“Journey Through the Kingdom to God’s Throne” – Part 1

Kingdom Fundamentals

[Study Aired Nov 5, 2024]

When beginning our study of our journey to the kingdom’s throne, we must first understand Christ’s fundamental teaching about the kingdom itself: “The kingdom of God cometh not with observation… for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you” (Luke 17:20-21). This truth establishes that our study of physical approaches to God’s presence – through gates, courts, and the temple itself – must be understood spiritually, for these patterns reveal internal realities in our approach to God.

The journey begins at the city gates: “Our feet shall stand within thy gates, O Jerusalem. Jerusalem is builded as a city that is compact together: Whither the tribes go up, the tribes of the LORD, unto the testimony of Israel, to give thanks unto the name of the LORD” (Psalm 122:2-4).

From there we proceed to the temple courts, where a middle wall of partition separated the outer court from the inner courts. This wall represented the law that kept Gentiles separate from Jews: “For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us” (Ephesians 2:14). As Paul further explains, Christ abolished “the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace” (Ephesians 2:15). This wall marked a boundary that Gentiles could not cross, as God commanded: “Thus saith the Lord GOD; No stranger, uncircumcised in heart, nor uncircumcised in flesh, shall enter into my sanctuary” (Ezekiel 44:9). Christ removed this barrier, “Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross” (Colossians 2:14). Beyond this wall stood the inner courts: “Thus saith the LORD; Stand in the court of the LORD’s house” (Jeremiah 26:2), with “the glory of the LORD came into the house by the way of the gate whose prospect is toward the east” (Ezekiel 43:4). Within these courts stood the great altar and laver, both speaking of our purification in Christ. The brass altar, where sacrifices were offered, points to Christ’s sacrifice: “We are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all” (Hebrews 10:10). The laver, where priests washed before service, represents our cleansing by God’s Word: “Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word” (Ephesians 5:25-26).

“Beyond this lay the temple building itself with the Holy Place containing the prescribed furnishings. The golden candlesticks were designed according to God’s specific pattern: “And thou shalt make a candlestick of pure gold… his shaft, and his branches, his bowls, his knops, and his flowers, shall be of the same” (Exodus 25:31). These candlesticks provided light in the Holy Place: “they shall light the lamps thereof, that they may give light” (Exodus 25:37). Their spiritual significance is revealed in the New Testament, where Christ shows that candlesticks represent His churches: “The seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches” (Revelation 1:20). This light must be maintained through obedience, for Christ warns: “Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place” (Revelation 2:5). The prophet Zechariah connects this to the Spirit’s work: “Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts” (Zechariah 4:6).”

Finally, separated by the veil whose colors speak of Christ: “And he made the vail of blue, and purple, and crimson, and fine linen” (2 Chronicles 3:14). Like the tabernacle entrance, the blue represents His heavenly origin, the purple His royalty, the crimson His sacrifice, and the fine linen His perfect righteousness. This veil itself represented Christ’s flesh: “By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh” (Hebrews 10:20).

The biblical pattern reveals progressive stages of drawing near to God’s presence, each with its own spiritual significance as “the way into the holiest of all was not yet made manifest, while as the first tabernacle was yet standing: Which was a figure for the time then present” (Hebrews 9:8-9). This progression follows the pattern described by the psalmist: “They go from strength to strength, every one of them in Zion appeareth before God” (Psalm 84:7), showing how each stage brings us closer to His presence and transforms us in the process.

The Apostle Paul reveals how we can understand spiritual things through physical things: “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” (Romans 1:20). Therefore, to begin our journey to the Most Holy Place, we must first enter through a gate, which is synonymous with door, for Jesus said, “I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved” (John 10:9). This isn’t a physical door but a spiritual reality, further emphasized when He says, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me” (John 14:6). Only after passing through this entrance can we proceed along the path that leads to God’s presence, for “through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father” (Ephesians 2:18). As we study these doors and gates, and the path that gives us access to the Most Holy place we seek their spiritual significance, remembering Jesus’ words that “The words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life” (John 6:63), just as the tribes of Israel entered Jerusalem’s gates to go up to the temple: “Whither the tribes go up, the tribes of the LORD, unto the testimony of Israel, to give thanks unto the name of the LORD” (Psalm 122:4).

This spiritual entrance is described as narrow and demanding: “Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it” (Matthew 7:13-14). This narrow way isn’t a physical path but an internal journey of transformation. As Solomon wrote, “The way of life is above to the wise” (Proverbs 15:24), and Isaiah confirms, “And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it” (Isaiah 30:21). This spiritual way was foreshadowed throughout the Old Testament, where God provided physical patterns to teach spiritual truths about entering His presence.

The Old Testament provides several types and shadows that reveal Christ as our entrance to the kingdom. Consider first the door of Noah’s ark: “And the LORD said unto Noah, Come thou and all thy house into the ark… and the LORD shut him in” (Genesis 7:1,16). This single door of salvation foreshadowed Christ, who declared “I am the door” (John 10:9). Just as only those who entered through the ark’s door were saved, spiritual salvation comes only through Christ: “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved” (Acts 4:12).

The tabernacle entrance deepens this typology: “And thou shalt make an hanging for the door of the tent, of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen, wrought with needlework” (Exodus 26:36). These colors prophetically speak of Christ. The blue represents His heavenly origin, for “He that cometh from heaven is above all” (John 3:31). The purple signifies His royalty, as He is “KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS” (Revelation 19:16). The scarlet points to His sacrifice, for “In whom we have redemption through his blood” (Ephesians 1:7). The fine twined linen shows His righteousness, for He “knew no sin” (2 Corinthians 5:21).

The Psalms reveal spiritual understanding of gates: “Open to me the gates of righteousness: I will go into them, and I will praise the LORD: This gate of the LORD, into which the righteous shall enter” (Psalm 118:19-20). These verses point to Christ, who is our righteousness: “But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption” (1 Corinthians 1:30).

The prophet Isaiah foresaw the spiritual nature of these gates: “Open ye the gates, that the righteous nation which keepeth the truth may enter in” (Isaiah 26:2). This righteousness comes not through external observance but through the faith of Christ: “Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe” (Romans 3:22).

Ezekiel’s vision of the temple gate provides further insight: “Then he brought me back the way of the gate of the outward sanctuary which looketh toward the east; and it was shut. Then said the LORD unto me; This gate shall be shut, it shall not be opened, and no man shall enter in by it; because the LORD, the God of Israel, hath entered in by it, therefore it shall be shut” (Ezekiel 44:1-2). This exclusive entrance prophetically speaks of Christ, who alone provides access to God.

These Old Testament types find their complete fulfillment in Christ’s New Testament declaration: “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber” (John 10:1). This teaching establishes that there is no legitimate spiritual access except through Christ, the true Door. Jesus further emphasizes this truth: “I am the door of the sheep… by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved” (John 10:7,9). This salvation isn’t merely the future but present reality, for “he that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life” (John 3:36). Having established Christ Himself as the only entrance, we must understand the internal conditions He produces in those entering through Him.

Access to this spiritual kingdom requires specific internal conditions. First among these is spiritual poverty: “Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:3). This spiritual poverty manifests as humility, for “God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble” (James 4:6). David understood this when he wrote, “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise” (Psalm 51:17).

Beyond humility, entering the kingdom requires profound internal transformation. Jesus declared, “Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God” (John 3:3). This new birth is an internal reality, as David prayed, “Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me” (Psalm 51:10). Paul describes this as being “renewed in the spirit of your mind” (Ephesians 4:23).

The holy spirit plays a crucial role in this kingdom access. Jesus promised, “But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things” (John 14:26). This Spirit guides us into truth: “Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth” (John 16:13). The Spirit also helps in our weaknesses, “for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered” (Romans 8:26).

The ultimate reality of kingdom access is Christ’s indwelling through the Spirit. Paul reveals this mystery as “Christ in you, the hope of glory” (Colossians 1:27). Jesus Himself promised this intimate dwelling: “If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him” (John 14:23). He later prayed for this reality: “I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one” (John 17:23). This indwelling is so essential that Paul declares, “Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his” (Romans 8:9).

Now that we understand Christ as the Door, we must learn how to seek and find this entrance. Jesus provides the key principle: “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you” (Matthew 6:33). This seeking isn’t physical but spiritual, for “God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth” (John 4:24).

The nature of this spiritual seeking is revealed in Christ’s words: “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” (Matthew 13:44). This parable teaches that finding the kingdom’s entrance requires valuing it above all else. As Solomon wrote, “If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures; Then shalt thou understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God” (Proverbs 2:4-5).

This seeking involves the whole heart. God promises, “And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart” (Jeremiah 29:13). Half-hearted seeking won’t suffice, for “The kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force” (Matthew 11:12). This “violence” refers not to physical force but to the intensity of spiritual pursuit – a complete denial of self, as Christ taught: “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me” (Luke 9:23).

The process of seeking requires spiritual discernment, which itself is a divine gift. As Solomon prayed, “Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad” (1 Kings 3:9). Paul explains this necessity: “But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned” (1 Corinthians 2:14). Therefore, we must pray as David did, “Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law” (Psalm 119:18).

Finding the entrance requires divine revelation. Jesus declared, “No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw (drag) him” (John 6:44). This dragging comes through the Spirit’s work: “For as many as are led (brought) by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God” (Romans 8:14). We can’t find the entrance through natural wisdom but only through God’s revealing Spirit.

The seeking process involves stripping away false dependencies. Jesus taught, “If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple” (Luke 14:26). This doesn’t mean literal hatred but rather putting Christ above all other relationships and dependencies.

This seeking requires persistence. Jesus illustrated this through the parable of the widow: “And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them?” (Luke 18:7). He taught this parable specifically that “men ought always to pray, and not to faint” (Luke 18:1).

Our entrance through Christ requires putting away old patterns of thinking and living. Paul emphasizes this: “That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness” (Ephesians 4:22-24). This transformation happens as we are given to yield to Christ’s indwelling life.

The Spirit leads us to diligently search the Scriptures, as Jesus commanded: “Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me” (John 5:39). Yet this searching must transcend mere intellectual study. As Paul explains, “Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God” (1 Corinthians 2:12).

Our seeking involves intense spiritual warfare. We face opposition from our flesh, for “the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh” (Galatians 5:17). The world system opposes us, hence John’s warning: “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world” (1 John 2:15). Beyond these, we face spiritual opposition, 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.” (Ephesians 6:12). Therefore we must “Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil” (Ephesians 6:11). This armor includes “having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness… taking the shield of faith… and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God” (Ephesians 6:14,16-17).”

Throughout this seeking, persistent prayer becomes our lifeline. Jesus promises, “Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it (the door, Jesus Christ) shall be opened unto you” (Matthew 7:7). This prayer must flow from faith, align with God’s will, and persist without ceasing. As Paul instructs, we should be “Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit” (Ephesians 6:18).

Our journey isn’t solitary. God places us in fellowship with other believers, warning us against “forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching” (Hebrews 10:25). Through this fellowship, we experience mutual edification and growth, for the body is “fitly joined together” (Ephesians 4:16).

As we consider the evidences of having found the kingdom’s entrance, we must remember Christ’s foundational teaching that “the kingdom of God is within you” (Luke 17:20-21). Therefore, the evidence appears first in our internal spiritual condition before manifesting in external ways. Jesus taught, “Every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit” (Matthew 7:17).

The first evidence is a new spiritual understanding. Paul describes this transformation: “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed(ing) away; behold, all things are become(ing) new” (2 Corinthians 5:17). This new understanding comes through the Spirit, for “the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned” (1 Corinthians 2:14).

A clear evidence appears in our relationship to sin. John writes, “Whosoever is born of God (the new man) doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he (the new man) is born of God” (1 John 3:9). This doesn’t mean sinless perfection, but rather a fundamental change in our relationship to sin. Paul explains this transformation: “For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under (chastening) grace” (Romans 6:14), for “whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth” (Hebrews 12:6).

The presence of divine love provides another crucial evidence. John states plainly, “We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death” (1 John 3:14). This love isn’t natural affection but supernatural, flowing from God Himself: “the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us” (Romans 5:5).

Evidence appears in a new relationship with God’s Word. Where once the Scriptures might have seemed dry or confusing, now they become our essential nourishment. As Jeremiah testified, “Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart” (Jeremiah 15:16). Job expressed similar devotion: “I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food” (Job 23:12). The psalmist declares, “How sweet are thy words unto my taste! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth!” (Psalm 119:103). This fulfills what God taught Israel: “man doth not live by bread only, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the LORD doth man live” (Deuteronomy 8:3).

A transformed prayer life provides further evidence. Paul describes this change: “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” (Romans 8:15). Prayer becomes communion rather than obligation, for “the Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God” (Romans 8:16).

Changed priorities mark those who have found the kingdom’s entrance. As Paul testifies, “But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord” (Philippians 3:7-8). Worldly attractions lose their appeal, for “if any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him” (1 John 2:15).

Evidence appears in our response to trials. James writes, “My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience” (James 1:2-3). Rather than being defeated by difficulties, we find them working spiritual growth, “For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory” (2 Corinthians 4:17).

Perhaps the most profound evidence is Christ’s increasing manifestation in our lives. Paul describes this process: “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” (Galatians 2:20). This manifestation brings increasing conformity to His image, “For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son” (Romans 8:29).

Finally, true entrance into the kingdom produces an earnest anticipation of Christ’s return. Paul describes believers as those who “love his appearing” (2 Timothy 4:8). This hope purifies us: “And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure” (1 John 3:3).

Having understood how we enter the kingdom through Christ, our next study will examine the gates of Jerusalem as they reveal deeper aspects of our spiritual journey. As the psalmist declares, “The LORD loveth the gates of Zion more than all the dwellings of Jacob. Glorious things are spoken of thee, O city of God” (Psalm 87:2-3). Each gate in Jerusalem’s walls held specific purpose and position, providing profound insights into our ongoing spiritual walk. From the Sheep Gate where sacrifices entered the city, to the Water Gate where Ezra read the law, to the Valley Gate representing humility – each entrance teaches vital spiritual truth.

As Paul explains, “Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come” (1 Corinthians 10:11). Lord willing we will discover how these ancient gates, arranged by divine wisdom, illuminate our path of spiritual growth and transformation in Christ.

Rev 7:4-8 – Part 2-A, Who are the 144,000?

