Sit, Walk, Stand - God's Paradigm for Your Daily Journeying
Notes
Transcript
Handout
Dear Congregation of our Lord Jesus Christ,
we have just marked the 75th anniversary of the holocaust and some of you perhaps still have memory at the end of WWII mass migration of Jews from one port to next, all worldly belongings in a little suitcase. Not so different than the pictures and video we see of refugees now streaming over borders in Central Ameriace into America and then many times over uS Canada border. What is the manner in which that’s presented - rush, unorganized psh forward, For many their Proised Land, not so much about a vision of a new society and new beginning, as much as it is an escape from war, vagracncy, poverty, and so you can understand their frenzied push anywhere but where we’ve been.
As we’ve finished the frist thrid of the Book of Numbers, really description of 19 days from the tabernacle finished, census taken, whole book of Leviticus given to Moses as met with God in tabernadcle condsider how to live out the holiness, in worship, in society,. Passover, imaginne after a year and a month of leaving Egypt, and almost a year at Mount Sinai, as a readder, and how muchmore as the children of Israe - don’t you get this itch- this impatience let’s get on with it, let’s go. But eremeber all the tribes meticulousoly lsited and all their offering even though exactly the same, to be underscoring a huge point about how God does a mass exodus, how he handles a refuggee crissi from slavery to the pormoseid land. It’s not every man for himself, it’s not just escape the past. Remember this whoel stage of preparation is about God’s vision for how broken, sinful people, able to live with a holy fiahtful God. God gives us a moral map of the landscape - we are going to trvel, gives us spritiual map for worship, gives us a calendar how view time - he underscores that this journey isn’t just an escape from problems of the past, its a bout every single Israelite, every believer trtansformed and dedicated as Nazarite, a first born of God. ANd these laws, these priests, these LEvites, trumpets blown every day these sacrafices, they all show if you want to make the wilderness journey of this life, do it together as the covenanted, purified and beleoved people of God. Now everything is in place and just like that man on flight said, paln is made, preparations in palce, - are you ready to roll - Let’s Roll jump up and do it.
This part of the book is the high point. It is to be read in truimph, wiht a swelling soundtrack behind it. Tirbe by tribe, banners flying, and with Moses leading and praising God for his protection. the nation of Israel rises and departs. We know the main point of the book is coming - we’l be in the thick of it soon - how to navigate the tests of the wilderness, how to fight off the propesnisty just to be earthly tourists looking for more comfort and pleasure for our selves, to be compainers and grumbleers who miss God’s rest blessing and progress. We know this book as one commentaor is the book of the Bible that din’t have to be - first generation 11 days tot the proimsed land, but warning of life wandering in circles! We will have to live in those 7 central tests, but not today. Today finally after all this prpepartion the moral map, the spiritual map of God’s people s lives - silber trumpets blaring - we have the model of wildernenss journeying - a pardigm shift, a new to travel with God. The scond generation lasts thrid of the book, learns the paradigm, and this morning you are to ask yourself - am I living into this paradigm for my wilderness journey, or am I just fleeing th e past , on my own selfishy looking for perosnola verison of promised land for myself. Doesn’t have to be path of hardship, often through prosperity as much as hardship that Satan seeks to trap eoople in walking around and around in wilderness that will become a hell without God - ie Revelation - ie I used to go a wandering along lifes ahppy trail and as I go aI like o sing with a knap sack on my back. This mornings truimphant call is to a new way to travel with God, in the commyhnity of his people , and not your own jolly way, nor your own suffeing way, but with a vision of God’s commjunity God’s mission God’s vitctory, God’s future for His people.
Key Truth: The counter-intuitive paradigm for how wilderness walking should go: Sit, Walk, Stand.
EP: The counter-intuitive paradigm for how wilderness walking should go: Rest, Walk, Stand.
Now why do I say this is counter-intuitive? Well, this week some of you downtown Toronto - streams of people on their daily journey, see the highway 400 streams of people, peole to see palces to go, soome staring blankly as wait - riding the bus, others aggressively pushing in and out of lines. But one thing I bet you want see is a motor-cade with a glowing box in the centre, I bet you don’t often see someone walking with open book of the testimony, the covenant of God. We’ve walked Sinai going from one wilderness very different type, today caled the waterless wilderness. Down bends and curves, path only single file. But imagine all is done with focus on this tabernacle, this ark of the covenant , wiht this glowing presence of God when the tent and canp is all packed up. And taht glowing presence of God settles up on them. This is the first thing I want you to see about how God calls you to daily travel through life and perhaps more imoprtantly with whom! Each day begin your journeying…
A. Begin SITTING in the clouded fiery presence of Jesus
Perhaps this is the most counterintuitive step. Christian’s in North America are much more into doing than being. There is something about our fallen humannature that would rather earn a standing with God, even if it is with our flawed but eranest eafforts of wrk-righteousness, a Christiain activism -But listen the whole prpepartion stage ends in chapter 9 with the refrain of how traveling mus go
And whenever the cloud lifted from over the tent, after that the people of Israel set out, and in the place where the cloud settled down, there the people of Israel camped.
