34-1 Numbers CH 1-12

EVANGELICAL BIBLE COLLEGE OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA
NUMBERS 1-12 (FORWARD TO KADESH BARNEA)

BY
DR JOHN C McEWAN
[BOOK 3 -1!
R"#$%"& J'() 2*11
WHO IS JESUS CHRIST+ Professor Simon Greenleaf was one of the most eminent lawyers of all time. His Laws of Evidence for many years were accepted by all States in the United States as the standard methodology for eval ating cases. He was teaching Law at a niversity in the United States when one of his st dents as!ed Professor Greenleaf if he wo ld apply his Laws of Evidence to eval ate an historical fig re. "hen Greenleaf agreed to the pro#ect he as!ed the st dent who was to be the s b#ect of the review. $he st dent replied that the person to be e%amined wo ld be &es s 'hrist. Professor Greenleaf agreed to nderta!e the e%amination of &es s 'hrist and as a res lt( when he had finished the review( Simon Greenleaf personally accepted the Lord &es s 'hrist as his Savio r. Professor Greenleaf then sent an open letter to all # rists in the United States saying in part ) personally have investigated one called &es s 'hrist. ) have fo nd the evidence concerning him to be historically acc rate. ) have also discovered that &es s 'hrist is more than a h man being( he is either God or nothing and having e%amined the evidence it is impossible to concl de other than he is God. Having concl ded that he is God ) have accepted him as my personal Savio r. ) rge all members of the legal profession to se the Laws of Evidence to investigate the person of the Lord &es s 'hrist and if yo find that he is wrong e%pose him as a fa!er b t if not consider him as yo r Savio r and Lord. HOW CAN I BE SAVED+ S,(#,-$./ $% ,#,$(,0(" 1.2 ,(( 3"30"2% .1 -4" 4'3,/ 2,c"5 Salvation is the most important nderta!ing in all of God*s niverse. $he salvation of sinners is never on the basis of God*s merely passing over or closing His eyes to sin. God saves sinners on a completely righteo s basis consistent with the divine holiness of His character. $his is called grace. )t relies on God so man cannot wor! for salvation neither can he deserve it. "e need to realise that the creation of this vast nmeas red niverse was far less an nderta!ing than the wor!ing o t of God*s plan to save sinners. However the acceptance of God*s salvation by the sinner is the most simple thing in all of life. +ne need not be rich( nor wise( nor ed cated. ,ge is no barrier nor the colo r of one*s s!in. $he reception of the enormo s benefits of God*s redemption is based pon the simplest of terms so that there is no one in all this wide niverse who need be t rned away. H.6 &. I 0"c.3" , C42$%-$,/+ $here is b t one simple step divided into three parts. -irst of all ) have to recognise that ) am a sinner ./omans 01203 41203 E5e!iel 67183 &ohn 9128:. Secondly( realising that if ) want a relationship with ,lmighty God who is perfect( and recognising that ) am not perfect( ) need to loo! to the Lord &es s 'hrist as the only Savio r .6 'orinthians 69103 6 Peter 21283 lsaiah 90143 &ohn 0164:. $hirdly( by the e%ercise of my free will ) personally receive the Lord &es s 'hrist as my Savio r( believing that He died personally for me and that He is what He claims to be in an individ al( personal and living way .&ohn 61623 01043 ,cts 641063 8162:. T4" 2"%'(-% .1 S,(#,-$./ $he res lts of this are nbelievably wonderf l1 ;y sins are ta!en away .&ohn 612<:( ) possess eternal life now .6 &ohn 9166(62:( ) become a new creat re in 'hrist .2 'orinthians 916=:( $he Holy Spirit ta!es p His residence in my life .6 'orinthians 416<:( ,nd ) will never perish .&ohn 6>127?0>:. $his tr thf lly is life*s greatest transaction. $his is the goal of all people3 this is the ltimate of o r e%istence. "e invite and e%hort any reader who has not become a 'hristian by tr sting in the Lord &es s 'hrist to follow these simple instr ctions and be born again eternally into God*s family .;atthew 661273 &ohn 61623 ,cts 81623 64106:. 7 E#,/8"($c,( B$0(" C.(("8" .1 W"%-"2/ A'%-2,($, 2** ? P+ @o% 640 ,rmadale "estern , stralia 4<<2 ;any other 'hristian reso rces are available freely from o r internet web site1 www.ebcwa.org.a www.newstartbibleministries.org.a for wee!ly messages. and
-or f rther information contact Ar Peter ;oses at P+ @o% 640 ,rmadale ", 4<<2 or email @rian H ggett brianh ggettBbigpond.com.a "e enco rage yo to freely copy and distrib te these materials to yo r Pastor and friends. Co only( need written permission from E@'", if yo intend sing the materials in p blications for resale. "e enco rage wide distrib tion freelyD
NUMBERS 1-12 9 FORWARD TO KADESH BARNEA
CONTENTS
)E$/+AU'$)+E
'H,P$E/ 'H,P$E/ 'H,P$E/ 'H,P$E/ 'H,P$E/ 'H,P$E/ 'H,P$E/ 'H,P$E/ 'H,P$E/ 'H,P$E/ 'H,P$E/ 'H,P$E/
6 2 0 8 9 4 = 7 < 6> 66 62
8 67 28 04 80 98 46 44 =6 72 7= 6>2
A+'$/)EE )EAEF
666 3
INTRODUCTION
$his fo rth boo! of the ;osaic Pentate ch generally covers the activities of the people from the second month of the second year of the E%od s( thro gh ntil the last year of the E%od s #o rney( to the tenth month of the fortieth l nar year since leaving Egypt. Having said this( the events described in chapters =?< appear to have occ rred in the first month( for they are after the tabernacle was raised p. )t appears that ;oses is filling in details that he omitted from the acco nt in E%od s 8> here( as in the conte%t of the other matters he disc sses( they ma!e more sense here. "e are g essing a fair bit when it comes to specific time frames here( beca se ;oses is not so m ch interested in time lines of events( as in their spirit al significance( and so he #oins things together in his narrative beca se they spirit ally ma!e commentary on each other( not beca se they fit in a time seG ence. /emember the Hebrew way of thin!ing rather than the linear "estern way of thin!ing. )n this boo! we have the two cens s records of the tribes( giving s the totals of their army strength( as they head into the enco nter with the reality of the invasion of the land at Hadesh @arnea( and later on the plains opposite &ericho. ) have given below a s ggestion as to the possible real n mbers of fighting men involved( sing the words for tho sands as was done in the E%od s passage( .E%od s 68?67:( indicating that this is the term for family gro ps headed by a fighting man. $he two cens s lists from E mbers then give s very similar fig res to those of the original E%od s( at aro nd 4>>> fighting men in the original army. ) ta!e it that the Princes listed in the first verses of chapter one are not the # dges of the tribes( as appointed by ;oses in E%od s 67122?28( b t they are the commanding 'olonels of their tribal battalion. $hey are older men( and are not the leading warriors of the tribes( .the lead ;a#ors of the battalion I who are the bravest of the officers:( who are the ones who will be chosen to be spies in the land in E mbers 6016?64. )srael ran as a meritocracy( with those who had God anointed ability and Holy Spirit empowered strength being able to rise p to prominence in leadership in war or # dgment. ,s ) noted in the E%od s commentary( ) am s ggesting these n mbers of men as the minim m level of the n mbers of the army( for the correct fig res may be higher that this. ,s others have said( the # ry is still o t on the n mbers involved. ;y belief is that the n mbers of fighting men were aro nd the 4>>> mar! thro gho t this period( as that ma!es the most sense( especially when we loo! at the lessons of faith that we will see are central to this boo! as they were to E%od s also. ,s ) stated then( ) re?state( if yo wish to go higher in the n mbers yo believe were involved( then ) will not arg e with yo ( for we simply cannot be 6>>J s re at this distance( b t ) wo ld hold to the lower n mbers on the basis of the internal evidence ;oses gives s in E%od s and here. $he boo! begins at the ;o nt of God( and the first part of the boo! .'hapters 6 I 6>16>: is a cens s of the tribes and families there by the holy mo ntain( the dedication of tabernacle( Levites( and the gifts of the tribes for the Levites( and the proced re for moving camp to invade the land. $he second part of the boo! covers the #o rney to Hadesh @arnea( ready for the invasion of the land( to their rebellion and defeat at the hands of the inhabitants of the land. .'hapters 6>166 I 'hapter 68189:. $he third part of the boo! covers vario s new r les for the priesthood and the people in light of their rebellion at Hadesh( vario s events that occ r on the 0= .Solar: year of wanderings that now nfold( b t also covers the f rther rebellion of Horah( Aathan and ,biram. .'hapters 69 I 6<:. $he fo rth part of the boo! covers the #o rney to the land of ;oab after the 0= years are f lfilled( with battles( and politics between the people of )srael( the Edomites and the ,morites. .'hapters 2> I 26109:. $he fifth part covers the events that occ r in the plains of ;oab( especially the Satanic attac! la nched by the wealth h ngry prophet @alaam( who advised the !ing of ;oab how to disable the people of God by se% al immorality. )t ends with a second cens s of the families of the )sraelites. .'hapters 22 I 24:. $he si%th part of the boo! covers the prophetic word regarding ;osesK death( &osh aKs appointment as his s ccessor( and some f rther instr ctions regarding both the division of the land and a n mber of s b#ects that emerge thro gh this period of time. .'hapters 2=?04:. $his boo! is a story of 0= years of GodKs faithf lness and the peopleKs faithlessness. $hro gho t the #o rney( the Lord loo!s after the people( protecting them in grace and mercy( b t they lac! the faith in their God to advance into His provision for them( and so this generation misses the best that God had for them. )nstead of entering the land as the Lord had directed them to( they panic and t rn away( believing they are too few and too wea! to win( and so are # dged by the Lord to die in the wilderness. Even then they do not stop their foolish spirit of rebellion against the will of the Lord for them( and f rther active rebellions occ r. $he Lord will serio sly # dge those who persist in this rebellio s mental attit de( for they indicate that they despise the Lord( His Plan( and His "ord. Eo?one is # dged in this boo! for a momentary lac! of # dgment( b t all are # dged for their persistent re#ection of the will of the Lord for them. God is gracio s and these people rebel at least thirteen times before the # dgment falls pon them all. Let s not hear the LordKs name being ta!en in vain or his grace and mercy ins lted. He is slow to angerD Eehemiah <16=( Psalms 6>017( 68917( &oel 2160( &onah 812( Eah m 610.

,s Levitic s portrays grace and # dgment thro gh the sacrificial system( so the boo! of E mbers portrays grace and # dgment thro gh the events of the thirty seven years of wandering. God is gracio s( b t there is a limit set to mercy by the Lord( and it is in the place where people have set their hearts firmly against the Lord and despise His "ord and "ill for their life and see! their own path.
CHA:TER 1
NUMBERS 1;1-<
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REFLECTIONS
V"2%"% 1 9 35 $he call comes to ;oses to be ready to move o t into action. $he nation has been sitting by the ;o nt of God( ;t HorebLSinai( to receive the Law and to establish their worship system pon the model given to ;oses in the ;o ntain. Having gotten their worship established and operating( the ne%t test will be for the Levites to be able to dismantle and re?assemble the tabernacle str ct re G ic!ly and efficiently. $he people m st then also be instr cted in the new brea!ing of camp ro tine( so that they are ready to follow the ,r! on the march( as they will now be doing. $o facilitate this whole process two things are needed. -irstly( the organi5ation of the tribes needs to be more thoro ghly systemati5ed nder the leadership of tribal elders who are the princes( and r lersLleaders. ,s noted above( the # dges for each tribe have been established( b t it wo ld appear that the men who are appointed here are different men( and may have the administrative role for the brea!ing of camp( andLor probably the military leadership role. $o establish the order of battle( a second administrative process is reG ired3 a cens s is to be ta!en to establish the fighting strength of the tribes. $his will also be the occasion of an offering on behalf of each family for each fighting man( so that they dedicate every man to the tas! of battle( ransoming his so l to the Lord( before he enters the battle line. $hey were not to tr st in their n mbers( b t in the Lord( and recogni5e that every man needed to stand before the Lord and ransom his so l before the army marched( let alone fo ght. E%od s =16?9( 0>166?64. $he cens s was potentially a time of pride and self satisfaction for the nation( as they reflected pon their power( whereas the Lord simply wants them to see their need of His grace and thro gh the half she!el offering dedicate their nation and itKs army to the LordKs p rposes and will. ;oses is ordered to n mber the people now and in 0= years time he will be ordered again to do the same thing. Hing Aavid was later tempted to cond ct an na thori5ed cens s( and he went ahead in pride and did so( at the cost of many lives. 6 'hronicles 2616?0>( 2=120?28. $he message of the Lord is clear thro gho t script re3 o r battles are to be won( not by might( nor by power( b t by my spirit( saith the Lord. Mechariah 814( /omans 69160?6<( 6 'orinthians 216?9( 2 $imothy 616?7. "e stand or fall in the grace( mercy( power and plan of the Lord o r God alone. V"2%"% 9 1F. $he officers in charge of each battalion of the army are now appointed( one for each tribe( e%cept the tribe of Levi( who have the tas! of g arding the tabernacle( by simply standing by it in prayerf lness. $he army will be empowered by God( and thro gh His Spirit they will be victorio s and Levi is not reG ired to fight in the order of battle( b t to serve in prayer by the tabernacle. $hese +fficersLprinces will be the 'olonels of each regimentLbattalion of the tribe. Each tribal battalion will n mber aro nd 9>> men and be organi5ed by the men named in these verses. $hese men will lead their army gro p into battle( and they will lead from the front( not the rear. $hey will also be the leaders in the worship of their tribes( and will bring the offering to dedicate the altar and establish the Levitical system. $heir first tas! is going to be to co?ordinate the offering for the dedication of the altar. E mbers =16ff. $hese men were fit to lead in battle( beca se they were ready and !een to worship the Lord. $hey centre their wor! and lives in the following( and protecting of the ,r! and the $abernacle. $he entire camp was centred in the $abernacle and their lives were to be centred in the worship that occ rred there. & st so o r lives are to be centred in the worship of the Lord( for in the power and foc s of o r worship is the strength of o r wal! forward in the will of the Lord. )saiah 4616? 0. $he twelve men are named and presented to the people( and then the people are to gather in their tribal gro ps and tell their genealogies to the leader of their tribe( proving their parentage and right to stand with that tribe. +nce they have proved they belong to that tribe( and are certified as being a tr e member( they are to be enrolled in the army of that tribe in some form of formal ceremony. Each soldier m st prove his right to serve in that tribe with confidence born of living relationship with the fo nder of that tribe. E5ra will later reG ire all the people to do the same on their ret rn from E%ile in @abylon. E5ra 216ff( Eehemiah =16ff( 46?42.

"e m st all be able to cite o r pedigree3 o r right to stand before the Lord as a member of His army pon the earth. "hat that means to s today is that we m st be able to state that we are tr ly the gen ine children of God( born again thro gh faith in 'hrist &es s. "e m st daily !now o r living relationship with the Lord o r God and Savio r. Let s remember and recall the moment of o r salvation and stand pon the roc! of the LordKs person and plan for o r life from that point into eternity. "e do not need to have legitimate birth here pon the earth and !now anything of o r earthly ancestors( b t we do need to !now that we are born again of GodKs power( and be able to state with absol te certainty that we are the born again children of the living God. ;atthew =160?20( &ohn 019?7( 69?26( 04( Galatians 8120?2<( 6 Peter 6122?29( 6 &ohn 01=?64( 81=?26. /efer to the @$@ st dies( 'H/)S$),E L)-E( ,A+P$)+E( 'H/)S$ -+/;EA )E C+U( '+E-)AEE'E( -,)$H( G)-$S G)NEE ,$ S,LN,$)+E( P+S)$)+E )E 'H/)S$( UE)+E ")$H 'H/)S$. V"2%"% 2* 9 B. ) have not labo red on abo t the names of the men who led the tribes( for they are named to be given hono r then and for all time as the princes of their people at that time. Each wo ld fail the test at Hadesh @arnea( and yet they wo ld serve the Lord thro gh their years ntil death ended their service. $hese men are a reminder to s( that even if we have a great position and hono r( it is nothing witho t obedience and faith. ,s yo read the names of these men( pa se and pray that yo may serve in yo r allotted path and sphere with faith g iding yo r every step( in order that yo may not become a cas alty in the ,EGEL)' '+E-L)'$ as they all did. Galatians 0166( Hebrews 816?7( 6616?0( 4( &ames 2168?2>. $he tribal gro ps have significant n mbers of men to serve in the army. ,s we saw bac! in E%od s( the Egyptian /eady /esponse army that was washed ashore at the Sea of /eeds and thereby eG ipped the army of )srael n mbered between 4>>> I 6>(>>>( and the army cens s here is in that basic area( if the word eleph( miss?translated in the Sept agint .LFF I 0rd cent ry @': as tho sands( is correctly translated as family gro ps. )f each is headed p by one active soldier( and if the families are in effect organi5ed aro nd the men who were over twenty and fit to be soldiers( .Eote ;oses words regarding each tribal gro p( all that were able to go forth to war:( then the n mber of active( fit( and able men is # st over 4>>>. $here wo ld be more men than this in the pop lation b t many wo ld be too old( nfit( in# red( or ill with some disease that might render them nable to go o t on campaign. $his is not a total cens s( b t one of men fit for warfare. )n todayKs medical e%aminations for the ,rmy only 619 men G alifies as trainable in the first place( and if older men are e%cl ded from these n mbers recorded here( then we may have far more men in the camp than in the army. Each family gro p may have had three to five men for the one soldier who was fit for war and was given the precio s weapons for his se to stand as that familyKs representative in the army. )n this day the army had to be ready to fight in hand to hand combat for a significant n mber of ho rs and this reG ires great battle fitness and rob st health. /e ben had 849 -amily gro ps( with one soldier from each. Simeon had 9<0 -amily gro ps( with one soldier from each. Gad had 894 -amily gro ps( with one soldier from each. & dah had =84 -amily gro ps( with one soldier from each. )ssachar had 988 -amily gro ps( with one soldier from each. Meb lon had 9=8 -amily gro ps( with one soldier from each. &oseph had ==2 -amily gro ps( with one soldier from each. @en#amin had 098 -amily gro ps( with one soldier from each. Aan had 42= -amily gro ps( with one soldier from each. ,sher had 869 -amily gro ps( with one soldier from each. Eaphtali had 908 -amily gro ps( with one soldier from each. $+$,L ,/;C S$/EEG$H O 4>7> warriors in twelve @attalions( nder their twelve leaders. &osephKs gro p being divided in two( with the tribe of & dah being the largest battalion at =84( and @en#amin being the smallest at 098( altho gh if the tribe of &oseph is divided into itKs two s b?tribes( then they are smallest. "e will see how they marched and in what order in the ne%t chapter. $hey will be organi5ed into fo r /egiments( each with three fighting battalions of aro nd 9>> men in each. V"2%"% D 9 < . $he tribe of Levi were not to be n mbered in the army as s ch( altho gh they were allowed to fight for their homes and families if it was reG ired. $hey were not assigned to a pacifist role( # st to centre themselves ro nd the ,r! and $abernacle and defend that if they were reG ired. $hey were to tr st the others to do their #ob and win the battles( and their #ob was to foc s pon the spirit al needs of the nation and serve those needs within and aro nd the tabernacle. $hey were never to be n mbered( for the Lord wo ld always provide eno gh Levites to do the wor! of the tabernacle. Eo?one else was ever to intr de anywhere near the tabernacle area on penalty of death. $he family of the priests will be camped aro nd the tabernacle forming a physical barrier between the camps of the other tribes and the tabernacle as a shield to !eep all others away. $he Levites will be encamped to the Eorth of the tabernacle and will be ready to move to assist the priests of the family of ,aron and ;oses in all things they have been directed to assist in. $hese sons of Levi were the men assigned the tas!s centred in the s pport of the tabernacle and everyone else was to stay awayD

$his is a vital principle for all ministry even today. )n days when believers are enco raged to read the latest boo! on ch rch growth and then do it locally( we are challenged to pray and find what it is the Lord wants for s to do( and then do it witho t reference to any other personKs ministry area. "e are to wal! o r called and assigned path( nder the LordKs direction( we are not to live other peopleKs lives( nor do the tas!s assigned to them by the LordD 6 'orinthians 62166?2=( &ames 016ff. Each of s is called to be obedient to the Lord( not any other manKs system of administration or path of service. + r mentor is the Lord( and o r orders are from the Holy Spirit thro gh the "ord( not from menKs words.
:ASTORAL AND :ERSONAL A::LICATIONS

6. )t is not in n mbers that we are to re#oice( altho gh today those with the biggest ch rches are made to appear as if they are the princes of the modern ch rch. $he only criteria for s ccess in the LordKs wor!( is that we are doing the LordKs wor!( as( when( where( and how the Lord has directed. Let s be s re of o r calling and serve the Lord with foc sed energy in the path He has called s to wal!. 2. Leadership m st be God ordained and anointed. $hese princes wo ld all fall and fail the Lord( at a cr cial point their co rage wo ld fail them( b t they wo ld still be reG ired to serve and move forward and train the ne%t generation to sei5e what they had failed to sei5e. Let s be foc sed pon the LordKs plan( not # st o r blessing here. 0. +rgani5ation is not evil when it is God ordered. 'h rches m st have rolls of attendance( b t li!e the )sraelites these are to be so rces of praise( worship and giving( not of pride and self satisfaction. + r tr st is in the Lord alone( not o r n mbers. 8. & st as the soldiers of )srael had to cite their genealogy # st so we m st !now o r relationship with the Lord and o r membership of His ho sehold thro gh personal faith in the Lord &es s 'hrist. "e m st !now we are the children of God or we cannot serve Him. Let s e%amine o rselves and be s re of o r salvation and stand with ass rance of o r E$E/E,L SE'U/)$C and foc s on pleasing o r master and Lord.
DOCTRINES CHRISTIAN LIFE

6. God is pleased with believers a: @y as!ing for the right things. .6 Hings 01<( 6>: b: @y living a separated life. .2 $imothy 218: c: @y doing his will. .Hebrews 6012>( 26: d: "al!ing in fellowship with him. .Hebrews 6619( Genesis 9128: e: @y praising God. .Psalm 4<10>( 06: f: @y resting by faith in God*s provision. .Hebrews 6614: 2. $he 'hristian life involves wal!ing. a: in the $r th .2 &ohn 8: b: by means of faith in wisdom. .2 'orinthians 91=( 'olossians 819: c: in the Spirit .Galatians 9164( 29: d: in Love. .Ephesians 912: e: in newness of Life. ./omans 418: f: worthy of o r vocation. .Ephesians 816: g: worthy of the Lord. .'olossians 616>( 6 $hessalonians 2162: h: honestly as in the day. ./omans 60160: i: in good wor!s. .Ephesians 216>: #: in light. .Ephesians 917( 6 &ohn 61=: !: in 'hrist &es s. .'olossians 214: l: circ mspectly. .Ephesians 9169(64: m: as ye o ght. .6 $hessalonians 816: 0. $he 'hristian life demands hono rable cond ct1 a: @elievers have freedom in 'hrist .Galatians 916:( b t o r cond ct m st not i: harm the wea!. .6 'orinthians 71<:3 ii: be hypocritical .6 Peter 2164:3 iii: does not edify .6 'orinthians 6>120:3 iv: lead to habits which enslave .6 'orinthians 4162:3 v: lead to self?ind lgence .Galatians 9160:3 vi: offend personal conscience ./omans 6819:. b: + r cond ct towards God. i: Aone in His Eame. .6 $imothy 416: ii: ,s nto Him. .'olossians 0120: iii: -or His glory. .6 'orinthians 6>106:

iv: $o be worthy of Him. .6 $hessalonians 21623 2 $hessalonians 619: c: + r cond ct towards others. i: @e a good e%ample. ./omans 681=3 6 $imothy 8162: ii: "orthy of o r calling. .Ephesians 816: iii: Honest. .2 'orinthians 7126: iv: -ree from the appearance of evil. .6 $hessalonians 9122: v: Helpf l to a neighbo r. ./omans 621673 6912: vi: Eot a ca se of st mbling. ./omans 68160: vii: Hono ring one*s parents. .'olossians 012>: viii: Hono ring to the government. .$it s 016: i%: ; st not entail neG al yo!ing. .2 'orinthians 4168: %: Eot to # dge others ./omans 6816>?60: %i: Eot to ca se others to st mble by o r actions ./omans 68169(26?20: d: + r cond ct towards self. i: P re and not l stf l. .6 $imothy 91223 6 Peter 2166: ii: ; st not defile. .6 'orinthians 016=3 $it s 6169: iii: ; st not condemn. ./omans 68122: iv: ; st do good wor!s. .$it s 017: e: $his cond ct is only obtainable nder the filling of the Holy Spirit. .Ephesians 91673 6 &ohn 61<:. 8. $he 'hristian life demands diligence1 a: Love towards others. .Galatians 216>( 2 'orinthians 717:. "e sho ld be eager to help those who are less fort nate than o rselves especially by giving them the gospel. b: "e sho ld be !een to ta!e care of the saints .other believers: .Hebrews 4166( 2 'orinthians =162( 2 'orinthians 7164(6=( 2 $imothy 616=: c: "e sho ld be eager to rest in the promises and principles of God. Happiness comes from this. ,n e%ample of not resting in the promises is the E%od s generation..Hebrews 8166: d: 'onfirmation of o r calling .2 Peter 619( 2 Peter 616>: "e sho ld witness for 'hrist eagerly( 5ealo sly. e: Unity of the body. .Ephesians 810: "e sho ld be 5ealo s in maintaining the nity of the body. f: -or the commendation of God. .2 $imothy 2169:. @e eager to show yo rself approved by God. g: $o have a life witho t spot or blemish. .2 Peter 0168: "e sho ld wal! close to the Lord and not e%pose o rselves to nnecessary areas of temptation.
CHRISTIAN LIFE; ADO:TION AS A CHILD OF GOD

6. )n @iblical times adoption was a to!en of mat rity when a person changed from adolescence to ad lthood in a family. 2. "hen a son of a /oman family was at the age of mat rity his father enacted a ceremony to symbolise the son*s acceptance by the family as an ad lt member .cf Ephesians 619:. 0. + r position in 'hrist .Ephesians 618(9: shows that every believer shares 'hrist*s position as an ad lt son of God. 8. ,doption occ rs when we are Pborn againP( at the point of salvation .&ohn 010?=( &ohn 6162( Galatians 0124:. 9. @eca se of o r adoption we now have a new relationship with God. .Galatians 819?4( /omans 7169:. 4. $here is a f t re aspect of adoption ? res rrection( inheritance and ltimate sanctification ./omans 7120( 6 Peter 610?9:
CHRISTIAN LIFE; CHRIST FORMED IN YOU

6. S'/)P$U/E .Galatians 816<: P;y little children( of whom ) travail in birth again ntil 'hrist be formed in yo . P 2. Eval ation ;y little children ? the Galatians were bro ght to the Lord thro gh Pa l*s ministry Ptravail in birthP. Pa l is in m ch ang ish and pain over the attit de of the Galatians. P ntilP ? f t re ? this has not happened yet( 'hrist be formed in yo . .Ephesians 0164(6=3 Philippians 612>:. Here we are tal!ing abo t the character of 'hrist being formed in the believer. 0. Principle of 'hrist being formed in yo a: 'hrist f lfilled the Law. .;atthew. 916=: b: 'hrist is the end of the law to them that believe ./omans 6>18( Galatians 9167( 20: c: "e have however a higher law( the law of spirit ality ./omans 712?8: d: $his new law is accompanied by a commandment to be filled with the Spirit .Ephesians 9167:. e: $he indwelling of the Holy Spirit is to prod ce the character of 'hrist and to glorify 'hrist. .Galatians 816<: f: $he Holy Spirit is the person who glorifies 'hrist in the 'hristian wal!. .&ohn 64168( =10<: g: $he glorification of 'hrist ta!es place within the believer. .6 'orinthians 0164( 416<(2>:.
CHRISTIAN LIFE; CONFIDENCE

6. $he so rce of confidence. .&eremiah 6=1=: 2. $he res lts of confidence1? a: Protection. .Proverbs 0129?24: b: Strength. .)saiah 0>169: c: @lessing. .&eremiah 6=1=: 0. E%amples of confidence1? a: in God*s provision. .Genesis 22167: b: in God*s sovereignty. .Genesis 9>12>: c: in God*s deliverance. .Aaniel 016=?67: d: in God*s power. .6 Hings 67104?0<: e: in God*s presence. .Psalm =619: f: in e%tremity. .&ob 60169: 8. 'onfidence relating to prayer1? a: confident access. .Ephesians 0162: b: confidence to draw near. .Hebrews 8164: c: confidence to enter. .Hebrews 6>16<?22: d: confidence to as!. .6 &ohn 9168?69: 9. 'onfidence in the day of # dgment. .6 &ohn 816=: 4. 'onfidence to complete His wor! in the believer. .Philippians 614: =. E%hortation to maintain confidence. .Hebrews 6>109?0<:
CHRISTIAN LIFE; FAITH

6. $he 'hristian life can be divided into three sections or stages. a: Stage 6 ? Salvation. b: Stage 2 ? $he 'hristian "al! c: Stage 0 ? $he 'hristian in Heaven. 2. ;an has three means of obtaining !nowledge1 a: -aith ? to believe or tr st that something is tr e b: /easoning ? sing h man logic to ded ce that something is tr e c: E%perimentation ? to test and prove something to satisfy yo rself that it is tr e 0. $he only acceptable method of gaining grace is by faith( since this means depending pon God witho t o r h man merit. a: Stage 6 ? @elieve on the Lord &es s 'hrist and tho shalt be saved ? salvation .,cts 64106:. b: Stage 2 ? $r sting in the promises and principles of the "ord of God ? the 'hristian wal!. c: Stage 0 ? $r sting in God*s provision ? Heaven. 8. $o ill strate belief and nbelief we follow the &ews from the plag es in Egypt to crossing the &ordan1 I/c$&"/Last plag e Egyptian ,rmy Eo "ater Gold 'alf Q ails Giants Eo water G.&K% :2.3$%" Passover Lamb /ed Sea 'rossing "ater God*s Aoctrine ;anna Enter 'anaan "ater Sc2$=-'2" E%od s 62126?0> E%od s 6816?06 E%od s 6=16?= E%od s 02169?27 E m 6616>?00 E m 6016?68107 E m 2>12?60 R"%=./%" $r st $r st $r st Aistr st Aistr st Aistr st Aistr st R"%'(&ews spared last plag e. ;oses leads &ews over /ed Sea. @y stri!ing roc! .'hrist: water obtained. Sons of Levi .Priests: sla ghtered for leading ;any deaths d e to G ails Aeath of fearf l spies. "andering in desert ;oses stri!es roc! in disobedience. "ill not
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"anderings 'ross &ordan &osh a 016?6= $r st enter Promised Land. )srael crosses &ordan on dry gro nd
9. Salvation faith is the complete tr st in the Lord &es s 'hrist( who died for yo r sins and rose from the dead to give yo eternal life. .,cts 64106( /omans 812>?29: 4. ,nything added to becomes wor!s( and therefore n llifies faith ./omans 818: =. -aith is shown o twardly by confession with the mo th. ./omans 6>1<?6>: 7. Since faith does not depend on o r own abilities( anybody can believe. Even little children .;atthew 6712?8: <. ,ss rance is by faith .Hebrews 6>122: 6>. -aith is tr st which does not as! to !now all abo t God b t believe all that God has said. 66. Salvation faith receives 'hrist as Savio r and Lord. .&ohn 6162( 0164( 0104: 62. -aith of salvation is the complete tr st in the Lord &es s 'hrist as having been delivered from o r transgressions and raised again for o r # stification. ./omans 812>?29: 60. @y -aith God gives the so l ass rance of the reality of things never yet seen by the nat ral man. .Hebrews 6616?0: 68. $he tri mphs of faith in daily life are ill strated for the believer in Hebrews 6616?0<. ,bel( Eoah( ;oses etc. 69. -aith comes from hearing and hearing from the "ord of God. ./omans 6>16=: 64. -aith is the only non meritorio s means of nderstanding things the other being rationalism and empiricism. 6=. $o become li!e a little child is an analogy to faith as a yo ng child only has faith. .;atthew 6712?8:
CHRISTIAN LIFE; GIFTS GIVEN AT SALVATION

Listed below are the 08 things God provides for every believer at the point of salvation. 6. )n the eternal plan of God. .Sharing the destiny of 'hrist: a: -ore!nown .,cts 2120( /omans 712<( 6 Peter 612: b: Elect ./omans 7100( 'olossians 0162( 6 $hessalonians 618( $it s 616 c: Predestined ./omans 712<( 0>( Ephesians 619( 66: d: 'hosen .;atthew 22168( 6 Peter 218: e: 'alled .6 $hessalonians 9128: 2. /econciled a: @y God .2 'orinthians 9167( 6<( 'olossians 612>: b: $o God. ./omans 916>( 2 'orinthians 912>( Ephesians 2168?6=: 0. /edeemed ./omans 0128( 'olossians 6168( 6 Peter 6167: 8. 'ondemnation removed. .&ohn 0167( 9128( /omans 716: 9. Under Grace instead of # dgment3 God is satisfied with the death of His Son. ./omans 0128?24( 6 &ohn 212: 4. ,ll sins # dged by the death of 'hrist. ./omans 8129( Ephesians 61=( 6 Peter 2128: =. Aead to old life ? alive to God. a: 'r cified with 'hrist. ./omans 414( Galatians 212>: b: Aead with 'hrist. ./omans 417( 'olossians 010( 6 Peter 2128: c: @ ried with him. ./omans 418( 'olossians 2162: d: /aised with 'hrist. ./omans 418( 'olossians 016: 7. -ree from the law. a: Aead. ./omans =18: b: Aelivered. ./omans 4168( =14( 2 'orinthians 0166( Galatians 0129: <. /egenerated. .&ohn 6016>( 6 'orinthians 4166( $it s 019: a: @orn again. .&ohn 01=( 6 Peter 6120: b: 'hildren of God. .Galatians 0124: c: Sons of God. .&ohn 6162( 2 'orinthians 4167( 6 &ohn 012:
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d: , new creation. .2 'orinthians 916=( Galatians 4169( Ephesians 216>: 6>. ,dopted. ./omans 7169( 7120 .f t re: Ephesians 619: 66. ,cceptable to God. .Ephesians 614( 6 Peter 219: a: ;ade righteo s ./omans 0122( 6 'orinthians 610>( 2 'orinthians 9126( Philippians 01<: b: Sanctified positionally. .6 'orinthians 610>( 4166: c: Perfected forever. .Hebrews 6>168: d: ;ade meet .G alified: .'olossians 6162: 62. & stified .declared righteo s:. ./omans 0128( 916( 91<( 710>( 6 'orinthians 4166( $it s 01=: 60. -orgiven all trespasses. .Ephesians 61=( 8102( 'olossians 6168( 2160( 0160: 68. ;ade nigh. .Heavenly citi5enship based on reconciliation: .L !e 6>12>( Ephesians 2160( 6<: 69. Aelivered from the !ingdom of Satan. .'olossians 6160( 2169: 64. $ransferred into God*s !ingdom. .'olossians 6160: 6=. +n a sec re fo ndation. .6 'orinthians 0166( 6>18( Ephesians 212>: 67. , gift from God the -ather to 'hrist. .&ohn 6>12<( 6=12( 4( <( 66( 62( 28: 6<. Aelivered from the power of the sin nat re. ./omans 212<( 'olossians 2166: 2>. ,ppointed priests nto God. a: Holy priesthood. .6 Peter 219: b: /oyal priesthood. .6 Peter 21<( /evelation 614: 26. Under the care of God as a chosen generation and a pec liar people. .$it s 2168( 6 Peter 21<: 22. Given access to God. ./omans 912( Ephesians 2167( Hebrews 8168( 64( 6>16<( 2>: 20. "ithin the Pm ch moreP care of God. ./omans 91<( 6>: a: +b#ects of His love. .Ephesians 218( 912: b: +b#ects of His grace. i: -or salvation. .Ephesians 217( <: ii: -or !eeping. .6 Peter 619: iii: -or service .&ohn 6=167: iv: -or instr ction .$it s 2162: c: +b#ects of His power. .Ephesians 616<( Philippians 2160: d: +b#ects of His faithf lness. .Philippians 614( Hebrews 6019(4: e: +b#ects of His peace. .&ohn 6812=: f: +b#ects of His consolation. .2 $hessalonians 2164: g: +b#ects of His intercession. ./omans 7108( Hebrews =129: 28. God*s inheritance .Possession:. .Ephesians 6167: 29. @eneficiaries of an inheritance as heirs of God and #oint heirs with 'hrist. ./omans 716=( Ephesians 6168 'olossians 0128( Hebrews <169( 6 Peter 618: 24. , new position. .Ephesians 214: a: Partners with 'hrist in life. .'olossians 018: b: Partners with 'hrist in service. .6 'orinthians 61<: c: "or!ers together with God. .6 'orinthians 01<( 2 'orinthians 416: d: ;inisters of the Eew $estament. .2 'orinthians 014: e: ,mbassadors. .2 'orinthians 912>: f: Living epistles. .2 'orinthians 010: g: ;inisters of God. .2 'orinthians 418: 2=. /ecipients of eternal life. .&ohn 0169( 6>127( 2>106( 6 &ohn 9166( 62: 27. ;embers of the family and ho sehold of God. .Galatians 416>( Ephesians 216<: 2<. Light in the Lord. .Ephesians 917( 6 $hessalonians 918: 0>. United to the -ather( Son and Holy Spirit. a: )n God. .6 $hessalonians 616: of PGod in yo P .Ephesians 814:
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b: )n 'hrist. .&ohn 6812> of P'hrist in yo P 'olossians 612=: i: , member in His body. .6 'orinthians 62160: ii: , branch in the vine. .&ohn 6919: iii: , stone in the b ilding. .Ephesians 2126( 22( 6 Peter 219: iv: , sheep in the floc!. .&ohn 6>12=?2<: v: , part of His bride. .Ephesians 9129: vi: , priest of the !ingdom of priests. .6 Peter 21<: vii: , saint of the Pnew speciesP. .2 'orinthians 916=: c: )n the Spirit. ./omans 71<: of Pthe Spirit in yo P 06. /ecipients of the ministries of the Holy Spirit. a: @orn of the Spirit. .&ohn 014: b: @apti5ed with the Spirit. .,cts 619( 6 'orinthians 62160: c: )ndwelt by the Spirit. .&ohn =10<( /omans 919( 71<( 6 'orinthians 0164( 416<( Galatians 814( 6 &ohn 0128: d: Sealed by the Spirit .2 'orinthians 6122( Ephesians 810>: e: Given spirit al gifts. .6 'orinthians 62166( 2=?06( 6016( 2: 02. Glorified. ./omans 710>: 00. 'omplete in Him. .'olossians 216>: 08. Possessors of every spirit al blessing provided in eternity past. .Ephesians 610:
CHRISTIAN LIFE; :OSITION IN CHRIST

6. "e have a position with 'hrist rather than a position with the cosmos system. "e are separated from the world and are different from them. "e have a new position in 'hrist ? Ephesians 214 2. "e have a new position of partnership with 'hrist( we are never alone. ? 'olossians 018( &ohn 6=. "e have a comm nion with him. He says that he will never p t s in a sit ation witho t a way of escape. $he way of escape is thro gh 'hrist. 0. "e are wor!ers together with God( we are in his service ? 2 'orinthians 01<( 61<( 416 8. "e are ministers of a new covenant( we have a new message to man. 6 'orinthians 014( 418 9. "e are ambassadors for 'hrist ? 2 'orinthians 912> 4. "e are living epistles( we are letters to a lost and nsaved world. + r lives sho ld be s ch that 'hrist sho ld be read from the boo! of o r lives. + r life and lips sho ld tell of 'hrist and Him alone. =. "e are members of the /oyal family ? Galatians 416>( 6 Peter 21< 7. "e are nited with the -ather( the Son and the Holy Spirit1 a: "e are in the -ather( he is in s ? Ephesians 814( b: "e are in 'hrist ? &ohn 6812>( c: He is in s ? 'olossians 6124( d: "e are in the Spirit and he is in s ? /omans 71<. e: "e are nited forever to God. f: "e are not part of a niversal so l. $hat is new age. g: "e have been entered into a living nion with a personal God. <. "e are members of his body( branches of his vine( living stones( his b ilding( sheep of his fold( part of his bride( priests in his !ingdom( saints set apart for his glory.
CHRISTIAN LIFE; UNION WITH CHRIST

6. ,t the point of salvation( every believer in the 'h rch ,ge is entered into the @ody of 'hrist( and is therefore nited with 'hrist. + r position is now( Pin 'hristP. 2. $he baptism of the Spirit is how we are nited with 'hrist. .,cts 6193 6 'orinthians 621603 Ephesians 819: $he Holy Spirit places the believer in nion with 'hrist. 0. Union with 'hrist belongs to the carnal as well as the spirit al believer( to the apostate believer as well as to the mat re believer. .6 'orinthians 612(0>: 8. Union with 'hrist protects the believer from divine # dgment in eternity. ./omans 716:
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9. Union with 'hrist G alifies the believer to live with God forever1 Eternal life .6 &ohn 9166(62: )mp tation of God*s righteo sness .2 'orinthians 9126:. 4. Union with 'hrist is the !ey to both election and predestination .Ephesians 610?4:. =. Union with 'hrist creates a new creat re. .2 'orinthians 916=3 Ephesians 216>: based on who and what 'hrist is( therefore what grace accomplishes ? not what changes we ma!e ? at salvation or thereafter. 7. Union with 'hrist g arantees the eternal sec rity of the believer ./omans 7107(0<:. <. Union with 'hrist has two aspects1 RaS Past ? identification with 'hrist in His death ./omans 43 'olossians 21623 010: RbS Present .and - t re: ? identification with 'hrist in His Pnew res rrection lifeP. 6>. Union with 'hrist implies that the believer shares certain things with 'hrist1 Eternal life .6 &ohn 9166(62: /ighteo sness of God .2 'orinthians 9126: Election .Ephesians 618: Aestiny .Ephesians 619: Sonship .&ohn 61623 6 &ohn 016(2: Heirship ./omans 7164(6=: Sanctification .6 'orinthians 612(0>: Hingdom .2 Peter 6166: Priesthood .Hebrews 6>16>?683 6 Peter 219(<:. 66. + r new position in 'hrist means we are and m st be separated from the world .Ephesians 214:. 62. ,s new creat res in 'hrist( we have a new ministry as ambassadors for 'hrist .2 'orinthians 916=?26( 6'orinthians 014( 418:. 60. )n 'hrist( we are never alone( .'olossians 018( &ohn 6=: we have comm nion with Him( and with His body .other 'hristians:. 68. "e are nited with the -ather( the Son and the Holy Spirit forever? we are in the -ather( He is in s ? Ephesians 814( we are in 'hrist( He is in s ? &ohn 6812>( 'olossians 6124( we are in the Spirit( He is in s ? /omans 71<. 69. "e are members of His body( branches of His vine( living stones of His b ilding( sheep of His fold( part of his @ride( priests in his !ingdom( saints set apart for his glory. 64. $he characteristics of positional tr th are si%?fold1 )t is not an e%perience ? neither emotional nor ecstatic. )t is not progressive ? cannot be improved in time or eternity. )t is not related to h man merit( ability( or h man good. Here are the implications of retroactive positional tr th. $here is no place in the plan of God for h man good. )t is eternal in nat re( it cannot be changed by God( angels or man!ind. )t is !nown only thro gh the "ord of God. )t is obtained in total at the point of salvation.
ANGELS; ANGELIC CONFLICT

6. $here is an angelic conflict and it is intimately related to o r presence in this world. 2. E$E/E)$C P,S$ RaS )nitially God created angels. ,t creation we are told that there was nity as all the angels sang in nison. RbS Satan as L cifer with the title Son of the ;orning was the head of the angels. )saiah 68. E5e!iel 27162?69 RcS )t is noted that the Lord &es s 'hrist is now called Son of the ;orning in 2 Peter 6 showing that the Lord replaced Satan as a res lt of His victory at the 'ross. 0. -,LL +- S,$,E RaS Satan became pro d and attempted a co p dKetat against God in )saiah 68162?6=
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RbS "hen Satan fell he too! one third of the angels with him. /evelation 621<. RcS $he angels who e%ist forever therefore fall into two permanent gro ps .i: Elect ,ngels who remained faithf l to God .6 $imothy 9126: .ii: -allen angels who chose to follow Satan who fall into two categories1? .6: )mprisoned ones who were made inoperative at the time of the -lood .& de 4( 2 Peter 218: .2: Aemons who are c rrently operative .6 'orinthians 6>12>(26( ;ar! 916?2>: RdS $here is therefore a spirit al warfare between elect and fallen angels( which affects the h man race. .Ephesians( 4162( /evelation 62: 8. SEE$EE'E +E $HE -,LLEE ,EGELS RaS )n eternity past Satan and the fallen angels were # dged and sentenced to the La!e of -ire ? ;atthew 28396 RbS )t wo ld appear that Satan appealed against his sentence and said Phow can a God of Love sentence any of his creat res to the la!e of fireTP RcS $he answer is in the character of God who is H+LC as well as L+NE. His holiness can only # dge sin and rebellion. RdS $he la!e of fire therefore was not created for man. ;an ends p in the la!e of fire d e to his own negative attit de towards God. 9. ;,EKS /+LE )E $HE ,EGEL)' '+E-L)'$ RaS $his sentence which was given before man e%isted has not yet e%ec ted and will not be so ntil the end of the ;illenni m in /evelation 2>16>. RbS $here m st be a long lapse of time before the sentence is e%ec ted with this period being ta!en p with the whole of h man history. $herefore the p rpose of the e%istence of the h man race and its relation to God can only be e%plained as a testimony to the angels. RcS $hro gh the creation of man God provides a clear legal witness to Satan and his angels of their sin. $he whole of h man history is to prove certain points to the angels. $hings can happen in yo r life as a believer in the Lord &es s 'hrist and these can only be e%plained as a testimony to the angels. 4. -,LL +- ;,E ,EA N)'$+/C +- $HE G+A ;,E RaS ;an starts off lower than the angels. Hebrews 21< tells s that &es s 'hrist made Himself a little lower than the angels. RbS ,ltho gh ,dam failed to be victorio s the Lord &es s 'hrist replaces ,dam in history and won the battle in His h manity. 6 'orinthians 69122 tells s that in ,dam all die( in 'hrist shall all be made alive. RcS , new form of creat re # dges come into e%istence and will # dge the angels 6 'orinthians 416?0 =. S);)L,/)$)ES @E$"EEE ,EGELS ,EA ;,E RaS ,ngels and man!ind have a n mber of parallels with h man free will being tested in e%actly the same way as angelic free will. RbS ,ngels began in innocence and f ll obedience to God .&ob 071= E5e!iel 27168?69: ;an began in innocence .Genesis 2129: ,ngels sinned ? rebellion of Satan .)saiah 68162?68: ;an sinned ? rebellion of ,dam .Genesis 016?=: ,ngels are divided into two categories ? elect or fallen. ;an is divided into two categories ? believers and nbelievers. .&ohn 0104: 7. ,A,; ,EA -/EE")LL RaS God created ,dam and Eve( to show Satan that man!ind( created lower than angels .Hebrews 214?=:( wo ld choose to obey God. ;an!ind therefore( by a choice of freewill( wo ld decide whether to obey God and be blessed( or to disobey God and be # dged .the same choice that Satan had:. RbS , test was instit ted for man*s freewill ? obedience to God or disobedience. .Genesis 2164?6=:. ,dam ? and therefore all man!ind ? sinned and thereby rebelled against God. ,ll of man!ind( therefore( is in the same condition of sinf l rebellion as Satan.
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RcS However( God instit ted another test of freewill for man!ind ? will they choose to ret rn to God thro gh &es s 'hrist( or will they choose to contin e in sin and rebellion .&ohn 0164( 2 Peter 01<:. RdS ,nyone who chooses to ret rn to God will be saved3 anyone who chooses to remain in rebellion to God will be # dged in the la!e of fire( the same fate as Satan .;atthew 29186: ReS $herefore( by the wor! of 'hrist on the cross( and man*s freewill faith in 'hrist( God has vindicated His love to save and His # stice to # dge. <. /ES+LU$)+E +- $HE ,EGEL)' '+E-L)'$ Stage 6 ? Salvation ? by faith( man is saved and made positionally s perior to angels .Hebrews 214?=: Stage 2 ? 'hristian "al! ? by faith( the believer overcomes Satan .Ephesians 416>?6=: Stage 0 ? Eternity ?in 'hrist( the believer will # dge Satan and his fallen angels .Hebrews 217( 6 'orinthians 410: 6>. $HE 'L+UA +- ")$EESSES ,ngels watch the h man race. .6 'orinthians 81<( Ephesians 016>( 6 $imothy 9126( 6 Peter 6162:. Elect angels re#oice every time someone is saved .L !e 6916>: 66. $H/EE @,S)' QUES$)+ES $he angelic conflict answers three basic G estions1? RaS "hy manT )nside man is a so l with mentality and freewill which when lin!ed together resolves the angelic conflict( .'olossians 2168?69( Hebrews 2:. $he cross is the real victory in the angelic conflict. RbS "hy sinT Sin resolves stage 6 of the plan of God .see paragraph <:. ,t the cross sin was # dged and the barrier between man and God was removed so that man*s relationship with God depends on his free will. Every time a person accepts 'hrist( elect angels re#oice. )n the garden man was innocent and all he had to do was stay away from one tree. Eow man is g ilty he has to come to a tree .the cross:. .Genesis 216=( 6 Peter 2128:. RcS "hy s fferingT S ffering resolves the iss e in Stage 2. S ffering involves the promise principle. .6 Peter 61=?7( /omans 912?8:. S ffering is designed for blessing and is a f rther blow to Satan. )t is to demonstrate the love of God in a way that cannot be done in eternity as in eternity there is no more sorrow( pain or death. ./evelation 2618: 62. S$,GES )E $HE '+E-L)'$ RSEE S,$,E)' ,$$,'H +E $HE PL,E +- G+AS RaS -rom the fall of man to the ascension of 'hrist the line of 'hrist and &es s 'hrist himself were the target of attac!. +nce the ascension was a fact in history Satan was nable to attac! the line of the Savio r. RbS $he res rrection( ascension and session of the Lord &es s 'hrist ca sed intensification in the angelic conflict. RcS +nce 'hrist is glorified at the right hand of the -ather the angelic conflict becomes intensified in the 'h rch age. RdS Every 'h rch ,ge believer is now a target and beca se of this every believer has had special provisions made for him1 .i: )ndwelling of the Holy Spirit .&ohn 6816=: .ii: )ndwelling of &es s 'hrist .&ohn 68120: .iii: 'ompleted canon of Script re .6 'orinthians 6016>: 60. P/+G/ESS)+E $+ $HE L,HE +- -)/E $his e%plains the actions of the Lord &es s 'hrist from the time he sat down at the right hand of the -ather ntil the Last & dgment. Psalm 66>16 says $he Lord RGod the -atherS said to my Lord RGod the SonS( Sit tho at my right hand ntil ) ma!e thine enemies thy footstool. RaS $he first stage I )ns rgency warfare I Pentecost ? /apt re A ring this time He calls o t the personnel who will replace the angelic co ncil members who have been condemned 6 'orinthians 817( 416?0( 2 $imothy 2162( /evelation 0126 $he angelic co ncil comprises God and all the angels as seen in 6 Hings 2216<?20 and 2 'hronicles 67167?20 RbS $he second Stage I /apt re to Second ,dvent ? 'onfrontation
16

A ring this time the new members of the angelic co ncil are eval ated in relation to their divine and h man good( rewarded R6 'orinthians 0166?69S( they lose their old sin nat re and have a res rrection body. $he rebellio s members( Satan and his followers are cast o t of heaven /evelation 6218 RcS $he third stage I Second ,dvent I Nictory Stage 'hrist casts Satan and the fallen angels into hell for a tho sand years and rightf lly asserts His a thority. RdS $he fo rth stage I $he Last & dgment. $he La!e of -ire was created for Satan and his angels ;atthew 29186 Satan is cast into the La!e of -ire with the demons and the nbelievers. Unbelievers #oin them in the La!e of -ire beca se they have not accepted &es s 'hrist as Lord and Savio r. $he old creation is destroyed and a new heavens and a new earth provided by God. ,t that point all !nees shall bow and the promise of ma!ing His enemies His footstool will have been f lfilled. 68. $HE @EL)ENE/S ,EA /ESUL$ +- $HE ,EGEL)' '+E-L)'$ $he res lt of the angelic conflict1 Stage 6 ? Salvation ? saved man!ind is positionally s perior to angels3 Stage 2 ? 'hristian "al! ? thro gh s ffering the believer develops his faith towards 'hrist to s ch an e%tent that he thereby shows the fallen angels the certainty of their doom3 Stage 0 ? Heaven ? )n eternity the believer in his res rrection body will be physically s perior to angels. 69. '+E'LUS)+E $hro gh the fall of man Satan obtained control of the world tho gh not necessarily control of man!ind. "hat ma!es it possible for man to live in the Aevil*s world and not be nder his controlT ? free will. @y sing $he "ord of God yo can ma!e decisions that are completely against Satan and his concepts. Satan is the r ler of this world. .2 'orinthians 818( &ohn 62106( 6810>( 64166( Ephesians 212: However we have the @ible ? the mind of 'hrist .6 'orinthians 2164: "e sho ld !now it and se it.
CHRISTIAN LIFE; ETERNAL SECURITY 9 HEBREWS CHA:TER B

