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Numbers 18:1-32  Bearing the Iniquity of the Sanctuary and the Priesthood

[Study Aired September 4, 2023]

Num 18:1  And the LORD said unto Aaron, Thou and thy sons and thy father’s house with thee shall bear the iniquity of the sanctuary: and thou and thy sons with thee shall bear the iniquity of your priesthood.
Num 18:2  And thy brethren also of the tribe of Levi, the tribe of thy father, bring thou with thee, that they may be joined unto thee, and minister unto thee: but thou and thy sons with thee shall minister before the tabernacle of witness. 
Num 18:3  And they shall keep thy charge, and the charge of all the tabernacle: only they shall not come nigh the vessels of the sanctuary and the altar, that neither they, nor ye also, die.
Num 18:4  And they shall be joined unto thee, and keep the charge of the tabernacle of the congregation, for all the service of the tabernacle: and a stranger shall not come nigh unto you.
Num 18:5  And ye shall keep the charge of the sanctuary, and the charge of the altar: that there be no wrath any more upon the children of Israel. 
Num 18:6  And I, behold, I have taken your brethren the Levites from among the children of Israel: to you they are given as a gift for the LORD, to do the service of the tabernacle of the congregation. 
Num 18:7  Therefore thou and thy sons with thee shall keep your priest’s office for every thing of the altar, and within the vail; and ye shall serve: I have given your priest’s office unto you as a service of gift: and the stranger that cometh nigh shall be put to death. 
Num 18:8  And the LORD spake unto Aaron, Behold, I also have given thee the charge of mine heave offerings of all the hallowed things of the children of Israel; unto thee have I given them by reason of the anointing, and to thy sons, by an ordinance for ever. 
Num 18:9  This shall be thine of the most holy things, reserved from the fire: every oblation of theirs, every meat offering of theirs, and every sin offering of theirs, and every trespass offering of theirs, which they shall render unto me, shall be most holy for thee and for thy sons. 
Num 18:10  In the most holy place shalt thou eat it; every male shall eat it: it shall be holy unto thee. 
Num 18:11  And this is thine; the heave offering of their gift, with all the wave offerings of the children of Israel: I have given them unto thee, and to thy sons and to thy daughters with thee, by a statute for ever: every one that is clean in thy house shall eat of it.
Num 18:12  All the best of the oil, and all the best of the wine, and of the wheat, the firstfruits of them which they shall offer unto the LORD, them have I given thee. 
Num 18:13  And whatsoever is first ripe in the land, which they shall bring unto the LORD, shall be thine; every one that is clean in thine house shall eat of it. 
Num 18:14  Every thing devoted in Israel shall be thine. 
Num 18:15  Every thing that openeth the matrix in all flesh, which they bring unto the LORD, whether it be of men or beasts, shall be thine: nevertheless the firstborn of man shalt thou surely redeem, and the firstling of unclean beasts shalt thou redeem.
Num 18:16  And those that are to be redeemed from a month old shalt thou redeem, according to thine estimation, for the money of five shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary, which is twenty gerahs. 
Num 18:17  But the firstling of a cow, or the firstling of a sheep, or the firstling of a goat, thou shalt not redeem; they are holy: thou shalt sprinkle their blood upon the altar, and shalt burn their fat for an offering made by fire, for a sweet savour unto the LORD. 
Num 18:18  And the flesh of them shall be thine, as the wave breast and as the right shoulder are thine. 
Num 18:19  All the heave offerings of the holy things, which the children of Israel offer unto the LORD, have I given thee, and thy sons and thy daughters with thee, by a statute forever: it is a covenant of salt for ever before the LORD unto thee and to thy seed with thee. 
Num 18:20  And the LORD spake unto Aaron, Thou shalt have no inheritance in their land, neither shalt thou have any part among them: I am thy part and thine inheritance among the children of Israel. 
Num 18:21  And, behold, I have given the children of Levi all the tenth in Israel for an inheritance, for their service which they serve, even the service of the tabernacle of the congregation. 
Num 18:22  Neither must the children of Israel henceforth come nigh the tabernacle of the congregation, lest they bear sin, and die. 
Num 18:23  But the Levites shall do the service of the tabernacle of the congregation, and they shall bear their iniquity: it shall be a statute for ever throughout your generations, that among the children of Israel they have no inheritance. 
Num 18:24  But the tithes of the children of Israel, which they offer as an heave offering unto the LORD, I have given to the Levites to inherit: therefore I have said unto them, Among the children of Israel they shall have no inheritance. 
Num 18:25  And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, 
Num 18:26  Thus speak unto the Levites, and say unto them, When ye take of the children of Israel the tithes which I have given you from them for your inheritance, then ye shall offer up an heave offering of it for the LORD, even a tenth part of the tithe. 
Num 18:27  And this your heave offering shall be reckoned unto you, as though it were the corn of the threshingfloor, and as the fulness of the winepress. 
Num 18:28  Thus ye also shall offer an heave offering unto the LORD of all your tithes, which ye receive of the children of Israel; and ye shall give thereof the LORD’S heave offering to Aaron the priest. 
Num 18:29  Out of all your gifts ye shall offer every heave offering of the LORD, of all the best thereof, even the hallowed part thereof out of it. 
Num 18:30  Therefore thou shalt say unto them, When ye have heaved the best thereof from it, then it shall be counted unto the Levites as the increase of the threshingfloor, and as the increase of the winepress. 
Num 18:31  And ye shall eat it in every place, ye and your households: for it is your reward for your service in the tabernacle of the congregation. 
Num 18:32  And ye shall bear no sin by reason of it, when ye have heaved from it the best of it: neither shall ye pollute the holy things of the children of Israel, lest ye die. 

Introduction

This chapter comes right after the Lord has caused Aaron’s rod to bud and produce almonds as a demonstration of who the Lord has called and chosen to rule with Him. Therefore, this chapter is to deepen our understanding of who the Lord has called and chosen by clearly delineating the role of Priests and Levites and going further to describe the benefit package for the elect or the priests. As we are aware, it is from the things that are seen that we are able to understand spiritual truth. 

Rom 1:20  For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:

If one is employed by an organization, the person is given a job description and also the benefits package to which he or she is entitled.  In this chapter, we are clearly shown the role of a priest and of a Levite. That is the job description. We need to understand that the Levites represent our brothers and sisters in Babylon and Aaron, and his sons represent the priest are the same as the elect. The chapter also focuses on our benefit package as an incentive for us, His elect, to stay on course to the very end. Unfortunately, many have seen the incentive package of the elect but are not excited about it. It is all because they have not been given eyes to see and ears to hear. However, to those who are driven by these incentives, they press on to the mark of the Lord’s high calling.

Php 3:14  I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. 
Php 3:15  Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in anything ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you.

The Lord Jesus gave us a parable of a man who found treasure in a field and decided to go back and sell all he had to possess the field. This parable is to show us that what He has in store for us is so exciting that we let go of everything in pursuit of this treasure in the field. The fact that the man hid the treasure and went back to sell all he had means that not many are given to understand our incentive package, as the treasures are hidden, and it is only those who find this treasure in this life who are excited about it, and their reaction is to let go of everything to possess this treasure. 

Mat 13:44  Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field. 
Mat 13:45  Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls: 
Mat 13:46  Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it.

This is how our brother Paul saw the incentive package:

Rom 8:18  For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.

Are you excited about the Lord’s incentive package for being a priest of God? Then you must be prepared to lose all that you treasure in this life to gain Christ! Let’s hope that today’s study will kindle that desire to press on to the mark of His higher calling.

Num 18:1  And the LORD said unto Aaron, Thou and thy sons and thy father’s house with thee shall bear the iniquity of the sanctuary: and thou and thy sons with thee shall bear the iniquity of your priesthood. 

One of the incentives the Lord has given to His elect is the promise that we shall bear the iniquity of the sanctuary. As we know, the sanctuary is the temple of the Lord and is our body. Unlike sin, which is defined as missing the mark, iniquity has to do with being crooked, bent or inclined in the wrong way. In other words, sin is a particular act which is against the commandment of the Lord, but “avon” (the Hebrew word for iniquity) is a state of being, a description of the human character, which has an inclination toward evil. As we are aware, it is because of the old man, or the beast within, that we have this inclination toward evil.  According to Strong, the words “to bear” means to lift or carry away. So, what we are being told in verse 1 of a priest, represented by Aaron and his sons bearing the iniquity of the sanctuary, is that as one of the benefits pertaining to being a priest, that is being called and chosen, our inclination towards evil as a result of the beast or the old man within us which defiles our bodies (temple) will be carried away by the Lord. It is in this sense of our old man being carried away by the Lord through the judgment of our old man that Isaiah made the following statement:

Isa 53:11  He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities.

The elect are not only to bear the iniquity of the sanctuary but also to bear the iniquity of the priesthood. A key qualification of being a priest is obeying the voice of the Lord as shown in the following verse:

Exo 19:5  Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine: 
Exo 19:6  And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel.

Although we are called and chosen as priests before the Lord, we do not obey the voice of the true shepherd when we start our walk with the Lord because of the old man within us. We were rather obeying the voice of the stranger before finally we were dragged by the Lord to hear and obey the voice of the Lord. Remember that the voice of the stranger is the false doctrines of the devil (the stranger). The iniquity of the priesthood is our inclination toward hearing and obeying the voice of the stranger (the devil). Here again, the Lord is promising His elect that He will carry away these false doctrines of the devil so we can hear the voice of the true shepherd and obey Him.

Joh 8:43  Why do ye not understand my speech? even because ye cannot hear my word.
Joh 8:44  Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.

Joh 10:27  My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: 
Joh 10:28  And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. 

Num 18:2  And thy brethren also of the tribe of Levi, the tribe of thy father, bring thou with thee, that they may be joined unto thee, and minister unto thee: but thou and thy sons with thee shall minister before the tabernacle of witness. 
Num 18:3  And they shall keep thy charge, and the charge of all the tabernacle: only they shall not come nigh the vessels of the sanctuary and the altar, that neither they, nor ye also, die. 
Num 18:4  And they shall be joined unto thee, and keep the charge of the tabernacle of the congregation, for all the service of the tabernacle: and a stranger shall not come nigh unto you.

