regardless, I’ve never viewed this man as particularly evil. In the back of my mind I probably thought him to be ignorant of the law, maybe a little slow of understanding, or just a poor old man. I always felt sorry for him; and I still do. But I can’t help but think “Rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry.” (1 Samuel 15:23)

Maybe the stick-gatherer was not so poor. Maybe he was a stiff-necked rebellious jerk. Maybe he just would not have anybody telling him what to do. Surely he was warned. Surely he was bade not to go out and gather sticks. Maybe he cursed Moses and said, “Nobody is going to tell me what to do! I’m not going to follow no stupid law!” Maybe he insolently, angrily, and rebelliously set out to do his work. Maybe he hated God. Maybe he hated the law and Moses. Maybe he was the jerk who said, “Let’s make us a captain and go back to Egypt!”

God saw fit that he should be put to death for his transgression. “And the LORD said unto Moses, The man shall be surely put to death: all the congregation shall stone him with stones without the camp.” (Number 15:35) The man was put to death by the word of the Lord. And then Korah rose up against Moses. Korah didn’t like what happened. Apparently, he was okay with the stick-gathering and wanted to make his sentiments known. So he got Dathan and Abiram to go along with him. And they got an additional 250 princes that were famous and renown among the people to also go along with them to go up against Moses.

Well, long story short, that rebellion was put out by God himself. “They, and all that appertained to them, went down alive into the pit, and the earth closed upon them: and they perished from among the congregation.” (Number 16:33) And the 250 didn’t get away with it either. “And there came out a fire from the LORD, and consumed the two hundred and fifty men that offered incense.” (Number 16:35)

If you read the whole account, you just get a real good picture that it’s NOT a good idea to up against the man of God. God made it clear that Korah, and all those that followed him, were in the wrong. It’s actually quite terrifying. Even when Korah and company come up to the tabernacle, the Bible says, “Korah gathered all the congregation against them unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation: and the glory of the LORD appeared unto all the congregation.” (Number 16:19) The glory of the LORD appeared? I think that there would have been enough for me to turn around, go the other way, and think this out.

But, the congregation just didn’t get it. No. The next day, now it wasn’t 250 people, it was thousands of people that gathered against Moses and Aaron, and they weren’t happy. They said, “Ye have killed the people of the LORD!” They were accusing Moses and Aaron of murder. So Moses and Aaron came before the tabernacle; it was covered in a cloud and the glory of the Lord had appeared. God said, “Get you up from among this congregation, that I may consume them as in a moment.”

So immediately, this plague goes out to the congregation. The Bible doesn’t describe exactly what it was. But it was sudden and it was fast. Moses had Aaron take a censer, put fire in it from off the altar, and put incense in it, and quickly go out to congregation and make atonement for them. Aaron did as he was directed, but not before 14,000 people died of the plague.

The real plague was the plague of rebellion that started with the stick-gatherer. He was patient zero. He infected Korah; and Korah infected Dathan and Abiram; and they infected the 250 princes; and they infected the whole congregation, 14,000 people. Not good. Rebellion is bad, and what happened in those few days was very sad, and, no doubt, very discouraging for many in the camp.

But I’d like you to see the positive in this. This was chapter 16. In chapter 14 is where the Isrealites did not  harken to the report of Caleb and Joshua, and rejected the promised land. God said:

Numbers 14:29  Your carcases shall fall in this wilderness; and all that were numbered of you, according to your whole number, from twenty years old and upward, which have murmured against me,

So, God had already promised the death of the murmurers. The typology here is very important. Israel is a type of the Christian; not the church. Israel as a whole in the wilderness represents the individual Christian and his struggle between the flesh and the Spirit. In this light, it is a good thing to see the plague work through the camp. The Israelites were going nowhere until those carcasses fell. Likewise, the Christian, will not go any further, will not cross over Jordan, will not fight the battles of the Lord and accomplish anything for God until those carcasses fall.

In those few days in the wilderness, God used the rebellion of the stick-gatherer to draw out the poison of rebellion, and bring the Israelites closer to the promised land. Perhaps there’s a little stick-gatherer in you that need to be dealt with.

 

Notes 12/24/16

December 25, 2016

Numbers 16:3  And they gathered themselves together against Moses and against Aaron, and said unto them, Ye take too much upon you, seeing all the congregation are holy, every one of them, and the LORD is among them: wherefore then lift ye up yourselves above the congregation of the LORD?