We already learned when the camp was stationary when it was all prepared and set up , the point of the sacrafice the ponit of the worship - was that as people come with atonoing sacrfice from the outercourt and the ghi priest or in the first Moses the Mediaotr come from the Most HOly Place -with God accepting the sacrafice , taht the Holy Place where the people and God met - light shinigng on the tabel of the bread of presence. All blessig and provision and proetectio comes as - rest in the Lrod’s sacrfice, rightouensess.
But now the people ar on the move, they have a mission, they have own works to do, but the symbol, the type of this cloud by day and fire by night says, can’t begin or end with your efforts and activity, your work, your plans. No you got to see the burnign holy presence of God is what life is all about, and you got to get close to that presence, in a way that God’s holiness won’t consume and burn you, but transsform and liegtehen you.
And so we read at the end of chpater 10 how this was to work and begin each day:
And the cloud of the Lord was over them by day, whenever they set out from the camp.
And the verse just in front of that gives the purpose that from time to time when travelling no longer kept in the middle of the people. But when in the middle of their day God directing them, put in the front, When war to break out. Guiding presence of God. But look at the purpose:
And the ark of the covenant of the Lord went before them three days’ journey, to seek out a resting place for them.
So they set out from the mount of the Lord three days’ journey. And the ark of the covenant of the Lord went before them three days’ journey, to seek out a resting place for them.
Wow, the Lord was in that cloud upon the people, and then in front of the people in order to find a what? RESTING PLACE! Till heaven, understand that every day you journey isi really just from one wilderness to another, but God says the way to journey is to have me as Your Resting place. I find it so interesting that the OT sense of time, the day begins at sun down, you beginning your day resting in preparation for the mornings and the afternoons activity, priority is the evening a dn morning - and the Lord and you and I rest. Do you have rest in your days? Is it in the LORD, the cool of the day.
But I said more than how you travel and rest, is with whom you do it! That really is the crux of this book. The cloud upon the ark in the tabernacle with access through daily morning and evening sacrifices - not just a picture of general energy of God back then. Freaky Indiana Jones movie - magic box with powers from heaven if you open the lid. No, the tabernacle and the glowing presence of God was a type - for all ages picturing how God would personally walk with all His people. And the first step of walking well in the wilderness, is n’t get this energy of God in you and get busy doing. The first step, is by faith grasp, and know, and delight in and rest in who that glowing presence. It is quite significant that the picture God uses is of fire - the glowing presence of God making Himself visibily present, theophany. But it is a twofold revelation - not just heat and warmth and beauty of fire, but His presence is also cloud. So often theophany comes with coverinng cloud to veil the brightestness of glory. Interesting isn’t it that is exactly how when God sent His Son into this world - he a few tmes liek the transfiguration - became glowing with glory - when Stephen sees Him ascended at the righthand of the Father - brightestness . Blazing glory, but also as we sing veiled in flesh the Godhead see. God with skin on, God in whose presence we can now stand, God come close - so close even in our human nature. And so we read in
Jude 5a Now I want to remind you, although you once fully knew it, that Jesus, who saved a people out of the land of Egypt,
Now I want to remind you, although you once fully knew it, that Jesus, who saved a people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed those who did not believe.
Now I want to remind you, although you once fully knew it, that Jesus, who saved a people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed those who did not believe.
Jesus led Israel through the desert…
… and all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea ..
For I do not want you to be unaware, brothers, that our fathers were all under the cloud, and all passed through the sea, and all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea, and all ate the same spiritual food, and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank from the spiritual Rock that followed them, and the Rock was Christ.
For I do not want you to be unaware, brothers, that our fathers were all under the cloud, and all passed through the sea, and all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea, and all ate the same spiritual food, and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank from the spiritual Rock that followed them, and the Rock was Christ. Nevertheless, with most of them God was not pleased, for they were overthrown in the wilderness. Now these things took place as examples for us, that we might not desire evil as they did. Do not be idolaters as some of them were; as it is written, “The people sat down to eat and drink and rose up to play.” We must not indulge in sexual immorality as some of them did, and twenty-three thousand fell in a single day. We must not put Christ to the test, as some of them did and were destroyed by serpents, nor grumble, as some of them did and were destroyed by the Destroyer. Now these things happened to them as an example, but they were written down for our instruction, on whom the end of the ages has come. Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall. No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it. Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry. I speak as to sensible people; judge for yourselves what I say. The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ? Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one bread. Consider the people of Israel: are not those who eat the sacrifices participants in the altar? What do I imply then? That food offered to idols is anything, or that an idol is anything? No, I imply that what pagans sacrifice they offer to demons and not to God. I do not want you to be participants with demons. You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons. You cannot partake of the table of the Lord and the table of demons. Shall we provoke the Lord to jealousy? Are we stronger than he? “All things are lawful,” but not all things are helpful. “All things are lawful,” but not all things build up. Let no one seek his own good, but the good of his neighbor. Eat whatever is sold in the meat market without raising any question on the ground of conscience. For “the earth is the Lord’s, and the fullness thereof.” If one of the unbelievers invites you to dinner and you are disposed to go, eat whatever is set before you without raising any question on the ground of conscience. But if someone says to you, “This has been offered in sacrifice,” then do not eat it, for the sake of the one who informed you, and for the sake of conscience— I do not mean your conscience, but his. For why should my liberty be determined by someone else’s conscience? If I partake with thankfulness, why am I denounced because of that for which I give thanks? So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. Give no offense to Jews or to Greeks or to the church of God, just as I try to please everyone in everything I do, not seeking my own advantage, but that of many, that they may be saved.