A key role, highlighted by the Lord for the elect or the priest in these verses, is to minister before the tabernacle of witness. This is contrasted with the role of the Levites, who are to minister to us by being joined to us. The Levites signify our brothers and sisters in Babylon. In verse 3, as His priests, we are to ensure that the Levite do their work of guarding the exterior of the whole tabernacle. However, we, His elect, are to protect the interior of the tabernacle which consists of the vessels and the altar, such that a stranger does not come within the tabernacle, lest we all perish. The strangers here represent both the Levites, who are our brothers and sisters in Babylon, and the people of the world. This role of a priest here in these verses is consistent with the role the Lord assigned the Cherubim when He drove away Adam and Eve from the garden of Eden. The Cherubim were to guard the way to the tree of life, which in our study is represented by the vessels of the sanctuary and the altar. We are the Cherubim who are to guard the way of life in this age from access by our brothers and sisters in Babylon and people of the world until they have gone through the flaming sword (judgment).

Gen 3:24  He drove out the man, and at the east of the garden of Eden he placed the cherubim and a flaming sword that turned every way to guard the way to the tree of life.

Our brothers and sisters in Babylon, representing the Levites, are not allowed to partake with us the word of truth which is Christ. The reason they cannot partake with us the truth of the word of the Lord is that they have been swept away by divers and strange doctrines.

Heb 13:9  Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines. For it is a good thing that the heart be established with grace; not with meats, which have not profited them that have been occupied therein.
Heb 13:10  We have an altar, whereof they have no right to eat which serve the tabernacle.

Num 18:5  And ye shall keep the charge of the sanctuary, and the charge of the altar: that there be no wrath any more upon the children of Israel. 
Num 18:6  And I, behold, I have taken your brethren the Levites from among the children of Israel: to you they are given as a gift for the LORD, to do the service of the tabernacle of the congregation. 
Num 18:7  Therefore thou and thy sons with thee shall keep your priest’s office for everything of the altar, and within the vail; and ye shall serve: I have given your priest’s office unto you as a service of gift: and the stranger that cometh nigh shall be put to death. 

Here in these verses, the Lord showed to Aaron and his sons, representing the elect, that the Levites are given to us as a gift from the Lord to help us do the service of the tabernacle of the congregation. The tabernacle of the congregation refers to our bodies. 

1Co 3:16  Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you? 
1Co 3:17  If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him. For God’s temple is holy, and you are that temple.

The work of the tabernacle refers to everything of the altar within the veil in verse 7. This work entails entering through the veil to offer incense from the altar of incense, the lighting of the candlestick to give light, weekly replacement of the showbread and the eating of the previous showbread.  Spiritually, the work of the tabernacle therefore is the presentation of our bodies as living sacrifice to the Lord. This is attained through understanding the word of the Lord as our eyes of understanding are enlightened (eating of showbread). That is when we give light in the darkness (lighting of the candlestick). The weekly replacement of the bread signifies the fact that the revelation of Christ and His words is progressive. What we know today is the result of the enlightenment we have received of His words yesterday. All this work is possible as our old man dies daily through the Lord’s judgment. 

Heb 10:19  Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, 
Heb 10:20  By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh; 
Heb 10:21  And having an high priest over the house of God;
Heb 10:22  Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. 

As His elect, we must not disregard the role that our brothers and sisters in Babylon (Levites) play in the grand scheme of the Lord in bringing people to Christ through the law of Moses. However, inasmuch as we are to appreciate the work our brothers and sisters do in Babylon, we are not to cast our pearls before them or give them the opportunity to desecrate our temple with false doctrines. 

Mat 7:6  Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you. 

Luk 9:49  And John answered and said, Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name; and we forbad him, because he followeth not with us. 
Luk 9:50  And Jesus said unto him, Forbid him not: for he that is not against us is for us. 

Num 18:7  Therefore thou and thy sons with thee shall keep your priest’s office for everything of the altar, and within the vail; and ye shall serve: I have given your priest’s office unto you as a service of gift: and the stranger that cometh nigh shall be put to death. 
Num 18:8  And the LORD spake unto Aaron, Behold, I also have given thee the charge of mine heave offerings of all the hallowed things of the children of Israel; unto thee have I given them by reason of the anointing, and to thy sons, by an ordinance forever. 
Num 18:9  This shall be thine of the most holy things, reserved from the fire: every oblation of theirs, every meat offering of theirs, and every sin offering of theirs, and every trespass offering of theirs, which they shall render unto me, shall be most holy for thee and for thy sons. 
Num 18:10  In the most holy place shalt thou eat it; every male shall eat it: it shall be holy unto thee.
Num 18:11  And this is thine; the heave offering of their gift, with all the wave offerings of the children of Israel: I have given them unto thee, and to thy sons and to thy daughters with thee, by a statute forever: every one that is clean in thy house shall eat of it.

In verse 7, it is worth noting that the Lord has given us the priest’s office as a gift. This means that the priesthood office is not something to be attained but given. 

Rom 9:16  So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy.

The Lord has also given the elect the contributions made to Him and all the consecrated things of the people of Israel. The hallowed or consecrated things of the people of Israel refer to gold in the treasures of the house of God as shown in the following verses:

2Ki 12:18  And Jehoash king of Judah took all the hallowed things that Jehoshaphat, and Jehoram, and Ahaziah, his fathers, kings of Judah, had dedicated, and his own hallowed things, and all the gold that was found in the treasures of the house of the LORD, and in the king’s house, and sent it to Hazael king of Syria: and he went away from Jerusalem. 

1Ki 15:14  But the high places were not taken away. Nevertheless, the heart of Asa was wholly true to the LORD all his days. 
1Ki 15:15  And he brought into the house of the LORD the sacred gifts of his father and his own sacred gifts, silver, and gold, and vessels.

As we are aware, gold and silver represent the truth of the Lord’s words. This means that the contribution and the hallowed things of the people of Israel given to the elect means that the little knowledge of the truth of the word of the Lord, which our brothers and sisters have, will be taken away and given to the elect.

Mat 13:11  And he answered them, “To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given.
Mat 13:12  For to the one who has, more will be given, and he will have an abundance, but from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away.

Verse 9 also reiterates the point that the most holy things which are reserved from fire and are given by the people of Israel as meat, sin and trespass offerings are all ours. As indicated, the most holy things are the truth of the word of the Lord which cannot be destroyed by fire. On the other hand, it is our false doctrines which cannot stand the test of fire. Eating these offerings in the most holy place is the same as our hearts and minds (most holy place) being enlightened to receive the truth of the word of the Lord.

Num 18:12  All the best of the oil, and all the best of the wine, and of the wheat, the firstfruits of them which they shall offer unto the LORD, them have I given thee. 
Num 18:13  And whatsoever is first ripe in the land, which they shall bring unto the LORD, shall be thine; every one that is clean in thine house shall eat of it. 
Num 18:14  Everything devoted in Israel shall be thine. 

In these verses, the following items have been highlighted as what the Lord has reserved for His elect: the best of the oil, the best of the wine and of the wheat and the firstfruits. The best in this case refers to the choicest part or the richest. In the Bible, oil is a symbol of the spirit. Being given the best of the oil means that the elect will come to understand the spiritual meaning of what the Lord is saying to us through His words.

Joh 6:63  It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is no help at all. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life.  (ESV)

The best of the wine and wheat being given to the elect means being given to understand the mysteries of the kingdom of the Lord through His words.  The firstfruit of the people of Israel being given to Aaron and his sons is another way of saying that the Lord’s elect is the firstfruit of the Lord. In other words, we are the first to ripen or become spiritually mature in this age. In verse 14, we are told that the devoted things are all ours. That is to say that everything the churches of this world are offering to Christ is for our sake. 

2Co 4:15  For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God.

Num 18:15  Everything that openeth the matrix in all flesh, which they bring unto the LORD, whether it be of men or beasts, shall be thine: nevertheless the firstborn of man shalt thou surely redeem, and the firstling of unclean beasts shalt thou redeem.
Num 18:16  And those that are to be redeemed from a month old shalt thou redeem, according to thine estimation, for the money of five shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary, which is twenty gerahs. 
Num 18:17  But the firstling of a cow, or the firstling of a sheep, or the firstling of a goat, thou shalt not redeem; they are holy: thou shalt sprinkle their blood upon the altar, and shalt burn their fat for an offering made by fire, for a sweet savour unto the LORD. 
Num 18:18  And the flesh of them shall be thine, as the wave breast and as the right shoulder are thine. 
Num 18:19  All the heave offerings of the holy things, which the children of Israel offer unto the LORD, have I given thee, and thy sons and thy daughters with thee, by a statute forever: it is a covenant of salt for ever before the LORD unto thee and to thy seed with thee. 

Verse 15 says that all the firstborn of all flesh or beasts that are offered by the people of Israel are given to the elect. In order to understand what is being said here, we need to know the spiritual significance of being firstborn. As indicated in Genesis 49:3, the firstborn signifies strength or might. This means that the strength of all humanity (all flesh or beasts), which is helping our brothers and sisters in Babylon to offer their sacrifice to the Lord, are all for our sake.

Gen 49:3  Reuben, thou art my firstborn, my might, and the beginning of my strength, the excellency of dignity, and the excellency of power: 

We must remember that at a certain stage of our walk in Christ, we were helped by the strength of our flesh just as Abraham responded to the Lord’s first call when his father, representing our flesh, brought him to Haran.  

Gen 11:31  And Terah took Abram his son, and Lot the son of Haran his son’s son, and Sarai his daughter in law, his son Abram’s wife; and they went forth with them from Ur of the Chaldees, to go into the land of Canaan; and they came unto Haran, and dwelt there. 

It is instructive to note that verse 15 and 16 state that the firstborn of man or unclean beasts shall be redeemed at the appropriate time, as the Lord has already paid for the sins of the world. Spiritually, unclean beasts or man are the same. In verse 16, the ransom price was five shekels or twenty gerah. The five shekels means that it is grace through faith (significance of five) that all humanity shall be redeemed. Twenty (20=4×5) also means that the whole of humanity (significance of four) will be redeemed by grace through faith. The animals that are offered for sacrifice – cow, sheep and goat – represent the elect who in this life are offering their bodies as living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to the Lord. That is why we are not to be redeemed as we are already holy. Verses 18 and 19 stress the point that we, His elect, are the ones given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven.