All the congregation are holy, every one of them, and the LORD is among them. No they aren’t. Some are. But a lot are not. I fear one day, this is what will come of all this talk about being filled with the Holy Spirit. “We all have the Holy Spirit! Who do you think you are?!”

Numbers 16:4  And when Moses heard it, he fell upon his face:

Let me ever remember, that if I pastor a church, that this will be my first reaction when some of my people come against me. Don’t fall upon them, fall upon your face.

Numbers 16:9  Seemeth it but a small thing unto you, that the God of Israel hath separated you from the congregation of Israel, to bring you near to himself to do the service of the tabernacle of the LORD, and to stand before the congregation to minister unto them?

Being Levites was no small thing. Any task that God gives us is not a small thing. We should do it will all our might, strength, and will. We should not look to other people’s task. We should not think ourselves more highly than we ought.

Numbers 16:12  And Moses sent to call Dathan and Abiram, the sons of Eliab: which said, We will not come up:

Back me up Dathan and Abiram?! No we won’t. Jerks.

Numbers 16:19  And Korah gathered all the congregation against them unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation: and the glory of the LORD appeared unto all the congregation.

What a sight! I’d be scared at this point if I were Korah. He must actually think the Lord is on his side.

Numbers 16:21  Separate yourselves from among this congregation, that I may consume them in a moment.

Wow. That picture of someone stepping from someone that God is going to strike with lightening comes to mind.

Numbers 16:22  And they fell upon their faces, and said, O God, the God of the spirits of all flesh, shall one man sin, and wilt thou be wroth with all the congregation?

Yes. No man lives unto himself and no man dies unto himself. The selfish behavior of Korah. The self-centeredness of Korah brought the death of thousands of people. Yes, what you do affects others.

Numbers 16:32-33  And the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed them up, and their houses, and all the men that appertained unto Korah, and all their goods.  (33)  They, and all that appertained to them, went down alive into the pit, and the earth closed upon them: and they perished from among the congregation.

Not just the carcasses but everything that appertained to them. That’s how to deal with sin. All of it should perish, their houses, the men, and their goods.  This might be a message.

Numbers 16:39-40  And Eleazar the priest took the brasen censers, wherewith they that were burnt had offered; and they were made broad plates for a covering of the altar:  (40)  To be a memorial unto the children of Israel, that no stranger, which is not of the seed of Aaron, come near to offer incense before the LORD; that he be not as Korah, and as his company: as the LORD said to him by the hand of Moses.

This reminds me of the blue ribbons that God told them to put on their garments to reminds them to follow the law. Now he wants them “broad plates” for covering the altar and those plates will remind them that nobody but the priest shall offer incense before the LORD. If we could find a 3rd reminder, then we might have another message.

Numbers 16:41  But on the morrow all the congregation of the children of Israel murmured against Moses and against Aaron, saying, Ye have killed the people of the LORD.

These people just don’t get it.  God is drawing them out. The stick gatherer drew out Korah, Korah drew out 250, and these 250 drew out even more. God said the carcasses will fall in the wilderness. God will draw out the poison in your life. This may be good stuff for “Kill or be killed”

Numbers 16:48  And he stood between the dead and the living; and the plague was stayed.

When did the plague spread? Where did it start? The stick-gatherer was ground zero.

Numbers 16:49  Now they that died in the plague were fourteen thousand and seven hundred, beside them that died about the matter of Korah.

Close to 15 thousand dead. I need to talley this correctly one day.

Numbers 17:5  And it shall come to pass, that the man’s rod, whom I shall choose, shall blossom: and I will make to cease from me the murmurings of the children of Israel, whereby they murmur against you.

Could this be the third point regarding reminders? Blossoming rod? What is that a picture of? What does that mean? What is the signification?

Numbers 17:8  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.

Budded, Brought, Bloomed, Yielded

Numbers 17:10  And the LORD said unto Moses, Bring Aaron’s rod again before the testimony, to be kept for a token against the rebels; and thou shalt quite take away their murmurings from me, that they die not.

A token against rebellion. See, that’s the third.

 

Numbers 18:7  Therefore thou and thy sons with thee shall keep your priest’s office for every thing of the altar, and within the vail; and ye shall serve: I have given your priest’s office unto you as a service of gift: and the stranger that cometh nigh shall be put to death.

This is very important. Not sure why, but very important. The priest’s office is very serious. We are a priesthood of believers, are we not?

