From Sighs to Songs (Numbers)

Formal Elements / Descriptive Data

Text: Numbers

CIT: (Subject-) The Lord abides faithful, despite Israel's shortcomings, to accomplish His glorious purposes; (Compliment-) through allowing them, by His mercy, to serve Him in faith, while holding them accountable for their unbelief.

Proposition: Unbelief brings tragic consequences, but our God abides faithful, and in His mercy, allows us to continue to serve Him; but the way forward is by faith through the presence and power of Christ!

Statement of Purpose:

(1) MO – Supportive

(2) SO – I want my hearers to consider the negative impacts of unbelief in their walk with God in view of His everlasting mercy with the Gin of encouraging them to move forward by faith into an area that God has for them to Serve Him for His glory.

Title (Topic/Name): From Sighs to Songs

Informal Elements / Rhetorical Data

Introduction:

· Illustration - 2020 US Census à Numbers = Census in a sense

· Why/how can a census help a Nation? How did it help Israel? Those counted – able military

· Provide the broad context of the Pentateuch:

o Beginnings (Gen.) à Bondage (Ex.)

o Redemption (Lev.) à Sanctification (Num.)

· Spiritual Warfare → Individual Victory Amidst National Failure

Body – Development – Outline:

I. The Consequences of Failure in Unbelief (Num.1:1-20:29).

A. Readiness for the Journey (Num. 1:1-10:10)

1. Physically (Num.1:1-4:49): a. Army Census (Num. 1:1-54); b. Arrangements and Leaders (Num. 2:1-34); c. Assignments for Servants (Num. 3:1-4:49)

Illustration: If FBCW was Tabernacle Site

· 12 Mile Square Area [roughly 6 miles cardinal]: East [Adams City (Hwy 6)]; West [Arvada/Golden (Indiana Ave)]; South [Lakewood (West Colfax Ave.)]; North [Broomfield (Midway Blvd)]. Camps: East – Judah [Why in front/east? Messiah]; West – Ephraim [Joshua]; North – Dan [Temptation of Idolatry]; South – Rueben [Temptation of Immorality]

· East Entrance - Priests (Moses & Aaron); West (Holy of Holies) – Kohath – Levites; North & South – Gershom & Merari – Levites.

Application: Everyone has a place to serve the Lord, both within the sanctuary as well as without. Serve where you live!

2. Spiritually (Num.5:1-6:27): a. Dealing with Defilement (Num. 5:1-31); b. Nazarite Dedication (Num. 6:1-21); c. Blessings for Aaron (Num. 6:22-27)

3. Consecration (Num. 7:1-9:14): a. Dedication on the Altar (Num. 7:1-89); b. Consecration of the servants (Num. 8:1-26); c. Commemoration of Redemption (Passover) (Num. 9:1-14)

Application: If you desire the abiding presence and power of God in your life: 1. Deal with Defilement; 2. Be Dedicated – Heart; 3. Pray fervently; 4. Be Consecrated – Hands; 5. Be Obedient – Ordinances.

4. Direction for the Journey (Num. 9:15-10:10): a. From the LORD - Pillars of Cloud & Fire (Num. 9:15-23); b. From His Ordained Spiritual Leaders - Trumpets (Num.10:1-10)

B. Rebellion & Judgement in Unbelief (Num. 10:11-25:18)

1. Rejection in Unbelief – Failure! (Num. 10:11-14:45): a. Stopping at the Brink of Conquest (Num. 10:11 - 12:16); b. Rejecting the Land, Their Leader, and Their LORD (Num. 13:1-14:45)

2. Judgment – Wander! (Num. 15:1-19:22); a. Worship in the Wilderness (Num. 15:1-41); b. Honoring the LORD's Way – Confirmation of the Aaronic Priesthood (Num. 16:1-17:13) [1) Korah's Rebellion (Num.16:1-50); 2) Aaron Vindicated (Num.17:1-13)]; c. Maintaining fellowship with the Lord (Num. 18:1-19:22) [1) Duties – Priest & Levite (Num. 18:1-32); 2). Purification: Water (Num. 19:1-22)]

3. Consequence – Perish! (Num. 20:1-29)

Illustration: King Saul - began well, head & shoulders above. Rebellion was his downfall. Tragic was his demise. * Many whom the world would deem successful at first glance lack the faith to see the work that God calls them to the finish.

Application: These rejected the promise of God in unbelief and bore the consequences

Transition: While the consequences of unbelief are tragic, never lose sight of God's mercy:

II. The Hope of Blessing: Forward in Faith (Num. 21:1-36:13).

A. Victory Through Faith in the LORD’s Promises (Num. 21:1-35)

B. Blessings in the Midst of Cursings – Balaam (Num. 22:1-25:18): 1. Balaam's Appointment with Balak (Num. 22:1-41); 2. Balaam's Prophecies (Num. 23:1-24:25); 3. Idolatry of Israel (Num.25:1-18)

C. Poised for Conquest (Num. 26:1-33:49): 1. A New Census (Num. 26:1-65); 2. A Faithful Inheritance (Num. 27:1-17); 3. A New Transition of Leadership (Num. 27:18-23); 4. Honoring the Lord's Offering (Num. 28:1-29:40); 5. Honoring Integrity and Vows (Num. 30:1-16)

D. A Foretaste of Promised Victory through the LORD’s Presence & Power Despite a Tendency toward Vice (Num. 31:1-33:56): 1.Overcoming Midian (Num. 31:1-54); 2. Learning from Past Failures (Num. 32:1-42); 3. Remembering the Journeys (Num. 33:1-49); 4. Approaching the Future with Caution & Care (Num. 33:50-56)

E. Anticipation of What God Will Do Through Them (Num. 34:1-36:13): 1. The Promised Land Described (Num. 34:1-29); 2. An Inheritance for the Servants of the LORD (Num. 35:1-36:13): a. Levitical Cities (Num. 35:1-8); b. Cities of Refuge (Num.35:9-34); c. Unforgotten Inheritance (Num. 36:1-13)

Illustration: Where Saul failed in rebellion & unbelief, David, with a heart to follow God by faith, succeeded in his generations, and will yet succeed through His Son Jesus to an eternal generation!

Application: The only limit to what God can do is unbelief. The way forward is through faith!

Conc: We sigh in the sorrows of unbelief, no more! Faith is the Victory! Through Christ we can sing as we forge ahead in faith, fervently serving the Lord!

Ten men who failed to see God Saw cities impregnably high; Two men, “looking off” unto God, Saw doom for those cities draw nigh. Ten men who failed to see God Saw giants affrightingly tall; Two men, “looking off” unto God, Saw giants as grasshoppers small. Ten men who failed to see God, Reported, “We’re certain to fail”; Two men, “looking off” unto God, Cried, “Up! for with God we prevail.” Ten men who failed to see God Discouraged their brother men; Two men perceived God everywhere; Are you of the two—or the ten? ~ Baxter, J. Sidlow, Explore the Book