[Study Aired October 22, 2020]

[Heb 6:20  Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.]

Heb 7:5  And verily they that are of the sons of Levi, who receive the office of the priesthood, have a commandment to take tithes of the people according to the law, that is, of their brethren, though they come out of the loins of Abraham: 
Heb 7:6  But he whose descent is not counted from them received tithes of Abraham, and blessed him that had the promises. 
Heb 7:7  And without all contradiction the less is blessed of the better. 
Heb 7:8  And here men that die receive tithes; but there he receiveth them, of whom it is witnessed that he liveth. 
Heb 7:9  And as I may so say, Levi also, who receiveth tithes, payed tithes in Abraham. 
Heb 7:10  For he was yet in the loins of his father, when Melchisedec met him. 
Heb 7:11  If therefore perfection were by the Levitical priesthood, (for under it the people received the law,) what further need was there that another priest should rise after the order of Melchisedec, and not be called after the order of Aaron? 

This section of Hebrews draws a comparison for us with those who are “the sons of Levi” in Hebrews 7:5 who represent the churches of Babylon, to “Abraham” (Heb 7:6) who typifies the elect who give their tithe representing their life being given to “he [speaking of Melchisedec] whose descent is not counted from them [sons of Levi]  received tithes of Abraham [God’s elect], and blessed him that had the promises“[Melchisedec, who typifies Christ (2Co 1:20)]. God’s elect are not represented by Levi but rather Abraham, if God has determined that from the foundation of the world to be so (Eph 1:3-6).

2Co 1:20  For all the promises [“and blessed him that had the promises” (Heb 7:6)] of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by^G1223 us. [Eph 1:6, 2Pe 1:4]

Eph 1:3  Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:
Eph 1:4  According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:
Eph 1:5  Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by^G1223 Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,
Eph 1:6  To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.

G1223 dia dee-ah’

A primary preposition denoting the channel of an act; through (in very wide applications, local, causal or occasional). In composition it retains the same general import: – after, always, among, at, to avoid, because of (that), briefly, by, for (cause) . . . fore, from, in, by occasion of, of, by reason of, for sake, that, thereby, therefore, X though, through (-out), to, wherefore, with (-in). In composition it retains the same general import.

2Pe 1:4  Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by^G1223 these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

One of the main goals in comparing the Levitical priesthood, from where the order of Aaron stems, with another priest that should rise after the order of Melchisedec is to demonstrate where perfection comes from and what is excellent to God (Php 1:9-11) as opposed to something that is good (1Ti 1:9, Gal 3:24, 1Co 15:41).

Php 1:9  And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment;
Php 1:10  That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ;
Php 1:11  Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by^G1223 Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.

Php 4:6  Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
Php 4:7  And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Php 4:8  Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

In order to “approve things that are excellent” we need to know that this can only be done “by reason of the glory that excelleth” which glory is our hope of glory within (Col 1:27).

2Co 3:1  Do we begin again to commend ourselves? or need we, as some others, epistles of commendation to you, or letters of commendation from you?
2Co 3:2  Ye are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read of all men:
2Co 3:3  Forasmuch as ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart.
2Co 3:4  And such trust have we through Christ to God-ward:
2Co 3:5  Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God; [We bring nothing to the altar. (Php 2:13)]
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.

Excellence is the enemy of good

2Co 3:7  But if the ministration of death, written and engraven in stones, was glorious, so that the children of Israel could not stedfastly behold the face of Moses for the glory of his countenance; which glory was to be done away [Heb 7:11]:

Heb 7:11  If therefore perfection were by the Levitical priesthood, (for under it the people received the law,) what further need was there that another priest should rise after the order of Melchisedec, and not be called after the order of Aaron?

2Co 3:8  How shall not the ministration of the spirit be rather glorious?[Heb 7:12]

Heb 7:12  For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law.

2Co 3:9  For if the ministration of condemnation be glory, much more doth the ministration of righteousness exceed in glory [Col 1:27, Rom 8:9].
2Co 3:10  For even that which was made glorious had no glory in this respect, by reason of the glory that excelleth.
2Co 3:11  For if that which is done away was glorious, much more that which remaineth is glorious.
2Co 3:12  Seeing then that we have such hope [Col 1:27], we use great plainness of speech:
2Co 3:13  And not as Moses, which put a vail over his face, that the children of Israel could not stedfastly look to the end of that which is abolished:
2Co 3:14  But their minds were blinded: for until this day remaineth the same vail untaken away in the reading of the old testament; which vail is done away in Christ [“At that day” (Joh 14:20)].
2Co 3:15  But even unto this day, when Moses is read, the vail is upon their heart.
2Co 3:16  Nevertheless when it shall turn to the Lord, the vail shall be taken away.
2Co 3:17  Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.

The reason that the change “For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law” (of verse 12 and part of next week’s study) is glorious and excels in glory like the sun outshining the moon, is because with Christ in us as our hope of glory, we can be recipients of those promises which are in Him that speak of bringing us to perfection on the third day (Luk 13:32), not by might or power but by His holy spirit that gives us the power to rip the veil, which ripping symbolizes our overcoming our flesh (Heb 10:20, 1Co 3:16) in this life as we go from glory to glory through Christ as opposed to those who “could not stedfastly look to the end of that which is abolished” (2Co 3:13, Heb 1:3, 2Co 3:18).

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, 2Co 5:17]

1Co 3:16  Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?

Heb 1:3  Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;

2Co 3:18  But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.

Now let’s look once again at how Jesus “the forerunner is for us entered” and how blessed we are to have an high priest who can now make us kings and priests (Rev 1:6, Rev 5:10).

Rev 1:6  And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

Rev 5:10  And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.

The priesthood of God’s elect is typified in the old covenant with the “the order of Melchisedec” as opposed to the “Levitical priesthood” or “order of Aaron“, and it is through Christ alone that we will be able to obtain to this excellent order and high calling found in “him with whom we have to do” as we “press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus” (Heb 4:13-15, Php 3:14).

Heb 4:13  Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.
Heb 4:14  Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.
Heb 4:15  For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin [Heb 9:13-14, Heb 9:23-24].

Heb 7:5  And verily they that are of the sons of Levi, who receive the office of the priesthood, have a commandment to take tithes of the people according to the law, that is, of their brethren, though they come out of the loins of Abraham: 

Verse five is going to be contrasted with verse six to remind us that “they that are of the sons of Levi” and “who receive the office of the priesthood” and “have a commandment to take tithes of the people according to the law, that is, of their brethren, though they come out of the loins of Abraham” represent Levi and not Abraham (Rom 9:13). Levi represents Babylon, and Abraham represents the elect to whom God gave the true priesthood “And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father” (Rev 1:6, Rev 5:10) who will reign on the earth under Christ who is represented by Melchisedec.

Rom 9:13  As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated.

Rev 1:6  And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

Rev 5:10  And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.