6. S'/)P$U/E P$herefore leaving the principles of the doctrines of 'hrist let s go on nto perfection( not laying again the fo ndation of repentance from dead wor!s( and of faith toward God( and the doctrine of baptisms( and of laying on of hands and of res rrection of the dead and of eternal # dgment. ,nd this we will do( if God permit. -or it is impossible for those who were once enlightened( and have tasted of the heavenly gift and were made parta!ers of the Holy Ghost. ,nd have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the world to come. )f they shall fall away( to renew them again nto repentance3 seeing they cr cify to themselves the Son of God afresh and p t him to an open shame 2. ,PP,/EE$ P/+@LE; ,re these people believers and if they are can a believer lose his salvationT 0. EN,LU,$)+E a: )n Hebrews chapter 9 verses 6 $o 6> the writer of the boo! to the Hebrews has been teaching them the advanced doctrine of the High Priesthood of 'hrist and his comparison with ;elchi5ede!. b: )n Hebrews 9166 the writer of Hebrews brea!s off this theme telling his readers Pthey are d ll of bearingP. c: - rther in verses 62?68 of chapter 9 he chides them for not growing p Pthey need mil! .li!e babies: and not meat .li!e ad lts:P vl2( mil! is for those ns!illed in the script res vl0( whilst meat is for the mat re v.68 d: )n fact Hebrews 41< and following contin es to enco rage them to get bac! on the right trac!. )n Hebrews 41< they are called PbelovedP ? a term for believers. e: )n Hebrews chapter = the writer of Hebrews ret rns to his dissertation on ;elchi5ede!. f: Hebrews 9166 to 416< can be seen as a passage in parenthesis( a script ral aside to chasten his &ewish readers who are within 0 years of => ,A at which time the &ews will go nto dispersion. 8. G/,;;,/ Hebrews 416?4 $wo points of synta%. a: )n the Gree! lang age when a list is given( rather than repeating the list again the first item of the list is repeated to indicate that the list is to be repeated c.f. PrepentanceP and v.6 and v.4 b: $he action of the participle in the Gree! lang age always precedes the action of the main verb.
17

c: $he layo t of v.6?4 is1? a list of 4 basic doctrines followed by 9 participles followed by the first doctrine portraying the list again with the main verb ? Pimpossible to renewP Pimpossible to renewP ? is made p of a no n being sed as a verb which in the Gree! gives tremendo s emphasis to the verb ? it can be translated Ptotally impossible to renew 9. $HE @,S)' A+'$/)EE L)S$ v. 6?8 $herefore leaving the basic doctrines let s go on to perfection .mat rity: not going bac! to the basics. a: /epentance from good wor!s .h man good: b: -aith towards God .tr sting in the promises: c: Aoctrine of @aptisms .o tward witness: d: Laying on of hands .commissioning: e: /es rrection of the dead .event al res rrection: f: Eternal # dgment .the fate of the nbeliever: /EPEE$,E'E in verse 4 is sed as the !ey word for the list of 4 basic doctrines. 4. $HE -)NE P,/$)')PLES v. 8?4 $he action of the participles precede the action of Pimpossible to renewP. a: "ho were once enlightened ? ,+/)S$ P,SS)NE participle of PH+$)M+. Here the passive voice shows that the s b#ect .the person: received enlightenment. $he aorist tense shows the point of time when the believer !new some doctrine. $hey received !nowledge thro gh bible teaching. b: Pand have tasted of the heavenly giftP ? ,+/)S$ ;)AALE participle of GEU+;,6 $his is the same verb and same morphology as in Hebrews 21< where P'hrist tasted death for all men.P ,orist tense point of salvation( middle voice of benefit to s tasting salvation ? believing in 'hrist. c: Pand were made parta!ers of the Holy SpiritP ?,+/)S$ P,SS)NE participle of G)E+;,) ? Pto becomeP this phrase becomes Pand became at a point of time parta!ers of the Holy SpiritP ? this refers to the baptism of the Holy Spirit at the point of salvation. Pparta!erP means partner or sharer. d: Pand have tasted the good word of GodP ? ,+/)S$ ;)AALE participle of GEU+;,) ? this draws together every time a person learns the word of God. Pand the powers of the world to come deals with their e%perience of the o tpo ring of the Holy Spirit at the start of the ch rch age. e: Pif they shall fall away P ? ,+/)S$ ,'$)NE participle of P,/,P)P$+ ? literally having fallen away. P,/, ? immediate so rce( P)P$+ ? to fall. $he person who falls away does so of his own free will. active voice ? the person does the action. =. ;,)E NE/@ Pit is impossibleP ? Pit isP does not occ r in the original. P)mpossibleP is a no n instead of a verb which gives it do ble emphasis. Literal translation ? )mpossible( totally impossible. .v.8: Pto renew againP ? present active infinitive ? renew or restore to fellowship. .v.4: Loo!ing at the participles these people1? were once enlightened ? they are saved tasted the heavenly gift ? they are saved parta!ers of the Holy Spirit ? they are saved tasted the good word of God ? they are saved @ t these things have been debased by the fifth participle ? Pshall fall awayP P nto repentanceP ? with reference to repentance( the first word in the list of basic doctrines. PseeingP ? does not occ r in the original and represents two participles which literally translated mean Pso long asP. Pthey cr cify to themselvesP ? howT ? by offering animal sacrifices in the temple in &er salem. Pand p t him to an open shame this means from the so rce of yo r own negative attit de yo have shamed 'hrist. )n verse = the believer prod cing divine good .herbs: is shown whilst nder the provision of God .rain oft: this being contrasted with the believer in a carnal state prod cing h man good .thorns and briers: in verse 7. 7. '+E'LUS)+E $he people in Hebrews 416?4 are habit ally carnal believers who are nable to nderstand the basic doctrines they once !new let alone the advanced doctrines of the High Priesthood of 'hrist. Co cannot learn God*s "ord whilst carnal. $heir negative attit de is constantly demonstrated by their offering of animal sacrifices in the temple. )n v.< the writer tells them P@ t beloved( we are pers aded of better things of yo . P $hey are rged to become spirit al again. NOTES
18
CHA:TER 2
INTRODUCTION
$he camp of )srael is now described as it is to be from this point onwards for their wilderness march and their advance into 'anaan. $he camp centres( from the establishment of tabernacle worship( on the tabernacle itself. )t has been set p away from the original camp by the ;o ntain( and after the instr ctions are given here the entire camp will re?form in the arrangement the Lord directs here. ,t the centre of the new camp str ct re is the $abernacle of the Lord. ,ro nd the tabernacle the family of the priesthood are to live. @y the Eastern gate ;oses and ,aron are to live in their tents. $o the north side the family of ;erari( at the bac! of the tabernacle o ter wall( on the west side is the family of Gershon( and to the so th side the family of Hohath. E mbers 0. ) will s ggest that a clear space of at least 64> metres will need to s rro nd the families of the priesthood and the camp of the twelve tribes to allow the army to assemble there in what will become a parade gro nd and an assembly area for battle. +n the Eastern side( facing the $abernacle door( and the tents of ;oses and ,aron( are the tribes of & dah( )ssachar and Meb lon( nder the leadership and banner of & dah. $he banner of & dah is believed to be a Lion by the /abbis. +n the north side of the tabernacle( facing the north side of the tabernacle enclos re( and the family of ;erari( are the tribes of Aan( Eaphtali and the remnant of Levi. $hey are nder the leadership of the tribe of Aan. $he banner of the tribe of Aan was an eagle( according to the /abbis. +n the "estern side( facing the $abernacle enclos re bac! wall( and the tents of Gershon( are the tribes of Ephraim( ;anasseh( and @en#amin( nder the leadership and banner of Ephraim. $he banner of Ephraim is believed to be a great +% by the /abbis. +n the So thern side( facing the tabernacle so th wall( and the tents of Hohath( are the tribes of /e ben( Simeon( and Gad( nder the leadership and banner of /e ben. $he banner of /e ben is believed to be a Standing man by the /abbis. /efer bac! to Genesis 8<10?2=( and st dy the patriarchal blessing of &acob over his sons. )n this passage the cl es to some of the banners of the tribes are fo nd( b t also the redemption of the tribes is seen( with /e ben regaining manly r lership over a G arter of the army( with Aan becoming an eagle and a leader( altho gh he will still stri!e the enemy with the speed of a sna!e( and with Ephraim standing li!e a mighty +% in power and prosperityD
NUMBERS 2;1-3
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19

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REFLECTIONS
V"2%"% 1 9 2. $he camp is to be re?organi5ed and set p aro nd the tabernacle( b t with a good distance from it to the first row of tents of the vario s tribal army gro ps and the tents of the priests. ) believe that the space between the tabernacle and the first row of tribal tents may have been at least 64> meters .far off from the tabernacle: so that it formed a safety barrier( and( ) believe( a vast parade gro ndLsG are meas ring 29> metres sG are .refer below for disc ssion and reasons for this proposal:. ) believe that each of the soldiers were individ ally responsible for the arrangement of their immediate family tent gro p( and that they were sited in the place in the encampment that they stood in within the battalion of their tribe. ) f rther believe that the captains of h ndreds( fifties( and tens( were each assigned a placeLarea within the tribal camp( and were camped with their men aro nd them( so that in a call o t they wo ld all leave their tents and be in order of battle in their immediate camp sites. ) s spect they paraded then in the space between the tents of the tribes and the tents of the sons of ,aron and ;oses. $hey wo ld then always be preparing for battle facing the tabernacle( and that ma!es sense to me from a military and spirit al perspective. Spirit ally they were always drawn p for battle aro nd the tabernacle and facing it as their centre remembering by the direction they were facing that it was God who wo ld give them victory. -rom a military perspective the army wo ld be gro ped in order of battle before any battle( in the centre of the camp and be able to move from there( between the tribal tent lines( to the point of threat G ic!ly and offensively. $o have the army try to fall in o tside the camp( or on its perimeter( wo ld be to place it always at a disadvantage in any enemy attac!( or threat( and have it in a defensive position( whereas GodKs people were to first face their God( and then face their enemies and fight offensively. )n military terms this is called fighting on interior lines( and is the preferred sit ation to always be in. $he army has twelve @attalions( divided into fo r /egiments or Aivisions( of three @attalions each. Each /egiment has a lead @attalion( with a leading 'olonel to ta!e charge over his G arter of the army. $he regiments are organi5ed as follows in this chapter1 .-rom chapter 6> later we discover the order of march( and where the Levites are in the army review:. -irst /egiment Lead @attalion Second @attalion $hird @attalion & dah )ssachar Meb lon @anner I Lion
Levites of Gershon and ;erari with their si% covered wagons. Second /egiment Lead @attalion Second @attalion $hird @attalion /e ben Simeon Gad @anner I Standing ;an
Levites of the family of Hohath carrying the ,r! and the f rnit re.
20

$hird /egiment Lead @attalion Second @attalion $hird @attalion Lead @attalion Second @attalion $hird @attalion Ephraim ;anasseh @en#amin Aan ,sh r Eaphtali @anner I +%
-o rth /egiment
@anner I Eagle
V"2%"% 3 9 F. $he East side was the place of & dah( to g ard the gate of the tabernacle. $hey have the place of greatest hono r as is befitting their destiny as the tribe that will deliver the !ings and the ;essiah himself. $hey stand and camp where the s n rises( for from their tribe will the Son rise p to r le over them and all the tribesD Genesis 8<17?62( )saiah <16?2( 0>124?27( 0618( 8<16?66( 4>16?0( 6<?26( &eremiah 8<16<( 9>106?08( Hosea 436?8( ;alachi 816?4( ;atthew 8169?6=. -rom the way ;oses lists the tribes as armies ) ded ced above( that each of the tribal camps is pitched with the vario s platoons and companies camped together. ,s the description goes from East to So th to "est and then Eorth( ) also ded ce that the tribes were camped side by side( with & dah encamped on the Eorthern end of the East side( with )ssacharKs camp ne%t( in the middle of the eastern side and then with Meb lonKs camp at the So thern end of the Eastern side. $here wo ld be a clear space between each tribal camp( as this wo ld provide twelve aven es( at all cardinal points of the compass( down which the army co ld be marched from itKs assembly area facing the tabernacle( to confront any threat( or attac! any ob#ective. $his way( when the shofar ./amKs horn tr mpet: was blown to call the army to battle order( the men in the camps wo ld simply file from their tents( head down any of these clear aven es( fall into their sections .of ten men:( then into their platoons .9> men: as they went( and then into their companies( .6>> men:( and head straight o t into the open space between the camp and the line of the tents of the families of ;oses and ,aron( by the tabernacle enclos re Eastern wall( ready to line p as three distinct battalions( with & dah as the lead battalion to the right of the line. $hey will be fallen in facing the gateway to the enclos re and the door of the $abernacle itself. $he tribal banner wo ld be held aloft by the leader or his standard bearer and act as the point from which the lines of soldiers wo ld form. )t wo ld be either on the right of the line or at its centre. Each battalion had itKs war leader at its head and he is named again here3 Eahshon for & dah( Eethaneel for )ssachar( and Eliab for Meb lon. $hey were probably organi5ed into 6>s( 9>s( 6>>s( with between three and seven companies of aro nd 6>> men for each tribal battalion. .$his is based on g ess wor!( as the words for n mbers had very fle%ible meanings:. -rom the n mbers we have here again recorded we can wor! o t how large the parade on the east side wo ld be. Each armed man( with shield( wo ld ta!e p appro%imately a meter across the front of the line. ,s 6> is the smallest nit with a man assigned as its leader( ) s spect the battalions probably fell in ten deep( with their section leader at the front .he may be co nted as one of the ten( or be additional:. "ith this str ct re each individ al section co ld peel off the battle line and be led to any tas! by its leader who stood in the front row( or # st ahead of it. $his wo ld prod ce a line for & dah that was abo t =9 meters across( in seven companies .6>>s:. )f there were slight gaps between the 9>s and the 6>>s with their leaders in front( then the line wo ld be slightly longer( b t aro nd 7> metres wo ld be a reasonable g ess for =84 soldiers. ./emember( ) am wor!ing on the basis of the lower n mbers of soldiers( rather than the LFF fig res( which wo ld be ten times as many( that ) donKt believe co ld possibly fit in the space described here:. $he tribal battalion of )ssachar( fallen in ten deep in its 9>s and 6>>s also wo ld have a front line length facing the tabernacle of aro nd 4> metres( in five companies. $he tribal battalion of Meb lon( fallen in ten deep in its 9>s and 6>>s also wo ld have a line facing the tabernacle of aro nd 4> metres( in five companies also. "ith a distinct gap between the three battalions of abo t five metres to enable ease of manoe vre if they were to march o t to battle from their parade gro nd( and with at least a five metre gap between the end of their three tribe line and the so thern and northern parade lines( this gives a total battle line facing the tabernacle( and the tents of ;oses and ,aron there( on the eastern side of between 22>?29> metres. $he depth of the line wo ld be at least ten metres for the ten ran!s( with the leader of each ten .possibly as an additional: in the front of the line( and ahead of him the captains of 9>( and ahead of them the captains of each h ndred( with the battle leader of each tribe nder his standard ahead of them all. -or & dah the n mber of officers( in addition to the soldiers in ran! wo ld be => captains of ten .) s spect co nted as one of the ten:( 68 captains of 9>s( and = captains of 6>>s. -or both )ssachar and Meb lon the officers wo ld n mber 9> captains of ten( 6> captains of 9>s and 9 captains of 6>>s for each tribe. $he additional men wo ld possibly be organi5ed as e%tra n mbers for platoons nder strength on a day or be added into sections at the bac! as reg lar additional n mbers. Each section was li!ely an e%tended family gro p( and all nits were th s related to each other( and s ch an organi5ation has great benefits for cohesion. $he Eastern enclos re wall of the tabernacle was aro nd 29 metres in length. $his becomes a basic mathematical calc lation to wor! o t how far away the line was from the tabernacle enclos re wall( o tside of which the family of ;oses and ,aron had their tents pitched. Practise yo r high school mathematics on this problem with a piece of paper
21

and draw o t the tabernacle enclos re at 29 meters by 9> meters( .ma!e this 2.9 cms and 9 cms: and then draw a 89 degree angle from each corner of the enclos re straight o t to the edge of yo r paper. $he length of the line of battle of the three tribes on the Eastern side is aro nd 29> meters( which in o r diagram is 29 cms. "or! o t where this line wo ld be on the 89 degree angle lines that come from the corners of the tabernacle enclos re. "hat yo will discover is that the closest the line co ld be to the tabernacle enclos re is 68> metres. $his gives a ma%im m distance to march aro nd the entire line of the army .the circ mference of the line aro nd the $abernacle enclos re at a distance from the wall of 68>?64> metres: as aro nd 6>>> metres .29> metres each side:. ,llowing for ;oses and ,aronKs tents( ) wo ld s ggest the line of battle is drawn p at least 68> metres from the wall of the tabernacle enclos re. $his wo ld be on the lower side( as the n mber of priestly family gro ps on the other sides may e%ceed 7> tents( and the distance reG ired beyond them to allow the army to fall in wo ld be greater than 68> metres. ) have sed this fig re however as the one to calc late from( as we are wor!ing g ess wor! here and with the lower n mbers of priests and people s ggested it wo ld probably wor!. "ith the depth of the lines of soldiers of at least ten metres( and with a ten metre gap behind the last line of men to the first line of tents( the camp of the tribes is at least 64> metres away from the enclos re wall at this point. Eow the Eastern and "estern walls are the shortest( at aro nd 29 metres( b t they give s the general cl e as to the distances here. )t is of note that the bac! or "estern enclos re wall side has the smallest @attalions. "hy have the largest army regiment .& dah( )saachar and Meb lon O 6748 men: and the smallest .Ephraim( ;anasseh( and @en#amin O 6624: on the two shortest sidesT $he answer is clear when yo loo! at the arrangement from a military perspective. @y the largest /egiment setting the length of the side of the sG are( this means that there is a large gap at the ends of the north and so th lines of the army battalions there( .of at least twenty metres:( and this allows the tribe of & dah to lead o t the entire army thro gh that gap to the north east directly .or any other direction by marching in an anti?cloc!wise direction:( and the rest of the tribes co ld follow in their order in an anti?cloc!wise direction. $his proced re also ens res every tribe marches past the East gate of the $abernacle enclos re( and can eyes left to the $abernacle( ,ltar( and ,aron and ;oses at that doorway( as they go past. $here is also a good reason why the smallest /egiment is facing the bac! wall of the enclos re which we will see below in verse 67. 'an yo see why ) believe the n mbers at the lower end of the scale .total army O aro nd 4>7>: are probably the right onesT , larger force than the one described wo ld reG ire the living G arters of the camp to be so far away from the tabernacle that no?one co ld see what was going on there( and wo ld ma!e the gathering of the force in one place( in any order ready for battle( a physical impossibility. $he clear space aro nd the enclos re( . sing the calc lations above:( allows for the tents of the families of ;oses( ,aron( and the Levites( b t also allows the entire people to gather here in a massed gro p( to see the sacrificial system operating( or hear ;oses( when reG ired also. $he entire army co ld gather together in the system described here( with the n mbers s ggested( in a matter of 69?0> min tes. $hey co ld receive orders and be led o t by the @attalion of & dah within 6>?69 min tes. $his was a brilliant military system that ens red that the entire armed strength of the nation was battle ready and on the march in battalions in nder half an ho r. -irst /egiment Lead @attalion Second @attalion $hird @attalion Lead @attalion Second @attalion $hird @attalion Lead @attalion Second @attalion $hird @attalion Lead @attalion Second @attalion $hird @attalion & dah )ssachar Meb lon /e ben Simeon Gad Ephraim ;anasseh @en#amin Aan ,sh r Eaphtali =84 men 988 9=8 849 9<0 894 89> 022 098 42= 869 908 O 6748
Second regiment
O 6928
$hird /egiment
O 6624
-o rth /egiment
O 69=4
V"2%"% 1* 9 1B. +n the so th side is the camp of the tribes of /e ben( Simeon and Gad. $hey are the ne%t three battalions in line when the entire army marches o t. $heir total strength is 6928( almost identical to the northern three tribal battalions of Aan( ,sh r( Eapthali( which total 69=4. $he total length of their front lines facing the tabernacle enclos re is abo t 6=> metres. +n the basis that the longest line .& dahKs /egiment: reG ires over 2>> metres( and that the sG are which the army falls into lines on is abo t 29> metres each side( then this leaves a gap of at least twenty metres at the end of the /e ben and Gad battalions to the corner of the sG are. $his is ample space to enable G ic! march orders to be e%ec ted witho t banging into the battalion ahead( and provides a gap between the regiments that enables the marching to be well ordered( with good spacing maintained between. )t also means that the entire army can move G ic!ly from col mn of march into line. $hese are manoe vres
22

that armies constantly practised to ens re they co ld move G ic!ly from one formation into another facing either the front or their side. V"2%"% 1D. Levi is also to be organi5ed into two army type formations aro nd the $abernacle and the ,r! of the 'ovenant at time of war. $hey will be carrying all the f rnit re( and conveying in the provided covered wagons .E mbers =:( the entire tabernacle on the march( when they moved as an entire nation. )t is ncertain as to whether the men of Levi are armed also( altho gh members of this tribe will be associated with the action later( and will !ill at times( in a way that tells s they were trained in weapons. E mbers 291=?<. $he order of the tribes as they march as a whole .not # st the army: is the same as the army. $he tribes are to move o t in their tribal and family gro ps( & dah first( then in the same battalion order as the army. -rom this chapter here alone( we wo ld ded ce that the Levites as a tribe apparently come after Gad in the col mn of march( e%actly half way( and they do come at this point carrying the ,r! and the f rnit re( altho gh the wagons containing the tabernacle and enclos re c rtaining and fi%t res are with the families of Gershon and ;erari( marching after & dahKs /egiment. E mbers 6>16=?26( &osh a 417?62. +n the first march to Paran( we will see that the Levites are split into these two gro ps( the first after the regiment of the tribes of & dah( )ssachar( and Meb l n( the second with the ,r! in the centre( after /e benKs regiment. $he battle array is first( the regiment of & dah as the advanced G ard( then the Levites conveying the tabernacle in the si% wagons that will be introd ced later in E mbers =( followed by the regiments of /e ben( then the ,r! with the Hohathites( and then Ephraim( with the /ear G ard led by the regiment of Aan. )t also appears that when the entire nation were to move o t on the march that there were two col mns moving as separate entities3 the army as one col mn ahead( and the rest of the people in a second col mn behind( both in their tribal order detailed here. $his wo ld mean that the army was always ready to move to defend their people and were already in their battalions for speed of deployment and ease of command. )t wo ld also e%plain why there were two gro ps of leaders of the tribes( with the & dges( to lead the mass of the people in their tribes( and the PrincesL'olonels to lead the army of each tribe. V"2%"% 1E 9 2 . Ephraim( ;anasseh and @en#amin made p the smallest of the regiments at only 6624 men organi5ed in three @attalions. $hey wo ld have had the biggest gap between the ends of their line and the corner of the great sG are aro nd which the army assembled. -or all who have marched in large col mns of military men( with at least fo r battalionsLregiments marching( yo wo ld realise the val e of these two larger gaps at this point. ,s an army moves off there is a lag at the rear ran!s which can ca se tro ble f rther down the battalion order. $he larger gaps between Gad and Ephraim( and then @en#amin and Aan( mean that the pace of the march can be settled at that place( and it also means that the Hohathites with the ,r! and the f rnit re on their sho lders can easily march into the gap between the last battalion of the regiment of /e ben and the first of Ephraim( and the entire army does not lose its moment m. V"2%"% 2< 9 31. $he fo rth /egiment is now detailed( and as we have seen above( itKs front e%tended abo t 6=> meters in length if the men were ten deep. $hey were a !ey gro p( for the last /egiment of the line is the /ear G ard( and the reinforcements if the battle begins at the head of the col mn in the march. $hey will need to stri!e li!e a sna!e at the enemy if called to battle. Genesis 8<164?67. $hey are the last hope of the army in any battle( either holding the left flan! in the line( or the rear in col mn. $he word standards sho ld be observed. "hile there was a banner for each of the /egiments( which each battalion too! their bearings from( each @attalion( and possibly each company of 6>>( or even 9> and 6> may also have had their standards. $hese wo ld be li!e o r modern flags( b t were more often banners with pict res or writing pon them. $hey were often attached to long spears( carried by !ey warriors who stood close to the officers to rally the men aro nd their leaders. V"2%"% 32 9 3 . $he entire camp was organi5ed aro nd the banners and standards of the army. $he camp was divided into areas for each section( platoon( company and tribe. $he tents were organi5ed with the banners of the tribe and the standards if the companies fl ttering over the tents of the men who wo ld rally to them in war. Everyone was to !now their place in the camp and their place in the battle lines( and not ta!e the place of any other. $hey were to pitch their tents where they were told by their captains( and they were to march in the place they were directed to( both the armed soldiers in the army( and the other men( women and children in the host. ,ll were nder orders and were to obey their commands received( and at this point they did so.

6. ,ll the men who were fit and able to fight hard in the army were assigned their place within the armed host( with a captain over their section of ten( over their platoon of fifty( over their company of 6>>( and over their entire @attalion of 9>> to =>> men. $hen over their /egiment of three battalions there was a senior officer in charge of all three( and finally there was a general over the entire army. ,ny ordinary soldier had at least five levels of command above him and he had to obey them all. "e shy away in the modern ch rch from orders being given and a thority being recogni5ed( b t this is the LordKs way( and believers need to get over themselves when it comes to ta!ing instr ction from GodKs appointed leadership. Let s
23

chec! o rselves o t on this matter( for it may be a reason why we are spirit ally powerless( or nder discipline from the Lord. ,re we ready to ta!e orders( or do we consider o rselves above s ch thingsT ;atthew 719?60. /ead the cent rionKs words and &es sK praise for his mental attit de and get with the LordKs plan and find yo r appointed place in the battle lines of GodD 2. $he ,rmy was to fall in facing the $abernacle( and they wo ld march to battle in a cloc!wise circ it aro nd the tabernacle and then p the aven es between the tribal encampments in the direction of the enemy. "e m st always face the Lord before we face the enemy( and deal with God before we deal with men. Let s ens re we ta!e o r battles to the Lord in prayer first( and see! the LordKs g idance and direction( well before we move o t into action on any iss e. 0. $he fighting men and the entire pop lation were to be ready to wor! in orderly gro ps to face their march and their enemies. +rgani5ation was geared to their need to move forward and face any enemy. )n the ch rch today we need organi5ation that moves s forward( and it sho ld always be tested by a single G estion3 Aoes o r str ct re enable s to meet the ob#ectives the Lord has set for s to achieveT )f yo cannot say a G ic! CES to that G estion( yo need to change yo r organi5ational str ct re. "hat does not move s prayerf lly forward is not of the LordD God is efficient( and organi5ed( and any gro p that is not( is o t of stop with the Plan of God.
DOCTRINES GOD; :LAN OF GOD

6. )n eternity past( God designed a plan for every believer( which ta!es into acco nt every event and decision in h man history. 2. $he plan centres aro nd the person of &es s 'hrist. .6 &ohn 0120( Ephesians 618?4: 0. Entrance into the plan is based on the principle of grace. .Ephesians 217( <: where the sovereignty of God and the free will of ;an meet at the cross. God brings salvation which is complete( ;an brings his faith. 8. God*s plan was so designed so as to incl de all events and actions. .6 Peter 612: 9. Under his plan God has decreed to do some things directly and some thro gh agencies( )srael( the 'h rch. 4. "itho t interfering with h man free will in any way God has designed a plan so perfect that it incl des ca se and effect( as well as provision( preservation and f nction. =. $here are many f nctions in the Plan of God. $hey all constit te one whole comprehensive plan which is perfect( eternal and nchangeable. 7. $he plan of God is consistent with h man freedom and does not limit or coerce h man free will. Aistinction sho ld be made between what God ca ses and what God permits. God ca ses the 'ross b t permits sin. God is neither the a thor of sin nor sponsors sin. <. His plan portrays that man has free will. God never condones sin in the h man race. ;an started in perfect environment and innocence. ;an sinned of his own free will. ;an will sin in the perfect environment of the ;illenni m. 6>. Aistinction sho ld be made between the divine plans which are related to the plan of God and divine laws which reg late h man cond ct on the earth. Aivine laws occ r in time( divine plans occ r in eternity. 66. God*s plans derive from His fore!nowledge. He recognised in eternity past those things which are certain. $he fore!nowledge of God ma!es no things certain( b t only perceives in eternity past those things that are certain. 62. $here is a difference between fore!nowledge and fore ordination. -ore ordination establishes certainty b t does not provide for the certainty which is established. )t is the plan that provides. ./omans 712<( ,cts 2120( 6 Peter 612: 60. $herefore the elect are fore!nown and the fore!nown are elect. God !new in eternity past what way each free will wo ld go for each partic lar problem in life. God does not coerce h man free will b t he does !now what way each freewill will choose at any given time. ,s free will decides so God provides. 68. Since God cannot contradict his own character he plans the best for the believer. God is perfect( his plan and provisions are therefore perfect. 69. $he cross was planned in eternity past b t the h man free will of 'hrist decided for the cross at Gethsemane. .;atthew 2410<?82: God has provided salvation thro gh the cross and it is a free will decision as to whether one accepts it or not. 64. Eo plan in itself opposes h man freedom b t once a choice is made from the free will then the plan limits yo r h man freedom. ,t the same time it gives yo the freedom to love and appreciate God. God lays down the means of living the 'hristian life.
24

NOTES
CHA:TER 3
INTRODUCTION
Under the patriarchal system( and that of many nations other than )srael( the first born of every family was the LordKs( and was set aside to be a priest for the family. $he first born was already set aside by the Lord in )srael( and not # st of men b t of the animals also( and all had to be redeemed( with a payment of money to the tabernacle. E%od s 6012( 66? 64( 2212<( 0812>( Levitic s 2=124?2=. $his payment( with the ann al tithing( wo ld be the mechanism whereby the tribe of Levi wo ld be s pported for their service in the tabernacle on behalf of the other tribes. "hile this principle had been laid down earlier( it appears that the offering for the first born had not been ta!en to this point( with everything else going on relating to the b ilding of the tabernacle and the establishment of the worship system. $his chapter records the first offering being ta!en. $he leadership of the entire nation was given by God to ;oses and this is confirmed in this chapter. E%od s 012ff. $he Lord has also given ,aron the r lership of the tribe of Levi as the High Priest of the nation and this is formally recorded here also. His past fail res and his f t re ones will not hinder the grace and mercy of the Lord( nor ca se him in the f t re to lose his role before the Lord( for he has the sacrifices to bring in repentance to receive forgiveness. E%od s 4164?0>( 0216?64( Levitic s 64166ff. "e also can praise the Lord today that o r fail res do not stop o r membership of the LordKs family( for we serve the same 'reator?Savio r God( and the Lord does not cast away His own. "e also have the path of forgiveness open thro gh repentance and confession. 6 &ohn 619?6>. , person m st wor! very hard in evil to be # dged by the Lord( and m st serio sly despise the Lord( His "ord( His path for life( and His "ill( before the Lord will cast them off from this life. Levitic s 24168?69( 8>?89( /evelation 2>166?69. $wo of ,aronKs sons had done this great evil in b rning strange fire before the Lord( and they had been # dged( b t the two s rviving sons and the father were enco raged to ret rn to holy service( and in wal!ing the path of the Lord for them they were delivered from a li!e fate. Levitic s 6>16?66. $his chapter is placed # st after the cens s of the other tribes for army service( b t it does not read as if the events described here all occ rred at this time of the army cens s( indeed at this time ;oses was ordered E+$ to co nt Levi. E mbers 2100. ;oses indicates in verse one( and verse fo rteen( that this information was given by the Lord earlier( b t it ma!es sense to record it here( as it gives the families of the tribe of Levi. -rom these verses it wo ld appear the n mbering of Levi had occ rred many months before( and the order in verse 00 of chapter 2 was given to ens re Levi was not ren mbered as part of the process of forming the ,rmy( for they were to be !ept as a distinct gro p. )t also s mmari5es the details regarding the s bstit tion of Levi for the first?born of the other tribes( as the priesthood of the nation. $his chapter is a s mmary of many things revealed grad ally thro gh the time period covered by E%od s and Levitic s b t of relevance now in light of the army cens s( and so s mmari5ed here. )n effect ;oses ma!es it clear by the insertion of the details in this chapter( that God places eG al val e pon the wor! of the Levites as He does pon the wor! of the soldiers from each tribe( and that each is to pay his part before the Lord and loo! to the LordKs will for his life alone to find his val e system and discover the right place for approval. /efer to the @$@ st dies( &UAG;EE$ I G/E,$ "H)$E $H/+EE( S)E ?+LA S)E E,$U/E( S)E UE$+ AE,$H( '+E-ESS)+E ,EA -+/G)NEEESS( GU)A,E'E I $HE ")LL +- G+A.
NUMBERS 3;1-<1
3;1 T4"%" ,(%. ,2" -4" 8"/"2,-$./% .1 A,2./ ,/& M.%"% $/ -4" &,) -4,- -4" LORD %=,>" 6$-4 M.%"% $/ 3.'/S$/,$5 2 A/& -4"%" ,2" -4" /,3"% .1 -4" %./% .1 A,2./@ N,&,0 -4" 1$2%-0.2/? ,/& A0$4'? E(",A,2? ,/& I-4,3,25 3 T4"%" ,2" -4" /,3"% .1 -4" %./% .1 A,2./? -4" =2$"%-% 64$c4 6"2" ,/.$/-"&? 64.3 4" c./%"c2,-"& -. 3$/$%-"2 $/ -4" =2$"%-I% .11$c"5 A/& N,&,0 ,/& A0$4' &$"& 0"1.2" -4" LORD? 64"/ -4") .11"2"& %-2,/8" 1$2" 0"1.2" -4" LORD? $/ -4" 6$(&"2/"%% .1 S$/,$? ,/& -4") 4,& /. c4$(&2"/; ,/& E(",A,2 ,/& I-4,3,2 3$/$%-"2"& $/ -4" =2$"%-I% .11$c" $/ -4" %$84- .1 A,2./ -4"$2 1,-4"25 < A/& -4" LORD %=,>" '/-. M.%"%? %,)$/8? B B2$/8 -4" -2$0" .1 L"#$ /",2? ,/& =2"%"/- -4"3 0"1.2" A,2./ -4" =2$"%-? -4,- -4") 3,) 3$/$%-"2 '/-. 4$35 D A/& -4") %4,(( >""= 4$% c4,28"? ,/& -4" c4,28" .1 -4" 64.(" c./82"8,-$./ 0"1.2" -4" -,0"2/,c(" .1 -4" c./82"8,-$./? -. &. -4" %"2#$c" .1 -4" -,0"2/,c("5 E A/& -4") %4,(( >""= ,(( -4" $/%-2'3"/-% .1 -4" -,0"2/,c(" .1 -4" c./82"8,-$./? ,/& -4" c4,28"
25

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REFLECTIONS
V"2%"% 1- . ,aron and his sons have already been set apart as the priesthood in E%od s 27 and the details we have here are already identified then( b t the repetition is important here in light of the cens s for the army. )t can be the tendency of those who serve in the dramatic areas to nderval e the s pport people who wor! behind the scenes. $he army m st do its wor!( b t that wor! will have no strength behind it if the worship of the nation is not correct and spirit ally powerf l. $he tribe of Levi is not to be seen as shir!ers of their d ty to fight( b t as obedient servants of the Lord their God( and the others are to see that the men who carry the ,r! and $abernacle have eG al place in the army of the Lord and pon their service the s ccess of the army may depend at times.
26

$he two oldest sons of ,aron( Eadab and ,bih ( had terribly sinned in the matter of offering strange fire before the Lord and they were # dged with immediate death. /efer bac! to Levitic s 6> and re?read this chapter( as it reminds s that with worship we are to follow the LordKs instr ction and not develop rit als and ro tines that violate clear principles of holiness. )n days when people are wanting new and relevant worship services we are challenged to maintain holiness before the Lord and a sense of something special happening every time we gather before the Lord to worship His holy name. So called see!er services( which are evangelistic( may be in any format and contain anything that will emphasi5e the Gospel message( b t in believers worship services we need to be caref l we maintain the elements that preserve dignity( and foc s pon the character( wor! and will of God for s as His servants. /efer to the @$@ st dies G+A I 'H,/,'$E/ +- G+A( 'H/)S$),E L)-E I SE/N,E$( SE/N)'E( SEP,/,$)+E( 'HU/'H I "+/SH)P ,EA P/,)SE( "+/LAL)EESS. V"2%"% < 9 1*. ,s a tribe the entire family of descendents of Levi were given p as an offering to the Lord. $hey bro ght the offerings( b t they first were offered p as an offering to the Lord3 they belonged to Him. $his is the secret of all service to the Lord. -irst we offer o rselves p( totally and completely( to the Lord( and then we give of o r money( o r goods and o r time and energy. )saiah 8816?7( &eremiah 06106?08( 2 'orinthians 9160?69( 719. $he entire tribe of Levi was given p to service in the tabernacle and to serve the priesthood( the sons of ,aron. ,t this point there were only the three men serving as priests( ,aron( Elea5ar( and )thamar. $he two older men died witho t sons( b t these men will go on to have families who will grow p to serve the Lord after them. +nce again we are reminded that the n mbers of the children of )srael are small( so that three f ll time priests can serve them. )t also reminds s that even with 4>>> e%tended family gro ps( each headed by a serving warrior( most people share in the corporate national sacrifices offered daily to cover their sins( and few bro ght an offering for themselves for sin or trespass. )t is a reminder that this nation operated by faith( thro gh grace( and that the daily sacrifices( and special day sacrifices( li!e the Aay of ,tonement( were able to stand for the everyday mental attit de sins of the people( and that only significantly sinf l acts reG ired specific animal sacrifices to be bro ght with its associated very specific p blic confession of the sinf l act that reG ired that sacrifice. V"2%"% 11 9 13. $he first born of the entire nation was to be the Lords( and in their place the tribe of Levi wo ld stand as the s bstit te and offer the sacrifices on behalf of the entire nation. $he Lord directs ;oses bac! to the Passover night to remind him that the first born of Egypt died( and so the first born of )srael lived thro gh the blood pon the door. "ith this historic pict re in mind( it is the tribe of Levi who are to carry the sin offerings of the people and stand for them that all might live before the Lord and not personally s ffer the penalty for sin. E%od s 62166ff( 6016ff. V"2%"% 1 9 2B. ,t the time of cens s ;oses was not to co nt the sons of Levi for battle. $hey were not part of the strength of the national army( b t were the spirit al s pport for the national army. )n the wilderness of Sinai however( ;oses was earlier told to co nt the tribe of Levi( every male( from one month old and pwards( rather than the twenty years old and pwards for the soldierKs cens s. "ithin the tribe of Levi there were three s b?gro ps( after the three sons of Levi( Gershon( Hohath( and ;erari. ;oses has already given s his and ,aronKs genealogy in E%od s 4164ff. He and ,aron are descendents of Hohath( the second son of Levi. )t is # st over 8>> years since their fore?father Levi entered Egypt and so the basic family tree is given to identify the eight clans within the three s b?gro ps of Levi. Levi Gershon Libni Shimei Hohath ,mram )5ehar Hebron U55iel ;oses and ,aron .from ,mram: $a!ing the n mbers given for each s bgro p and clan the way we have thro gh from the E%od s we get n mbers that wo ld accord with the ages of the men given( .they have children very late in their lives I this occ rs also with ,arons two older sons who had none( and may have been in their forties when !illed:( and the fact that ;oses and ,aron are only the third generation from Levi. @oth men are themselves in their eighties at this point remember. $here are certainly others who have married earlier( and had children earlier than ;oses and ,aronKs forebears did( for the head of the Gershonites is named as Eliaseph( son of Lael( and he is clearly a son or grandson of either Libni or Shimei( b t we are not told here. Lael is a great name for a Levite( as it means belonging to God. $he Gershonites wo ld( from the family tree above( not n mber seven and a half tho sand men and boysD However if we remember that the word for tho sands .Eleph: means complete nitLfamily gro p( and the word for h ndreds .;eyah: is a primitive n meral for a fraction of the larger n mberL nit. @oth words were sed very fle%ibly in the ancient world and so we cannot be certain as to e%act meanings of these terms in any conte%t( and m st let the conte%t give s the best cl es. ;y s ggestion( .and it is only that( a s ggestion:( is that we co ld have here( a n mber of possible options. $he first wo ld be a total of seven ad lt males amongst the Gershonites( and five yo ng boys( nder the age of tabernacle ;erari ;ahli ; shi
27

service. -rom the family tree that ;oses gives s this wo ld loo! a li!ely n mber( b t f rther reflection ma!es it very nli!ely. Given their assigned tas! in the care of the tabernacle( this cannot be the meaning( as this small n mber of men co ldnKt do what is assigned them. Heep remembering that the meaning of the n mbers sed by ;oses are not now able to be absol tely identified so all o r fig res here are g ess wor!. $he g ess of the 0 rd cent ry @' writers of the Sept agint .LFF: are not to be ta!en as absol te at all. $he second s ggestion wo ld be that there are seventy five males in this s b?gro p. -rom the family tree and the ages of their fore?bears ) cannot see many more than this being li!ely( and from the wor! assigned to them( ) s spect the fig re of seventy five men is probably going to be the ma%im m for pac!ing away and s pervising the carrying of the assigned items of c rtaining on the march. /emember these n mbers incl de all males from one month old and p( so only abo t two thirds or even half of this n mber will be able to do the hard wor! reG ired. $his will be f rther red ced in the following chapter( where only those between the ages of thirty and fifty will serve in the tabernacle for the wor! assigned. $he c rtain material wo ld be pac!ed down and folded and placed in carts for carrying( and the wor! wo ld be done systematically( starting with the tabernacle( and then moving to the enclos re. ,s the weight of the tent covering wo ld reG ire abo t twenty or thirty men to manoe vre it off or on( and the space to do this is limited( abo t forty men wo ld be my estimate being reG ired for the total tas!. ,ll the fabric( s!ins( and c rtaining wo ld only be able to be transported in wagons and so as each item was ta!en down it wo ld be folded and placed in the assigned wagon in a systematic manner so that the erection wo ld be easy and straight forward also. ,s we will see in E mbers chapter seven the Lord ens red an offering of wagons was provided to ens re the right n mber of wagons were provided to carry all the tabernacle str ct re and itKs enclos re str ct re. Seven tho sand men is clearly a wrong interpretation of the words for the fig res here( as s ch a n mber wo ld simply get in the way( given the small space of the tabernacle enclos re and the wor! to be done there .6>> by 9> c bits( abo t 9> metres by 29 metres:. Heep remembering( that the large n mbers in o r English @ibles come from a misinterpreting of the fig res by the Gree! spea!ing &ews of ,le%andria in the Sept agint .LFF: Gree! translation from 62>> years after ;oses writes this. )n that day the se of eleph had shifted significantly from ;oses day. Eote that the Gershonites were responsible for all of the tabernacle covering materials( their erection and pac!ing down. $hey were also responsible for the pac!ing down of the c rtains of the entire enclos re( and the c rtains for the gateways and entrance to the tabernacle( and the associated cords. $heir camp was at the bac! of the $abernacle comple%( facing the "est Enclos re wall. )t may be that there were pwards of forty family gro ps in this family of Levi( .wor!ing a n mber of two males per ho sehold: each with their own tent and their wagon and animals .altho gh they may be tethered well away from the camp:. $his may mean that the gap between the enclos re wall and the first line of tents of the other tribes is f rther away that the 64> metres that was s ggested in chapter two. Unli!e modern army camp sites there were no latrines( as all h man and animal waste was carried to a place o tside the camp site and d mped there daily for hygiene reasons. $he camp was to be !ept clean of all wastes that might defile. V"2%"% 2D 9 325 $he Hohathites are mentioned ne%t( altho gh they will have the most holy wor! to do and will have the priority within Levi. ;oses and ,aron are of this family( and the high priesthood will remain in this family. $heir camp site was on the So thern side of the encampment( facing the second regiment of the army( the tribes of /e ben( Simeon( and Gad. $heir leader is Eli5aphan( a descendent of U55iel( the yo ngest son of the second son of Levi. "e are confronted here with the LordKs choice of the best man for a #ob( not simply the r lership of the oldest man. )t may be that this man is the same age( and generation as ;oses .born of the oldest son of Hohath( ,mram:( or there may be more generations in this family line than there were in the line of ,mram. $o say son of U55iel may mean son or grandson in the Hebrew way of spea!ing. +nce again we cannot get too specific here( and it is most li!ely( given the fig res of all males in the family that there is at least one f rther generation in this branch of the family in addition to ;oses and ,aronKs branch from ,mram. $he cl e to this is fo nd bac! in Levitic s 6>18?9( where two men called ,aronKs ncles( ;ishael( and El5aphon( also sons of U55iel( are as!ed to remove the bodies of Eadab and ,bih . $hese are clearly older men and will have families of their own. $he total n mbers of males( wor!ing the same interpretive system as above for Gershon( .remember it is a g ess wor! e%ercise only at this distance of time: wo ld give s a total of 79 males. +nce again we are faced with the G estion( how many men wo ld be reG ired to carry the items of the tabernacle assigned to themT $heir tas! is apparently to set p( and pac! down and carry( the ar! .which is always carried I never placed on a cart:( the table of shewbread( the Golden altar of incense( the bra5en altar( the vessels of the tabernacle and the veil between the two sections of the tabernacle .which will be sed to wrap the ,r!:. $he laver is not mentioned( altho gh ) s spect incl ded in their role. $he laver co ld be stored in a wagon for each move( b t the altars( the ar!( and the table of shewbread( were all provided with carrying polesLstaves and were meant to be carried at all times d ring any move of camp. ,s we will discover in the ne%t chapter( their act al tas! is # st to carry and place the items mentioned. $hey are not permitted to to ch the ncovered items lest they dieD $he sons of ,aron will prepare each item for carrying and the sons of Hohath will only approach and pic! b rdens once ,aron and his sons have finished preparing them. p their
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6. $he ,r!. E%od s 2916>?69. 2. $he $able. E%od s 29120?2<. 0. $he @ra5en ,ltar. E%od s 2=16?7. 8. $he Golden ,ltar of )ncense. E%od s 0>16?9. S mmary in E%od s 0916>?6<. Each item to be carried wo ld reG ire at least fo r men( the bra5en altar( possibly eight. $he Golden 'andlestic! is also to be carried( as we discover in the ne%t chapter( as are all the vessels sed in the tabernacle( wrapped in coverings of the same material that made p the tent itself. $he covering of the items will be described in the ne%t chapter. $he weight of some of these items is significant. $hese men were very strong( and able to carry heavy loads great distances( after all they had wor!ed in the bric! yards of Egypt for twelve ho r days before this. Even having identified this( the minim m n mber of men reG ired to carry the items listed with staves is 67( and possibly with another si%teen as bac! p. +nce again notice that small n mbers of men are reG ired. )f half of the 79 males are old eno gh( .as we will see in the ne%t chapter( only those between 0> and 9> were to do this wor!:( and fit and able to do the carrying( then they have eno gh to carry these items( and first of all pac! down the items that can be loaded into wagons( and still have eno gh older men to drive these wagons. $he man who has overall control of the pac! p and set p of the entire tabernacle area is Elea5ar( the s rviving oldest son of ,aron. ;oses has placed him in charge of this tas! area after the death of his older brothers. $his may be another reason why this chapter is here( as it e%plains who now has the a thority to set p the tabernacle after the death of these two other men. )t also gives s insight into ;oses way of empowering yo nger leadership. He himself co ld have ta!en a thority over this tas!( or ,aron co ld have as High Priest( b t ;oses and ,aron step bac! from this e%ec tive f nction and thereby train and empower the yo nger generation. ,fter Eadab and ,bih Ks betrayal of their tr st and their faith( it wo ld be easier for the older men to ta!e their #obs and settle things down again with old heads g iding things. $his is often the way we thin! today( b t ;oses was a better man and a better manager than to ma!e this mista!e. $his man Elea5ar may be well over forty( given that ,aron is well over eighty at this time. $hey did not promote too early( b t they did promote well before they were themselves decrepitD .$o be a /abbi later( a man wo ld have to be forty( trained in theology and a trade( and had also to have been married and proven himself a good h sband and father.: Let s be caref l of this iss e of promotion of the ne%t generation( for we can move too G ic!ly in promoting yo ng men and women who have not been tested eno gh in lower order tas!s( b t we can also err in delaying promotion of people( while we hold #obs that co ld be sed to train( test( and empower the ne%t generation of leaders. Let s be li!e ;oses( and empower and promote yo nger believers into leadership roles( as soon as the Lord provides those with the character( s!ills( and spirit al mat rity. Let s not hold onto power or position one second after the Lord has provided o r replacement. @y stepping aside G ic!ly we can be sed in other age and e%perience appropriate ministries and so the entire ch rch ministry moves forward( rather than stagnating behind the road bloc! that we have becomeD V"2%"% 33 9 3D. $he last of the families of Levi are now mentioned( the family of ;erari. $heir family gro p divided into two s b clans3 the descendents of ;ahli and ; shi. $he meaning of the name ;ahli means the sic!ly one. $his ancestor did not start off with hope on the part of his father Levi. )t may be that he was close to death as a baby( b t the Lord blessed him and he grew and his sons and sonKs sons prospered. ; shiKs name means sensitive one. @oth these boys of LeviKs were delicate boys( b t the Lord blessed them both and their sons will serve the Lord fo r h ndred years later as the pac!ers of the boards of the $abernacle( and all the pillars and heavy metal feet for them of the entire enclos re area. )n addition the rods for the c rtains of the enclos re and the cords for tensioning the entire enclos re are their responsibility. 'an yo see that they m st wor! with the family of Gershon who will collect and fold the c rtains of the enclos re( while they pic! p and pac! away the pillars( connecting rods pon which the c rtains were h ng( and the feet that the pillars sat in. ,ll the items of the family of ;erari will be placed in wagons. $heir n mbers of males are fairly close to GershonKs at possibly si%ty two males. )f half were fit and able and old eno gh to do the wor!( that wo ld give eno gh to complete the tas! assigned and drive the wagons with the gear in them. "e can see that the wagons reG ired wo ld involve the care and provision for two or fo r o%en each( and so the tas! of this tribe is not # st to serve the tabernacle( b t also to !eep their animals cared for daily( and the wagons in good r nning order to f lfil their tas!s. /efer bac! to the E@'", 'ommentary on E%od s 04 for a disc ssion of the tabernacle str ct re itself. V"2%"% 3E 9 3F. ;oses( ,aron and their sons and families were encamped on the Eastern side of the tabernacle enclos re( possibly in two encampments( with ;oses and his family on the right hand and ,aron on the left( providing an broad aven e down which the congregation co ld loo! into the tabernacle enclos re and see the sacrifices at times( b t also for ease of access for the animals being bro ght in daily. $he n mber of their tents can only be g essed at also( and there may be more than # st for family se( especially if ,aron had tents for stores and clothing( rather than these being in the tabernacle enclos re. "e are not given these details in script re. )t wo ld be normal for ;oses( as the leader to have( in addition to a living tent( an enormo s tent for
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holding meetings within with the elders and princes at times. )n ,rab encampments( even to todayKs nomadic gro ps( it is common for the chief to have a significantly larger tent for this p rpose. V"2%"% * 9 <15 $he total n mber of the first born males of all the tribes of )srael appears to be 2=0 more than the total n mber of the total males of the Levites. "hat the Lord directs ;oses to do is ta!e every male Levite as a s bstit te for the first born males of )sraelKs other tribes( and to dedicate all their cattle to the Lord as the firstborn of all the cattle of the other tribes. )t wo ld appear then that the Levites cattle alone may have been sed for offerings from this point onwards. $he additional males are to be paid for by the people as a whole( as a redemption money offering to the Lord. -ive she!els of silver per additional man was to be ta!en as an offering and presented to the tabernacle to redeem these additional men. , she!el is abo t half a troy o nce. $his was a total offering .if the n mber 2=0> is correct: of 6049 she!els of silver .redemption metal was silver:( for a val e( with silver at U64?>> USA per o nce in todayKs val es( of U6>(<2>?>> USA. $his is not a significant offering( given the n mbers of the total family gro ps that are drawn from .at aro nd 4>>>:( b t wo ld pay for some animals( oil( incense and other items reG ired in the tabernacle for a n mber of months.

