Lights and Lamps

O. T. #312  "Lights and Lamps"
June 30, 2014
Numbers 8-Part 1
The LORD said to Moses, "Speak to Aaron and say to him, 'When you set up the seven lamps, they are to light the area in front of the lampstand.' " Numbers 8:1-2 NIV

LET IT GLOW

My mother purchased a chandelier for the kitchen of our farmhouse whenever my parents remodeled it back in the 70's. To me, it seems out of place with the decor of my country look. I realize that the chandelier does not give off light for the room, but it is the light bulbs and electricity which does. So it was in the Tabernacle. The lampstand held the lamps with oil which lit up the Holy Place of the Tabernacle. This is discussed in the beginning of chapter 8.

J.V. McGee writes, "This chapter surprises us by beginning with instructions for lighting the lampstand in the Holy Place. At first it seems that the lampstand is out of place-that it belongs back in Exodus where instruction were given for the Tabernacle."

As you read in the chapter, you see it is appropriate, the setting up of the lamps, then with the verses 5-22 the setting apart of the Levites.

The spiritual orders suggest the divine illumination must precede Christian dedication. It's like a parallel to Leviticus 8 and Numbers 3:5-13. (Falwell)

The lampstand was described and made in Exodus 25:31-40,  but the lampstand by itself could give no light. It had to have lamps placed upon it that gave light. All the lampstand could do was make the light more visible. The lampstands were fueled by oil; and would need to be continually filled with oil to provide constant light. Workmanship of the lampstand was hammered gold; from its shaft to its flowers it was hammered work.  (David Guzik)

LET IT GROW

Revelation 1:20 makes the lampstand a picture of the church; the church itself does not light the world, but it performs a "platform" for Jesus' light to be seen. (Guzik)

The candlestick itself was an emblem of Christ's church; the oil, of the graces and gifts of the Spirit of God; and the light, of those gifts and graces in action among men. God builds His Church and sends forth His Spirit to dwell in it, to sanctify and cleanse it, that it may be shown unto the world as His own workmanship. A candlestick or lamp without oil is of no use; oil not burning is of no use. so a Church without the influence of the Holy Ghost are dead while they have a name to live; and if they have a measure of this light, and do not let it shine by purity of living and holy Zeal before men, their religion is neither useful to themselves nor to others. (Clarke)

When we allow the Holy Spirit control of our life, to indwell us, then Jesus's light shines through to into the world. Are we giving Him control or are we in control of our thoughts, words, actions? For whom are we living-ourselves our Savior? Is our purpose to honor Christ or ourselves?

LET IT GO

Surrender my life unto the Lord Jesus.

Obey His Word.

Follow the leading of the Holy Spirit.

Let His light shine in and through me.

Serving the Lord

O. T. #311  "Serving the Lord"
June 27, 2014
Numbers 7
And when Moses was gone into the tabernacle of the congregation to speak with him, then he heard the voice of one speaking unto him from off the mercy seat that was upon the ark of testimony, from between the two cherubims: and he spake unto him.  Numbers 7:89

LET IT GLOW

Throughout the last thirty some years, I have served in the church in various ways. I have been Sunday School director, children's director, children's church director and teacher, teacher of all ages of children and youth, women's teacher, missions director, vacation bible school director and teacher, janitor, typed the bulletin, and the wife of a deacon and a pastor. However, it does not matter what position we hold, but that we are doing our best and faithfully serving where the Lord wants us.

With the completion of the tabernacle, the Lord communicated His Word to Moses from the mercy seat in the Holy of Holies (Lev. 1:1, Num. 1:1). (MacArthur)

In the Experiencing God study, Blackaby and King say the fact that God spoke is far more important than how He spoke. Those he spoke to knew He was God, and they understood what He was saying.

When God spoke:

• the experience was usually unique to that individual;
• the person was sure God was speaking;
• the person knew what God said;
• that was an encounter with God.
• Today God speaks by the Holy Spirit through the Bible, prayer, circumstances, and the church to reveal Himself, His purposes, and His ways.

Do you hear God speaking to you? What is your reaction? Are you like Samuel or Jonah?

LET IT GROW

Falwell tells us that this chapter chronologically belongs after Leviticus 8 and before the book of Numbers.

Irving Jensen says, "But it is placed here because it included the bringing of supplies necessary for transporting the tabernacle, which is one of the subjects under consideration in this first part of Numbers. The arrangement of much of Numbers is logical, rather than chronological."

Did you know that this is the second longest chapter in the Bible? Psalm 119 is the longest.

We read that the twelve princes of Israel  brought identical gifts and offerings for the dedication of the altar on twelve successive days. Although the offerings of the princes wee identical, each is separately recorded by inspiration. (New Scofield Bible)

This fact of God's personal concern is seen also in the New Testament through the widow's mite episode (Luke 21:1-4) and the identical sevenfold message of Christ to His seven churches in Asia Minor (Rev. 2-3).

