The Book of Numbers No 2

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The Book of Numbers No 2 14/04/2021

Derrick Harrison 14/04/2021

The Book of Numbers No 2

An Outline of Numbers A. SINAI (1:1-10:10), preparing Israel for their march to Canaan (ch.1-8) (ch.1-10; at Sinai) A. The Consensus Report and the Order of the camp, Ch.1-4 B. Legislation: Cleansing the camp, Ch.5-8 C. The Passover and the covering cloud, Ch.9 D. Silver trumpets, Ch.10:1-10 B. From SINAI to EDOM (10:11-20:21), departure from Sinai, the Journey begins A. Moving out from Sinai: Order of march, Ch.10:11-32 (ch.1012; Sinai to Kadesh).

B. At Kadesh (13:1-20:21). The complaining and murmuring of people displeased the Lord, Ch.11. The jealousy of Miriam & Aaron towards Moses; the judgment of Miriam, Ch.12. The failure at Kadesh to enter Canaan (ch.13-14) (ch.13-20, legislation) C. 12 Spies are chosen and sent into the land of Canaan; return and report, Ch.13 D. Israel refuses to enter the Promised Land because of unbelief, Ch.14.

E. Wilderness Wanderings (ch.15-25) Disobedience delays God’s blessing; do not destroy God’s purpose, Ch.15; Incidents relating to the priesthood, Ch.16-19 (ch.20-21; (the journey from Kadesh to Moab; ch.22-36); what God said to the Israelites before they entered the Land).

F. Deaths of Miriam and Aaron; water from the rock, Ch.20; victory -song, murmuring – serpent.

C. From Edom to the Jordan (20:22-36:13) A. Aaron’s death (20:22-29).

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B. C. D. E. F. G.

The destruction of Arad (21:1-4).

The bronze serpent (21:5-9).

The journey to Moab (21:10-20).

Initial victories (21:21-35).

Balaam (ch.22-25).

The Plains of Moab (22-36), the second generation prepares to enter Canaan A. Census Report of a new generation (v. 64), Ch.26 B. Woman’s place under law, Ch.27 C. The law of offerings, Ch.28, 29 D. Law of vows, Ch.30 E. The Judgment of Midian, Ch.31 (Moses’ last act) F. Reuben and Gad ask for land on wrong side of Jordan, Ch.32 G. Log of the journeys, Ch.33 H. Borders of the Promised Land, Ch.34 I. Cities of refuge given to the Levites, Ch.35 J. The Law of land regarding inheritance, Ch.36

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The Book of Numbers The Hebrew title is taken from the words of the scroll, “the LORD said” but when translated into the Greek LXX, the title became, arithmoi (our word arithmetic), translated into the Latin Vulgate it becomes “Numbers.” 1 It begins and ends with 2 censuses, - the first consensus was taken when the left Sinai, the number of Israelites was 603,550 (males). This consensus mustered the nation for battle and the consensus of the Levites (ch.3 and 4) organised them for service in the tabernacle. The second consensus was taken at Moab, prior to their entering the Promised Land, when the number of Israelites was 601,730 (males), almost 40 years later. These were men who could be conscripted to fight (age 20+). There were over 38 years between the 2 censuses, one whole generation had perished in the wilderness, except for Joshua, Caleb and Moses who died before Israel entered the Promised Land. This is therefore a tragic narrative, with such loss of lives, in actual fact the Israelites could have reached the Promised Land in 11 days on foot, but instead it took 13,780 days with the loss of a whole generation.

Israel’s journey began on the night of the Exodus from Egypt followed by the crossing of the Red Sea. The Children of Israel journeyed from there to Mount Sinai a journey of about 2 months (Ex.13-18), a summary of that journey is given in Ex.19:1-3). During their time here Moses prepared Israel for their 1

There are 108 references in the book to “numbers,” in ch.1. there are 33 references in ch.1., 18 references in ch.2; and 18 in ch.26; etc.

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departure to the Promised Land, they camped there for about a year.

Moses was absent from the camp, with the LORD in the holy mountain of Sinai.