6. $he fate of ,aronKs two oldest sons do not affect the f t re of the two s rviving sons( nor of ,aron. "e are not disG alified by the sins of other ad lt members of o r family. $he e%ception is that a pastor is disG alified if yo nger members of his family( nder his a thority at home( are living in open rebellion to the Lord. 6 $imothy 012?9. ,aron( li!e all e%ercising pastoral a thority( needs to be stable emotionally( and accept the fate of his sons( as the res lt of their free will choices( and leave them to their fate. His love for his boys m st not disable him( as it later disabled Aavid( and led to the death of tho sands in the rebellion of ,bsol m. 2 Sam el 60126?06( 0=?0<( 68128?00( 6916?69( 6<16ff. "e m st see o r childrenKs choices as God see them( and after bringing them p in the love of the Lord( leave them with their choices before God in clear conscience that we have done o r part to assist them to meet and serve their Lord and God. Let s test o rselves in this matter. ,fter the death of loved ones( are we able to move bac! G ic!ly into service( or are we disabledT )t is a good test for what we call today( control frea! behavio r. ;any feel that they o ght to be able to control the choices of others well after s ch control is possible. "e m st train o r children well and then let them goD "e are not responsible once they reach their ma#ority( b t we m st live with any g ilt as to any bad e%amples we may have set themD Let s do o r #ob as parents well( and then let s move onwards to the ne%t phase of o r life witho t trying to control those we are not meant toD $hey are to choose daily to be controlled by the Holy Spirit( and if we have set a good e%ample in this matter( they are li!ely to be obedient # st as we have beenD 2. ,ll tas!ing in this life has eG al val e if it is the tas!ing that the Lord wants s to f lfil. $he only G estion of val e that needs be as!ed to determine the worth of a #ob or role is3 what is the LordKs plan for meT GodKs tas! is of val e eternally( nothing else is of any lasting val e at all. $he ch rch cleaner is eG al in val e before the Lord to the pastor( as long as both of them are where they sho ld be( and they are doing the thing they o ght to be doing. $he ch rch cleaner may have more val e than the pastor if he is doing his assigned tas! in a spirit filled manner and the pastor is not meant to be there( or is not wor!ing in a spirit filled manner. "e will be rewarded in heaven with the crowns of God beca se of the service rendered in a spirit filled manner in the tas!s assigned only. $he way men val e some #obs ahead of others( which they deem to be menial( has no relevance to the LordD Let s e%amine o rselves before the Lord and ens re we are doing what He has called s to( and that we are doing it in a spirit filled manner. 0. $he tribe of Levi were given p to the service of the Lord. $hey were sold o t to GodKs wor!. $his is the call to s all today. Even for the believers of the Great $rib lation period( they will all need to be sold o t for the service of the Lord. Eothing less than 6>>J is good eno gh in the intensified stage of the ,ngelic 'onflict in o r days. 8. ;oses is an empowering leader who promotes able and spirit ally strong men into roles where their leadership s!ills can be fine t ned and e%panded. ) commented above on the twin errors of leadership that plag e the modern ch rch3 firstly promoting yo ng people into roles they are not spirit ally or ability wise gifted for( and the eG ally ma#or error of the old pastors holding onto power and a thority and not allowing GodKs appointed and anointed replacements to learn on the #ob. Elea5ar will have forty years to watch ;oses and his father ,aron from his role as e%ec tive officer of the tabernacle and will be th s very ready to ass me the role of High Priest on the death of his father. Let s train the yo ng to replace s( and then get o t of their way so they canD
DOCTRINES JUDGMENT; GREAT WHITE THRONE

6. $he # dgment of the Great "hite $hrone is the last # dgment. ./evelation 2>166( 69: 2. +nly the nsaved are # dged at the last # dgment as there is no # dgment for 'hristians. ./omans 716:
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0. $he last # dgment occ rs at the end of the ;illenni m. ./evelation 2>1=?69: 8. $he nsaved are # dged according to their wor!s from the @oo!s of "or!s ./evelation 2>162: 9. $he # dgment is to show that the H man wor!s of man cannot satisfy the # stice of God. God is totally fair and shows that he is only satisfied by P$he Good "or!P. $he death of 'hrist on the 'ross. 4. Having shown the nsaved they have failed to satisfy the holiness of God( the condemned are cast into the La!e of -ire. ./evelation 2>169:
SIN; OLD SIN NATURE

6. "e are born with a nat re( inherited from ,dam( which is against God and prone to sin .Ephesians 216( /omans 9162:. 2. $he old sin nat re is perpet ated in the h man race by physical birth .Psalm 9619( 6 $imothy 2160( 68:. 0. "e are therefore considered spirit ally dead at the point of physical birth ./omans 9162:. 8. Eames for the old sin nat re1 a: -lesh ? Galatians 9164 b: +ld ;an ? Ephesians 8122( 'olossians 01< c: 'arnal ? /omans =168 d: Sin ? /omans 9162 e: Heart ? &eremiah 6=1< f: ;ember ? 'olossians 019. 9. $he believer contin es to have an old sin nat re after salvation .6 &ohn 617( 6 'orinthians 016:. 4. $he believer nder the control of the old sin nat re is called carnal ./omans =168( 6 'orinthians 016?0:. =. $he old sin nat re fr strates tr e prod ction of the 'hristian life ./omans =169:. 7. $he old sin nat re has two tendencies ./omans 414: a: ,rea of wea!ness ? p shes s towards lawlessness and sins .Hebrews 6216: b: ,rea of strength ? p shes s towards asceticism and self?righteo sness .)saiah 4814:. <. $he old sin nat re is not fo nd in the res rrection body .6 'orinthians 69194( Philippians 0126( 6 $hessalonians 9120:. 6>. Nictory over the old sin nat re is by achieved by considering yo r old life dead( s rrendering to God( confessing sin and relying pon the filling of the Spirit ./omans 414(66( 'olossians 01<?6>:.
SIN; SIN UNTO DEATH

6. $here is a sin nto death .6 &ohn 9164( 6=( 6 'orinthians 66 106(02: 2. $he sin nto death is the physical death of a believer( where ltimate discipline is administered to the 'hristian d e to nconfessed sin of a serio s nat re. 0. 'onfession of sin nder the concept of ) &ohn 61< is the way to forgiveness. 8. E%amples of sin nto death1? .a:$he 'orinthian Pervert ? .6 'orinthians 9: .b: $he 'orinthians who habit ally came to the Lord*s table in an nworthy manner. .6 'orinthians 6612=?02: .c: ;oses .Ae teronomy 02187?92: .d: ,chan .&osh a =164?24: .e: ,nanias and Sapphira .,cts 91 6 ?6 6: 9. "hilst there is a sin nto death there is no condemnation to them in 'hrist &es s ? all believers ./omans 716:. 4. $he effect of the sin nto death is to red ce the time which a believer can spend on earth acc m lating good of eternal worth. $he gold( silver and precio s stones of ) 'orinthians 0166?69.
CHRISTIAN LIFE; CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS NUMBERS 1-12 9 FORWARD TO KADESH BARNEA
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6. -orgiveness is by the death of 'hrist .;atthew 24127( /evelation 6 19: 2. Aivine forgiveness is to all who believe in 'hrist .,cts 6>180( ,cts 64106: 0. $he penalty of sin was paid by 'hrist on the cross. .Hebrews <122( 2 'orinthians 9126: 8. "hen a believer sins his fellowship with God is disr pted. God forgives these sins pon confession and cleanses from the n!nown sins in the believer*s life as well as !nown sins. .6 &ohn 61 <:. 9. &es s 'hrist is o r propitiation. .) &ohn 216(2 : 4. )n h man forgiveness we are told to forgive others even as God has forgiven s .Ephesians 8102:. $his can only be accomplished by the filling of the Holy Spirit. .Ephesians 9167( Galatians 9122(20: =. Steps towards restoration of fellowship RaS E%amine yo rself for gen ineness of motivation. R2 'orinthians 6819S RbS ,ct on what yo see R/omans 81=?7S RcS Aeal with any sin by confession. R6 &ohn 61<( Psalm 44167S RdS -orget the sin which yo have confessed. Ao not proceed into a pattern of g ilt.RPhilippians 0160?68( Psalm 6>016>? 62S ReS /es me yo r active spirit al wal!. ,void areas where yo might be tempted by the sin which so easily besets s. RHebrews 62162?60S RfS @e reconciled to others once yo have been reconciled to God. R&ames 9164S RgS Get moving and grow p. R2 Peter 216=?67S
GOD; DIVINE GUIDANCE 9 THE WILL OF GOD

6. $hree categories of will in history a: Aivine will .sovereignty: b: ,ngelic will. c: H man will. 2. ;ain areas of the will of God .6 &ohn 0120: a: -or the nbeliever ? salvation .2 Peter 01<: b: -or the believer ? spirit ality .Ephesians 9167: 0. 'hrist has free will .;atthew 24182( Hebrews 6>1=( <: a: Eo free will in man!ind wo ld imply no free will in 'hrist. b: $he basic principles of divine g idance however is based on the fact that man possesses free will to choose for or against God. 8. $ype of will of God as related to the h man race .e.g. @alaam: a: Airective .E mbers 22162: ?what God directs. b: Permissive .E mbers 2212>: ? "hat God allows c: +verr ling .E mbers 20: ? "hen God overr les 9. Principles of G idance a: Hnowledge of biblical principles in the believer .Psalm 0217( Proverbs 016?4( )saiah 97166( /omans 6212: b: S rrender and filling of the Holy Spirit ./omans 4160( /omans 6216?2( Ephesians 916=?67( 6 &ohn 61<: c: Growth ? to eat meat and not rely on mil! .6 'orinthians 016?8: 4. 'ategories of the will of God a: Niewpoint will of God ? "hat does He want me to thin!T b: +perational will of God ? "hat does He want me to doT c: Geographical will of God ? "here does He want me to beT =. ,n e%ample of the will of God .,cts 66: ? the G idance of Peter a: G idance thro gh prayer .vs 9: b: G idance thro gh the mind .vs 4: c: G idance thro gh the word .vs =?6>:
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d: G idance thro gh providential circ mstances .vs 66: e: G idance thro gh the filling of the Spirit .vs 62: f: G idance thro gh fellowship and comparison of data .vs 60?69: g: G idance thro gh remembering Script re .vs 64:
GOD; CHARACTER OF GOD

6. "hilst God is three persons all three persons have e%actly the same essence or character1 a: S+NE/E)GE$C $he -ather .Ephesians 6166 ( cf )saiah 8>17( ;atthew 416>( Hebrews 6>1=( <: $he Son .&ohn 9126( /evelation 6<164: $he Spirit .6 'orinthians 62166 ( cf Hebrews 218: b: /)GH$E+USEESS $he -ather .&ohn 6=129: $he Son .L !e 6109( Hebrews =124( 2 'orinthians 9126: $he Spirit $he Holy Spirit c: &US$)'E $he -ather .&ob 0=120( cf 710: $he Son .,cts 0168( &ohn 9122( /evelation 6<166 $he Spirit .Eehemiah <12>: d: L+NE $he -ather .&ohn 0164: $he Son .Ephesians 9129( 6 &ohn 0164: $he Spirit .&ohn 641=?66( 6 'orinthians 216>: e: E$E/E,L L)-E $he -ather .&ohn 9124: $he Son .;icah 912( cf &ohn 616?2( 6 &ohn 9166 $he Spirit .)saiah 87164: f: ,LL?HE+")EG $he -ather .Hebrews 8160( cf ;atthew 6612=( 6 Peter 612: $he Son .&ohn 6718( cf ;atthew <18( &ohn 2129( 6 'orinthians 819: $he Spirit .)saiah 6612( cf 6 'orinthians 2166 g: ENE/C"HE/E $he -ather .2 'hronicles 214: $he Son .;atthew 2712>( cf Ephesians 6120: $he Spirit .Psalm 60<1=: h: ,LL?P+"E/-UL $he -ather .;ar! 68104( cf 6 Peter 619: $he Son .Hebrews 610( cf ;atthew 2810>( 2 'orinthians 621<( Philippians 0126: $he Spirit ./omans 6916<: i: UE'H,EGE,@LE $he -ather .Hebrews 416=( Psalm 00166: $he Son .Hebrews 6017: $he Spirit .&ohn 68164: #: $/U$H $he -ather .&ohn =127( &ohn 6=10: $he Son .6 &ohn 912>( cf &ohn 6168( 6814( /evelation 6<166: $he Spirit .6 &ohn 914( cf &ohn 6816=( 69124( 64160:
CHRISTIAN LIFE; SERVICE 9 MODEL SERVANT

6. $he nnamed servant in .Genesis 28: is the pict re of the model servant as well as a type of the wor! of the Holy Spirit. 2. $he model servant does not pre?empt his master .v2?<:. "e sho ld wait pon the Lord and not r n ahead of time. 0. $he model servant goes where he is sent .v8(6>:. "e sho ld be in the geographical will of God.
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8. $he model servant does nothing else. God has specific tas!s for every believer to perform. "e sho ld concentrate on o r own area and not get sidetrac!ed. 9. $he model servant is prayerf l and than!f l. "e sho ld always realise where o r power comes from and not get pro d when we have spirit al blessings and prosperity. 4. $he model servant is !een to s cceed .v 6=?67( 26:. "e sho ld be !een to evangelise ./omans 6168?64:. =. $he model servant spea!s not of himself b t of his master. "ho and what we are is not important( who and what 'hrist is of the greatest importance .v 22( 08?04:. 7. $he model servant presents the tr e iss e and reG ires a clear decision. Rv8<S "e sho ld present the gospel and other doctrine clearly and e%pect res lts.
CHRISTIAN LIFE; SERVICE

6. + r d ty is to s rrender o r entire lives to God. ./omans 6216: 2. "illingness is essential. .& dges 912( 7129( )saiah 616<( 2 'orinthians 710: 0. Service in the big things reG ires by faithf lness in the small things. 8. ;onotony and diffic lties are transformed into the opport nities with the correct attit de .;atthew 4100: 9. Everything we do sho ld be Pas nto the LordP .'olossians 016=: 4. Service to 'hrist is acceptable to God and approved of men ./omans 68167: =. + r wor! sho ld be completed. .&ohn 8108( 6=18( ,cts 2>128( 2 $imothy 81=: 7. $he e%ample of 'hrist. .;atthew 2>127( L !e 2212=( Philippians 21=: <. Q alities of o r service1? a: )t is demanded. .Hebrews 62127: b: )t sho ld be immediate. .;atthew 26127: c: )t is ab ndant. .6 'orinthians 69197: d: )t is according to ability. .;atthew 29122( L !e 62187: e: )t is in co?operation with God. .2 'orinthians 416: f: ; st be e%cl sive .L !e 64160: g: )n the power of the spirit ./omans 61<: h: Underta!en in Godly fear .Hebrews 62127: i: ;otivated by love .Galatians 9160: 6>. )t is 1? a: -ollowing 'hrist .&ohn 62124: b: -or him whom all 'hristians serve .'olossians 0328: c: Service to God .,cts 2=120:. 66. )t reG ires1? a: $ rning from idols .6 $hessalonians 61<: b: -asting and prayer .L !e 210=: c: ;inistry of the "ord .,cts 416?8:. 62. @enefits of Service1? a: )t glorifies God. .;atthew 9164( &ohn 6917: b: )t enriches life. .6 $imothy 4167?6<: c: )t gives a pattern for imitation. .$it s 21=: d: )t enco rages others in their tas!s. .Hebrews 6>128: e: )t shows neighbo rliness. .L !e 6>104?0=: f: )t lightens life*s b rdens. .Galatians 412(64: g: )t demonstrates love. .&ohn 26169?6=: h: )t demonstrates faith. .&ames 216=?67( 6 Peter 2162: i: )t is 'hristli!e. .&ohn 60162?69:
CHRISTIAN LIFE; SE:ARATION NUMBERS 1-12 9 FORWARD TO KADESH BARNEA
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6. @elievers are instr cted to be separated from habit ally carnal believers. .6 'orinthians 916>( 66 2. Separation is ordered from apostate religio s organisations. .2 'orinthians 416=: 0. Separation is commanded from nbelievers where script re is compromised by the relationship or marriage( b siness partners. .2 'orinthians 4168 ff: 8. Separation is commanded from the h man viewpoint. ./omans 6212( /omans 6416=( 67: 9. Separation is commanded from pse do spirit ality. ./omans 6416=( 67: 4. Separation is commanded from those who see! pleas re in fast living ? p rs it of parties( immoral sit ations. .6 Peter 818: =. Separation is commanded from other believers who re#ect @ible doctrine. .2 $hessalonians 0168( 69:
CHURCH; WORSHI: AND :RAISE

6. $he Hebrew word sed in worship is PSho!oP ? to bow down. 2. $he Gree! words are as follows1? a: pros! eo ? prostrate yo rself. .6 'orinthians 6819: b: sebomai ? lac! of arrogance. .;atthew 691<: c: seba5omai ? stand in awe. ./omans 6129: d: e sebeo ? act with devotion. .,cts 6=120: 0. "orship is the attit de of the believer when he approaches God in awe( fear and respect. .6 'hronicles 2<12>( ;atthew 22126( /omans 6016=: 8. "e sho ld never be cas al or flippant with God. .&ohn 60160( Hebrew 6>16<?26: 9. "orship is an e%pression of bible doctrine that a believer has in him and is applying. ,ll e%pression of doctrine is worship. .Eehemiah 714?6>( <10: 4. "e m st worship the Lord in spirit( controlled by the Spirit( and in tr th( reflecting doctrine acc rately. .&ohn 8120?28: =. )t is therefore of critical importance that we worship in accordance with biblical doctrines. $his is especially important in singing as beca se of pleasant m sic it is easy to forget or ignore the meaning of the words being s ng. 7. People worshipped the Lord &es s 'hrist. .;atthew 2166( <107: <. People who do not worship God will worship demons. .Ae teronomy 716<?2>( 66164( 0>16=?2>( /omans 6129: 6>. ,ll will event ally bow before &es s 'hrist and ac!nowledge Him as Lord( either for blessing or before they are # dged eternally. .)saiah 89120( /omans 68166( Philippians 216>: 66. )n eternity there will be perfect worship as there will be perfect !nowledge of doctrine. ./evelation 817?66: 62. "orship begins at salvation. .;ar! 916?6>( 67?2>: 60. "orship e%presses a believers concentration on his Lord. .Psalms 2<( 44( <4 ( &ohn 6216?66: 68. $he song of worship. .6 'hronicles 641=?04: 69. "e worship thro gh1? a: /eading God*s "ord. .'olossians 8164( 6 $hessalonians 912=( 6 $imothy 8160: b: St dying God*s "ord. .2 $imothy 2169( 0169: c: $eaching God*s "ord. .,cts 2182( 41=( 62128( 67127( 6 $imothy 814( 2 $imothy 6160( 212: d: Preaching God*s "ord. .2 $imothy 812: e: $he sacrifice of o r praise. .Hebrews 60169: f: $he sacrifice of o r good wor!s. .Hebrews 60164: g: $he sacrifice of o r bodies. ./omans 6216: h: $he sacrifice of o r s bstance. .Philippians 8167: i: $he receiving of His Son. .&ohn 6166?62: #: $he !eeping of the +rdinances. .6 'orinthians 6612: !: $hro gh the singing of Psalms( Hymns and Spirit al Songs. .Ephesians 916<( 'olossians 0164( &ames 9160: l: Prayers( )ntercessions( S pplications and $han!sgiving. .,cts 2182( Ephesians 4167( Philippians 814( 'olossians 812( 6 $hessalonians 916=( 6 $imothy 216?2( 7:
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64. Praise a: Praise and than!sgiving are lin!ed in worship. .6 'hronicles 2010>: b: "hen they praised the Lord at the dedication of Solomon*s $emple the glory of the Lord filled the ho se of God. .2 'hronicles 9160(68: c: Praise always glorifies God. .Psalm 9>1206 d: "hen Pa l and Silas praised God by singing hymns in prison God acted for them. .,cts 64129: e: $he &ews were delivered when they sang praises to the Lord. .2 'hronicles 2>126(22: f: Praise is important in missionary wor!. .Psalm <4: g: Praise is a feat re of the Godly home. .Psalm 667169: h: &es s 'hrist praises God in the midst of the 'h rch .Hebrews 2162:
WORLDLINESS
6. "orldliness means to follow the beliefs and philosophy of man rather than that of God 2. "orldliness is the opposite to Godliness3 it is thin!ingLdoing in opposition to God*s revealed word. $it s 2166?68. 0. ,ll people are faced with the constant choice of following God*s way or the world*s. /omans 9162( 016<( 6 'orinthians 6126( Ephesians 2162( &ames 612=( 2 Peter 618( 212>. 8. Satan is the Pprince of this worldP( and has power to deceive those who are negative to God*s plans. &ohn 62106( 6810>( 64166( 6 'orinthians 818( 6 Peter 917(<. 9. "e m st not love the world( 6 &ohn 2169?6=. 4. "e m st hate all the world stands for( in tho ght and in deed. 6 'orinthians 91<?60( 6610>?02( Galatians 4168( &ames 612=( &ames 818( 2 Peter 610(8( 6 'orinthians 0167( 6<. =. "e m st not ret rn to o r old behavio r patterns( Ephesians 216?=. 7. $his evil world system and the prince of this world will be condemned. ;atthew 671=( &ohn 62106( 64166( 6 'orinthians 412( 2 Peter 01=( 2 Peter 216ff. NOTES
36
CHA:TER
INTRODUCTION
$he LordKs instr ctions are now received regarding the service of the three families of Levi. $heir ages and the nat re of their service will be detailed by the Lord. @efore they move the f rnit re of the tabernacle the priests will place covers over each item and the process and the coverings are described here. $he Lord is specific abo t how He wants things to be done. )t is to be noted how specific the Lord is regarding the service that all these men will perform. "e m st ta!e note of the LordKs care for the specifics of service( especially where there is a teaching point to be made to the people( and an e%ample set by the servant of the Lord. $he Lord remains a God of the details( and in o r own lives we are to be caref l whenever we are engaged in activities where others will ta!e their lead( e%ample( or learn doctrines from o r actions. $he first 00 verses cover the partic lars of their service( the ne%t section( verses 08 I 8<( covers the n mbering of the men in the specified age brac!et for each gro p. +nce again we are confronted with the lac! of acc racy with which we can identify the act al n mbers of men involved. ;oses was acc rate in his day( and his people nderstood him( b t we are g essing what he meant by the ancient terms he sed at this distance in time( and the Sept agint .LFF: n mbers certainly appear to be too large. 'ompare SolomonKs n mbering of the Levites ready for service in the planned $emple in 6 'hronicles 2016ff. $his is after five h ndred years of pop lation growth and prosperity in the whole land. $he total of serving age men at that time is recorded as 02(>>> .co ld be( given the terms sed( anywhere from 02>> I 02(>>>:. $his is at least a ten fold increase over the few h ndred ) believe may have been involved here in ;oses day.
NUMBERS ;1- F
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37

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REFLECTIONS
V"2%"% 1 9 3. , second( more specific n mbering of the Levites is now ordered by the Lord. ;oses is to begin with the ho se of his own ancestor( Hohath and n mber the men who are between thirty and fifty years of age. )t is in this age gro p that the wor! will be done. $his twenty year period of service wo ld be the time period for act al service in the tabernacle( possibly prefi%ed by some years of learning by observation( and followed by a f rther period of teaching yo nger men their tas!s. $hese years are the pea! performance years of all men( and partic larly when strength is reG ired for tas!s( these years are those when men will have the strength to perform what is reG ired of them. )t is of note that recent st dies in my own field of +cc pational Health have shown that men who contin e doing hard shift wor! ro tines after fifty years of age( have increasing morbidity and mortality. $he st dies identify that if men persist in heavy and hard wor! that p ts press re pon their bodyKs ability to reset their body cloc! too freG ently( then their health and life are affected( and it gets worse every year after fifty they persist in their wor! area. $he age of fifty was the year that the ancients identified as the age of Eldership. ,t that time men and women were e%pected to step aside from their normal #ob roles and ta!e p elder type tas!s. $hese tas!s( in Greece and /ome( involved teaching( spirit al service( diplomatic wor!( with senior leadership roles alone contin ing in the ,rmed -orces( if they were held beforehand. $his time of Eldership was not seen as retirement( b t as a shift in emphasis of activities( from paid wor! to vol ntary wor!( from money oriented tas!s to service tas!s( from professional and technical tas!s to spirit al( strategic( and wisdom based roles. $here is a lesson here for sD $he age of acco ntability will be set at Hadesh @arnea as twenty years of age( and from that point on( all will be held personally responsible for their choices in the spirit al area. E mbers 6812<. $here is a gap then of ten years( ) s spect for learning and spirit al testing for fitness for the role( before service begins at thirty. Aavid( as an old man( n mbers them from twenty years and older( indicating that some form of training and basic service may have traditionally began aro nd twenty. 6 'hronicles 20128ff( 27166?60. $he age for formal service training will later be set by the Lord to ;oses
38

as twenty five and this will be the age ntil the days of Aavid( when the Levites were no longer reG ired to carry the tabernacle and its contents again. E mbers 7128. ,t thirty it is f ll service that begins d ring this period( so any learning has occ rred before. Leadership roles begin at this point a n mber of times in the script re. &oseph stands before Pharaoh as Prime ;inister at thirty years of age. Genesis 86184. )t is aro nd the age of thirty years that the Lord begins his ministry. L !e 0120. $he early ch rch set this age as the yo ngest age for f ll time service as a pastor teacher( as the role of bishop of the floc! reG ired mat rity( and that was traditionally e%pected by thirty years of age( b t not before. 6 $imothy 014. V"2%"% 9 E. $he family of Hohath had the most holy part of the service of the families of Levi( for they dealt with the most holy things. $his was ;oses branch of the family( b t we cannot say that he selected them for this role( for the Lord did. Hohath was not the oldest son( b t was the appointed( and therefore the anointed one to do the holy wor! of the tabernacle. )t is a reminder to s that it is not o r birth( b t o r second birth that determines o r role before the Lord. "e are Holy Spirit gifted for service and it is the LordKs gifting and direction that is to be so ght( not any nat ral abilities or factors that flow from o r nat ral birth. 6 'orinthians 6216?60. /efer to the @$@ st dy on H+LC SP)/)$ I ;)E)S$/C )E $HE EE" $ES$,;EE$( 'H/)S$),E L)-E I G)-$S G)NEE ,$ S,LN,$)+E( SP)/)$U,L G)-$S. $he wor! of dismantling the tabernacle began with ,aron and his two sons coming first and ta!ing down the veil that separated the Holy of Holies from the Holy Place and covering the ,r! of the 'ovenant with that veil. )t was clearly folded in s ch a way as not to drag along the gro nd when the ,r! was carried( and not placed in s ch a way as to hinder the placing of the staves thro gh the rings in the side of the ,r!. E%od s 2916>?26. )n the st dy on E%od s ) raised the G estions abo t the coverings for the items of f rnit re on the march( and it is in this place that we hear basically how things were to be done. Specific details are not given( for they are secret( only needing to be !nown by the High Priest and his sons who wo ld follow him. $he family of ,aron was responsible for the covering of the ,r!. $he rest of the Levites were( ) s spect drawn p in their three companies o tside in the co rtyard awaiting the word of Elea5ar that they co ld begin their assigned tas!s. +nce the ,r! was covered with the Neil( then two f rther coverings were placed over it. Some commentators believe the sacred items were wrapped( b t this does not f lly ma!e sense if they were being carried with the staves. +nce again we are g essing here( for the men who did this didnKt need to e%plain( as they alone did these things and passed the detail to their sons alone. $here is clearly some wrapping sing the material described so that loose items associated with some of the holy things didnKt fall o t on the march( b t the wrapping m st have left the stave rings clear. ;oses simply e%plains the overall process b t the details were for the men who did it alone. )n the ,rmed -orces we spea! of the distinction between need to !now and nice to !now( and no?one other than this family needed to !now. +nce the veil has been placed over the ,r!( by ,aron and his sons( a covering of badger s!ins( .Sea cow I refer bac! to disc ssions of the materials sed to cover the tabernacle in E%od s 24168ff:( is placed by them also( over the veil itself so it cannot be seen( and is protected from weather on the march. +ver the badger s!ins is placed a cloth of p re bl e I spea!ing of heaven. $he badger s!ins and the bl e fabric were the same items as had been sed for the tabernacle itself and were additional to the reG irement for the tent itself. ,s noted in the previo s chapter( ,aronKs campsite may have had several tents set aside for s pplies for the tabernacle( incl ding additional materials of each fabric and s!in that co ld be sed to repair damage( and replace worn o t materials. -rom this s pply these additional items were drawn to cover the f rnit re on the move. +nce they had placed the third cover in place( their last #ob was to p t the staves into the rings so that the ,r! was ready to be carried o t of the tabernacle by the Hohathites. $he table of the shewbread was also to be covered. )t was first covered with a cloth of bl e also( then the dishes and tensils sed pon it were laid .or re?laid: pon the bl e cloth( and pon these the loaves of shew bread. +ver this was placed a red cloth to hold all the items intact and in their place( and protect them from the ga5e of onloo!ers( and the badgers s!in covering was added here also to protect from the elements. $he staves are then added( # st as with the ,r!. Even the Hohathites were not permitted to see or to ch the $able( any more than the ,r! itself. $hese things were associated with the secret role of the high priesthood family only and the others were to carry them only. $here were r les abo t handling all these things that appear strange and restrictive( b t they were the r les the Lord set and were to be followed. ;an was not to thin! that he !new better than the Lord on any matter. +bedience was the iss e for each of these gro ps of men. $hey were not to follow the e%ample of Eadab and ,bih ( b t the e%ample of ;oses and ,aron and do the things that the Lord directed alone. V"2%"% F 9 125 $he golden candlestic! was also wrapped( and clearly it is wrapped( as it had removable parts and things co ld get lost if they were not caref lly b ndled together. )t is wrapped in the bl e cloth and then the badger s!ins and then h ng nder a bar( or stave for two or fo r men to carry s spended beneath the bar. "e are not told the nat re of the bar( whether it was of wood or of metal itself. $he Golden ,ltar of incense was also covered with a covering of bl e( and then with the weather proof badger s!ins. ,ll the items sed within the tabernacle area were then wrapped in a cloth of bl e and then wrapped in badger s!ins and as with the candlestic!( they are to be sl ng nder a bar that is carried on the sho lders of two or fo r men .we are not told how many men are reG ired:.
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V"2%"% 13 9 1 . $he ,ltar spea!s of the sacrifice for sin of the 'hosen +ne of God and so the covering of the altar is different to that of the other items. )t is cleaned of all ashes( and then the entire str ct re covered with a royal p rple cloth( the altar is hollow and has a grate in the midst of it( and the p rple cloth covers this grate. )nto this hollow of p rple are placed all the items sed in the sacrificial offerings. $hey are then covered over by a covering of badger s!ins and then the staves are placed thro gh the carrying rings. Until this point the Levites stand waiting( and ,aron and his sons do all the wor! in the order described here by ;oses. V"2%"% 1< 9 2*5 $he sons of Hohath only approach and pic! p the holy items after ,aron and his sons have finished the wrapping and readying process. -or anyone other than the priests to to ch the holy things was to dieD $hey are to wait ntil ,aron and his sons are finished the preparation before they move forward and pic! p the items( and they only do that when the entire camp is ready to move o t on the march. "hile they wait( the other families of Levi are doing their dismantling wor!( and from these verses here( it appears the sacred items are left e%actly where ,aron and his sons wrap them( and they are not pic!ed p ntil everything else is pac!ed away in wagons and the entire camp is ready to move o t. )t may be that these men stand by while the others wor!( or that their #ob is to assist the other Levite families pac! p their camp( and then head for the tabernacle area( now cleared and stand by the items to be carried and then move o t when the order is given. "e simply do not !now this detail. Elea5ar has the care over the s pplies of oil( for lamps( meal offerings( and anointing( and the s pplies of wheat for the meal offering. $hese are stored in a separate place somewhere and Elea5ar is to ens re it is pac!ed away for the march and that it is ready to be bro ght o t for se straight away. $he other family gro ps of Levi wo ld assign the men to the tas!s they were given( b t the tas!( or holy b rden( of carrying the holy things was so special( that the priests themselves selected who from Hohath carried what item. Each man was assigned an item by the priests and that was his to carry ntil he died( or reached the age of fifty. ,s noted previo sly( this was not retirement in a passive sense( for the older men were li!ely responsible for training and also wo ld still have the role of pac! p and npac! of the family tents. )t may be that the e%cl sion of men nder thirty and over fifty ens red that there were eno gh men in each camp to pac! the camp p( and also have eno gh in each family to do the wor! at the tabernacle itself. $he men of the other tribes also had two areas of responsibility( with those fit for war falling in as the army for the march( and those not in the active army at that point being the men who drove the wagons and the stoc! with the family tribal gro ps. $he Lord repeats to ;oses that the Hohathites were not to approach and enter the tabernacle( or loo! pon any of the items they carried before they were covered. $hey wo ld pic! them p on order( and when they arrived at the place that the ne%t camp was to be established in( they were ordered where to place each item and the tabernacle was b ilt p by the other families aro nd those items. $hey were not nwrapped from their coverings ntil the tabernacle and its enclos re were in place. $hey were nwrapped by ,aron and his sons only. $his do bled p instr ction of ;oses to his own clan is important to note. Eadab and ,bih died beca se they believed they co ld do things that were not ordered and were forbidden. -amiliarity with sacred things can breed a cas alness that can become contempt. $he Lord was most concerned that the family of Hohath did not ever over step their bo ndaries and try to help o t ,aron and his sons by npac!ing any sacred item. $hey were to do their wor! and that was thatD $his remains an important principle today for worship and for ministry. )n the area of worship believers are rged to be reflective( caref l and prayerf l when approaching 'omm nion( for a cas al attit de can bring # dgment. 6 'orinthians 6612=?08. @elievers are also rged to remember( that no?one is to see! an office with a thority nless the LordKs hand is specifically pon them( lest they also be # dged by their pres mption. &ames 016ff. V"2%"% 21 9 2E5 $he service of the Gershonites is now introd ced as the Hohathites has been. $hey also are nder the verbal orders of ,aron and his sons. ,s Elea5ar was responsible for the orders to the Hohathites( so )thamar was given the a thority and responsibility for the direction of the Gershonites in all their tas!s. E%od s 07126. ,ltho gh from this #oint order to obey any of the three men( ) s spect ,aron and his sons wo ld learn their own tas!s( and the tas!s of the others( and also in time the two yo nger men wo ld train their own sons in all aspects of their administrative tas!s to brea! and establish camp. $he final responsibility however rested with )thamar solely for the coverings and hangings of the tabernacle and the co rtyard. "e may delegate #obs and roles at times( b t we m st always remember that the responsibility is always with the person the Lord has directed to ta!e charge of the total tas!. Nerses 2< I 00. $he last ho se is that of ;erari( the ;erarites( and so now the tas!ing for them is formally repeated at this point. E mbers 0124?2=. )thamar also has the direction of the ho se of ;erari. ,ll that pertains to the tabernacle and the co rtyard str ct res is his responsibility( # st as the contents are Elea5arKs sole responsibility. Nerses 08 I 8<. $he n mbering of the families now is given to s. However given the ncertainty of the se of the terms at this time we are g essing as to the precise n mbers involved. -or comparison we can go to the days of Solomon and
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of E5ra. 6 'hronicles 4( 2016?9( 28?2=( E5ra 2104ff. @y the days of Aavid and Solomon there were 07(>>> men of the tribe of Levi n mbered. $his was the point of their greatest n mbers for many cent ries. +f these( 28(>>> were set aside to serve in the $emple( 4>>> were officers and # dges over the land( 8>>> were porters( and 8>>> were singers( all by co rses .divided into twelve gro ps:. ,fter the E%ile( the n mbers of the Levites had fallen to a total of 840> o t of the total ret rning pop lation of 8204>. ) believe the pop lation of the E%iles is probably close to the pop lation of the E%od s and this gives s a cl e to the correct interpretation of the n mbers here( b t it remains a g ess at this distance. ,s they stand in the LFF Gree! translation of the Hebrew te%t( which o r English translations have copied( the n mbers are( for men aged thirty to fifty. -or the family of Hohath 2=9> of a total pop lation of that s b gro p. -or the family of Gershon 240> of a total pop lation of that s b gro p. -or the family of ;erari 02>> of a total pop lation of that s b gro p. $his gave a total pop lation of 797> for serving men of the ages 0>?9>. )f we recall the terms sed by ;oses( the word for tho sands .Eleph: may have referred to any larger gro p. $he space available to do the #obs reG ired men that any more than a co ple of h ndred men wo ld get in the way. )t may be the act al n mbers were anywhere between( 0> and 0>> for each gro p( we simply cannot be s re of the se of the terms ;oses ses. ;y s spicion is that it is at the lower end( as aro nd 29 I 09 men wo ld be able to do all the tas!s in a systematic way( pac! things away( and be ready to move within an ho r or two( witho t tripping over each other in the wor!. Heep remembering the si5e of this enclos re and b ilding3 the tabernacle is only abo t 4 by 6> metres( the enclos re( abo t 29 by 9> metres.

6. Let s not promote to leadership roles too early( nor too late. $his is a matter for every pastor to be in prayer over( and as he gets into his fifties( to be serio sly loo!ing for his replacement within the congregation and so train him p. ,s pastorsLshepherds of the LordKs floc! we need to have a loose hand pon power and not desire to !eep it( nor cling to its trappings. "e are here to serve( and when that service is complete we are to move on to the ne%t opport nity the Lord has for s. Great pastorates in history have gone on ntil the leader is very old .;oses will be 62> years old and will be strong and mentally alert ntil the last day:( b t we m st be ready to train p the ne%t generation. Every ch rch o ght to be a @ible 'ollege( training the ne%t generation of evangelists( ch rch planters( missionaries( pastors and co nsellors for the ch rches of the !ingdom. Let s be ready to train and promote into learning roles( all whom the Lord has placed His hand pon. /efer to the @$@ st dy of 'H/)S$ I SHEPHE/A( 'HU/'H I SHEPHE/A)EG $HE SHEEP. 2. )n the matter of the wrapping of the sacred items we noted many restrictive orders and secret processes. ) noted then( and remind yo now again( we simply donKt need to !now the details( for we didnKt have to do these things. GodKs orders are specific to the people reG ired( and that is eno gh. "e leave the details to those who have to do the wor! and do not tro ble o rselves with arg ing abo t them. $he real iss e for each servant is to do the wor! that the Lord has placed before s. +bedience is the !ey to s ccessf l service. "e will not receive eternal reward beca se of the amo nt of wor! we do( b t beca se we did what was as!ed of s. ;any people are driven and obsessively b sy( and this is not to be conf sed with being obedient to the Lord. Let s pa se here and reflect pon the sole G estion that matters3 are we doing the thing that the Lord has directed s to doT 0. Let s be ca tio s( that we never become cas al with sacred things. -amiliarity can breed contempt and we are in danger if we rela% too m ch in spirit al matters. $he only rela%ation we o ght to have in spirit al service in the ch rch is rela%ation into prayer. "e are not ordered to be sombre( G iet( serio s( or worried( b t to be in praise and prayer as we serve the Lord. $he one order that rings thro gh the ages that we need in o r cas al day to hear again( is( be obedient to the LordKs calling pon yo and do not do any other persons wor!( b t do yo r own with holy concentration and praise. Philippians 818?=.
DOCTRINES HOLY S:IRIT; MINISTRY IN THE NEW TESTAMENT

6. $+ $HE UE@EL)ENE/ a: /ES$/,)E)EG .2 $hessalonians 21=: )f nbelievers were nrestrained in the 'h rch ,ge the one world system which Satan is trying to establish wo ld come. ,fter the rapt re of the 'h rch it will come. b: '+EN)'$)EG .&ohn 641=?66: i: Sin ? the barrier which remains in nbelief. ii: /ighteo sness ? God is totally righteo s( man is only relatively righteo s and needs God*s righteo sness for salvation. iii: & dgment ? Satan and all nbelievers are # dged.
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c: /EGEEE/,$)+E .&ohn 019: ;an witho t the spirit cannot nderstand spirit al things. $he Gospel is spirit al( the Holy Spirit ma!es the gospel a reality to the nbeliever when one believes and is Pborn againP or regenerated. .6 'orinthians 2168: 2. $+ $HE @EL)ENE/ ,$ S,LN,$)+E a: /egeneration .&ohn 016?64( $it s 019: b: @aptism .,cts 619( 6 'orinthians 62160( Ephesians 819: "e are bapti5ed into nion with &es s 'hrist and become part of the body of 'hrist. $his is not to be conf sed with the -illing of the Holy Spirit. c: )ndwelling ./omans 71<( 6 'orinthians 416<( 2>: -rom salvation on the believer is indwelt by the Spirit. d: Sealing .2 'orinthians 6122( Ephesians 6160( 810>:. $his ministry relates to yo r f t re with God( the g arantee of eternal sec rity. e: Aistrib tion of spirit al gifts .6 'orinthians 62166: Each believer receives a spirit al gift at the point of salvation in order to f nction in the body of 'hrist. 0. $+ $HE @EL)ENE/ ,-$E/ S,LN,$)+E .Spirit ality: $he ;inistry of the Holy Spirit after salvation is the means by which we live the 'hristian life ordained by God .Ephesians 216>( 9167: a: $he -illing of the Holy Spirit .spirit ality thro gh confession of sin and s rrender of the life:. .6 &ohn 61< Ephesians 9167: b: $he character of &es s 'hrist is prod ced by the believer when he is filled with the Spirit. .Galatians 816<( 9122( 20: c: Glorification of 'hrist .&ohn =10<( 64168( 6 'orinthians 416<( 2>: d: - lfilment of the Law. ./omans 712?8:
CHRISTIAN LIFE; GIFTS GIVEN AT SALVATION See page 6>. CHRISTIAN LIFE; GIFTS 9 S:IRITUAL GIFTS
6. $hree general passages which list spirit al gifts .Ephesians 8166( 6 'orinthians 62127?0>( /omans 6210?7:. 2. $he p rpose of spirit al gifts is to serve and b ild p the ch rch .Ephesians 817?60: 0. $he gifts are given by the Holy Spirit at the point of salvation .6 'orinthians 62: 8. Some gifts were temporary .6 'orinthians 6017?6>: and others permanent .6 'orinthians 62127 cf. 6 'orinthians 6017: 9. , temporary gift was one sed before the canon of script re was completed. $he p rpose of temporary gifts was to f nction in the place of a completed canon of script re. .6 'orinthians 6017?6>: 4. $he operation of a spirit al gift depends entirely on the filling of the Holy Spirit to be effective .,cts 218:
CHRIST; THE SHE:HERD

6. )n the @ible( sheep represent believers. ;atthew 29100(08 ? they are contrasted with goats . nbelievers: 2. Sheep are helpless( they need to be led( fed and protected. $hey cannot defend themselves. 0. )n the +ld $estament )srael was called the sheep of his fold Psalm =816( =<160( <91=( 6>>10 &eremiah 2016 8. $he Lord &es s 'hrist( the tr e shepherd came to the fold of )srael and while some responded most re#ected him and the Lord called o t a floc! to establish a new gro p ? &ohn 6>16>?64 9. He is the only door to fellowship ,cts 8162 &ohn 0104( &ohn 6>127(2< 4.& daism is the fold o t of which the Lord led his sheep to form a new floc! on the hills in freedom ( the contrast between the fold and the floc!. $he fold no longer e%its it was &ewish and legal and is gone( there is neither &ew or Gentile b t we are all in 'hrist &es s. $his is the theme of the boo! of Galatians( /omans and Hebrews( the # st will live by faith. + r ch rch sho ld be a place where we learn to wal! with the Lord nder the control of the Holy Spirit. =. )n the fold the sheep are within fo r walls nder the protection of the man in charge of the fold whereas the floc! is moving( feeding and are nder the control of the shepherd. $his is where the wal! in the spirit occ rs. 'hristianity is a relationship and is active. Galatians 614?< ? here Pa l says we m st wal! in the spirit not a lot of r les s ch as in & daism. "e are to fight the enemy on the hills and be in the world b t not of it. 7. $here is only one floc! and all sheep sho ld !now it. @elievers show their character as sheep by how they respond to the shepherd.
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<. $he Lord &es s 'hrist is seen as the shepherd in five different ways in .6 Peter 2126?29:. a: $he s ffering shepherd. .v 26: b: $he sinless shepherd. .v 22: c: $he s bmissive shepherd. .v 20: d: $he s bstit tionary shepherd. .v 28: e: $he see!ing shepherd. .v 29: 6>. $he Shepherd as 'hrist appears in three s ccessive Psalms. a: Psalm 22 ? the good shepherd gives his life for the sheep .&ohn 6>166:. He is the Aoor .&ohn 6>1<:. b: Psalm 20 ? the Lord is my shepherd ? the great shepherd of the sheep. .Heb 6012>:. c: Psalm 28 ? the chief shepherd appears as the ;an of Glory. .6 Pet 918:. d: $hese show the shepherd dying for His sheep( the res rrected shepherd tending and caring for His sheep and the f t re shepherd r ling over His sheep.
CHURCH; SHE:HERDING THE SHEE:

6Peter 912?8 -eed the floc! of God which is among yo ( ta!ing the oversight thereof( not by constraint( b t willingly3 not for filthy l cre( b t of a ready mind3 0 neither as being lords over GodKs heritage( b t being e%amples to the floc!. 8 ,nd when the 'hief Shepherd shall appear( ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away. 6. ,s pastors we are all fellow?elders( eG als before God( tried by s ffering( foc sed and empowered by the Holy Spirit( and with a heart for service( and an e%pectation of glory within to drive s. 2. "e are to shepherd the floc!3 loving( self sacrificial service is in view here. 0. "e are to feed the floc!3 they m st not starve when they are with s. 8. $hey are GodKs floc!( not o rs. "e have the care and responsibility( b t we answer to the Lord himself for o r wor! with the floc! he has given s. 9. "e are to e%ercise oversight( so as to receive a good report from the Lord( and we are to be foc sed( as we serve Him( on His well done not anything else .;atthew 29126?20:. 4. "e are to serve in a free way( nder the empowerment of the Holy Spirit( not from any other constraint. Eo comp lsion is to drive s e%cept the desire coming from within from love for o r Lord. =. "e are to be as !een as a vol nteer( and with all the passion that this involves. 7. L st for money( power( a thority( position( or rep tation( are not to be a part of o r lives at all. S ch l st for power is ill strated by Aiotrephes .0 &ohn <?6>:. <. "e are to be filled with passion( ready to serve( with total 5eal for the tas! to which we are called. 6>. Eot lording it over the floc!( as monarchs or dictators. 66. @eing patterns( role models that others can follow in holy and #oy filled living. 62. @eing foc sed on winning the crown of glory( that is the eternal reward for the pastor who serves well. $his involves being prepared to wear the crown of s ffering in time with glory in o r hearts( for they are fi%ed on eternal realities( where o r tr e reward will be received. La5y pastors( power or money h ngry pastors( are strongly reb !ed here( and are reminded that the LordKs e%pectation of them is serio s( and the conseG ences of fail re or s ccess .as the Lord determines it:( are eternal. $he Lord is the 'hief Shepherd( he is the one to whom we m st give acco nt( and it is his well done that we are to foc s on. NOTES
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CHA:TER <
INTRODUCTION
E mbers ta!es s from the holy mo ntain to the plains of ;oab3 from the place of holiness to a place of immorality. E mbers is the boo! abo t living the life of a believer in the wilderness that this life can be. )t covers the forty years of wandering. )t only too! God fo r days to get the children of )srael from Egypt into the wilderness b t it too! forty years to get Egypt o t of the children of )srael. $his is its significance to s today. "e carry a lot of Egypt within s from o r days as nbelievers( and the Lord wants s to go to wor! on that st ff and in the power of the Holy Spirit eliminate it from o r life. $his st ff can be belief systems( val e systems( bad behavio rs( #ealo sies( resentments( sinf l life style choices( friendships with evil men and women( associations( and any manner of thing that holds s into a pattern of ngodliness rather than freeing s for holy service of the Lord. E mbers is abo t p rifying s from the things that stop s sei5ing the land3 in o r terms( this means( stops s sei5ing the opport nities for service that the Lord provides.
,@)A)EG
)t was necessary for these people to learn to tr st the Lord rather than their e%periences( for they had not wal!ed long eno gh with the Lord to !now Him as they needed to !now Him. )t was a time where they had to get religion o t of their system and get a strong relationship into its place. )t is not a matter of what the children of )srael can do for God( it is more a matter of what God has done for the children of )srael( and wants to do with and thro gh them. )t was this that was to be their so rce of confidence. "hat God wants is for His people to be spirit filled( obedient to His commands( and available for His service. $he crying need for the believer( now and bac! then( is to draw closer to the Lord. $o draw closer to the Lord means to deal with sin( confront hypocrisy and fa!e religion( and see! the tr th of fellowship with the living God. Psalms 7<1=( Hebrews 6212<. Egypt is a type or pict re of religion rather than relationship with God. / nning down to Egypt in the @ible( means going into false religion( going into rit al witho t reality( and e%periences witho t solid tr th. Living faith is a relationship with God( it is not a religion. $he daily need of the believer is to draw closer to Him and deepen that relationship( and so become more available for service. Egypt e%presses e%ternals( whereas living faith in God e%presses internals3 what things are( rather than what things loo! li!e. $he Lord wants s to bring every tho ght into captivity to 'hrist( beca se event ally what is hidden away inside( will go o tside into the fabric of daily life. God wants to deal with sin while it is b t a foolish tho ght and so stop it ever wor!ing o t into the fabric of daily life and spoiling the garment of o r life. God is changing the )sraelites slowly in E mbers. -inally the Lord had to wait ntil the ma#ority of this first generation had died( before he co ld bring the second one into the land( beca se they wo ld not learn. $heir sin was to fail to deal with sinD $hey failed to p rify their hearts and minds and so they failed to follow thro gh with the LordKs orders and sei5e the land( b t there is good news here. $hey will train their children( and they will enter the land. 2 'orinthians 6>19. /efer to the @$@ st dy of 'H/)S$),E L)-E I ;EE$,L ,$$)$UAE. $his present chapter is loo!ing at p rity( and flows from the strict r les for the Hohathites in the last chapter. )f God is going to se s( it is essential for s to get o r lives cleansed from the sins that will otherwise stop o r service. $he one who cleanses is the Holy Spirit( and we are challenged not to grieve or G ench the wor! of the Spirit within s. $he greatest concern of God is the spirit al condition of His people. Co are commanded to be p re( for God can only se a p re vessel for His service. 6 $imothy 9122( Philippians 817. /efer to the @$@ st dy( H+LC SP)/)$ I S)ES ,G,)ES$ $HE H+LC SP)/)$. @e tho holy( for ) am Holy( says the Lord. Levitic s 66188?89( 6<12( 2>1=( 2614?7. Co are commanded to b ild pon confession of sin with spirit al growth. Co are going to be blessed by it( b t it is still a command. He says that as we have become His children so we are to learn to act li!e His children. $he ch rch today is to follow thro gh on this order. $he local ch rch is for fellowship and worship( b t it is also for teaching members of the royal family of God to act as members of the /oyal -amily. )f yo do not recognise the importance of that in the ministry yo will always be failing to
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sei5e the land that God has given yo . 6 'orinthians 016=( Ephesians 618( 912=( 'olossians 6122( 6 $imothy 217( 6 Peter 6162?64.
S,E'$)-)',$)+E
Sanctification is one of the central things that is ta ght in E mbers. $his is to be the nat ral spirit al growth from positional sanctification to e%periential sanctification. Co have become sons and da ghters of God( yo are citi5ens of heaven not of this world3 that is positional sanctification. "hat the Lord wants now( is obedience in daily life that prod ces changes in life and character( in order to ma!e yo each moment holy before the Lord and ready for His service. /efer to the @$@ st dies( 'H/)S$),E L)-E I P+S)$)+E )E 'H/)S$( S,LN,$)+E I S,)E$S( S,E'$)-)',$)+E. )n this passage before s we have the case of leprosy being cast o t of the camp. ,s we saw earlier in the st dy in Levitic s 68( it was a contagio s disease at this time and needed to be isolated from the general comm nity( and there were very precise instr ctions for the priesthood to diagnose and offer sacrifices after recovery from this disease. ;oses has been told that anybody with leprosy( or a weeping sore that was ndiagnosed( was to be p t o tside the camp and to live away from those who were well to ma!e s re that the contagio s diseases were not spread from one person to another. $hey were to be assessed caref lly and isolation was the only treatment. Co do not treat a contagio s disease in company3 it is always treated in isolation. $hey are not p t o t of the camp to die( as there were special offerings to offer when the leper had been c red. $here was an e%pectation that the Lord co ld and did heal some cases( and ntil then the family had the d ty of care to ens re the person from their family was fed and clothed. Leprosy is a terrible pict re( or type( of sin3 it is a disease of the body that eats away at the flesh and !ills the nerves. $he flesh rots off. $he leper does more harm to themselves than the disease beca se they are naware of pain. $hey may b rn their own flesh and not !now it. $his is # st li!e the effect of sin in the life. "hen yo sin repeatedly( each act of sin red ces yo r sensitivity and rots part of yo . )t is contagio s( and destroys others yo come into contact with( and poisons yo r own mind and destroys yo r own body over time. People are often mentally and physically sic! today beca se of sins s ch as ncontrolled se% al l sts( alcoholism( gl ttony( and dr g ab se. Even when a dr g addict comes to a saving !nowledge of the Lord &es s 'hrist they still may have resid al memory loss( or brain f nction problems( d e to their previo s dr g addiction. "ith se% al immorality( conditions s ch as se% ally transmitted diseases and H)N?,)AS are a nat ral res lt of the sin of promisc ity( and often an innocent party is affected and destroyed by them. ;any people become mentally and physically sic! beca se of harbo ring sin in their life. )f yo do not deal with sin yo can end p with psychosomatic and very real illnesses. $he main ca ses of depression are often those things that are bottled p inside a person and not let o t. ;ost 'ancer is in a different category than these sin?related illnesses( b t it can also be a pict re of the res lt of sin in man!ind3 in this case it is a conseG ence of corr ption getting loose amongst the h man pop lation as a res lt of ,damKs sin. 'ancer is o r own body t rning on o rselves( and altho gh it m st not been seen as a res lt of personal sin( .for it is simply a reflection of the fallen state of man!ind as a whole and the fact that manKs body decays:( it is also a type or pict re of the res lt of the sin of man. Sin rots yo from the inside and needs to be dealt with in isolation where each ta!es responsibility for their own sins and deals with them. God wants s to ta!e action over sin in o r life( not # st confess o r sins( weep for them( and then ret rn to them.
P,UL ,EA $HE '+/)E$H),ES