Physical lineage has nothing to do with our calling, and so we’re being reminded that these sons of Levi, although they descend from Abraham, they and we cannot help but be of our Father the devil (Mat 3:9, Joh 8:37-44) until such time that we are called and chosen (Mat 22:14) to be otherwise (Rev 17:14).

Mat 3:9  And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.

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.
Joh 8:38  I speak that which I have seen with my Father: and ye do that which ye have seen with your father.
Joh 8:39  They answered and said unto him, Abraham is our father. Jesus saith unto them, If ye were Abraham’s children, ye would do the works of Abraham. [A tree is known by its fruit and not by its lineage, in other words (Luk 6:43-45, Joh 6:43-45)]
Joh 8:40  But now ye seek to kill me, a man that hath told you the truth, which I have heard of God: this did not Abraham.
Joh 8:41  Ye do the deeds of your father. Then said they to him, We be not born of fornication; we have one Father, even God.
Joh 8:42  Jesus said unto them, If God were your Father, ye would love me: for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of myself, but he sent me [Joh 20:21].
Joh 8:43  Why do ye not understand my speech? even because ye cannot hear my word [1Jn 4:6].
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.

The context found in John 8:37-44 was written for the elect’s sake today to see clearly that lineage has nothing to do with being free (Php 3:4-9, Rom 2:14-19). This stark contrast being spoken to outward Jews (Rom 2:28) is being drawn to make the point as bright as possible for God’s elect today. Christ is making this contrast to the Pharisee within us who still wants to glory in the flesh, and that contrast between flesh and the spirit is shown between Levi and Abraham. Abraham being a type of Christ who, as our hope of glory within, makes it possible for us to be inward Jews who are being set free (Joh 8:36, Rom 2:29, Rom 8:9, Col 1:27).

Php 3:4  Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more:
Php 3:5  Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee;
Php 3:6  Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.
Php 3:7  But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.
Php 3:8  Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: [Php 1:10] for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,
Php 3:9  And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:

Rom 2:14  For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves:
Rom 2:15  Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;)
Rom 2:16  In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel.

[(1Pe 4:17) Paul then goes on to admonish the church by showing them what those “secrets of men” are within the hearts of those who are first being cleansed in this age [Rom 2:20-29]. Christ admonishes us and encourages us with these words in that regard as well by telling us to no longer lean unto our own understanding, our own righteousness, by saying “think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham” (Mat 3:9)]

Rom 2:17  Behold, thou art called a Jew, and restest in the law, and makest thy boast of God,
Rom 2:18  And knowest his will, and approvest the things that are more excellent, [Php 1:10] being instructed out of the law;
Rom 2:19  And art confident that thou thyself art a guide of the blind, a light of them which are in darkness,

The statement “Though they come out of the loins of Abraham” reminds us we are all sons of God, just as Adam was a son of God (Luk 3:38). The Jews had confidence in Abraham, and we have confidence in our own flesh at first until we become of the generation which has no confidence in our flesh (Php 3:3). That first man Adam must decrease in order for the second Adam, Jesus Christ, to take His rightful place on the throne of our hearts which can only happen through the circumcision of our hearts (1Co 15:45, Joh 3:30).

Php 3:3  For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.

1Co 15:45  And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit.

Joh 3:30  He must increase, but I must decrease.

Heb 7:6  But he whose descent is not counted from them received tithes of Abraham, and blessed him that had the promises.

The verses in John 8:37-44 explain why “he whose descent is not counted from them received tithes of Abraham” when we’re given eyes to see that Abraham represents the elect who are called to a blessing of our Lord whose descent was not counted of Aaron, just as Melchisedec’s was not. The promises, as we mentioned above, are all in Christ of which we are being reminded when we read that Abraham “blessed him that had the promises” (2Co 1:20-22).

2Co 1:20  For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us.
2Co 1:21  Now he which stablisheth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is God;
2Co 1:22  Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.

Heb 7:7  And without all contradiction the less is blessed of the better.

We’ve established that Abraham is ‘the less’ in this type and shadow event of blessing Melchisedec who represents our presenting all our life as a living sacrifice to God (Rom 12:1-3). Abraham is blessed by Melchisedec by being able to give this offering, and this point is clearly brought out in this statement by king David found in 1 Chronicles 9:14).

Rom 12:3  For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.

1Ch 29:14  But who am I, and what is my people, that we should be able to offer so willingly after this sort? for all things come of thee, and of thine own have we given thee.

Luk 17:10  So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do.

Joh 1:27  He it is, who coming after me is preferred before me, whose shoe’s latchet I am not worthy to unloose.

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:

It is this spirit, found in the verses we have just read, which tells us how we are to present ourselves to God as a living sacrifice, a sacrifice that is typified with Abraham giving a tenth [his whole life] of the spoils of war. Giving the spoils of war is a typical act that acknowledges we know where all our blessings originate, along with all our spiritual battles over which God is sovereign in our heavens that are being cleansed in this age.

Eph 6:12  For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

Eph 1:21  Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come:

Heb 9:23  It was therefore necessary that the patterns of things in the heavens should be purified with these; but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these.

Heb 7:8  And here men that die receive tithes; but there he receiveth them, of whom it is witnessed that he liveth.

Ulitimately God will be “all in all” (1Co 15:28), and that is when each life will be fully in subjection to Christ and our Father in heaven. That event is what the tithe symbolizes all along, and is the reason God says “Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.” in Malach 3:10.

“O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!” Romans 11:33 is the blessing we are talking about, as we come to know God and His son which is eternal life (Joh 17:3). Every soul will come to see the unsearchable blessings that this relationship will manifest in each life that God is going to save in due time (1Co 15:22, 1Jn 2:2, 1Ti 4:10, 1Co 2:9).

In verse eight we are simply being told that our many wonderful works, which we think account for something (Mat 7:22), are not laid up in heaven —  treasure that can only be obtained through Christ — and so this verse is worded this way: “And here men that die receive tithes; but there he receiveth them, of whom it is witnessed that he liveth” to remind us that it is those who present themselves a living sacrifice, as typified by Abraham’s giving of the tithe, who are able to lay up treasure in heaven where neither moth nor rust does corrupt because we are alive in Him (Rom 12:1, Rom 6:11, Gal 2:20, Mat 6:19-20, Joh 11:26).

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 [Eph 1:6], which is your reasonable service.

Rom 6:11  Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Gal 2:20  I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

Joh 11:26  And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?

Heb 7:9  And as I may so say, Levi also, who receiveth tithes, payed tithes in Abraham. 

God’s elect are a living sacrifice who lay their lives down for the world as Christ did (Joh 3:16, 1Jn 4:17), saviors who will come up on mount Zion (Oba 1:21) and who are being sacrificed now so that the stripes that we take upon us, the filling up what is behind of the afflictions of Christ (Col 1:24), can one day be beneficial to those who we will be able to judge as a result of having been judged in this life (1Pe 4:12, 1Pe 4:17, 2Ti 2:12, Php 1:29, Heb 5:14).

