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That's certainly not something I found on my own.
Here's a article from J vernon mcgee.
Part 1 of 5.
The floor lamp is not a modern invention, but it is as old as the Tabernacle at least. The Tabernacle contained a floor lamp, and that is what the golden candlestick was in the Holy Place. We are substituting the more descriptive title, "lampstand," for the King James rendering of "candlestick." It was more than a candlestick, as we designate such. The blueprint for it is given in Exodus 25:
And thou shalt make a candlestick of pure gold: of beaten work shall the candlestick be made: his shaft, and his branches, his bowls, his knops, and his flowers, shall be of the same. And six branches shall come out of the sides of it; three branches of the candlestick out of the one side, and three branches of the candlestick out of the other side: three bowls made like unto almonds, with a knop and a flower in one branch; and three bowls made like almonds in the other branch, with a knop and a flower: so in the six branches that come out of the candlestick. And in the candlestick shall be four bowls made like unto almonds, with their knops and their flowers. And there shall be a knop under two branches of the same, and a knop under two branches of the same, and a knop under two branches of the same, according to the six branches that proceed out of the candlestick. Their knops and their branches shall be of the same: all it shall be one beaten work of pure gold. And thou shalt make the seven lamps thereof: and they shall light the lamps thereof, that they may give light over against it. And the tongs thereof, and the snuffdishes thereof, shall be of pure gold. Of a talent of pure gold shall he make it, with all these vessels. And look that thou make them after their pattern, which was shewed thee in the mount.
( Exodus 25:31-40)
See part 2.
I believe at the age 25 the Levites is doing more observation and then by the time they reach 30 they're serving.
Today technology, entertainment and media has taken a hold on the young and perhaps worldly mature people as well.
Information is at there fingertips.
World wisdom is sought after and coveted.
2 Timothy 3:16-17. should be a nations focus.
I agree that much of what is proscribed by God to the Israelites concerning religious rites do point to Christ. I don't always pick up on this in some of the OT text, so I appreciate it when people can shed light on it for me. Feel free to do so , Steven.
And also, if you read something in my post that seems to be wrong or errant, please point it out to me soon after I post so that I can rethink and recant what I need to. I know I will make mistakes at times, such as what you pointed out about the lampstand. In my mind I thought I had seen one that had six branches per side, but when I re-read the text and looked at photos, the lampstand used in the tabernacle had three branches on each side of a single center lamp. So, I am glad you pointed that our. The significance of 7 lamps on the single stand is certainly of some significance. Can you help on this point?
Numbers Chapter 4 does give the number of Levites from each of Aarons living sons that were ages 30-50.
Yes, I agree that these men would be considered mature, not just physically, but also mentally, and spiritually able to understand the seriousness of their service to YHWH and be consistently responsible in carrying out what YHWH had laid out for each tribe of Levi to do concerning the transportation of the many items of the tabernacle.
In today's society, we should be able to assume that someone pf this age is mature and responsible enough to carry out the affairs of their life and to serve God as He calls each to the service He intends for each to do.
This is usually the age bracket when we are raising our children to adulthood. May God help all young parents in this wonderful and sobering calling.
There's a lot being said in those scriptures and also these!
John 15:18-21.
If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you.
IF YE WERE OF THE WORLD, THE WORLD WOULD LOVE HIS OWN: BUT BECAUSE YE ARE NOT OF THE WORLD, BUT I HAVE CHOSEN YOU OUT OF THE WORLD, THEREFORE THE WORLD HATETH YOU.
Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also.
But all these things will they do unto you for my name's sake, because they know not him that sent me.
They hated the Lord without a cause!! They hated him for telling the truth! John 8:42-47.
Galatians 4:16-20.
John 15:26.
John 16:12-15.
It shouldn't be surprising when we see hatred from the world and those of the world gravitate toward one of the other and those that are Christ gravitate toward one another!
Here's why!
John 15:17 These things I command you, that ye love one another.
John 4:20-21.
If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?
And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also.
1 John 2:3-11.
If Christ spirit doesn't CAUSE you to Love one another then perhaps the world spirit and the father of lies stand in the way.