Num 18:20  And the LORD spake unto Aaron, Thou shalt have no inheritance in their land, neither shalt thou have any part among them: I am thy part and thine inheritance among the children of Israel. 
Num 18:21  And, behold, I have given the children of Levi all the tenth in Israel for an inheritance, for their service which they serve, even the service of the tabernacle of the congregation. 
Num 18:22  Neither must the children of Israel henceforth come nigh the tabernacle of the congregation, lest they bear sin, and die. 
Num 18:23  But the Levites shall do the service of the tabernacle of the congregation, and they shall bear their iniquity: it shall be a statute forever throughout your generations, that among the children of Israel they have no inheritance. 
Num 18:24  But the tithes of the children of Israel, which they offer as an heave offering unto the LORD, I have given to the Levites to inherit: therefore I have said unto them, Among the children of Israel they shall have no inheritance. 

In verse 20, the Lord’s elect, represented by Aaron, were not required to have any inheritance among the people of Israel. This implies that we are not to be driven in this life by earthly riches or gain since our portion in this life is to seek the kingdom of God and His righteousness as a priceless possession. 

Mat 6:31  Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? 
Mat 6:32  (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. 
Mat 6:33  But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. 
Mat 6:34  Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.

This does not mean that the Lord will not bless us physically. As Apostle John said, it is the Lord’s desire that we prosper even as we do well spiritually.

3Jn 1:2  Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.

The Levites, or our brothers and sisters in Babylon, on the other hand, have been given a tenth in Israel for an inheritance as a reward for their service to the Lord. Here Israel represents the world, and therefore it is no wonder that many physical churches of this world are endowed with riches. The work these Levites offer as their service only touches on the periphery of the temple and is principally to make us aware that we are sinful, based on the law of Moses. This is what leads us to Christ, and after Christ has come to us, we no longer need the services of the Levites. 

Gal 3:23  But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed. 
Gal 3:24  Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. 
Gal 3:25  But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.

Num 18:25  And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, 
Num 18:26  Thus speak unto the Levites, and say unto them, When ye take of the children of Israel the tithes which I have given you from them for your inheritance, then ye shall offer up an heave offering of it for the LORD, even a tenth part of the tithe. 
Num 18:27  And this your heave offering shall be reckoned unto you, as though it were the corn of the threshingfloor, and as the fulness of the winepress. 
Num 18:28  Thus ye also shall offer an heave offering unto the LORD of all your tithes, which ye receive of the children of Israel; and ye shall give thereof the LORD’S heave offering to Aaron the priest. 
Num 18:29  Out of all your gifts ye shall offer every heave offering of the LORD, of all the best thereof, even the hallowed part thereof out of it.
Num 18:30  Therefore thou shalt say unto them, When ye have heaved the best thereof from it, then it shall be counted unto the Levites as the increase of the threshingfloor, and as the increase of the winepress. 
Num 18:31  And ye shall eat it in every place, ye and your households: for it is your reward for your service in the tabernacle of the congregation. 
Num 18:32  And ye shall bear no sin by reason of it, when ye have heaved from it the best of it: neither shall ye pollute the holy things of the children of Israel, lest ye die. 

The Levites are commanded by the Lord to tithe on the tithes they receive from the people of Israel and give them to Aaron the priest. The Levites’ contribution would be counted as though they had worked, just like a farmer who produces grains for the threshing floor and wine from the winepress. This is to let us know that the work our brothers and sisters do in Babylon is for our sake. As we can see, the more tithe the Levites get, the more contribution Aaron received. This means that the more physical riches our brothers and sisters in Babylon get, the more spiritual blessings we get. This is what the Lord has told us about the work of all the Old Testament people whom the Lord has used for His service, together with the work our brothers and sisters in Babylon are doing – it is all for our benefit:

Joh 4:37  And herein is that saying true, One soweth, and another reapeth. 
Joh 4:38  I sent you to reap that whereon ye bestowed no labour: other men laboured, and ye are entered into their labours. 

1Co 3:21  Therefore let no man glory in men. For all things are yours; 
1Co 3:22  Whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come; all are yours; 
1Co 3:23  And ye are Christ’s; and Christ is God’s.

May the Lord continue to be merciful to us as we grow in Him. Amen!! 

]]> Exodus 4:1–17 Put Forth Thine Hand, and Take it by the Tail https://www.iswasandwillbe.com/exodus-41-17-put-forth-thine-hand-and-take-it-by-the-tail/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=exodus-41-17-put-forth-thine-hand-and-take-it-by-the-tail Mon, 28 Mar 2022 15:59:43 +0000 https://www.iswasandwillbe.com/?p=25486

Exo 4:1–17 Put Forth Thine Hand, and Take it by the Tail

Exo 4:1  And Moses answered and said, But, behold, they will not believe me, nor hearken unto my voice: for they will say, The LORD hath not appeared unto thee. 
Exo 4:2  And the LORD said unto him, What is that in thine hand? And he said, A rod. 
Exo 4:3  And he said, Cast it on the ground. And he cast it on the ground, and it became a serpent; and Moses fled from before it. 
Exo 4:4  And the LORD said unto Moses, Put forth thine hand, and take it by the tail. And he put forth his hand, and caught it, and it became a rod in his hand: 
Exo 4:5  That they may believe that the LORD God of their fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, hath appeared unto thee. 
Exo 4:6  And the LORD said furthermore unto him, Put now thine hand into thy bosom. And he put his hand into his bosom: and when he took it out, behold, his hand was leprous as snow. 
Exo 4:7  And he said, Put thine hand into thy bosom again. And he put his hand into his bosom again; and plucked it out of his bosom, and, behold, it was turned again as his other flesh. 
Exo 4:8  And it shall come to pass, if they will not believe thee, neither hearken to the voice of the first sign, that they will believe the voice of the latter sign. 
Exo 4:9  And it shall come to pass, if they will not believe also these two signs, neither hearken unto thy voice, that thou shalt take of the water of the river, and pour it upon the dry land: and the water which thou takest out of the river shall become blood upon the dry land. 
Exo 4:10  And Moses said unto the LORD, O my Lord, I am not eloquent, neither heretofore, nor since thou hast spoken unto thy servant: but I am slow of speech, and of a slow tongue. 
Exo 4:11  And the LORD said unto him, Who hath made man’s mouth? or who maketh the dumb, or deaf, or the seeing, or the blind? have not I the LORD? 
Exo 4:12  Now therefore go, and I will be with thy mouth, and teach thee what thou shalt say. 
Exo 4:13  And he said, O my Lord, send, I pray thee, by the hand of him whom thou wilt send. 
Exo 4:14  And the anger of the LORD was kindled against Moses, and he said, Is not Aaron the Levite thy brother? I know that he can speak well. And also, behold, he cometh forth to meet thee: and when he seeth thee, he will be glad in his heart. 
Exo 4:15  And thou shalt speak unto him, and put words in his mouth: and I will be with thy mouth, and with his mouth, and will teach you what ye shall do. 
Exo 4:16  And he shall be thy spokesman unto the people: and he shall be, even he shall be to thee instead of a mouth, and thou shalt be to him instead of God. 
Exo 4:17  And thou shalt take this rod in thine hand, wherewith thou shalt do signs. 

This chapter continues the discourse between the Lord and Moses when the Lord came to Moses. It focuses also on Moses’ return to Egypt to start the process of delivering the Israelites from bondage. Regarding today’s session, we will continue reviewing the dialogue between Moses and our Lord Jesus Christ. As this chapter is the continuation of Moses’ encounter with Christ, we will recount the key highlights of the last session to set the tone for today’s study.

As we know, the land of Midian where Moses fled after leaving Egypt, was part of the desert. A key characteristic of a desert is the scarcity of water which makes it impossible for plants to grow. The fact that Moses was keeping the flock in the desert, therefore, suggests that Moses, together with the flock, symbolizes Babylon where there is lack of the word of the Lord. So, after leaving Egypt, we automatically end up in Babylon.

1Sa 3:1  And the child Samuel ministered unto the LORD before Eli. And the word of the LORD was precious in those days; there was no open vision.

Moses being a symbol of the elect had been called and chosen before the foundations of the world. Being called and chosen, it is a matter of time before the Lord comes with His brightness, which is His words to destroy that which holds us from offering our lives as living sacrifice to the Lord. In the fullness of time, Moses led the flock to the backside (H310) of the desert. The word “backside” has frequently been used in King James to mean “after” or “behind”. However, it is also used in other ways such as “to turn away from” in Numbers 14:43.

Num 14:43  For the Amalekites and the Canaanites are there before you, and ye shall fall by the sword: because ye are turned away from (H310) the LORD, therefore the LORD will not be with you.

Thus, Moses leading the flock to the backside of the desert can mean Moses turning away from the desert. It is when Moses turned away from the desert situation of lack of the word of Christ that he came to the mountain of God or had an encounter with the Lord who comes with His words to brighten our path. In other words, it is when we begin to turn away from Babylon and his doctrines representing the desert that Christ comes to us!! This mountain of God which is called Horeb is the same as the New Jerusalem or the church of the first born. So, we turn away from the desert (Babylon) to enter Jerusalem which is above. This mountain of God is also spiritually the same as Mount Zion.

Isa 10:12  Wherefore it shall come to pass, that when the Lord hath performed his whole work upon mount Zion and on Jerusalem, I will punish the fruit of the stout heart of the king of Assyria, and the glory of his high looks.

It is interesting that Horeb, the mountain of God, means “desolate”. The word of the Lord describes the elect as desolate. This is all to confirm that the mountain of God here represents the assembly of the Lord’s elect.

Gal 4:27  For it is written, Rejoice, thou barren that bearest not; break forth and cry, thou that travailest not: for the desolate hath many more children than she which hath an husband.

The statement that the Lord appeared to Moses in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush is to let us know that this coming of Christ to the elect is all within us (in the midst of the bush). In the fullness of time, the Lord will appear for the whole world to see. However, in this dispensation, the Lord’s coming is within us, just as the kingdom of the Lord is within us.

Luk 17:20  And when he was demanded of the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God should come, he answered them and said, The kingdom of God cometh not with observation:
Luk 17:21  Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.