“Levi also, who receiveth tithes, payed tithes in Abraham” reminds us that the whole world lives and moves and has their being in Christ (Act 17:28) whose life was sacrificed to take away the sins of the world (Joh 3:16). The sins of the world are forgiven, but an accounting is yet to be given for the many, and that accounting comes about for God’s elect today as He leads us to repentance, which happens as a result of our presenting ourselves a living sacrifice (Rom 2:4). It is Levi and all of humanity who took Christ and sacrificed him, and in so doing “payed tithes in Abraham” (Act 4:26-28) through Christ and His Christ, and this pleased God for that reason. “Levi also, who receiveth tithes” is our time in Babylon when we sincerely give our life over to another Jesus, but God’s people are called out of Levi or Babylon if we have been predestined to be a living sacrifice through Christ in this age (2Co 6:17) who will be sacrificed so “Levi also, who receiveth tithes” can one day come to realize that the sacrifice of Christ and His body expressed in typical language as “payed tithes in Abraham” is connected to Christ’s sacrifice and His body as our kinsman redeemer.

Act 17:28  For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring.

1Pe 3:18  For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit [Isa 53:10, Joh 3:16, 1Jn 4:17].

Act 4:26  The kings of the earth stood up, and the rulers were gathered together against the Lord, and against his Christ.
Act 4:27  For of a truth against thy holy child Jesus, whom thou hast anointed, both Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of Israel, were gathered together,
Act 4:28  For to do whatsoever thy hand and thy counsel determined before to be done.

The honor and privilege we have been given to suffer in this life for Christ is being expressed in this verse, and the living sacrifice we have become through Him is for the world’s sake as well as ours and is the way in which the world will come to realize that they “payed tithes in Abraham” by having sacrificed Christ and His Christ (Act 26:14-15).

Act 26:14  And when we were all fallen to the earth, I heard a voice speaking unto me, and saying in the Hebrew tongue, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.
Act 26:15  And I said, Who art thou, Lord? And he said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest.

The first section of this verse “Levi also, who receiveth tithes” is a reminder for us that Babylon does serve us by receiving the lives of the countless many who are called but not chosen. Those multitudes of Babylonian churches represent Levi, and Levi is joined to us, and by God’s grace and faith we come out of her and present ourselves a living sacrifice unto God so that one day those inumerable multitudes will be washed and made “white in the blood of the Lamb” (Rev 7:9, Rev 7:13-14). Babylon unknowingly has served us in their unbelief, and God has shown mercy to us today by calling us out of Babylon so that one day we will be able to extend that same mercy back toward the rest of God’s creation.

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

Heb 7:10  For he was yet in the loins of his father, when Melchisedec met him.

We don’t know that we are God’s elect at first, but over time become convinced of better things (Heb 6:9, Rom 8:38-39) unfolding within our heavens which give evidence that we are the sons of God in this age who are being led by His spirit (Rom 8:14-16). Abraham, in type and shadow, is still very young in his walk expressed as being “yet in the loins of his father“. Regardless, this is “when Melchisedec met him“, and this type and shadow event is a reminder for God’s elect that God knows those who are His (Rom 11:5), and His remnant were known from the foundation of the world (Eph 1:4). This meeting of Melchisedec is a type and shadow of our day of visitation when we are dragged to Christ and brought to repentance (Joh 6:44).

Heb 6:9  But, beloved, we are persuaded better things of you, and things that accompany salvation, though we thus speak.

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.

Rom 8:14  For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.
Rom 8:15  For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.
Rom 8:16  The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:

Heb 7:11  If therefore perfection were by the Levitical priesthood, (for under it the people received the law,) what further need was there that another priest should rise after the order of Melchisedec, and not be called after the order of Aaron? 

Can we go on to perfection through the order of the Levitical priesthood? The answer is emphatically ‘no’, and yet that was a needful part of our journey, receiving the law that was made to show the lawless man within (1Ti 1:9, Rom 7:13) and how impossible it was to be changed and truly overcome by simply keeping the letter of the law that brought only death and not life, which comes through the spirit of God (2Co 3:6).

There is, was and will be a need “that another priest should rise after the order of Melchisedec“, and Christ is that forerunner who is typified by Melchisedec. However the “order of Aaron” is the other order that genders unto bondage (Gal 4:23-27) and must needs be done away in order for the true liberty of Christ to be manifest through His spirit, a liberty that has begun and will be witnessed through God’s first fruits.

2Co 3:17  Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.
2Co 3:18  But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.

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.

Rom 8:19  For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God.
Rom 8:20  For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope,
Rom 8:21  Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.
Rom 8:22  For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.
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.

Joh 13:35  By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.

(Key verses: Genesis 49:5-7)

Jacob was in the process of dying, and within his final days in Egypt it was the time to tell his sons “which shall befall [them] in the last days”:

Gen 47:28 And Jacob lived in the land of Egypt seventeen years: so the whole age of Jacob was an hundred forty and seven years.

Gen 49:1 And Jacob called unto his sons, and said, Gather yourselves together, that I may tell you that which shall befall you in the last days.
Gen 49:2 Gather yourselves together, and hear, ye sons of Jacob; and hearken unto Israel your father.

The theme of the “last days” is applicable to the last chapters of the book of Genesis as it also brings a fitting conclusion to this book of beginnings. God indeed knows the end from the beginning as we also see so much of our own spiritual development within the book of Genesis and also what shall “befall [us] in the last days” (Isa 46:10). Although there is an outward application of the “last days”, this indeed applies inwardly for them whom God has given “eyes within” to see how the Lord’s house is established in this age in the lives of His elect, even within the beasts who are “in the midst of the throne, and round about the throne” of God (Isa 2:2; Luk 17:20-21; Rev 4:6-8):

Rev 4:6 And before the throne there was a sea of glass like unto crystal: and in the midst of the throne, and round about the throne, were four beasts full of eyes before and behind.
Rev 4:7 And the first beast was like a lion, and the second beast like a calf, and the third beast had a face as a man, and the fourth beast was like a flying eagle.
Rev 4:8 And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him; and they were full of eyes within: and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come.

These sons of Jacob therefore are also spiritual types of God’s elected few on whom the “last days” or the end of this physical age has come:

1Co 10:11 Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples [Greek: tupos = figures/a resemblance]: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world [Greek: aiōn = age] are come.