Pa l warned the 'orinthians abo t sin. He said( beca se of habit al sin some in the ch rch were sic! and some had even died. 6 'orinthians 016?2>( 6612=?08( 2 'orinthians 4168?67( 2 'orinthians 6019?4. )f we # dge o r actions( and ta!e action on what we see( then we shall not be # dged as sinners. &ames 6122?2=( 6 &ohn 619?6>. ,s the leper in )srael had to be relocated o t of the camp( # st so sin that is nconfessed has to be removed from the ch rch. "e have to remove sin from o r life. )f we do not( then we will r in o r self and others. Leprosy tends to be ca ght in dirty places3 it is a dirty disease and therefore a good analogy to sin on that score also. Some people in )srael had contracted leprosy beca se of their own bad habits( b t others had been contaminated by others witho t being aware of the dangers they were in. +n all these fronts this ma!es the disease a perfect analogy for sin and its effects. $here are some people who are too dangero s to h g or give a !iss of peace to beca se they will infect yo with something. $here will also be people who will drain yo emotionally li!e a leech. ;inisters and doctors top the list of professions e%periencing mental brea!downs( simply beca se of the draining nat re of caring for dependent people( b t even more beca se of the danger of manip lative and emotionally demanding people. )f yo do not learn to deal with the leech type person( they will drain yo . )f yo ta!e over a ch rch where the previo s pastor has not been a good @ible teacher yo may find abo t 7>J leeches. Co need to steel yo rself and teach them in Holy Spirit anointed power to transform this dependency state. )t is therefore important that we deal with both o r own sin as often as is needed( and be aware of the sin of others( and be alert to their dangers( as we wo ld to a case of leprosy. "e m st deal with the sins in o r life by confronting them( and hate the sin( thro gh confession of sin( and hate the sins of others and avoid contamination. & de 22?20( 6 &ohn 61<.
SEP,/,$)+E NUMBERS 1-12 9 FORWARD TO KADESH BARNEA
45

"hen yo have a person who is in sin and deliberately and persistently ref sing to confess it( yo sho ld withdraw and separate from them( and separate them from the fellowship of the ch rch ntil they have addressed that sin. $he 'hristian who is o t of fellowship thro gh nconfessed and deliberate sin can often lead yo and the ch rch into disaster. )t is therefore very important to teach the @ible systematically( covering all doctrines as they come p in their conte%ts( and teach them with vigo r and enth siasm. ,s yo do this yo will c t down on co nselling wor!( b t if people wish to deal with specific sins( then any co nselling reG ired can be done to help the individ al brea! their sinf l life pattern. )f there is no one placed over the yo th gro p( then yo as the pastor sho ld ta!e the responsibility to deal with personally on a reg lar basis. Co m st protect the yo ng people with systematic teaching of @ible doctrine. Co teach them as they have never been ta ght before. $he yo ng people are the people who will crash and b rn and the name of the Lord &es s 'hrist into disrep te and their lives into shipwrec! nless they are protected by the tr GodKs "ord. them m st bring th of
Having recogni5ed those who are deliberately wal!ing o tside the Lord*s plan( deal with them as per ;atthew 67169?22. )nitially yo go to them and tal! to them abo t their sin. )f they will not listen yo go with elders and if they still will not listen they are bro ght before the ch rch. St dy the @$@ doctrinal st dy on 'HU/'H I P,S$+/,L ,U$H+/)$C( A)S')PL)EE. ,s a final act of separation they m st be removed from the ch rch ntil s ch time that they have repented. $here is no biblical statement abo t permanent e%comm nication. "hile a person lives there is hope of repentance and it sho ld be prayed for. $his may seem a to gh process b t the alternative is worse. )f yo do not do the things the ,postles order( in the Holy Spirit( then yo will have some ob#ectionable( arrogant person in the ch rch who will lead others astray. Persistent sinners m st be p t o t of the ch rchD $hese people may be del ded believers( sin filled believers( or nbelievers masG erading as believers3 yo m st find them o t by teaching the tr th and by watching their response to the tr thD /emember &es s words( ;atthew =160ff( @y their fr it yo will !now them. Co sho ld not accept that every body who calls themselves a 'hristian is a lovely li!eable person( or that everyone who claims to be a 'hristian( act ally is one. )f yo are a shepherd and a wolf comes in with a sheep s!in on( then yo m st detect the wolf G ic!ly( and eliminate it. )n a ch rch constit tion yo m st have the ability to get rid of those whose ongoing presence endangers the spirit al lives of others. "hen yo separate in a biblical manner( yo draw bac! to give the Holy Spirit room to move pon that person. )t is not only a benefit for the ch rch( b t it is also for the benefit of the person who is thrown o t( so that they can consider their sit ation and ta!e remedial action. $he case history of the person living in a se% al relationship with his step mother in 6 'orinthians 916?60( is a biblical e%ample where having been e#ected for a sin( that was even shoc!ing the pagans( he confronted his actions( stopped his actions and gen inely repented of his sin .evidenced by his changed life:. Happily he repented( b t was then having tro ble ret rning to the ch rch. )n 2 'orinthians 219?66( Pa l said that this man now had to be welcomed bac! into the ch rch. $his is the biblical evidence that no sin is too bad to be permanently e%cl ded from fellowship for. )f however the g ilty person does not repent( then the biblical order is clear( and the believers are to have nothing to do with them( either spirit ally or socially. "e m st also separate from those who are in apostate religio s organi5ations. Eo 'hristian sho ld marry an nbeliever( nor be in a close b siness relationship where o r 'hristian witness may be compromised. 2 'orinthians 4168?67. /efer to the E@'", st dies of the 'orinthian letters for a f ll st dy of these passages. $reatment for all s ch cases( as are incl ded in the category of deliberate ref sal to confront sin( are given in ;atthew 67169?22( $it s 6160?68( 016>( Galatians 614?6>( 6 $imothy 612>. "e see an application of this principle of separation and assessment of fr it in the lives of ma!e believers( in the passage where &ohn the @aptist challenges the religio s leaders of the day in L !e 01=ff. $hey were coming to be baptised as a good l c! charm. $heir spirit ality was fa!e and their lives proved it so. &ohn said that they needed to show that they were gen ine by gen ine change in their lives. )f a personKs life has not changed( they have not met the Lord &es s 'hristD ,nother e%ample was Macchae s the ta% collector in L !e 6< where on his repentance he agreed to give bac! the e%tra ta%es he had stolen from people( with interest( as set o t nder the ;osaic Law in E%od s 22. He sorts o t his sin with God( and then with man. $his shows that his faith is gen ine beca se it wor!s o t in his life in actions that can be seen by all( # st as his previo s sins had been seen by all. &ames 2168?24. )n the passage before s the )sraelite peoples are ordered to deal with things that separate them from God( and ma!e them nholy and nfit to serve the Lord. $his will involve diseases that contaminate( the sins of theft and ad ltery that defile the divine instit tions of ;arriage( the family and the nation( and their associated mental attit des that can corr pt the minds of the g ilty and the victims. /efer to the @$@ st dy of '+E-ESS)+E ,EA -+/G)NEEESS( PS,L;S 96 I -+/G)NEEESS ,EA /ES$+/,$)+E.
NUMBERS <;1- 31
46

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REFLECTIONS
V"2%"% 1 9 . ,ll who were defiled in any way thro gh contact with the dead( or with any s!in disease that might be infectio s( or any bodily discharge( were to be p t o t of the camp precincts away from everyone else. $he camp was to be !ept clean and free of all possible contaminants. @ rials were to be done o tside the camp and those who to ched the dead body were to remain separate( o tside the camp for the prescribed time ntil they were allowed to ret rn to the camp site. ;ale and female( all who had any r nning sore( or discharge of any sort( were declared nclean and were to remain o tside the camp for the days reG ired for the condition to clear( the discharge to be over( or for the time of contamination of the dead to be completed. $he camp was to be rit ally and physically clean. $he Lord dwells within the camp and nothing contaminated was to remain within the camp area. "e m st remember this principle today( for each of s needs to deal with any sinf l habit that e%ists in o r lives( and forsa!e any pattern of life that may lead to sin. $he Lord is holy and He dwells within s( and He see!s a clean place in which to live( and a clean vessel to wor! thro gh. 6 'orinthians 91<?60( 2 'orinthians 416=?67( 2 $hessalonians 014?6>( $it s 016>?66( Hebrews 62169?6=( 2 &ohn 6>?66. V"2%"% < 9 1*. ,ny crime against property created ncleanness in the camp( and God hates itD $his is an interesting perspective on theft and wilf l damage( b t it is the LordKs and we had better ta!e it serio sly( for the Lord clearly doesD 6 'orinthians 416>( 6 Peter 8169. Property crime defiles a comm nity and renders it nclean in GodKs sight( and no thief can have peace with God( nor acceptance with the Lord ntil that sin is confessed( forsa!en and the evils ca sed are set right by restit tion. $he standard of restit tion has been set before( Levitic s 416?=( and it is repeated here to nderline the defiling nat re of any sin against property( and the need to set it right with the victim.
47

"hen yo have been a victim of theft yo feel defiled( and the Lord agrees with yo . $his is a defiling act that has occ rred( and the Lord wants it set right by a formal process whereby the thief ac!nowledges their sin and ma!es it right with God and his victim. His acceptance before God is going to be evidenced by his restit tion to his victims. +nce again the principle is seen3 if there is no fr it of repentance in restit tion( then in Gods sight( there is no gen ine repentanceD )f there is no change of lifestyle choices( from the criminal to the godly( then that person is not right with GodD Psalms 919( ;atthew =169?20( L !e 6<16?6>( 2 $imothy 216<( &ames 6122?2=( 2168?24. V"2%"% 11 9 1B. $his is a passage pon s spected ad ltery and its defiling impact pon the tr st within a marriage. )n this case it is the man who s spects his wife( b t from the passages on ad ltery( where the opposite sit ation is covered( we can be s re that this passage wo ld also cover the wife who s spects her h sband( # st as the Levitic s passages covered the man and the woman( altho gh only are addressed to the man. Levitic s 6712>( 2>16>. $here is no do ble standard here( for the penalty of death applies to both the male and the female parties to ad ltery. ,d ltery is seen today as a cas al sin( of no real conseG ence( e%cept in the sadness to all who are affronted by it( b t to God it is the ltimate defiling of the A)N)EE )ES$)$U$)+ES of marriage and the family. /efer to the @$@ st dies below. $he case of s spected ad ltery here is a ca se of complete brea!down of tr st in the marriage relationship. $here is no evidence of ad ltery that wo ld sec re conviction .and e%ec tion of both g ilty parties: and both acc sed parties are !eeping their silence. )n s ch a sit ation the worried and aggrieved spo se is to bring their s spect partner to the priest with a specific #ealo sy offering. )t is not a sweet savo r offering( so has no oil or fran!incense added to it. &ealo sy stin!s and the offering is not meant to be a pleasant smelling one3 it is going to be b rnt bread( which is a good pict re of what has happened in the family and marriage involved. $he s spected person is then bro ght to the altar and is to stand before the Lord. ;a%im m psychological press re is applied to this person to identify the tr th and eliminate the ca se of #ealo sy once and for all. @eca se a death penalty hangs over this sit ation the press re cannot get any higher than this. ,d ltery wo ld not always lead to death( and forgiveness was possible after confession and sacrifices for sin. Aavid deals with his sin and lives( b t with terrible p nishment from the Lord directly. 2 Sam el 66?60( Psalms 96. V"2%"% 1D 9 22. $he woman is being bro ght before the Lord to swear a solemn oath that she is innocent( and the proced re here was so serio s that it was designed to prove that f lly and finally. )f the woman was g ilty( then the nderstanding was that her false oath before the Lord and the drin!ing of this dra ght of special water( wo ld bring abo t her death. She was g ilty then of ad ltery and blasphemy( b t wo ld die slowly eno gh to be restored to fellowship( thro gh confession( in the process. Gods point here is the strongest one possible. His people are to be holy( and they are not to treat ad ltery lightly( nor feel they can slide o t of it with a good lawyerD $he Lord is going to find them o t and they will be # dged. $he Lords people are to be holyD $he woman stands before the Lord at the altar. $he priest solemnly ta!es p re water from the bra5en laver .holy water O water that is set apart for the wor! of God: and then adds to it a sprin!le of d st from the earthen tabernacle floor. $his is called the bitter water( and spea!s of the c rse pon man beca se of sin. Genesis 0160?6<. $he d st of the earth is the sign of the c rse pon man and becomes the potent symbol of sin in this case. $here is nothing fatal in most ordinary earth( and so the drin! of water with a little d st over the top of it is not going to nat rally ca se any ma#or problems to a person drin!ing it. )t is the associated oath and the c rse attached to it that psychologically is to do the wor! of conviction pon the g ilty person. $he woman has her head ncovered( and now stands bare headed before the Lord( witho t the normal womanKs head covering( that spea!s of her h sbands love and care for her. She stands alone before the Lord( to affirm her innocence. She carries the meal offering in her hand( and the water in the earthen pot. She is made to recite an oath affirming her innocence( and also an oath whereby she accepts the p nishment of death if she is lying abo t the alleged ad ltery. She is to affirm both oaths with a lo d ,men( amenD V"2%"% 23 9 31. $he priest then writes the c rses and oath o t in a boo! that is !ept. $his means a man script( or piece of papyr s. $he writing is then sponged away by some of the water from the earthen pot and the woman is made to drin! water from the pot. $his sponging away is the pict re sed by the @iblical writers to spea! of the Lord e%p nging( or washing away o r sins. Psalms 9616?<( )saiah 6164?2>( 80129( 88122( ,cts 016<?26. /efer to the @$@ st dy '+E-ESS)+E ,EA -+/G)NEEESS. $he woman is now to drin! from the water that has become the embodiment of the c rses. ,s it enters her body the water will become bitter to her if she is a sinner indeed. +nce she has dr n! some of the water the priest ta!es the meal offering from her hand and waves it before the Lord and then offers a portion of it p pon the altar. +nce this is done the woman then drin!s some more of the water. )f she is innocent she will receive no ill from the water( b t if she is g ilty she will s ffer terribly and her very flesh will rot from her. $his is clearly a # dgment( for there is no nat ral process that will ca se eating some dirt in water to create s ch a physiological reaction. $his is no corr pt medieval trial by ordeal( b t a process by which the Lord is able to # dge those who lie to their spo ses and then to Him. )f the woman is innocent she will have no ill effects from the drin!ing of the water( and she will go on to bear children and she will have her name p blicly cleared of all r mo r as a res lt of this very p blic process. ,fter this process the now p blicly proven innocent woman wo ld have her head covering ret rned to its place either by the priest or her h sband.
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$his is not mentioned here( b t is the logical ending to the rit al( for her innocence is proved and she is restored to the covering of her h sband. ) s spect the priest did this and passed her formally bac! to her h sband with prayer for them both. $hey were certainly not # st b ndled o t of the tabernacle to contin e their bitter feelings. $he sacrifice and oaths were to end the bitterness and #ealo sy and restore harmony.

6. ,ll sin defiles the sinner and the contagio s nat re of it m st be recogni5ed. )f we fail to deal with a sinf l pattern in o r life that pattern will event ally lead to evil that will infect and afflict those we love and care for. Li!e leprosy( any sinf l pattern in life needs to be identified( diagnosed properly( dealt with thoro ghly and isolated completely. Sin is not to be played with( b t confessed before God and forsa!en before it destroys all we hold dear. 2. 'rime against property defiles the victim and the comm nity that tolerates it. God hates theft and those who persist in thieving( or any other sinf l pattern( are ins lting the grace of God and will not inherit eternal life. GodKs "ord is clear on this from one end to the other. 0. ,d ltery rots the heart o t of a marriage. &ealo sy destroys people and when nfaced and ncontrolled creates m rder. ,ll s ch destr ctive emotions were to be faced and resolved before the LordKs Holy ,ltar. &ealo sy was not to be left to simmer away and create familyLdomestic violence( b t was to be faced before the Lord and solemn oaths ta!en abo t the tr th of the matter that was at the heart of the #ealo sy. Let s ens re we confront all mental attit de sins before they destroy all we hold dear.
DOCTRINES ABIDING IN GOD

6. $he word PabideP spea!s of perfect provision( s pply( s stenance and fellowship. ? Ae teronomy 0012=?27 2. $he !ey to PabidingP is living in the reality of God*s provision ? &ohn 6016= 0. P,bidingP means there is total provision for every need for every believer at every point in his life ? Psalm 2016(9( Psalm <616?6> &ohn 6918 &ames 612?8. 8. ,bide in &ohn 6918 is in the aorist imperative ingressive( a command possible at all times beca se of absol te provisions Psalm <616?2 9. $here is never a time or condition nder which the child of God may not abide ? Psalm <616( 8( <?6>a 4. Earthly problems are temporal and variable b t divine sol tions are absol te Genesis 9>12>( /omans 7127 =. $he only time &es s 'hrist is at home in s is when we abide in Him. Ephesians 0164(6= 'olossians 0169( 64
CHRISTIAN LIFE; MENTAL ATTITUDE

6. Aefinition1 ,ttit de or ;ental attit de is the state of mind where the mind is set on a co rse of action on the basis of the whole f nction and thin!ing of the so l. 2. Every believer faces the inner conflict of divine vers s h man viewpoint. $hese two attit des are at war in h manity in h man history from the time of the fall. .)saiah 991=?<: 0. "e are commanded to have divine viewpoint in o r so ls not the viewpoint of Satan .worldliness:. 2 'orinthians 61=( 6>19. .via Aoctrine in the So l:. 0. ,ttit de determines both the life and character of a person ? what yo thin! is what yo are .Proverbs 201=: 8. ,s 'hristians we are commanded to have o r thin!ing in t ne with the mind of 'hrist. Gods plan for o r lives calls for a new attit de in o r so ls( a new viewpoint( witho t any h man viewpoint or mental attit de sin .6'orinthians 2164( 2 'orinthians 6>18?9 /omans 6212( Philippians 219( 2 $imothy 61=: 9. -ellowship within a ch rch is based on believers all being in t ne with what the @ible teaches. Philippians 212. 4. Hnowledge of the @ible .the mind of 'hrist( 6 'orinthians 2164: and control by the Holy Spirit renews the mind of the believer( giving divine viewpoint. ./omans 6212: =. $he right mental attit de prod ces #oy .Philippians 212:( confidence .2 'orinthians 916(4(7:( stability .)saiah 2410?8( Philippians 81=( 2 $hessalonians 212:( tr e giving .2 'orinthians <1=:( love .6 'orinthians 6019:
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7. H man viewpoint is called worldliness. ./omans 6212( 'olossians 012: <. Evil is what yo thin! as yo are following SatanKs policy. ;atthew <18( Galatians 410. ;ental attit de sins prod ce self ind ced misery. .Proverbs 69160: 6>. "itho t clear thin!ing there is conflict in the mind of the believer. )saiah 9914?<( &ames 61=?7. 66. $r e stability of 'haracter comes only this way. Philippians 81=( 2 $hessalonians 212. 62. Giving is a mental attit de. 2 'orinthians <1=. Love is a mental attit de. 6 'orinthians 601 Ae teronomy 419(6>162. 60. "orldliness is a mental attit de1 )t is all non?grace thin!ing i.e. ,nti Gods Plan( 'olossians 012. 68. 'onfidence in service and living generally flows from having PAivine NiewpointP which has other advantages s ch as RaS Stability in life ? &ames 617 RbS Prosperity of so l ? Philippians 81= RcS Giving to the Lord ? 2 'orinthians <1= RdS Spirit al rather than worldly ? /omans 6212( 'olossians 012 ReS P rity rather than evil ? ;atthew <18 RfS Eo arrogance ? Galatians 416?9. RgS )nner bea ty ? 6 $imothy 21<(6>(69.
HOLY S:IRIT; SINS AGAINST THE S:IRIT

6. /ES)S$)EG $HE H+LC SP)/)$ .Unbelievers only: .,cts =196( &ohn 6417?66: $his is hardening to the convicting ministry of the Holy Spirit. 2. @L,SPHE;C ,G,)ES$ $HE H+LC SP)/)$ .Unbelievers only: .;atthew 62106: $he p rpose of the Holy Spirit was to reveal the person of &es s 'hrist. $he Pharisees re#ected this by claiming He was demon possessed. 0. LC)EG $+ $HE H+LC SP)/)$ .@elievers only: .,cts 916?0: , sin of false motivation. ? ,nanias and Sapphira. 8. G/)EN)EG $HE H+LC SP)/)$ .@elievers only: .Ephesians 810>: ,ny sin which the believer commits. 9. QUEE'H)EG $HE H+LC SP)/)$ .@elievers only: .6 $hessalonians 916<: , believer who is not allowing the Holy Spirit to e%ert His f ll infl ence. 4. UEP,/A+E,@LE S)E .;atthew 62122?02: a: /e#ection of &es s 'hrist as God and Savio r is the only sin which cannot be forgiven. $his nbelief is shown in ;atthew 62128( denying the person and power of &es s. b: )t is impossible for a believer to commit the npardonable sin. .)saiah 6167( )saiah 88122( 6 &ohn 61=:
CHRISTIAN LIFE; :OSITION IN CHRIST See page 62. SALVATION; SAINTS

6. Aefinition ? a saint is a sanctified one ? a person made holy ? they are not sinless perfection or absol tely holy. $hey are sanctified in 'hrist &es s. .6 'orinthians 612: 2. ,t the point of salvation a believer is sanctified positionally( .see topic sanctification: .Hebrews 6>168: 'hristians therefore( become saints at the point of salvation. 0. + r 'hristian wal! in the power of the Spirit allows s to live Pas becometh Saints.P ./omans 64123 6 'orinthians 6?2: $his is the fr it of the Holy Spirit. @e ye perfect as God is perfect. 8. "e are called Saints of God ./omans 616?=: not by man or beca se of o r wor!s. God only is able to ma!e saints( leaders of denominations cannot.
SALVATION; SANCTIFICATION
6. Sanctification means to be made holy ? to be set apart nto God. +ne who is sanctified is called a saint. 2. "e are sanctified .made holy: in 'hrist &es s .6'orinthians 612:.
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0. Sanctification is in three stages1 a: Stage 61 ,t salvation ? nion with 'hrist ? positional sanctification .6'orinthians 62160( /omans 616?=:. b: Stage 21 'hristian way of life ? filling of the Holy Spirit ? spirit ality ./omans 64123 6'orinthians 6?2:. c: Stage 01 /es rrection body ? )n heaven ? Ultimate sanctification .6&ohn 012:. 8. + r position in 'hrist entitles s to share 'hrist*s righteo sness. )t therefore1 a: protects s from divine # dgment ./omans 716: b: G alifies s to live with God forever c: ma!es s a new creat re in 'hrist .2'orinthians 916=: d: g arantees eternal sec rity for every believer ./omans 7107( 0<:. 9. However( beca se we still have the old sin nat re( we will still sin d ring this life ./omans =126:. "hen controlled by his carnal nat re however( the believer is positionally sanctified b t e%perientially carnal. 4. "hen we receive the res rrection body( we no longer sin ? o r sanctification will be complete .6'orinthians 69194( Philippians 0126( 6$hessalonians 9120:.
CHURCH; :ASTORAL AUTHORITY

6. 'hrist ta ght with a thority and so sho ld his men in his ministry. ;atthew =12<( ;ar! 612=( &ohn 9128?0>. 2. ,ll spirit al a thority comes from God( and if legitimate( is of God( and its e%ercise will bring glory to God. ;atthew 26120( ;ar! 66127. 0. 'hrist has a thority over all things. ;ar! 612=( L !e 8104. 8. 'hrist has delegated some a thority to some members of his body the ch rch( by way of special a thority gifts. )n the ch rch this is the gift of pastor?teacher. ;ar! 60108( L !e 6<16=( Hebrews 601=(6=. 9. )n the early ch rch the apostles were the leaders in a thority.above even the pastors:( given specially at the beginning to establish the ch rch. L !e <16( 2 'orinthians 6>17. 4. Eo woman was given this a thority within the early ch rch( and the lang age of the passages where the gift is disc ssed indicate that none ever will be given the gift. 6 $imothy 2162( 6 'orinthians 68108(09. =. Pastoral a thority is not a ca se for boasting( it is a grace gift received from God. 6 'orinthians 'hapter 62. )t is leadership based on service for the saints in a spirit of strong h mility( as the Lord made it clear all his leaders sho ld have. &ohn 6019?6=. )t is an a thority that carries with it a great responsibility to po r themselves o t for the saints. 2 'orinthians 6>17( Galatians 410?9. 7. ;inisters m st be clear and open abo t their a thority3 there m st be no softness on any iss e that affects the "ord of God. $heir a thority is not over the private lives of the people b t over all matters of doctrine and practise of it3 their a thority is a thority to teach so that all will see the tr th clearly. )f they are wrong in their teaching they are to be convinced from the Script res by their elders. $it s 2169( 2 'orinthians 6016>( 2 $imothy 812. <. ,ge is not to be a barrier here( as a called pastor may be yo nger than many he will teach. 6 $imothy 81<?62. 6>. )f a believer cannot ta!e the a thority of a called pastor teacher they will not tend to grow spirit ally at all. Pride is often the reason people will not heed the pastor*s a thority. 6 Peter 919(4( 6 $hessalonians 9162(60. 66. )f the pastor becomes apostate then he becomes an ob#ect of the Lord*s discipline. )f the ch rch cannot convince him of his error he may be removed( or the people m st withdraw from him to ma!e room for the Lord to # dge. 6 $imothy 410?9( &ames 916<?2>.
CHURCH; :ASTORAL DISCI:LINE

6. $hose who will not heed the "ord of God within the ch rch are to be first warned and then reb !ed .privately if the error is private( or p blicly if their error is p blic:. 2 $hessalonians 0168( $it s 6160( 68. 2. )f they still will not listen to the tr th then the individ als are to be isolated from the fellowship and others are to separate themselves from them. 6 $imothy 410?9. 0. )f they still ref se to change their false views they are to be e%pelled from the fellowship. $it s 01 6>
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$here is to be no hesitation at this point nor any e%ceptions made as false doctrine if not dealt with will effect others3 any perversion of the gospel demands drastic action. Galatians 614?6>. 8. Pa l warns abo t false doctrine 6 $imothy 618(66. $hen he e%pels the two false teachers( Hymene s( and ,le%ander( that they might learn the tr th and stop blaspheming. 6 $imothy 6167?2>. 9. ,ny e%p lsion is only temporary( it applies only so long as the person is involved in heresy( or false practices. "hen they repent they are to be received bac! again as was the prodigal son( L !e 69166?02( and the man in ad ltery who repented in the ch rch at 'orinth. 6 'orinthians 916?60. 2 'orinthians 219?66.
CHRISTIAN LIFE; CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS See page0>. :SALM <1; FORGIVENESS AND RESTORATION
$he way bac! to f ll comm nion with and service for God is shown in Psalm 96. 9616 Have mercy pon me( + God( according to thy loving?!indness1 according nto the m ltit de of thy tender mercies blot o t my transgressions. ? /ecognition of sin and the ability thro gh grace of God to cleanse. 9612 "ash me thoro ghly from mine iniG ity( and cleanse me from my sin ? $hat sin is thoro ghly # dged before God and f ll cleansing is available. 9610 -or ) ac!nowledge my transgressions1 and my sin is ever before me. ? "e m st admit o r sin to God .6 &ohn 61<: 9618 ,gainst thee( thee only( have ) sinned( and done this evil in thy sight1 that tho mightest be # stified when tho spea!est( and be clear when tho # dgest. ? ,c!nowledgement that the sin is against God alone. 9619 @ehold( ) was shapen in iniG ity3 and in sin did my mother conceive me. ? /ecognising that we have inherited a sin nat re from ,dam. 9614 @ehold( tho desirest tr th in the inward parts1 and in the hidden part tho shalt ma!e me to !now wisdom. ? $he place of blessing is where one is free from sin. 961= P rge me with hyssop( and ) shall be clean1 wash me( and ) shall be whiter than snow ? -orgiveness and cleansing is thro gh the blood sacrifice. 9617 ;a!e me to hear #oy and gladness3 that the bones which tho hast bro!en may re#oice. 961< Hide thy face from my sins( and blot o t all mine iniG ities. 9616> 'reate in me a clean heart( + God3 and renew a right spirit within me ? $he cleansing is complete. .v =?6>: .&ohn 6018?6>( Ephesians 9124( 6 &ohn 61<: 96166 'ast me not away from thy presence3 and ta!e not thy holy spirit from me. ? $hat as part of discipline the Holy Spirit co ld be ta!en away in the +ld $estament. $his is not the case in the present age( the 'h rch ,ge as the Holy Spirit indwells all believers forever. .&ohn 68164: 96162 /estore nto me the #oy of thy salvation3 and phold me with thy free spirit. ? /estoration means renewal of #oy. 96160 $hen will ) teach transgressors thy ways3 and sinners shall be converted nto thee. ? +nce we are cleansed we are to teach others who are sinners and evangelise the nsaved 96168 Aeliver me from bloodg iltiness( + God( tho righteo sness. God of my salvation1 and my tong e shall sing alo d of thy
96169 + Lord( open tho my lips3 and my mo th shall shew forth thy praise. ? $r e worship comes from a restored life. 96164 -or tho desirest not sacrifice3 else wo ld ) give it1 tho delightest not in b rnt offering. 9616= $he sacrifices of God are a bro!en spirit1 a bro!en and a contrite heart( + God( tho wilt not despise. ? God desires obedience not rit als. .v 64?6=: 96167 Ao good in thy good pleas re nto Mion1 b ild tho the walls of &er salem. 9616< $hen shalt tho be pleased with the sacrifices of righteo sness( with b rnt offering and whole b rnt offering1 then shall they offer b lloc!s pon thine altar. ? "e then have f ll fellowship with God. .v 67?6<:
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EVANGELICAL BIBLE COLLEGE OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA GOD; DIVINE INSTITUTIONS 9 MARRIAGE

6. ;an and angels have personality b t only men and animals have PnepheshP and e%perience physical death. ,ngels do not die beca se they are spirits. 2. ;arriage reG ires both personality and life( therefore it is only applicable to man. $here is no marriage in the angelic realm. .;atthew 2210>: 0. Aefinition1? the personal relationship between a male and female member of the h man race which typifies the saving relationship between 'hrist and believers. 8. God*s instr ction ? P@e fr itf l and m ltiply and replenish the earth and s bd e it and have dominion over the fish and the fowl and every living thingP. $his shows that man sho ld s bd e and have dominion over the animal !ingdom. 9. )f God was a solitary personality there wo ld be no divine e%ample of relationships( however with the three personalities in the Godhead relationships are demonstrated. He is a personal God and we can therefore have a relationship with him. 4. ;arriage typifies the relationship between 'hrist and the ch rch. a: in the form of grace and faith .Ephesians 9122:( the word s bmit meaning to fall into line to the law of God which the carnal mind cannot do. ./omans 71=3 6>10: b: yo s bmit yo rself by an act of freewill. c: a family can strain marriage relationships if they are not s bmissive. ./omans 6016(9: =. Grace is typified by the male and faith by the female. )f this pattern is not adhered to it res lts in misery and s ffering. 7. Grace and the man. a: the man is in the role of an initiator. b: the man provides information to which the woman can respond b t m st not coerce her free will. c: the man has to show his character to the woman. d: the man has to be patient( a form of grace. <. -aith and the woman. a: the woman is in the role of a responder. b: the woman ma!es the choice of her free will. c: she is the one who ses faith. d: the woman needs time to grow. 6>. Glory revealed. a: $he glory of God is shown in the man in the form of a changed life thro gh regeneration. b: $he glory of the man is shown in the woman by changes in the woman. 66. 'ompatibility. a: $he important area of compatibility is that in the spirit al realm as one can be psychologically compatible with many people. b: Spirit al compatibility is indicated by the phrase Pone fleshP and is a pict re of the nion of 'hrist and the ch rch. 62. Satan will attempt to bl r the differences between man and woman and ca se role reversals. $he degree to which this occ rs reflects the level of decadence in a society. 60. Legitimate reasons for the termination of marriage 1? a: the death of one of the partners. b: the desertion of a believer by an nbelieving spo se where one of the two partners has become a 'hristian after marriage. .6 'orinthians =16>?64: c: inappropriate marriage partners s ch as close relations as specified in .Levitic s 67:. d: ad ltery or fornication as this ca ses the destr ction of the one flesh principle by forming another one flesh. .;atthew 91023 6<1<:
GOD; DIVINE INSTITUTIONS 9 FAMILY

6. God instit ted families and marriage from the start of man!ind on earth .Genesis 2128:. 2. ;arriage was to be monogamo s .Genesis 2128:. $hey are classified as *one flesh*. $hey m st leave mother and father and set p their own ho se .Genesis 21283 Ephesians 91063 ;atthew 6<18?9:.
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0. ,d ltery or brea!down of marriage was so serio s a matter that it was incl ded in the $en 'ommandments .E%od s 2>168:. 8. $he h sband is the head of the family .Genesis 0164:. a: He sho ld be willing to die for her .Ephesians 9122?20:. b: He provides for his family .Genesis 016<3 6 $imothy 917:. c: He sho ld rear the children in the fear of the Lord .Ephesians 4183 Ae teronomy 414(=:. d: He sho ld not provo!e his children .'olossians 0126:. 9. "ives are s b#ect to their h sbands .Genesis 01643 Ephesians 9122(20. 6 Peter 016?4:. a: She has the place of hono r in the home .6 Peter 01=:. b: She has a deep desire for her h sband .Genesis 0164:. 4. 'hildren sho ld be obedient to both parents .Ephesians 416?03 Proverbs 221693 20160:. a: $hey m st hono r .Ephesians 4123 6 $imothy 9183 &ohn 6<124:. b: )f they hono r their father and mother they will have long lives .E%od s 2>162:. =. $hree ways in which normal family life parallels the relationship that God the -ather has with P$he 'hristP a: )t is gro nded from one head ? .6 'orinthians 69189?9>:. i: )n the garden of Eden ,dam was created first and Eve was ta!en from ,dam*s side. Eve had to be ta!en from ,dam. $he second ,dam was &es s 'hrist and o t of Him will come a new spirit al race. ii: ) am my father*s child beca se ) have received from him his image. Similarly when we are born again we receive the image of God. b: $he family is s b#ect to discipline ? .Hebrews 6210?69: i: )t is important to train yo r children to live righteo sly. ii: God*s discipline trains s to wal! in His will( in the place of blessing. iii: $he child m st learn wisdom from the parents. .E%od s 62128?27( Ae teronomy 414?29( &osh a 819?7: God is wisdom. c: $he parents are responsible for their family*s cond ct( morally and legally. + r witness reflects on God. 7. )n a s rvey in the U.S.,. eight reasons were given as to why the family nit was being wea!ened in that co ntry. a: $he rise of promisc ity. b: $ransfer of the protection of the family from the head of the family to the State. c: $ransfer of the ed cation of the child from the parents. d: ;ovement of family recreation from the family to o tside incl ding television. e: $ransfer of the place of prod ction from the home to the factory. f: $he se of aged accommodation for senior members of the family rather than them staying in the home. g: $he loss of traditional homema!ing s!ills and the rise of the s permar!et society. h: $ransfer of religio s instr ction from the home to o tside. NOTES
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CHA:TER B
INTRODUCTION
$he Ea5arite vow was a special vow to be ta!en vol ntarily by a person who felt called so to do. $here was no comp lsion pon anyone to ta!e this vow( and it did not need to be for life( b t it had very serio s conseG ences once ta!en. $here may be a time for a person to partic larly dedicate themselves to the Lord for a time. $he word Ea5arite means the one who separates themselves( for GodKs service( or to holiness. $o ta!e this vow was to dedicate oneself to God( and to separation from the affairs of ordinary life( and be holy before the Lord. $he Ea5arite was to be physically( what the entire congregation was to be spirit ally. $his vow may be ta!en for a range of reasons3 d e to an pcoming ma#or life decision( or a personal( family or national crisis( or simply to e%perience a period of total dedication to the Lord before ret rning to the normality of daily agrarian life. )t was a specific vow that set the person apart from normal life for the time of the vow( to be dedicated to the Lord thro gh that time. ,s we will see( as we go thro gh this section( the early ch rch tili5ed this vow at times and followed itKs provisions to affirm their &ewishness against acc sations that they hated and had re#ected the ;osaic law. $his chapter before s also became the basis for all the monastic orders of the early ch rch. $his passage ends with the wonderf l ,aronic blessing that is still sed today in many conte%ts.
NUMBERS B;1- 2D
B;1 A/& -4" LORD %=,>" '/-. M.%"%? %,)$/8? 2 S=",> '/-. -4" c4$(&2"/ .1 I%2,"(? ,/& %,) '/-. -4"3? W4"/ "$-4"2 3,/ .2 6.3,/ %4,(( %"=,2,-" -4"3%"(#"% -. #.6 , #.6 .1 , N,A,2$-"? -. %"=,2,-" -4"3%"(#"% '/-. -4" LORD; 3 H" %4,(( %"=,2,-" 4$3%"(1 12.3 6$/" ,/& %-2./8 &2$/>? ,/& %4,(( &2$/> /. #$/"8,2 .1 6$/"? .2 #$/"8,2 .1 %-2./8 &2$/>? /"$-4"2 %4,(( 4" &2$/> ,/) ($M'.2 .1 82,="%? /.2 ",- 3.$%- 82,="%? .2 &2$"&5 A(( -4" &,)% .1 4$% %"=,2,-$./ %4,(( 4" ",- /.-4$/8 -4,- $% 3,&" .1 -4" #$/" -2""? 12.3 -4" >"2/"(% "#"/ -. -4" 4'%>5 < A(( -4" &,)% .1 -4" #.6 .1 4$% %"=,2,-$./ -4"2" %4,(( /. 2,A.2 c.3" '=./ 4$% 4",&; '/-$( -4" &,)% 0" 1'(1$(("&? $/ -4" 64$c4 4" %"=,2,-"-4 4$3%"(1 '/-. -4" LORD? 4" %4,(( 0" 4.()? ,/& %4,(( ("- -4" (.c>% .1 -4" 4,$2 .1 4$% 4",& 82.65 B A(( -4" &,)% -4,- 4" %"=,2,-"-4 4$3%"(1 '/-. -4" LORD 4" %4,(( c.3" ,- /. &",& 0.&)5 D H" %4,(( /.- 3,>" 4$3%"(1 '/c(",/ 1.2 4$% 1,-4"2? .2 1.2 4$% 3.-4"2? 1.2 4$% 02.-4"2? .2 1.2 4$% %$%-"2? 64"/ -4") &$"; 0"c,'%" -4" c./%"c2,-$./ .1 4$% G.& $% '=./ 4$% 4",&5 E A(( -4" &,)% .1 4$% %"=,2,-$./ 4" $% 4.() '/-. -4" LORD5 F A/& $1 ,/) 3,/ &$" #"2) %'&&"/() 0) 4$3? ,/& 4" 4,-4 &"1$("& -4" 4",& .1 4$% c./%"c2,-$./@ -4"/ 4" %4,(( %4,#" 4$% 4",& $/ -4" &,) .1 4$% c(",/%$/8? ./ -4" %"#"/-4 &,) %4,(( 4" %4,#" $-5 1* A/& ./ -4" "$84-4 &,) 4" %4,(( 02$/8 -6. -'2-("%? .2 -6. ).'/8 =$8"./%? -. -4" =2$"%-? -. -4" &..2 .1 -4" -,0"2/,c(" .1 -4" c./82"8,-$./; 11 A/& -4" =2$"%- %4,(( .11"2 -4" ./" 1.2 , %$/ .11"2$/8? ,/& -4" .-4"2 1.2 , 0'2/- .11"2$/8? ,/& 3,>" ,/ ,-./"3"/- 1.2 4$3? 1.2 -4,- 4" %$//"& 0) -4" &",&? ,/& %4,(( 4,((.6 4$% 4",& -4,- %,3" &,)5 12 A/& 4" %4,(( c./%"c2,-" '/-. -4" LORD -4" &,)% .1 4$% %"=,2,-$./? ,/& %4,(( 02$/8 , (,30 .1 -4" 1$2%- )",2 1.2 , -2"%=,%% .11"2$/8; 0'- -4" &,)% -4,- 6"2" 0"1.2" %4,(( 0" (.%-? 0"c,'%" 4$% %"=,2,-$./ 6,% &"1$("&5 13 A/& -4$% $% -4" (,6 .1 -4" N,A,2$-"? 64"/ -4" &,)% .1 4$% %"=,2,-$./ ,2" 1'(1$(("&; 4" %4,(( 0" 02.'84- '/-. -4" &..2 .1 -4" -,0"2/,c(" .1 -4" c./82"8,-$./; 1 A/& 4" %4,(( .11"2 4$% .11"2$/8 '/-. -4" LORD? ./" 4" (,30 .1 -4" 1$2%- )",2 6$-4.'- 0("3$%4 1.2 , 0'2/- .11"2$/8? ,/& ./" "6" (,30 .1 -4" 1$2%- )",2 6$-4.'- 0("3$%4 1.2 , %$/ .11"2$/8? ,/& ./" 2,3 6$-4.'- 0("3$%4 1.2 =",c" .11"2$/8%? 1< A/& , 0,%>"- .1 '/(",#"/"& 02",&? c,>"% .1 1$/" 1(.'2 3$/8("& 6$-4 .$(? ,/& 6,1"2% .1 '/(",#"/"& 02",& ,/.$/-"& 6$-4 .$(? ,/& -4"$2 3",- .11"2$/8? ,/& -4"$2 &2$/> .11"2$/8%5 1B A/& -4" =2$"%- %4,(( 02$/8 -4"3 0"1.2" -4" LORD? ,/& %4,(( .11"2 4$% %$/ .11"2$/8? ,/& 4$% 0'2/- .11"2$/8; 1D A/& 4" %4,(( .11"2 -4" 2,3 1.2 , %,c2$1$c" .1 =",c" .11"2$/8% '/-. -4" LORD? 6$-4 -4" 0,%>"- .1 '/(",#"/"& 02",&; -4" =2$"%- %4,(( .11"2 ,(%. 4$% 3",- .11"2$/8? ,/& 4$% &2$/> .11"2$/85 1E A/& -4" N,A,2$-" %4,(( %4,#" -4" 4",& .1 4$% %"=,2,-$./ ,- -4" &..2 .1 -4" -,0"2/,c(" .1 -4" c./82"8,-$./? ,/& %4,(( -,>" -4" 4,$2 .1 -4" 4",& .1 4$% %"=,2,-$./? ,/& ='- $- $/ -4" 1$2" 64$c4 $% '/&"2 -4" %,c2$1$c" .1 -4" =",c" .11"2$/8%5 1F A/& -4" =2$"%- %4,(( -,>" -4" %.&&"/ %4.'(&"2 .1 -4" 2,3? ,/& ./" '/(",#"/"& c,>" .'- .1 -4" 0,%>"-? ,/& ./" '/(",#"/"& 6,1"2? ,/& %4,(( ='- -4"3 '=./ -4" 4,/&% .1 -4" N,A,2$-"? ,1-"2 -4" 4,$2 .1 4$% %"=,2,-$./ $% %4,#"/; 2* A/& -4" =2$"%- %4,(( 6,#" -4"3 1.2 , 6,#" .11"2$/8 0"1.2"
55

-4" LORD; -4$% $% 4.() 1.2 -4" =2$"%-? 6$-4 -4" 6,#" 02",%- ,/& 4",#" %4.'(&"2; ,/& ,1-"2 -4,- -4" N,A,2$-" 3,) &2$/> 6$/"5 21 T4$% $% -4" (,6 .1 -4" N,A,2$-" 64. 4,-4 #.6"&? ,/& .1 4$% .11"2$/8 '/-. -4" LORD 1.2 4$% %"=,2,-$./? 0"%$&" -4,- -4,- 4$% 4,/& %4,(( 8"-; ,cc.2&$/8 -. -4" #.6 64$c4 4" #.6"&? %. 4" 3'%- &. ,1-"2 -4" (,6 .1 4$% %"=,2,-$./5 22 A/& -4" LORD %=,>" '/-. M.%"%? %,)$/8? 23 S=",> '/-. A,2./ ,/& '/-. 4$% %./%? %,)$/8? O/ -4$% 6$%" )" %4,(( 0("%% -4" c4$(&2"/ .1 I%2,"(? %,)$/8 '/-. -4"3? 2 T4" LORD 0("%% -4""? ,/& >""= -4""; 2< T4" LORD 3,>" 4$% 1,c" %4$/" '=./ -4""? ,/& 0" 82,c$.'% '/-. -4""; 2B T4" LORD ($1- '= 4$% c.'/-"/,/c" '=./ -4""? ,/& 8$#" -4"" =",c"5 2D A/& -4") %4,(( ='- 3) /,3" '=./ -4" c4$(&2"/ .1 I%2,"(? ,/& I 6$(( 0("%% -4"35
REFLECTIONS
V"2%"% 1 9 25 $he heart of the vow is s mmed p in these introd ctory verses. $he Ea5arite Now was for those who wanted to separate themselves from normal sec lar life and set themselves apart to be with the Lord in a time of prayer( meditation( st dy and G ietness( away from the cares of daily b siness and family life. Levitic s 2>124. $he se of the vow envisaged by the Lord( as given to ;oses in these instr ctions( is that the vow will be a temporary thing( to set that person aside from the comm nity to be with the Lord away from distracting cares and concerns( to draw near to the Lord for a specific p rpose. $o achieve this( witho t being acc sed of being la5y and not meeting family and comm nity responsibilities( there was a need for a formal process to be p t in place. $his was so that all co ld recogni5e the spirit al nat re of the vow( and also test it( to ens re it was not to become a way of escape from responsibilities for the shir!er. Spirit ality can often be the cloa! of idleness( whereby people se s per?spirit al words to cover their la5iness and disobedience. 6 $hessalonians 810?62( 2 $hessalonians 01=?60. )t was not to be an easy option to avoid wor!( b t a real option to draw near to the Lord at times of specific spirit al need. $hro gh the cent ries this vow was sed as the Lord envisaged it( b t there are three biblical e%amples of life long Ea5arites( with Samson( Sam el( and &ohn the @aptist. & dges 6019?68( 6 Sam el 6166( L !e 6169. V"2%"% 3 9 E. $he vow involved three !ey points of mar!ed difference ma!ing their separation from the normal life of the comm nity G ite a visible one. -irstly there was to be no food ta!en in any form from the grape vine. ,ll the fr it of the grape( from the grape itself( to grape # ice( to raisins( and to wine( all spo!e of gladness and #oy in life and prosperity. "ine co ld be into%icating( and so dr n!enness was forbidden( b t all the fr it of the grape was for celebration and many dainty and tasty sweets were made from the grape vine( and all were forbidden d ring the time of the vow. $he Ea5arite vow was a separation from all the #oys of ordinary life to concentrate pon spirit al matters. $he second matter of separation was good grooming3 the person ta!ing this vow had to p t aside all self centred concentration pon how they loo!ed( and see their hair as their crown from the Lord and let it ta!e whatever form it was to ta!e. $he person ta!ing the vow was not allowed to c t his hair in any way at all. )t co ld be washed and clean( b t no ra5or was to to ch his head and shave his beard or hair thro gh the time of the vow. $hirdly( the Ea5arite was forbidden the normal activities associated with the b rial of the dead( even the closest relative. $hey were not allowed to be involved in any b rial rit als. & st as for the High Priest( Levitic s 26166( the Ea5arite was set apart for the Lord and was not to to ch or come near to the dead. $his was a partic larly hard thing( for they were not able to say goodbye and grieve for the closest loved one thro gh their time nder this vow. $hey were to be as scr p lo s as the High Priest of the nation in matters of ncleanness( and separate themselves totally to the Lord and his fellowship thro gh this time. /efer to the @$@ st dies( 'H/)S$),E L)-E I '+ESE'/,$)+E( '/U')-)EA ")$H 'H/)S$( -,S$)EG( +@EA)EE'E( P/)+/)$)ES( SEP,/,$)+E( SU@;)SS)+E. V"2%"% F 9 12. )f by chance someone s ddenly died close by him( then he wo ld be defiled by contact with the dead( and there was a special rit al he had to go thro gh to atone for this contact and recommit to his vow. )t was meant to be a costly e%ercise so that no?one ever too! this vow lightly. "e are sed to considering the care of the dead as a holy and lovely thing for believers to do( and this is both right and good. + r care for the dead and the f nerals we give the believing dead are testimonies of o r faith and theirs. )t is not that there is anything wrong with care of the dead or dying( b t that the Ea5arite was s pposed to be living G ite separately from the comm nity in prayer and contemplation and so if a man had ta!en this vow and remained in contact with the general pop lation too often( he was not spending the time he had set aside in his spirit al activities and so the ris! he ran of being defiled was more real. -or s ch a person this provision was there and it was e%pensive for them. )f he came in contact with the dead( he was to set himself aside for eight days( and on the seventh day he was to c t offLshave all his hair. +n the eighth day he was to bring to the priest two t rtle doves( or two yo ng pigeons( and deliver them at the door of the tabernacle enclos re. $he sin and b rnt offerings were then to be offered by the priest on behalf of the man who had become accidentally defiled. He then re?commits to his vow( not # st for all the days that are remaining( b t he begins again completely from day one( with a new trespass offering. )t was a serio s incentive to be caref l in p blic places. )t is also a reminder that once a vow was made it was to be !ept no matter what else happened. $o be released from a vow involved a serio s payment( and a sin offering was also reG ired. Levitic s 2=16ff( Ae teronomy 20122?20. )t was treated as a serio s sin if a person went bac! on what they had vowed to the Lord. 'areless and hasty promises were not to be made to the Lord abo t anything or anyone.
56

V"2%"% 13 9 215 +nce the days of the vow are f lfilled the Ea5arite is to be bro ght by his family( or s pporters( to the door of the tabernacle enclos re and they are to bring for him his offering( two yearly lambs and one yearling ram. $his will cover a sin offering( a b rnt offering and a peace offering for him. )n addition he is to offer all the possible meal offerings3 and so is reG ired to bring a bas!et of nleavened bread made of fine flo r( nleavened bread ba!ed with oil( and wafers of nleavened bread anointed with oil. His s pporters are also to have with them wine for a drin! offering. E mbers 6916?9. He himself stands with those who bring him( not to ching any of these things( for they are bro ght on his behalf. )t was considered an hono r and a spirit al offering to the Lord to pay for someone to nderta!e this vow. ,cts 26120ff. /efer to the @$@ st dy on +--E/)EGS I LEN)$)',L +--E/)EGS /EP/ESEE$)EG 'H/)S$. ,fter all the offerings were made on his behalf the Ea5arite is to ta!e the hair he has shaved from his face and head and now enter the tabernacle and place the hair himself nder the fire where the peace offering is b rning on the bra5en altar. $he priest then ta!es a sho lder of the peace offering ram and one piece of nleavened bread from the bas!et of them( and he places both onto the o tstretched hands of the Ea5arite. He then lifts them p and waves them before the Lord as a wave offering. $hese are holy for the priest and the priesthood may eat of this food and the other assigned portions from the other sacrifices. ,t this point the Ea5arite celebrates the re?entry into the ordinary world with his first c p of wine with his friends( possibly from the container that was sed to bring the drin! offering. V"2%"% 22 9 2D5 @lessing the children of God is something God loves to do( and e%pects His servants and leaders to do in His name. $he form la for this blessing may not have been given ntil this point( or this may be the formali5ing of it here( we cannot !now. ,aron had blessed the people before. Levitic s <122ff. Earlier blessings were given to the patriarchs and show s that this is a principle for application in many sit ations. "e are to be a blessing by o r words and behavio rs and by o r formal prayers for those we come across. $he first is by ;elchi5ede! pon ,braham in GodKs name. Genesis 68167?2>. Laban and @eth el bless /ebe!ah. Genesis 28197?4>. )saac blesses the tric!y &acob in Genesis 2=12=?2<( and then Esa also in verses 0<?8>. )saac then formally blesses &acob( who he now nderstands is to be the blessed of the Lord. Genesis 2716?9. &acob blesses Pharaoh of Egypt. Genesis 8=16>. &acob then blessed &oseph and his sons( Ephraim and ;anasseh. Genesis 87169?2>. Eote the nat re of the blessing. $his is my favo rite benediction to end important services( especially weddings( where the co ple are believers. Let s note the elements here( for they all appear in the +ld and Eew $estaments as greetings for the people of God1 6. $he Lord bless yo I blessing is from the Lord only( for none else can give witho t it being ta!en away later. 2. $he Lord !eep yo I only the LordKs power will !eepLg ard o r lives from the enemy and !eep s safe to achieve all that He has placed s here to complete. Philippians 81=( & de 26?28. 0. $he Lord ma!e his face to shine pon yo I the fellowship of the Lord is the #oy we can !now in the midst of tro ble( the comfort in trial and diffic lties. $he #oy of the Lord is o r strength. Eehemiah 716>( )saiah 4610( &ames 612ff. 8. $he Lord be gracio s to yo I grace comes from the Lord and we are recipients of His grace( mercy and love. /omans 619?=( 9169?26( 2 'orinthians <17ff. 9. $he Lord give yo peace I this remains the gift of God alone. Peace with God( inner peace and peace in society and between nations comes from the Lord alone. &ohn 6812=( /omans 714( 6 'orinthians 610( Galatians 610( 6 Peter 612( 2 &ohn 0( 0 &ohn 68.