[Study Aired June 14, 2024]

Rev 7:4  And I heard the number of them which were sealed: [and there were] sealed an hundred [and] forty [and] four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel.
Rev 7:5  Of the tribe of Juda [were] sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Reuben [were] sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Gad [were] sealed twelve thousand.
Rev 7:6  Of the tribe of Aser [were] sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Nepthalim [were] sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Manasses [were] sealed twelve thousand.
Rev 7:7  Of the tribe of Simeon [ were] sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Levi [were] sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Issachar [were] sealed twelve thousand.
Rev 7:8  Of the tribe of Zabulon [were] sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Joseph [were] sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Benjamin [were] sealed twelve thousand.

Introduction

We have seen that the ‘144,000 virgins who are not defiled with women’ is a spiritual statement about a spiritual group who can be and are numbered. We saw what is and what is not a Jew, and we learned that a Jew is only a Jew if he “is one inwardly.” We saw that being a Benjamite of the stock of Israel is true only in a spiritual sense, and that being a physical Benjamite of the physical stock of Israel is to be counted as nothing more than dung. We have seen that it is only those who are in Christ who are now the children of promise and are counted for the seed of Abraham. We saw that those who can be counted are the same as the 144,000 who, in Christ, are counted for the seed of Abraham. We saw that Gentiles and Jews are now both part of the commonwealth of Israel, in Christ. We saw that Paul called the Corinthians, the Galatians and the Ephesians part of the commonwealth of Israel, in Christ. We saw that the “much in every way… advantage” held by being a circumcised Jew is only an advantage when one is a Jew inwardly and is circumcised of the heart, in the spirit. We saw that when Christ declared that “the flesh profits nothing”, He was teaching Paul and us that being an Israelite is no longer a physical matter but is now a matter of the heart in the spirit.

We saw that all of Christ’s words were in parables for the purpose of taking away from those with an understanding according to man’s wisdom, even what they had with that outward understanding. We have seen that the words of this book of the revelation of Jesus Christ are words which have been spoken by Christ, and because of that they are spiritual words which man’s wisdom cannot discern or receive. We have seen that according to Christ, “If we have seen Christ, then we have seen the Father.” We have seen that the 144,000 of each of the twelve tribes are just as spiritual as are the spiritual tribes of Judah and Benjamin, which we have been told must be in Christ if they are to be counted as the 144,000 seed of Abraham.

Finally, we saw the verses of scripture which revealed that the ‘virgins which follow the Lamb… being firstfruits’ (Rev 14:4) is a direct reference to those of both Jew and Gentiles who are said to be “a chaste virgin, espoused to Christ” (2Co 11:2,) who are “followers of Christ” and who are said to be “the firstfruits of the spirit” (Rom 8:23), and “a kind of firstfruits” (Jas 1:18).

So now, let us get this all straight:

1) The promises are made only to “one seed”, and that “one seed… is Christ”.

Gal 3:16  Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ.

2) If we are “in Christ”, either Jews or Gentiles, only then are we “counted for the seed.”

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.

3) “WE are the circumcision…” There is no other ‘circumcision.

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.

4) “WE… are the children of promise.” There are no other “children of promise.”

Gal 4:28  Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are the children of promise.

5) “WE are not the children of the bondwoman, but of the free.”

Gal 4:31  So then, brethren, we are not children of the bondwoman, but of the free.

6) “[WE] are… the children of God…”

Gal 3:26  For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.

7) We are “the Israel of God”.

Gal 6:15  For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature.
Gal 6:16  And as many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God. (KJV)

Gal 6:15  Certainly, it doesn’t matter whether a person is circumcised or not. Rather, what matters is being a new creation.
Gal 6:16  Peace and mercy will come to rest on all those who conform to this principle. They are the Israel of God. (GWV)

The one thing that should be clear to ‘him that hath wisdom’ is that the 144,000 are “the firstfruits unto God”, and the ‘firstfruits’ are “of all the tribes of the children of Israel.”  “In Christ Jesus neither circumcision [being physically circumcised or physically descended from Abraham] availeth anything, nor uncircumcision [those who are not physically descended from Abraham] but a new creature” [is all that counts], and “as many as walk according to this rule [that both are one, and a “new creature” is all that matters in Christ] peace be on them and on THE ISRAEL OF GOD.” Obviously the ‘Israel of God’ has nothing to do with physical descent or physical ‘outward’ circumcision. Those counted for the seed of Abraham and counted as the symbolic 144,000 are those who are “in Christ”, the “one seed” of Galatians 3:16.

Here is Galatians 6:15-16 in the MSG Version:

Gal 6:15  Can’t you see the central issue in all this? It is not what you and I do – submit to circumcision, reject circumcision. It is what God is doing, and he is creating something totally new, a free life!
Gal 6:16  All who walk by this standard are the true Israel of God – his chosen people. Peace and mercy on them!

Because it will always be the focus of the natural man, and because you and I will be persecuted for standing for this Truth, we will now consider what is the “promise made to Abraham” to which we are now heirs, and we will ask what are…

‘All the promises [which are] of God [are only] in Christ?”

2Co 1:20  For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us.

Remember, the only way to be an heir of the promise made to Abraham is to “be Christ’s.”

Gal 3:29  And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.

Do “all the promises of God” mentioned by Paul to Gentile Corinthians, mean only the promises of God made to the Gentiles? If we believe what we have just been told, then the truth is that ‘in Christ we are Abraham’s ONE seed.’

Gal 3:16  Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ.

If that is true, then how could there possibly be any ‘promises of God’ made to Gentiles? No, there are NO PROMISES made to “the bondwoman and her son.”

Gal 4:30  Nevertheless what saith the scripture? Cast out the bondwoman and her son: for the son of the bondwoman shall not be heir with the son of the freewoman.

If you have any doubt about what promises Paul has in mind when he says ‘all the promises of God’, notice what he says on this same subject in this same book:

2Co 7:1  Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

Which promises are “these promises?” They are the three promises Paul had just quoted in the previous chapter.

To whomsoever these promises are made, it will once again reveal to us who Paul and the holy spirit consider to be “the Israel of God” to whom “all the promises of God in Him are yea, and in Him Amen.” Notice what these promises are and to whom they are made. Were they made to Israel, or were they made to these Corinthian Gentiles to whom Paul is writing? Let us see what the scriptures reveal. Here are the promises to which 2Corinthians 7:1 refer:

2Co 6:16  And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.

“I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.” To whom was this promise made???

Lev 25:1  And the LORD spake unto Moses in mount Sinai, saying,
Lev 25:2  Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, When ye come into the land which I give you, then shall the land keep a sabbath unto the LORD.

Lev 26:11  And I will set my tabernacle among you: and my soul shall not abhor you.
Lev 26:12  And I will walk among you, and will be your God, and ye shall be my people.
Lev 26:13  I am the LORD your God, which brought you forth out of the land of Egypt, that ye should not be their bondmen; and I have broken the bands of your yoke, and made you go upright.

“And the Lord spake unto Moses in mount Sinai, saying, speak unto the children of Israel and say unto them… And I will walk among you, and will be your God, and ye shall be my people.” This promise is made only to Israel! Yet Paul says we are “the Israel of God”, and he applies this promise to the Gentile Corinthians who were ‘in Christ.’

2Co 6:17  Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,

To whom is this promise made?

Isa 52:9  Break forth into joy, sing together, ye waste places of Jerusalem: for the LORD hath comforted his people, he hath redeemed Jerusalem.

Isa 52:11  Depart ye, depart ye, go ye out from thence, touch no unclean thing; go ye out of the midst of her; be ye clean, that bear the vessels of the LORD.
Isa 52:12  For ye shall not go out with haste, nor go by flight: for the LORD will go before you; and the God of Israel will be your rereward.

“Depart ye… go ye out from thence, touch no unclean thing; go ye out of the midst of her; be ye clean, that bear the vessels of the Lord… The Lord hath comforted His people, He hath redeemed Jerusalem … the God of Israel will be your rereward.” This promise is made only to “His people” Jerusalem and Israel. Yet Paul says that physical “Jerusalem that now is… is in bondage” and “Jerusalem which is above… is the mother of us all“, and he goes on to apply this promise also to the Gentile Corinthians.

Gal 4:25  For this Agar is mount Sinai in Arabia, and answereth to Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children.
Gal 4:26  But Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all.

2Co 6:18  And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.

Once again, let us ask, “To whom is this third promise made?”

Jer 31:1  At the same time, saith the LORD, will I be the God of all the families of Israel, and they shall be my people.

Jer 31:9  They shall come with weeping, and with supplications will I lead them: I will cause them to walk by the rivers of waters in a straight way, wherein they shall not stumble: for I am a father to Israel, and Ephraim is my firstborn.

Let me summarize these two verses like this: “I… will… be the God of all the FAMILIES OF ISRAEL, and THEY shall be my people… for I am a Father to Israel, and Ephraim is my firstborn.” Once again, this promise is made only to the families of Israel.’ Once again, Paul applies it to the Gentile converts.

Yes, if ever there was a “replacement theologian,” the apostle Paul was that theologian.

Does this mean we will inherit the land?

Yes, indeed it does, if one understands what “the land” is. While the whole orthodox Christian world understands Egypt to symbolize the world and all the things of this world; while the whole orthodox Christian world sees the coming out of Egypt as coming out of the world and beginning to serve God; while the whole world understands that the giants in the land symbolize the inward more spiritual struggles we face even after coming out of Egypt, that seems to be the limit of spiritual understanding for most orthodox Christians. Even those who do see beyond that point seem to find it impossible to accept and apply the scriptural truth that “He is NOT a Jew which is one outwardly.” The truth of scripture is that “the land” is our bodies which we are commanded to present to Christ as “a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God…” Physical land, like being a physical Jew, is no more than dung in the eyes of God.

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.

Rom 2:28  For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh:
Rom 2:29  But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God.

Php 3:8  Yea doubtless, and I count all things [of the flesh] but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,

Understanding what is “the land” makes these statements much more meaningful:

Deu 24:4  Her former husband, which sent her away, may not take her again to be his wife, after that she is defiled; for that [is] abomination before the LORD: and thou shalt not cause the land to sin, which the LORD thy God giveth thee for] an inheritance.

Jer 3:9  And it came to pass through the lightness of her whoredom, that she defiled the land, and committed adultery with stones and with stocks.

Why are the tribes of Ephraim and Dan not mentioned?

There are two revealing facts in this 31st chapter of Jeremiah:

1) This is the chapter in which it is revealed that God has divorced Israel “according to the flesh,”

Jer 31:31  Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah:
Jer 31:32  Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day [that] I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they brake, although I was an husband unto them, saith the LORD:
Jer 31:33  But this [shall be] the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people.

2) Here in Jeremiah 31 we are told “Ephraim is my firstborn.”

Jer 31:9  They shall come with weeping, and with supplications will I lead them: I will cause them to walk by the rivers of waters in a straight way, wherein they shall not stumble: for I am a father to Israel, and Ephraim is my firstborn.

Yet in Revelation 7:1-8 in the enumeration of the symbolic twelve tribes, neither Ephraim nor Dan are mentioned. Ephraim was the name given to the entire northern nation, also known as Israel, after Solomon’s death. So in reality, only eleven of the twelve tribes are mentioned in Revelation 7. Dan is left out, and his name is replaced by “the tribe of Joseph.” Joseph, of course, was actually the father of both Ephraim and Manasseh. Yet Ephraim, the single largest tribe in Israel is not even mentioned. These facts simply point to the symbolism with which we are told up front, in the first verse of the first chapter, when we read this book is “SIGNified.”

Rev 1:1  The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John:

While there are no doubt other reasons why the tribes of Ephraim and Dan are not mentioned, one purpose the omission of the names of these two tribes serves is to demonstrate that “144,000 of all the tribes of Israel” is not to be taken physically, but it is to be understood spiritually as all who are in Christ, chosen from “before the world began” to be His elect.

2Ti 1:9  Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,

Tit 1:2  In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;

These omissions demonstrate that this book is a book of “signified” symbols which the natural man will never understand in this age.

Now let’s look at the other Biblical listings of “all the tribes of Israel” and see what “the sum of God’s Word” on this subject can teach us “comparing spiritual things with spiritual.” The first place we see all twelve tribes listed where all twelve are first mentioned in the order of their birth is Genesis 29-30 and Benjamin in chapter 35. The order of their birth is:
Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Dan, Naphtali, Gad, Asher, Issachar, Zebulun, Joseph, Benjamin.

In Genesis 49, Jacob blesses all of his sons just prior to his death, and the order is different:
Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Zebulun, Issachar, Dan, Gad, Asher, Naphtali, Joseph, Benjamin.

In Numbers 13 Moses sends one man from each tribe to spy out the land:

Num 13:1  And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,
Num 13:2  Send thou men, that they may search the land of Canaan, which I give unto the children of Israel: of every tribe of their fathers shall ye send a man, every one a ruler among them.
Num 13:3  And Moses by the commandment of the LORD sent them from the wilderness of Paran: all those men [were] heads of the children of Israel.
Num 13:4  And these [were] their names: of the tribe of Reuben, Shammua the son of Zaccur.
Num 13:5  Of the tribe of Simeon, Shaphat the son of Hori.
Num 13:6  Of the tribe of Judah, Caleb the son of Jephunneh.
Num 13:7  Of the tribe of Issachar, Igal the son of Joseph.
Num 13:8  Of the tribe of Ephraim, Oshea the son of Nun.
Num 13:9  Of the tribe of Benjamin, Palti the son of Raphu.
Num 13:10  Of the tribe of Zebulun, Gaddiel the son of Sodi.
Num 13:11  Of the tribe of Joseph, [namely], of the tribe of Manasseh, Gaddi the son of Susi.
Num 13:12  Of the tribe of Dan, Ammiel the son of Gemalli.
Num 13:13  Of the tribe of Asher, Sethur the son of Michael.
Num 13:14  Of the tribe of Naphtali, Nahbi the son of Vophsi.
Num 13:15  Of the tribe of Gad, Geuel the son of Machi.
Num 13:16  These [are] the names of the men which Moses sent to spy out the land. And Moses called Oshea the son of Nun Jehoshua.

Here is the order of this list:
Reuben, Simeon, Judah, Issachar, Ephraim, Benjamin, Zebulun, Joseph of Manasseh, Dan, Asher, Naphtali, and Gad. Levi is not included in this list.

There is yet another order in the blessing of Moses on the twelve tribes in Deuteronomy 33. In this list Simeon is omitted, just as Dan is omitted in Revelation 7, but the names of Joseph and his two sons are all mentioned. If we take Joseph’s sons as the two tribes of Joseph, we again have twelve tribes. This is their order in this list:
Reuben, Judah, Levi, Benjamin, Joseph, Ephraim, Manasseh, Zebulun, Issachar, Gad, Dan, Naphtali, Asher.