Numbers 18:19  All the heave offerings of the holy things, which the children of Israel offer unto the LORD, have I given thee, and thy sons and thy daughters with thee, by a statute for ever: it is a covenant of salt for ever before the LORD unto thee and to thy seed with thee.

The covenant of salt? Let’s explore that one day. Everybody always talks about how salt preserves, well salt also destroys. Just saying.

Numbers 18:20  And the LORD spake unto Aaron, Thou shalt have no inheritance in their land, neither shalt thou have any part among them: I am thy part and thine inheritance among the children of Israel.

I am thy part. Abraham, I am thy exceeding great reward. They that preach the gospel shall live of the gospel.

Numbers 18:30-32  Therefore thou shalt say unto them, When ye have heaved the best thereof from it, then it shall be counted unto the Levites as the increase of the threshingfloor, and as the increase of the winepress.  (31)  And ye shall eat it in every place, ye and your households: for it is your reward for your service in the tabernacle of the congregation.  (32)  And ye shall bear no sin by reason of it, when ye have heaved from it the best of it: neither shall ye pollute the holy things of the children of Israel, lest ye die.

What is the increase of the threshingfloor? Or the winepress

The Levites are rewarded for their service.

Ye shall bear no sin by reason of it? I’ve really got to study this stuff out.

Numbers 19:2  This is the ordinance of the law which the LORD hath commanded, saying, Speak unto the children of Israel, that they bring thee a red heifer without spot, wherein is no blemish, and upon which never came yoke:

The red heifer was apparently burned, all of it, unlike the other beats. And his ashes were used in the purifying water. I notice how this is given so late in the game. I wonder when it was given in a timeline because the law does speak much of purifying even before the law of the red heifer.

Numbers 19:9  And a man that is clean shall gather up the ashes of the heifer, and lay them up without the camp in a clean place, and it shall be kept for the congregation of the children of Israel for a water of separation: it is a purification for sin.

Water for separation. Purification for sin. Water? Holy Spirit? Washing of the word? Baptism? Hmmm?

Numbers 19:12  He shall purify himself with it on the third day, and on the seventh day he shall be clean: but if he purify not himself the third day, then the seventh day he shall not be clean.

 

Not the first time we’ve heard this order.  Must be done on the third day. Or seventh day no good.

Numbers 19:19  And the clean person shall sprinkle upon the unclean on the third day, and on the seventh day: and on the seventh day he shall purify himself, and wash his clothes, and bathe himself in water, and shall be clean at even.

Clean shall sprinkle upon the unclean on the 3rd and 7th day?  Huh?

Numbers 20:6  And Moses and Aaron went from the presence of the assembly unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, and they fell upon their faces: and the glory of the LORD appeared unto them.

Fell upon their faces. Another good way to respond when congregation gathers themselves against you.

Numbers 20:8  Take the rod, and gather thou the assembly together, thou, and Aaron thy brother, and speak ye unto the rock before their eyes; and it shall give forth his water, and thou shalt bring forth to them water out of the rock: so thou shalt give the congregation and their beasts drink.

Numbers 20:11  And Moses lifted up his hand, and with his rod he smote the rock twice: and the water came out abundantly, and the congregation drank, and their beasts also.

Speak not Smote. I guess we ought be careful about our attitude toward God regarding the living water. I know God has promised us his Spirit, and it’s God’s will that we be filled with the Spirit, but still we don’t demand and force God. We speak and we ask.

Maybe we ought to try this the next something doesn’t go our way. Instead of kicking things, and hitting things, and cussing, and getting mad. Maybe we ought to just speak to the object of concern. If we are to treat rocks this well, how should we treat people. Speak to them, don’t smote them.

Numbers 20:12  And the LORD spake unto Moses and Aaron, Because ye believed me not, to sanctify me in the eyes of the children of Israel, therefore ye shall not bring this congregation into the land which I have given them.

This so far is the saddest verse in the law. Yet nothing more is said about it. No reaction is given. No debate. Nothing. It’s sad.

Numbers 20:29  And when all the congregation saw that Aaron was dead, they mourned for Aaron thirty days, even all the house of Israel.

God said that ALL the carcasses would fall in the wilderness, and that included Aaron. Is it possible that Moses and Aaron both knew the reality of them dying in the wilderness, and that is why they didn’t respond to Num 20:12? What could they say. They knew they were of that number.

Sad that they couldn’t get in, but in typology, regarding the flesh, it’s just a fact. The promised land is not for the flesh. No the body is dead because of sin. But the Spirit is life because of righteousness.