I noted in a previous talk how the book of Leviticus was dictated by the LORD from inside the tabernacle and in this book of Numbers we read 80 times, “the LORD said to Moses.” He gave to Moses the laws and legislations/instructions regarding purity in the camp, dismantling the tabernacle, the cloud and the fire, the silver trumpets and so on. We read how Moses kept a journal of their travels and a journal of their wars. On 80 occasions we read that God spoke to Moses face to face.

Numbers is a mixture of legislation and narrative. The first chapters 110 are taken up with Mosaic legislation as well as chapters 26-36. This teaching of the Law is continued in Deuteronomy as Moses prepares the second generation of Israelites to keep the Law when they have entered the Promised Land.

We may look at the book as containing Mosaic regulations and laws but it is also an ongoing narrative of the Israelites journey to the Promised Land, during which time the animosity, hostility, anger and rebellion of the people dominates the book. They had been enslaved in Egypt and they had gained their freedom, but they were still enslaved to their bitterness and distrust of authority. The key word in this book is rebellion which quickly rises to the surface because they are constantly murmuring against the LORD and Moses His servant. How awful must the constant sound murmuring of thousands of people have been to the ears of Moses.

Numbers records the events which occurred during their 40 years of wandering in the wilderness. The book has 3 geographical/chronological locations: Israel at Sinai, their time in the New Life Radio – Talk No 27

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wilderness and their time at the Plains of Moab on the edge of the Promised Land.

They knew it was time to decamp when they saw the cloud lift from over the Tabernacle and go ahead of them (ch.9), the cloud represented God’s leadership of the nation throughout their journeyings. Before they could break camp with such a vast number of people they had been instructed about all aspects of life as a company of people (ch.1-4). They were being taught how to live clean and holy lives. Ch.5 instructs about removing those who defile the camp and ch.6 is about the Nazirite vow. Ch.7 and 8 deal with the transportation of the tabernacle. All is in preparation for their departure in ch.9.

Another major word in numbers is preparation, for example ch.1-10 is about preparations which needed to be put in place before they could break camp and travel to Canaan. The first major unit of Numbers (1:110:10) comprises instructions for breaking camp and moving through the desert under God’s command. They had learned their allocated places among the tribes, positioned round the tabernacle. They knew how to dismantle and erect the tabernacle and its furniture. They knew how to transit as a great company of people with clear instruction from the blowing of the silver trumpets. They certainly were a disciplined and well-ordered people. They were also a favoured people, chosen by God who had entered into covenant with them at Sinai. They had been given comprehensive laws which taught them how to live properly, a model for the surrounding nations. They had been favoured by God’s supernatural acts – deliverance form Egypt and the passage through the Red Sea and now sustained by heavenly manna and constant running water in the desert and yet they failed God in the desert, whenever hardship or adversity came their way they always murmured against God. They never learned to trust Him or to New Life Radio – Talk No 27

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grasp the fact that He was a faithful and loving God who was preparing them to transit to the Promised Land.

Before they left Sinai, Israel celebrated the Passover (Num.9:1-14).

Likewise, they would celebrate the Passover before the battle of Jericho and the conquest of Canaan (Josh.5:10-12). Originally, Israel had celebrated the Passover before they left Egypt (Ex.12; Num.33:3).

Ch.10:11 the Israelites depart from Sinai (10:11), and their years of wandering begins (10:11-20:21).

Ch.11 begins their story of disobedience which goes through to ch.20 Ch.11-12 describes their difficult 3-day journey from Sinai to the desert of Paran.

Immediately on arrival, the mixed multitude complain, God was angry, and judgement was immediate. Even Moses complains to the LORD who instructs Moses to appoint 70 elders (11:16-30).

The Rebellions of Israel 1. Israel’s first rebellion occurred when Aaron made a golden calf causing them to commit idolatry and about 3,000 were killed, this took place in Exodus 32:28.

The tragic emphasis on rebellion is a sad feature of Israel’s history which began when Moses was out of the camp on Mount Sinai with the Lord. This was the rebellion of the golden calf. Rebellion is marked by swift judgment by God. This period in Israel’s history is quite unique due to these tragic rebellions and God’s wrath & immediate judgements. What is happening here? I believe that alongside the bitterness/rebellion of Israel there is a concerted attack of satan to New Life Radio – Talk No 27

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destroy the purpose of God to get Israel into the Promised Land – satan’s bridgehead is their rebelliousness. Once they are in the land the attacks continue to destroy God’s purposes for the nation of Israel.