Yes there is outward water baptism, symoblized by being with the Mediator Moses passing through the Red Sea, but here is also the bpatims of the Spirit inwardly - as with Moses and all God’s people we live under the cloud of God’s presence. That glowing presence of God’s glory was God, but more the pesno f God wh otakes the lead in mediating for us, prencanate Son of God -aggreeing to work forgiveness, protection,blessing, and friendship and guidnance with belieers down here now!
That cloud was God’s Incarnate presence of God in wilderness, and the first step to your wilderness journey isn’t where you go, or what you do, but that you are with Him, that you enter the rest and salvation and relationship with God that He mediates. That’s why Jesus command is not just follow - but abide in me.
But how do you do that? We have no tabernacle to offer you for your commute and at work or schook in your home. And Jesus is physically in heaven. So how are we to begin with resting in God now? Well look at what the tabernacle is called at the beginning of our text:
In the second year, in the second month, on the twentieth day of the month, the cloud lifted from over the tabernacle of the testimony
In the second year, in the second month, on the twentieth day of the month, the cloud lifted from over the tabernacle of the testimony,
The tabernacle was seen as the throne of God on earth, and now protale like a moving chariot. But what was in the tabernacle? God’s presence in Mediating Son above it, but in it - not an idol or picture or representation of God. In it was the WITNESS, the Testimony. The WORD. The written record of who God is, how He saves us, - I Am the LORD YOur God who brought you… pure grace mercy, saved you first before any laws or obedience. and because of that here’s the treaty based on grace of how we’re going to live together. That was the summary of the treaty, the coveannt, promise relationship guaratneed and enacted through the WORD.
Do you undestand that the first big step is you by Christ coming into a new position - Seated in heavenly realms!!
But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,
That’s our new position that we are to live from and live into every day. DO you understand that Jesus as God tabernacling among us, he also brought a coveannt, a witness, the renewed covenant, the fulfilled witness - and how do you abide with HIm, evevn though He’s not physiscally by your side? LIsten to him
As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.
LIsten to him its better that I go a way - have the Spirit, the paraklete - walk beside and call out beside you - not just one place on etime - be with each believer, turn your life into a tabernacle be wit h you, walk in him. And Spirit and God’s Word always work together so Jesus says:
Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.
And this is why the following the actual movement and direction of the cloud, however that worked, is repated again and again with the chorus they moved “at the command of the Lord”
At the command of the Lord they camped, and at the command of the Lord they set out. They kept the charge of the Lord, at the command of the Lord by Moses.
And over the company of the tribe of the people of Manasseh was Gamaliel the son of Pedahzur.
The tabernacle of testimony for us is an open Bible with you attending to the Holy SPirit within you - lstening to Jesus. Do that tgeother here, do that in our perosnal reading and eveotin and prayer. Do you have that time? DO you protect it? It isnteresting in the part wee didn read we get a description of where the tagbernacle was? The ark from time to time up front and leading, but what aout hte tabernacle. Exact obedience to how they took care of the tabernacle resulted in good wilderness journeying: Look at the order. Judah - leader, sceptre won’t depart, Lord Jesus leading up front - the best of the best equipped to portect and guide at the front, then three tibes, then the poles and cutratains, with Gerhson and Merari. Then Reben and two more tribes. And then right in the middle most protected position, Kohathites - carrying the most holy things, and often the ark of the coveannt in themiddle. First step, and a thte lord’s command, abiding in HIs word, resting in Christ, gospel of grace for the day, middle of your life, ears open not just to news, twitter feeedd, always make time for email face book - most protected time and activity - is this resting in Christ, heeding Christ’s word, his vcvenatn, rading and hearing Him in step withthe Spirit.
In your wilderness journeying do you see the first and most vital step isn’t all your doing, but first your resting in Christ who - wasn’t sent to do this wilderness journey for you -
But resting in Christ and his presence daily, as a natural result will be followed by another inevitable step by consequence.
B. Then Determine to WALK with Witness in Obedience!
We see this in the begining of the Exodus, God is taking on the tyrannt, he’s fulfilling His promises from the past, Why? Out of love. But also that He is power and holiness, and goodness, and mercy -might be on full display to the watching world. Nations know there is a living God and He is a God of justice but also grace! And now we have Moses near relative , a Midianite the son of his father-in-law from the 40 years he lived in the Sinaai wilderness when he had run from Egypt. And this Hobab, after more than a year in the refugee camp, as extarordinary as that was, wants to finish his time with the inlaws and go back home, and to his people. And what a picture we receive about once we are in that new position of citizen’s in God’s kingdom on earth, that new position of atoneed and in fellowship and partership with God, and you rest in Him each day of the journey he’s leading you on.