When the Spirit of truth is taken out of the way then the father of lies will be revealed.
God bless.
Here in Genesis 5 you will find Enoch in the genealogy from Adam to Moses.
And Jared lived an hundred sixty and two years, and he begat ENOCH:
And Jared lived after he begat Enoch eight hundred years, and begat sons and daughters.
And all the days of Jared were nine hundred sixty and two years: and he died.
And Enoch lived sixty and five years, and begat Methuselah:
And Enoch walked with God after he begat Methuselah three hundred years, and begat sons and daughters:
And all the days of Enoch were three hundred sixty and five years:
And Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him.
And Methuselah lived an hundred eighty and seven years, and begat Lamech:
And Methuselah lived after he begat Lamech seven hundred eighty and two years, and begat sons and daughters:
And all the days of Methuselah were nine hundred sixty and nine years: and he died.
And Lamech lived an hundred eighty and two years, and begat a son:
And he called his name Noah, saying, This same shall comfort us concerning our work and toil of our hands, because of the ground which the LORD hath cursed.
I hope this helps God bless.
Daniel 10:13 seems to suggest there's an hierarchy of Angels.
He we have Prince and we have a CHIEF Prince.
'But the PRINCE of the kingdom of Persia withstood me one and twenty days: but, lo, Michael, one of the (CHIEF PRINCES,) came to help me; and I remained there with the kings of Persia."
There seems to be an hierarchy in that text alone.
I hope this helps
God bless.
The Benediction
In Numbers 6, God instituted a way for leaders to bless the people with a prayer of benediction.
We see this patterned by Paul, Peter, and Jude also gave benedictions at the end of there letters to the churches. I recommend to those reading this that we each read these benedictions from the writers of Scriptures as these are inspired by God, just as the Aaronic blessing came from God, too.
One of my favorite part of church service is receiving the benediction from the pastor. I hold out my hands palms up to receive it for myself. How good it is to be blessed of God through the pastor God has put over me. The benediction binds the body together in a common blessing until they meet together once again. These "parting words" are valuable and endearing to me.
As parents, we too can impart benedictions upon our children as they grow up and even when grown. I pray for my sons daily, but I especially look forward to the time when they will be receptive of me and my husband praying over them once again.
LORD GOD, I pray once again for my sons, Brian, Rob, and Kevin, and for my daughter in law, Elfe. I ask that You will bring each of them to faith in Your Son Jesus, who is the only Savior for them. I ask that you will remove the stony hearts in them and do the miracle of giving them a softened heart that will turn to You in faith. I ask that You will remove all Islamic influences from Elfe and Brian, all the barriers erected by Satan in their lives and in the lives of Rob and Kevin. Break down all of the idolatrous altars in their minds and souls and show them the wonders of your grace and mercies in Jesus Christ the Lord of all. Father, because You know how it feels for Your children to go astray into unbelief, rebellion, and idolatry, I know that You understand my heart. I also know that Your plans are to redeem each of them in time. I look forward to that day when they will turn to You and be made secure in faith by the Spirit.
Thanks for going over these OT scriptures and refreshing us especially for those of us who haven't visited them recently.
I would like to point something out in Numbers 13 the 3 families of the Levites had to be 30-50 years old to serve and there probably were estimated thousands of them.
The age 30-50 may also emphasis maturity.
That was the prime of life for them
I believe the Lord preserved they're strength throughout their journey as seen in Joshua 14:10-11.
"And now, behold, the LORD hath kept me alive, as he said, these forty and five years, even since the LORD spake this word unto Moses, while the children of Israel wandered in the wilderness: and now, lo, I am this day fourscore and five years old.
As yet I am as strong this day as I was in the day that Moses sent me: as my strength was then, even so is my strength now, for war, both to go out, and to come in."
These services and the tabernacle itself pointed to Christ.
Christ also started his ministry at the age of 30.
God bless.
