Archives for March 2014

he shall separate himself from wine and strong drink. He shall drink no vinegar made from wine or strong drink and shall not drink any juice of grapes or eat grapes, fresh or dried. All the days of his separation he shall eat nothing that is produced by the grapevine, not even the seeds or the skins. “All the days of his vow of separation, no razor shall touch his head. Until the time is completed for which he separates himself to the LORD, he shall be holy. He shall let the locks … Numbers 6:3–8 (ESV)

Any person (not just Levite men like the priests) could become a Nazarrite, consecrating a period of time to being set aside for God. The vow to refrain from wine and strong drink points to the virtue of a life of abstinence from alcohol and Gods desire for them to stand out from those around them. In the NT limitations regarding alcoholic consumption are among the qualifications for Elders (Pastors) and Deacons, also drunkenness is the negative comparison to being filled with the Spirit (Eph 5:18; 1 Cor 6:10).

The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the LORD lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace. Numbers 6:24–26 (ESV)

What a wonderful prayer. We should pray for God’s abundant and gracious blessings which are expressed in fruitfulness, over the lives of our fellow believers. We should also pray that our brothers and sisters remain in the special peace that is only available in Jesus (John 14:27)

A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” John 13:34–35 (ESV)

We should love one another with the same selfless, service and sacrifice displayed by Jesus, this is the mark of authentic discipleship and the loudest declaration to the surrounding world that we belong to God. This love is foundational to the church and true Christianity, we must ave it and pursue it.

God is a righteous judge, and a God who feels indignation every day. Psalm 7:11 (ESV)

God is not just a judge but is the righteous judge and so can not turn a blind eye to sin. This is why we need the Gospel

“Speak to the people of Israel, When a man or woman commits any of the sins that people commit by breaking faith with the LORD, and that person realizes his guilt, Numbers 5:6 (ESV)

If we break faith with God it is itself a sin and leads unto more sin, it is like a type of adultery to turn our backs on the Lord and withdraw our trust from him

Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going back to God, John 13:3 (ESV)

Jesus knowing who he is, where he has come from and is going makes his humble act of service even more remarkable. Jesus even washed Judas feet. This displayed his love and gave us an example to follow

I am not speaking of all of you; I know whom I have chosen. But the Scripture will be fulfilled, ‘He who ate my bread has lifted his heel against me.’ John 13:18 (ESV)

Jesus choose Judas to be a disciple knowing all things, including that Judas would choose to betray him regardless of all the love shown to him by Jesus. This shows that someone being called or chosen for ministry or used for Gods purpose does not equate to or guarantee that person has been elected to eternal salvation

All my enemies shall be ashamed and greatly troubled; they shall turn back and be put to shame in a moment. Psalm 6:10 (ESV)

We can use this scripture as we pray for persecuted Christians

from thirty years old up to fifty years old, all who can come on duty, to do the work in the tent of meeting. Numbers 4:3 (ESV)

Jesus also began his ministry at the age of 30 just like the Levite Priests (this is repeated throughout the chapter)

According to the commandment of the LORD through Moses they were listed, each one with his task of serving or carrying. Thus they were listed by him, as the LORD commanded Moses. Numbers 4:49 (ESV)

We are priest now in Gods Kingdom and each of us have a burden to bare and tasks to perform

Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. John 12:24 (ESV)

Jesus is speaking of himself as the seed, through his sacrificial death on the cross and the following resurrection we receive life. We can learn from this too that we should make sacrifices for the benefit of others too.

Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. John 12:25 (ESV)

Jesus, using his own self sacrifice as the example makes a call to discipleship and faith. Our culture tells us to love ourselves, have self esteem and to think highly of ourselves while pursuing the western dream of success. However to live with that mentality is to fundamentally deny the Sovereignty and rule of God in our lives as we are elevated to god in our own minds. Instead Jesus calls us to make God the centre of our lives rather than focusing on our own self interests.

If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him. John 12:26 (ESV)

We can be rewarded with lasting an eternal honour by serving Jesus rather than serving ourselves, we must die to the desires of our flesh.