In our last discussion we focused on the firstborn of Jacob, namely Reuben, and how Jacob’s words to Reuben are also relevant to us, if we can receive them. In this discussion we will focus on Simeon and Levi as Jacob addressed them together on his deathbed:

Gen 49:5 Simeon and Levi are brethren; instruments of cruelty are in their habitations [Hebrew: mekêrâh = weapons, sword, devices].
Gen 49:6 O my soul, come not thou into their secret; unto their assembly, mine honour, be not thou united: for in their anger they slew a man, and in their selfwill [Hebrew: râtsôn = delight] they digged down [Hebrew: âqar = to pluck up to hamstring/to exterminate/root up] a wall [Hebrew: shôr = bullock/cattle]. (KJV)

Gen 49:6 Do not let me attend their secret meetings. Do not let me join their assembly. In their anger they murdered men. At their whim they crippled cattle. (GWT)

The first characteristic Jacob mentioned about these two sons, Simeon and Levi, was that they were “instruments of cruelty.” Both of them were indeed united in their deceitfulness with the men of Shechem after Shechem, the son of Hamor the Hivite, prince of the country, raped Dinah, the daughter of Jacob:

Gen 34:13 And the sons of Jacob answered Shechem and Hamor his father deceitfully, and said, because he had defiled Dinah their sister:
Gen 34:14 And they said unto them, We cannot do this thing, to give our sister to one that is uncircumcised; for that were a reproach unto us:
Gen 34:15 But in this will we consent unto you: If ye will be as we be, that every male of you be circumcised;
Gen 34:16 Then will we give our daughters unto you, and we will take your daughters to us, and we will dwell with you, and we will become one people.
Gen 34:17 But if ye will not hearken unto us, to be circumcised; then will we take our daughter, and we will be gone.
Gen 34:18 And their words pleased Hamor, and Shechem Hamor’s son.

At the time of this deceitful agreement to which all the men of Shechem then adhered, Jacob was unaware what Simeon and Levi had in mind, and he was shocked and horrified to hear afterward what these two sons did to the men of Shechem:

Gen 34:25 And it came to pass on the third day, when they were sore [after the men of Shechem were circumcised], that two of the sons of Jacob, Simeon and Levi, Dinah’s brethren, took each man his sword, and came upon the city boldly, and slew all the males.
Gen 34:26 And they slew Hamor and Shechem his son with the edge of the sword, and took Dinah out of Shechem’s house, and went out.
Gen 34:27 The sons of Jacob came upon the slain, and spoiled the city, because they had defiled their sister.
Gen 34:28 They took their sheep, and their oxen, and their asses, and that which was in the city, and that which was in the field,
Gen 34:29 And all their wealth, and all their little ones, and their wives took they captive, and spoiled even all that was in the house.

On his deathbed Jacob brought division between these two sons and a dispersing of their offspring:

Gen 49:7 Cursed be their anger, for it was fierce; and their wrath, for it was cruel: I will divide them in Jacob, and scatter them in Israel.

This also reminds one of the division and the scattering of the nations at the tower of Babel. “The thoughts of [man’s] heart [are] only evil continually”, and these thoughts were also in the hearts of Simeon and Levi (Gen 6:5; Gen 11:1-9). Although mankind is unified in its opposition to God’s Word and His commandments, the hearts of mankind harbour a divided kingdom which shall not stand:

Mat 12:25 And Jesus knew their [the Pharisees’] thoughts, and said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand.

Psa 2:1 Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing?
Psa 2:2 The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD, and against his anointed, saying,
Psa 2:3 Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us.
Psa 2:4 He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: the Lord shall have them in derision.
Psa 2:5 Then shall he speak unto them in his wrath, and vex them in his sore displeasure [Hebrew: chârôn = anger].

In the actions of Simeon and Levi and the words of King David in Psalm 2, we also see the negative and positive applications of anger respectively. The natural heart always acts in haste with no mercy. David knew this all too well and rather chose the anger of the Lord, because there is mercy with God:

2Sa 24:14 And David said unto [the prophet] Gad, I am in a great strait: let us fall now into the hand of the LORD; for his mercies are great: and let me not fall into the hand of man.

God’s anger is governed by His mercy as His grace chastens every son He receives bringing a cessation to the evil and vain things in our hearts (Heb 12:6; Tit 2:11-12). Contrarily the anger in the natural heart has no peaceful solution as it also prevents us to see that God’s hands are in all things which happen in His creation (Job 2:4-10):

Ecc 7:9 Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry: for anger resteth in the bosom of fools.

Pro 15:18 A wrathful man stirreth up strife: but he that is slow to anger appeaseth strife.

The fool in us cannot see that God is to be feared above all, and He will indeed bring true recompense for everything that was done in unrighteousness:

Heb 10:30 For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people.
Heb 10:31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

Godly recompense is driven by His jealousy, and through this zeal God brings us to the truth in Christ and keeps us committed to Him. God’s zeal is His passion for His spiritual house to keep it free from fleshly defilement (Exo 20:5; Exo 34:14; Psa 69:9; Joh 2:17; 2Co 7:11; 2Co 11:2). Ignoring the leadership of their own father, Simeon and Levi had a twisted zeal for doing “that which was right in [their] his own eyes” which was all about self-righteousness (Jdg 21:25; Isa 64:6). Few can see in themselves this deceitful self-righteousness and cruel spirit of Simeon and Levi in this age:

Jer 17:9 The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?

Naturally this evil spirit in us has no trouble hating people and wishing the worst on our enemies. In our spiritual blindness we cannot see that nobody can move a finger if that is not ordained by God (Isa 45:7; Job 2:4-10):

Pro 16:4 The LORD hath made all things for himself: yea, even the wicked for the day of evil.

Christ in us is the hope of glory, even as this glory will be evident in our words and actions, even in terms of our anger (Col 1:27):

Pro 16:32 He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city.

Eph 4:26 Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath.

God’s spirit, through the words of Christ, will give us the ability to do today what was impossible to obey yesterday:

Mat 5:39 But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.

This is what Jesus also taught Peter (and all of us), that His Word is spirit, and His Word in our hearts is much more powerful to determine and direct our actions and the things around us (Joh 6:63; 1Co 2:4-16):

Joh 18:10 Then Simon Peter having a sword drew it, and smote the high priest’s servant, and cut off his right ear. The servant’s name was Malchus.
Joh 18:11 Then said Jesus unto Peter, Put up thy sword into the sheath: the cup which my Father hath given me, shall I not drink it?

The elect of God will not join the assembly of Simeon and Levi and cripple the cattle of others or resist the works of God. The elect of God will come out of that assembly as they know that the evil and the trials are from God to fulfill the scriptures in our own lives (Luk 24:25-27):

Mat 26:52 Then said Jesus unto him, Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword.
Mat 26:53 Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels?
Mat 26:54 But how then shall the scriptures be fulfilled, that thus it must be?

Let us look how all of these were foreshadowed in the life of Simeon.

Simeon

The name “Simeon” means “to hear”. He was the second son of Jacob from Leah after Reuben:

Gen 29:32 And Leah conceived, and bare a son, and she called his name Reuben: for she said, Surely the LORD hath looked upon my affliction; now therefore my husband will love me.
Gen 29:33 And she conceived again, and bare a son; and said, Because the LORD hath heard that I was hated, he hath therefore given me this son also: and she called his name Simeon.

