In the Wilderness: God Knows Who You Are

Text: Numbers 1:1-4:49

Theme: God’s desire is for His people to make Him the center of their lives.

Date: 01/26/2020 Title: InTheWilderness-02.wpd No:

We’re beginning a journey through the Book of Numbers. This is not just an interesting obscure book of Old Testament history written for history nerds like me. This is a book inspirited by the Holy Spirit, authored by Moses, and written for our benefit. It’s a book about the people of God. They’re in the wilderness. They’re walking with God ... most of the time. They have moments of glorious faith and obedience, and they have moments of stark disobedience and spiritual failure. In so many ways, their spiritual journey is just like ours. Therefore, I can’t think of a more timely book for us to look at.

I’m going to look at a large swath of Scriptures this morning, and I’m going to do things a little different. Rather than having a large section of application at the end, each point will have its own application at the end.

I. OBSERVATION #1, THE FAITHFULNESS OF GOD TO HIS PROMISES

1. our God is a faithful God ... he keeps His promises

a. the story of Israel begins with promises God made to an old man named Abraham

1) 1st, there was the promise of a progeny so numerous that their number would rival the number of stars in the sky that Abram could see and count

“But Abram said, “O Sovereign LORD, what can you give me since I remain childless and the one who will inherit my estate is Eliezer of Damascus?” 3 And Abram said, “You have given me no children; so a servant in my household will be my heir.” 4 Then the word of the LORD came to him: “This man will not be your heir, but a son coming from your own body will be your heir.” 5 He took him outside and said, “Look up at the heavens and count the stars—if indeed you can count them.” Then he said to him, “So shall your offspring be.” 6 Abram believed the LORD, and he credited it to him as righteousness.” (Genesis 15:2–6, NIV84)

2) 2nd, there was the promise of the Land—Israel would be a blessed people in a blessed land

“Abram traveled through the land as far as the site of the great tree of Moreh at Shechem. At that time the Canaanites were in the land. 7 The LORD appeared to Abram and said, “To your offspring I will give this land.” So he built an altar there to the LORD, who had appeared to him.” (Genesis 12:6–7, NIV84)

2. one of the reasons for the census was to show God's faithful fulfillment of His promise to Abraham

a. four-hundred and thirty years before a handful—literally, a handful—of Abraham's descendants had gone down into Egypt

ILLUS. You know the story ... Abraham’s grandson, Jacob, has twelve sons. The youngest is Joseph ...

b. approximately 75 people journeyed from Canaan to Egypt

1) you could have held them in this auditorium comfortably

2) they prospered in the Land of Goshen, and became so numerous that the Egyptians came to fear them

3) the “Egyptian Solution” was to force the Hebrews into slavery

4) after four centuries of bondage God raised up Moses to be their deliverer—he would be the one to lead them out of bondage and out of Egypt

3. now, after a year at the foot of Mount Sinai, God commissions a census of the Hebrews ... all the men twenty years and up ... tribe-by-tribe, and clan-by-clan, and man-by-man excluding the Levites

a. the census reveals a staggering 603,550 men

1) the tribe of Judah alone has 75,000 men

b. based on the number of men, it is estimated that 2.5-3 million Hebrews were part of the Exodus out of Egypt

4. can you imagine a bigger, better way for God to reveal the magnitude of a promise kept? ‘Friends, over 400 years ago I promised Abraham that I was going to make his descendants, to be like sand on the seashore; like the stars in the heavens. I'm not done yet. You’re not even in the land, but look what I've already done. When I say something, I mean it. When I tell you I’ll do something, I’ll do it.’

a. the number of men of military age alone demonstrates irrefutably God's faithful and gracious fulfillment of His promises to Abraham

1) in Genesis 12, God had promised it

2) in Genesis 15, He had reiterated it

3) in Genesis 17, He’d said it again

4) in Genesis 28, He’ll promise it one last time

5. and now, with the census completed, Israel will mach toward the Promised Land, that God had declared to Abraham would be the possession of his descendants

A. WHAT’S THE LESSON? God Is Faithful and His Promises Will Come True

1. God's Word can be trusted ... what He promises, He will do it

a. you can take God's word to the bank ... do you believe that?