Now is the judgment of this world; now will the ruler of this world be cast out. John 12:31 (ESV)

So much happened at the cross, the world is judged, Satan is dethroned and salvation is made available to all who are drawn

If anyone hears my words and does not keep them, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world but to save the world. John 12:47 (ESV)

Jesus came to save the world but the rejection of the Jesus words bring judgement as the acceptance of them brings life

For you are not a God who delights in wickedness; evil may not dwell with you. The boastful shall not stand before your eyes; you hate all evildoers. You destroy those who speak lies; the LORD abhors the bloodthirsty and deceitful man. Psalm 5:4–6 (ESV)

This is a very important and serious passage, it lets us know about Gods relationship to wickedness and evil
1. He does not delight in it
2. It may not dwell in his presence
3. God does not “love the sinner but hate the sin, this passage says God hates evildoers (not hates evil but the doers of evil) and will destroy Liars (not lies but those who tell lies)
4. God arbours people who have blood thirst and groups them with those who are deceitful, so deceit and murderous intent are both abhorrent)

They shall keep guard over him and over the whole congregation before the tent of meeting, as they minister at the tabernacle. Numbers 3:7 (ESV)

Throughout this chapter we read about the Levites duty to guard the tabernacle, kill offenders as well as carrying, dismantling and building it. As Christians we are a royal priesthood to God, we must defend the faith, killing all false teaching etc and minister in the body of Christ (Jude 3, Phil 1:27, 1 Peter 2:9).

For the poor you always have with you, but you do not always have me.” John 12:8 (ESV)

We should never allow ourselves to exchanges extravagant devotion and worship to Jesus with the pursuit of social justice. Instead one should not be done without the other.

But you, O LORD, are a shield about me, my glory, and the lifter of my head. Psalm 3:3 (ESV)

In the middle of hostility we can take comfort in remembering that God is our shield, protecting us from the enemy. We can also be glad that God is our treasure and great reward.

You have put more joy in my heart than they have when their grain and wine abound. Psalm 4:7 (ESV)

There is a lot of God to think over in this psalm. Verse 3 reminds us God has set us apart while verse 4 reminds us to not sin when we are angry. This verse reminds us that our true joy is to be found in God and he puts more satisfaction and joy in our hearts than anything of this world. Jesus said he wanted our joy to be full.

But the Levites shall camp around the tabernacle of the testimony, so that there may be no wrath on the congregation of the people of Israel. And the Levites shall keep guard over the tabernacle of the testimony.” Numbers 1:53 (ESV)

The Levites were not included in the main census as it was concerned with fighting men. The Levites had a special charge over the Tabernacle, to carry it, set it up and guard it. They guarded it from anyone approaching it wrongly. We should still approach God in holiness and reverent fear.

Thus did the people of Israel. According to all that the LORD commanded Moses, so they camped by their standards, and so they set out, each one in his clan, according to his fathers’ house. Numbers 2:34 (ESV)

The camps formation had the tabernacle at the centre, God dwelt in the midst of his people as their King. Jesus came and tabernacled with us as the Word become flesh. He is now in the midst of the church leading his army through the wilderness.

The man who had died came out, his hands and feet bound with linen strips, and his face wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said to them, “Unbind him, and let him go.” John 11:44 (ESV)

Don’t read this lightly, this was an awesome miracle performed by Jesus. It points forward to a day when all who are in the graves will hear his voice. It also shines a light on the way we who are dead in sin are called into life by God.

and not for the nation only, but also to gather into one the children of God who are scattered abroad. John 11:52 (ESV)

Jesus died to make one new people for God consisting of Jews and Gentiles all united by their faith in God through Jesus. One new man. The Church.

I will tell of the decree: The LORD said to me, “You are my Son; today I have begotten you. Psalm 2:7 (ESV)

This whole psalm points forward to the Jesus, the incarnate son of God and the one true King. This points to both Jesus 1st and 2nd coming.