Although we know the scriptures declare that God “hears not sinners”, especially when they “ask amiss, that [they] may consume it upon [their] lusts”, God indeed hears everything (Psa 139:1-18; Joh 9:31; Jas 4:3). Even in our darkest times when we are the hated and rejected, our desperate cries from a “broken spirit…and a contrite heart” are not ignored by God, as Hagar and Ishmael testify (2Sa 14:14; Psa 51:17; Isa 57:14-18; Isa 66:2):

Gen 21:17 And God heard the voice of the lad; and the angel of God called to Hagar out of heaven, and said unto her, What aileth thee, Hagar? fear not; for God hath heard the voice of the lad where he is.

A few things are connected to this Simeon in the scriptures which proves that God indeed hears and sees everything, and righteous anger and vengeance belong to Him as He will indeed recompense (Heb 10:30). Before Joseph revealed himself to his brothers in Egypt, it was Simeon who was kept as a hostage in Egypt in exchange for Benjamin whom Joseph wanted to see in Egypt:

Gen 42:22 And Reuben answered them, saying, Spake I not unto you, saying, Do not sin against the child; and ye would not hear? therefore, behold, also his blood is required.
Gen 42:23 And they knew not that Joseph understood them; for he spake unto them by an interpreter.
Gen 42:24 And he turned himself about from them, and wept; and returned to them again, and communed with them, and took from them Simeon, and bound him before their eyes.

“Ye would not hear” Reuben’s plea not to sin against Joseph. In our natural Simeonite state we cannot hear the words of truth, and we are bound in the prisons of spiritual Egypt, the rebellious house of flesh:

Eze 12:2 Son of man, thou dwellest in the midst of a rebellious house, which have eyes to see, and see not; they have ears to hear, and hear not: for they are a rebellious house.

Simeon became the founder of the tribe bearing his name, but even in his tribe this spirit of rebellion and self-righteousness was evident when a prince of a chief house among the Simeonites, named Zimri, took a Midianite woman into the camp of Israel in the sight of Moses and the whole congregation. This happened even when God was judging the Israelites for committing whoredom with the Moabite women and their worship of Baalpeor:

Num 25:1 And Israel abode in Shittim, and the people began to commit whoredom with the daughters of Moab.
Num 25:2 And they called the people unto the sacrifices of their gods: and the people did eat, and bowed down to their gods.
Num 25:3 And Israel joined himself unto Baalpeor: and the anger of the LORD was kindled against Israel.
Num 25:4 And the LORD said unto Moses, Take all the heads of the people, and hang them up before the LORD against the sun, that the fierce anger of the LORD may be turned away from Israel.
Num 25:5 And Moses said unto the judges of Israel, Slay ye every one his men that were joined unto Baalpeor.
Num 25:6 And, behold, one of the children of Israel came and brought unto his brethren a Midianitish woman in the sight of Moses, and in the sight of all the congregation of the children of Israel, who were weeping before the door of the tabernacle of the congregation.
Num 25:7 And when Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the priest, saw it, he rose up from among the congregation, and took a javelin in his hand;
Num 25:8 And he went after the man of Israel into the tent, and thrust both of them through, the man of Israel, and the woman through her belly. So the plague was stayed from the children of Israel.
Num 25:9 And those that died in the plague were twenty and four thousand.
Num 25:10 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,
Num 25:11 Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the priest, hath turned my wrath away from the children of Israel, while he was zealous for my sake among them, that I consumed not the children of Israel in my jealousy.
Num 25:12 Wherefore say, Behold, I give unto him my covenant of peace:
Num 25:13 And he shall have it, and his seed after him, even the covenant of an everlasting priesthood; because he was zealous for his God, and made an atonement for the children of Israel.
Num 25:14 Now the name of the Israelite that was slain, even that was slain with the Midianitish woman, was Zimri, the son of Salu, a prince of a chief house among the Simeonites.

It is this rebellious and haughty Simeonite spirit in us which cannot submit to God’s leadership. This proud spirit has no shame to associate with false doctrines even when strongly advised not to. Thank God for the godly anger of the zealous spirit in Phinehas:

Rom 12:11 Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord.

The numbers of this tribe of Simeon were always on the decline during their time in the wilderness – from fifty nine thousand and three hundred families when they left Egypt to twenty two thousand and two hundred families when they entered Canaan. (Num 1:23; Num 26:14). The result of this was that the Simeonites’ inheritance of land was within the inheritance of the children of the tribe of Judah and they also had to fight with the tribe of Judah to survive against the Canaanites. This was a physical fulfillment of the words of Jacob that Simeon will be scattered among Israel:

Jos 19:1 And the second lot came forth to Simeon, even for the tribe of the children of Simeon according to their families: and their inheritance was within the inheritance of the children of Judah.

Jdg 1:3 And Judah said unto Simeon his brother, Come up with me into my lot, that we may fight against the Canaanites; and I likewise will go with thee into thy lot. So Simeon went with him.

God in His mercy also has a place for our Simeonites in His army, even as our rebellious natural anger and self-righteousness are replaced by His righteousness and anger. During the reign of King David, typifying the reign of Christ, “mighty men of valour for the war” were also from tribe of Simeon:

1Ch 12:25 Of the children of Simeon, mighty men of valour for the war, seven thousand and one hundred.

Even the apostle John saw this tribe in spiritual terms being part of the spiritual twelve tribes of the Israel of God (Gal 6:16):

Rev 7:7 Of the tribe of Simeon were [spiritually] sealed twelve thousand.

As his name indicates, spiritually the tribe of Simeon is also able to “hear” the voice of the true Shepherd who is the foundation of the truth, which the number twelve spiritually points out (Rev 21:12; Rev 21:14):

1Co 3:11 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.

Levi

Let us see how Levi helps us to understand our spiritual growth in Christ. Levi was the third son of Jacob from Leah, and Levi means “joined” as she wanted Jacob to be in a closer loving relationship with her than with the beloved wife Rachel:

Gen 29:34 And she [Leah] conceived again, and bare a son; and said, Now this time will my husband be joined unto me, because I have born him three sons: therefore was his name called Levi.

The number three is spiritually connected to the process of completion, even the process to become the spiritual sons of God (Gen 40:18-19; Exo 23:14; Luk 13:32; Joh 2:19). Levi as the third son indeed typifies this process as his judgment also brought a deeper function for his offspring within the twelve tribes of Israel. Like Simeon, the tribe of Levi was indeed scattered among the Israelites. Although the whole nation of Israel was called to be separated from other nations, and in this sense a “holy nation” and a “kingdom of priests”, this function was later reserved solely for the tribe of Levi:

Exo 19:6 And ye [Israel] 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.