What is our attitude when we serve the Lord week after week, doing the same things? Are we refreshed or is it mundane to us?


LET IT GO

Serve the Lord with gladness.

Sing His praises and give thanks.

Stay faithful in what tasks He calls me to do.

Blessings

O. T. #310  "Blessings"
June 26, 2014
Numbers 6-Part 2
The Lord bless and keep thee.  Numbers 6:24

LET IT GLOW

Who doesn't want the blessings of the Lord? Yet there are responsibilities that go along with receiving those blessings. Are we willing to be faithfully sold out to God? The Israelites were given the choice.

Previously we discussed the Nazarite vow which the Israelites could choose to commit to the Lord. We read in verses 22-27 a beautiful benediction. If Israel was obedient, organized and consecrated to the Lord , they would be recipient of God's blessings (His favor) pronounced by the priests.

The Lord's blessing is described as God shining His face upon His people (verse 25), and His looking at them (verse 26).

The result of God's blessings were:

• His preservation of Israel (keep),
• His kindness toward her (be gracious, verse 25),
• her total well-being (peace, verse 26).

The name of the Lord represented His person and character. The priests were to call for God to dwell among His people and meet all their needs.


LET IT GROW

This was probably the blessing the people were waiting to hear the priest Zechariah utter (Luke 1:21-22) when he was struck mute by the angel Gabriel. (Falwell)

Clarke's Commentary says this about the prayer:

• May God speak good unto thee, by giving thee His excellent promises! May He preserve thee from all evil.
• May the Holy Trinity illuminate thy heart, pardoning thy sins.
• May God commune with thee and prosper thee.

Christians are to be separated from the world, dedicated solely to the service of God. We are to live a life of self-denial, obedient to the Holy Spirit, denounce the sinful lusts of the flesh, and walk in the same all the days of our life.

Are we that committed? How much do we want the blessings of God?


LET IT GO

Follow the Lord Jesus and His teachings.

Keep any vows made unto the Lord.

Thank and bless the Lord for all He has done for me.

Vows

O. T. #309  "Vows"
June 25, 2014
Numbers 6
Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, When either man or woman shall separate themselves to vow a vow of a Nazarite, to separate themselves unto the LORD...
Numbers 6:2


LET IT GLOW

Are you keeping your wedding vows? Did you dedicate your children unto the Lord? Is there a vow you promised to fulfill unto the Lord Jesus? We find out more about taking vows in this chapter.

We read the last chapter which dealt with the cleansing of the camp by dealing with the unclean and sinful. In this chapter, we read about the consecration to the Lord was possible for all Israelites.

Although only the family of Aaron could be priests, any man or woman could be "priestly" (dedicated to God's service) for a time (from a month to a lifetime) by means of the vow of a Nazarite. Such a vow was made by people usually devout toward God and dedicated to His service.
(MacArthur)

In verse 2, the first vow, nadir (pronounced naw-dar') in Hebrew, means to promise (to do something to God); make a vow.
The second vow, neder (pronounced nay'-der) in Hebrew, means a promise (to God), also a thing promised.
It sounds like the difference between the two words is that the first one is a verb and the second is a noun.

According to The MacArthur Bible Commentary, the word Nazarite transliterates a Hebrew term meaning dedication by separation.
The Nazarite separated himself to the Lord by separating himself from:

1. grape products (verses 3,4)
2. the cutting of one's hair (6:5)
3. contact with a dead body (verses 6,7).

The priest was also forbidden:

1. to drink wine while serving in the tabernacle (Lev. 10:9) and
2. to touch dead bodies (Lev. 21:11).

Both the high priest's crown (Ex.29:6) and the Nazarite's head (verses 9,18) are referred to by the same Hebrew word. The Nazarite's hair was like the high priest's crown. Like the high priest, the Nazarite was holy to the Lord (verse 8) all the days (verses 4-6,8) of his vow. (MacArthur)


LET IT GROW

Liberty Bible Commentary explains the meanings of those three prohibitions in the Nazarite vow:

1. He was prohibited from drinking any fruit of the vine (verse 3). Wine was the symbol for joy (Ps. 104:15), but the Nazarite was to receive his joy from God alone.
2. He was not to cut his hair (verse 5). In the New Testament (1 Cor.11:14) Paul states that long hair for a man was a shame and disgrace. It may be that by this method the Nazarite male could both understand and demonstrate the reproach of the Lord.
3. He was not to come into contact with a dead body (verse 6). Physical death, of course, was a direct result of Adam's rebellion against God (Gen. 2:17). The Nazarite vow was so binding that one could not attend the funeral even of a loved family member.