6. God desires to bless s and o r tas! to receive this blessing is to position o rselves in the place of obedient service for the Lord. @lessing is GodKs desired wor!( # dgment is His strange wor!. )saiah 27126. Let s be a blessing to others and so receive GodKs blessing also. Let s always be ready to be a blessing and pray for GodKs blessing pon those we meet( be they believer or nbeliever. /emember( the greatest blessing the nbeliever can receive is the Gospel of 'hrist( so to pray for their blessing is to pray for their salvation. ,s &acobKs prayer for Pharaoh was bone fide( so o r prayers for those we meet are bone fide when they come from a gratef l and loving heart. 2. $he Ea5arite vow was only for a time( b t it was to be ta!en serio sly thro gh that time and the person involved was to devote themselves to prayer and separation from the normal details of life. )f they were careless the cost was high to them( b t if they sed the vow as a time of separation for prayer and foc s( and they had the s pport of family or friends for this time( it was a time of great blessing and ended in great #oy. ,sceticism is not commanded( nor recommended by script re( b t if a person needs to ta!e time o t of normal life they sho ld devote themselves to a ro tine li!e that of the Ea5arite( to ens re that they spend the time in spirit al p rs its( not foolishness. )f a vow is ta!en it m st be followed thro gh( and no?one is to se spirit al things to earn points with man or impress people. Let s ta!e the things of God serio sly and devote o rselves to daily service of the Lord( and be caref l in o r service lest we be contaminated by this world.
DOCTRINES NUMBERS 1-12 9 FORWARD TO KADESH BARNEA
57
EVANGELICAL BIBLE COLLEGE OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA CHRISTIAN LIFE; CONSECRATION

6. 'onsecration means f ll s rrender of self to God. ./omans 4160: 2. $his is the attit de of Pdenying selfP and Pnot my will( b t yo rs be doneP .;atthew 64128( 2410<( Galatians 212>:. 0. $his is the only acceptable gift to God. ./omans 6216(2: 8. $he consecration of the $emple is a pict re of the believer*s life1 the + ter 'o rt .the body:( the Holy Place .the so l: and the Holy of Holies .spirit: 9. Co are indwelt by the Holy Spirit( and therefore m st be set apart as a holy vessel ./omans 6216?2 cf 6 Hings 716?66:
CHRISTIAN LIFE; CRUCIFIED WITH CHRIST

6. S'/)P$U/E .Galatians 212>: P) am cr cified with 'hrist1 nevertheless ) live3 yet not )( b t 'hrist liveth in me1 and the life which ) now live in the flesh ) live by the faith of the Son of God( who loved me( and gave Himself for me. P 2. Eval ation or Literal $ranslation a: P) am cr cified with 'hristP. ) have been cr cified with 'hrist in the past with a res lt that ) !eep on being cr cified with 'hrist forever identification with 'hrist in His death:. Passive voice ? ) have received this cr cifi%ion .this occ rs at the point of salvation:. "e are dead to the law after cr cifi%ion with 'hrist beca se 'hrist f lfilled the law. .;atthew. 916=:. "e are overcomers .6 &ohn 918(9: b: Pyet not )P ? ) no longer live ? my old life of sin and self has died c: Pb t 'hrist lives in meP ? 'hrist !eeps on living in me. .Galatians. 816<:. 'hrist lives in s for fellowship as well ? ./evelation. 012>( &ohn 6812>( 2 'orinthians. 6019( /omans. 716>( 'olossians. 612=: d: Pand the life which ) now live in the flesh ) live by the faith .or power: of the Son of God who loved me and gave himself for me.P 0. $he only way to f lfil the law is thro gh the character of 'hrist formed in the believer thro gh the ministry of the Holy Spirit ./omans 712?8:. )n o r own strength we are nable to !eep the law beca se we have a sinf l nat re.
CHRISTIAN LIFE; FASTING

6. $he tr e p rpose of fasting is to spend time ordinarily spent in things s ch as eating and sleeping to prayer and @ible st dy. 2. -asting is not only the denial of food( altho gh it often involves it. 0. $he &ews fasted on the Aay of ,tonement .Levitic s 6412<?063 E mbers 2<1=:. -asting in these passages is covered by the words( Pafflict their so lsP. 8. -asting with the wrong attit de becomes h man wor!s( and therefore is nacceptable to God .)saiah 9710?8( &eremiah 68162:. 9. -asting sho ld always reflect an attit de of h mbleness toward God .Psalm 4<16>:. 4. &es s fasted forty days and forty nights d ring his temptation .;atthew 812:. =. "hen 'hristians fast it sho ld be a matter between the individ al and God .;atthew 4164?67: $he fasting 'hristian sho ld not ma!e a p blic spectacle. 7. -asting in the form of e%tra time in prayer and bible st dy is beneficial1 RaS for ma#or decisions in the 'hristians* or ch rch*s .,cts 6012(0: RbS to remove certain types of demons .;atthew 6=1263 ;ar! <12<: RcS in revival .e.g. the post?war revival in So th Horea:.
58
EVANGELICAL BIBLE COLLEGE OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA CHRISTIAN LIFE; OBEDIENCE

6. +bedience is better than offerings .6 Sam el 691223 Proverbs 26103 271<:. )f we are not in God*s will( any PworshipP we offer is nacceptable. 2. +bedience is something yo have to learn. $he basic training in obedience has to start in childhood. ,s it says in .E%od s 2>162 and Ae teronomy 9164: PHono r yo r father and yo r mother. P .Proverbs 810(83 22143 2<169?6=3 Hebrews 917: 0. $eaching yo r child obedience is an act of love .Proverbs 01623 6<1673 20160?68:. 8. "e have to obey those who are in a thority over s .E%od s 2>1623 221273 Levitic s 6<103 Ae teronomy 91643 /omans 6016?93 Ephesians 416?93 'olossians 0167?223 $it s 016:. 9. $hose in a thority have been p t in that position by God ./omans 6016:. 4. +bedience to those in a thority is obedience to God .Proverbs 281263 Ephesians 41=3 'olossians 0120?283 /omans 6019:. =. Aisobedience to those in a thority is disobedience to God ./omans 610>3 6012:. 7. @ t when we are ordered to do something that is against God*s "ill we have to disobey .,cts 816<3 918>?82:. <. $he fifth commandment .E%od s 2>1623 Ae teronomy 9164: is the only commandment with a promise .Proverbs 6>16=3 Ephesians 416?0:. Social life in a society is only possible when the people in it have learned to obey. 6>. )f this commandment is ignored( if the a thority of the family is denied or not e%ercised( society will G ic!ly slide into anarchy .)saiah 01623 Proverbs 2<1263 0>126?203 /omans 610>:.
CHRISTIAN LIFE; :RIORITIES

6. $he -irst Person ? &es s 'hrist has ltimate priority ? 'olossians 6164?67 2. $he -irst Possessions ? $he !ingdom of God( the greatest gift ? ;atthew 4100 0. $he -irst +ffering ? the giving of oneself ? 2 'orinthians 719 8. $he -irst Aenial ? the denial of self ? ;atthew =19 9. $he -irst Aiscipline ? the discipline of prayer ? 6 $imothy 216?8 4. $he -irst 'ommandment ? to love God s premely ? ;atthew 2210=?07 =. $he -irst E%c se ? too b sy to have time for God ? ;atthew 7126?22
CHRISTIAN LIFE; SE:ARATION See page 00. CHRISTIAN LIFE; SUBMISSION

6. $his means to h mble oneself in willing service to another( with the connotation that it is for yo r good. Genesis 641<( 6 Peter 914( Hebrews 6016=. 2. "e m st f lly s rrender o rselves to God. &ames 81=( /omans 6216?2 ,s the Lord made himself obedient nto death so m st we. Philippians 2167. 0. "e are( in 'hrist to s bmit o rselves each to the other within the ch rch. $his involves p tting the spirit al needs of others ahead of any personal interests. Ephesians 9126. 8. "ithin the ch rch believers are to s bmit to the teaching a thority of the pastor as he preaches from the "ord. Hebrews 6016=( 6 'orinthians 6414( 6 Peter 919. 9. , wife is to s bmit herself to her own h sband within their marriage. $his involves respect for him as her spirit al leader and protector. Ephesians 9122( 'olossians 0167( $it s 218 ?9. 4. 'hildren also are to s bmit in love to their parents* a thority nder God. 'olossians 012>.
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=. ,ll believers are to be in s bmission to the laws of their land( nless those laws violate the clear command of God. /omans 6016 ( 2( ;atthew 22126( 6 Peter 2160?6=( e%ception e%ample( ,cts 8169?2>( 918>?82. 7. "or!ers are to be nder a thority of their employers and their managers. 'olossians 0122?29( Ephesians 419?7( $it s 21<( 6>( 6 Peter 2167?28. <. $hose in a thority have a special responsibility to treat those nder them with care and respect. 'olossians 816
OFFERINGS; LEVITICAL OFFERINGS RE:RESENTING CHRIST

6. $he Levitical offerings and sacrifices were a pict re of the wor! of &es s 'hrist. .Hebrews 6>16: 2. $here are five offerings in Levitic s 6?4 a: @ rnt animal offerings 'hapter 6 $he wor! of 'hrist. b: 'ereal offerings 'hapter 2 $he person of 'hrist. c: Peace offering 'hapter 0 /econciliation. d: Sin offering 'hapter 8 Un!nown sins. e: $respass offering 'hapter 9?4v= Hnown sins. 0. @ rnt animal offerings .Levitic s 6: ,n innocent perfect animal was !illed for the sins of the offerer. , representation of &es s dying for o r sins on the cross. a: @ lloc! v2?< +ffered by the rich person. @ lloc! is a male witho t blemish O &es s 'hrist as a perfect person. +ffering is on the bra5en altar O $he death on the cross. +ffered vol ntarily O -aith in 'hrist is on the basis of free will. Sinner( .offerer: p ts his hand on animal*s head for an atonement. O Sins laid on 'hrist on the cross. 'hrist died for the sins of h manity . .2 'orinthians 9126: Hilling of the b lloc! O $he death of 'hrist @lood covering the altar O $otal cleansing from sin. -laying of animal to chec! that there were no inner blemishes O &es s was perfect and free from sin both o twardly and inwardly. "ood b rnt O H man good removed. .6 'orinthians 0162( 69: $he head is b rnt O $he perfect mentality of 'hrist $he fat is b rnt O $he o tward perfection of 'hrist. $he g t washed with water from the bra5en laver. O 'leansing from sin. .6 &ohn 61<: $he legs washed. O 'leansing from sin allows for service. @ lloc! is b rnt. O $he sol tion to the sin problem at salvation and d ring the 'hristian life has been accomplished at the cross. b: Sheep v6>?60 +ffered by the middle class. c: @irds v68?6= +ffered by the poor. 8. $he 'ereal +fferings .Levitic s 2: a: $he Gift +ffering O the gift of &es s 'hrist. -ine flo r O Perfection of 'hrist +il O Holy Spirit -ran!incense O Satisfaction to God the -ather Salt O Preservation Leaven .not incl ded: O Sin Honey .not incl ded: O H man Good. $a!e a handf l of the mi%t re O ,ppropriating salvation personally by faith. @ rnt on the altar O & dgment of 'hrist on the cross. +il O &es s filled with the Holy Spirit. $he priest eats the remainder. O the priest is s stained by the Script res and the Holy Spirit. b: $he +ven +ffering Unleavened bread O 'hrist had no sin. @a!ed offering hidden from man*s view O Godward side of the 'ross. Golgotha shro ded in dar!ness d ring the period of # dgment of the sins. -ire O & stice of God +ffering O Perfect h manity of 'hrist +ven O 'ross +il O empowerment of 'hrist. -ran!incense O God is propitiated or satisfied.
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c: $he -lat plate +ffering -ine flo r with oil O Perfection of 'hrist Unleavened O Eo sin or sin nat re Eo fran!incense O Eo propitiation ntil God # dged the sins of the world. Part into pieces O 'r mbled ? something completely destroyed ? 'hrist*s body bro!en for s. 'r shed with o r sin. .)saiah 90: +il po red onto cr mbs O +il of appointment ? ;essiah or given one. God the -ather appointed God the Son to go to the cross cf. dove at baptism. d: $he -rying Pan +ffering Partly closed( partly open ? Unseen O Godward ( propitiation. Seen O manward( reconciliation. $he offerer gives offering to priest who ta!es it to the altar( ta!es part as a remembrance .memorial: for .# dgment: O compare with Lord*s $able remembrance rest eaten by the priests ? how we appropriate 'hrist ? faith. e: / les of 'ereal +fferings Prohibited leaven O sin or evil Honey O H man good or h man sweetness Garnished with salt O a contract between God and man. f: 'ereal offerings were made at the Passover .with b rning O # dgment O cross: -irst fr its .witho t b rning O res rrection: Aay of ,tonement .with b rning O # dgment O cross: g: $he ;emorial +ffering Green corn O 'hrist in res rrection Aried O /oasted by fire( & dgment @eaten O @r ised or cr shed - ll ears O Perfection of 'hrist P t oil on O ;essiahship appointment. -ran!incense O Propitiation( satisfaction. @ rnt O O /eference to the cross ;emorial O Lord*s $able of the +ld $estament. 9. Peace offering 'hapter 0 /econciliation. Similar to the b rnt offering( with both male and female animals sacrificed. 4. Sin offering 'hapter 8 Un!nown sins. 'onfession and repentance from sin( eG ivalent to 6 &ohn 61< .and cleanse s from all ? n!nown sins ? nrighteo sness: =. $respass offering 'hapter 9?4v= Hnown sins. 'onfession and repentance from sin( eG ivalent to 6 &ohn 61< .forgive o r ? !nownLconfessed ? sins: NOTES
61
CHA:TER D
INTRODUCTION
$he list that occ rs here may seem to be a waste of precio s man script space and most readers of the script res will speed thro gh this chapter. LetKs pa se and reflect pon why ;oses records these things before we r sh thro gh the details that we are not concerned with. $hese are the gifts given by the princes of each tribal gro p at the time of completion of the tabernacle. Levitic s 716>? 66. $hese gifts will be needed and sed d ring the wilderness march and so ;oses apparently remembers the significance of them at this point in his narrative and brea!s into the story( and records the details here( before we have the moving o t of the entire people for Hadesh @arnea. $he events of Levitic s 7?6> occ r # st after the erection of the tabernacle also( and may r n sim ltaneo sly with the things described there. ) s spect they do( and refer to this below. $he death of Eadab and ,bih ( recorded in Levitic s 6>( wo ld have been even more dramatic in their impact if they occ r d ring the process of the giving of the gifts we read abo t here. $hat incident stands alone in Levitic s 6> beca se of itKs significance after the installation of the priesthood( and it is most li!ely that it occ rs while ,aron( ;oses and the rest of the people are distracted by the formal gift giving and the sacrifices associated with it. Eow it may be that the twelve days of the tribal gift giving occ rs in the second month( b t ) open the door to the possibility here that it occ rs in the first month( and that chapters =?< are an insertion by ;oses to fill in the details of that first month before ret rning to the narrative that leads to their depart re on the twentieth day of the second month. -rom E%od s 8>16=ff( Levitic s =10=?07( 716?0( <16( there can only be a ma%im m of forty days between the raising of the $abernacle and the depart re recorded in E mbers 6>166ff. $he fact that ;oses brea!s into the flow of the narrative is evidence of the importance to him .and to the Holy Spirit I who g ides him: of this detail( and it is another piece of evidence that there is one a thor of this acco nt( and it is ;oses. , redactor( a thor( or editor in later cent ries wo ld get the time line sorted before they started( whereas a man writing at the time will at times miss a detail occasionally and ret rn to it later when another event or description reminds him he has forgotten something( or he will gro p events by their spirit al rather than their temporal relationship. ) s spect this is ;oses point here( not to get time lines acc rate( and easy for s to follow( b t to get spirit al relationships right. ) will brea! the te%t below p into the twelve tribal gro ps for ease of reading and disc ssion. Eote the order of the tribal offerings in relation to the placement of the tribes in the camp. "e have met these princes before in E mbers chapter 6. $he order of the tribes that was sed then( was /e ben( Simeon( & dah( )ssachar( Meb l n( Ephraim( ;anasseh( @en#amin( Aan( ,sher( Gad( Eaphtali. $he birth order sed for their blessings in Genesis 8<10ff is( /e ben( Simeon( Levi( & dah( Meb l n( )ssachar( Aan( Gad( ,sher( Eaphtali( &oseph.Ephraim and ;anasseh:( @en#amin. $he organi5ation of the tribes for the camp was( from E mbers 'hapter 2( to the East( nder the standard of & dah( )ssachar and Meb l n( and to the So th( nder the standard of /e ben( Simeon and Gad. +n the west side of the tabernacle( nder the standard of Ephraim( was ;anasseh and @en#amin( and to the Eorth nder the standard of Aan( was ,sher and Eaphtali. )f yo go bac! to Genesis 8417?29( yo will see why the camp was gro ped in this order( and why the standards were with the tribes they were. $he two oldest sons of Leah and the oldest son of her maid Milpah form the So thern gro p. $he three yo ngest sons of Leah form the Eastern gro p. $he sons of /achel form the "estern gro p. $he sons of /achelKs maid @ilhah( with the yo ngest son of Milpah form the Eorthern gro p. $he ancestral lin!s between the peoples are !ept in their tribal gro pings. /efer bac! to the disc ssion of the tribal gro pings in the camp in the commentary on E mbers chapter 2. $he order of the offerings will slightly differ again from the other listings( b t the basic principles will be the same3 LeahKs sons have precedence( with her maidKs sons being covered by her own( or lastly the yo ngest maidKs son #oined with
62

the yo ngest of @ilhahs. /achelKs sons come in precedence after LeahKs( and /achelKs yo ngest covers @ilhahKs oldest son Aan( and they precede the last two yo ngest sons of the servant maids. Even tho gh Aan will lead a division of the army( when the tribes come before the Lord it is remembered that AanKs mother was a servant and he stands after the sons of the free women. )n effect there are three wagons for the sons of Leah and her maid Milpah( and three wagons for the sons of /achel and her maid @ilhah( with the yo ngest sons of the two servants nder /achelsK gro p in the sacrificial offering. $he timing of the offerings and the dedication of the $abernacle and the Levites ties in with the first Passover and we will refer to this in chapter nine below.
NUMBERS D;1- EF
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"#"2) 3,/ ,cc.2&$/8 -. 4$% %"2#$c"5 B A/& M.%"% -..> -4" 6,8./% ,/& -4" .H"/? ,/& 8,#" -4"3 '/-. -4" L"#$-"%5 D T6. 6,8./% ,/& 1.'2 .H"/ 4" 8,#" '/-. -4" %./% .1 G"2%4./? ,cc.2&$/8 -. -4"$2 %"2#$c"; E A/& 1.'2 6,8./% ,/& "$84- .H"/ 4" 8,#" '/-. -4" %./% .1 M"2,2$? ,cc.2&$/8 '/-. -4"$2 %"2#$c"? '/&"2 -4" 4,/& .1 I-4,3,2 -4" %./ .1 A,2./ -4" =2$"%-5 F B'- '/-. -4" %./% .1 K.4,-4 4" 8,#" /./"; 0"c,'%" -4" %"2#$c" .1 -4" %,/c-',2) 0"(./8$/8 '/-. -4"3 6,% -4,- -4") %4.'(& 0",2 '=./ -4"$2 %4.'(&"2%5 1* A/& -4" =2$/c"% .11"2"& 1.2 &"&$c,-$/8 .1 -4" ,(-,2 $/ -4" &,) -4,- $- 6,% ,/.$/-"&? "#"/ -4" =2$/c"% .11"2"& -4"$2 .11"2$/8 0"1.2" -4" ,(-,25 11 A/& -4" LORD %,$& '/-. M.%"%? T4") %4,(( .11"2 -4"$2 .11"2$/8? 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63

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REFLECTIONS
V"2%"% 1 9 F5 $he events described here begin to occ r on the day of the dedication of the tabernacle. $his is the day the tabernacle is raised p for the first time. $he first day is described here( with a formal presentation from all the tribes( each tribe providing an o% and each tribe #oining with another to provide a covered wagon to contain their #oint offering. )t appears that the tribes #oined together by their birth mothers of origin( with two wagons from the sons of Leah( .Aays 6? 8:( then one of the son of Leah( Simeon( with the +ldest of her maid of Milpah( Gad .Aays 9?4:. +ne wagon from the descendents of /achel .day =?7:. $he ne%t wagon has the yo ngest son of /achel( @en#amin( and the oldest son of /achelKs maid @ilhah( Aan( .Aays <?6>:( and the final pair being Milpah and @ihahKs yo ngest sons( ,sher and Eaphtali .Aays 66 I 62:.
64

$he o%en will not form the prime sacrifice for each of the twelve days that the gifts are formally presented( tribe by tribe( b t will be sed for the d ties of the Levites( probably in p lling these wagons( for they will later be sed to carry the tabernacle str ct re itself. $he twelve wagons are clearly lined p by the tribes bringing them at this one time( and half the contents of each is going to be ta!en o t formally and presented each .) s spect following day I refer below to chapter < for a disc ssion of the timing of this in relation to the first Passover celebrated in the tabernacle: day( with the appropriate sacrifices being offered daily as was recorded bac! in Levitic s =?7. $he dedication of the priesthood m st also occ r thro gh this time frame. $he wagons are on their presentation lined p( and then the Lord spea!s specifically to ;oses abo t what is to be done with them. $hey are to be placed nder the care of two of the s b?tribes of the family of Levi. $hese gifts are to go to the Levites as a than!s offering in advance of their f t re service in the tabernacle and the o%en and wagons are to be means of transport for the items of the tabernacle that these priests will have to ha l away at each move of the tabernacle. $wo wagons and fo r o%en are given to the sons of Gershon( and fo r wagons and eight o%en are given to the sons of ;erari. $hese wagons are nder the overall a thority now of )thamar the second s rviving son of ,aron( as he is responsible for the logistics of the move of the str ct re of the tabernacle. $he family of Hohath do not receive care over any wagons( for their role is that of carrying the holy things( and so they do not need any wagons to carry items. ,s for the contents of the wagons( their service is reward eno gh. )t is of note that the men tas!ed with the administrative and constr ction wor! .Pac! and npac! of the tabernacle: are the ones who receive the gifts( while those tas!ed with the holy tas!s are not rewarded at this point. $his is how it sho ld be in the ch rch also. )f we are to bless and enco rage the wor!ers of the ch rch( then we o ght to begin by blessing those who do the cleaning and administration( well ahead of the pastoral staff who administer the holy things of GodKs "ord. $his may seem a little strange b t it is the LordKs way. His choicest servants are to be rewarded most by His well done( while those who are tas!ed with the to gh physical roles need to receive more physical and tangible reward more immediately. Eotice also that they receive these gifts in advance of ta!ing down the tabernacle for the first time( and at the start of each day ready for the first sacrifice with an ho r or so to spare. $hey have helped ;oses erect the tabernacle( b t the real tas! of ta!ing it down and p tting it p in the ne%t camp site is yet to be done. God provides and rewards in grace here( and He contin es to do so. "e receive blessings well in advance of any deserving of them( and any need for themD )t is also a reminder that the provision of God( often thro gh other believers( will always meet the orders and reG irements of the service demanded of the tas!ed believer. "hen tas!ed with a #ob that we cannot perform or meet( we are to pray( not to panic( for if the tas! is the LordKs then He will provide for it thro gh answers to prayer. V"2%"% 1* 9 1D5 $he gifts now identified were presented one day after the other( one tribeKs gifts being formally handed over each day. ,s the sacrificial animals for each day are incl ded in the gifts( the ceremony m st have been first thing in the morning( before the first sacrifice3 it may be that the ceremony was a dawn one as the first sacrifice was at <am. $his is another reason why ) believe the wagons were handed over on the first of Eissan( b t the gifts were formally presented only from the second of Eissan to the thirteenth. )t wo ld appear that the Levites did the handling of the gifts and the prince of each tribe stood by as itKs representative to oversee this3 the Levites wor!ing on his and his tribeKs behalf. $he animals listed in each tribeKs offering were not mentioned initially as part of the twelve wagons( and it may be( to save the fodder of the Levites( that the tribal gro ps bro ght them separately and passed them over on the day. "e cannot !now this for s re. ) personally s spect however that the entire tribe fell in behind their prince to appla d and praise the Lord as the gifts were ta!en o t by the Levites and lifted high as a wave offering to the Lord and passed over one by one to the sons of ,aron( and it may be that individ al members of the tribe led the animals listed forward to the Levites. Everyone is part of the blessing here. $he tribe of & dahKs offering is listed th s1 6. , silver charger of 60> she!els weight. ., she!el is half a troy o nce:. 2. , silver bowl of => she!els weight. 0. @oth were filled with fine flo r with oil for offering the meal offerings for the dedication. 8. , golden spoon .!aph in Hebrew O a small container that wo ld fit in the palm of the hand: of weight of ten she!els of gold. )t was filled with incense. 9. , yo ng @ lloc!( one ram( a yearly lamb( a !id( two o%en( five rams( five he goats( five yearling lambs. ,ll the sacrifices for this first day are therefore provided by the tribe of & dah. $hese precio s metal ob#ects were clearly things received from the Egyptians that individ al families had received when they left the land. E%od s 62100?04. $he princes had as!ed the people to identify gifts that they co ld give as a tribe to hono r the tabernacle and some families here( possibly princely ones( prayed and gave these e%tremely val able items. "hat we have here is a twelve piece dinner set of some very wealthy Egyptian noble( possibly a Governor( that each prince of each of the tribes received one of each piece of. )t may be the princes disc ssed this matter of the gifts for the dedication( and the Holy Spirit simply identified this shared dinner set as a gift of the right level of magnificence for s ch an event as the dedication of their tabernacle. )f ) am right in this( it is wonderf l to reflect that the Lord gave them this great dinner service to be spread thro gh the twelve tribes( and then to be re? nited after a year in the tabernacle. $he
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individ al princes co ld en#oy it for a year b t then they had to be ready to give it p to the Lord on behalf of their tribe. $his is the way the Lord wor!s. $he Lord wants s to e%amine o r hearts and give as we feel led by the Holy Spirit to the wor! of the Lord. -or some people they will feel led to give e%tremely val able things to the Lord( witho t any personal ac!nowledgement( b t the ass rance of rewards in heaven for their obedience. ,t times the Lord will give s the en#oyment of ama5ing things( b t a day will come when He wants s to pass it over to Him. "e are challenged to have a light hold on o r st ff( for whatever it is( and no matter how m ch #oy owning it brings( it will be left behind when we die. Let s heed the Holy Spirit and give to the Lord what He as!s of s now. +n a shopping trip yesterday the Lord led me down the ind strial street( where the E@'", ministry started way bac! in 6<74. $he !een yo ng pastor now serving in that ch rch showed me the old hall where this entire ministry began. ) told him with #oy in recollection how the Lord provided the b ilding and a ban! acco nt s fficient to prepare it for the wor!. He then showed me the wor! they had done over recent years( and with #oy told me( not one cent is owed for all this( for GodKs people came forward and donations of material and labo r provided it allD $his is how God wor!s( and so if yo are short of anything in yo r wor! pastor( pray to the Lord and wait the bo nty of the Lord. V"2%"% 1E 9 235 $he second day of the dedication of the tabernacle the tribe of )ssachar came forward and fell in behind itKs prince as the Levites too! the items listed below one by one o t of the wagon( lifted them high as a wave offering and passed them to ,aron. $he tribe also bro ght forward the animals as listed. 6. , silver charger of 60> She!el weight. 2. , silver bowl of => she!els weight. 0. @oth filled with flo r mingled with oil. 8. , spoon of gold of ten she!el weight filled with incense. 9. , yo ng @ lloc!( one ram( a yearly lamb( a !id( two o%en( five rams( five he goats( five yearling lambs. ,ll the sacrifices for this second day are therefore provided by the tribe of )ssachar. V"2%"% 2 9E35 $he other tribes all give the identical offering. $his ma!es it clear that the princes have got together to disc ss this matter and prayed corporately abo t this( and come to a shared plan to hono r the Lord with the greatest gift they received as they left Egypt. $he people are all eG al in their gifts( and none can feel any s periority( b t all can feel the great #oy of presenting to the Lord what was given to them thro gh the LordKs grace. $his is how giving wor!sD Let s e%amine o r hearts and give with #oy to the Lord. /efer to the @$@ st dy G)N)EG. V"2%"% E 9 EF5 ;oses now lists the total of the giving and the val es of the offering. )n sheer weight of silver and gold the val es are very high. $his mornings silver price was U69?=9 per troy o nce USA. $his mornings .2>>7: gold price was U7=8?9> per troy o nce USA. $hese items were however wor!s of art and in todayKs val ations this dinner set wo ld be worth millions of dollars and the val e of the animals sed was also considerable( to tens of tho sands of dollars. $he Lord is pleased with the devotion of the people and when ;oses enters the tabernacle to spea! with the Lord( the Lord spea!s with him. God wants s to worship with the ab ndance He has provided s. ,s we po r blessing bac! to the Lord( so we will have #oy and the enrichment of o r fellowship with the Lord.

6. God provides all that is needed to do what is reG ired of s. $he Lord will often tili5e other believers to meet o r needs( for by that way there is more ca se for blessing and re#oicing. Let s give as the Holy Spirit leads s( and let s pray for all that is needed to do the wor! the Lord demands of s. His demands are bac!ed by His provisions. )f they are lac!ing( then we need to pray( for something is wrong on o r side.
DOCTRINES CHRISTIAN LIFE; GIVING

6. Giving is an important part of spirit al life. )t incl des yo r attit de( the giving of yo rself( yo r capacity as well as yo r possessions. Giving is as m ch a part of worship as praying( singing( listening to teaching( observing the Lord*s $able( reading the "ord. )t is a f nction of priesthood for team wor! and often to s stain the wor! of leadership. 2. @asic Principles of Giving .a: +ld $estament Giving ? this giving was grace giving # st as it is in o r age. .Proverbs 66128(29: .b: Eew $estament Giving ? .2 'orinthians <1=: also grace giving. .c: $ithing ? this means ten per cent. )t was a form of income ta% in )srael. +fferings or giving were above this. $ithing was for all &ews( offerings for believers only. )t sho ld be remembered that )srael was a theocracy. RiS )n )srael two tithes were reG ired ann ally RiiS $ithe 6 ? for the maintenance of the Levites .E mbers 67126( 28: 'ivil servants in a theocracy. RiiiS $ithe 2 ? for national feasts and sacrifices .Ae teronomy 68122?24: RivS Every third year a third tithe was reG ired1? RvS $ithe 0 ? for the poor of the land. .Ae teronomy 68127( 2<: Social sec rity. )n .;alachi 017?6>: it mentions tithes and offerings( the tithes to be bro ght to the storeho se or treas ry. .d: $he time to give ? the first day of the wee!. .6 'orinthians 6412:
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.e: How m ch ? as God has prospered .6 'orinthians 6412: 0. General Script re on Giving. .2 'orinthians chapters 7 V <: .a: 2 'orinthians 716?7. 'ontrasts the ;acedonian givers to the 'orinthian givers( the former having been made poor by /oman oppression gave liberally. $he 'orinthians( the richest 'h rch in Greece( gave sparingly. .b: Giving is an attit de of grace and inner happiness rather than comp lsion or the amo nt donated .2 'orinthians 712: .c: @efore money is given yo m st give yo rself. .2 'orinthians 719: .d: Giving is as important an act as any other act in the fellowship. .2 'orinthians 71=: .e: Giving is love giving not law giving .2 'orinthians 717: .f: Giving depends on being oriented to grace( the prime e%ample being the gift of the Lord &es s 'hrist. .2 'orinthians 71<: .g: ;oney given in the Lord*s service m st be properly administered. .2 'orinthians 716<?26: .h: )f yo give in grace yo reap bo ntif lly. )f yo give in legalism or with strings yo reap sparingly. .2 'orinthians <14: .i: How to give. Giving is a reflection of yo r character( by grace not habit. .2 'orinthians <1=: .#: God has given nto s his nspea!able Gift. .2 'orinthians <169( 6 Peter 2128: R!S Giving sho ld be reg lar. 6'orinthians 6412. RmS ,s we are prospered so we give1 God provides the capital with which to give. 2 'orinthians <1=?6>. RnS ;at re believers are most effective givers. 2 'orinthians <16>. Generosity of mind leads to genero s giving. 2 'orinthians <166. Philippians 8168?67. RoS $he pastorKs logistical s pport comes from giving1 He ma!es an iss e o t of the word never money( if he does his #ob God will provide the money. Pastor provides spirit al food and receives money for physical needs. ; t al blessing is th s ass red( as the people show their appreciation for the ministry of the word. 2 'orinthians 661=?<( Philippians 610?9( 816>( 8168. NOTES
CHA:TER E
INTRODUCTION
$his chapter flows from the last( and centres in the ceremonies associated with the start of tabernacle worship. ;y s spicion( is that the event of the dedication of the Levites occ rs on the morning of Passover( as it follows directly after the acco nt of the dedication of the gifts. $he instr ctions regarding the way the candle?stic! is to be lit and the direction the light is to be thrown in is covered( and then the consecration of the Levites for their tas! is laid o t. ; ch of this has been introd ced in E%od s( and here ;oses ret rns to vario s themes to emphasi5e the grace of the Lord thro gh each specific instr ction( b t the dedication of the Levites fits here( after the dedication of the gifts and the Passover acco nt in the ne%t chapter. -or a time line we m st remember that the events described here all occ rred in the two wee!s following the erection of the tabernacle( which is described in E%od s 8>.
NUMBERS E;1- 2B
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REFLECTIONS
V"2%"% 1- 5 )n E%od s 29106?0= ;oses had received instr ction as to e%actly how the seven branched candle?stic! was to be made. /efer bac! to the commentary on that passage and re?read it. $he great Holy Spirit gifted artisan @e5aleel had been set aside by the Lord for this wor! and it was made so that the wic! and oil holders at the top of each branch wo ld thrown their light forward. $he oil and wic! containers at the top were shaped li!e almonds resting pon a flower( and were apparently detachable( very li!ely so that they co ld be removed( cleaned and filled with oil( and new wic!s fitted. "hen they were replaced into their soc!et on their branch( ,aron is warned to p t them bac! caref lly so that the light is cast forward( as @e5aleel has made them. He is not to act in haste and he is to chec! each of the seven( every time he changes the oil and wic!s( so that the light always is thrown forward. GodKs light is always thrown forward on where we are to go( never bac! or to the side3 o r foc s is always to be forward( see!ing the LordKs plan for o r life only. $he Lord wants s moving forward in the light of his presence( and this candle stic! I lamp stand was to portray this. /efer to the @$@ st dy L)GH$. V"2%"% < 9 D5 $he ceremony for the p rification of the Levites before they begin their formal d ties is now described. Some commentators are at pains to point o t the difference between the washing and shaving of the cleansed leper and that of the Levites( b t as ) read these instr ctions ) feel the similarities( rather than the contrasts. /efer bac! firstly to Levitic s 7 and read the consecration ceremony for the priests( as this is G ite different. $he priests are washed at the laver by ;oses( b t they are not shaved at all( and then they are formally dressed in their robes of office. Eow the event we read here in E mbers 7 occ rs within a few days of the events of Levitic s 7( so the people wo ld note the similarity and differences. $ rn now to Levitic s 69166?69. "hen a person was defiled beca se of any r nning sore on the body( there was a washing of clothes and body and then the offerings of the sin offering and the b rnt offering. $ rn now to Levitic s 6816?2>. /e?read this section and st dy the commentary on this passage. Eote that the leper m st wash( shave and repeat the process after eight days( and that a f ll array of sacrifices are made for him. Eote now the ceremony for the priests. $he command is to ;oses( for he is to establish the priesthood( as a Levite himself( b t once things are in place( he is to step aside and he will not serve again. He is the type for &ohn the @aptist later( ma!ing way for the High Priest( who replaces him in the service of the Lord. ;oses remains the political leader( b t ,aron will become the spirit al leader and intermediary between the Lord and the people once the consecration is complete. &ohn 0122?04. $he Levites are to first shave all the hair off their bodies( then wash their clothes( and ma!e themselves clean. Eow ) donKt !now abo t yo ( b t for me this involves washing yo rself also with water and ma!ing yo rself clean physically
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before p tting on clean clothesD ,ll the arg ment of the commentators abo t them not washing is ) thin! a reflection on some dirty habits of those north E ropean commentatorsD ) believe that these men do e%actly what the leper does( and that is significant( for leprosy is a type of sin( and these men are recogni5ing that they need cleansing for their service( and all that is associated with ncleanness and pride .their hair: is to be removed and they are to stand before the Lord clean to serve Him. Genesis 0912( E%od s 6<16>. V"2%"% E 9 125 $he specific offerings are now made. , yo ng b lloc! is the b rnt offering and another one is the sin offering. $o accompany the b rnt offering a meal offering is made of fine flo r mingled with oil. @efore the two sacrifices are made for the Levites( the entire pop lation is to gather before the tabernacle and witness the formal consecration. $he covering of their sin( and their cleansing is not private( for these men will carry the tabernacle on behalf of the entire people( and so their consecration is a very p blic event. $his is why even today a pastorKs sin is to be p blicly dealt with( for he stands before the people( and the LordKs representative( and if he falls he needs to deal with all the people and confess his fail re in his d ty to them( as well as his fail re to the Lord. 6 $imothy 916<?22. $he entire congregation will lay their hands pon them. Eow pa se here and reflect how this will be possible with even the 0>(>>> ) believe is the correct n mber( let alone the 0(>>>(>>> that some believe are here. -irstly it is clear that all the people can be gathered together and were able to see the event( and this once again favo rs the smaller n mber being the correct one( b t even then( how can they lay hands ponT ,lso remember the n mbers of the Levites involved. ;y s spicion is that they n mber aro nd 6>>?2>> men in the thirty to fifty age range. Eow these Levites stand for the first born of all the tribes and will serve on their behalf. $he princes of the twelve tribes( standing for their tribal peoples( were li!ely to do the laying on of hands physically( b t that means each prince is to go along the line and lay his hands pon each Levite( for everyone is to be dedicated by a representative of every tribe. $his is not a short ceremony. & st as we do today in o r services( ) s spect the entire pop lation( gathered aro nd the tabernacle enclos re( may have lifted p their hands over the gathering of the Levites to #oin in with their princes in the process. $his also s ggests that( as ) observed in an earlier chapter( the placing of the tabernacle was li!ely always in a slight depression in the landscape( with s rro nding low risesLhills( so that the 0>(>>>W people co ld gather and see into the tabernacle and observe the events there. ,aron then formally leads the Levites forward into the tabernacle area to dedicate them as an +ffering to the Lord on behalf of the people. $hey will stand before the Lord on the peopleKs behalf and so they are a living offering( # st as Pa l considered his life as a pastor as a living offering to the Lord. $his remains the pict re for s all as believers3 that we are to present o rselves daily as living offerings to the Lord( and having given o rselves( only then do we give of o r s bstance. /omans 6216?2( 69164( 2 'orinthians 716?4( Philippians 216=?67. Pa l ends his life spea!ing of his daily mental attit de of presenting himself as an offering to the Lord( every moment to be a sweet smelling offering to the Lord of praise and obedient service. He pict res himself as the drin! offering( being po red o t daily to the glory of God. $his is o r pict re for daily life pon this temporary planet. 2 $imothy 814?7. $he two b lloc!s are now led forward and the Levites lay their hands pon the b lloc!s. +nce again the entire gro p apparently wal!s by the two b lloc!s and lays their hands pon them in t rn( and then wo ld have fallen in on the far side of the altar. /emember the spaces involved here and once again reflect that the total n mbers of men of the right age is probably aro nd abo t 6>>?2>>. ; ch more than this n mber and the co rtyard area of the tabernacle wo ld be over f ll( and the sacrifice wo ldnKt be able to be completed. $he first b lloc! becomes the sin offering and the second the b rnt offering. /efer bac! to the @$@ st dy of the +--E/)EGS I LEN)$)',L +--E/)EGS. $he entire people have dedicated the Levites as their s bstit tes( to serve them before the Lord( and the Levites have placed their sins pon the b lloc!s( and the atonement is made for them. $hey were physically clean by their shaving and washing( and now they are spirit ally declared clean thro gh the sacrifices. $hey are now ready to serve on behalf of the people. V"2%"% 13 9 1F5 $he Lord now formally accepts the offering of these men to stand before Him and serve the tabernacle. $he Lord now reminds ;oses that the Levites are to stand for the rest of the nation in place of the first born of each family and serve the Lord. ,ll this has been said before( b t the repetition here is to be ta!en note of. "hen the Lord repeats a principle( the people of the Lord need to ta!e significant note of that principle. $he people have no right to come before the Lord( b t thro gh the sacrificial system and the offices of the Levites( then they are provided for. $hey m st come to the Lord the way prescribed and not become cas al for a second in their faith. $he danger of the sin of 'ain is always present with arrogant people( who thin! that the Lord is so impressed with them( that they can come to God any way they choose. $here is one way to come to the Lord( and that is H)S ",CD $here are not many ways p to God( there is only one wayD Genesis 810?62( &ohn 0164?04( 6>1=( ,cts 2126( 0168?24( 817?62( 910>? 02( 6410>. /efer to the @$@ st dy( 'H/)S$ I ) ,;. V"2%"% 2* 9 2B5 Everything that the Lord reG ired was done for the Levites to be presented to the Lord as the sacrificial offering for the peopleKs service. ,ll that was ordered was completed. +nce again ;oses notes this( rather obvio s thing( to remind s that obedience to the commands of the Lord is what is reG ired of the servants of the Lord. -rom this time onwards the Levites did the service d ties within the $abernacle( and this wo ld involve all the d ties not assigned personally to ,aron and his sons.
69

)n verse 20 we find that( even tho gh the n mbering was from thirty to fifty( the age of service begins at 29 years. ,s noted previo sly( ) s spect that from 29 I 0> years was the training period and f ll service begins at 0>. $heir retirement age is fifty years of age( at which time they were free to be the co?ordinators of the campsite and possibly be the trainers of the yo ng. Eote that from fifty onwards they co ld assist their yo nger relatives( b t not act ally do the wor!.

6. $here is no retirement from the service of the Lord( # st a change of emphasis and d ties. $he Levites served from thirty to fifty( with a five year period of training in all aspects of their role( and with their post fifty( retirement years( being times to assist in any matter( while leaving the formal and heavy tas!s to the yo nger men. Leadership involved empowering the yo ng to ta!e charge( and then getting o t of their way so that they can do the tas! witho t interference. Leadership also involves the ability to move from a place of power and a thority to an administrative tas! witho t feeling p t down( or demanding any special treatment. ,t fifty these men went from f ll service to being assistants. Let s be ready to train the yo ng and step aside for them to serve( and then adopt the tas!s that we can to assist the yo ng in their wor!. $he service of the Lord demands care and attention to detail. $he Levites were to act caref lly( and so are all who serve the Lord in any capacity. Let s be tho ghtf l and caref l in all o r service. $here is a right way to serve the Lord and a wrong way. /efer to the @$@ st dy( 'H/)S$ I $CPES I ,@EL ,EA SE$H ,S $CPES +'H/)S$. $he entire congregation were involved in the dedication of these men who wo ld stand and serve on their behalf. )t is a biblical principle for the entire congregation to ta!e responsibility for dedication of ministers in the local ch rch. ,ll the people sho ld be involved in any dedication for service that occ rs( so that all feel the corporate responsibility to phold in prayer( and s pport in any way they can. + r daily lives are to be an offering to the Lord. "e are to dedicate each day to the LordKs service in any capacity He calls s to serve that day. Let s see o r days as drin! offerings and po r them o t to the Lord in praise and service. Let no tas! be too small or too menial for s to apply o rselves to.
2.
0.
8.
DOCTRINES LIGHT
6. God is light and in Him there is no dar!ness at all. .6 &ohn 619: 2. $he Lord is the visible manifestation of that light. .&ohn 618( 7162( 62184: 0. $he Lord*s coming as the Light of the "orld was prophesied. .)saiah 8<14: 8. $he light was seen in the dar!ness of the world. .;atthew 8164( L !e 2102: 9. $he Lord bro ght light and immortality thro gh the gospel. .2 $imothy 616>: 4. @elievers are said to be light bearers. .;atthew 9168?64( &ohn 62104: =. "e are said to be the children of the light. .&ohn 661<?6>( Ephesians 917( 6 $hessalonians 919( 6 Peter 21<: 7. Light is necessary for man*s e%istence on the earth. .Ecclesiastes 661=3 &eremiah 06109: <. Aivine g idance of )srael was provided by God thro gh light. .E%od s 6812>: 6>. @ible doctrine in the so l is portrayed by light. .Psalm 66<( 6>9(60>: 66. $he gospel is called light. .2 'orinthians 810(83 2 $imothy 616>: 62. Salvation brings the believer o t of dar!ness into light # st as the planet Earth was bro ght o t of dar!ness into light by God. .L !e 61=<3 6 Peter 21<:. 60. Satan is the distorter( the angel of light. .2 'orinthians 66168: 68. Satan*s strategy is to o tshine the tr e light with his own false gospel. .2 'orinthians 810?4:
OFFERINGS; LEVITICAL OFFERINGS RE:RESENTING CHRIST See page 94.
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EVANGELICAL BIBLE COLLEGE OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA CHRIST; I AM

$he se of the ) ,; means that the Lord was saying that He is God. )n E%od s 0168 God reveals Himself to ;oses as( ) ,; $H,$ ) ,;. Using this phrase at His arrest in &ohn 6712?4( He ca sed the army gro p to fall bac!wards d e to His power as God flashing forth for a millisecond( before being led away as a willing sacrifice. "e are not confronted with the &es s of liberalism here( b t with the Lord of lords( Hing of !ings( God stepping down to spea! a thoritatively to man!ind. $here are seven ) ,;Ks in the Eew $estament. 6. P/+N)S)+E ? ) ,; $HE @/E,A +- L)-E &ohn 410>?09 ? $he feeding of the five tho sand ? a miracle involving bread. God provided mirac lo s physical food in the desert for forty years ? ;anna. 'hrist is o r spirit al food. He says that he is the only so rce of spirit al food for yo . $here is life in no other. Eo one else can satisfy the spirit al h nger in man. He tells s He is the bread from heaven ? He shows Himself as God. $he bread of the Passover ? nleavened( pierced and griddled3 spea!ing of his body. 2. SP)/)$U,L)$C ? ) ,; $HE L)GH$ &ohn 7162 ? $he feast of $abernacles .where He also told the people to have the everlasting water &ohn =10=?0<:. "hen the Lord says this He is saying that He is the only so rce of p re light as shown in His matchless character. He is stating that He is God. 6 &ohn 6 says that God is light and in Him is there no dar!ness at all. "e are to wal! in the light in fellowship with God. 0. S,LN,$)+E ? ) ,; $HE A++/ &ohn 6>1= ? $he Sheepfolds of &er salem( Psalms 22?28. $o be the door of the sheepfold( He is the only way into the plan of God. ,nyone that tries to come any other way is a liar and a thief. )f this is not tr e there is no way to God. 8. GU)A,E'E ? ) ,; $HE G++A SHEPHE/A &ohn 6>166 ? the good shepherd( the only one who really cares. ;any from other religions say that they really care b t it is &es s the good shepherd( the only one who really cares. ,ll other systems drop yo into hell. 9. /ESU//E'$)+E ? ) ,; $HE /ESU//E'$)+E ,EA $HE L)-E &ohn 6612>?29 ? $he death of La5ar s. 'hrist conG ers death proving He is God( the res rrection and the life( He is the way the tr th and life forever. $he only way to eternal life is in 'hrist &es s. $o re#ect Him is to have eternal life in the La!e of -ire 4. $/U$HLL)-E ? ) ,; $HE ",C $HE $/U$H ,EA $HE L)-E &ohn 681 4 ? $here is no other way to gain meaning in this life and eternal life than thro gh him. "e are related to the Hing of !ings and Lord of lords who came and died for s that we might live. "e sho ld be obedient to o r Lord who bo ght s with His blood. ) am the way the tr th and the life. $he only way to live is in the tr th( the only way to have life and have it more ab ndantly is in Him. $he only way to God is thro gh the God man &es s 'hrist. "e need to live in Him as He is the only one who has the tr th. =. P/+AU'$)+E ? ) ,; $HE $/UE N)EE &ohn 6916?9 ? "al!ing from the Passover meal past the $emple towards Gethsemane( He tal!s abo t the spirit al prod ction that is o rs in nion with Him. ) am the tr e vine ? the only way to spirit al prod ctivity is in 'hrist &es s thro gh the fr it of the Spirit. Love &oy Peace and the other fr it is only available in 'hrist. Co have to be in the vine to have fr it. ;any nbelievers want #oy and peace b t they cannot have it witho t 'hrist.
CHRIST TY:ES; ABEL AND SETH AS TY:ES OF CHRIST

6. ,bel died ? represents the death of 'hrist. Seth lived ? represents the res rrection of 'hrist. 2. ,bel died childless ? the Lord &es s 'hrist was alone in his ministry on this earth. Seth had many children ? 'hrist has many children in res rrection. 0. ,bel died a violent death at the hand of his brother ? 'hrist died a violent death at the hand of his brothers the &ews. Seth was provided to ta!e ,bel*s place ? 'hrist was raised to be the first fr its of them that slept. NOTES
71
CHA:TER F
INTRODUCTION
$he details of this chapter bore considerable significance for two believers of the first cent ry of o r era. $o care for the body of the Lord &es s 'hrist( &oseph and Eicodem s were ceremonially defiled by contact with the dead body( and were nable to eat of the Passover with their family at that time. $he provisions of this chapter tell s that one month later they were able to eat the Passover( and with renewed significance in it( for they had seen the risen Lord( and were able to celebrate as never before. ;atthew 2=19=?44( ;ar! 69180?8=( L !e 2019>?94( &ohn 6<107?82. )t is of interest that they wo ld have celebrated their Passover within the first month .L nar month at that time of 27 days: after the res rrection( and res rrection appearances occ r in this time frame( and that means( &es s himself may have attendedD "e cannot be s re of this( b t the time line allows it( and we do not have all the post?res rrection appearances of the Lord listed in the script res. 6 'orinthians 6910ff. $hese two believers certainly had the benefit of this chapter before s and en#oyed that Passover in the special way that all &ewish believers in &es s as ;essiah now( still do. $his chapter before s also records the mechanism that the Lord sed to direct the )sraelites to move camp and set p a new one( and ;oses certifies here that this was what they did every time( in obedience to the Lord. +nce again the point is made here( that obedience to the Lord is central to the blessing and g idance of the LordKs people. /efer to the @$@ st dy GU)A,E'E I $HE ")LL +- G+A.
NUMBERS F;1-23
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72

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REFLECTIONS
V"2%"% 1- <5 $he Passover festival is instit ted bac! in E%od s 62. $ rn to the E@'", commentary on that chapter and re?read it thoro ghly before going thro gh this chapter. $he people have celebrated Passover before( b t this is the first time since the formal giving of the Law and the establishment of the tabernacle( and the e%istence of the tabernacle as the foc s of the celebration will alter the way the festival is celebrated from this day forward ntil the loss of the $emple d ring the @abylonian E%ile( and since =>,A. $he central sacrifices are made at the tabernacle( b t then each ho sehold !ills its own lamb and celebrates as an e%tended family gro p in their tents. $he people were obedient and !ept this Passover in the wilderness by the ;o ntain of God gathered aro nd the $abernacle that had been raised p a few days beforehand. E%od s 8>16=. $he events described in this chapter occ r then within the days following the $abernacle being raised( which was on the first day of Eissan. Eow pa se here and thin! abo t this. $he Passover festival is co nted from the tenth day of the first month. +n this day a lamb is set aside by each familyLho sehold for the feast. )t is watched for fo r days. +n the fo rteenth day of the month Eissan the Passover is slain between the evenings .0?4pm:. Eow the events that we read abo t in E mbers chapter = begin on that first day. E mbers =16?62. ;y s spicion is that the twelve wagons are bro ght to the $abernacle and handed over on the late afternoon of the first of Eissan( b t that the early morning presentations from each tribe begin on the second of Eissan( and go thro gh ntil the thirteenth of the Eissan. $his wo ld ma!e sense( in that the raising p of the $abernacle for the first time( and setting everything in order may have ta!en a significant part of a day( which ends with the presentation of the wagons. $hey are handed over to the sons of Levi and held for the ne%t days ntil each tribe( day by day( can present their offerings in t rn. $he altar being f lly and finally dedicated over the twelve day period( on the 60 th Eissan( the day before the Passover sacrifice on the fo rteenth Eissan of that year. $his raises another G estion. @eca se the twelve days of gift giving involve the dedication of the altar then the dedication of ,aron as High Priest( and his sons as priests m st occ r over an eight day period sim ltaneo sly to the twelve day period of dedication of the gifts for the $abernacle. $here certainly was time each day for both things to be happening at different times in the day. Levitic s chapter eight covers this detail( and it is not clear what relation this has to the other events( b t it m st have occ rred before Passover( and it appears to occ r as soon as the $abernacle is set p( most li!ely starting that first day. So m ch is going on thro gh this first month of the tabernacles operation that ;oses gives separate e%planations of each event( b t does not give s a time line acco nt( beca se his p rpose is to e%plain the spirit al significance of each separate event. )f my analysis is correct here( each dayKs services went from dawn to d s!( with the entire pop lation o t to watch them. -or those who complain abo t long services today( give than!s yo were not there on this fo rteen day period of )sraelKs historyD $he dedication period .of the ,ltar( the Priesthood( and the gifts: therefore leads directly in to the Passover this year. ,s the Passover was slain between the evenings .0pm and 4pm: of the fo rteenth of Eissan( the entire day was available for the events described in chapter eight( the dedication of the Levites. ;y belief is that the dedication of the Levites ends with the Passover Sacrifice cond cted in the tabernacle and the people disperse from there to their tents to slay( prepare and eat their own Passover Lamb. @y the time of the Passover sacrifice in the tabernacle( everything and everyone involved in its operation has been sanctified and dedicated for their service. $he ne%t G estion( regarding the case of those who had dealt with a dead body in the period leading p to Passover( co ld have been raised by those affected by this( at any point from the first of Eissan( as this entire month was a co nt down to the fo rteenth when the lamb was !illed. ,ltho gh after the tenth there wo ld not be time for them to be p rified before the Passover was ta!en( and so it is approaching this time period that it is most li!ely the G estion was as!ed( as it was a seven day period of ncleanness after a b rial( for all who had to ched the body I E mbers 6<166?64. )t is a reminder to s that people were old( sic! and died at times( even in this most special time( and the personKs family had the responsibility to care for their sic!( dying and dead( even if they missed o t on the blessing of the spirit al things happening in the comm nity. 6 $imothy 917. V"2%"% B 9 F5 -or those who have e%perienced a death in their family in these great days( there was a do ble grief. -irstly there was the loss of the loved one( b t then there was the loss at the greatest time of celebration
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and dedication in their spirit al history as a people. $hose who were ceremonially defiled with the dead had to leave and camp and stay o tside. )t was s ch a special time that some re?enter the camp and as! ;oses the G estion here. $hey were forbidden to re?enter the camp as they were nclean( b t they r n the ris! of cens re beca se they do not want to be robbed of this time of worship. $his is the h nger for worship that GodKs people o ght to have at all times. ;oses orders them to stand still and await the LordKs answer and he immediately goes to prayer on the matter. $hese men are not to sit down in the camp( for they are defiled( b t they are not chided for their passion to serve the Lord and celebrate this great feast. ;oses goes to prayer to see! the LordKs answer3 he does not give his own # dgement. )t is a reminder to s all that there are G estions we can answer directly( and there are iss es that need prayer and special divine g idance. $he prophet Eathan had to discover this when Aavid so ght to b ild the Lord a $emple. 2 Sam el =16?2<. V"2%"% 1* 9 125 $he LordKs answer is clear3 no?one is to miss o t on the Passover for a reason they cannot control( li!e the death of a loved one( or an rgent #o rney which had them overseas at the time. $he Lord ma!es special provision from this second Passover for all ca ght in s ch circ mstances. $hey are to wait ntil another month has passed( and then on the tenth day of that month set aside their lamb and on the fo rteenth slay it and follow the e%act r les for an ordinary Passover. $his is a special grace provision( b t the lamb is to be prepared and devo red e%actly as on the correct date( and no bones are to be bro!en. )t is a reminder to s that the Lord &es s 'hrist f lfilled this type as the perfect Passover lamb who came and indeed too! away the sins of the world. /efer to the @$@ st dies @L++A( L,;@( 'H/)S$ $CPES I P,SS+NE/. V"2%"% 13 9 1 5 )t is a different matter altogether for a person within the nation to deliberately ignore this feast day. Eo matter what the e%c se( if a person deliberately fails to !eep the Passover( then that person is nder the most severe # dgement( for it is at the core of the nationKs identity and being. ,ll that )srael is and will be is tied p in Passover( and it is a realisation that CKsh a .&es s 'hrist: was indeed the ;essiah( the Passover Lamb( that brings national deliverance to )srael for that last fatef l time in the Great $rib lation period. Mechariah 6216>ff. $here is one law for Passover and it applies to all in the land( be they strangers or nationals. )t is a law to last while time lasts and it will find its f lfilment in the r lership of the Lamb over the earth in the ;illennial Hingdom. E%od s 62168?6=. /efer to the @$@ st dy on 'H/)S$ I P/+PHE$( P/)ES$ ,EA H)EG( -)/S$ ,EA SE'+EA ,ANEE$S( H)EGA+; I ;)LLEEE),L H)EGA+;( P/+PHE'C I A,E)ELKS SENEE$C "EEHS( SEQUEE'E +- EEA $);E ENEE$S. V"2%"% 1< 9 235 $he way the Lord led them thro gh the wilderness has already been recorded bac! in E%od s 6012>?22( for the Lord had led them o t of Egypt by means of the pillar of clo d by day and fire by night. $his passage is ;oses way of reminding s that the means of the Lord did not change thro gh the forty years of their wanderings. Until the day they enter the land the clo d is with them( and from then on the ,r! alone is the centre of the presence of the Lord with them. E%od s 8>108?07( E mbers 68168( Ae teronomy 06169( &osh a 019ff. $his section before s in this chapter is a repetition and enlargement of this E%od s passage and a reminder that the events here occ r in this first fortnight after the erection of the tabernacle. $he clo d rested over the tabernacle of the Lord as a visible sign that the ,r! was to remain at that place ntil f rther notice. "hen it was time to move the clo d wo ld lift p from the tabernacle and move in a certain direction and the people were to brea! camp at that point( fall into their order for marching and move o t nder ;oses direction and follow after the clo d. $hey were to learn total obedience to the direction of the Lord and follow His presence to the new place for them for the ne%t days( wee!s or months. "here the clo d rested they were to pitch their tents( the tabernacle being first( and the entire camp ta!ing its bearings from the placement of the ,r! directly nder the clo d and the tabernacle and its co rtyard b ilt p aro nd it. $hey were to watch the clo d daily and be ready to respond daily to the geographical will of the Lord for them. $his remains o r daily orders. "e are to be ready to move o t as( when and where the Lord directs. Psalms 0217?<( 87168( =0122?27( ==12>( 6>=16?6>( 6801=?66( Proverbs 016?7.