2. like Israel, this world is a wilderness though which we wander

a. we have not yet landed safe on Canaan's side ... like the hymn says, we stand on Jordan’s stormy banks, and cast a wishful eye to Canaan’s fair and happy land, where our [true] possessions lie

3. we’re not there yet, but we have assurance that God has been faithful to His promises

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade—kept in heaven for you, 5 who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. 6 In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. 7 These have come so that your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. 8 Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, 9 for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.” (1 Peter 1:3–9, NIV84)

a. Peter here reminds us that there's more to come

4. God’s most important promise is to those who receive the Gospel

“that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; 10 for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation.” (Romans 10:9–10, NASB95)

“for “WHOEVER WILL CALL ON THE NAME OF THE LORD WILL BE SAVED.”” (Romans 10:13, NASB95)

II. OBSERVATION #2, THE SPECIAL PROVIDENCE OF GOD OVER HIS PEOPLE

1. the second thing we see in these chapters is the special providence of God over His people repeatedly illustrated

ILLUS. We tend to number the things that are important to us. Have you ever seen a mini-van with those family stick-figure decals? There’s a sticker of mom and dad with the kids and maybe even the family pets. It’s a way of saying, “Here’s my family, I’m proud of ‘em.” Farmers often tag their livestock so they know just how many cattle they have. Not to sound sexist, but I’ll bet some of you ladies can tell us exactly how many pairs of shoes are in your closet. And guys? I’ll bet some of you can name the make and caliber of every gun you own. A bunch of you know to the penny what’s in your checking account, or how many CDs you own and the interest they’re drawing, because that’s important to us.

a. we tend to number and know the things that are important to us

2. in the Book of Numbers we hear God command ‘Number My people. I care for every single one of them. I'm their shepherd. I want to know exactly who they are. I want to know their number. I want to know their name. I want to know which tribe they’re in. I want to know who their daddy is, who their granddaddy is, who their great-granddaddy is. I want to know who they marry. I want to know their children. I want to know every one of them.’

a. God knows all of these things already!

b. but He wants Israel to know how great a people they are

3. we should not be surprised, therefore, when we hear Jesus in the New Testament saying ‘And, by the way, My Father—your heavenly Father—He doesn't just number you; He numbers the hairs on your head because He cares about you.’

A. WHAT’S THE LESSON? God Knows You and Loves You

1. in these chapters God speaks loudly to us, “You’re My people. I care about you. I know where you come from. I know your name. I know how many you are.’

"Nevertheless, the firm foundation of God stands, having this seal, "The Lord knows those who are His," ... ."" (2 Tim. 2:19, NIV)

2. God needs to remind us that we are part of a great people—His Church—His “called out ones”

a. when you feel like you’re the only believer in your classroom remember that you are part of a great people called “Christian”

b. when you feel like you’re the only believer in your office remember that you are part of a great people called "the Bride of Christ”

c. when you feel like you’re the only believer in you immediate family remember that you are part of a great people called “the Church”

“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified ... , for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you or forsake you” (Deuteronomy 31:6).

III. OBSERVATION #3, THE CHOICE OF GOD OF HIS BELOVED

1. the third thing that we see in this passage is the unique privileges of believing Israel, and their unique choice by a sovereign God

a. the great mystery of history is why did God choose Israel to be the means of His redemptive work?

“For you are a people holy to the LORD your God. The LORD your God has chosen you out of all the peoples on the face of the earth to be his people, his treasured possession. 7 The LORD did not set his affection on you and choose you because you were more numerous than other peoples, for you were the fewest of all peoples. 8 But it was because the LORD loved you and kept the oath he swore to your forefathers that he brought you out with a mighty hand and redeemed you from the land of slavery, from the power of Pharaoh king of Egypt. 9 Know therefore that the LORD your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commands. 10 But those who hate him he will repay to their face by destruction; he will not be slow to repay to their face those who hate him.” (Deuteronomy 7:6–10, NIV84)