Verses 9-12 give instructions on what the Nazarite was to do if he broke his vow. Verses 13-21 discuss the procedures to be followed by the Nazarite upon completion of his vow.

There were several well-known biblical Nazarites. Samson is, perhaps, the most famous (Judges 13:5,7; 16:17). It would appear the prophet Samuel also became one (1 Sam. 1:11-28). In the New Testament,  John the Baptist immediately comes to mind (Luke 1:15), and the Apostle Paul (Acts 18:18).

Is there something that we consider such a serious thing, so important that we would take the Nazarite vow for a given time? God would bless our commitment. We will find out tomorrow about it.
Do we take seriously our vows which we hold make unto the Lord?

Deuteronomy 23:21 states, when thou shalt vow a vow unto the LORD thy God, thou shalt not slack to pay it: for the LORD thy God will surely require it of thee; and it would be sin in thee.


LET IT GO

Keep the vows I make unto the Lord God.

Follow the Holy Spirit's leading and obey.

Look for His blessings.

Silly Things

O. T. #308  "Silly Things"
June 24, 2014
Numbers 5
Abstain from all appearance of evil. 1 Thessalonians 5:22

LET IT GLOW

I like to do silly things. When pictures are taken of me, I realize people everywhere can possibly see them. I have posed in a swinging tree vine, on a toy motorcycle, a cardboard roller coaster, and riding on a luggage cart. However, I am careful not to compromise my Christian testimony.
Just a warning to you and me, there are folks out there who take joy in a Christian falling into a sinful lifestyle. There are people who want to tempt us to sin. There are others who wait to spread gossip about us. Some even make up lies to spread. So keep your radar up, eyes open. Be careful where you walk and with whom you walk. We should always honor the Lord Jesus with our life.

Cleansing, consecration, and commission are covered in chapters 5-10. In this chapter, we read about the purity to be established in the camp of the Israelites. They were told to "be holy for God is holy" over a dozen times in the previous book of Leviticus. Now this admonition is put into effect. There were three types of individuals who were to be put out of the camp in order to assure the purity of the people:

1. the leper, which pictures the awfulness and ugliness of sin;
2. the one with a running issue, reminded the people of sin unhealed and taking its toll;
3. the one defiled by the dead, was a reminder of the ultimate result of sin, eternal death.

[Resources: Liberty Bible Commentary, Irving Jensen's Journey to God's Rest-Land]

The first four verses deal with the outward, visible defects, the leper, discharge, and corpse. All of these prohibitions had sensible health benefits as well as serving to illustrate the need for moral cleanliness when approaching God. god's holy presence in the cloud in the tabernacle demanded cleanness. Therefore, all the unclean were barred from the encampment of Israel.

The next six verses, deal with personal sins, which are not as outwardly visible as the uncleanness in the previous four verses. A sin committed against God's people was considered a sin committed against God Himself. There was a need for confession and restitution in addition to the trespass offering (Lev. 5:14-6:7). (MacArthur)

LET IT GROW

The sin of adultery and jealousy due to suspicion of such is dealt with in these verses. Both the man and woman involved in adultery were to be put to death, according to Leviticus 20:10. However, when there was no proof of such happening, the woman was to be tested to reveal her guilt or innocence. Could this be the first lie detector test?

If the woman's belly swelled after drinking the holy water mixed with dust from the tabernacle floor, the woman was proven guilty of adultery. Both the man and woman's names were blotted out of the priest's book which was written of curses and offenders.

1 Thessalonians 5:22 says, Abstain from all appearance of evil.

Does this chapter not show us the importance of our actions? Even the appearance of evil or sin is to be avoided. We should always be on guard for what others might think of us or what we are doing, so it does not hurt our reputation. People are watching us. Some want to point fingers in judgment. Others scheme to cause us to fall into sin. Beware!

 LET IT GO

Watch what I say and do, so it does not appear to be sin, and dishonor my Lord Jesus.

Beware of traps to cause me to sin.

June 23, 2014

Good morning Friends,

Thank you for your prayers, dear friends. We are back home, safe and sound after spending a week on a mission trip in the Dominican Republic. However, due to a lightning storm Friday in Miami, we missed our flight and had to spend the night in the airport in Chicago. So I am still trying to catch up on my sleep and laundry. I will post a lesson on Tuesday.

So here is a summation of our trip:

• I taught 22 children in Sunday School and my husband preached the morning worship service.
• Monday-Wednesday mornings, I taught Vacation Bible School to 43 children each morning.
• There were 10 children saved.
• We had preschool, children, and youth classes.
• In the afternoons, our team made reading glasses for the adults at the church.
• There were 11 adults saved.
• After 2 attempts, we showed the "Jesus" film on a basketball court to the community.
• The little church was packed for Wed. night commencement with parents and children. 
• The people and children were very receptive of us this year. Last year was our first time to be in Monte Christi, so they were skeptical.
• On Wed. afternoon, we got to spend some time at the beautiful beach, r and r.
• Three of us flew back home, while the husband of one joined the team for one more week of the same mission work in another town 3 hours away.