In the division of Canaan in Joshua 13–19, Levi is omitted, because Levi had no inheritance in the land.

Jos 13:14  Only unto the tribe of Levi he gave none inheritance; the sacrifices of the LORD God of Israel made by fire are their inheritance, as he said unto them.

Jos 13:33  But unto the tribe of Levi Moses gave not any inheritance: the LORD God of Israel was their inheritance, as he said unto them.

In 1Chronicles 4-8 both Zebulun and Dan are omitted, and Manasseh is mentioned twice. Here is the order of that list:
Judah, Simeon, Ruben, Gad, Manasseh, Levi, Issachar, Naphtali, Manasseh, Ephraim, Asher, Benjamin.

In Ezekiel 48, there are two more lists of the twelve tribes. These two lists differ from each other, and they also differ from all the previous lists. In Ezekiel 48:31-34, Levi is reckoned as one of the twelve tribes, and Joseph is reckoned as only one. In Ezekiel 48:1-28, the subject is the division of the land, and Levi, who had no heritage in land, is included anyway, while Ephraim and Manasseh are counted as two different tribes.

Eze 48:1  Now these [are] the names of the tribes. From the north end to the coast of the way of Hethlon, as one goeth to Hamath, Hazarenan, the border of Damascus northward, to the coast of Hamath; for these are his sides east [and] west; a [portion for] Dan.
Eze 48:2  And by the border of Dan, from the east side unto the west side, a [portion for] Asher.
Eze 48:3  And by the border of Asher, from the east side even unto the west side, a [portion for] Naphtali.
Eze 48:4  And by the border of Naphtali, from the east side unto the west side, a [portion for] Manasseh.
Eze 48:5  And by the border of Manasseh, from the east side unto the west side, a [portion for] Ephraim.
Eze 48:6  And by the border of Ephraim, from the east side even unto the west side, a [portion for] Reuben.
Eze 48:7  And by the border of Reuben, from the east side unto the west side, a [portion for] Judah.
Eze 48:8  And by the border of Judah, from the east side unto the west side, shall be the offering which ye shall offer of five and twenty thousand [reeds in] breadth, and [in] length as one of the [other] parts, from the east side unto the west side: and the sanctuary shall be in the midst of it.
Eze 48:9  The oblation that ye shall offer unto the LORD [shall be] of five and twenty thousand in length, and of ten thousand in breadth.
Eze 48:10  And for them, [even] for the priests, shall be [this] holy oblation; toward the north five and twenty thousand [in length], and toward the west ten thousand in breadth, and toward the east ten thousand in breadth, and toward the south five and twenty thousand in length: and the sanctuary of the LORD shall be in the midst thereof.
Eze 48:11  [It shall be] for the priests that are sanctified of the sons of Zadok; which have kept my charge, which went not astray when the children of Israel went astray, as the Levites went astray.
Eze 48:12  And [this] oblation of the land that is offered shall be unto them a thing most holy by the border of the Levites.
Eze 48:13  And over against the border of the priests the Levites [shall have] five and twenty thousand in length, and ten thousand in breadth: all the length [shall be] five and twenty thousand, and the breadth ten thousand.
Eze 48:14  And they shall not sell of it, neither exchange, nor alienate the firstfruits of the land: for [it is] holy unto the LORD.
Eze 48:15  And the five thousand, that are left in the breadth over against the five and twenty thousand, shall be a profane [place] for the city, for dwelling, and for suburbs: and the city shall be in the midst thereof.
Eze 48:16  And these [shall be] the measures thereof; the north side four thousand and five hundred, and the south side four thousand and five hundred, and on the east side four thousand and five hundred, and the west side four thousand and five hundred.
Eze 48:17  And the suburbs of the city shall be toward the north two hundred and fifty, and toward the south two hundred and fifty, and toward the east two hundred and fifty, and toward the west two hundred and fifty.
Eze 48:18  And the residue in length over against the oblation of the holy [portion shall be] ten thousand eastward, and ten thousand westward: and it shall be over against the oblation of the holy [portion]; and the increase thereof shall be for food unto them that serve the city.
Eze 48:19  And they that serve the city shall serve it out of all the tribes of Israel.
Eze 48:20  All the oblation [shall be] five and twenty thousand by five and twenty thousand: ye shall offer the holy oblation foursquare, with the possession of the city.
Eze 48:21  And the residue [shall be] for the prince, on the one side and on the other of the holy oblation, and of the possession of the city, over against the five and twenty thousand of the oblation toward the east border, and westward over against the five and twenty thousand toward the west border, over against the portions for the prince: and it shall be the holy oblation; and the sanctuary of the house [shall be] in the midst thereof.
Eze 48:22  Moreover from the possession of the Levites, and from the possession of the city, [being] in the midst [of that] which is the prince’s, between the border of Judah and the border of Benjamin, shall be for the prince.
Eze 48:23  As for the rest of the tribes, from the east side unto the west side, Benjamin [shall have] a [portion].
Eze 48:24  And by the border of Benjamin, from the east side unto the west side, Simeon [shall have] a [portion].
Eze 48:25  And by the border of Simeon, from the east side unto the west side, Issachar a [portion].
Eze 48:26  And by the border of Issachar, from the east side unto the west side, Zebulun a [portion].
Eze 48:27  And by the border of Zebulun, from the east side unto the west side, Gad a [portion].
Eze 48:28  And by the border of Gad, at the south side southward, the border shall be even from Tamar [unto] the waters of strife [in] Kadesh, [and] to the river toward the great sea.
Eze 48:29  This [is] the land which ye shall divide by lot unto the tribes of Israel for inheritance, and these [are] their portions, saith the Lord GOD.

Levi had a sanctuary “in the midst of… Judah,” but was not part of the inheritance in the land, and so is omitted. The order here is:
Dan, Asher, Naphtali, Manasseh. Ephraim, Reuben, Judah, Benjamin, Simeon, Issachar, Zebulon, Gad.

The next list of the twelve tribes in this same 48^th chapter of Ezekiel concerns the names of the twelve tribes on the twelve gates of the New Jerusalem. Once again the names differ from the list immediately preceding which concerned the division of the land:

Eze 48:30  And these are the goings out of the city on the north side, four thousand and five hundred measures.
Eze 48:31  And the gates of the city shall be after the names of the tribes of Israel: three gates northward; one gate of Reuben, one gate of Judah, one gate of Levi.
Eze 48:32  And at the east side four thousand and five hundred: and three gates; and one gate of Joseph, one gate of Benjamin, one gate of Dan.
Eze 48:33  And at the south side four thousand and five hundred measures: and three gates; one gate of Simeon, one gate of Issachar, one gate of Zebulun.
Eze 48:34  At the west side four thousand and five hundred, with their three gates; one gate of Gad, one gate of Asher, one gate of Naphtali.
Eze 48:35  It was round about eighteen thousand measures: and the name of the city from that day shall be, The LORD is there.

The fact that there are so many lists of the twelve tribes of Israel which differ from each other demonstrates that the names are not the point as much as the meaning of the number twelve which denotes the foundation of the kingdom of God, and Christ and His Christ are that foundation.

Eph 2:19  Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;
Eph 2:20  And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;
Eph 2:21  In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord:
Eph 2:22  In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.

Rev 7:4-8 – Part 1B, Who are the 144,000

[Study Aired June 9, 2024]

The multitudes who are “not given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God’ are even now being deprived of gleaning any spiritual knowledge from outward words, outward physical healing and outward physical miracles. Even Christ’s miracles, like turning water into wine and feeding the multitudes, or even the physical raising from the dead which Christ performed on more than one occasion, are nothing more than a history lesson to those from whom is taken even what little spiritual understanding they once had. Such “carnal… babes” (1Co 3:1-4) can’t even discern that “he is not a Jew which is one outwardly, but he is a Jew which is one inwardly.” We have all first lived for many years in our outward natural state without the benefit of spiritual eyes and spiritual ears, and for most of “the multitudes” who come to Christ, that outward understanding is the way this entire life will be lived. “I will bless them that bless you, and I will curse them that curse you” will always apply to outward Jews and outward circumcision.

Gen 12:1  Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father’s house, unto a land that I will shew thee:
Gen 12:2  And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing:
Gen 12:3  And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.

Christ and Paul were both so called ‘replacement theologians’ who both taught that ‘neither at Jerusalem nor at Samaria would anyone worship God because God is seeking those who worship Him in spirit and in Truth’:

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 Jews.
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.

Paul taught the same so-called ‘replacement theology’ with these words:

Rom 2:28  For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh:
Rom 2:29  But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God.

Failure to understand and believe these words of Christ is why we see such humbling displays of spiritual blindness in theatrical religious productions such as the popular “Left Behind” series in which dramatic physical devastations and physical plagues upon the planet, and even physical fire coming out of the mouths of the two physical witnesses of Revelation 11, were portrayed. Truly “Even that [understanding] he hath shall be taken away from him.”

Luk 19:26  For I say unto you, That unto every one which hath shall be given; and from him that hath not [much spiritual understanding], even [what little] that he hath shall be taken away from him.
Luk 19:27  But those mine enemies, which would not that I should reign over them, bring hither, and slay them before me.

Luke 19:26  is just another way of saying “the flesh profits nothing.” Understanding God’s Words physically, profits nothing. That is the doctrine of Christ concerning how few are given spiritual understanding of the “mysteries of the kingdom of heaven.” That is how few will ever really understand who these 144,000 firstfruit virgins are who follow Christ wherever He goes.

Whose are the Words of this Book?

Who happens to be the person who is “opening His mouth in parables” to give us this revelation of Jesus Christ? There is no need to speculate. This is:

Rev 1:1 The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John:

There it is. This revelation is “the revelation of Jesus Christ… signified by His angel unto His servant John.” That being so; Christ being the author of this book, then this book, too, must be a book of signs and symbols, because:

Mat 13:34  All these things spake Jesus unto the multitude in parables; and without a parable spake he not unto them:

We will not at this point explain all the symbolism involved in the revelation of Jesus Christ, but here is a rather extreme example of how this book is written, and how it must be understood. That includes these “144,000 of all the tribes of Israel.” Just look at the symbolism of these verses in chapter 17.

Rev 17:7  And the angel said unto me, Wherefore didst thou marvel? I will tell thee the mystery of the woman, and of the beast that carrieth her, which hath the seven heads and ten horns.
Rev 17:8  The beast that thou sawest was, and is not; and shall ascend out of the bottomless pit, and go into perdition: and they that dwell on the earth shall wonder, whose names were not written in the book of life from the foundation of the world, when they behold the beast that was, and is not, and yet is.
Rev 17:9  And here is the mind which hath wisdom. The seven heads are seven mountains, on which the woman sitteth.
Rev 17:10  And there are seven kings: five are fallen, and one is, and the other is not yet come; and when he cometh, he must continue a short space.

“The mind that has wisdom” is being told how to see and understand this mystery, this secret… “I will tell you the mystery…” To “the mind that has wisdom” these verses are perfectly clear. “The mind that has wisdom” understands clearly what all the symbols are which are involved when it reads that “the seven heads are seven mountains on which the woman sits… and there are seven kings.”  Here we have a parable within a parable, and the mind that has wisdom can see clearly what is being said because “the time has come” that Christ is no longer speaking in a parable to those who are now “being shown plainly of the Father” the spiritual significance of each of these symbols. He is now “speaking to us [all] plainly,” if we have been granted “eyes that see and ears that hear… the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven.”

Joh 16:25  These things have I spoken unto you in proverbs: but the time cometh, when I shall no more speak unto you in proverbs, but I shall shew you plainly of the Father. [“I will tell thee the mystery of the woman, and of the beast that carrieth her, which hath the seven heads and ten horns” (Rev 17:7)].

When would “the time come” for Christ to show His disciples “plainly of the Father?” Was that to happen only after the resurrection? If so, then which resurrection? Apparently Christ was speaking of His physical resurrection and after the coming of the holy spirit on the day of Pentecost.  Spiritually He was speaking of the downpayment, “earnest of the spirit” form of being resurrected in Christ, because these are Christ’s own words:

Joh 14:7  If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him.

Christ’s yet unconverted disciples still could not comprehend how they “had seen Him” and said the same thing then that all of Christ’s yet unconverted disciples say to this very day.

Joh 14:8  Philip saith unto him, Lord, shew us the Father, and it sufficeth us.
Joh 14:9  Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father?

You and I have never seen the physical Christ, any more than Philip and the eleven other apostles had physically “seen the Father.” Until this very day, for most professing Christians, the ability to spiritually see the True Christ of scripture and to “hear His voice” is “not given.” Otherwise, any carnal mind could understand what ‘seven mountains’ are, and there would be no need in scripture for phrases like “whoso reads let him understand…let him that hath wisdom count…” and “here is the mind that hath wisdom…”

Rom 2:28  For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh:
Rom 2:29  But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God.

Look at this verse in Matthew 13.

Mat 13:13  Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand.

Those who are given to understand the parables of Christ understand the symbolism of each parable, and they understand that each parable means what it means and not what it says. If a parable meant what it said, then it would not be a ‘parable.’

To determine who the 144,000 “of all the tribes of Israel” are, we must remember what physical Israel itself symbolizes in scripture. Nevertheless the natural man within us all will still ask, if this is a spiritual group, then why is each individual tribe mentioned? In answer to that question, it is instructive to know that the spiritual significance of the number 12 is ‘foundational’ and ‘foundations.’

Ishmael had twelve princes as the foundation of all the nations which spring from him:

Gen 25:16  These are the sons of Ishmael, and these are their names, by their towns, and by their castles; twelve princes according to their nations.

Jacob, whose name was changed to Israel, also had twelve sons who became 12 foundational tribes of the physical nation of Israel:

Gen 49:28  All these are the twelve tribes of Israel: and this is it that their father spake unto them, and blessed them; every one according to his blessing he blessed them.

Why are “all the tribes of Israel” mentioned individually?

The reason why each tribe is mentioned individually is the same reason for any parable. It is designed to hide the true spiritual identity of these symbolic 144,000 “firstfruits unto God and the Lamb” (Rev 14:4). The mention of each tribe keeps the carnal mind focused on the physical 12 tribes of Israel. It is very instructive to notice that while the tribe of Dan is not listed in Revelation 7, The tribe of Manasseh is listed, but the far more populous tribe of Ephraim is not mentioned and is replaced with the phrase “the tribe of Joseph.” The message has nothing to do with the names of the tribes as much as the fact that ‘the firstfruits unto God and the Lamb’ come out of every nation and tongue of mankind and are the very foundation upon which the entire family of God is built.