The last section of this chapter contains the prayer that God told Aaron to use as a blessing upon God's people. He was to use this often to bless the Israelites. it is very wonderful that it was God's Words that Aaron and the high priests after him used to bestow God's blessing upon God's people. These were not words composed by Moses or Aaron or any other man. So, these words are fr us as well as for the Israelites of that time, as they have been recorded in His Word for us.
"The Lord bless you and keep you
The Lord make His face shine upon you
and be gracious to you
The Lord life up His countenance upon you and give you peace."
Then the chapter concludes with these words
"And they (the priests) shall put my name upon the children of Israel; and I will bless them."
How good it is to marked as God's own children. The ancient Israelites were so marked by the name of YHWH as we are marked with the name of Jesus. YHWH is the Savior of the Israelites and Jesus is the Savior of both Jews and Gentiles. YHWH/Jesus is the Savior of all who believe, no matter if one is a Jew or Gentile, it is the one same God who saves us all.
So we can know by this Aaronic blessing that God wants to bless us: to bring us good and not curses; to keep us: to preserve us in our faith and place in Jesus until we enter heaven. He wants to have His face shine upon us: to look on us with favor and acceptance that we may reflect the light of His face to others. He wills to be gracious to us: through grace He saves us and is gracious in all of His ways to His children. He will lift up His countenance upon us: He will look upon us with love, mercy, and grace; he will give us His attention; and He will never leave us nor forsake us. He will give us peace: Jesus is our peace, the Prince of Peace. In Him we have the peace of knowing Him and knowing that our sins are forgiven and that we can have the peace that passes understanding.
What a beautiful blessing (benediction)! cont.
So, perhaps Paul took this vow during a time of great trials and sufferings to receive strength from the Lord to endure and stay true to his calling.
For us, there are times when we can be so distracted by the cares and trials of the world that we pull away from God than towards Him. These are times when we can remind ourselves of the value of the Nazarite vow (not that we follow the rules set forth in numbers 6, but we can set a specified time period aside for the Lord to work in us. It could be a retreat, a sabbatical, a leave from work, or other type of block of time where we pointedly seek the Lord for strength and guidance, renewal and rededication.
Sometimes we just go and go and go and do not slow down because of pressures of job and life. Jesus would often take leave of the crowd and the company of the disciples and go away by Himself to a mountain or wilderness place to "be" with His Father in prayer and fellowship without the distractions of the world who needed Him.
So, in keeping with the spirit of the vow of the Nazarite and not the letter of the Law, we can learn from this and apply it in Spirit-led ways to our lives to seek the Lord for many things that require a time of separation from the world and others and for the development of spiritual habits that help us grow and serve the Lord more steadfastly and sincerely.
Perhaps John the Baptist also was one who lived the lifestyle of a Nazarite. He spent much of his time in the wilderness areas. He had a short intense time of ministry following all of that time in the wilderness. It seems that he did not know much of His cousin, Jesus, as He did not seem to know Him or know that He was the Messiah until God showed him. John said that He should be baptized by Jesus and not the other way around. But God had revealed to John how He would know the Messiah and this was indeed confirmed to John by the alightment of the Spirit of God upon Jesus after He was baptized.
There are two sections to this chapter:
-Regulations for those who take a Nazarite vow
-The Aaronic Blessing
As to the first, the Bible does not explain the origin of the Nazarite vow, but it seems to imply that it was already practiced in some way. These regulations codify the terms of such a vow.
The one who takes the vow is not to drink wine/strong drink, or eat anything from the vines grapes.
He was to let his hair grow long into locks and not trim or cut it as long as he is under the time-frame of the vow.
He is not to come in contact with any dead thing, even if members of his family die.
When the time frame for his vow comes to an end, he will go to the tent of meeting, have his hair cut, bring all of the specified animals for the burnt offering, sin offering, peace offering as designated in Leviticus Chapters 1-6. His cut hair is to be placed under all of the offerings and burned with these.
The text does not say why someone would make such a vow. But it is probably to set himself apart for a time for the Lord.