Please pray for our mission team this week. Most of the were sick last week, but continued to serve. The weather there is very hot. Please pray for rain in the D.R. It has been months since they had any.

 Also, remember (Daniel)'s father who is very ill. They are our contact in the D.R.. Daniel serves as Hispanic missionary in our association. It is very difficult for them to leave family to serve the Lord in the USA.

I tried to send a picture while there, but it must have gotten lost. You can see me on Facebook.

Return tomorrow as we pick up in Numbers.

In His Service,
Linda Robins

Friends,
Please pray for us this week. We fly out early this morning to the Dominican Republic on a mission trip. We are returning to the same city as last year. I will be teaching the children's Sunday School class and then VBS Monday -Wednesday mornings.

Our team will be preaching in worship services, making glasses to give away, and showing the Jesus film in evenings. We will be sharing the gospel every day.

My husband and I will be returning next Friday, but the rest of the team will go to another city to minister the gospel for that week.
I especially need your prayers for my health during this time.

Thanks so much, sweet ones.

In His Service,
Linda

Moving

O. T. #307  "Moving"
June 12, 2014
Numbers 4
From thirty years old and upward even until fifty years old, all that enter into the host, to do the work in the tabernacle of the congregation.  Numbers 4:3

LET IT GLOW

I can't count the number of times we have moved on my fingers and toes. The hardest part was not physically moving the heavy furniture, but leaving behind those whom we developed relationships.

Here is the second census taken of the tribe of Levi. All the Levites from 30-50 years old in service added up to 8,580. It determined who would carry the Tabernacle on the coming journey to Canaan. Only those between the ages of thirty and fifty were called by the Lord for this task. (MacArthur)

Kohath, son of Levi, carried the furnishings of the Tabernacle only after they were covered by Aaron and his sons. This responsibility was passed down to his sons.
The sons of Kohath were given the most important task in the care of the Tabernacle. It was the sacred furniture and vessels which they were responsible for, since Moses and Aaron were of that tribe.
When moving the Tabernacle furniture, the Kohathites bore (carried) it on their shoulders, with poles. They bore the weight between them. They were to not touch anything holy.

Some four centuries later King David would transgress this law with dire consequences when he attempted to bring the Ark of the Covenant into Jerusalem on a new cart instead of the Levites carrying it with poles upon their shoulders between them (2 Sam.6).

Full grown men who were stout and strong so they could easily carry the heavy furniture.

Do we bear the weight of the gospel, sharing it with others?
Do we follow God's instructions for our life?
 

LET IT GROW

Jesus was age thirty whenever He began His ministry. Luke 3:23 records Jesus' baptism at age thirty.
Of course, we know that His ministry only lasted three years before He died on the cross. But oh the influence and deeds He did in only three years.

What would we do if we knew we only had three years to live?

LET IT GO

Carry the gospel where Jesus leads.

Move when He says move.

Live for Jesus now.
 

Patriarchal or Matriarchal?

O. T. #306  "Patriarchal or Matriarchal?"
June 11, 2014
Numbers 3-Part 2
Moses took the redemption money of them that were over and above them that were redeemed by the Levites.  Numbers 3:49

LET IT GLOW

I don't know about your family, but mine is a patriarchal. After my grandfather passed away, my dad, the oldest son, took over as leader. Now that they are gone, my only uncle seems to be the leader of our family. I think it is a good system to have for families. We were not meant to be a matriarchal society. I don't think women are meant to be leaders in our government nor family. Let the men step up to lead us, and the women submit to them.

What do we learn about the Levite family?

• The three sons of Levi were Gershon, Kohath, and Merari. (verse 17)
• Aaron, Miriam, and Moses were descendants of Levi through his son Kohath. (1 Chr. 6:1-2; 23:13)
• The Gershonites were responsible for the tent and coverings of the Tabernacle; they numbered 7,500.
• The Kohathites were responsible for the furniture and vessels of the Tabernacle; they numbered 8,600.
• The Merarites were in charge of the frames, boards, pillars, and sockets of the Tabernacle; they numbered 6,200.
• They were appointed to set up and take down the Tabernacle when it was moved.
• The total number of the descendants of Levi's three sons was 22,300 of the first-born males age 1 month and up. (verse 39,43)
• Eleazar, the son of Aaron the high priest, became chief of the Levites. Later, he became the second high priest, replacing Aaron (20:25).

LET IT GROW

What was the importance of the Levites?