2. Discontent in the congregation (ch.11), this is their second collaborative rebellion, following the incident of the golden calf at Sinai, this was an ominous token of what was only going to get worse, “Hear now My words: “Now when the people complained, it displeased the Lord; for the Lord heard it, and His anger was aroused. So, the fire of the Lord burned among them, and consumed some in the outskirts of the camp. Then the people cried out to Moses, and when Moses prayed to the Lord, the fire was quenched. So, he called the name of the place Taberah because the fire of the Lord had burned among them” (Num.11:1-3).

In v4, we read that it was “the mixed multitude” which came of Egypt that complained here about the manna which the LORD had provided.

They lusted for their former diet and wept unashamedly for the life they had left behind. We are reminded of Paul’s admonition, “forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus” (Phil.3:14) Numbers can be summed up in one word: “rebellion” – against Moses’ leadership, but ultimately against the LORD. Even Moses was displeased and complained to God that He had laid on him the burden of all the people. This crisis resulted in the appointment of the 70 elders. When they were appointed to share Moses’ burden of the people, they were anointed for this service and each received the gift New Life Radio – Talk No 27

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of prophecy (Num.11:16-17, 24-29 cf. Acts 19:6), earlier Jethro had proposed the appointment of elders (Ex.18:12).

3. Rebellion in Moses’ family, Aaron, and Miriam (Ch.12) The third occasion is within Moses’ own family and therefore particularly personal to him, God immediately stepped in and spoke of the intimacy of Moses’ relationship with Him. This testimony of the LORD is quite unique in Scripture and provides an important insight inot his deep spirituality, “Then Miriam and Aaron spoke against Moses because of the Ethiopian woman whom he had married; for he had married an Ethiopian woman. So they said, “Has the Lord indeed spoken only through Moses? Has He not spoken through us also?”

And the LORD heard it. it. (Now the man Moses was very humble, more than all men who were on the face of the earth).

Suddenly, the Lord said to Moses, Aaron, and Miriam, “Come out, you three, to the tabernacle of meeting!” So, the three came out, then the Lord came down in the pillar of cloud and stood in the door of the tabernacle and called Aaron and Miriam. And they both went forward. Then He said, If there is a prophet among you, I, the Lord, make Myself known to him in a vision; I speak to him in a dream.

Not so with My servant Moses; He is faithful in all My house.

I speak with him face to face, (mouth to mouth) Even plainly, and not in dark sayings; New Life Radio – Talk No 27

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And he sees the form of the Lord.

Why then were you not afraid To speak against My servant Moses?”

So, the anger of the Lord was aroused against them, and He departed” (Nu.12:1-9).

Miriam is singled out for judgement and she immediately becomes a leper and is put out of the camp for 7 days, which means the entire camp is grounded, unable to move forwards.

Moses sends out 12 spies to reconnoitre the land of Canaan & their false report (Ch.13-14) “And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, “Send men to spy out the land of Canaan, which I am giving to the children of Israel; from each tribe of their fathers, you shall send a man, everyone a leader among them” (Num.13:1).

“And Moses by the commandment of the Lord sent them from the wilderness of Paran: all those men were heads of the children of Israel” (v3).

4. The fourth rebellion, the 10 spies refuse to enter the land, “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 Jordon (13:28-29).”

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A major crisis occurred when the 12 spies who were sent out by Moses (he did it with clear instructions from the Lord), to view the Promised Land, its ecology, its geography, and its people. Israel’s tribal leaders returned from Canaan and they dissuaded the Israelites from advancing to conquer the Promised Land; except of course, Joshua and Caleb urged them immediately to advance. In the face of the total opposition of both the spies and the congregation, Moses was powerless to do anything but to submit to their rebellious will, - his authority crumbled before their united front. Joshua and Caleb urged the congregation to advance, but at the risk of their lives. The rebellion sparked God’s judgment which was averted by Moses’ intercession (Nu.14:17-20). Note 2 things: (1) the LORD initiated the sending of the spies to reconnoitre the land. (2) Each man is recognized as a leader which of course included Joshua and Caleb. Later, in the plague each of these leaders died (26:65).