What Moses saw, caught his attention. Indeed, the Lord knows what will catch our attention. He saw the bush burning with fire but the bush was not consumed. The question is “what does this mean”? As indicated, the bush represents the elect and the bush burning is to let us know of the judgment of the elect. In spite of what the elect go through by way of judgment, we rather become stronger and are not consumed by our fiery trials. This is exemplified by what happened to the Israelites while in Egypt. Even as their burden became heavier, they became stronger and more fruitful.

Exo 1:12  But the more they afflicted them, the more they multiplied and grew. And they were grieved because of the children of Israel.

Now the question is, “What did Jesus, together with the people of God, see that kept them going in spite of the trouble they went through?” This is the very question on the mind of Moses that caused him to turn aside to see this great sight – why the bush is burning and yet not being consumed. The answer is very simple. It is because they have all seen the reward!! This is what Paul had to say about our High Priest Jesus:

Heb 12:2  Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Jesus saw the reward, and it served as a driving force to go against all the odds in this life to please God!! The reward is what is motivating all of us and preparing us to go through the fire knowing that we shall not be consumed!! Moses, like us, also wanted to know why the bush burns and yet was not consumed. However, many have seen the bush burning and not been consumed but were/are not enthused about it and therefore do not turn aside to see this great sight!!

It is when we turn aside to understand the word of the Lord regarding how all the elect before us went through all kinds of tribulations, but they were not consumed, that Christ comes to us with His brightness. That is when we hear a voice within us calling us by our name. Let’s now pay attention to the name Moses. It means to draw out. As we are aware, Moses also represents the law. It is when the law has run its full course that it draws out of us what we really are in the flesh.

Gal 3:23  But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed.
Gal 3:24  Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. 
Gal 3:25  But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.

Let’s now continue with the conversation between the Lord and Moses in Chapter 4 as follows:

Exo 4:1  And Moses answered and said, But, behold, they will not believe me, nor hearken unto my voice: for they will say, The LORD hath not appeared unto thee.

This verse is to let us know that Babylon, or the physical churches of this world represented here as Israelites in Egypt, will naturally not believe in the elect just as the church system in Jesus’ time did not believe in Him. To the churches of this world, we are dead spiritually and our dead bodies are lying in the street of Jerusalem (in their churches), which is in bondage with her children.

Rev 11:8  And their dead bodies shall lie in the street of the great city, which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified.

As He is, so are we. If the Lord was considered spiritually dead by the leaders of the church during Jesus’ time, then we, His servants will suffer the same fate.

Mar 3:10  For he had healed many; insomuch that they pressed upon him for to touch him, as many as had plagues.
Mar 3:11  And unclean spirits, when they saw him, fell down before him, and cried, saying, Thou art the Son of God.

Mar 3:22  And the scribes which came down from Jerusalem said, He hath Beelzebub, and by the prince of the devils casteth he out devils.

Exo 4:2  And the LORD said unto him, What is that in thine hand? And he said, A rod.

The rod here is the same as the staff. What is in our hands is what we cling to. In other words, what the Lord was asking Moses pertains to what Moses was depending on. We are either depending on our strength or flesh, which is powered by the devil, or we are depending on the Lord alone. In the Bible, a rod is a symbol of discipline. However, the following verses show that a rod can represent Christ and His words or the devil and his lies, represented as a serpent:

Isa 11:1  And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse (christ), and a Branch shall grow out of his roots:

Mar 6:8  And commanded them that they should take nothing for their journey, save a staff only (Christ); no scrip, no bread, no money in their purse:

Isa 14:29  Rejoice not thou, whole Palestina, because the rod of him that smote thee is broken (the devil): for out of the serpent’s root shall come forth a cockatrice, and his fruit shall be a fiery flying serpent. 

Eze 7:11  Violence has grown up into a rod of wickedness (the devil). None of them shall remain, nor their abundance, nor their wealth; neither shall there be preeminence among them.

Exo 4:3  And he said, Cast it on the ground. And he cast it on the ground, and it became a serpent; and Moses fled from before it.

It is when we have an encounter with Christ that is, when He comes to us and causes us to understand His words that we are shown what we are depending on. To cast to the ground means to destroy as used in the following:

2Sa 8:2  And he smote Moab, and measured them with a line, casting them down to the ground; even with two lines measured he to put to death, and with one full line to keep alive. And so the Moabites became David’s servants, and brought gifts.

It is when the Lord comes to us with His brightness and starts His work of destroying the beast within that we see who we have been dealing with all our lives – our father the devil, who is represented here as a serpent. Christ coming to us with His brightness is when our heavens are opened to begin to understand the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven.

2Th 2:8  And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming:

Joh 8:44  Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.

Just as Christ stands for the word of Christ or truth, the devil or Satan or the serpent is synonymous with deception or lies. So, it is when the Lord opens our hearts and minds to understand His words that we begin to see how all our lives we have been deceived by the lies of the serpent. Nobody wants to entertain deception. One of the key factors that destroys marriages is when one partner sees that he/she had been deceived all along. Immediately we recognize deception, and we run away from it. This was what happened to Moses. Immediately he saw that the rod had become a serpent, he realized that he had been deceived all along. That is when he started to flee from deception. That was exactly what happened to us!!  Until Christ came to us with His brightness, we thought we were serving the Lord. Immediately, we come to see that what we have been holding on to or depending on is indeed deception by our father the devil, we flee!!

Joh 10:4  And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice. 
Joh 10:5  And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers.

Exo 4:4  And the LORD said unto Moses, Put forth thine hand, and take it by the tail. And he put forth his hand, and caught it, and it became a rod in his hand: 

Whenever we come across the phrase, “And the Lord said to Moses”, we are being told what the word of the Lord says. Our encounter with the Lord through His words is a much richer experience than the physical encounter of Moses with the Lord. This is what the Lord has to say about this:

Joh 20:27  Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing. 
Joh 20:28  And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God. 
Joh 20:29  Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.

Through the scriptures, we are able to know how to deal with the lies of the devil and his messengers. That is, we must put forth our hands and take the serpent by the tail. In the scriptures, the tail negatively symbolizes the false doctrines of false messengers of Satan.

Isa 9:15  The ancient and honourable, he is the head; and the prophet that teacheth lies, he is the tail.

Rev 12:4  And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth: and the dragon stood before the woman which was ready to be delivered, for to devour her child as soon as it was born.

The statement “And he put forth his hands, and caught it” means that Moses was able to seize, bind or restrain (Meaning of ‘caught’ H2388) the lies of the enemy, the devil. It is when we have dominion over the false doctrines in our heavens that we are able to hold onto Christ and His words, represented here by the serpent turning back to a rod. The rod is also a symbol of rulership. Thus, having this rod (Christ and His words) now in our hands is to assure us of our future inheritance as rulers, just as Moses ruled over the Lord’s people after this encounter with Christ with the rod in his hands.

Eze 19:14  And fire is gone out of a rod of her branches, which hath devoured her fruit, so that she hath no strong rod to be a sceptre to rule. This is a lamentation, and shall be for a lamentation.

Exo 4:5  That they may believe that the LORD God of their fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, hath appeared unto thee. 

As we have indicated in the previous session, the Lord introducing Himself as the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob is to let Moses know that he is dealing with a God who is able to raise him up from his spiritually dead state. This is to assure us that we, his elect, represented here by Moses, will be raised up to become spiritually alive by the Lord and to become rulers in the life to come.

Luk 20:37  Now that the dead are raised, even Moses shewed at the bush, when he calleth the Lord the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.
Luk 20:38  For he is not a God of the dead, but of the living: for all live unto him. 

Exo 4:6  And the LORD said furthermore unto him, Put now thine hand into thy bosom. And he put his hand into his bosom: and when he took it out, behold, his hand was leprous as snow.
Exo 4:7  And he said, Put thine hand into thy bosom again. And he put his hand into his bosom again; and plucked it out of his bosom, and, behold, it was turned again as his other flesh. 

The Hebrew word “chôq (H2436)” is often translated as bosom, but it can also mean “within” as used in the following:

Job 19:27  Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another; though my reins be consumed within (H2436) me.

So, we can say that putting forth your hand “into thy bosom” can mean looking within. As we are aware, within us is a repository of evil signified by Moses’ hands turning leprous as snow. This is what Jesus had to say about what is within us:

Mar 7:21  For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, 
Mar 7:22  Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness: 
Mar 7:23  All these evil things come from within, and defile the man. 

Verses 6 and 7 present another way of saying that the vessel our Lord made of clay was marred in His hands, and so He made it again into another vessel as it seemed good to Him.

Jer 18:4  And the vessel that he made of clay was marred in the hand of the potter: so he made it again another vessel, as seemed good to the potter to make it.

Exo 4:8  And it shall come to pass, if they will not believe thee, neither hearken to the voice of the first sign, that they will believe the voice of the latter sign. 

As indicated, the first sign relates to us being able to recognize that what we have depended on is in reality a deception. It is then we learn how to deal with these false doctrines – by holding them by the tail. This first sign is basically inward, and it is not easily seen by others. However, the second sign relates to how we come to see ourselves as sinful, and through the grace of God, we come to shine forth His righteousness. It is this righteousness which is like a lamp that cannot be hidden, making others believe our voice.

1Pe 3:1  Likewise, wives, be subject to your own husbands, so that even if some do not obey the word, they may be won without a word by the conduct of their wives,
1Pe 3:2  when they see your respectful and pure conduct. 

Mat 5:14  “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. 
Mat 5:15  Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. 
Mat 5:16  In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.

Exo 4:9  And it shall come to pass, if they will not believe also these two signs, neither hearken unto thy voice, that thou shalt take of the water of the river, and pour it upon the dry land: and the water which thou takest out of the river shall become blood upon the dry land.

The third sign to convince the people of Israel is to turn their water into blood. This is to let us know that during our lives in Babylon, or the physical churches of this world, our water of the word of Christ was turned into blood. In other words, we all became murderers of the Lord’s elect, thinking we are doing God a service.  It also implies that we were guilty before God for the killing of our savior Jesus Christ and all the elect who had been murdered for Christ’s sake.

Joh 16:2  They will put you out of the synagogues. Indeed, the hour is coming when whoever kills you will think he is offering service to God. 
Joh 16:3  And they will do these things because they have not known the Father, nor me. 