Could it possibly be that the fact that the tribes are listed individually means that the real Jew has to be descended ‘outwardly’ from Abraham before he can be one of these “12,000 firstfruits from all the [outward] tribes of Israel?” How irresistibly tempting it is for the natural man to revert to such reasoning. How quickly we all tend to forget that Paul has just told us that “they which are the [outward] children of the flesh, these are NOT the children of God, but the children of promise are counted for the seed?:

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.

Has not Ephesians 2:11-14 answered this question once and for all? Does not Ephesians 2 explain to us that being of Israel, and being of the entire commonwealth of all the 12 tribes of Israel, is now all a matter of spiritually being “in Christ?” Does not Ephesians 2, to this very day, explain to us that the true spiritual “commonwealth of Israel” now consists of both Jews and Gentiles who are “both… in Christ?” Does not Ephesians 2 tell us that Gentiles “in Christ” are no longer Gentiles? Let’s read those verses again, and if ever you tend to forget this, then go back and read them again.

Eph 2:11  Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands;
Eph 2:12  That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:
Eph 2:13  But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.
Eph 2:14  For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us;

“Who hath made both one…” The word ‘both’ refers to those who “were in times past Gentiles,” and “that which is called Circumcision in the flesh made by hands.” The word ‘both’ refers to “the commonwealth of Israel” and “aliens from the commonwealth of Israel.” What is God doing with these two groups according to the pen of the spirit here?

Eph 2:15  Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace;
Eph 2:16  And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:

God is not making ‘of twain two new men.’ He is “making of twain ONE new man.” So much for the false ‘two administrations’ doctrine which is based upon a misunderstanding of the events of Acts 15 and the fact that all the events of Acts 15-Acts 21 were “the time of reformation”, during which the Jewish Christians were indeed temporarily retained under the law of Moses while the Gentiles were not.

Christ’s life in the flesh demonstrated for us that the days, months, times and years of Judaism, the priesthood of Judaism, the animal sacrifices of Judaism and the letter of the laws of Judaism, were all a wall of enmity which is now “abolished in His flesh” and in the example He has left for us to follow. Now we Gentiles are no longer Gentiles but part of the very commonwealth of the twelve tribes of Israel, and those who are “called circumcision” are now no more than Gentiles if they are not “in Christ Jesus.”

Eph 2:17  And came and preached peace to you which were afar off [Gentiles], and to them that were nigh [Jews].
Eph 2:18  For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.
Eph 2:19  Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners [From the commonwealth of Israel], but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;

Now Biblically, in Christ the Gentiles who are “His inheritance” (Eph 1:18) are a part of the 12-tribe commonwealth of Israel. Ephesians 2 means what it states when Paul says “that at one time [in the PAST] we WERE Gentiles in the flesh, who are CALLED uncircumcision by that which is CALLED the circumcision IN THE FLESH made by hands.” (Eph 2:11). “He IS NOT A JEW which is one outwardly” (Rom 2:28-29), cannot be twisted to mean that ‘outward Jews are now God’s physical chosen people’, as the whole world wants us to believe. That is a lie because the holy spirit clarifies and qualifies that statement in Romans 2:28-29 to mean that “He is making of twain one new man…” (Eph 2:15). This is The Truth and let “every man be a liar” (Rom 3:4):

Eph 2:13  But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.
Eph 2:14  For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us;
Eph 2:15  Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace;
Eph 2:16  And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:

Rom 3:4  God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar; as it is written, That thou mightest be justified in thy sayings, and mightest overcome when thou art judged.

The Lord is not making twain of twain. He has but “one body.” He is not “divided” into a Jewish body and a Gentile body. Yes, it is true, as Acts 15 demonstrates, that for decades after the day of Pentecost, the Jewish Christians continued to observe the law of Moses. Here is the reason they did that, and as you read these words realize that the Lord spoke these words to His apostles on the very night He was apprehended to be crucified:

Joh 16:12  I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now.
Joh 16:13  Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.

Christ’s “one body” will not call “circumcision in the flesh, made by hands” a spiritual Jew nor a spiritual Israelite. Rather, His ‘one body’ will always declare the Truth, which is… “he is NOT a Jew which is one outwardly, and circumcision is [now spiritually only] of the heart, in the spirit.” Paul repeats this same doctrine when writing to the Philippians:

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

Who is ‘the true circumcision?’ Who is ‘the true Jew?’ Who are ‘the true children of God?’ Who is ‘the commonwealth of Israel?’ There can be no doubt. According to the scriptures, they are only those “which worship God in spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus and have no confidence in the flesh.”

Let’s look at the verses of scripture which demonstrate who these 144,000… Virgins…are which follow the Lamb… being firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb (Rev 14:4).

As we pointed out at the beginning of this study, the 144,000 are mentioned once again in the book of Revelation in chapter 14. Here we read:

Rev 14:1  And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Sion, and with him an hundred forty and four thousand, having his Father’s name written in their foreheads.

Rev 14:4  These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. These were redeemed from among men, being the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb.

Surely the Gentiles converts are never called virgins, are they? The answer to that question just happens to be, “Yes.” They are called virgins in 2 Corinthians 11.

2Co 11:2  For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.

John tells us of this 144,000 “These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever He goeth…” Do Gentiles in Christ follow Christ wherever He goes? Yes, Gentile converts are followers of Christ “wherever He goes.”

1Co 11:1  Be ye followers of me, even as I also am [a follower] of Christ.

Php 3:12  Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after[Christ], if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.

1Th 1:6  And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost:

1Th 2:14  For ye, brethren, became followers of the churches of God which in Judaea are in Christ Jesus: for ye also have suffered like things of your own countrymen, even as they have of the Jews:

Finally, it is said of these 144,000 “of all the tribes of the children of Israel,” [that] “these were redeemed from among men being the FIRSTFRUITS unto God and to the Lamb” (Rev 14:4). Yes, once again Paul tells us that Gentile Roman converts of Christ, “ourselves also… have the firstfruits of the Spirit.”

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.

There is but one “firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb”. There are not Roman, Gentile ‘firstfruits’ and a separate Jewish ‘firstfruit.’ The naming of the twelve thousand from each tribe is simply symbolic of the foundational function of these ‘blessed and holy… firstfruits’ (Rev 20:6).

James, who was well aware of these truths, despite what Martin Luther or any of our modern purveyors of that false ‘two administrations’ doctrine might say, tells us this:

Jas 1:18  Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.

James was one of the apostles who heard Peter say these words:

Act 15:5  But there rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees which believed, saying, That it was needful to circumcise them, and to command them [the Gentiles] to keep the law of Moses.
Act 15:6  And the apostles and elders came together for to consider of this matter.
Act 15:7  And when there had been much disputing, Peter rose up, and said unto them, Men and brethren, ye know how that a good while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe.
Act 15:8  And God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as he did unto us;
Act 15:9 And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith.
Act 15:10  Now therefore why tempt ye God, to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?
Act 15:11  But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, EVEN AS THEY.

In spite of all men’s doctrines to the contrary, Peter was brought to believe that “we [Jews] shall be saved even as they [the Gentiles].” So when James addressed his epistle “to the twelve tribes scattered aboad”, James knew what he meant by that, whether we know that Christ “has made of twain, one new man” or not.

Jas 1:1  James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting.

Those in Christ, are until this very day “scattered abroad.” Nevertheless, all who are “in Christ” are still to this very day “the commonwealth of Israel.”

Summary

Let’s review what we have seen in the scriptures today.

1) As always we reminded ourselves that these words are not words which man’s wisdom teaches, but they are words which the holy spirit teaches comparing spiritual things with spiritual.

2) We saw a few of the many verses which demonstrate who it is who now, in Christ, constitutes a true Biblical ‘Jew’.

3) We saw the scriptures which show us who is now considered by God to be the true circumcised Israelite, and we saw that Paul considered himself, as a physical Benjamite, to be a spiritual Jew and a spiritual Israelite, and that he considered his physical heritage from Abraham to be nothing more than dung.

4) We saw that the listing of the names of the 12 tribes serves to draw the attention of the carnal mind to the carnal, physical nation of Israel and away from the fact that being “in Abraham” and bring in “the commonwealth of Israel” are no longer a matter of physical pedigree, but ‘Israel’ is now a spiritual commonwealth consisting of both physical Jews and Gentiles who are “in Christ.”

5) We saw that Romans 9:8 and Ephesians 2 reveal in great detail that the only requirement for being “counted for the seed of Abraham” is that we must simply be “in Christ Jesus.”

6) We considered whether the first two verses of Romans 3 contradict the last two verses of Romans 2, and we saw that Paul was simply explaining in the first two verses of Romans 3 that the advantages of being a circumcised spiritual Jew are the only advantages that matter. Both being circumcised and being Jewish are now “of the heart, in the spirit and not in the letter.”

7) We saw that Paul’s doctrine concerning the transfer of all of the blessings of physical Israel to a new spiritual “Israel of God” is in complete accord with Christ’s own doctrine, as He Himself revealed it to the Samaritan woman at the well.

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.
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.

8) We saw that it is through Christ’s symbolic spiritual words that “even [what] they have” is taken away from them” refers to those who are “not given to understand the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven.”

9) Finally, we took note that “without a parable” Christ never spoke to the multitudes, and we applied that verse to this present study concerning who these 144,000 firstfruit virgins are who follow Christ wherever He goes.

There is much more we need to discuss concerning these firstfruit, virgin 144,000 from all the tribes of Israel. We need to know why they are enumerated as they are with 12,000 being from each tribe. We need to consider why the tribes of Dan and Ephraim are not even mentioned. We also need to know which of the promises made to Abraham apply to these spiritual 144,000, of all the tribes of Israel, and finally we need to know exactly when the scriptures actually teach that all of physical Israel will be saved. Lord willing, we will cover all of those questions and more, in our next study.

Numbers 26:35-65  Are You Being Counted? Part 2

[Study Aired November 6, 2023]

Introduction

This study concludes the second census ordered by the Lord with the view to use it to apportion the inheritance of the various tribes. We must remember that later when the Israelites had settled in the land of Canaan, David decided to count the people. However, the Lord was not pleased with this census by David and therefore judged the people of Israel. Let’s therefore review this census by David to understand the difference between the two censuses and why the Lord was not pleased with the census ordered by David.  

Again the anger of the LORD was kindled against Israel, and he incited David against them, saying, “Go, number Israel and Judah.” 

2Sa 24:2  So the king said to Joab, the commander of the army, who was with him, “Go through all the tribes of Israel, from Dan to Beersheba, and number the people, that I may know the number of the people.” 

When we compare scripture with scripture by looking at the same account in 1 Chronicles 21:1-4, we see that the Lord used David to count the people as an occasion the Lord was seeking to bring about His judgment on Israel.

1Ch 21:1  Then Satan stood against Israel and incited David to number Israel.
1Ch 21:2  So David said to Joab and the commanders of the army, “Go, number Israel, from Beersheba to Dan, and bring me a report, that I may know their number.”
1Ch 21:3  But Joab said, “May the LORD add to his people a hundred times as many as they are! Are they not, my lord the king, all of them my lord’s servants? Why then should my lord require this? Why should it be a cause of guilt for Israel?”
1Ch 21:4  But the king’s word prevailed against Joab. So Joab departed and went throughout all Israel and came back to Jerusalem. 

Jdg 14:1  Samson went down to Timnah, and at Timnah he saw one of the daughters of the Philistines. 
Jdg 14:2  Then he came up and told his father and mother, “I saw one of the daughters of the Philistines at Timnah. Now get her for me as my wife.” 
Jdg 14:3  But his father and mother said to him, “Is there not a woman among the daughters of your relatives, or among all our people, that you must go to take a wife from the uncircumcised Philistines?” But Samson said to his father, “Get her for me, for she is right in my eyes.” 
Jdg 14:4  His father and mother did not know that it was from the LORD, for he was seeking an opportunity against the Philistines. At that time the Philistines ruled over Israel.

One key take-away from David’s census is that the Lord uses the Devil as part of His available resources to accomplish His purpose. The Devil is like the left hand of the Lord in dealing with mankind as shown in the following experience of Job:

Job 1:9  Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, Doth Job fear God for nought? 
Job 1:10  Hast not thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land. 
Job 1:11  But put forth thine hand now, and touch all that he hath, and he will curse thee to thy face.

Today’s study focuses on the counting of the remaining tribes. It is worth noting that unlike the first census where the Levites were not counted, this census also included the Levites. However, they were separated from the other tribes since their counting was not related to inheritance. In addition, the Levites who were counted were from a month old and upward which is different from the way the other tribes were counted. The study today will highlight the significance of not counting the Levites as part of the other tribes and the reason why in the case of the Levites, they were counted from a month old upwards. Finally, the chapter ends by emphasizing that those counted were not part of the Israelites who left Egypt as almost all of them died in the wilderness with the exception of Joshua and Caleb.

1Co 10:5  But with many of them God was not well pleased: for they were overthrown in the wilderness. 
1Co 10:6  Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted. 
1Co 10:7  Neither be ye idolaters, as were some of them; as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play. 
1Co 10:8  Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand. 
1Co 10:9  Neither let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed of serpents. 
1Co 10:10  Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer. 
1Co 10:11  Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.

The Counting of the Remaining Tribe

Num 26:35  These are the sons of Ephraim after their families: of Shuthelah, the family of the Shuthalhites: of Becher, the family of the Bachrites: of Tahan, the family of the Tahanites.
Num 26:36  And these are the sons of Shuthelah: of Eran, the family of the Eranites.
Num 26:37  These are the families of the sons of Ephraim according to those that were numbered of them, thirty and two thousand and five hundred. These are the sons of Joseph after their families.

Ephraim means ‘doubly fruitful.’ In Christ, we become like a fruitful vine which bears fruits in its season. This is because our mother (the church of the firstborn) abounds with plenty of water which is made available through what every joint supplies.

Eze 17:8  It was planted in a good soil by great waters, that it might bring forth branches, and that it might bear fruit, that it might be a goodly vine.

Eze 19:10  Thy mother is like a vine in thy blood, planted by the waters: she was fruitful and full of branches by reason of many waters.

The total number of Ephraimites counted was 32,500. This implies that it is with grace through faith (significance of the number 5) that we go through the process of spiritual maturity as we are judged (significance of the number 3) to become the Lord’s witnesses (significance of the number 2). 

Num 26:38  The sons of Benjamin after their families: of Bela, the family of the Belaites: of Ashbel, the family of the Ashbelites: of Ahiram, the family of the Ahiramites: 
Num 26:39  Of Shupham, the family of the Shuphamites: of Hupham, the family of the Huphamites. 
Num 26:40  And the sons of Bela were Ard and Naaman: of Ard, the family of the Ardites: and of Naaman, the family of the Naamites. 
Num 26:41  These are the sons of Benjamin after their families: and they that were numbered of them were forty and five thousand and six hundred.