How do you walk in this world. Hobab is instistent in saying, You go your way and I’ll go mine. Ethnic barrier, I’m no one with you and your people. I’m not going to go against the tide. But Moses rarely takes no for an answer even from God as we saw athe godlen calf. Why? Well, do you remember he not only sits in the cloud with God’s people by the tabernacle, but he sat with God on the mountain - ate with him and the elders. What fellowship and new position in life that would give him. MOses knows the inhiertance, that God is bringing a community, anew communityinto, and he knows its all of grace and its not on ethnic lines. and so we read Moses invitation in . It’s not here some nice spiritual principles for you to incorpoarte into your nice indivdiual life, It’s
:29b Come with us, and we will do good to you, for the Lord has promised good to Israel.”
And Moses said to Hobab the son of Reuel the Midianite, Moses’ father-in-law, “We are setting out for the place of which the Lord said, ‘I will give it to you.’ Come with us, and we will do good to you, for the Lord has promised good to Israel.”
God has a place, doesn’t he. If you believe God created this world to be a place fellowship with man, if you believe called a nation on earth in the OT to place didn’t know but make room, cleanse that land - establshi a kgindom with God’s character God’s law, true worship, aservant that in a world of waring nations, actually bless the nations. Privelege of the Jewish nation inthe OT to be that people, calling. Moses doesn’t just say - why don’t you htich a ride along with us, He says we will do good to you if you come with us, for the Lord’s promises is all this good to Israel. Become part of Israel . And though reluctant at first, as many of your friends and coworkers would be - eventually Hobab must have gone along as we see when they get to the promised land, the Kennites are given land and live among Israel. Because the fulnes comes in Christ and he says: I have a palce, I go to prepare it for you.
But Moses not only extends gospel invitation to community of God’s people and God’s blessing to Hobab. He also challenges Hobab to use his talents for God’s cause:
Please do not leave us, for you know where we should camp in the wilderness, and you will serve as eyes for us.
And he said, “Please do not leave us, for you know where we should camp in the wilderness, and you will serve as eyes for us.
Jethro, Hobab, the Kennites are Midianties remember. Ones who will trick them with terrible advice and temptation, and stand as sworn enemeies elswehwere intheis Book. There hired preist wants to prophesy curse upon God’s people. But here Moses looks at a Midianties and says, look you have skills God can use. I’ll never forget a woman married to a very talenedted and scucessful business man in our congregtatino in Exeter, respectful of his wife’s faith, attend church more in the end. But dedcidiely not a believer. Eventually became reeve of huron county. Never forget his sisterin law saying to me, if he ever becomes a Chrstian God could use his gifts so incredibly!
There is no question that God sovereignly will guide and direct protect and provide for His people, but that doens’t mean that hunman responsobility is thrown out the window. That Israel just sit back. I’ve walked Sinai and driven the wateress desert of Paran, theere are green vaellys and water holes, in Snai, but not in Paran. There are travel routes and epoepole who knw the desert swoop down and attack. Why pilgrims Amrenia, - hired Bedouin guides. Moses sees Hobab’s wisdom - good God given thing in a nunbeliever, he appreciates that - he see how need that in the wilderenss as God guides and rpvoides, uses human means to acocmplish it. And Moses dignifieds thos around him asking that person to offer it in srvice of the living God.
Do you see a worldly life is a wasted life = two great dangers = life of no conifdence, trust, faith in God’s command = 1st generation; But equally could have a wasted story with HOBAB = what might have been - earthly life , no eternal prospects, no self denying for greater love - vs. a religus life … unselfish activity, this of all prospects and attractions has the strongest charm for each nobler soul! !!!! Jesus sayin in Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men ie Paul! You have this opporuntiy, the middle part of Numbers doesn’t have to be your story - life aimless wanderer, put in time. Jesus stands in our midst calls - follow me, - woalk in witnesss and mission!
I wonder as you look around those who have conme to kn owthe LORD, rest in HIm, and now are serving here - do you see their gifts, do you value their wisdom - do you like Moses as they come along - journey together - do you seek to do them Good as God has done you good. That’s the walk part of ideal wilderness journeying in community! Understand that the Christian life is sit in Christ, res tin HInm live in HIs presence by grace and then walk in Him - that the middle part of Ephesians
For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
So that is the
You witness, you using your gifts, but offering the good news to others who aren’t in Christ yet, under the cloud. And doing good to those who you are journeying with. But there is a last step to wilderness journeying and that is seen in Moses two prayers at the end of our chapter.
C. Resolve to STAND in the Spiritual Battles of this World, revived!
Just like you seeing an ark with an enoturage tomrrow on the way to work, or int he mdidle of your day at aschool, be a little unusual. So too, this method of being a nation so different than the ways of this world. No other nation take this kind of strategy. Just like so often we rush about attending to a hundred one of our details before ever turnign to the LORD in prayer, so too on a ntional scale and if we’re honest on a family scale and a church scale we do much without standihng in the spiritual battles of this world in prayer!