The wilderness of Paran. The catastrophic turn of events when 10 leaders of 10 tribes refuse to obey Moses, this is a collaborative act of rebellion. It is significant when Moses again faced the challenge of entry to the Land of Canaan 40 years later, he prepared well – the book of Deuteronomy bears testimony to this. The first period of preparation failed, so now God’s second plan of preparation is undertaken by Moses. The following verse is one of the saddest in the Bible, “… tomorrow turn and move out into the wilderness by the Way of the Red Sea” (14:25) and there they died.

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Ch.15 Offerings in the Promised Land.

5. The fifth rebellion of the 250 princes & the Levitical priests (ch.16-17) These men represented the highest echelons of privilege, status and renown, plus many of the Levitical priests directly related to Aaron, they were defiant in their rebellion, “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?” (16:1-3).

This was an incredibly dangerous moment for Moses, Aaron the elders, Caleb and Joshua, “And Korah gathered all the congregation against them at the door of the tabernacle of meeting. Then the glory of the Lord appeared to all the congregation” (16:19). This moment is as lethal and dangerous as anything Moses encountered in Egypt or the advance of Pharaoh’s chariots at the Red Sea. The Scripture pictures Moses as he confronts these 3 rebellious men and their families. The result of their rebellion was that the LORD opened up the ground before them at Moses’ command and they fell into Sheol with all their families and possessions, And Moses said: New Life Radio – Talk No 27

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“By this you shall know that the Lord has sent me to do all these works, for I have not done them of my own will. If these men die naturally like all men, or if they are visited by the common fate of all men, then the Lord has not sent me. But if the Lord creates a new thing, and the earth opens its mouth and swallows them up with all that belongs to them, and they go down alive into the pit, then you will understand that these men have rejected the Lord. Now it came to pass, as he finished speaking all these words that the ground split apart under them, and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed them up, with their households and all the men with Korah, with all their goods. So they and all those with them went down alive into the pit; the earth closed over them, and they perished from among the assembly. Then all Israel who were around them fled at their cry, for they said, “Lest the earth swallow us up also!” And a fire came out from the Lord and consumed the two hundred and fifty men who were offering incense” (16:31-33).

Moses, speaks with the full authority of the LORD, as representing the exalted Christ when He said, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.” (Mat.28:18-19).

The charge was a very similar one, to that brought against Moses by his own brother and sister earlier. Obviously, they were seeking a more congregational form of government, representing each member of the congregation, rather than the hierarchical government which was firmly in place where the sole leadership of Moses represented the theocracy of the LORD. The autocratic, singular leadership of Moses, could not continue and he was replaced by Joshua who was a military New Life Radio – Talk No 27

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leader, leading the army of |Israel in their conquest of Canaan. When Joshua died, we encounter the Israelites settled in Canaan in a tribal confederacy, as shown in the book of Judges. The spiritual constitution of the nation established by Moses, did not at all institutionalise singular leadership as we see it demonstrated in Moses. His role was to set-up the theocratic institutions and to lead Israel to Canaan which he did, and he fulfilled his calling superbly well and effectively. The Israelites would never have made it out of Egypt except for Moses, nor would they have made it to Canaan. The Mosaic system of worship was planned to function with elders, tribal leaders, priests and judges quite apart from himself, but he had to institute it all and therefore undertook a primary role to accomplish this. The fact is that this system of government/sacrifice/worship works only when the heart of the people is right with God who is their head and therefore it never worked beyond brief periods of spiritual renewal.

6. The sixth rebellion of the whole congregation, They were angry and protested against, what they considered was the severity/harshness of God’s judgment, On the next day all the congregation of the children of Israel complained against Moses and Aaron, saying, “You have killed the people of the Lord” (Num.16:41). It was the action of Moses and Aaron that stopped the advance of the oncoming plague when14,700 people died (v49). As God had stood with Moses against the rebellion of his brother and sister, now God stands with Aaron against the priests and shows that he is God’s chosen priest by causing his rod to blossom, to bud and to produce almonds before their eyes, “Now it came to pass on the next day that Moses went into the tabernacle of witness, and behold, the rod of New Life Radio – Talk No 27

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Aaron, of the house of Levi, had sprouted and put forth buds, had produced blossoms and yielded ripe almonds” (17:8).