•  All the first-born man and beast of Israel belonged to the LORD. (verse 13)
• The Levites became a substitute for them. They were servants in the Tabernacle instead of the first-born males of all the tribes. The Levites redeemed and liberated those from their special relationship and responsibility toward the Tabernacle.
• One Levite was accepted for one of the first-born. Since there were 273 more first-born than Levites, money was given for this number. (verses 46-47) This was accordance to the law found in Leviticus 27.
• The redemption money was given to Aaron and his sons (verses 49-51).

As I have said before, Jesus is our Redeemer. He took our place as He died on the cross in payment for our sins. He knew no sin, so Jesus was the perfect Sacrificial Lamb of God.
Is He your Redeemer? Have you asked Him to be? To forgive you of your sins?


LET IT GO

Sing praises to my Redeemer.

Share the redemption story with my family and others.

Be submissive to the men leading my family.

Birthdays

June 10, 2014

Friends,                                                                                                                                                       I hope you will pardon me for not posting our Bible study today. It is my birthday. I climbed to the big 6-0.
 Also, I am working at the election polls today. We have a primary runoff in our state, and I will be spending 12 &1/2 hours in our local precinct so people can vote again.

There are so many things for which I am grateful. I have been living my extended life some 12 years. One tends to look back at those yesteryears the older they get. How fast they have flown by. However, I am looking forward to another 10-20 more. I want to serve my Lord Jesus with what time I have left.

Please pray for me as I get ready for our mission trip to the Dominican Republic. We fly out Friday and return a week later. We got word that there could be as many as 500-1,000 children at the vbs, which I will be teaching them stories about Jesus; a Sunday School class, also. This year, in the afternoon, we are making glasses so the people can read the Bible. In the evenings we will have evangelistic services and show the "Jesus" film.  So remember us, morning, afternoon, and evening in your prayers as we share the gospel. Pray that the Holy Spirit will convict the lost and draw them to Him for salvation.

Oh, we had a great weekend with my husband's siblings and some of their kids. We hiked, toured a cave, reminisced, and enjoyed each other's company. Had a wonderful time. The Lord blessed us.

I leave you with this thought: In Joshua 24:15b, Joshua said, As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.

Will you serve the Lord, wherever He sends, whatever He says to do?

Until next time, have a wonderful day, and God bless you.
Linda

 

Family Blessings

O. T. #305  "Family Blessings"
June 9, 2014
Numbers 3-Part 1
And thou shalt give the Levites unto Aaron and to his sons: they are wholly given unto him out of the children of Israel.  Numbers 3:9

LET IT GLOW

Don't we all want God to bless our family? He blessed Levi's family. You remember, don't you, Levi was one of the twelve sons of Jacob (later called Israel). Go back with me to Exodus 32:26 and we will find out the reason for his being blessed. What happened was Moses came down from Mt. Sinai talking with God and found the people worshipping a golden calf. He ground the idol into powder, sprinkled it upon water, and made the children of Israel drink it.  

Then Moses stood I the gate of the camp, and said, Who is on the LORD's side? Let him come unto me. And all the sons of Levi gathered themselves together unto him.

It would seem that God's original perfect will was to set apart to special service the first-born from all the tribes (Ex. 13:1-2), but because of sin God would limit His choice to the tribe of Levi. Partly of the reason for this was, undoubtedly, the faithfulness and loyalty of Levi during the terrible sin of the golden calf.   (Falwell)

The entire tribe of Levi was given to serve the needs of:

• Aaron, the high priest,
• other priests,
• the congregation at large,
• the Tabernacle itself.

The Levites were under the direction of Aaron, not "doing their own thing," but Aaron's thing.
In some ways, being a priest was far more visible and perhaps "glamorous" than being a Levite. But the service of the Levites made the work of the priests possible, and was seen by God as having equal value.
God didn't want human sacrifice (first-born) as the first-born lamb, so He took the tribe of Levi as Israel's first-born.  (Guzik)

Do we serve others in the name of the Lord?

LET IT GROW

Hebrews 2:17 says, Therefore, He had to be made like His brethren in all things, so that He might become a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people.

David Guzik explains:

• If Jesus were not like us, He couldn't be our High Priest, representing us before the Father and making atonement (propitiation) for our sins.
• The high priest wore names of the tribes of Israel on his chest and shoulders, so he would be in constant sympathy with the people of God, carrying them on his heart and in he work (on shoulders). 
• He didn't wear a breastplate of the high priest, but Jesus was wounded in His chest and the cross on His shoulders is an even more eloquent testimony to His heart for us and work on our behalf.
• Because Jesus added humanity to His deity, and has experienced human suffering, He is able to aid those who are being tempted, and when we are suffering. He really does know what you're going through!

Is Jesus your High Priest, interceding to the Father on your behalf? He has provided the sacrifice for our sins by dying on the cross. Will you accept Jesus as your Savior today?