1) the very idea that God could choose the people of Israel over all others offends sensibilities and can be hard to swallow

b. God tells them in vs. 8 that He chose them because He loved them

1) but that begs the question, Why did He set his special electing love upon them

2) we’re simply not told, but He did

2. here is one of the clearest teachings of the Doctrine of Election in the Scriptures

a. God didn’t choose the Egyptians or the Etruscans, or does He choose the Canaanites or the Cushites, He does not chose the Romans or the Romanians, or the Afghanistanis, or the Americans

b. He chose Israel—more specifically spiritual Israel—according to the Apostle Paul in the Book of Romans

3. this theme of God’s passionate love for his people is repeated throughout the whole Bible—sometimes with conditions such as following the law, and sometimes in spite of their breaking all the conditions

a. God refers to Israel as His "special treasure" and the "apple of his eye" among other tender and affectionate designations

b. His anger and fury is aroused if they are hurt, and their unfaithfulness pains Him like nothing else

A. WHAT’S THE LESSON? God Has Sovereignly Chosen You to Be His

1. God still is calling out and redeeming His Elect people, and it’s all those who put their saving faith in the only Begotten of the Father ... Jesus who is the Christ, full of grace and truth

a. if you are a believer, you too, are His "special treasure" and the "apple of his eye"

b. His anger and fury is aroused when the world hurts you simply for being His, and your unfaithfulness pains Him like nothing else

2. we often think of God’s choice of Israel as an honor and privilege, but it also carries a heavy responsibility

a. God calls Israel to a higher standard, precisely because of His unique revelation and choice of them

1) God calls the Church to a higher standard, precisely because of His unique revelation and choice of us

b. God singled out Israel be the object of the Father’s undying affection, and in doing so they were targeted for special hatred—the unquenchable, Satanic drive to annihilate them continues throughout the generations

1) God has called the Church to be the object of His undying affection, and in doing so Jesus plainly tells us, the world will hate you because it hated me

2) similarly, there is an unquenchable, Satanic drive to annihilate the Confessing Church from the world ... and it will get worse

3. but remember, His anger and fury is aroused when the world hurt you simply for being His

a. vengeance on those who have hurt, or persecuted, or martyred His people will be especially harsh on the Day of the Lord

IV. OBSERVATION #4, THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL ARE PREPARED FOR WAR

1. another thing to understand about these chapters is that the children of Israel are being prepared for war

a. the Israelites weren't going on holiday to Canaan

b. they were going to war, and therefore the military roll needed to be taken and they needed to be mustered and organized in the camp, and that's exactly what happens in Numbers

2. even though God would go before them, the Israelites would still have to fight to conquer the Promised Land

A. WHAT’S THE LESSON? You Are at War with the World, the Flesh, and the Devil

1. this is a reminder to us that the Christian life is a battle

a. it certainly is not a war as the world thinks of war where armies march against other armies, where cities are attacked, and countries occupied

2. our war, is a battle to establish the Kingdom of God—first in our own lives—and then in the lives of others

a. our weapon is the Gospel

b. we are engaged in a grand conspiracy to bless the world…to see the world conquered not for our own ends and glory and self-gratification, but for the everlasting glory of Jesus Christ, and for their everlasting good

c. we want to see the world conquered by the gospel so that we can serve them as our brothers and sisters

3. but even so, this life is war, because we will continually fight with the world, and the flesh, and the devil

V. OBSERVATION #5, THE LORD LIVES AT THE CENTER OF THE CAMP

1. in chapters two-four we read of the arrangement of the Hebrew camp and the establishment of the Jewish Priesthood

a. if we are not careful, it’s easy to read through these chapters and think, “OK, that’s nice, they camped in a big square,” and miss the obvious

b. so what’s the obvious?