Benjamin means ‘son of the right hand.’ We, His elect, are indeed the sons of the Lord’s right hand as it is His right hand that saves us. 

Psa 20:6  Now know I that the LORD saveth his anointed; he will hear him from his holy heaven with the saving strength of his right hand.

Psa 63:8  My soul followeth hard after thee: thy right hand upholdeth me. 

Psa 16:11  Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.

Psa 139:10  Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me. 

The total number of the families of Benjamin was 45,600. This suggests that the whole of the elect are selected from among men and are saved by grace through faith.

Rev 7:9  After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands;

Eph 2:8  For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 
Eph 2:9  Not of works, lest any man should boast.

Num 26:42  These are the sons of Dan after their families: of Shuham, the family of the Shuhamites. These are the families of Dan after their families. 
Num 26:43  All the families of the Shuhamites, according to those that were numbered of them, were threescore and four thousand and four hundred.

Dan means ‘a judge.’ As we know from the word of the Lord, we, His elect, shall judge the world.

1Co 6:2  Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world? and if the world shall be judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters?
1Co 6:3  Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more things that pertain to this life?

Rev 20:4  And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.

Apart from being judges, we, His elect, are like vipers that bite the horse’s heels so that its rider tumbles backwards. The horse here represents our old man, or the flesh, with the rider being the devil who pulls us in all directions until Christ comes to us. 

Gen 49:16  Dan shall judge his people, as one of the tribes of Israel. 
Gen 49:17  Dan shall be a serpent by the way, an adder in the path, that biteth the horse heels, so that his rider shall fall backward.

The sum of the families of Dan who were counted was 64,400. This suggests that it is the whole of the elect who are selected from among men. 

Num 26:44  Of the children of Asher after their families: of Jimna, the family of the Jimnites: of Jesui, the family of the Jesuites: of Beriah, the family of the Beriites.
Num 26:45  Of the sons of Beriah: of Heber, the family of the Heberites: of Malchiel, the family of the Malchielites. 
Num 26:46  And the name of the daughter of Asher was Sarah. 
Num 26:47  These are the families of the sons of Asher according to those that were numbered of them; who were fifty and three thousand and four hundred.

Asher means ‘happy.’ We are indeed a group of people who are filled with happiness because of what the Lord is doing on our behalf. 

Psa 144:15  Happy is that people, that is in such a case: yea, happy is that people, whose God is the LORD.

Psa 146:5  Happy is he that hath the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the LORD his God:

Pro 3:13  Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding.

What distinguishes us from our brothers and sisters in Babylon and the people of the world is that the spiritual food (the word of the Lord) we eat is rich, and what every joint supplies is a delicacy fit for a king.

Gen 49:20  “Asher’s food shall be rich, and he shall yield royal delicacies. (ESV)

The total number of people counted for the tribe of Asher was 53,400. Again, this is to stress on the point that grace through faith and the process of becoming spiritually mature through judgment are necessary requirements for the whole of the elect of every generation.

Num 26:48  Of the sons of Naphtali after their families: of Jahzeel, the family of the Jahzeelites: of Guni, the family of the Gunites: 
Num 26:49  Of Jezer, the family of the Jezerites: of Shillem, the family of the Shillemites.
Num 26:50  These are the families of Naphtali according to their families: and they that were numbered of them were forty and five thousand and four hundred.

Naphtali means ‘my wrestling.’ If we are called and chosen by the Lord, then we shall surely be victorious as we wrestle with our old man or the flesh in this life.

Php 1:6  Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ: 

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. 

We, His elect, are like a hind set free from the power of sin. The Lord has given us His goodly words which we freely give to those who desire to know His truth. 

Gen 49:21  Naphtali is a hind let loose: he giveth goodly words. 

The number of the people of Naphtali counted was 45,400. Here we are reminded that it is grace through faith that the whole of the elect, selected from among men, shall become the sons of God. 

Num 26:51  These were the numbered of the children of Israel, six hundred thousand and a thousand seven hundred and thirty. 

The total number of the men of Israel counted was 601,730. This number represents the process the Lord is taking us through to become His sons and what the goal of being enrolled in His army is; that is, the Lord wants us all to have the same mind as His. That is the significance of the number 1 which means unity. This one mind is the result of the process of spiritual maturity through judgment of those the Lord has called and chosen from among men. The Lord himself will bring to completion what He has started within us. 

1Co 1:10  Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment. 

Deu 7:6  For thou art an holy people unto the LORD thy God: the LORD thy God hath chosen thee to be a special people unto himself, above all people that are upon the face of the earth. 
Deu 7:7  The LORD did not set his love upon you, nor choose you, because ye were more in number than any people; for ye were the fewest of all people:
Deu 7:8  But because the LORD loved you, and because he would keep the oath which he had sworn unto your fathers, hath the LORD brought you out with a mighty hand, and redeemed you out of the house of bondmen, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt.

The Promised Land Shall be Shared According to the Size of Families

Num 26:52  And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, 
Num 26:53  Unto these the land shall be divided for an inheritance according to the number of names.
Num 26:54  To many thou shalt give the more inheritance, and to few thou shalt give the less inheritance: to every one shall his inheritance be given according to those that were numbered of him.

As indicated at the beginning of chapter 26, which deals with this second census, we are given to know in these verses that the motive for this census is to serve as a guide for the sharing of the promised land of Canaan as an inheritance. The promised land shall be shared proportionately such that those with larger families shall receive more land and those with fewer families shall receive less. As we know, the promised land refers to our bodies which we must possess as a prerequisite to be given an inheritance. As we can see in Revelation chapters 2 and 3, it is only those who overcome their flesh or possess their bodies that are given to receive an inheritance. 

Rev 2:7  He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.

Rev 2:17  He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.

The sharing of the land according to the sizes of the families of Israel is therefore to let us know that the Lord has given us various capabilities to serve Him acceptably as we possess our bodies. Ultimately, our inheritance or reward is dependent on being able to possess our bodies, which is also dependent on the capabilities the Lord has given us in this life. The parable of the talents gives us insight into how the Lord has given us various capabilities or talents to carry out His work of possessing our bodies. 

Mat 25:14  For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods.
Mat 25:15  And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey.
Mat 25:16  Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents. 
Mat 25:17  And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two.
Mat 25:18  But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord’s money. 
Mat 25:19  After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them. 
Mat 25:20  And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents more. 
Mat 25:21  His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. 
Mat 25:22  He also that had received two talents came and said, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two talents: behold, I have gained two other talents beside them. 
Mat 25:23  His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. 
Mat 25:24  Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed: 
Mat 25:25  And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine. 
Mat 25:26  His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed: 
Mat 25:27  Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury. 
Mat 25:28  Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents. 
Mat 25:29  For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath. 
Mat 25:30  And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.  

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. 
Rom 12:4  For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: 
Rom 12:5  So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another. 
Rom 12:6  Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; 
Rom 12:7  Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching; 
Rom 12:8  Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.

The Lord ordering Moses and Eleazer to count the people and to share the land according to the size of the families is also to let us know that the Lord requires the elders of the church to know the capabilities of their brothers and sisters such that they can be assisted to maximize their potential in their service to the Lord. The elders are therefore not to put impediments in the way of our brothers and sisters in serving the Lord. For example, if Moses and Eleazer gave small land to the tribe of Judah which was the largest tribe, it would have been difficult for them to function well in the promised land. That would amount to putting impediments in the way of the people of God.

1Jn 2:10  He that loveth his brother abideth in the light, and there is none occasion of stumbling in him.

This sharing of the land as inheritance is a foretaste of the joy that is set before us. It also shows us how the Lord apportions His gifts according to the capacity He has given to His children. In the fullness of time, our reward shall  not be dependent on capabilities since all elect shall receive the same reward as clearly shown to us in Revelation chapter 2 and 3. Examples are as follows:

Rev 2:7  He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers I will grant to eat of the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.’ 

Rev 2:11  He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. The one who conquers will not be hurt by the second death.’ 

Rev 2:26  The one who conquers and who keeps my works until the end, to him I will give authority over the nations, 
Rev 2:27  and he will rule them with a rod of iron, as when earthen pots are broken in pieces, even as I myself have received authority from my Father.
Rev 2:28  And I will give him the morning star.

Num 26:55  Notwithstanding the land shall be divided by lot: according to the names of the tribes of their fathers they shall inherit. 
Num 26:56  According to the lot shall the possession thereof be divided between many and few.

The land being divided by lot signifies that receiving our inheritance in the fullness of time is all the work of the Lord since the outcome of a lot is what the Lord has ordained. This implies that everything is working according to the counsel of the Lord’s will. 

Pro 16:33  The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD. 

Eph 1:11  In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will,

The Levites not Counted According to the General Rule

Num 26:57  This was the list of the Levites according to their clans: of Gershon, the clan of the Gershonites; of Kohath, the clan of the Kohathites; of Merari, the clan of the Merarites.
Num 26:58  These are the clans of Levi: the clan of the Libnites, the clan of the Hebronites, the clan of the Mahlites, the clan of the Mushites, the clan of the Korahites. And Kohath was the father of Amram. 
Num 26:59  The name of Amram’s wife was Jochebed the daughter of Levi, who was born to Levi in Egypt. And she bore to Amram Aaron and Moses and Miriam their sister. 
Num 26:60  And to Aaron were born Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar. 
Num 26:61  But Nadab and Abihu died when they offered unauthorized fire before the LORD.
Num 26:62  And those listed were 23,000, every male from a month old and upward. For they were not listed among the people of Israel, because there was no inheritance given to them among the people of Israel.

The Levites in these verses represent Babylon. Not being counted among the people of Israel, who in this case represent the elect, means that there shall not be any inheritance for our brothers and sisters in Babylon. This implies that if we remain in Babylon, we shall not experience the joy that is set before us. In Numbers chapter 1, the Lord expressly commanded that the Levites should not be counted. However, in this second census, they were counted, although they were not among the people of Israel.  As we can see, within the Levites were Moses, Eleazor and others who belonged to the priesthood. The counting of the Levites in this second census was for the sake of the elect, His priests. That is to let us know that as priests, who shall inherit the earth even though we are initially counted as Levites.

Mat 5:5  “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.

It is worth noting that the number of the Levites counted were males from a month old and upward. What this suggests is there is a significant number of the Levites who were infants (a month old and less than twenty years) who do not know how to war against the flesh. Even the older ones do not know how to go to war since they were excluded from becoming part of the army right from the onset. In other words, they were carnal and therefore cannot inherit the promised land.

1Co 3:1  And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ. 
1Co 3:2  I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able. 
1Co 3:3  For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men? 
1Co 3:4  For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal? 

The total number of the Levites being 23,000 implies that it is through the process of spiritual maturity through judgment that our brothers and sisters shall also become witnesses of Christ.

Those Counted were the New Generation

Num 26:63  These were those listed by Moses and Eleazar the priest, who listed the people of Israel in the plains of Moab by the Jordan at Jericho. 
Num 26:64  But among these there was not one of those listed by Moses and Aaron the priest, who had listed the people of Israel in the wilderness of Sinai. 
Num 26:65  For the LORD had said of them, “They shall die in the wilderness.” Not one of them was left, except Caleb the son of Jephunneh and Joshua the son of Nun. 

As indicated in the first part of Numbers chapter 26, the counting took place when the Israelites were in the plains of Moab, with the river Jordan between them and Jericho. What this implies is that as the Lord’s elect, we were still in Babylon (signified by the plains of Moab) and about to have access to the truth of the word of the Lord (symbolized by the river Jordan). Knowing the truth of the word of the Lord is all part of equipping us with the whole armor of God to start waging war with the flesh signified by Jericho. 

Eph 6:11  Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 
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 6:13  Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

Those who were counted were the new generation who were born in the wilderness. All the Israelites who left Egypt and were counted in the first census in Sinai had died except Caleb and Joshua. Spiritually, the people of Israel in the first census represent our old man who rebels against the Lord and therefore is doomed to die in this wilderness of life to give way to the new man represented here by the new generation of the Israelites who were to possess the land.

Num 14:26  And the LORD spoke to Moses and to Aaron, saying,
Num 14:27  “How long shall this wicked congregation grumble against me? I have heard the grumblings of the people of Israel, which they grumble against me.
Num 14:28  Say to them, ‘As I live, declares the LORD, what you have said in my hearing I will do to you: 
Num 14:29  your dead bodies shall fall in this wilderness, and of all your number, listed in the census from twenty years old and upward, who have grumbled against me, 
Num 14:30  not one shall come into the land where I swore that I would make you dwell, except Caleb the son of Jephunneh and Joshua the son of Nun.
Num 14:31  But your little ones, who you said would become a prey, I will bring in, and they shall know the land that you have rejected. 
Num 14:32  But as for you, your dead bodies shall fall in this wilderness.

May the Lord continue to be merciful to us to continue in Him until the day dawns and the morning star rises in our hearts!!  Amen!!

Numbers 26:1-34  Are You Being Counted? Census – Part 2

[Study Aired October 30, 2023]

Introduction

This chapter deals with the second census that the Lord commanded Moses and Eleazer to undertake. The purpose for this census was different from the first census held when the Israelites were in the desert of Sinai (Numbers Chapter 1). The first census focused on the formation of an army with the aim of uniting the people of Israelites for one purpose – that is, to obey their commanding officer (Jesus Christ) as He led them to fight their way to possess the promised land when they began their journey in the wilderness.  This second census was different. It was to serve as the basis of apportioning their inheritance even though the Israelites had not yet taken possession of the promised land. Indeed, our Lord sees the end from the beginning.

Num 26:52  The LORD spoke to Moses, saying, 
Num 26:53  “Among these the land shall be divided for inheritance according to the number of names. 
Num 26:54  To a large tribe you shall give a large inheritance, and to a small tribe you shall give a small inheritance; every tribe shall be given its inheritance in proportion to its list. 

Isa 46:9  Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me, 
Isa 46:10  Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure:

We, His elect, are therefore to have confidence in the Lord that whatever He starts, He is able to bring to completion. Are you worried that you do not see any significant progress in your walk with Christ as you are still plagued by sin? Lift up your eyes from yourself and your failures, and focus on Jesus, the author and finisher of your faith. Our help does not come by focusing on ourselves but by lifting our eyes to the hills from where our help comes!