LET IT GO

Jesus is my High Priest.

Ask His forgiveness of my sins.

God to Jesus with my needs and requests.

Flying Flags

O. T. #304  "Flying Flags"
June 6, 2014
Numbers 2
And the children of Israel did according to all that the LORD commanded Moses; so they pitched by their standards, and so they set forward, every one after their families, according to the house of their fathers.  Numbers 2:34

LET IT GLOW

During the months of May, June, and July, we often see our nation's flag flying in public places-along city streets, government offices, and businesses. I like to see the red, white, and blue flying, which symbolizes our free country. I recall last year when local people lined the streets and highways of our town, honoring a fallen Marine on the way to his final resting place. It gave me goose bumps to see the patriotism, love, and support shown for the family, toward one who died serving our country. So many took time out of their busy schedule to wave a flag. Did you know the Israelites flew flags? Check it out.

After reading through the laws and instructions given to this totally disorganized, new nation, who had no formal administrative background, we can see their word was cut out for them.

And the LORD spoke unto Moses was a phrase used 85 times in the book of Numbers.
We can see that God was interested in details of the arrangement of the tribes during Israel's camp time, marching time, and the location of the tabernacle.

Israel's life was to be centered around the Tabernacle, called The Tent of Meeting. It was not only the focal point, focal place of the national life, but also of the individuals' life.
So the children of Israel did according to all that the LORD commanded Moses. (verse 34)

They formed a hollow rectangle around the Tabernacle with their three tribes on each side, as God instructed:

• on the east was Issachar, Judah, Zebulun tribes;
• on the west were Benjamin, Ephraim, and Manasseh tribes;
• on the north were Asher, Dan, and Naphtali tribes;
• on the south were Gad, Reuben, and Simeon.

Now, is that organization or what? The Word also includes the number of each tribe, but I am not going to do that.
Do you have your place of service in the church? Are you faithfully serving the Lord? Are  you willing to go where Jesus leads? Move wherever He says? Do according to His Spirit?

Revelation 5:6 says, and I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain...

Here is a foreshadow of God's perfect plan, which reaches its climax described by John in the final book of the Scriptures.

LET IT GROW

As the Israelites camped around the Tabernacle some distance from it, each man pitching by his own tent with the standard and an ensign of their father's house, family. It was mentioned in 1:52, also

A standard refers to a flag or a banner; an ensign is a beacon, signal, sign. (Strong's Concordance)

The emblems were flags identifying the individual tribes (probably with some sort of insigna). The standards were flags marking each of the four encampments of three tribes each. (MacArthur)

LET IT GO

Listen to the Holy Spirit.

Obey directions, daily.

Look for His working in my world.

Camping

O. T. #303  "Camping"
June 5, 2014
Numbers 1-Part 2
But the Levites after the tribe of their fathers were not numbered among them.  Numbers 1:47


LET IT GLOW

Have you ever been camping? What few times I have can be counted on my fingers. To me, it is fun getting away from the routines, schedules, laundry, cooking, and mundane things of life. I do enjoy the outdoors. Mind you, we stay in a cabin with modern facilities, not a tent, anymore.

I am soooo looking forward to camping with my husband's family. Actually, they are my family, too. (I've been in this family for 41 years, so maybe that warrants it.) We have a few activities planned, but the highlight will be our evenings spent around the campfire. We share memories, songs, food, pranks. How the time flies. Three days will not be enough, or will it?

The LORD gave instructions about the camps of the Israelites. Continue for it.

The twenty year old and older males of the tribe of Levi were to not be numbered during this time. The Levites were the tribe of priests to serve in the Tabernacle, God's house. Moses and Aaron were included in this tribe. The Levites were excluded from this census and exempt from the military service. Later, we read that there were 22,000 males of the age one month and older (3:39); and 8,500 able-bodied priests from ages 30-50 (4:48).

The Levites were appointed:

• to be in charge of and responsible for the Tabernacle of the Testimony,
• over all its furnishings, and everything belonging to it;
• carry the Tabernacle and all its furnishings,
• take care of it and encamp around it (so wrath would not fall on the Israelite community);
• to assemble and disassemble the Tabernacle whenever it moved,
• Non-Levites, strangers, going near the Tabernacle would be put to death.

Do we allow our pastor to be the overseer of our church building?


LET IT GROW

David Guzik says this about the first chapter:

In preparing to enter the Promised Land Israel had to be organized. God is an organized God and moves through organization even when we can't figure it out!God counts things. He counts and names the stars (Ps. 147:4; Is. 40:26). God knows the number of hairs on our head (Matt. 10:30). The Levites were not counted. some of the most important things can't be counted. God works mightily through things that can't be counted.

So, I wondered, what things cannot be counted? Love, salvation, mercy, grace, fruit of the Spirit, marriage, respect.
What can you add to this list?