Luk 11:49  Therefore also said the wisdom of God, I will send them prophets and apostles, and some of them they shall slay and persecute: 
Luk 11:50  That the blood of all the prophets, which was shed from the foundation of the world, may be required of this generation; 
Luk 11:51  From the blood of Abel unto the blood of Zacharias, which perished between the altar and the temple: verily I say unto you, It shall be required of this generation. 

Exo 4:10  And Moses said unto the LORD, O my Lord, I am not eloquent, neither heretofore, nor since thou hast spoken unto thy servant: but I am slow of speech, and of a slow tongue. 

It is when we have an encounter with the Lord that we come to see our inadequacies in carrying out the Lord’s work. Before Moses met the Lord, he was full of confidence that he was capable of leading the people of Israel out of Egypt and thought that the Israelites would understand. This is what the word of God says:

Act 7:22  And Moses was learned in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and was mighty in words and in deeds. 
Act 7:23  And when he was full forty years old, it came into his heart to visit his brethren the children of Israel. 
Act 7:24  And seeing one of them suffer wrong, he defended him, and avenged him that was oppressed, and smote the Egyptian: 
Act 7:25  For he supposed his brethren would have understood how that God by his hand would deliver them: but they understood not.

Having encountered Christ, Moses came to realize he was sinful and incapable of doing the Lord’s work as he complained to the Lord of his lack of eloquence. All those whom the Lord had used significantly realized their incompetence and therefore depended on the Lord. Christ brings us to this point of realization so we depend on Him to do His work of salvation through us, and in so doing, no flesh can boast in His presence. Let’s look at the Lord’s encounter with Isaiah and Jeremiah to serve as witness to this fact:

Isa 6:1  In the year that king Uzziah died I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple.

Isa 6:5  Then said I, Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts. 
Isa 6:6  Then flew one of the seraphims unto me, having a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with the tongs from off the altar: 
Isa 6:7  And he laid it upon my mouth, and said, Lo, this hath touched thy lips; and thine iniquity is taken away, and thy sin purged.

The seraphim here in Isaiah 6:6 represents the elect and through what every joint supplies, which is the live coal or the fire of the word of Christ, our iniquity is taken away.

Jer 1:4  Then the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, 
Jer 1:5  Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations. 
Jer 1:6  Then said I, Ah, Lord GOD! behold, I cannot speak: for I am a child. 
Jer 1:7  But the LORD said unto me, Say not, I am a child: for thou shalt go to all that I shall send thee, and whatsoever I command thee thou shalt speak.

This is what Paul, who was used mightily by the Lord, had to say:

2Co 3:5  Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think anything as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God; 
2Co 3:6  Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life. 

The Lord brings us to this point so we will come to know that it is the Lord who does the work. All we have to do is to believe in Him to accomplish that which He has started in us!!

Job 23:13  But he is in one mind, and who can turn him? and what his soul desireth, even that he doeth. 
Job 23:14  For he performeth the thing that is appointed for me: and many such things are with him.

Exo 4:11  And the LORD said unto him, Who hath made man’s mouth? or who maketh the dumb, or deaf, or the seeing, or the blind? have not I the LORD? 

This verse is to confirm to us that everything is of the Lord. It is another way of saying that everything is going according to the counsel of His will.

Eph 1:11  In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will: 

Exo 4:12  Now therefore go, and I will be with thy mouth, and teach thee what thou shalt say. 

This is another way of saying that the Lord will do His work through us. We do not contribute anything to our salvation. This is what the Lord had to say to us so that we understand right from the onset that we do not contribute anything to our salvation.

1Co 1:26  For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: 
1Co 1:27  But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; 
1Co 1:28  And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: 
1Co 1:29  That no flesh should glory in his presence.

In 1 John 4:17, we are told that as He is, so are we. When the Lord was here on earth, it was the Father who did everything through Him. In the same manner, our walk here on earth is all the work of Christ in us.

Joh 14:10  Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works.

Jer 10:23  O LORD, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps. 

Exo 4:13  And he said, O my Lord, send, I pray thee, by the hand of him whom thou wilt send. 

When we focus so much on our inadequacies and our circumstances, we will never be able to do the work of God. Moses was engrossed with his inadequacies instead of understanding that it is the Lord who does the work. This is demonstrated clearly by the story of Jesus walking on the sea. As we are aware, the sea represents the flesh, and so Jesus walking on the sea shows us that He had victory over the flesh when He was walking here on earth. Peter tried to imitate Christ, and initially, he was successful in walking on the sea. However, when he focused on the boisterous wind, he became afraid and started sinking. This is to let us know that it is only in focusing on Jesus that we can have victory over the flesh. If we look at ourselves or our circumstance as Peter did, sin will rear its head in our lives again.

Mat 14:25  And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea. 
Mat 14:26  And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear. 
Mat 14:27  But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid. 
Mat 14:28  And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water. 
Mat 14:29  And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus. 
Mat 14:30  But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me. 
Mat 14:31  And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?

Exo 4:14  And the anger of the LORD was kindled against Moses, and he said, Is not Aaron the Levite thy brother? I know that he can speak well. And also, behold, he cometh forth to meet thee: and when he seeth thee, he will be glad in his heart. 
Exo 4:15  And thou shalt speak unto him, and put words in his mouth: and I will be with thy mouth, and with his mouth, and will teach you what ye shall do. 
Exo 4:16  And he shall be thy spokesman unto the people: and he shall be, even he shall be to thee instead of a mouth, and thou shalt be to him instead of God. 

This is where we are introduced to Aaron, the brother of Moses. On a positive note, Aaron represents the elect. On a negative note, Aaron is a symbol of our brothers and sisters in Babylon who are joined to us. In this context, Aaron’s role can be looked at from a negative perspective. Here we see that Aaron was to attend or minister to Moses in bringing salvation to the people of Israel. Throughout the years, our brothers and sisters in Babylon’s work only pertain to the keeping of instruments of the tabernacle of the congregation, but it is only Moses, Aaron and his sons (representing us) who are to minister before the Lord.

Num 3:5  And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, 
Num 3:6  Bring the tribe of Levi near, and present them before Aaron the priest, that they may minister unto him. 
Num 3:7  And they shall keep his charge, and the charge of the whole congregation before the tabernacle of the congregation, to do the service of the tabernacle. 
Num 3:8  And they shall keep all the instruments of the tabernacle of the congregation, and the charge of the children of Israel, to do the service of the tabernacle. 
Num 3:9  And thou shalt give the Levites unto Aaron and to his sons: they are wholly given unto him out of the children of Israel. 
Num 3:10  And thou shalt appoint Aaron and his sons, and they shall wait on their priest’s office: and the stranger that cometh nigh shall be put to death.

Num 3:38  But those that encamp before the tabernacle toward the east, even before the tabernacle of the congregation eastward, shall be Moses, and Aaron and his sons, keeping the charge of the sanctuary for the charge of the children of Israel; and the stranger that cometh nigh shall be put to death.

We should also note that Aaron’s role is the same as all the prophets of the Old Testament who ministered to us but did not receive the promise.

1Pe 1:10  Of which salvation the prophets have enquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you: 
1Pe 1:11  Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow. 
1Pe 1:12  Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into.

Here in verse 16 of Exodus chapter 4, we are told that Moses shall be a God to Aaron. What this means is that through us (Moses), salvation shall come to all our brothers and sisters in Babylon and the prophets of the Old Testaments (Aaron).

Rom 11:30  For as ye in times past have not believed God, yet have now obtained mercy through their unbelief: 
Rom 11:31  Even so have these also now not believed, that through your mercy they also may obtain mercy. 
Rom 11:32  For God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all. 

Heb 11:39  And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise: 
Heb 11:40  God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect. 

Exo 4:17  And thou shalt take this rod in thine hand, wherewith thou shalt do signs. 

As we have indicated earlier, the rod here, on a positive note, represents Christ, and when we are in Him, nothing is impossible.

Isa 11:1  And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots: 
Isa 11:2  And the spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD; 

It is through Him that we can do signs and wonders in this life. The signs that we are being empowered to do pertains to the raising of the spiritually dead to life in Christ Jesus!!

Joh 14:12  Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father. 
Joh 14:13  And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 
Joh 14:14  If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.

May the Lord help us to possess Christ (the rod) as our priceless possession in this life!! Amen!!

]]> The Book of Hebrews – Heb 9:3-5 Part 3 “Cheribims of Glory Shadowing the Mercyseat” https://www.iswasandwillbe.com/the-book-of-hebrews-heb-93-5-part-3-cheribims-of-glory-shadowing-the-mercyseat/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=the-book-of-hebrews-heb-93-5-part-3-cheribims-of-glory-shadowing-the-mercyseat Thu, 10 Dec 2020 22:10:27 +0000 http://www.iswasandwillbe.com/?p=21821 https://www.dropbox.com/s/oqsuva749qgftiq/Tony-Heb-9_3-5.mp3?raw=1

Heb 9:3-5 Part 3 “Cheribims of Glory Shadowing the Mercyseat”

[Study Aired December 10, 2020]

Heb 9:3  And after the second veil, the tabernacle which is called the Holiest of all;
Heb 9:4  Which had the golden censer, and the ark of the covenant overlaid round about with gold, wherein was the golden pot that had manna, and Aaron’s rod that budded, and the tables of the covenant;
Heb 9:5  And over it the cherubims of glory shadowing the mercyseat; of which we cannot now speak particularly.

The next few verses of chapter 9 that we will look at reveal what the type and shadow outcome of going through the process of judgment will bring to those who are blessed to read and “hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand” (Rev 1:3).

Rev 1:3  Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.

As we discussed last week, it is through the light of God’s word, which is spirit (Joh 6:63), that God’s elect can be enlightened (Mat 13:11) so those candlesticks which are in Christ’s right hand (Rev 1:20) can be empowered witnesses (Rev 11:3), blessed and able to eat the shewbread that represents the body of Christ.

Mat 13:11  He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given.

Joh 6:54  Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day.

Joh 6:35  And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.