When Israel entered Canaan as a nation, this tribe of Levi became distributed throughout the territories of the other tribes and had no inheritance within Israel (Deu 18:1; Jos 13:14). Rather, they received forty-eight towns in various sections of the land (Jos 13:33). This tribe was called to provide spiritual leadership in Israel, and among the most prominent leaders who came from this tribe were Moses, Aaron and Ezra. These are Moses’ instructions concerning the tribe of Levi before the Israelites entered Canaan:

Deu 33:8 And of Levi he said, Give your Thummim to Levi and let the Urim be with your loved one, whom you put to the test at Massah, with whom you were angry at the waters of Meribah;
Deu 33:9 Who said of his father, Who is he? and of his mother, I have not seen her; he kept himself separate from his brothers and had no knowledge of his children: for they have given ear to your word and kept your agreement.
Deu 33:10 They will be the teachers of your decisions to Jacob and of your law to Israel: the burning of perfumes before you will be their right, and the ordering of burned offerings on your altar.
Deu 33:11 Let your blessing, O Lord, be on his substance, may the work of his hands be pleasing to you: may those who take up arms against him and all who have hate for him, be wounded through the heart, never to be lifted up again.

However, not all Levites served inside the tabernacle or temple, except Aaron and his offspring (Lev 21; Lev 24:9; Num 27:21; 1Ki 8:6; 1Ch 6:49; Heb 9:7; Heb 13:10). The other Levites were to serve the tabernacle or temple in various outward functions, pointing to those referred to in the New Testament as the “called”, and from the “called” another smaller group is taken out by God to serve inside the true temple of God (Deu 17:8-13; Num 3:21-26; Rev 18:4):

Mat 22:14 For many are called [Greek: klētos], but few are chosen [Greek: eklektos: “ek” out of the “klētos”].

These are the only ones who can receive the spiritual meat at the altar of God as they lose their lives and the things which the “called” cling to:

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

As Levi is the third son of Jacob, so this three-step process starts for all in the outside camp, typified by the whole of physical Israel, before we move into the court which is the domain of the “called” in spiritual Babylon. It is only when we are called out from this time under the governors and tutors in flesh that we can enter to serve and operate under a totally new spiritual law within the temple of God – also called the “third heaven” (Rom 8:1-2; 2Co 12:1-4; Eph 2:6; Gal 4:1-7; Rev 21:1-3):

Heb 7:11 If therefore perfection were by the Levitical priesthood, (for under it the people received the law,) what further need was there that another priest should rise after the order of Melchisedec, and not be called after the order of Aaron?
Heb 7:12 For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law.

The elect of God are the holy priestly nation of God according to the priestly model or order of Melchisedec, typifying the heavenly Christ with no earthly heritage or attachments to flesh (1Co 1:29; 1Co 15:50; Gal 2:20):

1Pe 2:5 Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.

1Pe 2:9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:
1Pe 2:10 Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.

This tribe of Levi is indeed spiritually represented in the elected one hundred and forty four thousand:

Rev 7:7b …Of the tribe of Levi were sealed twelve thousand.

—————

Detailed studies and emails relating to these foundational themes in Scripture are available on the iswasandwillbe.com website, including these topics and links:

Numbers in Scripture
Is It A Sin to Be Angry?
Is There A Time to Be Jealous?
The Zeal of Thine House Hath Eaten Me Up
Who Are The Levites? – Part 1
Who Are The Levites? – Part 2

Video Links

Awesome Hands – part 42

“ A man of the house of Levi”

In the previous study, we saw that the Lord works mightily with His people and His flock.

He causes situations to come to our lives that are many ways just like the rest of humanity. How they are different is all in the details.

The difference in how we live through them is in how we know the Lord is working it all of His own counsel for our ultimate spiritual good.

In the study today, we are going to continue to look into the types and shadows found in Exo 2 to see if we can glean what the Lord is admonishing us with by those same types and shadows.

2Ki 20:10 And Hezekiah answered, It is a light thing for the shadow to go down ten degrees: nay, but let the shadow return backward ten degrees.
2Ki 20:11 And Isaiah the prophet cried unto the LORD: and he brought the shadow ten degrees backward, by which it had gone down in the dial of Ahaz.

1Ch 29:15 For we are strangers before thee, and sojourners, as were all our fathers: our days on the earth are as a shadow, and there is none abiding.

Psa 57:1 To the chief Musician, Altaschith, Michtam of David, when he fled from Saul in the cave. Be merciful unto me, O God, be merciful unto me: for my soul trusteth in thee: yea, in the shadow of thy wings will I make my refuge, until these calamities be overpast.

“The woman conceived and bare a son”

If we are given the sight to see and the clarity of mind to look close enough, we can see in the entirety of scripture, a pattern which emerges which shows is the is, was and will be nature which is Jesus Christ.

With Moses, we are going to see that from his birth, Moses has be predestinated to be a savior to God’s chosen people.

Out of those same people, God the Father has divided them into tribes which have very purposes and functions according to His will.

For the tribe of Levi, they will be chosen out to tend to the needs of the priests and this is where baby Moses has his start.

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

1Pe 2:6 Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded.
1Pe 2:7 Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner,
1Pe 2:8 And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed.
1Pe 2:9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:

Rev 17:14 These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful.

From before Moses was born, God has set into motion the things which would call Moses into a life of which he had not chosen and to which he would ultimately be used to “save many people alive”.

Out of all the nations of the earth, God called the weak Israelites to confound the wise Egyptians. In Truth, the wisdom that the Egyptians had couldn’t even interpret the Pharaohs dreams, so the Lord brought in one of His people to get the job done so to speak.

Fast forward to now, and we are going to see that God is going to choose out a servant from a very particular tribe for a very specific purpose for His people.

In this way, Moses is chosen among his brethren to serve God, yet we haven’t even seen him being born yet and certainly Moses couldn’t have had faith yet to do what God was going to tell him to do, but we will get to that in a moment.

Exo 2:1 And there went a man of the house of Levi, and took to wife a daughter of Levi.
Exo 2:2 And the woman conceived, and bare a son: and when she saw him that he was a goodly child, she hid him three months.
Exo 2:3 And when she could not longer hide him, she took for him an ark of bulrushes, and daubed it with slime and with pitch, and put the child therein; and she laid it in the flags by the river’s brink.
Exo 2:4 And his sister stood afar off, to wit what would be done to him.

We, like Moses, have been predestined to be a servant unto our Lord our God. From the foundation of the world, we have been chosen to be a people unto the Lord for His purposes.

For most of our lives, we have been focused on our lives and what our purpose is but if we are only given to see a baby Moses being conceived and placed in an ark of bulrushes, then we will know just how precious we are to the Lord’s plan for all of humanity.

In and of ourselves, we are not important but what we are being formed into is of GREAT value to the Lord.

God called the Israelites, and now He is choosing Moses to serve Him. Moses life is going to start off in a type of baptism seeing as Moses mother creates an ark of papyrus.

Moses mother does this after a period of three months to show us that there is a process in which the Lord is working all things after His own counsel.

If you are still not convinced that the workings with us by the Lord today are not the same as when He formed Moses in his mother’s womb, let us read from another place in scripture about those who ride upon the safety of “bulrushes”.