Ch.18-19, priestly regulations.

7. The seventh rebellion of the congregation (Ch.20) was caused by drought conditions.

The Lord commanded Moses to speak to the rock before their eyes, “Then the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, “Take the rod; you and your brother Aaron gather the congregation together. Speak to the rock before their eyes, and it will yield its water; thus you shall bring water for them out of the rock, and give drink to the congregation and their animals.” So, Moses took the rod from before the Lord as He commanded him” (Num.20:7-9).

In his uprising anger Moses’ upbraided them, addressing them as, “you rebels” and then he vented his anger on the rock by violently hitting it twice with his rod, “And Moses and Aaron gathered the assembly together before the rock; and he said to them, “Hear now, you rebels! Must we bring water for you out of this rock? Then Moses lifted his hand and struck the rock twice with his rod; and water came out abundantly, and the congregation and their animals drank” (Num.20:10-11).

In this, Moses failed to set an example of godly character under provocation and pressure before the congregation and lost all credibility in their eyes. The spirit of rebellion which had characterized New Life Radio – Talk No 27

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the continued behaviour of the congregation momentarily possessed the LORD’S servant Moses as he angrily hit the rock with his rod. Anger is an issue which is not acceptable in leadership. The Lord’s immediate response to Moses and Aaron was to forbid them to lead Israel into the Promised Land. Moses had sustained and encouraged himself through the long wilderness years by his vision of the Promised Land; anticipating that the crowning success of his leadership would be to lead Israel at last into the land (20:12-13). What a crushing disappointment for him to be denied this privilege, but he submitted to the Lord, a testimony to his humility. His final task was to appoint his successor Joshua (27:18-23) Despite the LORD’S rebuke and prohibition to enter the Promised Land Moses still devotes his energies to re-affirm the Laws and sacrifices he had established at Sinai, despite the fact that he was not going to lead the Israelites into Canaan. This legislation takes up ch.26-36. His preparation to lead Israel into Canaan had failed due to the rebellion of its tribal heads and so he now begins again to prepare their children to enter the land.

I conclude this tragic chapter in Israel’s history by pointing to God’s heart of love for Israel. Personal godliness marks men and women out from the crowd. It is surely, significant that in the midst of national rebellion, provision is made for men and women to choose to vow unto the LORD. Following the conclusion of the Nazirite vow we encounter the Blessing, which is usually called the Aaronic blessing (ch.6:22-27), but it is God’s blessing upon Israel.

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The Nazirite Vow (Num.6:1-21)

“Then the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, “Speak to the children of Israel, and say to them: ‘When either a man or woman consecrates an offering to take the vow of a Nazirite, to separate himself to the Lord, he shall separate himself from wine and similar drink; he shall drink neither vinegar made from wine nor vinegar made from similar drink; neither shall he drink any grape juice, nor eat fresh grapes or raisins. 4 All the days of his separation he shall eat nothing that is produced by the grapevine, from seed to skin” (Num.6:1-4).

This Blessing from the LORD follows a description of the godly Nazirite vow and I suggest that you read the entire chapter which includes the legislation and conditions which are necessary for fulfilling this vow which involves not only the vow but also the person who vows before the LORD. The Nazirite represented true godliness and consecration/separation unto the Lord and he/she needed discipline (v3, 4), to accomplish his vows, in that the person had to abstain from certain things. The Nazirite vow of separation unto the Lord could be undertaken by any male or female Israelite, just as the surrendered life is possible to all God’s children. The Nazirite, during the period of his/her vow demonstrates a singular model of godliness which seems out of place here among a people of avowed godlessness. The effectiveness of personal consecration (v5) depends for its virtue upon the sacrificial offerings of the Mosaic system. In these offerings God was vowing future salvation through the sacrifice of Himself. The sacrifices and offerings which accompanied the Nazirite vow were - a New Life Radio – Talk No 27

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sin offering and a burnt offering (v11), a trespass offering and a peace offering (v14), a grain offering and a peace offering (v17,18). To explore such a profusion of sacrifices would be rich in meaning and significance.