The theme of the bible when it conmes to war, is in the Psalms, some trust in horse, some in chariots but we trust in the nanme of the Lord our God. Just as Israel found in physical battle when they went to attack Ai, but didn’t seek God’s guidance in struction, confirmation - lost sorely - Achan had stolen booty. So too after the national potilical dimension to Sirael become spiritual in the NT, so too wem ust see taht their will be little advance of God’
s kingdom of peace and righteousness and grace around us, if we don’t learn to stand. Paul puts it dramatically standing firm
Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness,
Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints,
So interesting that though Israel did have to face some physical enenmies, and God didn fight for them and when that wasn’t the case it didn’t go well. So interesting that though the nation of the Prised Land had exceed the limits of wickedness in terms of cuelty and perversion, still Israel’s worst enemeis weren’t physical nations aroudn them, but themselves. IN the wilderness they would see that too. And even when they got into the land, they became worst than those nations in taking on their detestable practices.
And so foreshadowing this need to beign with rest in God’s presence, with walking in witness of God’s grace and incivaition and service in his community, the last instruction for iwildernes swalking is standing in prayer against God’s enemies and prayer for protection of ourselves. Two parts of the day as supreme moments - prayer at begining for defence from eveyr foe, - ie. Amelkite sin desert, ; prepared for the unexpected difficlut and terrible testin of the wilderness = overthrow temptation of enemy… … in coming to rest to ease to unguarded relaxation …
There are those who hate God in this world, but even more there is a Prince o Darkness with fallen angels like himself who have infleence. and we are called to stand in prayer asking God - Up we can’t do this on ouw own. God our heart breaks for the evil It registers on our hearts .. from our tv screens in this world, from our neighboiurs herat and broken families lives, God arise and scatter your enenmies. God arise this morning as I go about my day to day - typical enemies there - give me eyes to see them. God I am wlaking through a field of landmines all around, their are baited hooks - give me eyes to see, and to stand against. Lord, my borther my sister in Christ, God my firend who isn’t a Christian - and I am praying RISE UPON ME< RISE UPON THEM. . How does the last book of the OT put it : RISE WITH HELALING ON YOUR WINGS.. HOw does th last book of the NT put it : Maranatha Jesus - donesn’t your heart pray this in the borkneness that registers?
But what is the last prayer at end of day that should amrk a people doing the wilderness journey?
“Return [REVIVE] O Lord, to the ten thousand thousands of Israel.”
And when it rested, he said, “Return, O Lord, to the ten thousand thousands of Israel.”
It is not so much that they are asking God to turn to them. As if the focus is on God doing the action. The focus is on the actin itself. O LORD, hears my plea at end of day - RETURN, LITERALLY REVIVE. I am not just an inidviudal embraced by God in His cloud of presence, I am one of the ten thousand, thousands. We are an army on earth for the glory and the grace, and beauty, for the promise of the new world, the new kngdom. And at end of each day, I am weary, I am hungry, I am spent, I am vulnerable - I lay my consicence in sleep and I relaize I’m still in a wilderness. - but You oh God even when I must sleep in my weakness, may I be awake to your Preesence, Come revive your people.
Even so the Christian’s evening prayer is, “Abide with us.” The faithful soul, when it ceases from outward cares and is most thrown upon itself, feels most how lost would be its state without the abiding Presence and grace of God; and then it beseeches him—whom it has more or less offended—to return to it, because without him it were empty, desolate, and destroyed. Note, that if we read with some, “Restore the many thousands of Israel,” i. e. to their promised land, then it is the voice of the faithful, recognising at each pause in life that we are still strangers and wanderers here,. g. the risen Saviour, having triumphed over sin, death, and the grave, returned to his disciples in Galilee, telling them that all power was given to him in heaven and on earth, and thence he drew this consequence in the way of duty for them, that they were to go and disciple all nations, etc. (). If the risen Lord be indeed with us, then, because he is risen, we, having still our fight with sin and death to accomplish, are nevertheless assured of ultimate victory.—Y.
Before the complaint and test, punishment = model of courage and victory should be walking in
SO interesting what God’s word through Nunbers done to me - praying the blessing for people at night unpacking, keeping, being gracviuos, giveing peace. Praying through directory - members we pray for this week my own family. You know what I did I asked them directly what can we be praying with you. Really neat experience, honest answers… my Hobab unbeliver next door in our first half did become a Christan…
In a sense this book has been a bit predicatble and all preparation get the amp, now the acion begins, hope you can keep this strategy of God for your jurney - truimphant Moes full of confidence how you do it: SIT, WALK, STAND in prayer, hope you start and ekep it up in your life. Because you know what all hell is about to break loose. Action begins 7 fold testing and the message isn’t som much do what Moses did, do these - its in Christ, in that resting in HIs provision , with the spiritual map, and perfect worship he offered you, abidin gin HIm who went 40 days in the desert for the testing, withstood it for you, pattern for you - in Him sit,walk, stand! Hope you heard truimphant sond track as Moses full confidence , stand in prayer, has walked in service, began resting in the could of God’s presence. HOpe you realize Jesus has done this in perfect way, and promises to bring real vicotry through your deserts as you learn to wlak with Him.
re going their together,. YOu’Three parts - obedience at Lord’s command, promise to Jethro and other nations, the blessing of protection and guidance,
EP: the place of obedience in the Christian life,
The context of as an esecutive summary of Ex and Leviticus, timeline - Levitiucs in a month, also the laws now in testing part 2 as so tied to narrative of our lives!