Righteousness. Jesus dying on the cross. Our bodies crucified with him has wrought righteousness in us. Crucified in him and raised in him. Yes. The Spirit is life.

Good bye Aaron.

Numbers 11:27 Eldad and Medad do prophesy…

December 24, 2016

Numbers 11:27  And there ran a young man, and told Moses, and said, Eldad and Medad do prophesy in the camp.

After the children of Israel complained, then Moses complained. He said, “I am not able to bear all this people alone, because it is too heavy for me.” (Number 11:14) So the Lord had mercy on Moses and told him to gather seventy men of the elders of Israel and bring them into the tabernacle that they may stand with him. And they would bear the burden of the people with him, that he bear it not alone.

Moses chose out seventy men, for God said he’d talk with them at the tabernacle. He gathered them and set them about the tabernacle.

Numbers 11:25  And the LORD came down in a cloud, and spake unto him, and took of the spirit that was upon him, and gave it unto the seventy elders: and it came to pass, that, when the spirit rested upon them, they prophesied, and did not cease.

This looks a lot like Pentecost when they were all in one accord in one place, and there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire that sat upon each of them. The Bible says they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak in tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. Peter later called it prophesying.

It looks like Pentecost and sounds like Pentecost but there’s more going on this time around. To begin with, God is not exactly happy with them. God is fixing to deal with murmuring and complaining. He’s fixing to send a plague among the people for their complaining. They say, “Give us flesh!” So God is going to give them flesh out their nostrils. So this thing that God is doing for Moses complaint is not clear to be a bless’n or a lesson.

But in the midst of all this, before the plague comes in, and as God is taking the spirit on Moses and putting that same spirit unto the seventy elders, the Bible says “And there went forth a wind from the LORD.” (Number 11:31) So even more so, this whole picture looks like Pentecost. The funny thing is that there’s two guys that don’t seem to be in one accord with the other 68 chosen elders.

Eldad and Medad are not at the tabernacle. The bible doesn’t say why; but we can deduce that they were not there because they didn’t feel like they should be there. In other words, they thought that they weren’t fit; that something was not right with them; they were unclean and should not be at the tabernacle. They didn’t deem themselves worthy for the blessing that God was about to give. So they were no-shows.

But God gave them also that spirit, and they prophesied in the camp away from the other 68. Joshua told Moses to forbid them. But Moses says, “Would God that all the LORD’S people were prophets, and that the LORD would put his spirit upon them!” I read this and my mind goes to Pentecost and can’t help but think, “Yes. God would.” Peter said on that great day:

Acts 2:17,18  And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams: And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy:

Yes. God would. However, the interesting thing we see is when the 68 elders and Moses stopped what they were doing and went into the camp, that is actually when the wind blew.

Number 11:30,31 And Moses gat him into the camp, he and the elders of Israel. And there went forth a wind from the LORD

Eldad and Medad, the ones that thought themselves unworthy, were the two elders that prophesied as the wind from the LORD went forth. Jesus said, “The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.” (John 3:8)

This Christmas, we gather together and tell the story of Jesus one more time. Loved ones and friends, who normally don’t come, will come to church and hear the story of Jesus one more time. They’ll hear how he came into this world in a stable. He died on a cross, was buried, and the third day raised from dead. They’ll hear about the greatest gift ever given; how that God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

They’ll come into our churches lost and without God, and unless something happens, they’ll leave lost and without God. O How we need the wind of God to come forth!

Luke 24:47-49  And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. And ye are witnesses of these things. And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.

But tarry. We will witness of these things this Christmas morning, Lord willing. But neglect not the promise of our Father, the enduing of power from on high; the power of the the Spirit of Him that raised Jesus from the dead.

1 Corinthians 2:4,5  And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.

Christmas Eve, 2000 years ago, a young virgin travailed with child. She was in pain. She was in labor. All her mind was upon giving birth. Perhaps this Christmas Eve, there’s some soul near a new birth. Perhaps the Holy Ghost tonight, this very minute, travails with child. The Word of God had conceived many months ago, and now that soul is ready to be delivered. Born again.

That wind came into the camp as Eldad and Medad prophesied. What came with the wind was quail, a bunch of quail. But with that quail, plague. Death came with that wind. When someone gets saved, there is a death and a resurrection.

Romans 6:3-5  Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:

Would you tarry a little while this Christmas Eve. Tarry tonight in prayer for tomorrow morning’s service. Pray the wind of God would come forth.