Our hearts and minds are being purified by being bound to the altar (Psa 118:27, Rom 12:1) which is the table at which the world cannot at this present time eat (Heb 13:10), meaning they cannot receive or hear or eat the bread (1Jn 4:6) representing the flesh of Christ, His body (Eph 5:30, Col 1:24), which is the whole stay of bread and the whole stay of water that we are blessed to read, hear and keep through Christ Who is sanctifying us by washing His bride (Eph 5:25) with the word as our Father drags us to Him and manifests those living waters through the church which is His body (Isa 3:1, Rev 1:3, Joh 17:17, Joh 6:44, Eph 3:10).

Psa 118:27  God is the LORD, which hath shewed us light: bind the sacrifice with cords, even unto the horns of the altar.

Rom 12:1  I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

Heb 13:10  We have an altar, whereof they have no right to eat which serve the tabernacle.

1Jn 4:6  We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.

Eph 5:25  Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;

Eph 3:10  To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God,

All of the costly and intricate workmanship that goes into all of the temple reveals to us what God is doing within His own workmanship which we are (1Co 6:19, Eph 2:10), but this Holiest place of all represents in type and shadow where flesh and blood cannot enter, which is where we are raised today in earnest (Eph 2:6). It is the place where our conscience can be cleansed by our high priest, Jesus Christ, through whom we are accepted (Eph 1:6, Rom 8:1). This “Holiest of all” places represents the throne of grace before which we can boldly come through Christ our high priest “that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need” (Heb 4:16). The beauty of holiness (Psa 96:9) is reflected in what those objects represent, a “golden censer” and “the ark of the covenant overlaid round about with gold” the “golden pot that had manna” along with “Aaron’s rod that budded” and “the tables of the covenant“.

Eph 1:6  To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.

Rom 8:1  There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit [entering into the “Holiest of all”].

Heb 4:16  Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

Heb 9:3  And after the second veil, the tabernacle which is called the Holiest of all;

The word “veil” represents flesh (Mat 27:51, Heb 10:20), and it is within the second veil of “the tabernacle” where God’s holy spirit can change our hearts and minds as we are dragged to Christ who is “the faithful witness” (Rev 1:5). He gives us the power to put off our flesh and enter into this “Holiest of all” places through him, where we “have access by one Spirit unto the Father” (Rom 5:2, Eph 2:18, Rom 5:10).

Mat 27:51  And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent;

Heb 10:20  By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh; [Eph 5:30]

Rev 1:5  And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,

Rom 5:2  By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

Eph 2:18  For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.

Rom 5:10  For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.

Our flesh is against the spirit of God “contrary the one to the other” (Gal 5:17), and yet God sacrificed Christ to break down that wall of partition (Eph 2:14) which is naturally within every man. We are being reconciled through that sacrifice that made a way for us to enter into the “Holiest of all” where those who have God’s spirit within them (Rom 8:9) can now be “saved by his life”, our hope of glory within (Col 1:27).

Gal 5:16  This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.
Gal 5:17  For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.

Eph 2:14  For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us;

Rom 8:9  But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.

Heb 9:4  Which had the golden censer, and the ark of the covenant overlaid round about with gold, wherein was the golden pot that had manna, and Aaron’s rod that budded, and the tables of the covenant; 

God is making known to us what is “the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory” and is revealing that glory through these physical items in the “Holiest of all” which reveal in type and shadow what the workmanship of His hands will produce in our heavens (Rom 1:20). God’s gold in this area of the temple represents the righteousness of Christ being forged in our lives through fiery trials and is the very reason judg ment is upon God’s elect today (Rev 3:18, 1Pe 4:12, 1Pe 4:17).

Rom 1:20  For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:

Rev 3:18  I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.

1Pe 4:12  Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:

No one naturally in their flesh wants to go through fiery trials, and yet God mercifully drags us to Christ who is our hope of glory within who is likened to a the tree of life (Gen 2:9) or this treasure in earthen vessels (2Co 4:7) who is increasing in us as we decrease little and by little through the destruction of first man Adam (Deu 7:22) that comes about through a refining process in the refiner’s fire. It is a process that has begun with the elect, within the house of God (Jas 3:5, Luk 12:49). This process is typified for us in the old covenant with the story of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, who typify that process of spiritual completion that can only come about by having Christ “the form of the fourth is like the Son of God” in the midst of that fire (Dan 3:25).

Gen 2:9  And out of the ground made the LORD God to grow every tree that is pleasant to the sight, and good for food; the tree of life also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of knowledge of good and evil.

2Co 4:7  But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.

Deu 7:22  And the LORD thy God will put out those nations before thee by little and little: thou mayest not consume them at once, lest the beasts of the field increase upon thee.

Jas 3:5  Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!

Luk 12:49  I am come to send fire on the earth; and what will I, if it be already kindled?

Dan 3:25  He answered and said, Lo, I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they have no hurt; and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God.

Now we can spend the rest of this study looking at what these itemized objects mean for us in the “Holiest of all” place, and we should come to the conclusion that what we are seeing is a compilation of the fulfillment of these verses in 2Timothy 2:20-21 which tell us what God’s intention was for His elect right from the beginning of time.

2Ti 2:20  But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour.
2Ti 2:21  If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master’s use, and prepared unto every good work.

These verses in 2Timothy 2:20-21 are critical to our understanding and encouragement because they remind us it is Christ who is giving us the power to “purge himself from these” to go through the fiery furnace, to go into the lion’s den, or to go through the Red Sea so we can be those vessels of honour that are typified by “the golden censer, and the ark of the covenant overlaid round about with gold, wherein was the golden pot that had manna, and Aaron’s rod that budded, and the tables of the covenant“.

We don’t need to fear what man can do to our flesh, and we won’t if we are granted to remember that our greatest enemy is ourselves whom God called out of this world to overcome (1Co 1:27, Rom 11:18-21, 1Ti 1:15). We must continue to die daily to self (1Co 15:31) which, God willing, we will do through Christ who gives us the power to overcome, to lay down our life, to endure all things, and to not despise His chastening and scourging, as we keep under ourselves to His glory and honor through whom we can endure all things (1Co 9:27, Php 2:12-13, Rom 8:35-39, Php 4:13).

1Co 15:31  I protest by your rejoicing which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily.

1Co 9:27  But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.

Php 2:12  Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.
Php 2:13  For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.

Rom 8:35  Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
Rom 8:36  As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.
Rom 8:37  Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.
Rom 8:38  For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,
Rom 8:39  Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Php 4:13  I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

Here is the list of words which we will look at one by one:

This golden censer represents the place where the fervent and continual prayers of the saints avail much as they rise as “the smoke of the incense, which came with the prayers of the saints, ascended up before God out of the angel’s hand” (Jas 5:16, Rev 8:4, Mat 2:11).

Jas 5:16  Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

Rev 8:4  And the smoke of the incense, which came with the prayers of the saints, ascended up before God out of the angel’s hand.

Mat 2:11  And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; goldG5557, and frankincenseG3030, and myrrhG4666.

These three gifts that we bring to the King represent the process of spiritual completion we go through as we worship our Father in spirit and in truth. That censer would be used in that regard to bring about these fragrant smells which represent how pleasing and effective our prayers are through Christ when are life is purified through the fiery trials of this life (Jas 1:6, 1Pe 1:7).

Jas 1:6  But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.
Jas 1:7  For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.
Jas 1:8  A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.
Jas 1:9  Let the brother of low degree rejoice in that he is exalted:

1Pe 1:7  That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:

Now we can see that this overlaying of gold round about on the “ark of the covenant” is not just any gold. It is gold which has been beaten and overlaid via a process of workmanship that typifies what God is doing within our hearts and minds as He gives us the mind of Christ that is a spirit of power, love and a sound mind (2Ti 1:7), represented by this gold overlay. It is only possible to have a “golden pot that had manna” within the “Holiest of all” where it resides in our earthen vessels that are typified by the “ark of the covenant” (Joh 6:68, 2Co 4:7-9). It’s interesting to note that manna is also laid up as a witness to never let us forget our rebellion in the wilderness which was centered around our lust for those things God commanded us not to take (1Co 10:6, Exo 16:4-7).

Prophecy of Isaiah – Isa 62:3 What are the Seraphims?

Joh 6:68  Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life.

2Co 4:7  But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.
2Co 4:8  We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair;
2Co 4:9  Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed;
2Co 4:10  Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body.

1Co 10:6  Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted.

Exo 16:4  Then said the LORD unto Moses, Behold, I will rain bread from heaven for you; and the people shall go out and gather a certain rate every day, that I may prove them, whether they will walk in my law, or no.
Exo 16:5  And it shall come to pass, that on the sixth day they shall prepare that which they bring in; and it shall be twice as much as they gather daily.
Exo 16:6  And Moses and Aaron said unto all the children of Israel, At even, then ye shall know that the LORD hath brought you out from the land of Egypt:
Exo 16:7  And in the morning, then ye shall see the glory of the LORD; for that he heareth your murmurings against the LORD: and what are we, that ye murmur against us?

We need to look at the history of this rod found in Numbers 17:1-13 to get a clearer understanding of what its significance is for God’s people today, and for the rest of world who will bud and blossom in their appointed time. Israel of old represents the world in this story where God used the rod of Aaron that typifies Christ to demonstrate by what means we can bring forth “buds, and bloomed blossoms, and yielded almonds.” The natural representation of God’s elect was first revealed through Aaron and his sons, who we know represent Christ and His body (Luk 6:43-45, 1Co 15:46).

Luk 6:43  For a good tree bringeth not forth corrupt fruit; neither doth a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.
Luk 6:44  For every tree is known by his own fruit. For of thorns men do not gather figs, nor of a bramble bush gather they grapes.
Luk 6:45  A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.

1Co 15:46  Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual.

Num 17:1  And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,
Num 17:2  Speak unto the children of Israel, and take of every one of them a rod according to the house of their fathers, of all their princes according to the house of their fathers twelve rods: write thou every man’s name upon his rod.

The whole creation groans and travails even until now (Rom 8:22), but it is only those who endure the stripes and suffering of this life, specifically from Christ or Aaron’s rod, with the end result in mind that we might be strengthened and settled and established through those trials of our faith (1Pe 5:10) which will in fact bring forth much fruit, typified by the “buds, and bloomed blossoms, and yielded almonds” which have “the firstfruits of the Spirit” (Rom 8:23, Rom 8:28).

