Numbers
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Title: Washed and Renewed Introduction In Israel there were no undertakers. There also was no World Health Organization to advise on the spread of contagion. One might think therefore that this chapter is giving public health advice. One cannot question that the laws had that effect, but there is a deeper spiritual significance to their
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Title: Wilderness Holiness Introduction Israel’s time in the wilderness was a time for them to learn who Jahweh was. God has recorded it in Numbers for our admonition because although we can quote the Westminster Catechism, ”God is infinite, eternal, and unchanging in his wisdom, power, holiness, justice, goodness, and truth,” we do not appreciate
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Title: Honor the Ruler INTRODUCTION Right now as I am writing, our nation is in another election cycle. People are trying to make up their minds. God is not. We don’t know what He has already decided, however we are part of the earthly process. We must consult the Lord. We need to pray, not
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6 The Contempt, Text: 16:1-50 INTRODUCTION The great value of studying Numbers, or “In the Wilderness,” as we have pointed out previously is that it teaches us lessons about the need for sanctification and perseverance in the Christian life. This present evil age is a wilderness for us. What chapter 16 focuses on is the
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5 The Consecration, Text: 15:1-41 Introduction Numbers 15 deals further with the preparations of Israel to enter the Promised Land. These are ordinances to be obeyed after they have entered the Promised Land, and that means that they carry with them the assurance that God will bring the next generation into the land. Like all
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4 The Cowardice, Text: 13:1-14:45 INTRODUCTION Fear is the root of cowardice and it is a common experience. We are anxious and fearful about many things in life to the point where some people are literally scared to death. Phobias abound too numerous to list, but some people fear certain colors, others fear sitting or
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3 The Complaints Text: 11:1-12:16 INTRODUCTION According to one commentator Israel just started their journey and almost immediately there were three rebellions. The whole history of Israel in he wilderness is a story of murmuring and complaining. Unfortunately, we are guilty of the same thing, and often in less stressful conditions. Observing this, Mark Twain
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2 The Constitution, Text:10:11-36 INTRODUCTION When I was younger I used to love adventure. Several times our young family set out on a journey with a tent or a tent-trailer. We had a month’s vacation, and no particular route. We had a goal but no exact timetable. We set up camp every evening and then
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1 The Cloud, Text: 9:15-10:10 INTRODUCTION Today if a Christian wishes to discern the will of God he must look at three things. First we look at the Word of God to insure that our actions are in accord with God’s laws. Second, we look at our heart’s desire to make sure that our motives
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4 The Communion, Text: 9:1-14 INTRODUCTION Our Jewish friends celebrate 4 major holidays in the 21st century. The first three are Rosh Hashanah, or the “Head of the Year,” Yom Kippur, or the “Day of Atonement, and Chanukah or the “Dedication” at the time of the Christian Christmas which refers to the rededication of the
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3 The Church, Text: 8:5-26 INTRODUCTION Among the sons of Levi were the priests, the family of Aaron. However the greater part of this group, the Levites were servants in charge of the portage of the tabernacle. Thus, they were more like church Deacons in the New Testament, who, at least in my denomination, are
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2 The Contributions, Text: 7:1-8:4 INTRODUCTION The occasion is the dedication of the completed tabernacle when offerings were made for its operation. In Exodus 35:20-29 we have an account of the offerings brought willingly by the people for the building of the tabernacle, And all the congregation of the children of Israel departed from the
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1 The Cleansing, Text: 5:1-6:27 INTRODUCTION In Leviticus 19:1 & 2 we read, The Lord said to Moses, “Speak to the entire assembly of Israel and say to them: ‘Be holy because I, the Lord your God, am holy. We have seen the warnings about preserving the sanctity of God’s house, and the measures taken
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5 The Carriers, Text: 4:1-48 INTRODUCTION Here we have a lengthy passage involving the numbering and duties of the Levites. It is also repetitious for good reason. The repetition enforces the importance of these instructions. The primary concern here is holiness. The spotlight is not as much on those who serve as on the Lord
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4 The Compensation, Text: 3:40-51 INTRODUCTION The Pentateuch is filled with references to the priesthood. An so here in the book of Numbers. The Levitical priesthood was essential to the existence and well being of Israel, but it has been replaced in the New Testament in two ways. As for the atonement through sacrifice for