Psa 121:1  A Song of Ascents. I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? 
Psa 121:2  My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth. 
Psa 121:3  He will not let your foot be moved; he who keeps you will not slumber. 
Psa 121:4  Behold, he who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.
Psa 121:5  The LORD is your keeper; the LORD is your shade on your right hand.
Psa 121:6  The sun shall not strike you by day, nor the moon by night.
Psa 121:7  The LORD will keep you from all evil; he will keep your life.
Psa 121:8  The LORD will keep your going out and your coming in from this time forth and forevermore.

We must also take note that almost all the people who were counted initially in Numbers chapter 1 did not end up possessing the promised land as a result of their rebellion against their commanding officer, Jesus Christ. They did not believe that the Lord would give them the promised land. 

Num 14:26  And the LORD spoke to Moses and to Aaron, saying,
Num 14:27  “How long shall this wicked congregation grumble against me? I have heard the grumblings of the people of Israel, which they grumble against me.
Num 14:28  Say to them, ‘As I live, declares the LORD, what you have said in my hearing I will do to you:
Num 14:29  your dead bodies shall fall in this wilderness, and of all your number, listed in the census from twenty years old and upward, who have grumbled against me,
Num 14:30  not one shall come into the land where I swore that I would make you dwell, except Caleb the son of Jephunneh and Joshua the son of Nun.
Num 14:31  But your little ones, who you said would become a prey, I will bring in, and they shall know the land that you have rejected.
Num 14:32  But as for you, your dead bodies shall fall in this wilderness.

This second census, however, focused on a new generation of Israelites who were to inherit the promise. Spiritually, the people of Israel in the first census represent our old man who rebels against the Lord and therefore is doomed to die in this wilderness of life to give way to the new man, represented here by the new generation of the Israelites who were to possess the land. As we go through our daily lives, all we need to do to possess our inheritance is to have faith that the Lord will accomplish whatever concerns us in order to drag us to the finish line. Since we do not know the Lord’s timing, we are required to be patient as we see the Lord unfold His plan for our lives. 

Heb 6:9  Though we speak in this way, yet in your case, beloved, we feel sure of better things—things that belong to salvation. 
Heb 6:10  For God is not unjust so as to overlook your work and the love that you have shown for his name in serving the saints, as you still do. 
Heb 6:11  And we desire each one of you to show the same earnestness to have the full assurance of hope until the end, 
Heb 6:12  so that you may not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.

The Command to Count the People of Israel

Num 26:1  And it came to pass after the plague, that the LORD spake unto Moses and unto Eleazar the son of Aaron the priest, saying, 
Num 26:2  Take the sum of all the congregation of the children of Israel, from twenty years old and upward, throughout their fathers’ house, all that are able to go to war in Israel.

As we learned in the previous chapter, the plague mentioned in verse 1 relates to our spiritually dead state because of the plague of sin. It is when we are helpless or spiritually dead that the Lord comes to us to give us a future and hope by enrolling us in His army.

Eph 2:1  And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; 
Eph 2:2  Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:
Eph 2:3  Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. 
Eph 2:4  But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, 
Eph 2:5  Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) 
Eph 2:6  And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: 
Eph 2:7  That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.

The Lord ordered for the second time, a census to be conducted for all males of the tribe of Israel above 20 years old. As we know, all things are for our benefit. Thus, this census was part of the Lord’s plan to unveil to His elect, who would come centuries later, what is required to be part of the Lord’s army. 

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;

Being a male of 20 years old signifies that we are ready to handle the word of truth as the Lord guides us to engage the flesh in battle on a daily basis. This implies that at age 20, we are not being blown about by every wind of doctrine. 

Eph 4:11  And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; 
Eph 4:12  For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: 
Eph 4:13  Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: 
Eph 4:14  That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;
Eph 4:15  But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: 

Verse 2 says that these armies to be numbered were to come from every tribe of Israel. It shows that the Lord is redeeming people from every tribe and kindred from every generation to be enrolled in His army. 

Rev 5:9  And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;

This numbering excluded all females of Israel. This is because spiritually, there is only one church who is the bride of Christ and therefore cannot be counted. This church is that of the firstborn, or Jerusalem which is above, which is contrasted with Jerusalem which is, and is in bondage with her children. As Paul indicated, Jerusalem which is, has many divisions and therefore cannot constitute an army, as no army that is divided can stand any chance against an enemy.

1Co 3:3  For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?
1Co 3:4  For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal? 

Mar 3:24  And if a kingdom be divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand.
Mar 3:25  And if a house be divided against itself, that house cannot stand. 

Num 26:3  And Moses and Eleazar the priest spake with them in the plains of Moab by Jordan near Jericho, saying, 
Num 26:4  Take the sum of the people, from twenty years old and upward; as the LORD commanded Moses and the children of Israel, which went forth out of the land of Egypt.

Moses and Eleazer spoke to the people of Israel in the plains of Moab, close to the river Jordan with Jericho on the other side of the river. What this implies is that as the Lord’s elect, we were still in Babylon (signified by the plains of Moab) and about to have access to the truth of the word of the Lord (symbolized by river Jordan). Knowing the truth of the word of the Lord is all part of equipping us with the whole armor of God to start waging war with the flesh signified by Jericho. 

Eph 6:11  Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 
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 6:13  Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

The Counting of the Tribes

Num 26:5  Reuben, the eldest son of Israel: the children of Reuben; Hanoch, of whom cometh the family of the Hanochites: of Pallu, the family of the Palluites:
Num 26:6  Of Hezron, the family of the Hezronites: of Carmi, the family of the Carmites.
Num 26:7  These are the families of the Reubenites: and they that were numbered of them were forty and three thousand and seven hundred and thirty. 
Num 26:8  And the sons of Pallu; Eliab. 
Num 26:9  And the sons of Eliab; Nemuel, and Dathan, and Abiram. This is that Dathan and Abiram, which were famous in the congregation, who strove against Moses and against Aaron in the company of Korah, when they strove against the LORD:
Num 26:10  And the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed them up together with Korah, when that company died, what time the fire devoured two hundred and fifty men: and they became a sign.
Num 26:11  Notwithstanding the children of Korah died not.

Reuben means “Behold a son”. The Lord is excited to have many sons whom He calls His brothers. 

Heb 2:10  For it was fitting that he, for whom and by whom all things exist, in bringing many sons to glory, should make the founder of their salvation perfect through suffering. 
Heb 2:11  For he who sanctifies and those who are sanctified all have one source. That is why he is not ashamed to call them brothers, 
Heb 2:12  saying, “I will tell of your name to my brothers; in the midst of the congregation I will sing your praise.” 
Heb 2:13  And again, “I will put my trust in him.” And again, “Behold, I and the children God has given me.” 
Heb 2:14  Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, 

The tribe of Reuben was counted first since Reuben was the firstborn son of Jacob. The total number of the Reubenites was 43,730. The significant numbers here are 3, 4 and 7. As indicated in the introductory section, it is from all the tribes of the earth that the Lord selects His army. The number 4 signifies the whole of the issue under discussion, and in this case, we are dealing with the whole of the tribes of the earth from whom the Lord selects His elect from every generation to become part of the army of the Lord. The number 3 means that those who are being selected shall go through the process of spiritual maturity through judgment. A significant aspect of being of the army of the Lord is that we are required to endure hardships which is our judgment.

2Ti 2:3  Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.

The number 7 in this case shows us that those selected shall be made complete in Him.  In other words, the Lord who has started His work in us shall see to its completion.

Php 1:6  Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:

Verses 9 and 10 bring to the forefront, the fact that despite being chosen by the Lord for His army, we were carnal as we rebelled against the Lord’s elect (Moses and Aaron) by rejecting their words and were swallowed up by Babylon (the earth) and became spiritually dead. The two hundred and fifty men who died by fire also represent us who became spiritually dead as the fire of the word (tribulations and persecutions) caused us to be offended. The 250 men signify that it is grace through faith (the significance of the number 5) to become the Lord’s witness (the significance of the number 2).

Mat 13:21  Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended. 

The Lord not destroying all the tribe of Korah in verse 11 is to let us know that in spite of our failures, the Lord showed mercy to us by not destroying us. In the fullness of time, this mercy we have received shall be extended to the whole world through us.

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. 

Num 26:12  The sons of Simeon after their families: of Nemuel, the family of the Nemuelites: of Jamin, the family of the Jaminites: of Jachin, the family of the Jachinites:
Num 26:13  Of Zerah, the family of the Zarhites: of Shaul, the family of the Shaulites.
Num 26:14  These are the families of the Simeonites, twenty and two thousand and two hundred.

Simeon means ‘God hears.’ In spite of our failures, the Lord heard us in our desperation and came to us. We must remember that the tribe of Simeon was cursed by Jacob and therefore, humanly speaking, they do not qualify to become the Lord’s witnesses. However, the Lord in His mercy, canceled everything that mitigates against our election. The families of Simeon were 22,200 in number. This shows us that those being counted are the Lord’s witnesses (the significance of the number 2). 

Gen 49:5  Simeon and Levi are brethren; instruments of cruelty are in their habitations. 
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 they digged down a wall. 
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.

Col 2:13  And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; 
Col 2:14  Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;

Num 26:15  The children of Gad after their families: of Zephon, the family of the Zephonites: of Haggi, the family of the Haggites: of Shuni, the family of the Shunites: 
Num 26:16  Of Ozni, the family of the Oznites: of Eri, the family of the Erites: 
Num 26:17  Of Arod, the family of the Arodites: of Areli, the family of the Arelites. 
Num 26:18  These are the families of the children of Gad according to those that were numbered of them, forty thousand and five hundred. 

Gad means ‘good fortune.’ The best thing that can happen to us in this life is to be counted as part of the Lord’s army. That is good fortune. This good fortune is the same as the treasure hidden in the field that a man found and sold all he had to possess the field.

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.

The families of the children of Gad who were males and twenty years old and above were 40,500. This implies that the Lord is selecting His army or elect from the whole of the tribes of the earth, and it is all being done by grace through faith.  

Num 26:19  The sons of Judah were Er and Onan: and Er and Onan died in the land of Canaan. 
Num 26:20  And the sons of Judah after their families were; of Shelah, the family of the Shelanites: of Pharez, the family of the Pharzites: of Zerah, the family of the Zarhites. 
Num 26:21  And the sons of Pharez were; of Hezron, the family of the Hezronites: of Hamul, the family of the Hamulites. 
Num 26:22  These are the families of Judah according to those that were numbered of them, threescore and sixteen thousand and five hundred. 

Judah means praise. We cannot praise the Lord enough for counting us as part of the Lord’s army to inherit the promise. 

Psa 34:1  A Psalm of David, when he changed his behaviour before Abimelech; who drove him away, and he departed. I will bless the LORD at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth.
Psa 34:2  My soul shall make her boast in the LORD: the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad.
Psa 34:3  O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together.
Psa 34:4  I sought the LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.

The sum of the males who were counted for the families of Judah was 76,500. The number six means mankind. This suggests that the Lord’s elect are selected from the people of the earth, and it is by grace through faith that the Lord will complete His work in us to be able to possess our inheritance.

Num 26:23  Of the sons of Issachar after their families: of Tola, the family of the Tolaites: of Pua, the family of the Punites: 
Num 26:24  Of Jashub, the family of the Jashubites: of Shimron, the family of the Shimronites. 
Num 26:25  These are the families of Issachar according to those that were numbered of them, threescore and four thousand and three hundred.

Issachar means ‘the Lord will bring a reward.’ The Lord is indeed a rewarder. We are therefore privileged to be part of this army of the Lord. 

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. 
1Co 2:10  But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. 

Rev 22:12  And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be. 

The number of the sons of Issachar was 64,300. This means that the Lord is selecting the whole of His elect from the people of the earth of every generation. After being enrolled in His army, the Lord takes us through the process of spiritual maturity through judgment.

Num 26:26  Of the sons of Zebulun after their families: of Sered, the family of the Sardites: of Elon, the family of the Elonites: of Jahleel, the family of the Jahleelites.
Num 26:27  These are the families of the Zebulunites according to those that were numbered of them, threescore thousand and five hundred.

Zebulun means ‘habitation.’ The best thing that can happen to us is to be the habitation for the Lord. Being part of the army of the Lord means that He is preparing our bodies to be His habitation. 

Eph 2:21  In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: 
Eph 2:22  In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.

The tribe of Zebulun numbered 60,500. This implies that it is by grace through faith that the Lord has picked us from among men to become part of the Lord’s army to inherit His promises. 

Eph 2:8  For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 
Eph 2:9  Not of works, lest any man should boast.

Num 26:28  The sons of Joseph after their families were Manasseh and Ephraim. 
Num 26:29  Of the sons of Manasseh: of Machir, the family of the Machirites: and Machir begat Gilead: of Gilead come the family of the Gileadites. 
Num 26:30  These are the sons of Gilead: of Jeezer, the family of the Jeezerites: of Helek, the family of the Helekites: 
Num 26:31  And of Asriel, the family of the Asrielites: and of Shechem, the family of the Shechemites: 
Num 26:32  And of Shemida, the family of the Shemidaites: and of Hepher, the family of the Hepherites. 
Num 26:33  And Zelophehad the son of Hepher had no sons, but daughters: and the names of the daughters of Zelophehad were Mahlah, and Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah.
Num 26:34  These are the families of Manasseh, and those that were numbered of them, fifty and two thousand and seven hundred.

Joseph means ‘may he add.’ The Lord will add to us whatever is necessary for us to win the prize of His higher calling. Joseph is represented by his two sons, Manesseh and Ephraim, who constitute two of the twelve tribes of Israel. It is worth noting that the Levite tribe was not counted as part of the army of Israel. Its place was taken by one of the sons of Joseph in order to have twelve tribes. Manasseh means ‘causing to forget.’ The Lord will indeed cause us to forget the suffering we are going through. It is another way of saying that the current suffering we are going through cannot be compared with the glory to be revealed. 

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.

The total number of the tribe of Manasseh who were counted was 52,700. What this suggests is that it takes grace through faith to become a witness for Christ, and it is the Lord who shall complete what He started in us. 

Zec 4:6  Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the LORD unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts.
Zec 4:7  Who art thou, O great mountain? before Zerubbabel thou shalt become a plain: and he shall bring forth the headstone thereof with shoutings, crying, Grace, grace unto it. 
Zec 4:8  Moreover the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,
Zec 4:9  The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this house; his hands shall also finish it; and thou shalt know that the LORD of hosts hath sent me unto you.
Zec 4:10  For who hath despised the day of small things? for they shall rejoice, and shall see the plummet in the hand of Zerubbabel with those seven; they are the eyes of the LORD, which run to and fro through the whole earth.

We have the full assurance of the Lord that what He has started in us, He is capable of completing. We should therefore not regard the work He has started in us as something small. 