God is seeking and finding in the personal sacrifice and consecration of the Nazirite a compatibility with His ordained sacrifices. In other words, he who participates in the Breaking of Bread must be found worthy – emphasising the truth of the Nazirite, that there must be compatibility between the vow of the Nazarite and his personal separation/consecration to God. Our personal consecration, which is represented by the yielding up our bodies to God as a living sacrifice requires the virtues and accomplishments of Christ’s sacrifice to give it worth. We compliment Christ’s sacrifice (we don’t add to it) by our yielding ourselves to Him and God places an incalculable worth to our separation and consecration. At the end of the Nazirite vow he/she shaved off their hair “from the consecrated head,” and then burnt it under the fire of the peace offering. Then the priest offers a wave offering which represents the fruit of this period of consecration and then the priest eats the offering and the Nazirite can now drink wine, which means that he/she returns to their normal way of living (1Cor.7:5).

Every Israelite may draw apart to vow and to make sacrifice to the LORD. Separation and consecration were conditions of priesthood, which was exclusive to the Levites, but with the Nazirite we have an occasion when the ordinary person could enter into the service of the Lord and give himself entirely to God. Certain men and women were called to live the life of a Nazirite from birth, others separated New Life Radio – Talk No 27

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themselves unto the Lord for their entire lives and we have before us the wonderful example of Simeon and Anna. Paul describes those who have been given the gift of singleness as separated and consecrated to the Lord alone, “But I want you to be without care. He who is unmarried cares for the things of the Lord—how he may please the Lord. But he who is married cares about the things of the world—how he may please his wife. There is a difference between a wife and a virgin. The unmarried woman cares about the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and in spirit. But she who is married cares about the things of the world—how she may please her husband” (1Cor.7:32-34).

We have to look at consecration in broader terms than the specific example that Paul gives here, for example, what does consecration/separation/singleness look like in the life of Paul or Timothy, Simeon, Anna, or Phoebe. The Nazirite vow establishes the importance of vowing, or making definite promises to the Lord, of such importance and significance that they engage all of our life, such holy vows originate in the heart of God, finding clarification in our own heart and translated into the energy of our will, captivate our dreams and absorb our thinking – these vows before God are vows for life and engage our entire being, they are life-changing, life-motivating and lifetransforming.

The Nazirite vow teaches us a few simple truths. The first one is that the Nazirite has drawn aside from his normal life to be with the LORD for the singular purpose of vowing unto the LORD. The vow is accompanied by the consecration and separation of the individual. The New Life Radio – Talk No 27

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vow is also synchronised with a whole spectrum of sacrifices. Thus, we see that it is important to draw aside for specific periods with the Lord, but we must also be intentional in our seasons of withdrawal and disciplined in our diet. The vow teaches us the importance of compatibility and consistency in terms of the Nazarite’s integrity and his making vows. Simply put, vowing to the LORD calls for consecration. Making promises to God requires a willing heart! My promises demand integrity to give them force. The final lesson is simply that the Nazirite vow not only requires the integrity of the Nazirite to give it credibility, but it also required the sacrifices of the Mosaic legislation to give it virtue and worth. The Nazirite needed alongside his own personal sacrifices the sacrifices of God to make it life changing.

The Aaronic Priestly Blessing (Num.6:24-26)

“The LORD bless you and keep you; The LORD make His face shine upon you, And be gracious to you; The LORD lift up His countenance upon you, And give you peace” These lines are referred to as the Aaronic blessing but if you read the first line it says that it is the LORD’S blessing! The Bible teacher, David Pawson says that, “It has every mark of direct inspiration from God because it is mathematically perfect. In the Hebrew there are three lines in the blessing (as above). In the Hebrew there are 3 words in the first sentence, 5 in the second and 7 in the third. There are 15 letters in New Life Radio – Talk No 27

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the first, 20 letters in the second and 25 in the third. There are 12 syllables in the first, 14 in the second and 16 in the third… Even in English it builds up – there is a kind of crescendo through the lines.

Each line has 2 verbs, and the second expands the first.” If the name of the LORD is taken out of the Blessing, we are left with twelve words in the original language, an intentional reference to the twelve tribes of Israel. Furthermore, this threefold repetition of the name Jehovah/Yahweh is not required; one usage of God’s name would have sufficed. But the Lord has His priests repeat His name to emphasize that He is the source of all goodness in life (James 1:17).