6. +bedience to the Lord is the challenge for all who wo ld be happy in their fellowship with the Lord their God. "e are to be as caref l in loo!ing into the heart of o r Lord as the )sraelites were in loo!ing at the clo d by day and the fire by night. "e have the fire of the Lord within s thro gh the Holy Spirit( and so let s meditate daily on the matter of His geographical will for s this day. "here are we to go( and what are we to doT "e are not to live in s ch a programmed and predictable way that the Lord cannot direct s else?where. Let s st dy the doctrine of G idance again and open o r heart to anything we have missed in the LordKs direction of s. 2. "e are never to be irritated by the concerns and stressors of caring for an elderly relative( especially if it interferes in o r worship( or a special time of blessing in the local ch rch. $he care of the dying ta!es precedence over all else( and the Lord will ma!e p for whatever we miss in the process. "e are to be !nown as people who care for one another. &ames 2?0( 6 &ohn 81=. 0. "hen in do bt abo t a co rse of action or a principle for application( the man or woman of God is to pray for g idance and not stop their prayers ntil the Lord has answered with peace in their heart. ;oses needs a specific word
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from the Lord( and at times we will also. $his is !nown by the Lord and He see!s o r obedient believing prayer( and He always answers s ch prayers. /efer to the @$@ st dy on P/,CE/.
DOCTRINES GOD; DIVINE GUIDANCE 9 THE WILL OF GOD See page 0>. BLOOD SACRIFICE
6. Ever since the earliest recorded time God has reG ired a blood sacrifice for sin. )t is implied by the coats of s!in provided by the Lord in the garden after ,dam and Eve had attempted to clothe their na!edness with leaves. ,bel bro ght an acceptable animal sacrifice( nli!e 'ain*s who bro ght an nacceptable bloodless offering. 2. $he reG irement for blood sacrifices was contin ed with Eoah after the flood3 .cf. the near sacrifice of )saac by ,braham:3 and was established as a reG irement not only by the Passover lamb b t also in the Levitical offerings. 0. "hen recording the will of God for )srael in the matter of food and the abstinence from eating Pany manner of bloodP ;oses states P-or the life of the flesh is in the blood3 and ) have given it to yo pon the altar to ma!e atonement for yo r so ls1 for it is the blood that ma!eth an atonement for the so l.P 8. )t is clear from the above that the life of an innocent victim .the animal sacrifice: acted as a shadow ntil the once and for all payment was paid with the tr e sacrifice of 'hrist. 9. $here is an absol te necessity of the niG e sacrifice of the Lord &es s 'hrist as indicated by the phrase Pthe blood of 'hristP. ./omans 0129( Ephesians 61= ( Hebrews <122: 4. Up to the time of the once and for all sacrifice the sins of believers were set aside ad#acent to them .g!. para: b t since the cross they have been ta!en f lly away. =. $he twelve elements of grace which involve the blood of 'hrist1? a: $he Eew 'ovenant. .Hebrews 717( <12>?26: b: $he blood is the life. .&ohn 4190: c: P rchase and /edemption. .,cts 2>127( Ephesians 61=( 6 Peter 6167?6<: d: Propitiation. ./omans 0129: e: & stification. ./omans 91<: f: Sanctification. .Hebrews 60162: g: 'leansing. .Hebrews <168( 6 &ohn 61=( /evelation =168: h: Nictory. ./evelation 62166: i: $he blood of sprin!ling. .Hebrews 6>122( 6 Peter 612: #: ;ade nigh. .Ephesians 2160: !: Peace. .'olossians 612>: l: @oldness to enter. .Hebrews 6>16<: 7. )t is of interest that the res rrection body consists of flesh and bone b t apparently no blood.
LAMB
$he lamb is a central feat re of typology in the @ible as a symbol of the Lord &es s 'hrist. Here we see the developing topic of the Lamb from the sacrifice by ,bel to the Lord of Glory )t shows the importance of a word st dy when e%amining the Script res 6. Genesis 810?9a a: ,bel bro ght a lamb from his floc!.
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b: Propitiation emphasised ? covering. c: $he lamb was an offering for sin. 2. Genesis 221=?68 a: ,braham was provided with a ram. b: S bstit tion emphasised. c: $he lamb was an offering for one person. 0. E%od s 6210?= a: $he lamb had to be slain. b: Protection emphasised. c: $he lamb was an offering for one family. 8. Levitic s 616>?60( 64169 a: $he lamb witho t spot or blemish. b: 'haracter of the lamb emphasised. c: $he lamb was an offering for the nation )srael. 9. )saiah 9018?7 a: Shows that the lamb to be provided is a person. b: E%piation emphasised. c: $he lamb was an offering for the elect. 4. &ohn 612< a: Shows that the lamb was &es s. b: 'omplete removal of sin emphasised. c: $he lamb was an offering for the whole world. =. ,cts 710>?0= a: Shows that &es s is the 'hrist the promised ;essiah. b: )ndivid al salvation emphasised. c: $he lamb was an offering for whosoever. 7. 6 Peter 6167?26 a: Shows the res rrection of the lamb. b: /edemption emphasised. c: $he lamb was an offering for all generations. <. /evelation 914?6> a: Shows the glorification of the lamb. b: Government of the lamb emphasised. c: $he lamb of the whole niverse. 6>. /evelation 2216?9 a: Shows the everlasting !ingship of the lamb. b: Eternal glory of the lamb emphasised. c: $he lamb for all eternity. $he developing topic of the lamb shows how &es s 'hrist is the central fig re in all the Script res and how the inspired writers of the @ible grad ally developed the revelation of his character( wor! and glorification from a lamb to the Hing of Hings and Lord of Lords.
CHRIST TY:ES; :ASSOVER AS A TY:E OF CHRIST

6. $he Passover is a type of 'hrist who f lfilled the type on the very day in ,A. 02. 2. $he Lord &es s 'hrist is called o r Passover( sacrificed for s..6 'orinthians 91=: 0. $he Passover lamb was bro ght into the home fo r days before the feast to demonstrate that it was witho t blemish. .E%od s 6219?4:. 8. )n f lfilment of the type &es s 'hrist had a ministry of over three years to demonstrate that He was eligible to die for the sins of the world d e to his nblemished character. .Hebrews 8169: 9. $he lamb tested m st be slain by the family to be protected. .E%od s 6214: 4. $he Lord &es s 'hrist having been fo nd perfect had to die as a willing sacrifice. .Hebrews <122: =. $he blood from the sacrificed lamb had to be applied to the door. .E%od s 621=:
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7. $he death of 'hrist has to be personally recognised and acted pon. $his clearly shows the part played by the free will of man and demonstrates the re#ection of the concept of niversalism which states that not only did 'hrist die for all( which is tr e( b t that all as a conseG ence are saved which is not tr e. .&ohn 0104: < $he blood by itself( once applied( was totally able to provide protection against # dgment. .E%od s 62160: 6>. $he death of 'hrist once applied to the life is all s fficient in protection against # dgment. ./omans 716: 66. $he firstborn of Egypt died if the protection was not sed. .E%od s 6212<: 62. God gave his only begotten Son to save s from the second death. .&ohn 0164:
CHRIST; :RO:HET? :RIEST AND KING

&ESUS $HE P/+PHE$ 6. ;oses predicted the coming of a perfect prophet( f lfilled in &es s .Ae teronomy 67169?6<( ,cts 012>?20: 2. &es s claimed he was a prophet. .&ohn =164( 7127( 6218<?9>: 0. - lfilled predictions a: His death and res rrection .;atthew 64126( &ohn 216<: b: $he destr ction of &er salem .;atthew 2816?2( L !e 6<186?88: c: $he Gentile domination of )srael .L !e 2612>?28: d: $he &ewish dispersion .;atthew 28108: e: $hat the script res wo ld s rvive .;atthew 28109: &ESUS $HE P/)ES$ 6. , priest is a man who represents other men before God( so that sinf l man can have relationship with a holy God .Hebrews 916:. $he priest made propitiation for the sins of the people. .Hebrews 216=( Hebrews 6>162: and also made intercession for the people 2. ,s a high priest( 'hrist offered a perfect sacrifice to God to remove sin for all time ? His own body .Hebrews <124:. 0. He also offers intercessory prayer for s .Hebrews =120?29: at the right hand of the -ather. 8. 'haracteristics1? a: He was divinely appointed .Hebrews 918?6>: b: He is perfect .Hebrews =124?27: c: He is mercif l and faithf l .Hebrews 216=: d: He is sympathetic .Hebrews 8168?64: e: He is everlasting .Hebrews =120?29: f: He is o r advocate .6 &ohn 216: 9. @eca se of o r nion in the @ody of 'hrist( every believer is a priest .6 Peter 21<:. "e have direct access to God the -ather .;atthew 2=196( Hebrews 8164:. $herefore( o r lives are to be a living sacrifice ./omans 6216: of praise .Hebrews 60169:( giving .Hebrews 60164: and obedience .Hebrews 6016=:. &ESUS $HE H)EG 6. ,t the second advent &es s 'hrist will come as Hing( as Hing of Hings and Lord of Lords. .6 $imothy 4169: a: His Hingdom ? +n earth .&eremiah 2019( /evelation 6<166?64:. His !ingdom is called the !ingdom of heaven( beca se of its heavenly character( b t it is clearly on earth. b: His 'apital ? &er salem .Psalm 214: c: )ts E%tent ? $he whole world. .Psalm =214?66( )saiah 212?0( Aaniel =160?68( Mechariah 712>?20: d: "hen ? He will regather believing )srael after the Great $rib lation and will reign on earth for 6(>>> years. ./evelation 6<166?64( Mechariah 6816?8(<. /evelation 2>18?4: 2. 'haracteristics of the Hingdom1 a: Universal Peace .)saiah 218( ;icah 812?0: b: Universal Prosperity .;icah 818?=: c: /ighteo s and & st r le .Psalm =212?=( )saiah 661<: d: "orldwide in e%tent .Psalm =214?7: e: Glorio s .Psalm =216=?6<: f: Everlasting .Aaniel =160?68( L !e 6102?00( /evelation 66169: g: Uplifting of the nder privileged .Psalm =212?8(62?68:
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0. 'hrist*s r le on earth will terminate with the Great "hite $hrone & dgment ./evelation 2>166?69:. He delivers the !ingdom to the -ather( .6 'orinthians 69128: th s commencing the eternal r le of 'hrist. .6 'orinthians 69127:
CHRIST; FIRST AND SECOND ADVENTS

6. +ld $estament saints had diffic lty in disting ishing between the two advents of 'hrist. .6 Peter 616>(66: 2. +ld $estament prophecy has 'hrist coming as a gentle lamb led to the sla ghter. .)saiah 901=: 0. +ld $estament prophecy has 'hrist coming as the conG ering Hing and Lion of the tribe of & dah. .)saiah 6616?62: 8. &es s commenced his ministry anno ncing the Hingdom of Heaven is at hand. .;atthew 816=: $his connects the first and second advents. 9. +ld $estament Prophecy showed that the ;essiah wo ld1? a: be born of a virgin. .)saiah =168: b: be of the tribe of & dah. .Genesis 8<16>: c: be of the ho se of Aavid. .)saiah 6616( &eremiah 00126: d: die as a sacrifice. .)saiah 9016?62: e: be cr cified. .Psalm 2216?26: f: be res rrected from the dead. .Psalm 6417?66: g: ret rn to earth at his second advent. .Mechariah 710: h: be seated at the right hand of God. .Psalm 66>16: 4. )t sho ld be noted that the ret rn of 'hrist for the 'h rch .the /apt re: as given in .6 $hessalonians 8168?67: was not revealed in the +ld $estament ? it is a mystery doctrine of the 'h rch .'olossians 018?4: =. $he day of the Second ,dvent is characterised by s pernat ral dar!ness a: "hen 'hrist ret rns every eye shall see him .;atthew 2812<?0>: 'hrist is the light of the world and he will ret rn to a world covered in dar!ness .symbolic of sin:. b: $he dar!ness is similar to the dar!ness of the day of o r Lord*s cr cifi%ion which hid the Lord &es s 'hrist from man*s sight whilst he was bearing o r sins. .;ar! 69100: c: $he Second ,dvent delivers the &ewish believers besieged in &er salem by the Hing of the Eorth. .Aaniel 66( Mechariah 6216?0( 6816?8: d: +ther passages indicating that the day of the Second ,dvent is a day of total dar!ness on the earth. .)saiah 601<?6>( E5e!iel 021=?7( &oel 216>?66( &oel 0168?69( ,mos 9167( Mechariah 6814( ;atthew 2812<?0>( L !e 26129?2=( /evelation 4162?6=: 7. Heralds of the $wo ,dvents of 'hrist , herald is a person who preceded* a Hing in ancient times to anno nce his arrival. $he Hing that we st dy is the Lord &es s 'hrist. a: -irst ,dvent i: H man herald ? &ohn the @aptist .;atthew 0: ii: ,ngelic heralds ? ,ngels .L !e 216?69: b: Second ,dvent i: H man heralds ? ;oses( Eli#ah ./evelation 66: ii: ,ngelic herald ? $he mighty angel ./evelation 6>:
KINGDOM; MILLENNIAL KINGDOM

6. P$hy will be done on earth( P will be f lfilled in the ;illenni m. .;atthew 416>: 2. $he Hingdom is the ;illenni m( the first 6(>>> years of &es s* eternal reign. )t will be after the second advent( on the old earth. ./evelation 2>18?4: a: Promised .2 Sam el =17?6=( Psalm 7<12>?00: b: Prophesied .)saiah 216?9( 2166( 62( 09( 99( 94( 42166: c: Presented .;atthew( ;ar!( L !e : )srael( not the ch rch: d: Postponed Epistles of Eew $estament .for ch rch age: e: Proclaimed ./evelation 6>: .,ngelic herald: ./evelation 6616?6 8: .H man heralds: f: Plagiari5ed ./evelation 60: g: Perfected ./evelation 66169?6<: 0. )ss es relating to the Hingdom a: $he 'haracter of God ? will He !eep His word to )sraelT Ces. &es s 'hrist will reign. b: Unconditional 'ovenant ? will He !eep 'ovenantT Ces. ,brahamic( Palestinian( Aavidic( Eew ? all f lfilled in the ;illenni m.
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c: Aispersion of )srael ? will He recover them againT Ces. ,t the second advent. d: ,dvent ? will He ret rn to earth at the worst period in historyT Ces. ,t the end of the $rib lation. e: ;illennial ? $he Hingdom of &es s 'hrist is eternal( why the emphasis on the first 6(>>> yearsT &es s will do what Satan has been trying to do for 4(>>> years3 He will create perfect environment in an instant( as a demonstration to prove that perfect environment is not the answer3 regeneration is. 8. Principles from ;icah 816?7 a: $he Hingdom will be s preme. .;icah 816: b: $he Hingdom will be niversal. .;icah 812: c: $he Hingdom will be peacef l. .;icah 810: d: $he Hingdom will sec re niversal prosperity..;icah 818?9: e: $he nation of )srael r led by the Lord for the Hingdom. .;icah 814?7:
:RO:HECY; DANIELIS SEVENTY WEEKS

6. Script re1? Aaniel <128?2= PSeventy wee!s are determined pon thy people and pon thy holy city( to finish the transgression( and to ma!e an end of sins( and to ma!e reconciliation for iniG ity and to bring in everlasting righteo sness and to seal p the vision and prophecy( and to anoint the most Holy. P .Aaniel <128: 2. "hat is a wee!T )n the ancient world both Gree! and Latin philosophers !new the wee!( as the wee! of years. )n this system one wee! eG als = years. $h s seventy wee!s eG al => % = years O 8<> years. 0. "hat $ype of CearT $he year sed in script re of Aaniel*s time was the &ewish year which ,braham had preserved from his 'haldean home. ,braham*s year was the l nar year and consisted of 04> days. $he period stated then is => % = % 04> days giving a total of 6=4 8>> days. 8. "ho are )nvolvedT *$hy people( thy holy city* refer to the &ews and &er salem or & dea. "e therefore have a period of 8<> years involving the &ews and &er salem. 9. "hen Aoes this Period EndT a: )n the second half of verse 28 the end of the period is given by si% separate events1 i: to finish the transgression ? the start of the ;illenni m at the 2nd advent. ii: ma!e an end to sins ? perfect environment starts at the 2nd advent and contin es for a tho sand years. ./omans 716<?26: iii: ma!e reconciliation ? since ,A => the &ews have been dispersed amongst the nations( they will contin e to be dispersed ntil &es s 'hrist calls them bac! to their land at the 2nd advent. iv: bring in everlasting righteo sness ? the millenni m starts a period of everlasting righteo sness with the reign of 'hrist( this everlasting righteo sness contin es into the eternal f t re. $his period starts at the 2nd advent. v: to seal p the vision and prophecy ? the 2nd advent f lfils the ,brahamic( Palestinian and Aavidic covenant and this prophecy. vi: to anoint the most Holy ? at the 2nd advent &es s is anointed Hing of )srael. b: $he terminal point in all si% statements can therefore be said to be the 2nd advent of the Lord &es s 'hrist or the midnight ho r of .;atthew 2914:. "e th s have a period from .Aaniel <128: of 8<> &ewish years each having 04> days terminating at the 2nd ,dvent. c: )n the ne%t three verses the period of => wee!s is caref lly divided into three sections. d: PHnow therefore and nderstand that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to b ild &er salem nto the ;essiah the Prince shall be seven wee!s .8< years: and three score and two wee!s .808 years:1the streets shall be b ilt again( and the wall even in tro bled times. P .Aaniel <129: e: "e have therefore three periods into which the => wee!s is split ? = wee!s W 42 wee!s leaving a balance of 6 wee!. E%pressed in years we have 8< years W 808 years W = years. 4. "hat is the Starting PointT $here were three edicts iss ed by Persian princes dating after the time of Aaniel and relating to the &ews ret rning to their homeland( they were1?
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i: $he edict of 'yr s in 907 @' to reb ild the ho se of the Lord .$emple: .E5ra 6:. ii: $he edict of Aari s in 92> @' to reb ild the temple which is fo nd in .E5ra 4: Aari s* edict was to confirm 'yr s* previo s order( the temple wor!s having been stopped after the death of 'yr s. iii: $he edict of ,rta%er%es Longiman s to reb ild &er salem in 889 @' .Eehemiah 2: b: )nspection of Aaniel <129 shows that the critical commandment which starts the => wee!s cloc! tic!ing was the order to reb ild &er salem not the temple. $he correct order was the edict of ,rta%er%es in 889 @' $he practice of Persian Hings was to iss e s ch orders on their Eew Cears day( the 6st of the month of Eisan. Using the services of the ,stronomer /oyal in London( Sir /obert ,nderson( was able to determine that the 6st Eisan of 889 @' occ rred on 68th ;arch 889 @'. "e therefore have the following date1? c: 68th ;arch 889 @' ?? 8<> years ?? 2nd ,dvent d: )t also states that &er salem will be reb ilt with its walls completed after 8< years .= wee!s: in diffic lt circ mstances. $here is considerable biblical evidence that &er salem was reb ilt nder very diffic lt circ mstances. e: P,nd after three score and two wee!s shall ;essiah be c t off( b t not for Himself. P .Aaniel <124a: =. "ho is the ;essiahT ? &es s 'hristD )n L !e*s gospel on entry into &er salem on Palm S nday( # st prior to his cr cifi%ion( the crowd welcomed &es s 'hrist as the promised ;essiah .L !e 6<107: this being the only time when he was so called by the mass of the inhabitants of &er salem. 7. "hen was He c t offT ,ccording to .L !e 016 : &es s 'hrist was baptised in the 69th year of $iberi s 'aesar. ,s his ministry was three years in length( the entry into &er salem occ rred in the 67th year of $iberi s. Searches of literat re incl ding( *$he Aecline and -all of the /oman Empire* by Gibbon( has shown that $iberi s became 'aesar in 68 ,A Entrance into &er salem was therefore on Palm S nday 02 ,A ,gain by comp tation the date of Palm S nday 02 ,A was 6>th Eisan or 4th ,pril ,A 02( the cr cifi%ion occ rring on <th ,pril ,A 02. <. )f this is correct( we sho ld find correlation between the 870 &ewish years to the c tting off of the ;essiah and the time between 68th ;arch 889 @' and 4th ,pril ,A 02. $he time between these two dates is 8=4 years and 28 days. $otal n mber of days are therefore as follows1? 8=4 years % 049 days O 6=0(=8> 68L0 to 4L8 O 28 Leap years O 664 $+$,L O 6=0(77> days. &ewish time1 870 % 04> O 6=0(77> days 6>. + r scale now shows1? 68th ;arch 889 @' ?? 870 years ?? 4th ,pril 02 ,A 66. $he following G estions now arise1 Has the second advent of &es s 'hrist occ rredT ? Eo. )s it longer than = years since &es s 'hrist rode into &er salemT ? Ces. $herefore there m st be a gap between the 4<th wee! and the =>th wee!. 889 @' ?? 870 years ?? 02 ,A ?? G,P ?? = years ?? 2nd ,dvent 62. $his gap has been filled in God*s view of history by the ch rch age. .see topic of )ntercalation:. $he =>th wee! which is = years in length therefore starts at the end of the ch rch age ? at the /apt re. $hese = years of the =>th wee! are the worst = years in the history of man ? the trib lation. 60. '+E'LUS)+E $he co rse of this =>th wee! is denoted in .Aaniel <124b( 2=:. a: Pand the people of the prince .the dictator of the /evived /oman Empire: that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanct ary( and the end thereof shall be with a flood( and ntil the end of the war( desolations are determined. b: ,nd he .the dictator: shall confirm the covenant .m t al defence pact: with the many .the &ews: for one wee! .= years: and in the midst of the wee! .06L2 years: be shall ca se the sacrifice and the oblation to cease( and for the overspreading of abominations be shall ma!e it desolate( .this refers to the erection of a stat e in the reb ilt temple in
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&er salem( see /evelation 60166?69:. even ntil the cons mmation .the 2nd advent: and that determined shall be po red pon the desolate .the dictator will be # dged and cast into hell( see /evelation 6<12>:.P c: "e th s have Aaniel*s => wee!s divided as shown1? d: 889 @' ?? 870 years ?? 02 ,A ?? 'HU/'H ?? nspecified period of time ?? /,P$U/E ?? = years ?? 2nd ,dvent
:RO:HECY; SEOUENCE OF END TIME EVENTS

6. Eote1 Some of the events in the $rib lation may occ r in a slightly different seG ence. 2. 'HU/'H ,GE a: /apt re of the 'h rch .6 'orinthians 69196?97( 6 $hessalonians 8160?67:. b: & dgment Seat of 'hrist .believers only ? p rpose is rewards: .6 'orinthians 0162?69:. 0. $/)@UL,$)+E .first 0 6L2 years: a: /evival of /oman Empire( $en Eation 'onfederacy .Aaniel =1=( 28( /evelation 6016( 6=10( 62( 60:. b: /ise of ;iddle East Aictator .Aaniel =17( /evelation 6016?7:. c: $emple reb ilt in &er salem d: Seven seals # dgments ./evelation 416ff: and seven tr mpets # dgments ./evelation 71=ff:. e: $wo witnesses preach from &er salem ntil !illed. f: Peace treaty with )srael .Aaniel <12=:. g: "orld ch rch established ./evelation 6=16?69:. h: / ssia attac!s )srael abo t fo r years before the second coming of 'hrist .E5e!iel 07( 0<:. 8. G/E,$ $/)@UL,$)+E .second 0 6L2 years: a: Peace treaty with )srael bro!en b: ,ntichrist sets p ,bomination of Aesolation and demands worship .;atthew 28169(26:. c: "orld government( world economic system( world religion begins .Aaniel =120( /evelation 6019?7( 6=164( 6=:. d: Seven bowl # dgments ./evelation 6412ff:. e: ;artyrdom of many $rib lation Saints and &ews ./evelation =1<?6=( 60169:. f: 'atastrophic divine # dgments po red o t on the earth ./evelation 416=:. g: "orld war brea!s o t in ;iddle East3 battle of ,rmageddon .Aaniel 6618>?89( /evelation <160?26( 64162?64:. 9. SE'+EA ,ANEE$ +- 'H/)S$ a: Second coming of 'hrist .;atthew 2812=?06( /evelation 6<166:. b: $rib lation s rviving believers proceed into the ;illenni m .;atthew 0162:. c: Unbelievers cast off the earth .E5e!iel 2>100?07( ;atthew 0(62( 29106?84( & de 68( 69( /evelation 6<169?26( 2>16?8:. d: Satan bo nd ./evelation 2>16?0:. e: /es rrection of +ld $estament saints and $rib lation martyrs ./evelation 2>18:. 4. ;)LLEEE)U; a: ;illennial !ingdom begins ./evelation 2>19( 4:. b: 'hrist reigns on earth for 6(>>> years in perfect environment and peace ./evelation 2>18?4:. c: Satan released at the end of the ;illenni m ./evelation 2>1=?<:. d: /ebellion of Gog and ;agog at the end of the ;illenni m ./evelation 2>1=?6>:. e: /es rrection of all nbelievers ./evelation 2>19a:. f: Great "hite $hrone & dgment . nbelievers only ? p rpose is # dgment: ./evelation 2>166?69:. =. E$E/E)$C a: Eew heaven( new earth( new &er salem ./evelation 26( 22:. b: @elievers blessed forever with 'hrist ./evelation 26 ? 2219:. c: Unbelievers p nished forever with Satan .;atthew 29186:.
CHRISTIAN LIFE; :RAYER

6. "e may !now the provision of God b t we m st comm nicate with Him in order to obtain this provision. a: Prayer is the believer*s means of comm nicating with God. b: $he @ible is God*s way of comm nicating with man. 2. Promises )nvolving Prayer a: ;atthew 26122 "e sho ld as! believing. b: ;atthew 6716< $he power of corporate prayer. c: Psalm 66416( 2 God is always available to hear o r prayer. d: )saiah 49128 God will answer while we are yet praying.
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e: ;atthew =1= "e are commanded to pray. f: &ohn 68160?68 "e can as! for anything in His name. g: Philippians 814 $he prayer sho ld be with than!sgiving. h: 6 $hessalonians 916= "e sho ld pray witho t ceasing. i: Hebrews 8164 "e can come boldly to the throne of Grace. 0. Prayer Aivided into 8 Segments a: 'onfession of sins .6 &ohn 61<: b: $han!sgiving .6 $hessalonians 9167: c: )ntercession for others .Ephesians 4167: d: Petitions for one*s own needs .Hebrews 8164: 8. Power of Prayer a: )ndivid al ? Eli#ah and the b rnt offering .6 Hings 67104?0<: b: 'orporate ? the release of Peter from prison .,cts 6216?67: 9. +ne Prayer that co ld not be ,nswered $he prayer of o r Lord on the 'ross .Psalm 2216?67: 4. $o "hom are Prayers ,ddressedT a: Airected to the -ather ? .;atthew 419?<: b: )n the name of the Son ? .Hebrews =129: c: )n the power of the Spirit ? ./omans 7124?2=: $he Son .&es s: and Spirit are interceding for s. =. Prayers can be Aivided into Petition and Aesire a: Petition ? "hat yo as! God for .e.g. a new car:. b: Aesire ? $he desire behind the petition .e.g. happiness beca se yo have a new car:. 7. -o r Possible 'ombinations a: Petition answered ? Aesire not answered. Psalm 6>4169 ? $he G ails of the E%od s generation. 6 Sam el 719 ? , Hing to reign over )srael. b: Petition not answered ? Aesire answered. Genesis 67120 ? $he preservation of Sodom. 2 'orinthians 621= ? /emoval of the thorn in Pa l*s side. c: Petition answered ? Aesire answered. 6 Hings 67104?0= ? Eli#ah reG ests fire for the offering. L !e 20182 ?$he penitent thief*s prayer. $ype c: represents the perfect prayer. d: Petition not answered ? Aesire not answered. $ype d: nanswered prayer has 7 main reasons which are shown in paragraph <. <. /easons for Unanswered Prayer a: Lac! of belief .;atthew 26122: b: Selfishness .&ames 810: c: Unconfessed sin .Psalm 44167: d: Lac! of compassion .Proverbs 26160: e: Pride and self righteo sness .&ob 09162?60: f: Lac! of filling of the Spirit .Ephesians 4167: g: Lac! of obedience .6 &ohn 0122: h: Eot in the Aivine will .6 &ohn 9168: ;ost of the reasons for nanswered prayer( is some form of sin in the life( which can be solved by confession of !nown sins as per paragraph 0 a: nder the concept of 6&ohn 61<. 6>. )ntercessory Prayer a: $his is one of the fo r factors in a prayer( which are1? i: 'onfession of sins ii: $han!sgiving iii: )ntercession iv: +wn needs. b: $he power of intercessory prayer is ta ght in .6 Hings 67182?84: the principle being fo nd in .&ames 9164?67:
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c: $he power of prevailing prayer is shown in .,cts 62: d: $he prayer for the nbeliever ./omans 6>16: e: Prayer for an n!nown believer .'olossians 610?66: f: Prayer for the !nown believer .Ephesians 6169?20: NOTES
CHA:TER 1*
INTRODUCTION
)n this chapter we have f rther organi5ational elements described that relate to the way ;oses gave orders to the armed forces of the tribes( and then their order of march is given( and this ma!es clear the details given earlier in chapter 2. ) still stand by my observations at that point( that the army fell in as a gro p and led the people( who were also organi5ed in tribal gro ps( b t li!ely followed the army. $his was the standard way for people gro ps to move in the ancient world( with army in front for protection and freedom of manoe vre( and camp followers behind at a safe distance so that if there was tro ble( they co ld form a tight camp and the older and yo nger men there co ld ma!e a last stand to protect the women and children. Each time ) read the names of the princes who led the people ) thin! of where we are going with the story. Sadly every one of these princes mentioned here will fail to e%ercise their leadership in a manner that f lly hono rs GodKs plan for their people. $hey will all die in the wilderness beca se they do not have faith at a cr cial point in the words of God thro gh ;oses. $hey march o t li!e the princes they are( b t they will die li!e sad old men by the wayside in the desert( beca se they do not advance in faith and sei5e the land when the Lord ma!es it clear they have it as His gift to them. $hey co ld have been the signet ring on the finger of God( b t they became the d st of historyD &eremiah 22128( Haggai 2120( /omans 68120( Hebrews 01= I 8166. $his remains the challenge for s all( that we might be the people of God as we are meant to be( and that we might wal! where He wants s to wal!. God wants s to adorn the Gospel( li!e a signet ring adorns the hand. Let s commit o rselves again this day to the service of the Lord with #oy and faith while it is called today( and be li!e those who advance in glory( not li!e those who falter in nbelief. $it s 216?69( Hebrews 01=?64( 816?62.
NUMBERS 1*;1-3B
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REFLECTIONS
V"2%"% 1 9 1*5 $he two silver tr mpets are to be made. @e5aleel is the obvio s man to do this of beaten sheets of silver( which they appear to have had plenty of( or at least eno gh left over after the tabernacle b ilding to ma!e the two tr mpets. $here is time to ma!e this before they move o t( for the order of the Lord to move o t is given on the twentieth day of the second month( and if they are of beaten sheets of silver( then ho rs and days will be ta!en to ma!e each rather than wee!s and months. .Nerse 66:. $hey are li!e the tr mpets that we see heralds sing at royal ceremonies. &oseph s records that the silver tr mpets of his day were copied from older days( and they were abo t a c bit long .67 inches:. @eca se each one is beaten separately they will be of slightly different si5e and shape and will ma!e a distinct so nd when blown. $his is significant( for each will mean a different thing. $he silver tr mpets here became the forer nners of a significant orchestra in SolomonKs $emple( where 62> silver tr mpets blew as the ,r! was bro ght into the new $emple. 2 'hronicles 9162. )n ;oses day the meaning of the blowing of the tr mpets was made clear to all the people. ,s verse 6> ma!es clear( the tr mpets were to be blown over the sacrifices to celebrate what they meant. $he tr mpets were at these times blown for sheer #oy in the salvation that the Lord had provided thro gh the shed blood of the sacrificial animal. "hen both tr mpets so nded together however( all the pop lation was to gather together at the door of the tabernacle. "hen one tr mpet alone blew the princes were to gather with the elders and receive instr ctions from ;oses. , different so nd was the alarm( which was a call to battle. "hen the alarm so nds the army is to strap on weapons and head for the parade gro nd. $he advanced g ard that leads the ,rmy is the Eastern /egiment. $he tribe that leads the Eastern /egiment o t is & dah( .with )ssachar and Meb l n:. $hey are to assemble and march o t as the first gro p to meet the enemy. $he second ,larm so nded on the tr mpet means the second or So thern /egiment( led by /e ben .with Simeon and Gad: are to follow the first regiment o t to face the enemy. ,s they go they so nd the alarm again( possibly with their ramKs horn shofar( so that the so nd is distinct from the earlier two calls( as a warning to the other two camps that their army battalions are now on the march( and the "estern and Eorthern /egiments are to be ready to #oin them soon. )n the gap between the first and second tr mpet call( the tabernacle( carried by the Levites in their wagons( is to be in the line of battle( following the regiment led by & dah. +nce they are moving in their order( the second tr mpet is blown to call the regiment led by /e ben to follow the families of Gershon and ;erari of the Levites. )t is clear later .verses 26:( that they set p the tabernacle str ct re on arrival at the camp site the clo d hovers over( and the Hohathites arrive later and place the items within the erected str ct re( ready for ,aron to nwrap. -rom a military perspective( the wagons presence wo ld ma!e manoe vre slightly more diffic lt for the fo r regiments( altho gh there are only si% wagons. $hese Levites are e%posed to the enemy( almost at the head of the ,rmy. $heir place is a place of faith and tr st in God. $hey m st sit with their wagons( as the Hohathites( f rther down the line( stand with the ,r! and f rnit re on their sho lders( and tr st their fate to the Lord and their brothers( to protect them from any threat. $he most val able items of the nation are th s at the head of their army e%posed to any enemy.
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$hey are to deliberately place the symbols of the presence of God at their head( to remind themselves that the Lord is with them( and will protect them. $hey are also to realise that there are no ris!s in the LordKs plan if it is followed obediently. $he ,r! will not be lost e%cept thro gh gross disobedience. 6 Sam el 2162?29( 816?66. $he ,larm signal is not to be so nded when the entire congregation is to be gathered. )t is for the gathering of the army only. $here are signals that need to be serio s and sing lar in their meaning( and the call to war is one of them. 6 'orinthians 6817. $his is also a reminder of the disc ssion we had in chapter two regarding the army and the people setting o t separately. $he calls of the tr mpet disting ish between the people and the army as the two cannot be mi%ed on the march otherwise the sec rity of the entire gro p is compromised. ,n army cannot straggle along with their family members aro nd them3 they m st be armed( ready and free to manoe vre G ic!ly to face any threat to the larger gro p. $here are ample men in the entire congregation( who are not f lly fighting fit for war( who can brea! camp and assist the wagon driving for the women and children. ) believe the ,rmy is probably comprised of men only between twenty and fifty( # st as the active Levites are( with then ample men in their late teens and over fifty to coordinate and wor! to brea! and set p the rest of the camp. $he two men tas!ed with the blowing of the tr mpets are the s rviving sons of ,aron. $he death of Eadab and ,bih ( Levitic s 6>16ff( may have occ rred as early as the ninth or tenth day of the first month. ,aron and ;oses are clearly very b sy in this period # st after the raising p of the tabernacle( and do not notice the two men approaching with their strange fire( and so the Lord # dges them before most are even aware of what they are doing. ,aron and the other two sons( are told to !eep on wor!ing( and ncles b ry the remains of the two sinf l disobedient men. Levitic s 6>18?9. $here is no period of mo rning( for the #oy of the occasion of the gift giving( and the serio sness of the first offerings being offered( is too significant to let the death of disobedient men spoil the worship. $he same thing happens in the early ch rch with ,nanias and Sapphira( ,cts 8104 ? 9166. )f ) am correct on the timing of the events of this first month( then we can see Eadab and ,bih Ks actions as a satanic attempt to lead the people away from tr e worship at a cr cial time( and we can see the LordKs instr ctions as the demand pon s all( right thro gh ntil today( that nothing is to distract s from tr e worship and correct service. $he disobedient dead are to be b ried witho t ceremony( and the obedient people of God are to move onwards witho t distracting themselves a min te over the fate of the foolish. $he tr mpets are to s mmon the help of the army and call them into action in their /egiments( b t the Lord tells ;oses that even after they are settled in the land they are to se the tr mpets to so nd the alarm to gather the troops for war. $he primary p rpose of the tr mpet is a comm nication device( b t the Lord ma!es it clear that it wor!s in two directions3 to gather the army( and to s mmon the LordKs help also. $he LordKs promise is that He will hear the tr mpet and respond( so that even as the soldiers are gathering the Lord is already there helping them. ,gain and again the Lord will remind them that their safety is not in their armed forces( b t in their obedience to the Lord( for He is their help in time of tro ble. $hey are to be ready to fight( b t they are always to recogni5e that the battle is the Lords( and so are we today. E%od s 68160( Ae teronomy =12?28( 66129( Psalms 0012>( 8>160?6=( 8416?9( =>16?9( 6>7162( Proverbs 2612<?06( Ecclesiastes <166?67. V"2%"% 11 9 2D5 $he first moving o t of the children of )srael now occ rs. )t is the twentieth day of the second month. ,fter fo rteen days of solid sacrifice and drama in the first month( the Passover is celebrated( and then the wee! of the -east of Unleavened @read. $here is a gap of aro nd fo r wee!s then ntil the camp is ordered by the Lord to move. $he camp will be established in their new site before the -east of Pentecost( which sho ld be celebrated in the land itself .Levitic s 201<ff:( b t it will be another forty years before they celebrate this feast. $his gap of a month after the worship time is abo t the time needed to bring an army that needs to march in order to the right level of readiness for the march( and for the people in the tribal encampments to be readied for their move also. $hey have time to train and prepare nder their leaders. $hey have had nearly a month of worship( and now they have a month of preparation for the march into the gateway of the Land at Hadesh @arnea. Every wagon is able to be repaired( ready for the rigor of the #o rney( and they will have wor!ed o t where every item they have will fit in that wagon( and each family will have a ro tine for ta!ing down their tent and pac!ing. $hey will have to do this witho t their strong and fit family soldier( as he will be fallen in on the parade gro nd. Everyone m st wor!( older men and women( and the yo nger women and older children3 all have a tas! and it is well practised by the day the clo d moves towards Paran. $hey are to head for the area of northern Sinai called then the land of Paran and their date with destiny at Hadesh @arnea. E mbers 62164. Even before they arrive in that camp site there is tro ble with the ;i%ed m ltit de( E mbers 66( and with ;iriam and ,aron again. E mbers 62. $he order to move o t is received directly from the Lord. $he clo d that hovered over the tabernacle lifts p and moves to the compass point that they are to move o t towards. $he clo d moves towards the area of Paran and hovers over that area many miles to the "est. $he clo d waits there ntil the army and the people are in their order ready to wheel o t of camp and onto the march and it only moves to f rther direct their march.
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;oses directs the army and people as to the ro te to ta!e to reach that destination( to ens re they are heading for the clo d the best way across the landscape. $his is the area that ;oses may have at times wor!ed in d ring his forty years as a shepherd( and so he !nows the best way to get to each place. $hey are also marching into an area that Egyptian spies and agents will be present within( and Egyptian frontier armies may be waiting for them. ;oses needs to g ide them the best way to reach the place the clo d has directed them to. $he Lord sets the final location and ;oses is e%pected to drawn pon all his leadership s!ills and bac!gro nd !nowledge and lead. ;oses also wants his brother in law( Hobab( a ;idianite( to #oin them as he is even better in this desert( b t he will not be !een( Nerses 2<?02. $his is the way the Lord g ides today still3 he does not do everything( b t provides eno gh information for leadership to e%ercise its giftings and apply its God given past e%periences( and good co nsellors( and do their #ob to lead GodKs people from the front. /efer bac! to the @$@ st dy( GU)A,E'E I $HE ")LL +- G+A. "e are only g essing( b t the movement described here to get the army and then the people o t of the camp site( appears to be a wheeling movement( with the eastern ,rmy /egiment leading( then the two families of Levites( then the So thern( then the Hohathites( then the "estern( and finally the Eorthern gro p. @y marching in an anti?cloc!wise direction they co ld head off in the signalled direction G ic!ly from their parade gro nd between the tabernacle enclos re and the camps of the tribes. S nday school pict res and Hollywood movies tend to have the people as a great mass of h manity s rging forward( b t ;oses was a general of Egypt( and he nderstood( as all generals do( that masses of people are # st mobs and are easy pic!ings for disciplined gro ps of enemies. $he children of )srael were well organi5ed( well led( and coordinated in all they did. ,fter the army divisions have filed o t in order of battle( the tribes filed o t in the same basic order( with their wagons loaded( and animals well controlled at the rear. $he way the hosts are described indicates to me that they are separate gro ps in their own col mn( as is the army itself( with the camp followers .mi%ed m ltit de: behind them all. $he army also needs to be ahead of the b l! of the wagons( as they will brea! p the gro nd and the animals following will fo l it. @oth these factors ma!e manoe vre over s ch gro nd more fra ght with diffic lty for foot soldiers. ,n army can move faster( by twice or more( than the speed of wagons carrying women and children. $he army regiments co ld be detached by ;oses at any time to the rear or flan!s and they wo ld be able to G ic!ly protect the entire array of the people from any dangers on the march. $his area of the Sinai was controlled by Egypt at the time( and so alertness wo ld be reG ired on this ro te( and faith all the way. $hey were marching into danger at every step of the way( b t they are marching in GodKs direction( and so they can rela% and tr st Him to g ide themD $he regiments march with their banners flying so that all can see the head of each col mn in the d st of the march. $he army gro ps have their banners and the people have their banners. ,ll can foc s pon the standard of their own tribe and ta!e their bearings from there. & dah leads( nder its prince .'olonel: Eahshon. "ith them went )ssachar and Meb l n nder their 'olonels. Ee%t came( from the words of ;oses here( the tabernacle tent and str ct res( in its si% covered wagons( controlled by the sons of Gershon and ;erari. $he second regiment of the army followed after the second tr mpet blast from one of the sons of ,aron. +nce they were well on the way( they blew their alarm on their own shofar and this gave the warning to the tribes led by Ephraim to begin to move o t behind them( after the ar! and the f rnit re carried by the Hohathites( was in the line. $here are at least si% loads being carried and possibly seven. .$he ,r!( the ,ltar of )ncense( the @ra5en ,ltar( the $able of Shewbread( the Golden 'andlestic!( the b ndle of items sed for the sacrifices( and possibly the bron5e laver itself.: $his gro p of items is not going to ta!e p m ch space( and the men carrying them co ld be G ic!ly marshalled into the line after the regiment of /e ben has marched past. )n verse 26 we have the mention of the Hohathites( who carry the ,r! and - rnit re( as they are coming after /e benKs three battalions. )t is only at this point clear( that they set p their items( ready for the sons of ,aron to npac! them( only after the other Levites have set p the tabernacle and enclos re. ,t the siege of &ericho( & dges 418ff( the arrangement is different( for the tabernacle remains pitched in the centre of the camp and only the ,r! moves o t with the army at that time. )t wo ld appear then that the ,r! is carried at the head of the army( with all the Levites of the families of Gershon and ;erari marching in order ahead of it and the twelve tribal battalions after them. Aan was the leader of the rear g ard /egiment and their tas! was to be the gro p that !ept the army tightly together. $hey were the !ey to the defence of the line. $he relationship of the army in their march( to the people in their march is not f lly clear from ;oses descriptions here or in other places. )t has been traditional amongst commentators to have the armed gro ps marching at the head of their tribal array of women and children( b t for all the military reasons detailed above( ) cannot see this being the way it was done. ;oses was too e%perienced a commander of men to ma!e s ch a strategic mista!e and hinder his manoe vring and fighting ability. ,s noted above( the Sinai Penins la was nder Egyptian domination at this time( and so marching in battle array wo ld be reG ired to be instantly ready to deal with an attac! from any Egyptian frontier force that might be there. Eone of these older commentators were soldiers( and none had ever marched in battle array with significant n mbers of civilians in tow( nor st died and applied the records of those who have done this at vario s points in history. ) believe the army and the tribal gro ps were separate( with animals at the rear of all( b t this is +ELC my belief( and it may be wrong. ) am happy to be corrected by ;oses when ) meet him in heaven.
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V"2%"% 2E 9 325 $he #o rneying now really starts for the children of )srael. $he first year has been a training camp e%perience( and it is only now that they head o t as an army with their correct banners and their spirit al centre( the ,r! and tabernacle( at the heart of the army. ;oses briefs Hobab( the son of his father?in?law( abo t their ne%t move at this point. /ag el .also called &ethro:( his father?in?law had been living with him at an earlier point( E%od s 67( b t had not e%pected to #o rney with them f rther( and had already ret rned f rther so th into ;idian E%od s 6712=. .He probably lived aro nd the area of ;ecca today:. $hese ,rabic peoples are called the ;idianites( or the Henites. Hobab has clearly stayed on with his brother in law ntil this point as a part of ;oses encampment. /efer bac! to the E@'", 'ommentary on E%od s 67 for a disc ssion of the family dynamic. ;oses en#oys his company( and val es his ability as a desert g ide( and as!s him to accompany the march to Paran( and in faith and confidence promises him nothing b t good things. ;oses is absol tely s re that the Lord is going to bless )srael and for Hobab there co ld be blessing by association if he #oins them. Hobab however is not too !een abo t heading bac! into the area controlled by Egypt and ris!ing all with the )sraelites. He loves his brother in law b t wo ld clearly prefer to be bac! with his family to the so th o t of harms way. ;oses is insistent( and we are not told directly here whether Hobab relented or not( b t with ;oses immediately moving to disc ss the move( the s spicion of most commentators is that this man( and his family #oined the march to Hadesh @arnea. He wo ld appear to be mentioned in & dges 6164( and that wo ld indicate that he gained a share of the land with the )sraelites he g ided and served( and that he did not s ffer the fate of the disobedient )sraelites and die in the ne%t thirty eight years. E mbers 68124ff. His descendents were still there in the days of Hing Sa l nearly fo r h ndred years later( and Sa l remembers their ancestors wor! for )srael. 6 Sam el 6919?7. Aavid lied to the Philistine !ing of Gath that he had laid waste to the Henites( for he !new that this wo ld impress him( as no )sraelite wo ld harm these people( who had helped )srael come o t of Egypt. 6 Sam el 2=1=?62. V"2%"% 33 9 3B5 $he march is a three day #o rney( d ring which they do not ma!e a formal camp at any point( b t sleep nder the stars in their col mns. $his was not an ncommon thing to do for a people gro p on the move. $hey co ld wal! and then lay down and sleep by the way( and only ma!e a formal camp when they intended to stay at that place for more than a few days. $hree days at a wal!ing or o% cart pace will cover twenty five !ilometres per day very easily( and forty for most fit gro ps. $hey co ld have covered between =9 and 62> !ilometres d ring this wal! witho t ta!ing time o t to formally establish any camp and npac! any belongings. )f yo loo! at maps of Sinai and ,rabia then yo can see that s ch a distance places them well within range of the top of the G lf of ,Gaba( whether yo are starting at the traditional Sinai in the Sinai Penins la( or at the more li!ely Horeb in the ,rabian Aesert. Heep in mind( that the identification of the mo ntain presently called ;t Sinai( as the mo nt of God was only made in the fo rth cent ry of o r own era( by relatives of the first /oman 'hristian Emperor( 'onstantine( .notably his motherD:. )t is not an ancient identification( indeed Pa l identifies the mo ntain as( in ,rabia. Galatians 8129. ) believe personally that the sacred mo ntain is in what is now Sa di ,rabia( and that their three day #o rney too! them across towards E5ion Geber at the head of the G lf of ,Gaba. $he present Sinai Penins la was nder Eotice the words of ;oses at the start of each day and at the end. $his nderlines the reality of the dangers of approaching the Egyptian held areas. $here was a real e%pectation clearly each day of attac!. $he identification of the sites that ;oses will mention on the #o rney is p re g ess wor!( and mostly drawing on traditions from the fo rth or later cent ries( which is nearly 2>>> years after ;osesD