Isa 18:1 Woe to the land shadowing with wings, which is beyond the rivers of Ethiopia:
Isa 18:2 That sendeth ambassadors by the sea, even in vessels of bulrushes upon the waters, saying, Go, ye swift messengers, to a nation scattered and peeled, to a people terrible from their beginning hitherto; a nation meted out and trodden down, whose land the RIVERS have spoiled!
Isa 18:3 All ye inhabitants of the world, and dwellers on the earth, see ye, when he lifteth up an ensign on the mountains; and when he bloweth a trumpet, hear ye.
Isa 18:4 For so the LORD said unto me, I will take my rest, and I will consider in my dwelling place like a clear heat upon herbs, and like a cloud of dew in the heat of harvest.
Isa 18:5 For afore the harvest, when the bud is perfect, and the sour grape is ripening in the flower, he shall both cut off the sprigs with pruning hooks, and take away and cut down the branches.
Isa 18:6 They shall be left together unto the fowls of the mountains, and to the beasts of the earth: and the fowls shall summer upon them, and all the beasts of the earth shall winter upon them.
Isa 18:7 In that time shall the present be brought unto the LORD of hosts of a people scattered and peeled, and from a people terrible from their beginning hitherto; a nation meted out and trodden under foot, whose land the rivers have spoiled, to the place of the name of the LORD of hosts, the mount Zion.

In this story of Exodus, God’s people and “His land” have been spoiled by the Egyptians but there is about to come a time when it will be God’s people who will spoil the Egyptians.

This all takes place as we see a baby Moses emerging on the scene being delivered via an ark. First however, we know there is a process which the Lord uses to grow us up so that He can use us in the capacity of being a savior to His people ….. in order to bring them to the place of the name of the Lord, mount Zion.

“The Pharaoh’s daughter … saw the child”

 In all of the Lord’s workings, He prepares a way before us so that His plan can continue to be established for those in this age He calls His people, so that everyone else can be called to be His people later.

This preparation is no different for Moses in Exodus and for us in our own lives. As I am reading these verses, consider that this story is about Moses, is about Christ, and is about Christ’s body. If you doubt this, I hope that will change by the end of this study.

Exo 2:5 And the daughter of Pharaoh came down to wash herself at the river; and her maidens walked along by the river’s side; and when she saw the ark among the flags, she sent her maid to fetch it.
Exo 2:6 And when she had opened it, she saw the child: and, behold, the babe wept. And she had compassion on him, and said, This is one of the Hebrews’ children.
Exo 2:7 Then said his sister to Pharaoh’s daughter, Shall I go and call to thee a nurse of the Hebrew women, that she may nurse the child for thee?

Notice, it is Moses sister who was standing afar off and “watching” what would become of Moses. IN this, we can see a type been shown to us in that Christ has a bride who looks after His people. It is the church of God, who is looking for safety of those who are being “spoiled by the rivers”.

All the while, Moses sister sees the Pharaoh’s daughter and wisely asks if she should fetch a nurse to look after this child when the only possible nurses that could be sought at this time and day and age, are those who could feed this baby at the breast.

Exo 2:8 And Pharaoh’s daughter said to her, Go. And the maid went and called the child’s mother.
Exo 2:9 And Pharaoh’s daughter said unto her, Take this child away, and nurse it for me, and I will give thee thy wages. And the woman took the child, and nursed it.

The scripture doesn’t say this, but I would venture to say that Moses mother was very joyous and very pleased that her son was not going to die. After all, she could have just thrown him in the river as I am sure some others did at the commandment of a mere man!

However, she prepared as much as she was able, a way for her son to possibly, if only by a miracle, survive this almost certain death!

Indeed, just like Moses we are drawn out or rescued from the “river which spoils the land”!

Now, if you think I have lost my mind in pointing out these types and shadows and that we cannot possibly be being told these things through this very “simple” story, let us see how the rest of Moses youth plays out.

“I drew him out of the water”

Yes, indeed! Are you being drawn up out of the water? Are you being sent to certain death by baptism only to be risen and rescued up out of the water by the living God our Father?

What then, are you and I and everyone else who are chosen in this life in such a way, being givne salvation to go and do with our new found life?

Exo 2:11 And it came to pass in those days, when Moses was grown, that he went out unto his brethren, and looked on their burdens: and he spied an Egyptian smiting an Hebrew, one of his brethren.
Exo 2:12 And he looked this way and that way, and when he saw that there was no man, he slew the Egyptian, and hid him in the sand.
Exo 2:13 And when he went out the second day, behold, two men of the Hebrews strove together: and he said to him that did the wrong, Wherefore smitest thou thy fellow?
Exo 2:14 And he said, Who made thee a prince and a judge over us? intendest thou to kill me, as thou killedst the Egyptian? And Moses feared, and said, Surely this thing is known.

Oh, there is a lot to learn from this pattern we are being shown but alas I am short on time!

In our lives, it is no different that we want to fight for God and country. It is no different that we feel a loyalty to those whom we relate to in the flesh. Indeed, we are willing to die for the flesh and those whom we are in concert with.

It is when our calling is challenged, that because of our “own actions,” we doubt the calling we have been called to.

“Who made thee a prince and judge over us” is something we will all want to run away from in our due time.

In Truth, we are CALLED to be kings, and priests and judges over many, many things but we all initially do not know it nor count the cost of such a calling.

We often fear the things the Lord has caused in our past as reason enough to doubt what it is we have done and why we have done it.

However, even in our running away and “deciding” that we will do what is necessary to avoid the “reaping of what we have sowed”, we will often find that the Lord has indeed already laid out the foundation of what will happen to us next.

Exo 2:15 Now when Pharaoh heard this thing, he sought to slay Moses. But Moses fled from the face of Pharaoh, and dwelt in the land of Midian: and he sat down by a well.

The point in our life that the Lord causes us to come to Him of no doing of our own, just shows us what our true purpose is.

Exo 2:16 Now the priest of Midian had seven daughters: and they came and drew water, and filled the troughs to water their father’s flock.
Exo 2:17 And the shepherds(H7462) came and drove them away: but Moses stood up and helped them, and watered their flock.

Moses, as a baby was cast into a “river of death” of which without the Lord’s blessing, would have surely resulted in him dying.

Now, we see that Moses growing up and has gone “to a well” from which Moses will be used to stand up against shepherds and help those “ seven women” whom are of one Father.

Why are we told there are seven daughters? These are none other than the church to whom we are sent. Do you doubt this? Just who are the shepherds?

H7462

ra a h

raw- aw’

A primitive root; to tend a flock, that is, pasture it; intransitively to graze (literally or figuratively); generally to rule; by extension to associate with (as a friend): – X break, companion, keep company with, devour, eat up, evil entreat, feed, use as a friend, make friendship with, herdman, keep [ sheep] (- er), pastor, + shearing house, shepherd, wander, waste.