Rom 8:22  For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.

1Pe 5:10  But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.

Rom 8:23  And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.

Rom 8:28  And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

Num 17:3  And thou shalt write Aaron’s name upon the rod of Levi: for one rod shall be for the head of the house of their fathers.
Num 17:4  And thou shalt lay them up in the tabernacle of the congregation before the testimony, where I will meet with you.
Num 17:5  And it shall come to pass, that the man’s rod, whom I shall choose, shall blossom: and I will make to cease from me the murmurings of the children of Israel, whereby they murmur against you.

The “congregation before the testimony, where I will meet with you” symbolizes where God meets those whom he has chosen to work with in this age (Mat 22:14) so that we can bring forth much fruit to His glory and honor.

Num 17:6  And Moses spake unto the children of Israel, and every one of their princes gave him a rod apiece, for each prince one, according to their fathers’ houses, even twelve rods: and the rod of Aaron was among their rods.
Num 17:7  And Moses laid up the rods before the LORD in the tabernacle of witness.

Those twelve rods have Aaron’s rod “among their rods”, and it is Aaron’s rod which typifies our being in the world but not of the world (Joh 17:15), as God’s true witnesses who attest to the rest of the world, represented by the eleven other rods “before the LORD in the tabernacle of witness.” We are His tabernacle of witness if Christ is in us empowering us in this life by God’s holy spirit (Rev 11:3). The eleven rods are a symbol of rebellion that are left in this tabernacle of witness, just like the manna, to once again remind us of where we came before we got to twelve, which represents Christ our foundation.

Num 17:8  And it came to pass, that on the morrow Moses went into the tabernacle of witness; and, behold, the rod of Aaron for the house of Levi was budded, and brought forth buds, and bloomed blossoms, and yielded almonds.

The rod of Aaron budded and bloomed blossoms and yielded almonds to represent the fruit of our lives that matures within us as we wrestle through the night to the breaking of the day (Gen 32:24, Mat 24:13). It is the struggles of this life which God gives His people to overcome that brings “forth buds, and bloomed blossoms, and yielded almonds” (Joh 15:2).

Gen 32:24  And Jacob was left alone; and there wrestled a man with him until the breaking of the day.

Mat 24:13  But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.

Joh 15:2  Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.

Num 17:9  And Moses brought out all the rods from before the LORD unto all the children of Israel: and they looked, and took every man his rod.
Num 17:10  And the LORD said unto Moses, Bring Aaron’s rod again before the testimony, to be kept for a token against the rebels; and thou shalt quite take away their murmurings from me, that they die not.

It is by receiving the stripes of Christ in our lives today that the rebellious spirit within us is conquered, and we die not. The rod of Aaron represents the chastening and scourging force God uses and lays up for a testimony or witness within the body of Christ “to be kept for a token against the rebels.” The good news is we are promised that with this rod of witness “thou shalt quite take away their murmurings from me, that they die not” (2Ti 2:12-13, Mat 20:23, Php 1:29).

2Ti 2:12  If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us:
2Ti 2:13  If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself.

Mat 20:23  And he saith unto them, Ye shall drink indeed of my cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with: but to sit on my right hand, and on my left, is not mine to give, but it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared of my Father.

Php 1:29  For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake;

Num 17:11  And Moses did so: as the LORD commanded him, so did he.
Num 17:12  And the children of Israel spake unto Moses, saying, Behold, we die, we perish, we all perish.
Num 17:13  Whosoever cometh any thing near unto the tabernacle of the LORD shall die: shall we be consumed with dying?

The answer to the rebel within us is “dying you shall die” (Gen 2:17), and it is when we come near and touch the ark of the covenant that our old man perishes  (2Sa 6:6-7). So this last section of Numbers is telling us that it is through the obedience of Christ, typified by Moses, that we can receive the strength to go outside the camp and die following our Lord’s example of obedience (Heb 13:13).

Gen 2:17  But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.

2Sa 6:6  And when they came to Nachon’s threshingfloor, Uzzah put forth his hand to the ark of God, and took hold of it; for the oxen shook it.
2Sa 6:7  And the anger of the LORD was kindled against Uzzah; and God smote him there for his error; and there he died by the ark of God.

Heb 13:13  Let us go forth therefore unto him without the camp, bearing his reproach.
Heb 13:14  For here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come.

1Ti 6:8  And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.
1Ti 6:9  But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.
1Ti 6:10  For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

The ten commandments or “The tables of the covenant” are also stored up for a witness, just like the eleven rods and those commandments that are a law for the lawless (1Ti 1:9). They reveal the sinful nature within us that can only be changed by the one rod of Aaron that changes our lawless heart which goes from a state of rebellion and confusion [the eleven rods] to being founded upon Christ the true foundation. That new law is manifested in the lives of those with whom God is working as the law of Christ (Gal 6:2). Again, another item is left in the tabernacle of witness that reminds us of our lawlessness which could have only been brought into subjection to Christ through the seven last plagues which plagues unfold in the lives of God’s elect through a process of spiritual completion while standing in the first tabernacle [the candlestick, the shewbread, the table] (Heb 9:8).

1Ti 1:9  Knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners, for unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers,

Gal 6:2  Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.

Heb 9:8  The Holy Ghost this signifying, that the way into the holiest of all was not yet made manifest, while as the first tabernacle was yet standing:

Heb 9:5  And over it the cherubims of glory shadowing the mercyseat; of which we cannot now speak particularly.

Heb 9:5  and above it the cherubs of glory overshadowing the mercy-seat (about which now is not enough time to speak piece by piece). (LITV)

Heb 9:5  and above it, cherubim of glory overshadowing the mercy seat. But it is not now possible to speak in detail about these things (TLV – Tree of Life).

God is using all of these things – “the candlestick, and the table, and the shewbread” – within the first tabernacle which represents what is needed in order to progress spiritually into the “Holiest of all” where we learn of the “golden censer, and the ark of the covenant overlaid round about with gold, wherein was the golden pot that had manna, and Aaron’s rod that budded, and the tables of the covenant.” These items being found in this “Holiest of all” can be summarized with this thought of our Lord:

Mat 6:19  Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:
Mat 6:20  But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:
Mat 6:21  For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also [Eph 2:6].

What all this process represents is the finished product described as “cherubims of glory” representing the elect who will show mercy to the rest of the world as a result of having been prepared through a lifetime of overcoming and enduring through the much tribulation (Act 14:22), afflictions (Psa 34:19) and persecutions (2Ti 3:12) which Christ tells us we can endure through Him (Php 4:13) so that we can be those “cherubims of glory shadowing the mercyseat; of which we cannot now speak particularly”.

We are laying up store today and through the Lord’s chastening grace that God’s word is accomplishing in those who are being sanctified as we witness our first temple being torn down as the Lord builds up the new temple within us (Joh 17:17, Heb 9:8, Joh 2:19).

Joh 17:17  Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.

Heb 9:8  The Holy Ghost this signifying, that the way into the holiest of all was not yet made manifest, while as the first tabernacle was yet standing:

Joh 2:19  Jesus answered and said unto them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.

1Jn 5:4  For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.

There is a “glory shadowing the mercyseat; of which we cannot now speak particularly” because eye has not seen nor ear heard what God has in store for those who love Him (1Co 2:9). We do have hope in our Lord and see through a glass darkly in this earnest relationship, but God provides the vision through His word and the faith that it provides is how we will gain victory in this life over our flesh (1Jn 5:4).

1Co 2:9  But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.

1Jn 5:4  For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.

We are losing our life today so we can gain the life of Christ for the benefit of all others who will then experience God’s judgment through the body of Christ as we administer His judgments upon the rest of His creation using all these things that have been fashioned in our heavens through judgment [“golden censer, and the ark of the covenant overlaid round about with gold, wherein was the golden pot that had manna, and Aaron’s rod that budded, and the tables of the covenant“] and reveal them as “cherubims of glory shadowing the mercyseat” (1Co 6:3, Rom 11:31).

1Co 6:3  Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more things that pertain to this life?

Rom 11:31  Even so have these also now not believed, that through your mercy they also may obtain mercy.

]]> Meaning of Miram Being Shut Out of the Camp https://www.iswasandwillbe.com/meaning-of-miram-being-shut-out-of-the-camp/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=meaning-of-miram-being-shut-out-of-the-camp Wed, 28 Sep 2011 02:44:29 +0000 http://www.iswasandwillbe.com/?p=3411

Hi Mike,

Was reading one of your articles this morning before heading out to work and I had a thought I would like to bounce off of you (see cut and paste of scripture below… bold font your emphasis). Miriam being shut out of the camp for 7 days (i. e. 7 meaning completely shut out of the camp)… only afterward let her be received again… I see this as one of two types and shadows (maybe both):
1) This scripture a type and shadow of what happened to Miriam as representing all thepeople who come in on the 2nd resurrection rather than the 1st resurrection.
2) This scripture is also as part of God’s elect living by every word…. who ‘in times past…” “…. God’s wrath against all ungodliness” lived this out and was shut out of the camp completely and only on God’s appointed time received mercy to be brought in again in this aion rather than in the 2nd resurrection.
Any thoughts?

Num 12:1 And Miriam and Aaron spake against Moses because of the Ethiopian woman whom he had married: for he had married an Ethiopian woman.
Num 12:2 And they said, Hath the LORD indeed spoken only by Moses? hath he not spoken also by us? And the LORD heard it.
Num 12:3 (Now the man Moses was very meek, above all the men which were upon the face of the earth.)
Num 12:4 And the LORD spake suddenly unto Moses, and unto Aaron, and unto Miriam, Come out ye three unto the tabernacle of the congregation. And they three came out.
Num 12:5 And the LORD came down in the pillar of the cloud, and stood in the door of the tabernacle, and called Aaron and Miriam: and they both came forth.
Num 12:6 And he said, Hear now my words: If there be a prophet among you, I the LORD will make myself known unto him in a vision, and will speak unto him in a dream.
Num 12:7 My servant Moses is not so, who is faithful in all mine house.
Num 12:8 With him will I speak mouth to mouth, even apparently, and not in dark speeches; and the similitude of the LORD shall he behold: wherefore then were ye not afraid to speak against my servant Moses?
Num 12:9 And the anger of the LORD was kindled against them; and he departed.
Num 12:10 And the cloud departed from off the tabernacle; and, behold, Miriam became leprous, white as snow: and Aaron looked upon Miriam, and, behold, she was leprous.
Num 12:11 And Aaron said unto Moses, Alas, my lord, I beseech thee, lay not the sin upon us, wherein we have done foolishly, and wherein we have sinned.
Num 12:12 Let her not be as one dead, of whom the flesh is half consumed when he cometh out of his mother’s womb.
Num 12:13 And Moses cried unto the LORD, saying, Heal her now, O God, I beseech thee.
Num 12:14 And the LORD said unto Moses, If her father had but spit in her face, should she not be ashamed seven days? let her be shut out from the camp seven days, and after that let her be received in again.
Num 12:15 And Miriam was shut out from the camp seven days: and the people journeyed not till Miriam was brought in again.