6. $he princes who led o t their tribes all failed to live p to their noble positions( beca se they failed to have faith in the Lord at this cr cial time. Let s wal! in faith today( not falter in nbelief. 2. & st as the Levites had to tr st the Lord and their brethren in a battle( so we are to tr st the Lord and o r brethren in the ch rch. $he only G estion we need to as! each day is( are we in the LordKs will for o rselves todayT )f the answer is yes to this G estion( then we need not concern o rselves abo t any losses we have end red. $he tr mpet call is there to s mmon the men to battle orders( b t also to anno nce their prayers to the Lord. $he Lord stands with them in any battle( for they are His people and so any battle is the Lords battle. $his is so with s also3 we are to tr st and obey( and leave the res lts of o r obedience with the Lord. 0. ;oses ma!es a promise to Hobab( and the Lord and GodKs people thro gh the cent ries hono red that promise( and this man and his descendents were tr ly blessed by their association with )srael. ,ll associated with the ministries of the ch rch o ght to be blessed by their association. )f there is not blessing from involvement with the LordKs wor!( then something is wrong at a fo ndational level. 8. ;oses is heading bac! into danger when he leaves the relative safety of ,rabia and heads towards Hadesh @arnea( and he prays each day for the LordKs protection( and for victory if battle is to occ r. $he tensions will be high thro gh this time( and will get higher and higher as they draw closer to the Egyptian fortresses that are in this area. $he two rebellions that occ r on this march are testimony to the tension that e%ists.
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;oses has faith in the Lord and advances as the Lord directs( b t he also prays alo d every day these prayers to nderline his faith. Even if g idance is clear( pray each day and affirm it alo d( to enco rage yo rself and all aro nd yo . Let s be enco ragers and !eep advancing in the plan and p rposes of God.
DOCTRINES GOD; DIVINE GUIDANCE 9 THE WILL OF GOD See page 0>.
NOTES
CHA:TER 11
;+,E)EG /,$HE/ $H,E @EL)EN)EG ,EA ",LH)EG
$his area co ld be entitled( PHow to get answers to prayers which yo wo ld be better witho t. E mbers 66 ill strates the short way to spirit al selessness. )t is a sad chapter( as is the ne%t one to it( b t it is one that covers the sort of iss e that most pastors have to face as they begin a great enterprise. $he introd ction to this chapter is long( b t only beca se the principles are vital to grasp a firm hold of. $hese verses here before s are pastoral s rvival messages( to enco rage( correct and challenge s all. $his chapter opens with self pity and closes with # dgment. ,s a pastor yo have to get sed to the fact that the sheep will bleat( and sadly( the sheep will often follow Satanic thin!ing rather than GodKs "ord being their g ide. $he sheep at times will be carnal sheep. Co will po r yo r heart o t for them( teach them( and set a godly e%ample for them( and people will twist yo r words and ignore yo r teaching and e%ample( and critici5e some minor aspect of the wor!. Co will be ama5ed at what people say yo are teaching( and will always be s rprised at the strange things people say abo t the path of God( and the devio s way they go abo t trying to avoid GodKs plan for their life. $his chapter gives warning to all pastors and all sheep of the Great Shepherd. $here is a great b rden to be borne when yo pastor( b t there is a heavier one if yo fall from GodKs pathD Co will have a very heavy b rden if yo get away from teaching and living God*s "ord. $he attac!s of the foolish and deceived sheep will tempt yo to get away from the systematic teaching of the "ord of God and entertain them( b t if yo fall into this error( yo will s ffer greatly( and so will they. ; ch of the modern ch rch growth movement spea!s of entertaining people and !eeping them happy by meeting their needs. "e will see GodKs perspective of needs meeting ministries here. $he two greatest men that ever lived were ;oses and Pa l( with perhaps Aavid being the third3 all three men teach s the vital importance of hearing and applying the "ord of God into daily life and ma!ing no compromises with the teaching of it. $he story of the E%od s is( in a way( the story of ;oses @ible 'lass in the desert and GodKs wor!ing pon His people( trying to teach them this lesson of feeding pon the "ord daily and applying it daily in faith. ;ost of the forty years they were not marching( they were camped. $hey did not have to wor! for their food( for the Lord was providing it so that they co ld hear His words and heed His call to them. $he enemyKs attac!( thro gh the carnal ones( is pon this food( provided by the Lord so that they can rest from pastoral labo r and hear the "ord. ;oses is teaching the people daily for forty years in the University of the Aesert( so that all co ld earn their @.A. degree Rthe bac!side of the desertS. "hat did they doT $hey moaned and complained abo t the grace provision of God. God does not li!e it when believers moan. "hen yo are moaning yo !now yo are o t of fellowship with the Lord. Co need to ta!e all yo r sit ations as from the Lord and rela% and tr st H); in the midst of them. )f the Lord provides ;anna( yo donKt as! for sirloin stea!( yo give than!s for the ;anna. 'hallenges on the wal! thro gh life happen so that we can be refined in o r life wal! and b ild o r faith and service powerf lly to the glory of God. Heaven is where o r mansion awaits( b t here is where we fight on the battle field of the ,ngelic 'onflict. /efer to the @$@ st dies( ,EGEL)' '+E-L)'$( 'H/)S$),E S+LA)E/( /E",/AS ,EA '/+"ES. Ephesians 416>?67( Hebrews 01= I 8162.
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)n all yo r ways ac!nowledge Him and He shall direct yo r paths. Proverbs 016?7. 'asting all yo r cares on Him for He cares for yo . 6 Peter 919?66. $hese are the promises which s m p the lessons of this chapter. $hese people lost their discernment( beca se they re#ected GodKs path for them( and they followed their own l sts( and God b rnt them p. "hen yo moan and complain( rather than learning more of God and His path for yo ( yo will event ally come nder God*s # dgment. 6 'orinthians 6612=?08. , cas al attit de to the comm nion table led to death in 'orinth( and a cas al or disobedient attit de to the LordKs clear direction will lead to a life of misery( pointlessness and finally # dgment. )saiah 271=?26( 6 Peter 0167?2>( 2 Peter 01<. Self pity m st be weeded o t irrespective of who the g ilty ones are. "hen we give way to poor me syndrome( and feel self pity we are in danger of being p t on the spirit al shelf for several years( for God cannot se those who are so self absorbed( only those who are Holy Spirit filled. Ao not thin! that yo are above the discipline and correction of GodT Ao yo thin! that yo sho ld only have smooth paths( and that all things o ght always to be light and bright for yo T Have yo forgotten that yo are called to spirit al warfare and many battles for the Lord in this lifeT 6 'orinthians <1=( 2 'orinthians 6>18( 6 $imothy 6167. $he Lord will close doors at times( and He will as! s to wal! diffic lt paths often. )f He does so( ta!e it as nto the Lord( ta!e yo r discipline( or accept the to gh path( and ma!e yo r life right( for the LordKs promise is that He is with yo and will never forsa!e yo ( and He wal!ed a far harder path than the one yo are called to wal!. ;atthew =160ff( 66127?0>( 27167?2>( Hebrews 6019?4.
INTRODUCTION
V"2%"% 3-< Eotice that they are trying to tell God what they are doing rather than listening to the g idance of God. People say PLord yo have given me this( b t ) want that. @eware of badgering God when God has said Eo. Ao not complain( do not moan. $a!e yo r b rdens to the Lord and leave them there. /efer to the @$@ st dy on P/,CE/( and ",LH)EG. $his chapter reminds s to be caref l. $his chapter reminds s that God !nows best and He always provides the best. /omans 7127 ,re yo constantly aware that He loves yo T "hy then do we blame Him and pray as if He does not nderstand o r problems when He gives s something that we do not li!eT "hen the world hands yo a lemon( add the s gar of faith( and the water of the "ord and ma!e some lemonade. $he people we meet in this chapter were a mi%ed gro p who co ld not trace their lineage clearly bac! to one of the Patriarchs. $hese people represent those who are probably not saved at all b t have #oined themselves to the )sraelites for financial or other reasons. ;any people see! membership of a local assembly for reasons other than a gen ine desire to learn more abo t God and worship Him. @e caref l of the wolves in sheepKs clothing in the local assembly. ;atthew =169?29( 6>164?67( L !e 6>10?=( ,cts 2>127?02. )n the last chapter we met Hobab( a non?)sraelite( b t one who is there as a believer in the tr e God and a worshipper of Him whom ;oses respects. Eot all non?)sraelites will be part of this mi%ed m ltit de. $hese wolves are in the congregation b t they are not gen ine )sraelites. Co will find to yo r sadness that there is a mi%ed m ltit de in every ch rch yo will minister in. $hese are the people who tend to start the rot in every ch rch. $hey are not led by the Spirit b t are led by their +ld Sin Eat re. L st r les them. Co r preaching( if biblical( will e%pose them and leave them witho t e%c se before the throne of God( and that is yo r tas! before the Lord. Ao not be s rprised nor alarmed when they re#ect the tr th( for they never !new it3 they were in ch rch for reasons other than godly ones.
G+AKS P/+N)S)+E ,S , $ES$ -+/ ;,EKS N+L)$)+E

$he manna that they had was God*s perfect provision. )t had all the vitamins and minerals they needed for health and life3 it was a perfect food. $he testimony of the benefit of the food is that all remained healthy and did not s ffer from the common diseases of people with inadeG ate diets or mineralLvitamin deficiencies. Ae teronomy 712?4. However in verse 6> ;oses records they re#ected God*s provision and in its place they wanted what they desired. Here they were weeping for themselves( every man at the door of his tent( all of them feeling sorry for themselves and weeping abo t meat and salad vegetables. $he ;en sho ld have been enco raging their families in faith and tr st in GodKs provision( not ins lting it. $his is His provision and yo are to give grace over all that the Lord provides( no matter how h mble. God says to them( and to o rselves today( loo! at what ) have given yo ( not what ) haven*t given yo ( and give than!s for ;y grace and love. "hen yo get yo r eyes off the Lords provision( and onto other things yo will get bitter and fr strated. ;oses got displeased with them as well. He was seeing things and thin!ing how God tho ght. He saw the crowd*s desire to have G ail( e%actly as it tr ly was( as rebellion against God*s provision. "e are all bo ght by the @lood of 'hrist( and so the logic of grace tell s( that it is none of o r b siness to r n o r own life( or to complain abo t the way that God is doing things. 6 'orinthians 416<?2>( =12>?28( 6 Peter 6167?29. "hat He hasn*t given yo is His prerogative( and what He has given yo is in accordance with His plan. Co leave it all with Him
89

and give than!s for what yo have received. "e are to see! the path He wants s to wal!( not moan abo t how hard o rs is and how easy another personKs path appears to be. "e are to carry o r own cross as He didD $he Lord will relieve s when we need relief. Until then let s not moan and groan abo t what appears to be happening( for God alone !nows what is really happening and what is going to happen. "e are in the hands of the a thor of history. ;atthew 64128?24. /efer to the @$@ st dy $HE PL,E +- G+A( '/U')-)EA ")$H 'H/)S$. )n verse 66 ;oses as!s the Lord where he had gone wrong in leading the people. )n places we do go wrong and we need to eval ate o r ministry and then tighten p in areas that reG ire ad# stment. )t is easy to get worn o t. )n this case however( ;oses has not really got anything wrong at all. )t is diffic lt when yo have been teaching a gro p of people well( as ;oses had( and they ignore the teaching. )n this case the dissension became so mar!ed that the whole nation became disco raged. ,s we will see thro gh this and the ne%t boo! in the Pentate ch( there were times in ;osesK ministry when everybody t rned their bac!s on him. ,t times as the LordKs pastor yo will stand alone( and even yo r deacons and elders will be against yo . Co are not to get pset abo t it. Get yo r own life right and then wal! in and face them and teach God*s "ord again.
AEP/ESS)+E
;oses appears to be s ffering from a clinical depression in verse 69. )s it wrong for 'hristians to be depressedT Eo( it is G ite normal to get depressed when yo are nder the press re that ;oses was nder at that moment. "hen yo are honest with the Lord( He can correct yo . $he Lord wants honesty before anything else and then any depression in the wor! can be lifted. ) love the words of the great &ewish psychiatrist from last cent ry( Ar Ni!tor -ran!l( there are certain things( when they happen to yo ( and yo donKt lose yo r mind( it is only beca se yo didnKt have a mind to lose. )n verses 64?6= seventy people were appointed to assist ;oses. $his gro p was the basis of the Sanhedrin( who 69>> years later wo ld conspire to e%ec te the ;essiah( and this gro p will be formally replaced by the LordKs own appointment of seventy evangelists. ;atthew <10=?07( L !e 6>16?28. $he establishment of this gro p was not a wrong thing( and we donKt want to # dge them on the basis of their descendantKs wor! 69>> years laterD ;oses was simply doing a fine t ning of the administration that had beg n to be set p in E%od s 67160?24( b t as we will see there may have been a better plan had he as!ed the Lord for it. Eow ) believe ;oses co ld have borne the b rden by himself( and with the help of a co ple of other !ey men( li!e yo ng &osh a( for e%ample( b t the Lord said to choose seventy men( and that the Spirit wo ld be shared between these people and ;oses. $here is not more of the Holy Spirit( it is # st that he is now pon =6 instead of one. Aelegation is a very good thing administratively( as long as the leader !eeps the a dit responsibility firmly in their hands. "e m st always remember when we delegate however( that some people love titles and power( and their +ld Sin Eat re will be open to the enemy thro gh their self centeredness and pride. $he enemy will always se all who are open to him( whether they have a legitimate position of a thority in a gro p( or # st want to have power. @e caref l of committee people beca se they often want position and stat s witho t real performance3 they will tal! b t not act. God calls s to be disciples( and pic! p o r 'ross and follow Him( not to sit on a committee and disc ss things for ho rs. $here is a shadow hanging over this gro p. "hen yo are depressed cast yo r cares on the Lord b t be very caref l for what yo as!. ;oses really did not need this help( he needed the power of God thro gh him rather than his power. $here were already # dges( and there were the twelve princes( who we have met. $his is another layer of leadership I and it will not stop the rot that has beg n with the mi%ed m ltit de. "hen yo have a ma#or problem with morale or faith( yo need both disciplined actions and strong biblical doctrinal teaching. "hen yo have dealt with these problems yo will( li!e ;oses( probably feel e%ha sted. AonKt be s rprised at this( for the pastoral load is a heavy oneD 2 'orinthians 66120? 06( &ames 016?4. "e now move from ;oses teaching and the challenge to the people to wal! in faith( .beca se of their disobedience and moaning:( to the LordKs direct administration to discipline. Co do not get away with sin as believers( and remember( whatever is not of faith is sin. /omans 68120. $hese people do not only need to !now the "ord of God b t also to be confronted by its importance thro gh discipline. Co can write Hebrews 6219ff against this passage. $he Lord basically says to these people( PCo want flesh( o! then( yo will get it ntil yo are sic! of it. $his is where we get to the heart of God3 for He wants the best for s( and may at times discipline s with second best # st to remind s that He does indeed !now what is the best for s.
A)S+@EA)EE'E
Co r disobedience revolts the Lord. God is against yo if yo complain to Him abo t what is happening in yo r life. God will not p t it aside( He will deal with yo . )t is absol tely critical that yo are obedient to God*s "ord. "e are not to compare o r self with others. )f we do bt this we # st need to loo! at the story of the Pharisee and the sinner and their attit des when they prayed in the $emple where the Pharisee than!ed God that he was not as the other man and the Lord ma!es it clear that his prayers are not heard. L !e 6716>?68.
90

)f yo are not obeying the "ord of God yo will come nder discipline( for the Lord o r God is not moc!ed. "e are in everything to give than!s. "hilst we might not be tempted to steal or commit ad ltery we can all too often moan abo t things and this is a serio s spirit al sit ation. $he tr th is that the Lord can carry s thro gh b t we can be tempted to thin! that He cannot resc e s nless we help Him( or He changes something in the plan to s it o r reading of the sit ation. "e have a problem and that is sinf l st pidity( for we thin!( when we moan( that we !now better than the Lord of all. $he Lord has no problem nderstanding all things. "e are creat res of space and time( and He made those categories of o r thin!ingD He is the creator and we are creat res. "e need to learn this tr th again and again. &ob 0718ff( 8216?4( 6>ff. +nce yo get depressed abo t the sit ation yo are facing( and stay there witho t prayer sat rating the problem( then yo go into a spiral downwards over a period of time( and it ta!es time to get o t of that sit ation( b t confession begins the process. "hen yo do bo nce bac! and recover( celebrate yo r recovery in prayer and @ible st dy again. ;oses is told what he has to do to get o t of the depression that overwhelms him here. $he Lord is going to be enco raging ;oses while He is disciplining the nation.
$HE QU,)L
)n verse 06( note( Pthe Lord ca sed the G ail( to comeP. Q ail that were migrating across the ;editerranean fell o tside the camp( a distance of a day*s #o rney3 this is a matter of 6>?2> !ilometres from the camp. $his meant that if they wanted to eat the G ail( the people had to ma!e an effort to get to them. $he Lord therefore ma!es it hard for these people to f lfil their l sts. He is( in grace( trying to ma!e them see that this is not His will. $his was the opport nity for the people to reflect on travelling that distance p rely to eat meat. However for 04 ho rs they collected G ail in all sorts of containers( for there were G ails everywhere. @efore they had eaten the G ail the Lord smote them with a plag e and they died where they had l sted. God gave the warning( He made it hard to f lfil their l sts( b t they persisted and so they received # dgment in accordance with their gl ttony. $here will be times when( beca se of yo r sit ation( with a bit of effort yo will be able to f lfil yo r l sts. $he challenge the Lord gives( is to f lfil His will( rather than yo r l st. "hatever yo l st after( the Lord in grace( will ma!e it hard3 see what is happening and hold bac! and move steadily away from the temptation. $a!e the events of this chapter before s as a warning( and p ll bac! from temptation( and remember holiness before the Lord yo r God( ma!ing confession before Him. $he so rce of l st is identified in &ames 6160?69( 6<?29( and it is not necessarily Satan trying to tempt yo 3 yo are drawn away by yo r own +ld Sin Eat re pattern of l sts. Aeal with l sts as the sins they are( and recogni5e where yo will end p if yo do not get the principles here clearly. /efer to the @$@ st dy S)E ? +LA S)E E,$U/E.
NUMBERS 11;1- 3<

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91

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REFLECTIONS
V"2%"% 1 9 35 ;any get e%cited when they read abo t the act al site of these events and want to go there( b t ) repeat my word of ca tion. ;ost identification of sites associated with the E%od s was done by the Emperor 'onstantineKs mother Helena( in the fo rth cent ry of o r era( and great lady that she was( and great believer in the Lord( she didnKt have m ch to go on. $he others who made identifications of E%od s sites also wor!ed on very flimsy information( and so do not # mp to concl sions that maps in the bac! of yo r @ible with place names are the act al ones. $he entire topography of the deserts of ,rabia has changed since the days of ;oses in 689> @'( and were different again to 08> ,A( let alone today. $his entire area was very fertile in the days of ;oses( and was not desert at the time( it was pastoral land. $he term wilderness refers to it being open pastoral land( witho t cities( not desert. ;odern archaeological st dy has given s a lot of details abo t the c lt res of the people of these places where settlements e%isted and have been st died( and the fertility of the area of what is now Sa di ,rabia was good. $he Sahara desert of ,frica at this time was also very small( and most of what is now desert across Eorth ,frica was fertile cropping land ntil the fo rth cent ry of o r era( and the worst desert now( was pastoral land in the second millenni m @'. )n these verses we have the first of the rebellio s incidents that come to their ltimate disgrace in the ref sal of the people to enter and sei5e the land. $he people begin with general complaints abo t the order to march( and possibly the pace and direction of the march also. $hey have marched three days and not made a formal camp3 simply slept by their wagons( possibly in defensive mode all night( each night. $he people who complain are those on the o ts!irts of the camp( and it may be they were worried beca se if the camp is attac!ed( then they feared that they will be !illed first. ;y belief( as o tlined in the previo s chapter( is that the biblical ;o nt HorebLSinai( where they have been( is in what is now Sa di ,rabia( not the Sinai Penins la. )f ) am correct in this( then they have now headed bac! into Sinai( which was Egyptian dominated land( moving now towards 'anaan( with the very real possibility of attac! by Egyptian frontier forces( that after only # st over a year since their escape from Egypt( may still be loo!ing for them. )t is of note that it is the o ts!irts of the camp .the first place to be attac!ed: that the rebellion centres. Psalms =716=?80. $he Lord # dges the complainants directly by sending fire into the area of the camp that the rebellion centres and many who lead it are !illed. )t is a serio s rebellion and it is ta!en serio sly by the Lord( and all o ght to be warned by these things( b t those who do bt their faith( will become bitter with the Lord abo t His direct action here. $hey cry alo d to ;oses for him to stop the # dgment( and ;oses prays for the sinf l people and the # dgment stops. ;oses is a h mble man and does not blow his own tr mpet( nor see! to e%plain himself here. Aid he try to deal with these rebels( or was he not even aware of these eventsT Aid the princes do their wor!( or was there a fail re of leadership on their partT "e do not !now( b t we can ded ce by f t re events that there is a systemic fail re here of all the leadership to identify the problems and G ic!ly move to deal with any worries and confront the moaners with the real spirit al iss es involved. $he place is called( $abeerah I or place of the b rning. $his doesnKt help s( beca se there was no settlement to identify( # st a vast temporary camping gro nd in pastoral land. $here may not even be a water s pply here( altho gh a well wo ld be e%pected close by. V"2%"% 9 F. $he ne%t moaning incident is over the manna. "e are not told that this was the same day or a later one. Eow ;anna had been provided by the Lord since the earliest days of the E%od s when the people were nable to prod ce any food for themselves( and their s pplies from Egypt had r n o t. $he Lord sent the ;anna as a res lt of the peopleKs moaning( not their prayer of faith( and so every time they gathered it they o ght to have remembered that the Lord provided( even tho gh they didnKt deserve it. E%od s 641 2ff.
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$he Lord had also provided G ail at that time for them to eat meat( b t at that time the G ail covered the camp( whereas this time the people will have to wal! a long way to get them( as we noted above. ,fter a year of eating ;anna they complain abo t the grace provision of the Lord for them and want their old lives bac! in Egypt. $his comes p beca se they are heading bac! towards Egypt now and it will be easier to get there than it was from ,rabia( where ) believe the real ;t Horeb is( and where they have been encamped for many months in safety and rela%ation. Eotice the things they l st after. $hey want the variety of foods of the land of Egypt( and this desire grows stronger as they approach the Egyptian frontier fortresses( and at times they wo ld have been possibly able to see the Eile in the far distance from the high hills aro nd their camping places. $hey are being tested as they draw nearer to potential danger from Egyptian forces( and also to the possibility of ret rn to Egypt. $he Lord will bring them to Hadesh @arnea for their entry point to the so thern part of the land of 'anaan( beca se they will have to confront both iss es directly. "hen the Lord calls s to do great things( He calls s to confront o r fears and replace them with confidence and faith( and we m st face o r fears in faith( before we can do anything for the Lord in His power. God provides the power thro gh the Holy Spirit( b t we m st wal! in the Spirit to win the crown set before sD V"2%"% 1* - 1<5 ;oses loses the plot himself nder the press res of leading these complaining people. He is feeling as many of s have at times of great strain( especially after a prolonged period of great events. ;oses has been leading great worship for a n mber of wee!s before the march begins( and often the to ghest tests come # st after times of greatest #oy and closeness to God. ;oses leads the people off( with the army leading( and the ,r! and the tabernacle wrapped and in the wagons( and the entire army and people moving as one. )t wo ld have been a stressf l time in itself( with people getting sed to this very organi5ed way of moving( three days of hard marching( and then with only the two nights nder the stars( not allowed to formally ma!e a camp. $he press re is on in s ch sit ations( and the press re is on the leaders to !eep morale p( b t this is not too bad. )n the ,rmed -orces we were trained to move aro nd o r men when on this sort of ro te march. Each time we stopped we were to ma!e s re all was well( and that food and water were provided( and all were healthy( and any problems were resolved G ic!ly. $here are the princes to coordinate the ,rmy here( and the # dges to sort o t problems amongst the family gro ps that may have occ rred on the march. ,ll sho ld have gone well( for they have only been marching for three days after allD $his is the first time in three days that they have made camp and they are all e%ha sted and depressed abo t the rigors of the march. $heir ability to handle the challenges of the march( let alone sei5ing the land( appear to be beyond them at this point. $hings t rn badly by s nset of this third day. $his is not loo!ing as if this gro p can sei5e the landD ;oses has given them a bit of ro te march training and they have whimped o t. $he terrible thing abo t this is that the leaders m st be there weeping alsoD $he very people who o ght to be leading the people have been e%ha sted and depressed by the march. "hat has happened hereT A ring their time at the ;o nt of God they have all become nfit. $hey have sat still for too long and now they act as if they resent the e%ercise that is being forced pon them. )ts not # st physical fitness( b t spirit al fitness that is being tested here also. Eote ;oses words here. $his is a serio sly fr strated man. $he despair is nation wide( every man( instead of setting the e%ample of co rage and tenacity is weeping at his tent door( and this m st incl de the princes( who o ght to be banging heads togetherD $he Lord gets very angry with the moaning( and ;oses is really angry also. $he Lord and ;oses have a reason to be angry( for every morning the ;anna has been provided( and all the people have had to do is follow the clo d. $here is evidence of GodKs care( protection and g idance( and the to ghness of the road o ght not to be more real than the LordKs clear provision for the road. $heir e%ha stion is d e to their lac! of spirit al and physical fitness and this is the time for confession not for moaning. Let s challenge o rselves here( for we also can falter nder great or even little press re. "hen the reality of o r problems becomes stronger than the reality of o r fellowship with the Lord( then we are in the same tro ble as these people. Let s ens re that daily praise and worship overcomes fears and do bts. )saiah 4610. $he Lord has as!ed ;oses to carry these people as a father carries his own baby. Good fathers do not get distressed( nor become ab sive( when babies cry or are gr mpy over something( rather they strain every fibre of their being to comfort and sooth their child. ;oses is called to this sort of care over these baby believers( and he is worn o t with their lac! of moral fibre. His words to the Lord indicate that he !nows within that he sho ldnKt be so pset with them( for they are babies indeed and he needs more patience with them. Having said this( we m st remember that discipline is needed here. $hese people are behaving li!e the babies they are( b t they need correction( and then enco ragement to stand in the tr th of GodKs Plan and Love for them. ;oses is so flattened by the press res he is nder that he wo ld rather die now than see the collapse of the vision he has from the Lord. Eow pa se here and as! yo rself( is there any danger that the plan of God will not be f lfilledT "e can get to the same place as ;oses does here( and let s praise God for this man( for his honesty and e%ample enables s to challenge o r own dar! times and wal! bac! into the lightD /efer to the @$@ st dies G+A I A)N)EE AE'/EES( -,)$H-ULEESS( -,$HE/H++A( -+/EHE+"LEAGE( $HE PL,E +- G+A. $he land they are heading for the Lord their God swore was to be their land( and this promise was made to their forefathers. $he promise of God is 89> years old and will be f lfilled( and it has been repeated to this generation thro gh
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;oses. E%od s 0?=. ;oses is saddened and annoyed that these people are so foolish and disobedient that they re#ect the clear promises of God to their ancestors. $hey m st be challenged to see that the promises of God are more real and certain than the fears of man. $he people have let their discomfort physically overflow to spirit al dissatisfaction and do bts abo t the whole plan( b t their emotion centres in their desire for meat and vegetables as they had in Egypt. $he people are literally screaming for meat( and their complaint is directed specifically at ;oses( and has got to the point where they are possibly s ggesting that if he doesnKt provide fresh meat for them that they will eat himD $hings have got to a disgracef l place within the camp and the leadership has shown no moral strength( nor ability to control things. ;oses as!s for help or death( b t does not pa se long eno gh and as! the more vital G estions3 firstly( where can help come from if all the men are loo!ing for meat rather than the will of GodT Secondly( Leadership reG ires the ability to p t p with hard rations and to gh marches( and the ma#ority of the men have proved themselves incapable of both( so where can leaders come from who are not compromised alreadyT $here are some good men in the camp left( li!e &osh a and 'aleb( b t events and time alone will reveal them. Great leadership will emerge( b t it will emerge mainly from the ne%t generation( not this one that l sts for meat. ;oses hasty reG est for leaders to assist him now is flawed( as are all o r reG ests when we are depressed or desperate. GodKs timing( and GodKs provision is always going to be better than o r s ggestionsD Let s be challenged in to gh times to rela% into faith in the character of God and the plan of God( and so avoid as!ing for help we later regret receivingD )t is an interesting G estion to as!( as to what the Lord wo ld have done if ;oses had stood and simply as!ed for the LordKs answer to this iss eT V"2%"% 1B 9 23. )n grace the Lord hears ;oses cry for help and does answer him immediately. $he sit ation is desperate and the Lord responds and will bring good o t of evil here. /omans 7127. Seventy men are to be identified who are the best of a bad b nch. $hey have failed to lead at this point( b t they are men who have proved some ability before in some matters and the others identify them as their elders. $hese men are to be gathered immediately and ta!en to the door of the tabernacle. $ime is short to stop this rebellion in its trac!s and the gathering of these => men from every point of the camp will ca se people to pa se and reflect on what might be happening. +nce they are standing before the Lord there the Lord will act. $he Lord promises to spea! with ;oses at that point and give him instr ction( and will ta!e from him some of the Holy SpiritKs power and place it pon the seventy in addition to the Spirit being with ;oses. $hese men will stand( as Spirit filled leaders( with ;oses in all f t re decision ma!ing problems. /efer to the @$@ st dy( H+LC SP)/)$ I ;)E)S$/)ES )E $HE +LA $ES$,;EE$. $he Lord recogni5es that the biggest iss e is the aloneness of leadership for ;oses. His deepest desire is for men to stand with him so that he does not feel so alone and e%posed before the people. $his remains one of the biggest challenges of leadership3 that we m st be able to stand alone( witho t the s pport and nderstanding of even o r closest friends and family. GodKs leaders will often have to stand witho t any s pport other than the Lord and the Holy Spirit within for months( and this is the challenge of leadership training( to get the yo ng leader dependent pon the Lord alone for strength. )t is a sad reflection pon the princes that they do not give him this comfortD ,s time and events will nfold we will see that two men will act ally be the ones to stand with him( and they are &osh a and 'aleb. +nce the message has been received abo t the thing to be done with the => men( the Lord tells ;oses to give a message to all the people. $hey are to set themselves apart overnight( for the Lord has heard their prayers and He will grant them their reG est. $hey will thin! that it will be as it was a year before( b t they are in for an npleasant s rprise. E%od s 6412?2>. $he Lord then gives a f ll acco nt of their prayers to Him and the f ll e%tent of their rebellion becomes apparent. $hey have begged for meat to eat( b t also have said to God and their neighbo rs that it was better for them in Egypt and well fed slaves than to be free with ;oses and God in the "ilderness eating fighting rations. $hey have ins lted their God in this. $hey have forgotten the str ggle to gain their freedom( and forgotten the slavery that they and their ancestors cried to be relieved from. E%od s 01=?6>( 6=?26. $he Lord ma!es it clear to ;oses that they will get flesh alright( and they will eat it this time ntil they are totally and thoro ghly sic! of it. $he iss e is that they have as!ed for things not in the plan of God. $hey have therefore despised the Lord in re#ecting His plan and so they will reap the conseG ences of this in their bodies and minds. $hey have so ght any easy and pleasant way( b t there is no way other than the LordKs thro gh this life that will have a pleasant o tcome. Short?sighted pleasant feasts pon G ail are not what this #o rney is abo t( it is abo t reaching a land of mil! and honey( and they are to be ready to sacrifice a little to get there. "hat God has is far better than scrawny G ail( b t if they select the G ail( then the Lord is going to ma!e them see their st pidity G ite serio slyD ;oses reminds the Lord # st how many birds we are tal!ing abo t to s pply the entire army and people( and even with the smaller n mber that my estimate centres aro nd .aro nd 0>(>>> people all together: we are tal!ing a vast floc! of a million birds to feed them for a month( at 0>(>>> per day allowing one bird per person. $he LordKs answer is that He can do it .that there is no power shortage with the Lord: and that ;oses will see that the Lord will p nish these people by means of the answer to their prayer. /efer again to the @$@ st dy on P/,CE/ and
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remember that there are times when we do not want the Lord to answer some prayers( for if He does( we might # st get more than we bargained for. E%amine in the doctrinal st dy on prayer the point abo t the difference between o r petition and o r desire in o r prayers. V"2%"% 2 9 3*. $he ma#ority of the people are now gathered aro nd the tabernacle enclos re and ;oses is able to address them all. $he entire pop lation is not gathered( b t the vast ma#ority of them are there. "e will see that this is important later with two of the seventy who donKt get to the tabernacle in time. $his is # st another indicator as to the n mbers here( which are manageable( so that he is able to spea! with them all at one place and time. He then gathers the seventy men and stands them aro nd the tabernacle. $here are seventy of them and the b ilding itself is small( so the line of men will completely circle the tabernacle between it and the enclos re wall. )f the people are gathered on low hills aro nd the tabernacle then they can loo! in and see all that goes on. "hat occ rs is high drama. $he clo d of the LordKs presence comes down pon ;oses and power from him goes p and then rests pon each of the seventy men in the circle. Each gives evidence of the anointing power of the Holy Spirit by prophesying in the LordKs name and not stopping ttering worship to the Lord for some considerable time. $his is a ;o nt of $ransfig ration or Aay of Pentecost type e%perience and was the sign to )srael of the anointing of God at any ma#or change of history3 the ne%t one being the conversion of )srael d ring the Great $rib lation period. &oel 2127?02( Mechariah 6216>?68( L !e <108ff( ,cts 216ff( 66169? 28( 6 'orinthians 6836?9( 02( 2 Peter 616<?26. +f the seventy men chosen( two( Eldad and ;edad( had not even got to the tabernacle( they had remained in the camp itself. "hether these men had been la5y( were ill( delayed by family problems( or were disinterested( we are not told directly. Even tho gh they have not got to the right place to be anointed they still are anointed. ,nother man who is also still in the camp comes r nning to the tabernacle and reports the fact that these two men are prophesying in the camp. ;oses records that they were of the names that he had written down to be called. 'learly ;oses had sent aro nd the camp a list of names of men he wanted to be there. &osh a is a good and loyal servant of the Lord and ;oses( and this is the first time we find him coming to the fore as a man with leadership potential. He spea!s p and rges that ;oses order these men to be silent( for they have not done things the right way and been there( and so they are not( in his eyes( entitled to spea! for God. ;oses reply gives &osh a and s all( a good lesson in the grace of God here. God is not interested most of the time in process( b t in the prod ction of the Holy Spirit in o r life. "e can get process wrong a lot of the time( b t if we are spirit filled and open to do the LordKs wor! then it will be blessed by the Lord( for He always blesses the wor! of the Holy Spirit. $his is why the Lord contin es to se all the vario s ch rches that hono r His name( even if they do it in very different ways. "e also get a good insight into ;osesK h mility in this incident. He is not a man who greatly val es his own stat s and position3 he sees all he does as simple service to the Lord. He does not envy others( b t see!s to empower them to serve the Lord as he does. $his is the pattern for godly leadership. , godly leader see!s for his st dents to s rpass him in spirit al e%ploits. , tr e spirit al master always see!s greater rewards for his st dents than his own. $his is ;oses. His desire wo ld be for all to spea! prophecy to the LordKs people( and one day his prayer for this will be answered. )tKs called the ;illennial Hingdom( as we have seen before in o r st dy. Having heard the LordKs message ;oses gets o t into the camp with the elders to ma!e s re all !now the LordKs will and p rpose for them in relation to their reG est for meat and their rebellion against His revealed will. ;oses is not going to be leading these people o t to gather G ail3 he will have no part in this and ) s spect the => men will also remain in the camp when the G ail fly over and head off to fall 6>?2> !ilometres away. ;oses entry into the camp is to teach( e%hort( convict and warn( and with the seventy men bac!ing him now in the power of the Holy Spirit. ,ll who wait in the camp are safe from any # dgment( and they are rested and refreshed( whereas those who have to go after their l sts will have at least a forty !ilometre ro nd tripD V"2%"% 31 9 3<5 $he Lord now sends a wind and the G ail are bro ght from far away by that wind( from their migration path to fall aro nd the camp( b t at a good dayKs march from the o ter line of tents. /emember( these people have complained abo t how hard the march has been( and how sore they are( and yet they are prepared to march another day and bac! .2>?8> !ilometres: to get G ail for their familyKs food varietyD $he G antity of birds was e%treme( and they fell on piles 2 meters highD +nce the miles were covered to get there( it was easy to pic! p vast n mbers of birds and those who head o t do e%actly that. Eow( not every one goes after these birds. $he wise and the spirit al remain in the camp and heed the words of ;oses and the => prophets and G ietly eat their manna and give than!s for the LordKs provision. $he people who went o t stayed o t of camp gathering G ail from 04?87 ho rs and pl c!ed( coo!ed( and preserved them in containers. $hose who gathered least( gathered ten homers. Eow this is eG ivalent to ten pints meas re( or abo t twenty preserved birds( b t some were really greedy and gathered many( many moreD $heir gl ttony and greed drove them to physical e%ertions that they were complaining abo t two days beforeD $his is the LordKs point in His provision of these birds. $o meet and f lfil their l st they were prepared to go to e%treme lengths and wor! for p to 87 ho rs witho t sleep( yet for the LordKs plan they have not been prepared to march for three days march.
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$he place will be called literally the graves of l st( and camp is moved from this place of # dgment to Ha5eroth I the place of enclos res .possibly a place where there were ample enclosed pastoral areas for the animals: I this place is also n!nown today. $he people who gathered the meat( coo!ed and ate it on the spot as well as storing it in containers( and their greed and l st controlled lives were s ch that the Lord # dged those who went this far as they ate the G ail. @efore yo say God is nfair here pa se and reflect on the scene. $he birds are provided( b t provided in s ch a way that if they are left alone they will fly away again. $hey are blown to the gro nd and pile p( b t are not dead or damaged. )f the people leave them they will fly away and be available legitimately for food at a later time. $he people may choose to parta!e of the food now( for they have the LordKs permission( b t they m st learn that their moaning has been sinf l( and the Lord hopes that on their long wal! to get the G ail( that they will come to terms with their sin. )f they had been rela%ed in their gathering of the G ail( and calm and than!f l in their eating( they wo ld not have been # dged. $hey eat with greed( and witho t than!s to God( and their attit de and actions prove they have learned nothing and are incapable and( what is worse( nwilling to repent and change and have faith in their God. $hey are # dged and many die there in their l st. $hey have had to wor! very hard( over 87 ho rs to get to this place of # dgment. Ao not acc se the Lord of being harsh( for these people have l sted very hard to bring themselves to this place. ,s ) noted above( we have to wor! hard to position o rselves in the place of discipline. )saiah 27126( Hebrews 6216?69. )f we sed the same energy to serve the Lord( as we sed to l st( then we wo ld be blessed every day.

6. "e are daily challenged to adopt( accept and appla d GodKs Plan for o r life( and not see! some second best option that we dream p in a place of panic. GodKs plan for s is the best possible and we m st be very scared of praying for things away from the plan( for they will lead to leanness of spirit or # dgmentD Psalms 6>4168?69. GodKs Plan for s is the best place to be at all times( even if at times we h rt there. "e do not complain when the gym instr ctor ma!es o r m scles h rt at times( beca se we want to be fit for life( and so( let s be more willing to wal! the to gh path with the Lord who went to the 'ross for s( so that we can be fit for eternity. 2. $he b rden of leadership is a heavy b rden. )t is hard to lead and g ide people who are at times rebellio s( and we need to be spirit filled( not s rro nded by more assistants. ;oses selects an option that gives him men to stand beside him in the spirit( b t he remains at the centre of the problems as we will see( and in the ne%t chapter( within days of the events here( meets the ne%t rebellion and this time it is within his own familyD ,s leaders we m st learn to stand alone before men( in the power of the Holy Spirit( and never depend pon other men or women to be with s. How sec re are yo pastor in the company of the Lord aloneT Let s draw near the Lord and depend only pon Him. 0. Hardship goes with the battlefield of this life. /emember we are in the ,ngelic 'onflict and a battle is raging. ,t times yo will be on short rations and have to wor! very hard( at times yo will be s ffering in the road( b t as long as it is the road of the Lord for yo ( let the garments of praise lift off the spirit of heaviness and hopelessness. )saiah 4610. "e will get depressed abo t depressing things( b t we do not need to stay in that depressed place. Let s praise and pray o r way thro gh the tro bles of each and every day( and confront o r diffic lties in a spirit filled way. $he path to # dgment is an even harder one than GodKs path for s. Co have to wor! really hard to fall into big temptations( and if yo p t half that effort into wal!ing in the Spirit( yo will have victory. Let s stop wor!ing and wal!ing in sinf l patterns( and rather begin to praise God for His will( and worship Him( and say ,men with actions that are obedient to His will. )saiah 4610D
DOCTRINES ANGELS; ANGELIC CONFLICT See page 60. CHRISTIAN LIFE; SOLDIER 9 CHRISTIAN SOLDIER IN E:HESIANS B
6. General Script re Ephesians 4166?6=. $his passage relates to the armo r which the /oman soldier wore and analogises its se into the spirit al realm. 2. USE +- $HE ,/;+U/ Ephesians 4166 PP t on the whole armo r of God. P Ephesians 4166a. "e are instr cted to Pp t onP .EEAU+ G!: ? this means Pto clotheP ? it is a command by God to the 'hristian soldier. "e are to Pclothe o rselvesP or to Pdress o rselvesP. P"hole armo rP .P,E+PL), G!: ? the complete armo r Pof GodP .$HE+S G!: tr e so rce of the armo r is God. $he whole armo r of God is given in Ephesians 4168?6=. )t comprises1? a: $he @elt of $r th Ephesians 4168a b: @reastplate of /ighteo sness Ephesians 4168b c: @oots Ephesians 4169 d: Shield Ephesians 4164
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e: Helmet of Salvation Ephesians 416=a f: Sword of the Spirit Ephesians 416=b P/)E')PLES1 i: $he /oman soldier wore all his armo r for his own safety and protection. ii: "hen the /oman soldier was highly disciplined he r led the world. iii: "hen the /oman soldier became degenerate the Empire declined and fell. iv: $he /oman soldier was in the army = days a wee!. 0. SP)/)$U,L ,E,L+GC a: ,s 'hristian soldiers we wear o r armo r for o r own safety and protection. b: "hen we are highly disciplined in the 'hristian life we are very effective in o r warfare. c: )f we become degenerate or apostate o r 'hristian witness and effectiveness declines and we become cas alties in the spirit al warfare. d: $he 'hristian soldier is in the battle = days a wee!. , part time soldier never amo nts to an effective soldier. $hat ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.P Ephesians 4166 b. Pto standP .histemi .G!: ? to hold yo r gro nd. "e are in a spirit al warfare and the p rpose of the armo r is to hold o r gro nd against the foe. Pthe wiles .methodeia dia G!: ? tactics( c nning or fra dP Pof the devil .diabolos G!:. "e therefore have the whole armo r of God to enable s to stand firm against the devil*s tactics. P/)E')PLE1 @y learning the tactics li!ely to be employed by yo r opponent the 'hristian soldier is able to go on the offensive sing the sword of the Spirit ? the "ord of God. .verse l=:. 8. $HE EEE;C .Ephesians 4162: P-or we wrestle not against flesh and blood b t against principalities( against powers( against the r lers of the dar!ness of this world against spirit al wic!edness in high places. P P"restleP ? Pthe wrestlingP .he pale estin G!: hand to hand combat not wrestling as a sport. Pnot against flesh and bloodP I not against other members of the h man race( b t against1? a: P/)E')P,L)$)ES .arche G!: / ling demons. b: P+"E/S .e%o sia G!: ? Aemons with a thority( officers in the demon army. c: /ULE/S +- $HE A,/HEESS +- $H)S "+/LA .!osmo!rator G!: ? world r lers( demons close to the seats of government s ch as the demons of .Aaniel 6>160( 2>:. d: SP)/)$U,L ")'HEAEESS )E H)GH PL,'ES .pne mati!os poneria G!: ? the demon army. Q ite clearly o r fight is against a spirit al foe. -rom Hebrews 21= we !now that as h man beings we are inferior to angels. $herefore in order to have s ccess against s perior forces we m st have God*s armo r. 9. @E P/EP,/EA .Ephesians 4160: P"herefore ta!e nto yo the whole armo r of God that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day and having done all( to stand. P Since the res rrection ascension and session of &es s 'hrist the attac! of Satan has moved from the line of 'hrist to the individ al believer. + r dependence on the whole armo r is imperative yet many believers re#ect part or all of the armo r. $here are many cas alties as a conseG ence. "e are again e%horted to p t on the whole armo r of God. 4. $HE @EL$ +- $/U$H .Ephesians 4168a( )saiah 6619: PStand therefore having yo r loins girt abo t with tr th. $he /oman belt was a wide girdle of leather worn aro nd the waist from which h ng the scabbard for the sword and loops for rations and eG ipment. $he leather belt was s pported by a cross sho lder strap st dded with metal plates with thic! leather strips hanging down to protect the lower body. $he belt therefore was the basic armo r on which the defence of the soldier was based. P/)E')PLE1 + r basic defence is the tr th contained within the "ord of God. $he sword of the Spirit hangs sec rely to the believer by means of the promises contained within it. $he greater o r tr st in the tr th of God the greater o r protection against the enemy. =. $HE @/E,S$PL,$E +- /)GH$E+USEESS .Ephesians 4168b( )saiah 9<16=: Pand having on the breastplate of righteo sness.P
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$he breastplate .thora% G!: was s ally made of leather overlaid with metal strips. Shaped li!e a sleeveless coat it was in the higher ran!s often covered with gold or silver. $he belt held the breastplate firmly in place its primary f nction being to protect every vital area of the soldiers body. P/)E')PLE1 $he righteo sness of 'hrist protects s. "e stand in his righteo sness alone. He gave s his righteo sness at the cross .2 'orinthians 9126:. + r contin ed protection thro gh his righteo sness is thro gh the filling of the Holy Spirit .Ephesians 9167: .See topic Holy Spirit1 -illing of the Spirit:. 7. $HE @++$S .Ephesians 4169( )saiah 921=: P,nd yo r feet shod( with the preparation of the gospel of peaceP. $he boots .caligae G!: were made of hobnail st dded leather soles 69mm .6L2P: thic! sec red with a leather tie over the instep and ro nd the an!les. Good footwear is essential for the soldier with infantry still being essential even in these days of sophisticated armaments. P/)E')PLE1 )n spirit al terms the feet are often analogised to service. $he feet ta!e one towards the enemy. $he gospel of peace is a direct attac! on the enemy. Peace in this conte%t tal!s of reconciliation between God and man. ./omans 616 8?64( 2 'orinthians 9167?2>:. <. $HE SH)ELA +- -,)$H .Ephesians 41643 6 &ohn 918: P,bove all ta!ing the shield of faith wherewith ye shall be able to G ench all the fiery darts of* the wic!ed.P $he /oman shield .th reos G!: was shaped li!e a door being made of gl ed plan!s wrapped in canvas or calf s!in( the top and bottom edges being protected by iron. $he shield was the most active of the defensive armo r carried by the /oman soldier. Loss of shield often meant death to the soldier. P/)E')PLE1 $he 'hristian soldier*s shield is wal!ing actively in the promises and principles set o t in the "ord of God. )f we do not se o r faith we can become spirit al cas alties. Using the shield of faith we can claim ?the =(>>> promises for the 'hristian wal! incl ding )saiah 8616>3 6 'orinthians 6>1603 6 &ohn 818. 6>. $HE HEL;E$ +- S,LN,$)+E .Ephesians 416=a3 )saiah 9<16=: P,nd ta!e the Helmet of salvation. "ith the e%ception of the standard bearer who wore a wolf*s head( every /oman soldier wore a metal helmet .peri! G!: s ally of bron5e over an iron s! ll cap. $his protected the most important part of the soldier ? his head. P/)E')PLE1 @efore a person can be a soldier for 'hrist( he has to be born again. He has to wear the helmet of salvation. +ne of the wiles of the devil is to ma!e the believer feel that he has lost his salvation. )f a believer loses his ass rance of salvation he ta!es his helmet of salvation off and is totally v lnerable to the attac! of the foe. 66. $HE S"+/A +- $HE SP)/)$ .Ephesians 416=b: Pand the sword of the Spirit which is the "ord of God. $he sword referred to is the machaira or /oman short sword. $he sword represents the basic offensive weapon for close combat. )t was only effective when o t of its sheath. P/)E')PLE1 $he sword in its sheath is potentially devastating b t it is only effective when it is sed to combat and defeat the enemy. "e m st therefore conG er sing principles( promises and doctrines from the "ord of God.
CHRISTIAN LIFE; REWARDS AND CROWNS

6. /ewards and Salvation are caref lly separated in the script res. Salvation is a free gift from God( rewards are for meritorio s service in the power of the Spirit. 2. Salvation ? a free gift to the lost. .Ephesians 217?<( /omans 4120( &ohn 816>: ? an everlasting possession. .&ohn 0104( &ohn 9128( &ohn 418=: 0. /ewards ? to the saved who faithf lly wor! for the Lord. .6 'orinthians <128( 29( /evelation 22162: ? distrib ted at the & dgment Seat of 'hrist. .6 'orinthians 0166?69( 2 'orinthians 916>( /omans 6816>: which ta!es place after the /apt re of the 'h rch /evelation 6<1=(7 8. /ewards are often pict red in the form of crowns1? a: $he incorr ptible crown ? for faithf lness in e%ercising self control. .6 'orinthians <128?2=: b: $he crown of glory ? for faithf lness in s ffering. .6 Peter 918: c: $he crown of life ? for faithf lness nder trial. .&ames 6162( /evelation 216>: d: $he crown of righteo sness ? for faithf l testimony. .2 $imothy 817: e: $he crown of re#oicing ? for faithf l service. .6 $hessalonians 216<( 2>( Philippians 816
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9. /ewards come after yo have entered into the Plan of God thro gh regeneration 4. /ewards are based on the se of divine operating assets incl ding the filling of the Holy Spirit =. Co can lose rewards b t never salvation 6 'orinthians 0168?69( 2 $imothy 2162(60
CHRISTIAN LIFE; :RAYER See page ==. CHRISTIAN LIFE; WALKING

6.Physical wal!ing is analogo s to the faith rest life1 step by step. /omans 6819(4( Ephesians 9164?67( &ames 8160?69. 2. @eing reg larly filled with the Spirit and feeding on the "ord are similar to wal!ing. 0. ,ttac!s on believers occ r when they are ca ght off balance. /omans 60160. 8. "al!ing depicts the pattern and f nction of the believers life in time. Philippians 0167( Ephesians 816=. 9. )t can also represent a bac!sliding believer who are said to be wal!ing bac!wards. Ephesians 816=. 4. "e are all told to1 a: "al! in the spirit. Galatians 9164( 29 b: "al! in the faith. 2 'orinthians 91=( 'olossians 214( 819 c: "al! in doctrine 0 &ohn 0. d: "al! in the tr th 2 &ohn 8 =. "al!ing is a analogy for spirit ality a: "al! not after the flesh ./omans 718: b: "al!ing in Love. .Ephesians 912: c: "al!ing in newness of Life. ./omans 418: d: "al!ing worthy of o r vocation. .Ephesians 816: e: "al!ing worthy of the Lord. .'olossians 616>( 6 $hessalonians 2162: f: "al!ing honestly as in the day. ./omans 60160: g: "al!ing in good wor!s. .Ephesians 216>: h: "al!ing in light. .Ephesians 917( 6 &ohn 61=: i: "al!ing in 'hrist &es s. .'olossians 214: #: "al!ing circ mspectly. .Ephesians 9169(64: !: "al!ing as ye o ght. .6 $hessalonians 816:
GOD; :LAN OF GOD See page 22. CHRISTIAN LIFE; CRUCIFIED WITH CHRIST See page 98. SIN; OLD SIN NATURE See page 2<. GOD; DIVINE DECREES
6. $his is the term in theology that refers to the plan of God coming to s from eternity past. )t means that the Lord God( o r heavenly -ather( has had a plan from eternity past .before time and space were made: and that plan has been decreed to be the plan for this niverse( and that this plan is as certain as there was a beginning to this niverse( and that there will be an end. $ho gh the niverse will end( the plan of God( as it came from before the niverse( contin es on in its effect after this niverse is ended and has been replaced by the new one. 2 Peter 016>?60( /evelation 26167. 2. $he plan centres on the person and wor! of the second person of the $rinity3 it centres aro nd the person of &es s 'hrist. Ephesians 618?4( 6 &ohn 0120. 0. Entrance into the plan of God is dependent pon grace. $he sovereignty of God e%pressed in the divine decrees he has made abo t the plan( meet manKs free will at the 'ross. Grace W faith O salvation. @y saving people by grace( GodKs perfect holy character is not compromised by the transaction. Eo?one is saved by wor!s( for there is nothing that a creat re of space and time can do to impress the creator of space and time( nor is there anything that sin can do to impress or press re holiness. &ohn 0164?04( Ephesians 217?<. 8. GodKs plan for this niverse is designed in s ch a way that every event is decreed3 his plan incl des all ca ses( conditions( and o tcomes( there is no real contingency that has not been foreseen and planned for from before time. ,ll
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this has been achieved in accordance with the holy p rposes of God( yet witho t violating h man volition( manKs free will. $he niverse is one of both freewill and determinism. S ch a contradiction e%ists only in o r minds( limited as they are by space and time. $his plan is far greater than o r minds can comprehend( for it was made by the creator of space and time( who lives and moves and has his being beyond s ch limitations of tho ghts and realities. "hen we consider this doctrine of decrees( we enter a realm beyond o r dimension( and far above and beyond any space travel fantasies of man. ,cts 2120( /omans 712<( 6 Peter 612. 9. GodKs plan comes from his entire character( not # st fore!nowledge. )t has been drawn p with no violation of manKs free will choices( for which each is held responsible. $he o tcomes are certain beca se of the divine decrees that ma!e them so( yet the people within the plan have the freedom to choose and no?one before the throne of the creator will be able to say( ) had to fall3 yo predestined me toD Each will be # dged by their wor!s( freely chosen( and by their re#ection of the Lord( freely done. /evelation 2>166 I 2616. 4. Eeither 'alvinism nor ,rminianism in their theologies capt re the f ll magnit de of the divine decrees( for both try to e%plain in the h man terms of( sovereignty( fore!nowledge and free will( yet the reality of the Plan of God comes from beyond all s ch time and space limited concepts. $his doctrine is bigger than o r limited minds and lang ages( and it behoves all who disc ss this to recogni5e their limits as they spea! of s ch things as this. How can a thing be certain and yet also freely doneT , momentKs reflection gives s the answer once we thin! abo t different perspectives on an event3 from time and non?time. $he only reason people have diffic lty with s ch things is beca se most have not been trained in philosophy of science or physics. =. "henever Pa l disc ssed these things he sang of them3 if we nderstand the tr th abo t the greatness of the character and plan of God we will still be baffled over this( while we live in time( b t we will go on o r way re#oicing. ,cts 710<( Galatians 418( Hebrews 014. /efer ELE'$)+E( 'H,/,'$E/ +- G+A( E$E/E)$C.
GOD; FAITHFULNESS OF GOD