The Israelites were to set up their tents by divisions, each man in his own camp under his own standard. (verse 52)

Is our camp (home) an organized place?
What things are important in our home?


LET IT GO

Better organize my life.

Seek the Lord's directions.

Follow them.

Include others in my camp.

Look for things that cannot be counted.

Be One in a Million

O. T. #302  "Be One in a Million"
June 4, 2014
Numbers 1-Part 1
Take a census of the whole Israelite community by their clans and families, listing every man by name, one by one.  Numbers 1:2 NIV

LET IT GLOW

Do you remember standing at the chalkboard with others, adding several five-digit numbers? I do. Sometimes we would race to see who could come up with the correct total. I doubt if I ever won, but it was fun to do with my classmates. Today, we have to use the same mathematical skill, only the total is already provided. Are you curious?

Before we get further into this chapter, there are two questions I want to answer.

What time is it?
Liberty Bible Commentary explains:

There was a break of just one month between the erecting of the tabernacle, at the end of Exodus and the start of Numbers. The book of Leviticus comes in this brief space of time. It was one year and two weeks since the Exodus from Egypt and ten and a half months since their arrival in Sinai. the commencement of a new month was generally decided by observation of the new moon.

What's going on?
One month after the Tabernacle was set up (Ex. 40:2,17), God gave an order.
It involved:

• taking a census of the whole community of the children of Israel, (excluded the Levites)
• by their clans and families,
• listing every man by name, one by one. (verse 2)
• Moses and Aaron were to number by their divisions all the men in Israel 20 years old or more who were able to serve in the army, a roster of fighting men.  (verse 3)
• One man from each tribe, each the head of his family was to help them. (verse 3)

The purpose was to determine the ransom money for the service of the tabernacle. The heads of tribes brought gifts to the tabernacle (chapter 7).

Keep in mind, this is the first of three censuses taken in the Old Testament. The others are found in chapter 2 and 2 Samuel 24.


LET IT GROW

There was a systematic manner in which this census was taken. Moses and Aaron organized the people in tribes, clans, and families. All the congregation was assembled together. A leader of each of the twelve tribes was chosen and responsible for the count in their tribe.

The tribal order follows the pattern of Jacob's wives:

1. sons of Leah,
2. sons of Rachel,
3. sons of the maids, except Gad (born of Leah's maid), who replaced Levi in the third-born position.  (MacArthur)

I spent time writing the number of men in each tribe that were given in verses 17-46. However, I am not going to do it here. Go ahead if you choose to do so. The grand total of the men age 20 and up at this specified time was 603,550. We can concluded that God took care of over 2 million people (including women and children) for 40 years as they wandered in the wilderness.

Tampering with the number is tampering with God's purpose for these numbers-to show His power in behalf of Israel.  (MacArthur)

Here is some information that might be of interest to you, according to Liberty Bible Commentary:

• It has been estimated that it would require nearly 50 railway cars of manna per day to feed the people. (Thousands of animals needing food was not included.)
• The water needs would be require some 12 million gallons per day.
• The land needed for camping at night would exceed 100 square miles.

I never really thought about what it took for God to provide for His children. What a loving heavenly Father we have!
Each and every man was important. They were so important that they were counted in the census. Do you sometimes feel you are insignificant? What does your life matter? Dear one, you do count to God. He made you and has a plan for your life. You have a purpose to accomplish here on Earth, or else you would not be alive now.
Remember, Jesus loves you, forever and always.


LET IT GO

I count and so do you in the overall scope of things. Whether on my country road or your paved neighborhood, we are going to carry out God's purposes today, if we choose to do so.

Be willing to carry out God's will.

Be one in a million that serves God for the rest of their life.

Share God's love with someone today.

Get Your Walking Shoes On

O. T. #301  "Get Your Walking Shoes On"
June 3, 2014
Numbers-Introduction
And the LORD spoke unto Moses in the wilderness of Sinai, in the tabernacle of the congregation...Numbers 1:1

LET IT GLOW

This country road has taken me through various terrain. I have walked in the desert, jungle, hills, mountains, valleys, into slums, resorts, cities, and airports around the world. I have met people in all sorts of conditions-lonely, hopeless, poor, rich, prideful, serving, tenderhearted. One thing binds us together when we are believers in Jesus-faith.

Ya'll better get your walking shoes on, because we got a long, hard walk ahead of us in this book-desert, wilderness, trials, and testing of our faith before we get to the Promised Land. So does Israel. It all boils down to this: Are we going to trust God and walk by faith or walk by sight and trust ourselves?
I pray you will continue on this long, hot journey and receive a blessing.

