Numbers 12-14

Numbers 12-14

Many people have attempted to make accusations against a Godly person thinking that their actions surely must be wrong.  Can you recall any?  The number one that ought to come to mind would be Jesus.  What about Paul?  Any one of the 12 apostles who suffered for their faith and died because of the name of Jesus would be named in this company.  In Numbers 12 Moses is being ridiculed because of the ethnicity of his wife.  Remember Moses marrying Zipporah back in Exodus 2 whom we read in Exodus 18 is reunited with her husband after his dangerous dealings with Pharaoh in Egypt.  Remember at this point in the wanderings, the Israelites have just celebrated the second Passover (the first being in Egypt).  It could be understood that the Exodus 18 passage lines up closely with this passage in Numbers 12 when Aaron and Miriam find room of complaint against the Midianite (also known as Cushite) wife, Zipporah.  

But as we read the story, we find that there is more reason for complaint than just Moses' choice of a wife more than 40 years ago.  Miriam is really looking for more power from God.  But we learn of the humility and meekness of Moses (12:3).  To be humble or meek is harnessing power to do what is right for a given situation.  Picture a strong stallion.  Such a beast has the power to trample any human who attempts to harness it; however, by nature it chooses to submit to the owner's authority.  This is the picture of being meek.  Jesus said in Matthew 5 "Blessed are the meek...for they shall inherit the Kingdom of God."  Moses was a strong man with much God-given authority.  Rather than trample Aaron and Miriam for their opposition, he prayed to God and allowed God to handle the situation more appropriately.  In your life, what opportunities do you have to display God-given humility and meekness?

Numbers 13-14 offers us an explanation as to why this generation of people were left wandering and never allowed to enter the promised land.  Moses sent spies into the land to spy it out for 40 days so they could bring a report as to the demographics of the land.  He wanted them to report the type of land, the size of the cities, how developed the cities were, what kind of produce grew in the land, etc.  Their report came back mixed, however.  A group who opposed going to war and starting a conflict with the inhabitants falsely reported the land.  However, Joshua and Caleb reported accurately and assured the people that if God is on their side, who can oppose them?  The congregation's lack of faith angered God and nearly led Him to destory them all and start over--however, God knew His promises that He had made.  God never forgets His promise.  Moses had not calmed God down...rather God voiced what He "could have done" but remained true to His promise.  

Due to their distrust in God, God sentences them to a lifetime of wandering.  They will die in wandering.  Anyone who is 20 or older will never see the land flowing with milk and honey.  They will die eating manna and quail.  God will see to it that they be punished for their lack of trust in God.  

Numbers 8-11

Numbers 8-11

Continuing through the book of Numbers, we will occasionally read a review from the Laws taught to us in Exodus or Leviticus.  Using the dedication offerings given in chapter 7, the Tabernacle is built.  In chapter 9 we learn that the Israelites had now been out of Egypt for one year.  They are given the instructions to celebrate the second Passover in remembrance of God's deliverance from the bondage of Egypt.  I remember Bob Tuck sharing with us this Sunday the fact that we are memory bound creatures.  Our lives revolve around remembering the past or attempting to remember a coming up appointment.  We have numerous devices to aid us in our memory.  Isn't it special that God offered His people the memory device of Passover to celebrate each year and remember their salvation from Egypt.  We have that same memory device given to us every week when we celebrate the Lord's Supper.  

I find it hard to believe as I read through the wandering years of Israel that they would have reason to complain.  But in addition to being memory bound creatures, we are also created with "minds of our own" and unfortunately sometimes our minds do not always remain focused on the Creator.  Recall with me where Israel has been in the last 365 days...In Egypt, they were suffering under the oppression of the slave driving taskmasters...witnessing 10 plagues, God's reality was displayed...watching a fiery cloud distract the mighty Egyptian army while the 2 million Israelites cross through several miles of DRY sea bottom to safety...they physical hunger satisfied with bread from heaven twice a day...their leader Moses goes up on a mountain that is on fire, suffering earthquakes and lightening storms, and then he returns from the mountain with the words of God inscribed on tablets of stone with the laws by which they would now live...the fiery cloud that had distracted the Egyptians is now leading you through the desert-when it moves, you move and when it stops, you stop.  What a year!  

So many reasons to trust in God and in the leader He endorses.  But when  the manna gets too boring and there just are not enough ways to fix it so it tastes good, they began to complain.  What is wrong with that picture?  So they not only cry to their leader, but they cry to God.  Their whining gets to God and in anger, he allows flocks of quail to move into their area.  But in greed, the people gather too much and this burns the anger of the Lord even more.  Does our greed lead us to go for too much?  When can we ever be satisfied?  The answer: For earthly things, we will never be satisfied.  But when we wholey live in trust and obedience in God, when our thoughts are set on eternity with Him, we will be fully satisfied and will be content with all things.  