6. God*s faithf lness is based on his nchangeability ? Hebrews 6017 2. God*s faithf lness is renewed Pevery dayP ? Lamentations 0126?28 0. His promises are s re. ? Hebrews 6>120 8. $he faithf lness of 'hrist contin es even when we are nfaithf l. ? 2 $imothy 2160 9. 'hrist is a faithf l and mercif l high priest ? Hebrews 216= 4. God is faithf l to forgive sins ? 6 &ohn 61< =. God is faithf l to !eep s saved ? 2 $imothy 2160 7. God is faithf l to deliver s thro gh temptation ? 6 'orinthians 6>160 <. God is faithf l to !eep His promises to s ? Hebrews 6>120 6>. God is faithf l to s in s ffering ? 6 Peter 816< 66. God is faithf l in f lfilling His plan for s ? ) $hessalonians 9128 62. God is faithf l to strengthen s ? 2 $hessalonians 010 60. God is the faithf l partner of o r nion with 'hrist ? 6 'orinthians 61< 68. 'hrist is a faithf l and mercif l high priest ? Hebrews 216= 69. &es s 'hrist is synonymo s with faithf lness ? /evelation 6<166
GOD; FATHERHOOD OF GOD

-atherhood comes in vario s concepts1? 6. $he -atherhood over creation ? Ephesians 0168?69 ? all beings have their origin in God. "e get o r life and very e%istence from God. $here is therefore a brotherhood in the creation. $he liberals however ta!e this a step f rther and tal! abo t the brotherhood of man and the niversal -atherhood of God which is a lie which is e%posed by the Lord &es s 'hrist. &es s 'hrist said that all men are not brothers b t only become s ch in 'hrist. Even Satan was given his life by God. $here is no relationship in the -ather creatorship combination.
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2. -atherhood by intimate relationship which is the concept of the relationship between God and )srael. )n E%od s 8122 )srael is my son ? this is my firstborn. $his is more than God saying that He is their creator b t it is less than saying that they are regenerated. )n the Eew $estament it says that all )srael is not )srael. $here is however a relationship between the -ather and )srael( a care for )srael. He preserves the nation. )n the @ible the word father is sed a large n mber of times in relation to the relationship between God and )srael. However only a few &ews were regenerated. 0. , specific relationship between the -ather and the Lord &es s 'hrist ? Ephesians 610. $he first specific revelation of the Eew $estament is that God the -ather is the father of the Lord &es s 'hrist. )t also shows witho t any do bt the deity of the Lord &es s 'hrist by His attrib tes and His wor!s. $he words father and son are sed in the Eew $estament to show the intimacy of the relationship between God the -ather and the Lord &es s 'hrist with o t f lfilling all the relationships which wo ld be tr e of a h man relationship of -ather and Son. $his was the error of the ,rian theologians who said that he was a son of God b t not eG al with God. 8. $he second person has been the Son from eternity past. -or eternity there has been this close relationship between the -ather and the Son. )n )saiah <14 it shows that a child is born b t a son is given. $he baby was born b t the Son was given as the Son had e%isted forever. "hat they are saying is that yo thin! of the most noble father and the best possible son and the love between those two and yo get a small glimpse of the relationship between the -ather and the Son. 9. $he -ather of believers in the Lord &es s 'hrist ./omans 7169( Galatians 814?=: a: +nly in 'hrist do we become brothers. .Galatians 012=?2<: $his is the res lt of the Holy Spirit who bapti5es s into the body of 'hrist and ma!es s a new creation in Him. .6 'orinthians 62160( Ephesians 819: b: God is not the spirit al father of the nregenerate man( they are His creation b t not His children. .&ohn 6814: @efore salvation we were sons of o r sinf l nat re. .&ohn 7182?8=( Ephesians 216<: 4. )n s mmary therefore RaS $he Son of God is said to have been begotten of the -ather ? Psalm 21=( &ohn 6168( 67( 0164(67 6 &ohn 81< RbS $he -ather ac!nowledged the Lord &es s 'hrist as His Son ? ;atthew 016=( 6=19( L !e <109 RcS $he -ather is ac!nowledged by the Son ? ;atthew 6612=( 24140?48( L !e 2212<( &ohn 7164?2<( 00?88( 6=16 $he Son is s b#ect to the -ather*s plan b t it sho ld be remembered that the plan had been a #oint plan when it was conceived with its recognition of role and responsibility. RdS $he fact that God the -ather is ac!nowledged by men to be the -ather of the Lord &es s 'hrist ? ;atthew 64164( ;ar! 6910<( &ohn 6108( 8<( ,cts 0160 ReS $he Son ac!nowledges the -ather by being s b#ect to Him ? &ohn 712<(8< RfS Even the demons recognise this relationship between the -ather and the Son ? ;atthew 712< Satan*s eternal damnation relies on this relationship and its permanency =. @efore salvation all members of the h man race were Psold nder sinP( we were strangers before God( not sons. /omans =168( Ephesians 216<. Spirit ally we were dead( we had no relationship with God other than creat res to the creator we did not recogni5e Ephesians 216 7. @efore salvation we were all of different races( the only brotherhood we can ever have is in 'hrist. Galatians 012=?2<. <. Salvation alone ma!es s children of God. @efore we were slaves of sin( sons of o r old sin nat re( children of rebellion. Ephesians 216<( &ohn 7182?8=( 6&ohn 016>?69. 6>. +nly God can ma!e s his children( for only God has that power. &ohn 6162(60. "e are either *born?again*( born from above or we remain spirit ally dead( children of Satan( &ohn 010(4(04. 66. Unbelievers cannot and will not see this niG e relationship. 6&ohn 016( 6 'orinthians 6167. ,s sons of rebellion they believe their fatherKs lie i.e. the niversal fatherhood of God and niversal brotherhood of man .both of which are false concepts:. &ohn 7188. $his lie perpetrates the idea that God is a soft?to ch and will not # dge man for their sin( b t all will be well in the end. $his is declared false by God in his word. 62. @elievers sonship g arantees heirship( eternal life and fellowship for them. 6 &ohn 012(0( /omans 7164?67. 60. $he Holy Spirit is GodKs down payment on the believerKs inheritance ? the ass rance of more to come( Ephesians 6168. 68. @elievers are heirs of eternal life thro gh relationship with God in 'hrist &ohn 7109( 96. a. receiving rewards1 'olossians 0128(29( 2 &ohn 7( 6 'orinthians 017 and( b. receiving a res rrection body. 6 'orinthians 6919>?98. 69. $he so rce of o r confidence is based in the Lords res rrection. He is therefore o r Plively hopeP( 6 Peter 610?9. He can be depended pon to meet all needs for we will be with him forever. &ohn 6816?8.
GOD; FOREKNOWLEDGE OF GOD NUMBERS 1-12 9 FORWARD TO KADESH BARNEA
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6. God planned salvation with f ll !nowledge of all things that wo ld occ r historically. .6 Peter 612: 2. $he fore!nowledge of God !nows everything witho t reference to time. .2 Peter 017: 0. Aivine fore!nowledge however does not coerce or infl ence man*s free will. 8. @oth divine and h man free will e%ist as an e%tension of the angelic conflict. 9. God !new millions of years ago how everybody*s free will wo ld operate at any point in history. 4. S ch !nowledge does not coerce the free will of man from acting independently of God.
HOLY S:IRIT; MINISTRY IN THE OLD TESTAMENT

6. )n the +ld $estament( the Holy Spirit did not indwell all believers( since 'hrist was not yet glorified .&ohn =10<:. )nstead( He only came pon some +ld $estament saints to perform special f nctions. a: &+SEPH( a believer who was a prime minister. .Genesis 86107: b: @elievers who were artisans occ pied in the constr ction of the $abernacle. .E%od s 2710( 0610: c: @elievers involved in administration. .E mbers 6616=( 29: d: , believer who was both a political and military leader ? &+SHU, .E mbers 2=167: e: 'ertain & dges1 +$HE)EL .& dges 01<( 6>: G)AE+E .& dges 4108: &EPH$H,H .& dges 6612<: S,;S+E .& dges 60128( 29( 6819?4( 69168: f: Hings of )srael .6 Sam el 6>1<( 6>( 64160: g: A,E)EL .Aaniel 817( 9166( 410: h: Post e%ilic r lers .Mechariah 810( 62?68: 2. @elievers in )srael co ld be disciplined by the removal of the Spirit1 a: S,UL .6 Sam el 64168: b: A,N)A .Psalm 96166: 0. , believer co ld obtain the Holy Spirit by reG est( b t not as an indwelling presence. .2 Hings 21<( 6>( L !e 66160: 8. &es s gave the Holy Spirit witho t reG est to the disciples # st before the ascension. P rpose1 $o s stain them for the ten day interim before the 'h rch ,ge wo ld begin. .&ohn 2>122: NOTES
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CHA:TER 12
INTRODUCTION
)n this chapter ;iriam and ,aron # dge and critici5e ;oses( and verbali5e their disapproval of his actions in marrying an Ethiopian woman in the E%od s gro p. Go bac! to E%od s 816<?24( and 6716?2=( and re?read these passages and st dy my E@'", commentary on them. "hen ;oses decided to answer God*s call to His wor!( he was reG ired to circ mcise his sons. He was str c! ill beca se he had failed to do this earlier and his wife did at least the first boy to save ;oses life( b t there she stopped( and she made it very clear she disapproved( and she moved o t and left him. His father in law &ethro tried to get them bac! together again b t this was not possible( d e to the conflict between them. ,s we enter chapter 62 of E mbers( a year has gone by since &ethro has left( and ;oses has remarried( and ;iriam and ,aron started maligning him behind his bac!. Even when yo thin! a servant of God is wrong( to malign them or r n them down behind their bac! is worse. )f yo do this to a person who has been called to the LordKs service yo are wrong( and yo will be # dged( even if that person is wrong. /omans 216?66( 6810?60( 6 'orinthians 816?=. )f yo have something against yo r brother go to him( and there is a chance that yo will win him bac! as a brother( if he is wrong. )f the sit ation is not as yo imagined( or had heard( then yo can be corrected( b t the spreading of gossip on the basis of hearsay is always a dangero s thing to do. )f however yo malign someone in the Lord( especially a pastor( yo have GodKs "ord on it( yo will be disciplined( and the person yo are maligning will be blessed. 6 'orinthians 416?62( 'olossians 0160?6=( 6 $imothy 916<( &ames 91<. Ao not be fearf l as a pastor if people malign yo . "hen yo find o t that something li!e this has happened( yo go and find those who are tal!ing abo t the iss e( and ascertain the facts( and then act pon them. ;iriam and ,aron are saying( P)s ;oses the only pastorT God is sing s as wellTP Eow( what was going on hereT $hey were trying to ndermine ;oses* a thority( by saying that in his actions in remarrying he has become too high and mighty( and yet their comments indicated that it is they who are afflicted by pride. Co will find this happens in any ch rch that is well led. $here will be people who will try and ndermine the LordKs leader. @eware of those people( and be watchf l for their attac!s3 they may be yo r closest friends in the ministry( and most times( if yo move G ic!ly( they can be recovered for ministry. $he challenge when yo are attac!ed this way( is to deal with the gossip( deal with the sin of the people involved( and then move on( still leading them forward in the LordKs plan.
HU;)L)$C
;oses was a very mee! man. E mbers 6210. ;ee!ness is strength( it is not wea!ness. $he word here means( h mble( gentle in spirit( tho ghtf l of others( and self effacing. ;oses was the opposite of a pride filled man who believed he was above the Law that applied to others. He ta!es the Ethiopian woman as his wife and ma!es no reference to it in his narrative( e%cept here when he is attac!ed. $his woman becomes his G iet home strength after Mipporah has left him and headed bac! to her home. ,s a yo nger man and prince of Egypt( tradition records that ;oses was the Egyptian General who conG ered Ethiopia for Egypt( so the c lt re and people( and possibly the lang age of the Ethiopians was well !nown to him. $o ;oses Ethiopia is not foreign or strange. ;oses draws a veil over his private life and what happens to ;iriam here m st warn s that criticism of ;oses is way o t of line on this matter.
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)t is a marriage that is cross?c lt ral and inter?racial( # st as one before( .$hamar:( and two more later( when we will see /ahab and / th enter the Line of the Lord. ;atthew 610?4. -rom this we !now that this woman was a strong believer( and had clearly #oined the E%od s in affirmation of her faith in the God of )srael. $he only forbidden marriage for a believer is an neG al one3 namely with an nbeliever. /ace or c lt ral difference is an irrelevancy to believers. 2 'orinthians 4168?67. ;oses was mee! eno gh( not to be concerned abo t what was being said abo t the marriage and he will place the entire iss e in the LordKs hands for sol tion. $his incident reminds s also that all theoretical debate abo t divorced people not being entitled to remarriage m st ta!e acco nt of this very high profile leader remarrying( and the reality of God certainly dealing with those who opposed him. )t is too easy to grab a principle from script re and apply it witho t laying o t all the script ral case histories. "e m st be very caref l in o r criticisms of people( and in o r laying down of doctrinal principles witho t identifying that the Lord may have significant e%ceptions to apparently standard r lesD /efer to the E@'", commentary on 6 $imothy 012 for a disc ssion of the concept behind the phrase( one woman man O eyes for their own partner only. God hates divorce( that is clear from all script re( b t when a spirit ally negative partner wal!s away from their strong believing partner beca se that believer desires to follow the Lord f lly( then it wo ld appear the Lord does not forbid His servant from a remarriage to a person who will wal! with them in the path of God. 6 'orinthians =169?64. $he departing partner has simply robbed themselves of GodKs blessing( by not wal!ing ahead into the plan( b t the believing and obedient one is not robbed of company and s pport at home( for the Lord may provide another who can wal! forward in service. ;oses and his brother and sister are called down to the $abernacle. God said then to them all( that He tal!ed to prophets by visions and dreams( b t to ;oses He tal!ed to face to face. God told them that they sho ld not attac! God*s man( especially this man. $hey have their own #obs to do and they sho ld not try also to do ;oses #ob as well. $he message is clear from this correction by the Lord. )f yo are a lowly servant in the ch rch( be the best lowly servant in the ch rch. $he Lord will raise yo p in d e time( if it is in the plan( b t do not try to lift yo rself p by p lling anyone else downD 6 Peter 914?=. Co sho ld not stab people in the bac!. $he Lord hates those with s ch mental attit de sins dominating their lives. /efer to the @$@ st dy of G+A ',/ES -+/ C+U( A)N)EE )ES$)$U$)+ES I ;,//),GE( S)ES I ,@+;)E,$)+E S)ES $+ $HE L+/A. Let God magnify yo r ministry( or let it not be magnified. Let God defend yo in matters of gossip and maligning( and bring the matter before the Lord( with the people involved. ;iriam was the one who sang the great song of doctrine bac! in E%od s 6912>?26. She has however allowed pride( and maybe resentment( to clo d her vision. People who get pro d( or resentf l( try to rob others of their role and place( and will often try to get other gifts that are not theirs from the Lord. 6 'orinthians 621=?26. /efer to the E@'", commentary on this passage. "hen the believer becomes pres mpt o s they lose their spirit al stat s to go after pride filled ob#ectives that are not their proper place for service. Co are tempting God to # dge yo if yo follow ;iriam and ,aron here. Co r prayer sho ld be( Lord( show me where yo want me to be( or what yo want me to do now. "hen yo see it( do it. Ao it in the power of the Spirit with enth siasm( b t do not ma!e nhelpf l and irrelevant comments pon the lives and ministries of others. ;iriam will receive a case of leprosy. ,aron loo!ed pon her and she became covered in white p ssy sores. Leprosy is a symbol of sin3 in this case the sin of pride( and the sin of disobedience. @y covering her with leprosy God shows what her sin loo!s li!e to Him. ;oses prays for her( and notes his ongoing love for her( saying to the Lord( that he does not want to see her being destroyed in front of him. $he Lord says that she will be c red in seven days( b t she m st sit o tside the camp for that time. $he lesson had been learnt( b t it had to be seen to have been learnt. ,aron( as High Priest( will have to nderta!e to provide the sacrifices for the cleansing ceremony( and then offer p personally the sacrifices for her cleansing. Levitic s 68( E mbers 9.
NUMBERS 12;1- 1B
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REFLECTIONS
V"2%"% 1 9 35 Eow ;oses is writing these words( altho gh many believe that a later writer adds verse( three. )t is li!ely that if verse three was added( then it was added by one of( &osh a( Sam el( or E5ra( and so it is well within the script res as a Holy Spirit certified comment pon this man ;oses. Eotice the heart of ;iriamKs and ,aronKs sin3 it was e%actly in the same category as the mi%ed m ltit de( it was rebellion against the leadership of GodKs anointed man. $o attac! the LordKs anointed is to tempt the Lord to # dge in the matter( and if yo are wrong( it is to directly ins lt GodKs choice and plan. ;iriam and ,aron were both older than ;oses( and ;iriamKs bravery as a girl of aro nd ten( certainly saved his life as a baby. E%od s 216?6>. She was a prophetess and was sed of the Lord. She is over ninety at this point( and ,aron is slightly yo nger. ;oses is at least eighty at this point. ,t itKs heart( the iss e here is #ealo sy and resentment. ;iriam has felt that ;oses has had the golden spoon all his life. He got to live in the palace and then be the prince( while ;iriam and ,aron were # st slaves in a hovel. Eow( he is the leader and they are second fiddleD $hey feel that they sho ld be getting eG al renown to ;oses and be recogni5ed as eG al leaders. Eeither of them has even made the list for the seventy eldersD Eow( pa se and reflect here( both have significant roles within the plan of God. ,aron is the high priest and ;iriam is the prophetess of the nation. $hey spea! for the Lord also( b t their path and their role is of necessity different to ;oses. ,aron has already proven himself nable to resist the people in the affair of the golden calf( E%od s 02( b t we cannot blame ;iriam here 6>>J( for altho gh she will be # dged directly as the instigator of this( ,aron has the moral responsibility to act in GodKs name and stop this nonsense. $his conflict here confronts s with the fact of the sovereignty of God( and the fact that each of s are called to wal! a different path in this life( and we are not to compare o r path with others. $his is dramatically portrayed by three prophets later in )sraelKs dar! days from 42> I 909 @'. &eremiah spea!s for the Lord and serves Him from a place of poverty3 altho gh growing p in an aristocratic home( he is in #ail( in rented accommodation at times( and at others on the r n witho t any roof over his head( finally dying in e%ile in Egypt. E5e!iel spea!s for the Lord from @abylonian captivity in a m d h t( and Aaniel spea!s and serves as a @abylonian Governor from the palace in @abylon. Some people apparently have physically easy lives( others have harsh ones. "hy does the Lord do thisT $he answer is hidden in the sovereignty of God( and we need to remember that we are creat res before o r creator and Savio r in this matter. "e do not have answers to this( b t we do have a sol tion to all o r worries abo t it. "e are to wal! the path the Lord has placed before s and win the crowns that are possible on o r path( witho t resentment or envy of another. 6 'orinthians =16=?28. $he Lord assesses o r wor! for eternal reward in accordance with the path we were called by Him to wal!( not according to any wealth( power or stat s r le. "e donKt have to loo! s ccessf l according to the standards of the world to be s ccessf l in the LordKs plan. "e have to be in the place the Lord called s to( and be doing what He wants s to do. /efer to the @$@ st dies( G+A I 'H,/,'$E/ +- G+A( "EEP)EG( /E",/AS ,EA '/+"ES( "+/LAL)EESS. -o r very important things are recorded in these verses. 6. ;iriam and ,aron both felt resentf l3 of ;oses position( of his marital happiness possibly( of his a thority over them( and the people( and his fame. 2. ;oses marriage to the Ethiopian woman acts as a trigger to their bitter gossip. $here may be racism overtones here( and they are serio sly critical of his decision to marry this woman. )t may be that they do not believe he is entitled to marry again after his first wife leaves him. $he marriage is at the centre of the ca se of their open rebellion. 0. $hey feel resentf l that people loo! to ;oses .and now the =>: for the voice of God to be heard( when they have also been sed of the Lord to comm nicate tr th to the people. $hey want a bit of the lime light here( even tho gh they both still have their God ordained positionsD 8. God hears their complaints and attac! pon ;oses I God always hears s( both o r good prayers and o r sinf l complaintsD ;oses doesnKt even have time to ta!e this to the Lord( b t he reali5es that this attac! is not abo t him( b t abo t them. $hey have the problem( for ;oses !nows( that clearly God doesnKt have a problem with his decision( and so he is happy to place himself before the Lord for decision ma!ing on the matter. God doesnKt even wait for ;oses to as! the Lord the answer( he directly spea!s to the three of them in the midst of what may have been a serio s arg ment. V"2%"% 9 E5 "itho t any warning the arg ment was over with a direct word from the Lord Himself. )n Eaval terms they were s mmoned to the 'ommanderKs office to please e%plainD $he three of them head for the tabernacle from their camp # st o tside the gateway. ) s spect many overheard the arg ment( for it is diffic lt to !eep anything private when yo are living in a tent( and they are told to come o t from their camp( which indicates they were s rro nded by people at this point.
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$he Lord descends in the form of the clo d over the door of the tabernacle itself and spea!s directly to them. God calls them to do what will always resolve theological conflict3 they m st hear the words of the Lord Himself. $he LordKs answer avoids all reference to the marriage. $he Lord foc ses pon the a thority iss e( and who is a prophet and who is to give way in precedence to whom. $he Lord tells them bl ntly that ;oses is s perior to any prophet that there will ever be( ntil the Lord Himself comes. $he Lord ma!es it clear to them that prophets are spo!en to by Him in visions and dreams( and diffic lt sayings( b t ;oses hears the Lord face to face. He is niG e and they m st recogni5e that their brother is a special anointed man. Pa se here and reflect on this( for if yo hear a preacher or prophet today saying that they are hearing the LordKs words as ;oses did( then they are deceived or deceiversD ;oses is a niG e character and there have been none li!e him amongst men since. ;oses is also certified by the Lord as a faithf l man above all others. $he LordKs testimony to ;oses is the sort that we all o ght to earnestly desire3 to be !nown as faithf l to the Lord in all things we are as!ed to do. Given ;oses position and the special revelation that was normal for him( b t niG e amongst men( why were not ;iriam and ,aron scared of raising their voice against himT /efer to the @$@ st dies on P/+PHE$( P/+PHE'C. V"2%"% F 9 1B5 $he Lord is angry and ma!es it clear to the three of them that He is angry with the two siblings of ;oses. $he clo d and the Lord depart from them and the three are left there in shoc! ) s spect. $he clo d simply departs from being pon the tabernacle( and either stands in its place o tside the camp in the direction where they are to go ne%t( or hover above the tabernacle. "hat they notice as the clo d lifts from off the tabernacle( and them( is that ;iriam is covered in the signs of leprosy. ,aron is the one whose #ob it is to diagnose the disease sing the r les the Lord has given( and he has to move now and condemn his own sister to e%ile o tside the camp. ,aron now addresses his yo nger brother correctly( as my lord( for indeed the Lord has made ;oses lord . nder shepherd: of all the )sraelites. He goes f rther also and addresses his sin and ;iriamKs directly. ;iriam has spo!en before G ite a lot( and it has not been complimentary to ;oses( b t now she is silent before him. ) s spect ;iriam is in total shoc! and horror at what has happened( for it may be permanent as far as she !nows( and she faces the prospect of being an o tcast for the rest of her life. ,aron pleads with ;oses not to allow the Lord to leave this great c rse pon them( and he owns p to his part in the sin that both have shared here. He calls it for what it was( both sin and foolishness. He pleads for his sister that she not die as a half decomposed still born child. ;oses shows his compassion and his lac! of arrogance( vengeance( and malice towards them both( and he prays earnestly for ;iriamKs healing. ,s &ob is reG ested to pray for his friends( who have ab sed him( so ;oses prays for those who have ab sed him( as the Lord*s will demands we do. &ob 821=?66( ;atthew 9188( L !e 4127. $he LordKs answer is swift and very bl nt. She has ins lted ;oses( and as ;oses is GodKs man( she has ins lted the grace and plan of God. )f in the ancient world( for a grievo s ins lt received( a father spat on his da ghters face( it was an indication of the greatest shame to the family( and for the person involved seven days of separation was called for( and so the Lord ta!es this ltimate ins lt of a father to his child( and demands that ;iriam serve at least that period of mo rning and shame o tside the camp. She sho ld have been afraid to do this evil( and so she will be ashamed for seven days with the s!in of her body covered in leprosy. $he Lord promises however that at that time He will heal her and restore her to health and allow her to re? enter the camp of )srael. ;iriam is forced to remain o tside the camp sleeping on whatever the family provide her. She will be ta!en food( by either ;oses or ,aron ) s spect( b t m st wait away from the food ntil the family have departed and only then eat. She feels the ltimate isolation and re#ection possible. ,fter seven days of separation she is cleansed and she re?enters the camp( and wo ld have had to shave her head and wash her body and nderta!e all the sacrifices ordered in Levitic s 68( and the entire e%tended family will have to provide them. ;oses is ) s spect one of those who has to provide the sacrifices for ,aron to offer p for their sisters healing. +nly then do the people move forward again. -or the ne%t area they head into( there is a reasonable idea of its location( and it is certainly within the Sinai Penins la. $he #o rney may have ta!en several days from Ha5eroth thro gh to Paran( and they do not camp ntil they arrive at Paran ready for the ne%t big test as a nation. $his time( they do not moan when they arrive after some to gh days of marching and sleeping o tside of their tents. $hings are not loo!ing good for their s ccess3 they have failed many times( b t the Lord still allows them to approach the land( and the possibility is there that they will repent( accept the LordKs will( and enter the land in faith.

6. God hates self righteo sness and hypocrisy( almost ahead of all else. God hates sin of all forms( b t religio s people need to be very scared at times when they pio sly condemn a fellow believer for their behavio r in some area on theological gro nds( b t with malice or self righteo sness as the reason behind it. God hates divorce( b t He clearly hates more the self righteo s condemnation of a godly divorced person who was not at fa lt in their divorce. God see!s o r heart to be clean before Him and to devote o rselves to His service witho t p tting down others in their wor!.
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;oses co ld not salvage his marriage witho t abandoning his ministry( and so he is apparently in GodKs sight( free to move on. He does not do so in haste( b t in spirit al foc s forward( with a woman who is his spirit al eG al. ,aron and ;iriam are condemned by the Lord. Let s be caref l abo t o r theological correctness( when it is applied witho t biblical case history being st died also. 2. &ealo sy is a wic!ed thing and to be resisted and confessed if it has got hold. )t is an evil from the pit of hell and destroys good people faster and more s btly than anything else. "e have no reason to be #ealo s in the LordKs wor!( for we have been called to wal! o r path( not other peopleKs paths and so there o ght to be no comparison of o r life with any others. God wants s loo!ing to Him( not at each other comparing what each one has. $here is no biblical warrant for any prosperity gospel( with wealth( power and position being the g ide to anything spirit al. Let s beware of s ch evils( for they nearly destroy the siblings of ;oses and they contin e to wrea! havoc in the ch rches of today. 0. God hears o r prayers and o r complaints( and it is a dangero s thing to fall into the hands of an angry God. God hates sin( and we are all too often light in o r own attit des towards it. Let s see things as God sees them and be very scared of falling into the hands of divine # dgment. $he Lord is not moc!ed( and when we acc se Him of being nfair( we moc! His plan and His character. Let s foc s on the Lord and His will for o r lives and not on the path that others are wal!ing.
DOCTRINES GOD; GOD CARES FOR YOU

6. God !nows ... a: + r sorrows. .E%od s 01=: b: + r devotions. .2 'hronicles 641<: c: + r tho ghts. .Psalm 88126: d: + r foolishness. .Psalm 4<19: e: + r frailties. .Psalm 6>0168: f: + r deeds. .Psalm 60<12: g: + r words. .Psalm 60<18: h: $he composition of the niverse. .Psalm 68=18: i: ,ll things. .Proverbs 6910: #: + r needs. .;atthew 4102: !: ,bo t animal creation. .;atthew 6>12<: l: ;an!ind. .;atthew 6>10>: m: "hat might or co ld have been. .;atthew 66120: n: His own. .&ohn 6>168: o: Past( present and f t re. .,cts 69167: 2. God is able to ... a: Save forever those who believe in the Lord &es s 'hrist ? Hebrews =129 b: S pply every need ? 2 'orinthians <17 c: Aeliver all who are tempted ? Hebrews 2167 d: S stain the wea! believer and ma!e him stand ? /omans 6818 e: Heep s from falling and ma!e s blameless ? & de 28(29 f: S rpass all that we co ld as! or thin! ? Ephesians 012> g: /aise s p in res rrection in the li!eness of His Son ? Hebrews 6616< 0. "ith God( all things are possible ? ;atthew 6<124 8. God is in control. Eothing will ever happen to yo that yo are not able to deal with. .6 'orinthians 6>160: 9. God*s character is stable. a: if God is for yo who can be against yo . ./omans 7106?08: b: no matter what happens God*s love is stable. ./omans 7109?0<: 4. God*s promises are sec re for he is always with s. .;atthew 2716<?2>( &eremiah 616<: =. God*s power is always the same1? a: He will always !eep s. .&ohn 6>12<( 2 $imothy 6162(: b: God does not forget s or lose His power to !eep. .& de 28: c: Even if we fall away from fellowship we still are saved. .2 $imothy 2160:
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7. God !new before time what we wo ld need in time and has provided for the s pply of all o r needs. .Philippians 816<( Hebrews 8164( Ephesians 0162(: <. God has the power to bless s. .2 'orinthians <17: 6>. God is able to ma!e all grace abo nd towards s. .Ephesians 012>:
GOD; DIVINE INSTITUTIONS 9 MARRIAGE See page 9>. SIN; ABOMINATION SINS TO THE LORD
Proverbs 4164?6< shows what God hates ? the seven worst sins. God*s hatred for immorality is even more for these seven sins. 6. Pro d Loo!1 God hates a pro d loo!( a loo! of self righteo sness( people who loo! down on others. God*s # stice is even more on his own where they have accepted His son yet still harbo r sin. Co may be in s ch a ch rch. +r yo may be in a ch rch which has no immorality b t they have many mental attit de sins. 2. Lying $ong e1 ,nother sin pattern is lying tong es. $hese can consist of lying flatterers( lying pastors who sho ld be teaching the tr th b t are not. 0. Hands that Shed )nnocent @lood1 Hands that shed innocent blood are those who m rder incl ding abortionists( dr n!en drivers( th gs( dr g dealers and the wealthy doctors and lawyers who protect them. 8. Hearts that Aevise "ic!ed )maginations1 Hearts that devise wic!ed imaginations( minds that are f ll of l st( they are thin!ing it all the time( l st for money( l st for power( l st for se%( f ll of anger and hatred( #ealo sy. )t is very important to confess yo r sin. 9. -eet that are Swift to / n to ;ischief1 $hese are people who dwell on things that are wrong and e%plain it to people in great detail. $hese are voye rs( people who lac! the co rage to do things themselves b t love to see others wallow in it. People who loo! at pornography. )t is people who gossip on the basis that yo will pray more effectively. 4. -alse "itness1 -alse witnesses are people who lie to in# re the innocent. =. Sowers of discord1 $hese are those who have hidden agendas( they pervert and distort disc ssions.
GOD; CHARACTER OF GOD See page 06. WEE:ING

6. "eeping is an e%pression of nbelief. e.g. $he weeping of E mbers 6816 and Hebrews 016<. 2. Sinf l type weeping a: Aavid*s tears of fail re. .2 Sam el 67100( 6<16?8: b: @rea!down of the mentality in catastrophe. .6 Sam el 0>18( Psalm 8210: c: "eeping of the fr stration and bitterness of old timers at the dedication of the second temple. .E5ra 0162( 60: d: $he crying of the dr n!ards in national disaster. .&oel 619: e: $he weeping of fear beca se of the giants in the land. .E mbers 6816: f: $he weeping of nbelievers at # dgment. .;atthew 7162( 2910>( L !e 60127: 0. @ona?fide areas of weeping. a: &es s wept at the tomb of La5ar s .&ohn 66109:. "eeping is therefore bona?fide at bereavement. b: &es s wept over the city of &er salem .L !e 6<186: "eeping of patriotism. c: &es s wept on the cross .Hebrews 91=: d: ,s a mo rner .6 $hessalonians 8160: e: ,n e%pression of happiness and faith f: , reaction to pain. 8. $here comes a time when all weeping is going to cease. .)saiah 0>16<( /evelation 2618: after death.
CHRISTIAN LIFE; REWARDS AND CROWNS See page <0. NUMBERS 1-12 9 FORWARD TO KADESH BARNEA
108
EVANGELICAL BIBLE COLLEGE OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA WORLDLINESS See page 08. :RO:HET
6. $he gift of prophecy and the office of the prophet are disting ished in script re. )n the +ld $estament there were those who had the office of prophet( and served in an official capacity within the worship system of )srael b t there were also those who at times were given the gift of prophecy to give a special prophecy even tho gh they were not f ll time prophets. Eli#ah was a man with the office and the gift( where?as Aavid had the gift at times b t not the office. 2. $he roles of the person with the office of prophet were many and varied1 a: ,aron was a preacher .E%od s =16:. b: )n Eehemiah*s time the prophet?preacher had a role to e%egete the "ord of God clearly so that the people wo ld !now the tr th .Eehemiah 41=( Hosea 419:. c: ,s revivalists they were to call people to repentance .& dges 41=?62( Mechariah =1=?62:. d: $hey were to oppose apostasy so that those who were li!ely to be misled by a false teacher wo ld have no e%c se .6 Hings 67104?0<( 8>( 2 'hronicles 29169( E5e!iel 219( 2 Hings 2>166:. e: $hey were enco ragers of the people .E5ra 912:. f: $hey were sometimes songLworship leaders for the people .6 Sam el 6>19:. g: $hey led in prayer at worship .2 'hronicles 0212>:. h: $hey were the advisors to the !ings and they were associated with coronations .6Sam el 6>16( 6Hings 66127( 2<( 2 Hings <16?4( 2 'hronicles 6219( 2 'hronicles 6214( 6912?=:. i: $hey were spirit al advisors or seers for the !ings3 they PsawP the immediate f t re and so were able to advise the !ings of the right decisions .6 Sam el <1<( 2 Sam el 28166( 6 'hronicles 261<( 2812<( 2 'hronicles 6<12( 001 67( 2 Hings 6=160( )saiah 2<16>:. #: $hey were fore?tellers of significant f t re events .2 Sam el =19?64( ,mos <166( )saiah <14(=( )saiah 90( E5e!iel 08122ff( ;icah 912( Aaniel <124( Mechariah 6017( &oel( Mechariah 68: and many more. !: God intended them to be the shepherds and vine?dressers of the nation. ,s s ch they were to be the type of 'hrist( who is referred to in the +ld $estament as Pthe great prophetP .Ae teronomy 67169?6<( Mechariah 6019?4( ;atthew 26166 ( L !e =164( 71 67?2>( 2816<( 20?24( &ohn =18>(86:. 0. $here was no PsetP form la for the prophets to follow( b t certain things were established as PtestsP for the people to be s re the prophet was gen ine. a: $he prophet had to have a spirit al life witness that was li!e ;oses .Ae teronomy 0816> ? 62:. b: God spo!e to the prophets by dreams and visions. God spo!e to ;oses face to face b t he was an e%ception .E mbers 6214?=:. c: $he prophet had to be totally confident of his message( as he was # dged by God if there was any falsehood in it .6 Hings 22160( 68( 2 Hings 917:. d: $here were to be no secret prophecies( everything was to be open and clear( so that all the people might be warned of God .&eremiah 20129?2<:. e: $he prophet had to be specific in his message and had to be obeyed literally .2 Hings 916>?6<( note especially verse 60:. 8. $here were always false prophets3 in fact the great prophets of the +ld $estament were always o tn mbered by false prophets in their own day .&eremiah 217( E5e!iel 6016?20:. + r Lord warned s that there will always be false prophets abo t .;atthew =169 ? 20:. E+$E $HE L+/A*S "+/AS here in that the personal wal! of the prophet is to be paid attention to. Eo spirit al fr it in their life O no tr th in their words. God allows the false prophets to operate witho t immediate # dgement pon them( so that believers are always presented with an obedience test( to see whether we will obey the script res or follow o r own l sts to # dgement. -alse prophets will abo nd at times of poor @ible teaching. "eeds only grow in poorly cared for soil .Hosea 819( 4( <1=( 7:. 9. $ests that believers m st apply when confronting a person claiming the gift of prophecy1
109

a: $he words of the prophet will never contradict the "ord of God .&eremiah 20100?04( 2 Peter 216?0( 6 'orinthians 68102:. b: $he prophet will never call people away from gen ine worship of God .Ae teronomy 6016? 9:. c: $he prophet will always be specific and the prophecy will be able to be tested .Ae teronomy 6712>?22( &eremiah 271<:. d: ,ny prophet who as!ed for money was to be treated as false .&eremiah 716>:. e: ,ny prophet who was a dr n!ard was to be treated as false .;icah 2166:. f: ,ny nconfessed sin of envy( #ealo sy( strife(.....etc in their life ( they were falseD .&eremiah 20166:. g: God*s prophets were generally men alone( not in gro ps .6 Hings 2219?7( 67122:. h: Aoes the prophecy accord with script reT .6 'orinthians 6810=( 07( 2 Hings 2012:.
:RO:HECY
6. $he gift of prophecy and the office of the prophet are disting ished in Script re. )n the +ld $estament there were those who had the office of prophet( and served in an official capacity within the worship system of )srael b t there were also those who at times were given the gift of prophecy to give a special prophecy even tho ght they were not f ll time prophets. Eli#ah was a man with the office and the gift( where?as Aavid had the gift at times b t not the office. 2. $he roles of the person with the office of prophet were many and varied1 RaS. ? ,aron was a preacher E%od s =16 RbS ? )n Eehemiah*s time the prophet?preacher had a role to e%egete the "ord of God clearly so that the people wo ld !now the tr th. Eehemiah 41=( Hosea 419( RcS ? ,s revivalists they were to call people to repentance. & dges 41=?62( Mechariah =1=?62. RdS ? $hey were to oppose apostasy so that those who were li!ely to be misled by a false teacher wo ld have no e%c se. 6 Hings 67104?0<( 8>( 2 'hronicles 29169 E5e!iel 219( 2 Hings 2>166. ReS ? $hey were enco ragers of the people. E5ra 912. RfS ? $hey were sometimes songLworship leaders for the people. 6 Sam el 6>19. RgS ?$hey led in prayer at worship. 2 'hronicles 0212>. RhS ? $hey were the advisers to the !ings and they were associated with coronations. 6 Sam el 6>16( 6 Hings 66127( 2<( 2 Hings <16?4( 2 'hronicles 6219( 2 'hronicles 6214( 6912?=. RiS ? $hey were spirit al advisers or seers for the !ings3 they PsawP the immediate f t re and so were able to advise the !ings of the right decisions. 6 Sam el <1<( 2 Sam el 28166( 6 'hronicles 261<( 2812<( 2 'hronicles 6<12( 00167( 2 Hings 6=160( )saiah 2<16>( R#S ? $hey were fore?tellers of significant f t re events. 2 Sam el =19?64( ,mos <166( )saiah <14(=( )saiah 90( E5e!iel 08122ff( ;icah 912( Aaniel <124( Mechariah 6017( &oel( Mechariah 68( and many more. R!S ? God intended them to be the shepherds and vine?dressers of the nation. ,s s ch they were to be the type of 'hrist( who is referred to in the +ld $estament as Pthe great prophetP. Ae teronomy 67169?6<( Mechariah 6019(4( ;atthew 26166( L !e =164( 7167?2>( 2816<(20?24( &ohn =18>(86. 0. $he ;ethodology of the prophets. $here was no PsetP form la for the prophets to follow( b t certain things were established as PtestsP for the people to be s re the prophet was gen ine. RaS ? $he prophet had to have a spirit al life witness that was li!e ;oses. Ae teronomy 0816>?62. RbS ? God spo!e to the prophets by dreams and visions. God spo!e to ;oses face to face b t he was an e%ception. E mbers 6214?=. RcS. ? $he prophet had to be totally confident of his message( as he was # dged by God if there was any falsehood in it. 6 Hings 22160(68( 2 Hings 917. RdS ? $here were to be no secret prophecies( everything was to be open and clear( so that all the people might be warned of God. &eremiah 20129?2<. ReS ? $he prophet had to be specific in his message and had to be obeyed literally. 2 Hings 916>?6<( note especially verse 60. 8. $here were always false prophets3 in fact the great prophets of the +ld $estament were always o tn mbered by false prophets in their own day. &eremiah 217( E5e!iel 6016?20. + r Lord warned s that there will always be false prophets abo t. ;atthew =169?20. Eote $he Lord*s "ords here in that the personal wal! of the prophet is to be paid attention to1? Eo spirit al fr it in their life O no tr th in their words.
110

God allows the false prophets to operate witho t immediate # dgement pon them( so that believers are always presented with an obedience test( to see whether we will obey the Script res or follow o r own l sts to # dgement. -alse prophets will abo nd at times of poor @ible teaching. "eeds only grow in poorly cared for soil. Hosea 819(4( <1=(7. 9. $ests that believers m st apply when confronting a person claiming the gift of prophecy. RaS ? $he words of the prophet will never contradict the "ord of God. &eremiah 20100?04( 2 Peter 216?0( 6 'orinthians 68102. RbS ? $he prophet will never call people away from gen ine worship of God. Ae teronomy 6016?9. RcS ? $he prophet will always be specific and the prophecy will be able to be tested. Ae teronomy 67 1 2> ? 22( &eremiah 27 1 <. RdS ? ,ny prophet who as!ed for money was to be treated as false. &eremiah 716>. ReS ? ,ny prophet who was a dr n!ard was to be treated as false. ;icah 2166. RfS ,ny nconfessed sin of envy( #ealo sy( strife( etc in their life ( they were falseD &eremiah 20 1 66. RgS ? )f they were fo nd only in gro ps they were probably false( as God*s prophets were men alone. 6 Hings 2219?7( 67122. RhS ? Aoes the prophecy accord with Script re .this is more than # st not contradict:T 6 'orinthians 6810=(07( 2 Hings 2012.
CHRISTIAN LIFE; HUMILITY

6. H mility is to be so ght ? Mephaniah 210 2. H mility is manifest in restraint ? L !e 4127?2< 0. H mility is prod ced by the Holy Spirit ? Galatians 9122?20 8. H mility is essential in teaching ? 2 $imothy 2129 9. H mility is essential in learning. ? &ames 6126 4. H mility is val able to God. ? Proverbs 01083 &ames 814( 6 Peter 919 =. H mility is the path to promotion ? 6 Peter 914 7. H mility gives proper self eval ation. ? /omans 6210 <. E%amples of h mility a: ;oses ? E mbers 6210 b: Aavid ? 2 Sam el 64166 c: &eremiah ? &eremiah 24168 d: Stephen ? ,cts =14> e: Pa l ? 2 $imothy 8164 6>. Evidences of h mility a: -orbearance to others ? Ephesians 812(41<( 'olossians 0160 b: End rance in trials ? 6 'orinthians 601=( &ames 6162 c: 'ompassion ? 6 $hessalonians 21= d: Peaceability ? &ames 016= 66. H mility was the primary characteristic of 'hrist ? )saiah 901=( ;atthew 6612<( 2619 62. Promises to the h mble ? Psalm 22324( 0=166( 68=14( )saiah 2<16<
111
DOCTRINES
DOCTRINE ,@)A)EG )E G+A ,EGELS1 ,EGEL)' '+E-L)'$ @L++A S,'/)-)'E 'H/)S$1 -)/S$ ,EA SE'+EA ,ANEE$S 'H/)S$1 ) ,; 'H/)S$1 P/+PHE$( P/)ES$ ,EA H)EG 'H/)S$1 SHEPHE/A 'H/)S$ $CPES1 ,@EL ,EA SE$H ,S $CPES +- 'H/)S$ 'H/)S$ $CPES1 P,SS+NE/ ,S , $CPE +- 'H/)S$ 'H/)S$),E L)-E 'H/)S$),E L)-E1 ,A+P$)+E ,S , 'H)LA +- G+A 'H/)S$),E L)-E1 'H/)S$ -+/;EA )E C+U 'H/)S$),E L)-E1 '+E-ESS)+E ,EA -+/G)NEEESS 'H/)S$),E L)-E1 '+E-)AEE'E 'H/)S$),E L)-E1 '+ESE'/,$)+E 'H/)S$),E L)-E1 '/U')-)EA ")$H 'H/)S$ 'H/)S$),E L)-E1 E$E/E,L SE'U/)$C I HE@/E"S 'H,P$E/ 4 'H/)S$),E L)-E1 -,)$H 'H/)S$),E L)-E1 -,S$)EG 'H/)S$),E L)-E1 G)-$S G)NEE ,$ S,LN,$)+E 'H/)S$),E L)-E1 G)-$S I SP)/)$U,L G)-$S 'H/)S$),E L)-E1 G)N)EG 'H/)S$),E L)-E1 HU;)L)$C 'H/)S$),E L)-E1 ;EE$,L ,$$)$UAE 'H/)S$),E L)-E1 +@EA)EE'E 'H/)S$),E L)-E1 P+S)$)+E )E 'H/)S$ 'H/)S$),E L)-E1 P/,CE/ 'H/)S$),E L)-E1 P/)+/)$)ES 'H/)S$),E L)-E1 /E",/AS ,EA '/+"ES 'H/)S$),E L)-E1 SEP,/,$)+E 'H/)S$),E L)-E1 SE/N)'E 'H/)S$),E L)-E1 SE/N)'E I ;+AEL SE/N,E$
:AGE 84 60 => =0 44 =2 8> 4= =6 = 7 7 0> 7 98 98 64 < 99 6> 0< 42 6>9 84 99 62 == 99 <0 00 02 02
112
'H/)S$),E L)-E1 S+LA)E/ I 'H/)S$),E S+LA)E/ )E EPHES),ES 4 'H/)S$),E L)-E1 SU@;)SS)+E 'H/)S$),E L)-E1 UE)+E ")$H 'H/)S$ 'H/)S$),E L)-E1 ",LH)EG 'HU/'H1 P,S$+/,L ,U$H+/)$C 'HU/'H1 P,S$+/,L A)S')PL)EE 'HU/'H1 SHEPHE/A)EG $HE SHEEP 'HU/'H1 "+/SH)P ,EA P/,)SE G+A1 'H,/,'$E/ +- G+A G+A1 A)N)EE AE'/EES G+A1 A)N)EE GU)A,E'E I $HE ")LL +- G+A G+A1 A)N)EE )ES$)$U$)+ES I -,;)LC G+A1 A)N)EE )ES$)$U$)+ES I ;,//),GE G+A1 -,)$H-ULEESS +- G+A G+A1 -,$HE/H++A +- G+A G+A1 -+/EHE+"LEAGE G+A1 G+A ',/ES -+/ C+U G+A1 PL,E +- G+A H+LC SP)/)$1 ;)E)S$/C )E $HE EE" $ES$,;EE$ H+LC SP)/)$1 ;)E)S$/C )E $HE +LA $ES$,;EE$ H+LC SP)/)$1 S)ES ,G,)ES$ $HE SP)/)$ &UAG;EE$1 G/E,$ "H)$E $H/+EE H)EGA+;1 ;)LLEEE),L H)EGA+; L,;@ L)GH$ +--E/)EGS1 LEN)$)',L +--E/)EGS /EP/ESEE$)EG 'H/)S$ P/+PHE'C P/+PHE'C1 A,E)EL*S SENEE$C "EEHS P/+PHE'C1 SEQUEE'E +- EEA $);E ENEE$S P/+PHE$ PS,L; 961 -+/G)NEEESS ,EA /ES$+/,$)+E S,LN,$)+E1 S,)E$S S,LN,$)+E1 S,E'$)-)',$)+E S)E1 ,@+;)E,$)+E S)ES $+ $HE L+/A S)E1 +LA S)E E,$U/E S)E1 S)E UE$+ AE,$H "EEP)EG "+/LAL)EESS
<6 94 62 <0 87 8< 8> 00 06 <8 0> 96 9> <9 <9 <4 6>6 22 0< <4 8= 2< =0 =6 44 94 6>8 =8 =4 6>2 8< 8= 87 6>2 2< 2< 6>2 08
113

34-1 Numbers CH 1-12

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EVANGELICAL BIBLE COLLEGE OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA

NUMBERS 1-12 (FORWARD TO KADESH BARNEA)

R"#$%"& J'() 2*11

EVANGELICAL BIBLE COLLEGE OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA

NUMBERS 1-12 9 FORWARD TO KADESH BARNEA

EVANGELICAL BIBLE COLLEGE OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA

EVANGELICAL BIBLE COLLEGE OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA

NUMBERS 1-12 9 FORWARD TO KADESH BARNEA

EVANGELICAL BIBLE COLLEGE OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA

NUMBERS 1-12 9 FORWARD TO KADESH BARNEA

EVANGELICAL BIBLE COLLEGE OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA

NUMBERS 1-12 9 FORWARD TO KADESH BARNEA

EVANGELICAL BIBLE COLLEGE OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA

NUMBERS 1-12 9 FORWARD TO KADESH BARNEA

EVANGELICAL BIBLE COLLEGE OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA

:ASTORAL AND :ERSONAL A::LICATIONS

DOCTRINES CHRISTIAN LIFE

NUMBERS 1-12 9 FORWARD TO KADESH BARNEA

EVANGELICAL BIBLE COLLEGE OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA

CHRISTIAN LIFE; ADO:TION AS A CHILD OF GOD

CHRISTIAN LIFE; CHRIST FORMED IN YOU

NUMBERS 1-12 9 FORWARD TO KADESH BARNEA

EVANGELICAL BIBLE COLLEGE OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA

CHRISTIAN LIFE; CONFIDENCE

CHRISTIAN LIFE; FAITH

NUMBERS 1-12 9 FORWARD TO KADESH BARNEA

EVANGELICAL BIBLE COLLEGE OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA

CHRISTIAN LIFE; GIFTS GIVEN AT SALVATION

NUMBERS 1-12 9 FORWARD TO KADESH BARNEA

EVANGELICAL BIBLE COLLEGE OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA

NUMBERS 1-12 9 FORWARD TO KADESH BARNEA

EVANGELICAL BIBLE COLLEGE OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA

CHRISTIAN LIFE; :OSITION IN CHRIST

CHRISTIAN LIFE; UNION WITH CHRIST

NUMBERS 1-12 9 FORWARD TO KADESH BARNEA

EVANGELICAL BIBLE COLLEGE OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA

ANGELS; ANGELIC CONFLICT

NUMBERS 1-12 9 FORWARD TO KADESH BARNEA

EVANGELICAL BIBLE COLLEGE OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA

NUMBERS 1-12 9 FORWARD TO KADESH BARNEA

EVANGELICAL BIBLE COLLEGE OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA

NUMBERS 1-12 9 FORWARD TO KADESH BARNEA

EVANGELICAL BIBLE COLLEGE OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA

CHRISTIAN LIFE; ETERNAL SECURITY 9 HEBREWS CHA:TER B

NUMBERS 1-12 9 FORWARD TO KADESH BARNEA

EVANGELICAL BIBLE COLLEGE OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA

NUMBERS 1-12 9 FORWARD TO KADESH BARNEA

EVANGELICAL BIBLE COLLEGE OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA

NUMBERS 1-12 9 FORWARD TO KADESH BARNEA

EVANGELICAL BIBLE COLLEGE OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA

NUMBERS 1-12 9 FORWARD TO KADESH BARNEA

EVANGELICAL BIBLE COLLEGE OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA

NUMBERS 1-12 9 FORWARD TO KADESH BARNEA

EVANGELICAL BIBLE COLLEGE OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA

NUMBERS 1-12 9 FORWARD TO KADESH BARNEA

EVANGELICAL BIBLE COLLEGE OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA

:ASTORAL AND :ERSONAL A::LICATIONS

NUMBERS 1-12 9 FORWARD TO KADESH BARNEA