Listen to how God speaks about those shepherds who drive away those “daughters of His” who are there to do the work of the care of HIS FLOCK.

There are many times this same word is translated in Hebrew as many different English words, but I will only be focusing on a few of them for the context of this study. Here you, the prophet Jeremiah.

pastors, 7

Jer_2:7-8(2), Jer_3:15, Jer_10:21, Jer_12:10, Jer_22:22, Jer_23:1-2 (2)

Jer 2:6 Neither said they, Where is the LORD that brought us up out of the land of Egypt, that led us through the wilderness, through a land of deserts and of pits, through a land of drought, and of the shadow of death, through a land that no man passed through, and where no man dwelt?
Jer 2:7 And I brought you into a plentiful country, to eat the fruit thereof and the goodness thereof; but when ye entered, ye defiled my land, and made mine heritage an abomination.
Jer 2:8 The priests said not, Where is the LORD? and they that handle the law knew me not: the pastors (H7462) also transgressed against me, and the prophets prophesied by Baal, and walked after things that do not profit.

Jer 10:21 For the pastors (H7462) are become brutish, and have not sought the LORD: therefore they shall not prosper, and all their flocks shall be scattered.
Jer 10:22 Behold, the noise of the bruit is come, and a great commotion out of the north country, to make the cities of Judah desolate, and a den of dragons.

Jer 12:10 Many pastors (H7462) have destroyed my vineyard, they have trodden my portion under foot, they have made my pleasant portion a desolate wilderness.
Jer 12:11 They have made it desolate, and being desolate it mourneth unto me; the whole land is made desolate, because no man layeth it to heart.
Jer 12:12 The spoilers are come upon all high places through the wilderness: for the sword of the LORD shall devour from the one end of the land even to the other end of the land: no flesh shall have peace.

Jer 22:21 I spake unto thee in thy prosperity; but thou saidst, I will not hear. This hath been thy manner from thy youth, that thou obeyedst not my voice.
Jer 22:22 The wind (H7307- ruach) shall eat up all thy pastors (H7462), and thy lovers shall go into captivity: surely then shalt thou be ashamed and confounded for all thy wickedness.

Contrast these previous pastors with the following pastors:

Jer 3:13 Only acknowledge thine iniquity, that thou hast transgressed against the LORD thy God, and hast scattered thy ways to the strangers under every green tree, and ye have not obeyed my voice, saith the LORD.
Jer 3:14 Turn, O backsliding children, saith the LORD; for I am married unto you: and I will take you one of a city, and two of a family, and I will bring you to Zion:
Jer 3:15 And I will give you pastors (H7462) according to mine heart, which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding.
Jer 3:16 And it shall come to pass, when ye be multiplied and increased in the land, in those days, saith the LORD, they shall say no more, The ark of the covenant of the LORD: neither shall it come to mind: neither shall they remember it; neither shall they visit it; neither shall that be done any more.
Jer 3:17 At that time they shall call Jerusalem the throne of the LORD; and all the nations shall be gathered unto it, to the name of the LORD, to Jerusalem: neither shall they walk any more after the imagination of their evil heart.

Who then, I ask you, is Moses, who then is Christ, and who then is His Christ? We are not left to wonder!

Jer 23:1 Woe be unto the pastors (H7462) that destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture! saith the LORD.
Jer 23:2 Therefore thus saith the LORD God of Israel against the pastors (H7462) that feed my people; Ye have scattered my flock, and driven them away, and have not visited them: behold, I will visit upon you the evil of your doings, saith the LORD.
Jer 23:3 And I will gather the remnant of my flock out of all countries whither I have driven them, and will bring them again to their folds; and they shall be fruitful and increase.
Jer 23:4 And I will set up shepherds (H7462) over them which shall feed them: and they shall fear no more, nor be dismayed, neither shall they be lacking, saith the LORD.
Jer 23:5 Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper, and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth.
Jer 23:6 In his days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely: and this is his name whereby he shall be called, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.

“An Egyptian delivered us…”

 Indeed, it is us who come to the well, and are used of the “ruach” to “eat up” and drive out the shepherds who would not have the flock of God looked after with His “water from the well of Life”.

Jer 22:22 The wind (H7307- ruach) shall eat up all thy pastors (H7462), and thy lovers shall go into captivity: surely then shalt thou be ashamed and confounded for all thy wickedness.

Exo 2:18 And when they came to Reuel (friend of God) their father, he said, How is it that ye are come so soon to day?
Exo 2:19 And they said, An Egyptian delivered us out of the hand of the shepherds, and also drew water enough for us, and watered the flock.
Exo 2:20 And he said unto his daughters, And where is he? why is it that ye have left the man? call him, that he may eat bread.
Exo 2:21 And Moses was content to dwell with the man: and he gave Moses Zipporah (BIRD) his daughter.
Exo 2:22 And she bare him a son, and he called his name Gershom: for he said, I have been a stranger in a strange land.

It is the very flocks of God we are sent to that do not recognize us for who we are. They see us initially as a foreigner, a mere Egyptian, but indeed we are of their own kin! However, it is we who are used of God to come to the well and be helpers of those who are caused to be at the well with us.

As a result of this driving of the “pastors” away , who walk after the “imaginations of their own hearts,” we are given FELLOWSHIP and MARRIAGE to the heavenly mind of Christ.

It is Zipporah, meaning “bird,” who awe are given as a wife. We are given marriage to that which soars in the heavens.

It is the Word of God and the Spirit (ruach) of God which are used to cause us to be STRANGERS in the Land, and we as the body of Christ as strangers TOGETHER!

Act 13:17 The God of this people of Israel chose our fathers, and exalted the people when they dwelt as strangers in the land of Egypt, and with an high arm brought he them out of it.

Heb 11:13 These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.
Heb 11:14 For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country.

Eph 2:19 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;

Heb 13:1 Let brotherly love continue.
Heb 13:2 Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.
Heb 13:3 Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them; and them which suffer adversity, as being yourselves also in the body.

In God’s due time, this whole process will be used to make each of us the “pastors” of which come to the Lord’s people and to His flock in order to provide water for them from the “well of Life.”

Exo 2:23 And it came to pass in process of time, that the king of Egypt died: and the children of Israel sighed by reason of the bondage, and they cried, and their cry came up unto God by reason of the bondage.
Exo 2:24 And God heard their groaning, and God remembered his covenant with Abraham, with Isaac, and with Jacob.
Exo 2:25 And God looked upon the children of Israel, and God had respect unto them.

God will hear His flock’s crying of bondage, as He always did and has, and He will send His “pastors of righteousness” who are after His own heart, so that they can feed and nourish the flocks of God with understanding and knowledge of Him and His Son!

The water provides the Life!

Jer 3:15 And I will give you pastors (H7462) according to mine heart, which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding.

Joh 17:1 These words spake Jesus, and lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, Father, the hour is come; glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify thee:
Joh 17:2 As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him.
Joh 17:3 And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.