Numbers 1-7

Number 1-7

The book of Numbers makes it evident to us the precise order God took to lead His people through the 40 years of wandering and into the promised land.  In the second half of Exodus and throughout Leviticus, we are given precise instructions for how to live.  In addition, the exact instructions for the building of the Tabernacle are given.  The book of Numbers offers a more governmental (not political) aspect to Israel's life and function.  Chapters 1-3 instruct Moses how to organize the camps according to the 12 tribes (which were named after the sons of Israel). Judah would serve as the leading group.  The order in which the tribes is set up around the Tabernacle is important for when the Lord instructs them to move, the armies will march out in that order.  God gives instructions for His people to be governed with exactness!  We also learn that one of the tribes is to be left out of this order for their responsibility is for the care of the Tabernacle--the Levites.  Chapter 4 addresses with exact details the responsibilities for all of the Levites.  Each Levite male will serve for 20 years (from age 30-50) in the work of the Tabernacle.  Everyone had their part and they did it well.  Chapter 5 offers instructions on things to be avoided so that proper health and sanitation as well as sexual purity can be maintained in such a densely populated camp.  

Within its pages God instructs Moses and the priests on how to determine if a woman has committed adultery but there is no evidence to offer proof.  If a husband suspected his wife of adultery, he could make life completely miserable for her.  To prevent this, God gave Moses and the priests instructions of how to test the woman for purity.  It was a "put up, or shut up" measure for both the man and the woman.  If the woman passed the test, she was free from the ridicule her husband put her through.  If she failed the test, she would be punished.  And we remember from Leviticus that the punishment was death.  The priest would hold a pitcher of purified water in one hand, scoop up dust from the tabernacle floor in the other, and pour the dust into the water.  He would write on a scroll the offense and then dip the scroll into the water.  The water would now be contaminated with all sorts of bacteria for in the Tabernacle hundreds of animals are slaughtered daily and their remains would be tracked throughout the tent.  Such remains would make it into the water.  She would then be instructed to drink the water.  If over the course of time she experienced no affects, she would be free from guilt.  However, if she had been guilty, she would experience an illness in her ovarial organs that would cause her abdomen to swell and it would spread to her thighs and they would begin to rot.  She then would be proven guilty and be sentenced to death. 

Chapter 6 offers a section of "Things to be encouraged" such as the vow of a Nazarite.  A Nazarite was one who took a vow before God to live a holy life.  The nazarite vow included 3 parts: Abstain from 1) any fruit of the vine (grapes, wine, etc.), 2) Cutting any hair on your head (haircut or shave), and 3) anything dead.  It would be evident to others of your vow and you would take such extreme measures as your vow to God to be Holy.  

Chapter 7 describes the offerings of the people of Israel to the Tabernacle upon its completion.  Much like when a church is dedicated and begins its use, an offering to furnish it may be given, so is the Tabernacle.

Leviticus 5-27

*Due to my tardiness in posting comments for the remainder if Leviticus, I will offer a few thoughts for the duration of the book.  I have heard a few form the church comment on the lack of application from the book of Leviticus.  I would agree to some degree; however, after reading from Leviticus (especially after catching up on my reading today), I am brought to an attitude of praise for my God who has redeemed me by the death of Christ from the laws of the Israelites.  I no longer have to be concerned with the festivals and the rules of living quite like the Israelites were expected to!  I can live in freedom from the strangle that sin once had one me.  We should be moved to praise to God for Jesus rescuing us from the snare of the law!  

Secondly, I am reminded of who God is throughout the book of Leviticus.  Each time God instructed the Israelites to do something that seemed like it could be argued with as being too difficult, God reminded the people that "He is the Lord!"  In Leviticus 19 alone, the phrase "I am the Lord" is used 16 times.  Again, and again, God reminds the people of Israel that nothing it too difficult for His people for God will see it through!  We might need that reminder again today! 

Finally, I sum up the book of Leviticus with the passage from 26:12 which says "I will also walk among you and be your God, and you shall be My people."  God is taking the people of Israel from the Egyptian bondage in Exodus to wandering the desert for 40 years.  Now God is leading the His people back into the pagan land of Canaan where they will live forever in the land of their promise.  God is claiming the people of Israel as His own chosen people.  These rules and laws were not just intended as a way to keep a handle on the people.  They were meant to set apart the Israelite people as evidence that they belonged to God!  Think about this: In what ways does your life reflect your belonging to God and being set apart from other non-believing people?