The LORD declares a double blessing, both of grace and peace, “this is the blessing given in the epistles of the New Testament: “Grace and peace to you from our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.”

One of the fruits of God’s goodness is peace (Num. 6:26), which in Scripture refers to far more than just the cessation of conflict. It includes prosperity, children, security, land, happiness, health, and a host of other good things (Deut. 28:1–14). The emphasis on the Lord as the source of all these things, as noted above, is very powerful.

Basically, God is saying, “My people, when you enjoy health, remember that My grace has given it to you. When you succeed, do not forget that I am its source. Recall that no good gift is possible without Me.” Matthew Henry comments on this passage, saying that “we may take the blessing to ourselves, as if our names were inserted.” Think about it, the Lord our God, the Creator of all that is seen and unseen, seeks to bless His people. Everything good that comes your way comes from His hand, and one day, all in Christ will enjoy the splendour of His face. So, New Life Radio – Talk No 27

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do not doubt that the Lord desires to bless you and tell others that His blessing is available to them in Christ.

The blessings are further developed (and the curses) and documented in Deuteronomy ch.28 and will be examined later when we survey the book of Deuteronomy.

The Judgments of God against the Rebellions of Israel “But the Lord of hosts shall be exalted in judgment, And God who is holy shall be hallowed in righteousness” (Isa.5:16).

I think we must allow Paul to speak the final word on the matter of God’s judgements in Numbers. In 1Corinthians 10:1-12; “Moreover, brethren, I do not want you to be unaware that all our fathers were under the cloud, all passed through the sea, 2 all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea, 3 all ate the same spiritual food, 4 and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them, and that Rock was Christ. 5 But with most of them God was not well pleased, for their bodies were scattered in the wilderness.

6 Now

these things became our examples, to the intent that we should not lust after evil things as they also lusted. 7 And do not become idolaters as were some of them. As it is written, “The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play.” 8 Nor let us commit sexual immorality, as some of them did, and in one New Life Radio – Talk No 27

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day twenty-three thousand fell; 9 nor let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed by serpents; 10 nor complain, as some of them also complained, and were destroyed by the destroyer. 11 Now all these things happened to them as examples, and they were written for our [admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages have come.

Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall” (1Cor.10:1-12).

He writes about this exact time of Israel’s rebellions, He places them into their historical and spiritual context, the crossing of the Red Sea, the overshadowing of the cloud (associated with the tabernacle) and the constant water supply from the rock, throughout their desert wanderings. Paul gives a clear spiritual meaning to each of these events, - going through the Red Sea and living under the cloud is described as their baptism (into death). The constant supply of fresh water is called spiritual drink which sprang from the spiritual rock which was Christ. This pictorial view of Israel drinking spiritual drink from a spiritual rock which was CHRIST emphasises the fact that they were participating in heavenly gifts of provision. I find here a startling similarity with Hebrews and those former believers who had become apostate.

The writer to the Hebrews (3:8-19), in a similar manner to Paul, identifies Israel in their rebellions as they are described in Numbers, Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says: “Today, if you will hear His voice, 8 Do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion, New Life Radio – Talk No 27

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In the day of trial in the wilderness, 9 Where your fathers tested Me, tried Me, And saw My works forty years.

10 Therefore I was angry with that generation, And said, ‘They always go astray in their heart, And they have not known My ways.’

11 So I swore in My wrath, ‘They shall not enter My rest.”

12 Beware,

brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God; 13 but [b]exhort one another daily, while it is called “Today,” lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. 14 For we have become partakers of Christ if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast to the end, 15 while it is said: “Today, if you will hear His voice, Do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion.”

16 For

who, having heard, rebelled? Indeed, was it not all who came out of Egypt, led by Moses? 17 Now with whom was He angry forty years? Was it not with those who sinned, whose corpses fell in the wilderness? 18 And to whom did He swear that they would not enter His rest, but to those who did not obey? 19 So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief.

The comparisons are numerous but beyond our scope to explore.

Those Jews, addressed by the Hebrews writer had, like the Israelites, “tasted of the heavenly gift.” This is Paul’s point, that the Israelites had New Life Radio – Talk No 27

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been drinking spiritual drink from a spiritual rock which was Christ.