Tie into Lordship Salvation controversy - antinomian , or legalism isn’t the answer have somehting in common - see Ferguson, presence, spirit, participation… evangelical obedience!
Aquinas understands charity to be “friendship with God” and as the highest virtue of human life (Summa theologica II-II Q23.3). The Westminster Shorter Catechism says: “Man’s chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy him forever” (Q1). Obedience per se is not the highest good, but concomitant with it.
Not looking thorugh a window into Israel but a mirror into our struggle with sin, may not lose your salvation, but your opportunity, we are often at threshold, open door to new service, experience of God, ministry, … at the margins of Kadesh Barnea…
Holy things portected inthe centre - of our lives too… Judah as type of Christ - leads with his banner…
Cloud as guide, guard, glory! Christ in our lives by Word, command of Lord too…
Sit, Walk, STAND (contend) = rest … faith’s work stop striving activity of wroks righteouness, rest in Christ for all, activism of Western evangelicalism - relevance and practicality not rooted in gopsel aciton of Christ…
BUT Sinai as dwelling place is gone, symbol of tutor, to Christ… press on - need God’s presence, direction, … WALK … need
A> CLoud and Trumpet, at command of LORD - Moses mediating those words; but divine wissdom not opposed to earthly wisdom = need for water, lay of land, special teams sent out … wisdom;
WHat’s more any who come = reach out with gospel to all nations, bless all [
CONTEND - through world, next resting place also a wilderness of Paran, = lacking the grandeuer of granite mountains, and also the fertile valleys and numberous streams, bare limestone, or sandstone plateau … crossed by low ranges of hils seamed with innumberable DRY WATER COURSES/// intersprersed with large patches of sand, gravel = FORSAKEN LAND! some arapid rainful dwarved shrubs… ET TIH = howling waste
.. but move from inhopital land, to land with real enemies of the gopsel of Christ… real God-haters in our world too, those distort twist…
No war on their own, and look Midian who will later deceive, but also bless… discernment…
saddest words “It might have been” Julius Caesar… ides…
40 years of walking in a circle, wilderness of Paran, a book that didn’t have to be!
Map
David L. Stubbs, Numbers, Brazos Theological Commentary on the Bible (Grand Rapids, MI: Brazos Press, 2009).
Interesting that many of provisions and also the sacrificial service and rite of circumcision was for this short 11 days journey to Kadesh - not for the more scattered 40 year wandering that folows!
God brings every indvidual, young old, strong weak, out of Egypt into widlerness not to perish but to lavish with mirculous power to bring into land!
= analogy to our dleiverance, every last one saved from premature death, providentially no mortality , ulike , but after = death, and before laws foreshadow…
shortest way to promised land: All the time which the children of Israel spent beneath the holy mount was to prepare them for a speedy and triumphant march by the shortest way into Canaan. All which we have learnt of the law of Christ, and in his school, is to fit us to make our way right onwards through the difficulties of this troublesome world to the home beyond; and this is the practical test of all we have acquired. Consider, therefore—
JOURNEY - not just rest, sit, not just dstudy theolgy, or morality, or owrship, MUST WALK IN FAITH AND RIGHTEOUSNESS, IN OUR TIME, PACTICAL GODLINESS AND SELF-DENIAL
Whitelaw Thomas, “Introductory Essay on the Authenticity and Authorship of the Book of Numbers,” in Numbers, ed. H. D. M. Spence, Exell Joseph S., The Pulpit Commentary (London; New York: Funk & Wagnalls Company, 1910), 90.
Key: God’s presence in fire but also cloud (veiled in flesh, hide majesty, yet divine, Christ’s revelation too… our victory is the supernatural presence of God with the Church and in the soul, by his incarnate Word and by his Spirit. There is at once the real bond of union, and the real source of strength. It may also be noted
Whitelaw Thomas, “Introductory Essay on the Authenticity and Authorship of the Book of Numbers,” in Numbers, ed. H. D. M. Spence, Exell Joseph S., The Pulpit Commentary (London; New York: Funk & Wagnalls Company, 1910), 91.
HOBAB son of Reuel the Midianite… could be name of faither and son like Abimelech, official name, ALSO simply means “marriage relation” = could be brother in law… ie younger son of Reuel
The Pulpit Commentary: Numbers Chapter 10
find that the heavenly guidance did but give unity and certainty to all the wisdom, caution, and endeavour of its earthly leaders
but though named with Israel, not incorporated of them!
Homelitics: Vers. 29–32.—The friendly invitation. Spiritually, we have here the voice of the saints calling to the wavering and undecided to cast in their lot with them, and to be partakers with them in those good things which God hath prepared for them that love him. Thereupon we have the voice of the wavering and undecided urging the ties and affections of this world as supreme… III. THAT THE INVITATION WAS TO GO WITH THEM, i. e., 1. To be partner and partaker in their pilgrimage, their toils, and trials; 2. To be partner and partaker in their promised home to which they were journeying, in the blessings unto which they were called. As God “would have all men to be saved,” so is it the chiefest desire of our hearts that all around us (and especially those connected with us) should share our blessings and our hopes, should be partakers with us (if need be) of that “light affliction” which worketh an “eternal weight of glory” (cf. and 10:2).