M_____

Good morning M____,

This is a wonderful bit of revelation the Lord has given you to share with me and with others.
Thank you for taking the time to do so.
It is not a mere historical fact that it was Eve who gave the forbidden fruit to Adam, rather for those with eyes that see and ears that hear, it is a commentary on the state of the Laodicean state of the church throughout history.

Rev 3:17 Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:

“Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing;” corresponds to Miriam and Aaron’s “Hath the Lord indeed spoken only by Moses? hath He not spoken also by us?” This is the mindset of the church today.
The Lord had indeed spoken by Miriam and Aaron, and they should have been grateful to have been of that service, but as you are given to see, Miriam typifies those in the church who hate the fact that God has an elect with whom He has a special relationship. Miriam and Aaron typify the rejected brother and sister of Moses, just as Esau was Jacob’s rejected twin brother and just as Joseph had ten rejected brothers, all of them being Abraham’s seed. They are all the type of Christians who are indeed called, but who are not all “children of promise”, the chosen seed.

Rom 9:6 Not as though the word of God hath taken none effect. For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel:
Rom 9:7 Neither, because they are the seed of Abraham, are they all children: but, In Isaac shall thy seed be called.
Rom 9:8 That is, They which are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God: but the children of the promise are counted for the seed.

The rejection of the nation of Israel, in the days of Christ and the apostles, foreshadowed the rejection of the orthodox church as a whole today which “cannot receive the things of the spirit”.

Joh 4:21 Jesus saith unto her, Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father.
Joh 4:22 Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the [ spiritual] Jews. (Rom 2:28-29)
Joh 4:23 But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.
Joh 4:24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.

“In spirit” simply is not “in the letter” which any natural man can understand. Worshiping God “in spirit” is knowing God and His words as spirit, and this is only for those who have “ears to hear”.

Joh 6:63 It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.
Rev 2:29 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

“The words… are spirit”. Joseph’s brothers demonstrate the fury that is in those who see themselves as not being as loved by their Father as others appear to be. At any rate, any who dare to claim to be God’s elect must expect their fellow ‘seed of Abraham’ rejected brothers to be completely incapable of “speaking peaceably” to them.

Gen 37:4 And when his brethren saw that their father loved him more than all his brethren, they hated him, and could not speak peaceably unto him.

The natural man will see this too, only as a history lesson. The man who has eyes that see and ears that hear, will see this as each of us “living by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God”.
That is what you have done with this story of Miriam and Aaron withstanding Moses.
We have all wondered why Miriam was stricken with leprosy, instead of Aaron. The answer is that Miriam typifies the church, which is always the instrument which leads us into error.
It is very instructive to note the meaning of the name ‘Miriam’. Here is what Strong’s says concerning the meaning of Miriam’s name:

H4813
mirya m
meer- yawm’
From H4805; rebelliously; Mirjam, the name of two Israelitesses: – Miriam.
H4805
mer y
mer- ee’
From H4784; bitterness, that is, (figuratively) rebellion; concretely bitter, or rebellious: – bitter, (most) rebel (- ion, – lious).

You have seen this jealousy, bitterness and rebellion that Miriam and Aaron had toward Moses as the spiritual type of the treatment which God’s elect must expect from their brothers and sisters who are in the church, who are in Christ, and who are called but are not chosen.

Mat 22:14 For many are called, but few are chosen.

It was apparent that Moses’s ‘father loved him more than’ he loved Miriam and Aaron, who saw themselves just as Korah, only a few days later, saw the whole congregation of Israel:

Num 16:3 And they gathered themselves together against Moses and against Aaron, and said unto them, Ye take too much upon you, seeing all the congregation are holy, every one of them, and the LORD is among them: wherefore then lift ye up yourselves above the congregation of the LORD?

Was the Lord really “among them”? Of course He was, just as He had indeed spoken by Miriam and Aaron, but He was not ‘among them’ and dealing with them in the special way in which He dealt with Moses or with Joseph. Neither did God love Ishmael in the same way He loved Isaac.
Had Moses “lifted up himself above the congregation”? Absolutely not. Moses’s position was forced upon him just as Joseph’s was forced on him also, and they both wanted their brothers to be saved. Nevertheless, God makes it clear that He has a special elect which He is saving first, and through whom He will later save all men.

Gen 17:18 And Abraham said unto God, O that Ishmael might live before thee!
Gen 17:19 And God said, Sarah thy wife shall bear thee a son indeed; and thou shalt call his name Isaac: and I will establish my covenant with him for an everlasting covenant, and with his seed after him.
Gen 17:20 And as for Ishmael, I have heard thee: Behold, I have blessed him, and will make him fruitful, and will multiply him exceedingly; twelve princes shall he beget, and I will make him a great nation.
Gen 17:21 But my covenant will I establish with Isaac, which Sarah shall bear unto thee at this set time in the next year.
Rom 11:30 For as ye in times past have not believed God, yet have now obtained mercy through their unbelief:
Rom 11:31 Even so have these also now not believed, that through your mercy they also may obtain mercy.

So again Isaac is the type of God’s elect today.

Rom 9:7 Neither, because they are the seed of Abraham, are they all children: but, In Isaac shall thy seed be called.
Rom 9:8 That is, They which are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God: but the children of the promise are counted for the seed.

“The children of the flesh” are the children of the ‘ten- second sinner’s prayer’ who are Christians in name only. They consider themselves as Abraham’s seed, but they know nothing of the necessity of being judged, nor of the chastening grace of God and “that it is through much tribulation that we must enter into the kingdom of God”. They have Christ’s name, but ‘His Word has no place in them’.

Act 14:22 Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.
Tit 2:11 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,
Tit 2:12 Teaching [ Greek, chastening] us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;
Joh 8:37 I know that ye are Abraham’s seed; but ye seek to kill me, because my word hath no place in you.

Thank you for showing me “the deep things of the spirit” concerning this story of Miriam’s and Aaron’s jealous spirit toward their elect brother, Moses.
Your brother in Christ,
Mike

]]> The Position of Miriam In Israel https://www.iswasandwillbe.com/the-position-of-miriam-in-israel/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=the-position-of-miriam-in-israel Sun, 04 May 2008 00:00:01 +0000 http://www.iswasandwillbe.com/?p=4789 What Was Miriam’s Position In Israel?

Dear C____
You ask me who taught Paul and questioned  whether Miriam was also teaching men.
You mention Mic 6:4

Mic 6:4  For I brought thee up out of the land of Egypt, and redeemed thee out of the house of servants; and I sent before thee Moses, Aaron, and Miriam.

Miriam was a prophetess. Being a prophetess means she did what we are told she did:

Exo 15:20  And Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took a timbrel in her hand; and all the women went out after her with timbrels and with dances.
Exo 15:21  And Miriam answered them [the women], Sing ye to the LORD, for he hath triumphed gloriously; the horse and his rider hath he thrown into the sea.

Miriam lead “the women… with timbrels and with dances… in singing to the Lord.” The Lord did not then and does not today, use women to lead men into battle against the enemy. Many despise these words, but they were written under inspiration of the Holy Spirit:

1Co 14:34  Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but [ they are commanded] to be under obedience, as also saith the law.
1Co 14:35  And if they will learn any thing, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shame for women to speak in the church.
1Co 14:36  What? came the word of God out from you? or came it unto you only?
1Co 14:37  If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord.
1Co 14:38  But if any man be ignorant, let him be ignorant.

If one cannot acknowledge that what Paul writes are the commandments of the Lord, then the Holy Spirit tells me to “let him be ignorant.”
Paul’s teacher inspired Him to tell us:

1Co 14:34  Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but [ they are commanded] to be under obedience, as also saith the law.
1Co 14:35  And if they will learn any thing, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shame for women to speak in the church.
1Co 14:36  What? came the word of God out from you? or came it unto you only?
1Co 14:37  If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord.

So answer me now. Who was it that taught that to Paul? Be very careful when you answer that question.
Getting back to your question about Miriam, it is very revealing to see what Miriam means. Here is Strong’s definition:

H4813
mirya m
meer- yawm’
>From H4805; rebelliously; Mirjam, the name of two Israelitesses: – Miriam

Read The Head of Christ Is God. You will learn that a wife rebelling against her husband is as natural as a carnal mind not being subject to the law of God. It is all part of being a “marred vessel.” We just naturally do not like what is in God’s Word.
Here now is the one other story about what Miriam did as God brought Israel out of Egypt “sending before them Moses, and Aaron, and Miriam:

Num 12:1  And Miriam and Aaron spake against Moses because of the Ethiopian woman whom he had married: for he had married an Ethiopian woman.
Num 12:2  And they said, Hath the LORD indeed spoken only by Moses? hath he not spoken also by us? And the LORD heard it.

It is revealing that in Mic 6:4 Miriam’s name is listed last; “and I sent before thee Moses, Aaron, and Miriam.” But here in Num 12 it is first. Aaron here, just as at the foot of Mount Sinai, typifies God’s priests down through the generations. He could not stand up to the people then, and he cannot stand up to Miriam here. Aaron truly is the ‘father’ of such as Annas and Caiaphas, he utterly fails as the leader of God’s people. Aaron typifies the priests and ministers today who will not acknowledge that the words written by Paul are the commandments of the Lord. All the people want to ignore them and call them ‘mere letters’, and the Aarons of today just go along “and out comes this golden calf” which leads them right back into Egypt.
Mike

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