Paul points out to the Corinthians the fact that you cannot mix a living testimony to Christ and be partaking of idolatrous food in the temple restaurant or visiting the prostitute house also linked with the temple.

Paul proceeds then to the Breaking of Bread in the church and due to believer’s incompatible behaviour, by partaking of the Lord’s table many of them were sick and some were dying, and all will become apostate unless they change. Paul says, “Rather, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice they sacrifice to demons and not to God, and I do not want you to have fellowship with demons. You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons; you cannot partake of the Lord’s table and of the table of demons” (1Cor.10:20-21).

The Corinthians, like the Israelites by their spiritual compromise provided a bridgehead for satanic powers to work havoc in the hearts of men and women, resulting in the immediate judgement of the LORD and the undermining of their salvation. Before apostacy, the exalted Christ of the churches of the Revelation, speaks, “And I gave her time to repent of her sexual immorality, and she did not repent” (Rev.2:21, see also vv14, 22; 3:3, 19; etc.). The extent of spiritual degeneracy in the seven church is alarming and means that we must take seriously the state of the church today and ask ourselves – how indeed, does our exalted Christ who walks in the midst of the candlesticks, how does He discern the spiritual condition of the church today? We must take on board for ourselves, the teaching of the Hebrews writer and we must ask ourselves, how does God discern my heart?

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“My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord, Nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him; For whom the Lord loves He chastens, And scourges every son whom He receives” (Heb.12:5-6, see the whole of the chapter).

My final observation regarding the repeated rebellions of Israel, relates to the rebellion of the 10 spies and then the entire nation of Israel (except for Joshua and Caleb). We read how these two men pleaded with them to advance and not to rebel, nevertheless, “And all the congregation said to stone them with stones.

Now the glory of the Lord appeared in the tabernacle of meeting before all the children of Israel” (Num.14:10).

We then read how Moses pleaded with God on their behalf and thus averted God’s judgement. I am intrigued by the association of the splendour of God’s glory with His judgements and I am reminded of what God speaks to Abraham about His own execution of judgement, “Shall, not the Judge of all the earth do right?” (Gen.18:25). God’s judgements seem incomprehensible to modern man, but they are the vindication of His righteousness and the maintaining of His holiness.

God must, by His own nature of holiness remove from His kingdom and from His church all that defiles. We read in the Revelation about apostacy and about men/women who have sinned to such an extent that repentance is beyond their reach. We read that the gates of heaven are monitored 24/7 to prevent the unclean and the apostate from entering there,

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“But there shall by no means enter it anything that defiles, or causes an abomination or a lie, but only those who are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life” (Rev.21:27).

Finally, in Rev.ch18, the fall and the desolation of Babylon is vividly described. In wonderment the saints cried out as they watch entranced at her rapid burning. The word of the Lord comes swiftly to them, “Rejoice over her, O heaven, and you holy apostles and prophets, for God has avenged you on her!” (Rev.18:20). REJOICE over His judgments! The judgements of our God are the manifestation of His glory as He takes in hand the appalling wickedness of depraved humanity (I will not make a list of human depravities, but they are cruel and indescribably wicked and perverse). Thank God for the immediacy of His judgement and thank God that all sin will be accounted for at His final judgement. Note that at the final judgement of Babylon, the sin against God and His people was identified, “And in her was found the blood of prophets and saints, and of all who were slain on the earth” (Rev.18:24). Jesus’ blood was also mingled with all the blood of the martyrs found hidden within Babylon.

“And on her forehead a name was written: MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND OF THE ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH. I saw the woman, drunk with the blood of the saints and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus. And when I saw her, I marvelled with great amazement” (Rev.17:5-6).

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The Book of Numbers No 2 Let us rejoice in the triumph of our God over all rebellion and apostacy and let us rejoice in the fact that our Lord Jesus has destroyed utterly the power of satan and exposed his works in the hearts of men and women,

“Then I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, “Now salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren, who accused them before our God day and night, has been cast down. And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death” (Rev.12:10-11).

The last verse in Numbers gives the location of the Children of Israel, just as they are poised to enter the Promise Land, “These are the commandments and the judgments which the Lord commanded the children of Israel by the hand of Moses in the plains of Moab by the Jordon, across from Jericho” (Num.36:13).

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