WOW - we will do good, not indivdiual thing… ie Lewis Great Hall, commhinty in room = hope what one who joins us here finds: We may fearlessly say to the child of this world, “we will do thee good.” Christianity is not individualism, but we are called “in one body,” and spiritual blessings flow chiefly in one way or another through human channels. As a fact men find peace, support, sympathy, consolation here—heaven hereafter—in the society of the faithful, not out of it (cf. ). One here who offered that kind of help - family = just my Christian duty ...
Whitelaw Thomas, “Introductory Essay on the Authenticity and Authorship of the Book of Numbers,” in Numbers, ed. H. D. M. Spence, Exell Joseph S., The Pulpit Commentary (London; New York: Funk & Wagnalls Company, 1910), 93.
a worldly life is a wasted life = two great dangers = life of no conifdence, trust, faith in God’s command = 1st generation; but equally could have a wasted story with HOBAB = what might have been - earthly life , no eternal prospects, no self denying for greater love - vs. a religus life … unselfish activity, this of all prospects and attractions has the strongest charm for each nobler soul! !!!! Jesus sayin in Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men ie Paul!
Whitelaw Thomas, “Introductory Essay on the Authenticity and Authorship of the Book of Numbers,” in Numbers, ed. H. D. M. Spence, Exell Joseph S., The Pulpit Commentary (London; New York: Funk & Wagnalls Company, 1910), 93.
God uses means, room in the middle of supernatural guidance for all human effort and wisdowm, yet God will get it done without us.. I. THE CHURCH’S PROFESSION OF FAITH AND HOPE. “We are journeying unto the place of which the Lord said, I will give it you.… The Lord hath spoken good concerning Israel.” On the lips of Moses and the congregation this was really a profession and utterance of faith. From the day that God called Abraham, he and his seed were taught to expect Canaan as their inheritance; and it was faith’s business to embrace the promise and look for its accomplishment. In the faith of this promise Abraham and Isaac and Jacob lived and died
Bringing a real testimony, not just outward witness of trumpets and worship and grace, change and grace I’ve found for you too = Thus Hobab is the illustration of all who are asked and pressed to join the people of God. To such persons every narration of God’s experienced grace to others brings a cordial invitation in the very telling of it. It is our own fault if we be mere spectators of the cloud, hearers of the trumpet. God had made most gracious provision for the stranger to come into Israel. No word could be more cordial and pressing than that of Moses here. It was not hatred of outsiders as outsiders, but as abominably wicked, that brought God’s vengeance on them.
= SPOKEN GOOD OF ISRAEL = other nations idolatries and abominations… join = not strnger but entre by circumcision of heart inot spiritual Israel…
Whitelaw Thomas, “Introductory Essay on the Authenticity and Authorship of the Book of Numbers,” in Numbers, ed. H. D. M. Spence, Exell Joseph S., The Pulpit Commentary (London; New York: Funk & Wagnalls Company, 1910), 94–95.
VV. 33-36 = HEAVENWARD< HEAVEN BOUDN MARCH! Spiritually, we have here the journey of the Church of God, or of the faithful soul, towards heaven under the guidance of the Saviour. For the ark, whereon rested the Shechinab, and in which was carried the law, is the type of Jesus, in whom dwelt the whole fulness of the Godhead bodily (cf. ; .; ), and in whom as manifested to us is found the new law of love and liberty (; cf. , ; ; ; .). Therefore we have here Jesus going before his own, (1) to guide them in the daily path, (2) to lead them to their rest when the journey is over (cf. ; ). In the cloud, again, we have (it may be) the refreshment of the Holy Spirit (“another Comforter”), when we face the burden and heat of life. Lastly, we have the devout prayers of the faithful for the help of God in their spiritual warfare, for the presence of God with their souls. Consider, therefore, on vers. 33, 34—
= Jesus goes before, and prepares a rest for God’s people, so he goes before each weary soul in life and death to find out resting-places and places of refreshment for it (; ; ; , ).
baptized into Moses IN THE CLOUD and in the sea… baptism of water, separates us outwardly unto Christ, so did the over-hanging cloud with its moist coolness represent the baptism of the SPirit, whicis an refreshment of the faithful but only while they follow CHRIST = vs. heat of desert!
Whitelaw Thomas, “Introductory Essay on the Authenticity and Authorship of the Book of Numbers,” in Numbers, ed. H. D. M. Spence, Exell Joseph S., The Pulpit Commentary (London; New York: Funk & Wagnalls Company, 1910), 99.
Whitelaw Thomas, “Introductory Essay on the Authenticity and Authorship of the Book of Numbers,” in Numbers, ed. H. D. M. Spence, Exell Joseph S., The Pulpit Commentary (London; New York: Funk & Wagnalls Company, 1910), 99.