Samson was on who was Nazarite from birth. This vow and lifestyle afforded him exceptional strength from the Lord. He was also a judge over the Israelites. But even so, he was easily taken by foreign women (Philistines) and this weakness caused his demise, as he was seduced into telling the secret of his strength and when asleep, Delilah cut his hair and he became weak. His eyes were gouged out. But as his hair grew back, so the Lord returned to Samson great strength.
Samuel also was dedicated for life with this vow. 1Sam.1:11
The apostle Paul as several of his companion took a Nazarite vow also ( Acts 18) and they went to Jerusalem to the temple to fulfill the rites that were to be done at the conclusion of the time of the vow. We are not told why Paul and companions took this vow. But, if Samson's story is given as an example, it may have something to do with strengthening a person for the work God has ahead for the person.
The woman who is guilty of adultery may become infertile from then on, not because the bitter water would make her so, but because God brings this on her as a judgement for her sin. The symptoms are from God, revealing her sin to the priest and to her husband, since there is no witness to the adultery, having been kept a secret between the woman and the man she committed adultery with. The lack of symptoms will show that the woman did not sin against her husband and that his jealousy is unwarranted. They are then free to continue in their marriage with the jealousy atoned for. The woman will be able to bear children as would be normal in marriage.
This section does not deal with the man who committed adultery. I don't know why, but this chapter shows the procedure to be followed if a man suspects his wife of committing adultery. Perhaps there would be another place in Scripture that would speak about what a wife would do if she suspects her husband of committing adultery.
This section lets us know how God values fidelity in marriage. He ordained it from the beginning with Adam and Eve. And Jesus confirms the importance of marital fidelity in Matt. 5; Mk 10; and Lk 16.
This chapter has several sections:
What to do with those who have become unclean from diseases such as leprosy or an issue of blood or issue from a skin disease, from touching one who is dead. These people are to camp outside of the whole camp of Israelites until they are determined to be clean by the priest and the Law God gave concerning such uncleanness.
Section two speaks about what men and women are to do when they commit a sin. They are to confess their sin, either to God, to the one they offended, or to the priest. They are to recompense their trespass by an increase of one-fifth the worth of the damage of the trespass. If the person offended against is not alive or has a kinsmen, then the recompense is to be made to the LORD through the priest.
Section three speaks of voluntary offerings made by the people. Whatever thingof value a person wishes to offer to the Lord shall be given to the priest and the priest will now possess it.
The other section speaks about what is to be done when a husband suspects his wife of committing adultery, even though their is no concrete proof. He is to bring to the priest a jealousy offering to the priest along with his wife. The priest is to burn some of the jealousy offering on the altar. The priest will bring the wife before the LORD and she shall drink the potion that the priest creates from holy water and dust from the floor of the tabernacle. Then the priest will charge the woman with the accusation of adultery and she will drink the bitter water prepared. If she is guilty, her belly shall swell and thighs rot. If not guilty she will be unaffected by the bitter water and will continue to be able to bear children.
It seems that if the woman is guilty, she will have some sort of infection in her bowels or uterus that will cause he great discomfort and cause her to have a foul issue, either from her bowel or from her uterus. This is may be some sort of disease that prevents the pregnancy....cont.
This chapter details how the items that together make up the tent of meeting/tabernacle are to be prepared for transport and then transported when the camp is to break and move according to the Lord's direction.
It is interesting that the items are to be covered with blue cloth and then with badger skins. I do not know what the blue cloth would indicate, but the badger skins would protect the items from rain and sun. Also, the badger skins would prevent the items from being viewed by the anyone other than the priests. All items were to be carried either with poles going through rings or suspended on poles. It does not say how the planks and curtains are to be transported. Perhaps since, they are heavy and numerous, they are divided up evenly among the men of the tribe of Merari.
Men between the ages of 30 and fifty were to do this work, most likely because they were in their prime and were strong and had the stamina to carry the items from one camp to the next. The terrain they traveled in was sometimes strenuous, going through ravines and hills and mountain passes. I wonder if they carried the items in shifts on the journey?
Also, I wonder what happened to the glory Presence of the Lord on the ark of the covenant when it was covered and transported. And also, what about the fire for the altar of sacrifice which was to be be kept burning always.