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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.
Immediately after the Tribulation of those days...
There is no rapture here. Here we are all gathered. Whether it is from the first death, or the second death. Then the elect are with the Lord here. He gathers everyone for the final game. When He comes. So those who live then are jerked away YES; like Fillip in a way. Not to Heaven or Paradise, but to be present when the Lord will put everything in order. It will be the last game. to the last match.
So we want to be with Him, we're not spared, like this conversation is about. we are warriors for the Lord today. Should we lie down before the last game begins? What kind of unreasonableness is that? Not from the Lord in any case.
He has today made this easy for us. We have the Holy Spirit. That's why we're all able to be in this fight. We WILL be standing Jesus victorious people. And finally when we've done the last war. Then we will stand before God's throne to praise Him forever.
And there will be a new Jerusalem and everything will be new. And OUTSIDE there will be thieves, liars, and everything unclean will not be allowed to enter. Just look what a nice picture it is? No one can touch us today either. If God's light is in us, we are not at all in darkness. And nothing shall harm us in any way in this assurance. Not in the upcoming one either. Therefore, it gills and stands firm, watch and pray incessantly. So that we are empowered for the big day. Amen
There is always something bad when one holds back. But be open in mind and look at the central scriptures once more. If you're not sure, wait a bit, know that He understands and loves us just as much. He wants all those He has predestined to COME into the rest He has decided. There we cannot do anything God gets what He wants.
Love u allin Christ
Matthew 13
30Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn.
Revelation 14
14And I looked, and behold a white cloud, and upon the cloud one sat like unto the Son of man, having on his head a golden crown, and in his hand a sharp sickle.
15And another angel came out of the temple, crying with a loud voice to him that sat on the cloud, Thrust in thy sickle, and reap: for the time is come for thee to reap; for the harvest of the earth is ripe.
16And he that sat on the cloud thrust in his sickle on the earth; and the earth was reaped.
Daniel 7
13 I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him. 14 And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed.
Matthew 24
29Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken:
30And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.
31And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.
May we all have oil in our lamps when the Lord returns, God bless
My question is, is it ok to have money if one is helping the poor with it?
Is it ok to own our home if we need more room?
Does Jesus want us to be poor?
Does Jesus expect us to be on welfare because without money we will have to depend on Welfare?
Does Jesus want us to be not ambitious?
Does Jesus want us to be on the street because without money that is where we will be?
What you said is very true. Everything we work hard for in this life, the worldly things we covet after, it's all vanity. I completely agree with you, Amen!
Romans 12:2 - And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
1 John 2:15 - Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
James 4:4 - Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.
Colossians 2:8 - Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.
Matthew 6:24 - No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.
In John 17:16, Jesus said, "They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world."
Wow! Just as Christ was in it, but was not of it, we also are in it, but we are not of it, which is why when we try to go back out into the world, we don't fit in. Have you ever heard anyone say something like, "Ever since I became a Christian, ever since I surrendered to Christ, I don't fit in anymore with the old crowd, or the old activities?" They try to fit in, but then they are told that they are different now. They try to fit in with the non-believing crowd, and they have difficulty doing so. Some even lose friends and family.
That's because we are no longer of the world. Our source of life is Christ. We are experiencing ZOE life in the midst of BIOS people. Them who are of this world are only existing like animals exist! The highest level of life that a human being can reach without Christ is a sophisticated animal. A person can go to college, they can be trained how to act pretty sophisticated, but a life without Christ is an empty life, a worldly life. But just as Jesus said He is not of this world; we also are not of this world if we belong to Him.
In both Matthew Chapter 6 and Luke Chapter 12, Jesus says "Take no thought for your life." This comes from the Greek word MERIMNA and it means to occupy the attention of the mind. Jesus said that we only have the capacity to serve one thing. So if my mind is occupied with other things, and I am only supposed to be serving the one person (Christ), I've got a problem!
In Matthew 6:25-30, Jesus went on to say, and He mentions three necessities: He says why are you anxious (MERIMNA) about what you eat, or what you drink, or about your clothing? He says that even if we don't have clothes or food or drink, that we are not to be occupied with it.
Jesus gives us two reasons for this when we get to Matthew 6:32. It says "for all these things the Gentiles seek. This would be non-believers. Second reason: It says, "Your heavenly Father knows that you have need of all these things." God already knows, so we are not to have our minds occupied with the things God already knows we need.
Jesus then gives instruction in Matthew 6:33. He says "But you seek the Kingdom of God, and His righteousness, and all these things will be added." Now the reason they will be added is because we can't seek God and seek those things that occupy the attention of our mind (MERIMNA) at the same time. God says you seek me. You seek me and I will take care of everything else. I will supply your needs!
The conclusion is given to us in Matthew 6:34. Jesus says take no thought about tomorrow. Again, take no thought comes from the word MERIMNA (the occupation of the attention of our minds). Jesus says don't even worry about it. Don't worry about tomorrow. Let tomorrow take care of itself. Where is our focus right now? Is our focus on Christ who knows what we need (the necessities of life)? Or, is our mind occupied by worrying about other things, the things God tells us to take no thought of?
In Matthew 6:22-23, Jesus talks about the eye. He said the light of the body is the eye: and therefore, if your eye is single, the whole body is full of light. But if the eye is evil, the whole body shall be full of darkness. Therefore, if the light that is in you is darkness, how great is the darkness.
Here's what that means from a Hebrew standpoint:
First of all, the word "single" has to do with focus, for the good eye is a generous person. The bad eye is a stingy person in the eyes of the Jews. So, if you have a good eye, and you are generous, then your focus is right. If you have a bad or corrupt eye, you are stingy, and your focus is in the wrong place.
Hope this helps!
As to why there are so many without food, this is a result of sin in our world. There is enough food produced to feed pretty much all people. But the means to get food to people is not always easy or possible. Some areas of our world have an overabundance of food and other areas do not produce very much food, either due to climate or lack of water to irrigate crops, or other factors. And not all areas have food banks and such were the needy can get some food to get them through the week.
And some people do not have much food because they refuse to work to earn the money to buy it or expend energy to grow it themselves.
It would be hoped that there would be more efforts made to voluntarily supply food to those in need locally and worldwide.
But Jesus also said that life is more important than food (Matt, 6:25), speaking of eternal life. And Paul says in 1Cor. 8:8 that food does not bring us close to God, therefore we are to place food in its proper place in our lives while trusting God to provide and if He does not, we can know that the life He gives us in Jesus is eternal, and this life is temporary.
The food is for the stomach and the stomach for food.
In everything you do, do it all for the glory of God.
Stu, I don't think there is an easy answer to why there are so many who are starving for lack of food. Same can be true why so many people have serious illnesses. People of this world have not yet figured out a way to get food to all peoples who are in need. But we can help out by donating to the locale food bank. Grow some of our own food and donate some of that to others. We can send money to organization that work on alleviating world hunger. Yet, Jesus said that the poor will always be among us. This is not to say we are to be apathetic.