May the Lord therefore grant us the grace to walk by faith and not by sight. Amen!!

Numbers 10:1-36 The Making of the Silver Trumpets for Communicating with the People of Israel

[Study Aired July 3, 2023]

Num 10:1  And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, 
Num 10:2  Make thee two trumpets of silver; of a whole piece shalt thou make them: that thou mayest use them for the calling of the assembly, and for the journeying of the camps.
Num 10:3  And when they shall blow with them, all the assembly shall assemble themselves to thee at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation. 
Num 10:4  And if they blow but with one trumpet, then the princes, which are heads of the thousands of Israel, shall gather themselves unto thee. 
Num 10:5  When ye blow an alarm, then the camps that lie on the east parts shall go forward.
Num 10:6  When ye blow an alarm the second time, then the camps that lie on the south side shall take their journey: they shall blow an alarm for their journeys. 
Num 10:7  But when the congregation is to be gathered together, ye shall blow, but ye shall not sound an alarm. 
Num 10:8  And the sons of Aaron, the priests, shall blow with the trumpets; and they shall be to you for an ordinance forever throughout your generations. 
Num 10:9  And if ye go to war in your land against the enemy that oppresseth you, then ye shall blow an alarm with the trumpets; and ye shall be remembered before the LORD your God, and ye shall be saved from your enemies. 
Num 10:10  Also in the day of your gladness, and in your solemn days, and in the beginnings of your months, ye shall blow with the trumpets over your burnt offerings, and over the sacrifices of your peace offerings; that they may be to you for a memorial before your God: I am the LORD your God. 
Num 10:11  And it came to pass on the twentieth day of the second month, in the second year, that the cloud was taken up from off the tabernacle of the testimony. 
Num 10:12  And the children of Israel took their journeys out of the wilderness of Sinai; and the cloud rested in the wilderness of Paran. 
Num 10:13  And they first took their journey according to the commandment of the LORD by the hand of Moses. 
Num 10:14  In the first place went the standard of the camp of the children of Judah according to their armies: and over his host was Nahshon the son of Amminadab. 
Num 10:15  And over the host of the tribe of the children of Issachar was Nethaneel the son of Zuar. 
Num 10:16  And over the host of the tribe of the children of Zebulun was Eliab the son of Helon. 
Num 10:17  And the tabernacle was taken down; and the sons of Gershon and the sons of Merari set forward, bearing the tabernacle. 
Num 10:18  And the standard of the camp of Reuben set forward according to their armies: and over his host was Elizur the son of Shedeur. 
Num 10:19  And over the host of the tribe of the children of Simeon was Shelumiel the son of Zurishaddai. 
Num 10:20  And over the host of the tribe of the children of Gad was Eliasaph the son of Deuel. 
Num 10:21  And the Kohathites set forward, bearing the sanctuary: and the other did set up the tabernacle against they came. 
Num 10:22  And the standard of the camp of the children of Ephraim set forward according to their armies: and over his host was Elishama the son of Ammihud. 
Num 10:23  And over the host of the tribe of the children of Manasseh was Gamaliel the son of Pedahzur. 
Num 10:24  And over the host of the tribe of the children of Benjamin was Abidan the son of Gideoni. 
Num 10:25  And the standard of the camp of the children of Dan set forward, which was the rereward of all the camps throughout their hosts: and over his host was Ahiezer the son of Ammishaddai. 
Num 10:26  And over the host of the tribe of the children of Asher was Pagiel the son of Ocran. 
Num 10:27  And over the host of the tribe of the children of Naphtali was Ahira the son of Enan. 
Num 10:28  Thus were the journeyings of the children of Israel according to their armies, when they set forward. 
Num 10:29  And Moses said unto Hobab, the son of Raguel the Midianite, Moses’ father in law, We are journeying unto the place of which the LORD said, I will give it you: come thou with us, and we will do thee good: for the LORD hath spoken good concerning Israel. 
Num 10:30  And he said unto him, I will not go; but I will depart to mine own land, and to my kindred. 
Num 10:31  And he said, Leave us not, I pray thee; forasmuch as thou knowest how we are to encamp in the wilderness, and thou mayest be to us instead of eyes. 
Num 10:32  And it shall be, if thou go with us, yea, it shall be, that what goodness the LORD shall do unto us, the same will we do unto thee. 
Num 10:33  And they departed from the mount of the LORD three days’ journey: and the ark of the covenant of the LORD went before them in the three days’ journey, to search out a resting place for them. 
Num 10:34  And the cloud of the LORD was upon them by day, when they went out of the camp. 
Num 10:35  And it came to pass, when the ark set forward, that Moses said, Rise up, LORD, and let thine enemies be scattered; and let them that hate thee flee before thee. 
Num 10:36  And when it rested, he said, Return, O LORD, unto the many thousands of Israel.

Introduction

Chapter 10 focuses on the making of two trumpets for the assembling and journeying of the people of Israel. In addition, the chapter shows the order set out by the Lord when the people of Israel were journeying from one place to another, and finally, Moses desires his father-in-law to accompany them on the journey since he knows the wilderness very well. As we can see, the trumpets were for communication among the people of Israel and with the Lord. It is through communication that we can get ourselves prepared such that we are not caught unaware when our Lord comes. The Lord has warned us that if the master of the house had known at what hour the thief is coming, he would not have left his house to be broken into. 

Luk 12:35  “Stay dressed for action and keep your lamps burning, 
Luk 12:36  and be like men who are waiting for their master to come home from the wedding feast, so that they may open the door to him at once when he comes and knocks. 
Luk 12:37  Blessed are those servants whom the master finds awake when he comes. Truly, I say to you, he will dress himself for service and have them recline at table, and he will come and serve them. 
Luk 12:38  If he comes in the second watch, or in the third, and finds them awake, blessed are those servants! 
Luk 12:39  But know this, that if the master of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have left his house to be broken into. 
Luk 12:40  You also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.” 
Luk 12:41  Peter said, “Lord, are you telling this parable for us or for all?” 
Luk 12:42  And the Lord said, “Who then is the faithful and wise manager, whom his master will set over his household, to give them their portion of food at the proper time? 
Luk 12:43  Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes. 
Luk 12:44  Truly, I say to you, he will set him over all his possessions. 
Luk 12:45  But if that servant says to himself, ‘My master is delayed in coming,’ and begins to beat the male and female servants, and to eat and drink and get drunk, 
Luk 12:46  the master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he does not know, and will cut him in pieces and put him with the unfaithful. 
Luk 12:47  And that servant who knew his master’s will but did not get ready or act according to his will, will receive a severe beating. 
Luk 12:48  But the one who did not know, and did what deserved a beating, will receive a light beating. Everyone to whom much was given, of him much will be required, and from him to whom they entrusted much, they will demand the more. (ESV)

We can only communicate with one another when we gather together. This is what the Lord told us about the importance of gathering together:

Heb 10:24  And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: 
Heb 10:25  Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

The second part of the chapter deals with the order by which the tribes of Israel were to make their journey in the wilderness. Spiritually, this is to let us know the order for the salvation of the world. The elect (the firstfruit) comes first before the rest of humanity.

1Co 15:22  For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. 
1Co 15:23  But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ’s at his coming. 
1Co 15:24  Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power.

The third part of the chapter talks about Moses’ request for his father-in-law to go with them to Canaan as he was well-versed in the wilderness terrain. This is to show us the tendency to rely on something tangible as we wade through the wilderness of life. As we know, this journey of life is by faith and not by what we see.

2Co 5:7 For we walk by faith, not by sight 

Num 10:1  And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,
Num 10:2  Make thee two trumpets of silver; of a whole piece shalt thou make them: that thou mayest use them for the calling of the assembly, and for the journeying of the camps.
Num 10:3  And when they shall blow with them, all the assembly shall assemble themselves to thee at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation.

The making of the two trumpets of silver is to show us the process the Lord takes us through to use us as vessels to communicate His will and purpose to His people. Positively, silver refers to the redeemed (the elect) since it is highly valued and much desired. 

Gen 45:22 To all of them he gave each man changes of raiment; but to Benjamin he gave three hundred [pieces] of silver, and five changes of raiment.

The two trumpets therefore signify the elect as witnesses of Christ who speak on Christ’s behalf to His people to bring to their attention the need to assemble together and to guide us in our walk here on earth. It is in the assembly of the Lord’s people that we exhort one another as we see the day of the Lord approaching. As we speak to one another, the Lord hears us and comes to our aid.

Heb 10:25  Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

Mal 3:16  Then they that feared the LORD spake often one to another: and the LORD hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the LORD, and that thought upon his name.

In Joel chapter 2:15-17, we are given more insight as to the categories of the Lord’s elect that are to meet regularly and what our gatherings achieve.

Joe 2:15  Blow the trumpet in Zion, sanctify a fast, call a solemn assembly: 
Joe 2:16  Gather the people, sanctify the congregation, assemble the elders, gather the children, and those that suck the breasts: let the bridegroom go forth of his chamber, and the bride out of her closet. 
Joe 2:17  Let the priests, the ministers of the LORD, weep between the porch and the altar, and let them say, Spare thy people, O LORD, and give not thine heritage to reproach, that the heathen should rule over them: wherefore should they say among the people, Where is their God? 

As shown in verse 16, our gathering includes the elders, children and those that suck the breasts. The elders here signify those who are mature or maturing while the children refer to those who have just left the basics or the milk doctrines of Christ but need to be matured. Those still sucking the breast are those who are still learning the basics or the milk doctrines. 

Heb 5:13  For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe.

We are all to come together for the purpose of being sanctified, as shown in Joel 2:16. Being sanctified is being made holy and being made holy is the result of the Lord’s judgment on our old man. It is as we are judged that we begin to live the life of Christ. That is what it means for the bridegroom to come out of his chamber. The bride coming out of her closet is another way of saying that our righteousness shall be seen.

The sounding or the blowing of the trumpet spiritually signifies the speaking of the words of the Lord which happens when we gather before the Lord.

Isa 58:1  Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and shew my people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins. 

Rev 1:10  I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet, 

Num 10:4  And if they blow but with one trumpet, then the princes, which are heads of the thousands of Israel, shall gather themselves unto thee. 

If one trumpet is blown, then the princes, who are leaders of the Israelites are required to gather together. The princes or leaders here are those who have matured. Verse 4 is therefore suggesting that if we all, as the Lord’s elect begin to say the same thing (the blowing of one trumpet) as we all have the same mind of Christ, then it means that we have matured spiritually, and our gathering is that of those who have matured and have our senses exercised to distinguish good from evil. 

1Co 1:10  Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.

Heb 5:14  But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

Num 10:5  When ye blow an alarm, then the camps that lie on the east parts shall go forward.

The trumpet being used to blow an alarm means that as the Lord’s elect, we must be warned through the words of the Lord about our impending judgment of our old man.

Joe 2:1  Blow ye the trumpet in Zion, and sound an alarm in my holy mountain: let all the inhabitants of the land tremble: for the day of the LORD cometh, for it is nigh at hand; 
Joe 2:2  A day of darkness and of gloominess, a day of clouds and of thick darkness, as the morning spread upon the mountains: a great people and a strong; there hath not been ever the like, neither shall be any more after it, even to the years of many generations.

Here in Joel 2:1, we are shown that it is only in Zion that the alarm is blown. Zion here is the gathering of the Lord’s elect. As shown in verse 5, the blowing of the alarm causes those who are camped in the east to move forward. Those who are camped in the east represent the elect who are those in whom the sun of righteousness rises first in their hearts in this age. As we hear of the Lord’s judgment through the alarm blown, it prepares us to move forward. In other words, it prepares us to be judged, and through the judgment we face, we learn righteousness and therefore become more mature (move forward).

Mal 4:2  But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall.

Isa 26:9  With my soul have I desired thee in the night; yea, with my spirit within me will I seek thee early: for when thy judgments are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness.

In another perspective, the sounding of the trumpet as an alarm is also referring to the first resurrection of the elect as shown in the following verse:

1Th 4:16  For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: 
1Th 4:17  Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

1Co 15:52  In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.

Num 10:6  When ye blow an alarm the second time, then the camps that lie on the south side shall take their journey: they shall blow an alarm for their journeys. 

The camps from the south side represent those who are close to the sea and are dominated by the flesh in this life and therefore will not be part of the first resurrection. The blowing of the trumpet, as an alarm for the second time, signifies the second resurrection of all the human race which will usher in the Lake of Fire age. The alarm here refers to judgment, leading to the second death. 

Rev 20:11  And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. 
Rev 20:12  And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.
Rev 20:13  And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. 
Rev 20:14  And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. 
Rev 20:15  And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire. 

Num 10:7  But when the congregation is to be gathered together, ye shall blow, but ye shall not sound an alarm. 

When all humanity is shown the Lord’s mercy through the lake of fire, then we shall all blow the trumpet and not sound an alarm. This means we shall all have the mind of Christ and speak the same words of the Lord. We shall not sound the alarm as we have all been judged. 

1Co 15:28  And when all things shall be subdued unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, that God may be all in all. 

Num 10:8  And the sons of Aaron, the priests, shall blow with the trumpets; and they shall be to you for an ordinance forever throughout your generations. 

This verse is to let us know that it is only the elect, represented by Aaron and his sons, who are qualified to blow the trumpets, that is, speak the words of the Lord. As we can see in the Book of Revelation, it is the seven angels who were blowing the trumpets of the Lord’s impending judgment. In the Old Testament, seven priests blew the trumpets which caused the walls of Jericho to fall. The number seven means the complete elect from every generation. We are all speaking the same words of the Lord.

Rev 8:6  And the seven angels which had the seven trumpets prepared themselves to sound.

Jos 6:13  And seven priests bearing seven trumpets of rams’ horns before the ark of the LORD went on continually, and blew with the trumpets: and the armed men went before them; but the rereward came after the ark of the LORD, the priests going on, and blowing with the trumpets. 
Jos 6:14  And the second day they compassed the city once, and returned into the camp: so they did six days. 
Jos 6:15  And it came to pass on the seventh day, that they rose early about the dawning of the day, and compassed the city after the same manner seven times: only on that day they compassed the city seven times. 
Jos 6:16  And it came to pass at the seventh time, when the priests blew with the trumpets, Joshua said unto the people, Shout; for the LORD hath given you the city.

Num 10:9  And if ye go to war in your land against the enemy that oppresseth you, then ye shall blow an alarm with the trumpets; and ye shall be remembered before the LORD your God, and ye shall be saved from your enemies. 
Num 10:10  Also in the day of your gladness, and in your solemn days, and in the beginnings of your months, ye shall blow with the trumpets over your burnt offerings, and over the sacrifices of your peace offerings; that they may be to you for a memorial before your God: I am the LORD your God.