God reserved the place of the ark itself to his own immediate disposition. A general does not include himself in his own marching orders, however minute; and the ark was the outward symbol of God’s own personal presence and guidance. It is, therefore, not at all surprising that the first intimation of the position of the ark on the march should be given at the moment when the march actually commenced.We shall probably think that either habitually or at least occasionally the ark did go before, and that the feet of them that bare it were supernaturally directed, either by the movements of the cloud, or by some more secret intimation, towards the destined place of rest.
Imagine how aweful if cloud arises but melts in evening sky instead of settling itself above the sanctuary of the people....
Whitelaw Thomas, “Introductory Essay on the Authenticity and Authorship of the Book of Numbers,” in Numbers, ed. H. D. M. Spence, Exell Joseph S., The Pulpit Commentary (London; New York: Funk & Wagnalls Company, 1910), 98.
Whitelaw Thomas, “Introductory Essay on the Authenticity and Authorship of the Book of Numbers,” in Numbers, ed. H. D. M. Spence, Exell Joseph S., The Pulpit Commentary (London; New York: Funk & Wagnalls Company, 1910), 98.
Two parts of the day as supreme moments - prayer at begining for defence from eveyr foe, - ie. Amelkite sin desert, ; prepared for the unexpected difficlut and terrible testin of the wilderness = overthrow temptation of enemy… … in coming to rest to ease to unguarded relaxation …
IE Calvin’s Prayer = even when life gets small, indivdiual in own circle, my conscieusness rest, may you be present with me = praying benediction - LORD BLESS MY CHILDREN AND KEEP THEM - I can’t got to let them go, this flock, … but this evening prayer = MOSES MADE HIS EVENING PRAYER FOR THE CONTINUANCE OF THE DIVINE PRESENCE IN THEIR MIDST. He knew that the people were helpless, and moreover stiff-necked and hard-hearted, and that mischief would breed in the camp as readily as it might meet them on the march, and that they must perish miserably if left to themselves. He prayed that God would stay with them, and be their worship, and remain the centre of their life ab intra, as well as their defence ab extra. Even so the Christian’s evening prayer is, “Abide with us.” The faithful soul, when it ceases from outward cares and is most thrown upon itself, feels most how lost would be its state without the abiding Presence and grace of God; and then it beseeches him—whom it has more or less offended—to return to it, because without him it were empty, desolate, and destroyed. Note, that if we read with some, “Restore the many thousands of Israel,” i. e. to their promised land, then it is the voice of the faithful, recognising at each pause in life that we are still strangers and wanderers here,
Whitelaw Thomas, “Introductory Essay on the Authenticity and Authorship of the Book of Numbers,” in Numbers, ed. H. D. M. Spence, Exell Joseph S., The Pulpit Commentary (London; New York: Funk & Wagnalls Company, 1910), 100–101.
REal spiritual enemnies with real atack not just on us, as private soldiers, but really getting at the government of GOD! may attack him, maintaining a long and bitter struggle (‘Paradise Lost,’ B. ii. 310–370). Do not think of these powers as aiming simply at our destruction. This is but a means to an end. There is a far sublimer and more encouraging view, that they are aiming to destroy the government of God. We never find out the purpose of a battle by looking at the conflicts of the private soldiers and inferior officers. We must come to the supreme authorities. It is they who inspire and direct everything. So there may be a struggle going on in the universe of which we, with our little horizon, can form but a feeble conception. Lastly, it is prayed that these enemies should be decisively dealt with
Whitelaw Thomas, “Introductory Essay on the Authenticity and Authorship of the Book of Numbers,” in Numbers, ed. H. D. M. Spence, Exell Joseph S., The Pulpit Commentary (London; New York: Funk & Wagnalls Company, 1910), 101.
2nd Petition: As the huge tree is slowly hollowed and eaten away, leaving a mere shell to come down at last with a crash, so the strongholds of iniquity are effectually sapped, little by little
REAL VICOTRY ALREADY THERFORE in fights that remain new regions opened up for victory: So we may be constantly welcoming Jesus as the Captain of our salvation (; . 15; ). 2. It indicated the use to be made of the victory. The enemies of God were scattered and dispossessed in order that his own people may come in and exercise a faithful stewardship for him. His victories open up regions which could not otherwise be attained. E. g. the risen Saviour, having triumphed over sin, death, and the grave, returned to his disciples in Galilee, telling them that all power was given to him in heaven and on earth, and thence he drew this consequence in the way of duty for them, that they were to go and disciple all nations, etc. (). If the risen Lord be indeed with us, then, because he is risen, we, having still our fight with sin and death to accomplish, are nevertheless assured of ultimate victory.—Y.
Whitelaw Thomas, “Introductory Essay on the Authenticity and Authorship of the Book of Numbers,” in Numbers, ed. H. D. M. Spence, Exell Joseph S., The Pulpit Commentary (London; New York: Funk & Wagnalls Company, 1910), 102.
Before the complaint and test, punishment = model of courage and victory should be walking in
EXPOSITION
Whitelaw Thomas, “Introductory Essay on the Authenticity and Authorship of the Book of Numbers,” in Numbers, ed. H. D. M. Spence, Exell Joseph S., The Pulpit Commentary (London; New York: Funk & Wagnalls Company, 1910), 102.