The English title of this book, Numbers, comes from the Greek and Latin versions. The most common Hebrew title comes from the fifth word in the Hebrew text of 1:1, in the wilderness. This name is much more descriptive of the total contents of the book, which recount the history of Israel during almost thirty-nine years of wandering in the wilderness.
Numbers was written in the final year of Moses' life. The word wilderness is used 48 times in this book.
This book contains three distinct divisions: obedience (chapters 1-10), disobedience (chapters 11-25), and renewed obedience (chapters 26-36). Not only do we see God's judgment, but His faithfulness, also.    (MacArthur)

Numbers derives its name from the double numbering of the children of Israel (chapters 1 and 26).
The first five books of the Bible were known as the Pentateuch, which contained the law. They were written by Moses between 1450 B.C. and 1410 B.C. (Falwell)

The first census was made the second year after the nation had left Egypt, and the second was made thirty-eight years later when the new generation was about to enter Canaan.

Are you counted as one of God's children? Friend, is your name written in the Lamb's Book of Life?


LET IT GROW

In the first twenty chapters, we read about the old generation of Israel. We read of their being:

• counted (chapter 1-4)
• counseled (chapters 5-10)
• chastised (chapters 11-12)
• condemned (chapters 13-20).

In the last fifteen chapters, we read about the new generation of Israel and their:

• journeying (chapters 21-36)
• numbering (chapters 26-27)
• offerings (chapters 28-30)
• dividing of the inheritance (chapters 31-36). (Wiersbe)

We see the unbelieving older generation dying in the wilderness. someone has described Israel's wilderness wanderings as "the longest funeral march in history."
Only Joshua and Caleb and those age twenty and younger were allowed into the Promised Land. Even Moses did not get to cross over Jordan with them.

Dear one, are you wandering around in your own wilderness? Instead of being a conqueror, are you a wanderer? Have you wasted years, not following God, obeying His Word, growing in faith? It is not too late for you, nor for your loved ones. We can step out by faith today and follow Jesus.

LET IT GO

Walk by faith, not by sight.

Choose to follow Jesus.

Stay in the Word; share the Word.

Love the Word, live the Word.

Here, There, and Yonder

O. T. #300  "Here, There, and Yonder"
Leviticus Summary
June 2, 2014
For I am the Lord your God: ye shall therefore sanctify yourselves, and ye shall be holy; for I am holy... Leviticus 11:44

My dear loved ones, I just wanted to say how grateful I am to have ya'll who faithfully follow along as I go through the Old Testament. By all means, you newcomers are welcome, also. I know summer is upon us and everyone will be going here, there, and yonder. (What a winter we did have!)  So catch up whenever you can. Be sure to take God's Word with you wherever you go. (Comments are welcome, friends.)

We have my husband's family reunion weekend this week and our mission trip to the Dominican Republic from the 13th to 20th, so I ask your prayers for traveling. I am trying to make arrangements to posting pictures this year. We will see if it all comes together.

Shall we look back for the summary? Before we do, grab some iced tea and join me on the front porch. What a beautiful morning, with a blue sky and white fluffy clouds, everything green, birds singing, petunias fragrant. Thank You Jesus for all the beautiful things and Your Word which You  give us!

Remember the Israelites were still camped around Mt. Sinai? Can you name the 5 sacrificial offerings? They were the burnt offering, meal offering, peace offering, sin offering, and trespass offering. (chapters 1-6)
Then the requirements for the priests were given to Israel and the Levites. (chapters 8-10)
The ceremonial laws were given regarding diet, delivery of children, diseases, and discharges. Chapters 11-15)
Especially important was the Day of Atonement. (chapter 16)
Finally, the regulations of conduct  included the sacrifices, conduct of morals, priests, and in camp, feasts, services, blessings or curses, vows and dedication. (chapters 17-27)

We sure did cover a lot. No wonder Moses was on the mountain for 40 days. And to think, he didn't have a computer nor a secretary to record those laws.

What did you take away from this Book of the Bible?
I realize that God was concerned the minute' things concerning His children. As a new society and nation living together, He knew there would be issues that come up, so He nipped it in the bud beforehand. Those laws were given for their own good, protection. Perhaps we need to get back to the basics in America.

Of course, we know that Jesus did not come to change the law, but to fulfill it.
Jesus became our sacrifice for our sins, so we don't have to pay for them. He is our High Priest, interceding for us to the Father. His blood was sprinkled on the Mercy Seat and the veil was ripped top to bottom, allowing access to our Heavenly Father. Praise His name!
Jesus taught people how to relate with each other. The gospels give us instructions concerning those matters.

Do you consider it important to follow Jesus and His teachings? Have you given your heart to Him? Will you vow to follow and obey our Savior? Blessings cannot be counted if you will. His love is never ending!

Have a blessed day, sweet ones. Meet me back here tomorrow for a new book of study, Numbers.

Linda