2. 1st, that God is a God or order

a. there is to be a orderliness to the believer’s life ... those who follow God are to live a disciplined life

b. God deals with their camp — that’s the place where they rest

1) when they are resting there is order and structure

c. God deals with the breaking of their camp — that’s when they are on the move, going from place to place

1) it’s supposed to be an orderly march with God in the lead

2) even when the Hebrews are on the move there is order and structure

d. God’s instructions reached down into every aspect of their lives

3. 2nd, that God is a God who demands to be at the center of our lives

a. when the Hebrews are at rest in their camp, God becomes the center of their lives

b. and when the do move the camp, God is the one leading their lives as they move

A. WHAT’S THE LESSON? Life Is about Having God at the Center of it

“”The Israelites are to camp around the Tent of Meeting some distance from it, each man under his standard with the banners of his family.”” (Numbers 2:2, NIV84)

1. 1st, We must pitch camp together, vs. 2

a. everyone is to camp together!

1) mark this down—no Christian will ever walk in victory being a Lone Ranger

2) we need each other

b. there was familiarity, commoness, and strength in their unity

1) we get encouragement and we are strengthened by Christian fellowship

2) regardless of how old you are, or how young you are, or how long you’ve been a member of this congregation, or how brief your membership, you are important to this church, you are important to the kingdom of God

c. it takes all of us working together! We must pitch together...

ILLUS. Too often we’re like the Baptist who sang, "To dwell above with the saints we love, that will be glory. But to dwell below with the saints we know, well that’s a different story!"

1) don’t let that be your story

2. 2nd, We must identify with our standard!

a. the standard vs. 2 refers to the identification standard of each of the twelve tribes—Judah would have had a standard, and Reuben would have had a standard, and so on for each tribe ... think state seal like the Great Seal of Missouri

b. but then each clan within the tribe would have had a banner that identified their family unit ... think family crest if you would

c. these are marks of family and clan identification—ways of knowing who each Hebrew belonged to

ILLUS. We catch a glimpse of how important this identification was to a Jew when the Apostle Paul lays out his family pedigree in his letter to the Philippians. He writes, “ ... If someone else thinks they have reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more: 5 circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; ... ” (Philippians 3:4–5, NIV)

d. Christians have a standard—a family crest—and it’s the cross of Jesus

1) whether we are at rest in the camp, or breaking camp and moving on we look to and follow our banner, and the one whom it represents

2) King David, speaking of the Lord, said ...

“You have given a banner to those who fear You, That it may be displayed because of the truth. Selah.” (Psalm 60:4, NASB95)

ILLUS. In 1884 Daniel Whittle wrote these words

There’s a royal banner given for display

To the soldiers of the King;

As an ensign fair we lift it up today,

While as ransomed ones we sing.

Though the foe may rage and gather as the flood,

Let the standard be displayed;

And beneath its folds, as soldiers of the Lord,

For the truth be not dismayed!

Over land and sea, wherever man may dwell,

Make the glorious tidings known;

Of the crimson banner now the story tell,

While the Lord shall claim His own!

Refrain:

Marching on, marching on,

For Christ count everything but loss!

And to crown Him King, we’ll toil and sing,

Beneath the banner of the cross!

3. 3rd, We must camp around the Tabernacle

a. the Tabernacle represented the presence and power of God

1) they were commanded to camp a little ways off from it because they were to have respect and reverence for it

2) God was present all the time, but their fellowship with Him was mediated through the Levitical Priesthood

b. Christian have a High Priest who is our mediator with the Father and his name is Jesus!

1) it is through his that we worship the Father, and serve the Father and fellowship with the Father

c. let me ask you a question: “Is God the center point of your life?”

1) if God is not in the center of everything you do, then you’re missing out on the victory that He wants you to have

2) every part of our life must be centered around God

d. maybe, just maybe you are not seeing victories in your life, is because God and His worship, and ministry in His name are not at the center of your life

Con. As I close, consider this: For the children of Israel, what should have been an eleven day journey to the Promised Land, and a victorious routing of the enemy turned into a forty year nightmare. And all because they would not put God first in their lives. Similarly, far to many Christians today are taking way to long to reach the promised land of victory in Christ. There’s not faith in their life; there’s no obedience in their life; there’s no joy in worship or service in their life. They are like the Hebrews—ex-slaves longing to experience the joys of Egypt!