The enemy that oppresses us is our flesh or the old man. The sounding of the alarm with the trumpet is the words of the Lord warning us that the judgment of our old man is at hand. Being remembered before the Lord means being saved from our enemies, which is our flesh. Our deliverance is through the Lord’s judgment of our old man so we can walk in His righteousness.  Blowing the trumpet in our days of gladness and in our solemn days is another way of saying that this book of the law shall not depart from our mouth and that we should meditate on it day and night so that our ways become prosperous.

Jos 1:8  This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.

Num 10:11  And it came to pass on the twentieth day of the second month, in the second year, that the cloud was taken up from off the tabernacle of the testimony. 
Num 10:12  And the children of Israel took their journeys out of the wilderness of Sinai; and the cloud rested in the wilderness of Paran. 
Num 10:13  And they first took their journey according to the commandment of the LORD by the hand of Moses.

The Israelites spent a long time at Mountain Sinai as they received the commandments of the Lord and instructions about building the tabernacle of the Lord according to the pattern shown Moses, which is Christ. Finally, the cloud lifted from the tabernacle and the Israelites followed the cloud as they journeyed through the wilderness until they came to the wilderness of Paran where the cloud rested. In Deuteronomy, we are given more information as to what precipitated their decision to leave Sinai. The cloud lifting from the tabernacle served as a witness that they had to move from Sinai as the Lord had already told Moses that they must leave. We must always seek a witness as we seek to please the Lord. 

Deu 1:6  The LORD our God spake unto us in Horeb, saying, Ye have dwelt long enough in this mount: 
Deu 1:7  Turn you, and take your journey, and go to the mount of the Amorites, and unto all the places nigh thereunto, in the plain, in the hills, and in the vale, and in the south, and by the sea side, to the land of the Canaanites, and unto Lebanon, unto the great river, the river Euphrates.

Num 10:14  In the first place went the standard of the camp of the children of Judah according to their armies: and over his host was Nahshon the son of Amminadab. 
Num 10:15  And over the host of the tribe of the children of Issachar was Nethaneel the son of Zuar. 
Num 10:16  And over the host of the tribe of the children of Zebulun was Eliab the son of Helon. 

The rising of the cloud from the tabernacle was a signal to the Israelites that they must move from where they were dwelling. However, the Israelites must move according to the Lord’s order. The rising of the cloud symbolizes Christ rising within us. Those who were camped on the east side of the Tabernacle of congregation were to move first. The tribes camping in the East were Judah, Issachar and Zebulun. The East side is towards the rising of the sun. In other words, the sun rises from their end. Having been given eyes to see, we know that Jesus Christ is the Sun of righteousness. What we are being told here, therefore, is the fact that this group represents the elect who are first to see Christ rise in their lives. The names of the tribe affirm this assertion that this group represents the elect. Judah means to praise the Lord. Issachar means ‘he will bring a reward’ and that of Zebulun means ‘habitation’. So, this group represents the elect who will praise the Lord as they dwell here on earth (habitation) and will definitely receive a reward.

Mal 4:2  But unto you that fear my name shall the sun of righteousness arise with healing in its wings; and ye shall go forth, and gambol as calves of the stall. 

The leading tribe of this group is Judah. As we are aware, Jesus is the lion of the tribe of Judah. As we can see from the prophecy of Jacob regarding Judah, Judah is described as a lion or an old lion. Jesus is therefore the leader of the elect or this group. Incidentally, the leader of the tribe of Judah in verse 14 is called Nahshon which means ‘an enchanter’. Jesus, who is our leader, is the one who has enchanted us with His love to follow Him.

Jer 31:3  The LORD hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee.

Rev 5:5  and one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not; behold, the Lion that is of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, hath overcome to open the book and the seven seals thereof.

Gen 49:8  Judah, thou art he whom thy brethren shall praise: thy hand shall be in the neck of thine enemies; thy father’s children shall bow down before thee.
Gen 49:9  Judah is a lion’s whelp: from the prey, my son, thou art gone up: he stooped down, he couched as a lion, and as an old lion; who shall rouse him up? 
Gen 49:10  The sceptre shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come; and unto him shall the gathering of the people be. 

The names of the leaders of the other two tribes, Issachar and Zebulun, were Eliab and Nathaneel. Eliab means ‘God is father’ and that of Nathaneel means ‘given to God’. Our Lord Jesus Christ, who is our leader, is also God our father, and His life is given totally to God.

Isa 9:6  For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. 

In verse 14, we are told that those in the camp of Judah shall set forth first. We, the elect, are the ones to set forth in this life to engage the enemy, which is our flesh. Our leader has already assured us that being of the camp of Judah, we shall be the first to defeat the enemies as we break our enemies’ necks.

Gen 49:8  Judah, thou art he whom thy brethren shall praise: thy hand shall be in the neck of thine enemies; thy father’s children shall bow down before thee. 

Num 10:17  And the tabernacle was taken down; and the sons of Gershon and the sons of Merari set forward, bearing the tabernacle. 
Num 10:18  And the standard of the camp of Reuben set forward according to their armies: and over his host was Elizur the son of Shedeur. 
Num 10:19  And over the host of the tribe of the children of Simeon was Shelumiel the son of Zurishaddai. 
Num 10:20  And over the host of the tribe of the children of Gad was Eliasaph the son of Deuel. 

The second group to move consists of the tribes of Reuben, Simeon and Gad who were encamped on the south side. Before this group comes the sons of Merari and the Gershonites, who were Levites. They bear the tabernacle when the Israelites journeyed. Pitching their camp on the south side of the tabernacle of congregation means that their dwelling portion in this life is toward the sea. In other words, these Levites and this group are those who start their journey with the Lord. However, the pull of the sea of flesh denies them from attaining the higher calling of the Lord in this age.  

Eze 48:28  And by the border of Gad, at the south side southward, the border shall be even from Tamar unto the waters of strife in Kadesh, and to the river toward the great sea.

Mat 13:22  He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful. 

In the fullness of time, this group, together with the Levites, will also have Christ rise in their hearts.

Eze 16:55  When thy sisters, Sodom and her daughters, shall return to their former estate, and Samaria and her daughters shall return to their former estate, then thou and thy daughters shall return to your former estate.

Num 10:21  And the Kohathites set forward, bearing the sanctuary: and the other did set up the tabernacle against they came. 
Num 10:22  And the standard of the camp of the children of Ephraim set forward according to their armies: and over his host was Elishama the son of Ammihud. 
Num 10:23  And over the host of the tribe of the children of Manasseh was Gamaliel the son of Pedahzur. 
Num 10:24  And over the host of the tribe of the children of Benjamin was Abidan the son of Gideoni. 

Before this group comes another group of Levites who also takes care of the tabernacle of the congregation. These Levites, together with this group which is composed of the tribe of Ephraim, Manasseh and Benjamin, follow after the tribes led by Reuben. The tribe of Ephraim is the dominant tribe of this group. This group is required to pitch their tents on the west side of the tabernacle of the congregation. The west is where the sun sets. This implies that those in this group will definitely be visited by the Lord at the end of the ages through judgment. The names of the leaders also confirm this assertion. The leaders of the tribe of Ephraim, Manasseh and Benjamin are Elishama, Gamaliel and Abidan. Eliashama means ‘God has heard’. Gamaliel means ‘God is my recompense’ and Abidan signifies ‘the Father judges’. What these names signify is that at the end of the ages, when the sun sets, this group shall have God as their reward when He hears them through His judgment.

Rev 7:9  After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, 
Rev 7:10  and crying out with a loud voice, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!” 

As the scripture says, the Lord was not pleased with the tribe of Ephraim. This is what He says about the tribe of Ephraim:

Hos 4:17  Ephraim is joined to idols: let him alone.

Hos 5:3  I know Ephraim, and Israel is not hid from me: for now, O Ephraim, thou committest whoredom, and Israel is defiled.

Hos 7:8  Ephraim, he hath mixed himself among the people; Ephraim is a cake not turned.

Hos 7:11  Ephraim also is like a silly dove without heart: they call to Egypt, they go to Assyria.

Hos 8:9  For they are gone up to Assyria, a wild ass alone by himself: Ephraim hath hired lovers.

As a result of the sins of Ephraim, who leads this group, they shall surely undergo the Lord’s judgment at the end of the ages before they come to drink from the rivers of water. 

Num 10:25  And the standard of the camp of the children of Dan set forward, which was the rereward of all the camps throughout their hosts: and over his host was Ahiezer the son of Ammishaddai. 
Num 10:26  And over the host of the tribe of the children of Asher was Pagiel the son of Ocran. 
Num 10:27  And over the host of the tribe of the children of Naphtali was Ahira the son of Enan. 
Num 10:28  Thus were the journeyings of the children of Israel according to their armies, when they set forward. 

This last group was dwelling on the northern part of the tabernacle of the congregation and consisted of the tribes of Dan, Asher and Naphtali. Being in the north, which is the opposite of the south, means they are far from the sea of flesh. The dominant tribe in this group is Dan. In Judges we see the children of Dan setting up a graven image, which became a stumbling block to many people of Israel. In addition, they used Gershom and his sons, who were from the tribe of Manasseh, to become priests which was against the Lord’s requirement. Dan here or this group therefore represents Babylon where we worship another Jesus.

Jdg 18:30  And the children of Dan set up the graven image: and Jonathan, the son of Gershom, the son of Manasseh, he and his sons were priests to the tribe of Dan until the day of the captivity of the land.

2Co 11:3  But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. 
2Co 11:4  For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him. 

The names of the leaders of the tribes in this group tell us about the nature of this group. The leaders of Dan, Asher and Naphtali are Ahiezer, Pagiel and Ahira respectively. Ahiezer means ‘brother of help’, Pagiel stands for ‘meeting with God’ and Ahira signifies ‘brother of evil’. What these names imply is that our brothers and sisters in Babylon cause us a lot of evil but they are also a help to us, the elect. As we can see in the scriptures, the Levites are given to help the elect. At the climax of the ages, our brothers and sisters in Babylon will also have the chance to meet the Lord. 

Num 10:29  And Moses said unto Hobab, the son of Raguel the Midianite, Moses’ father in law, We are journeying unto the place of which the LORD said, I will give it you: come thou with us, and we will do thee good: for the LORD hath spoken good concerning Israel. 
Num 10:30  And he said unto him, I will not go; but I will depart to mine own land, and to my kindred. 
Num 10:31  And he said, Leave us not, I pray thee; forasmuch as thou knowest how we are to encamp in the wilderness, and thou mayest be to us instead of eyes. 
Num 10:32  And it shall be, if thou go with us, yea, it shall be, that what goodness the LORD shall do unto us, the same will we do unto thee. 

These verses show us our tendency to rely on the arm of the flesh even though we have seen the Lord’s overwhelming provision and protection as we journey through the wilderness of this life. The Lord didn’t allow Moses to go with Hobab, his father-in-law. In a similar vein, the Lord will rid us of all that we depend on so that we can rely wholly on Him as we come to appreciate His guidance and support. May His name be praised!!

Jer 17:5 This is what the LORD says: “Cursed is the one who trusts in man, who draws strength from mere flesh and whose heart turns away from the LORD. (NIV)

Num 10:33  And they departed from the mount of the LORD three days’ journey: and the ark of the covenant of the LORD went before them in the three days’ journey, to search out a resting place for them. 

This verse signifies that our walk with the Lord in this life is aimed at finding rest in the Lord, and this is accomplished by the process of spiritual maturity through judgment (the significance of the three-day journey). When we cease from our works and depend entirely on Him, then we have found rest in Him. 

Heb 4:9  There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God.
Heb 4:10  For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his. 
Heb 4:11  Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.  

Luk 13:32  And he said unto them, Go ye, and tell that fox, Behold, I cast out devils, and I do cures today and tomorrow, and the third day I shall be perfected. 

Num 10:34  And the cloud of the LORD was upon them by day, when they went out of the camp. 
Num 10:35  And it came to pass, when the ark set forward, that Moses said, Rise up, LORD, and let thine enemies be scattered; and let them that hate thee flee before thee. 
Num 10:36  And when it rested, he said, Return, O LORD, unto the many thousands of Israel.

As we journey on this earth, symbolized by the ark setting forward, the Lord is judging our old man, and it is this judgment which is scattering or decimating our old man or letting him flee from us. During the period that we shall rest from our labors, the Lord will return and show mercy on all humanity, represented by the many thousands of Israel. This period is the Lake-of-Fire age.

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.

May His name be praised forever more. Amen!!

Numbers 2:1-34  The Army of the Lord Encamping in Array

[Study Aired April 24, 2023

Num 2:1  And the LORD spake unto Moses and unto Aaron, saying, 
Num 2:2  Every man of the children of Israel shall pitch by his own standard, with the ensign of their father’s house: far off about the tabernacle of the congregation shall they pitch. 
Num 2:3  And on the east side toward the rising of the sun shall they of the standard of the camp of Judah pitch throughout their armies: and Nahshon the son of Amminadab shall be captain of the children of Judah. 
Num 2:4  And his host, and those that were numbered of them, were threescore and fourteen thousand and six hundred. 
Num 2:5  And those that do pitch next unto him shall be the tribe of Issachar: and Nethaneel the son of Zuar shall be captain of the children of Issachar. 
Num 2:6  And his host, and those that were numbered thereof, were fifty and four thousand and four hundred. 
Num 2:7  Then the tribe of Zebulun: and Eliab the son of Helon shall be captain of the children of Zebulun. 
Num 2:8  And his host, and those that were numbered thereof, were fifty and seven thousand and four hundred. 
Num 2:9  All that were numbered in the camp of Judah were an hundred thousand and fourscore thousand and six thousand and four hundred, throughout their armies. These shall first set forth.
Num 2:10  On the south side shall be the standard of the camp of Reuben according to their armies: and the captain of the children of Reuben shall be Elizur the son of Shedeur.
Num 2:11  And his host, and those that were numbered thereof, were forty and six thousand and five hundred. 
Num 2:12  And those which pitch by him shall be the tribe of Simeon: and the captain of the children of Simeon shall be Shelumiel the son of Zurishaddai. 
Num 2:13  And his host, and those that were numbered of them, were fifty and nine thousand and three hundred. 
Num 2:14  Then the tribe of Gad: and the captain of the sons of Gad shall be Eliasaph the son of Reuel. 
Num 2:15  And his host, and those that were numbered of them, were forty and five thousand and six hundred and fifty. 
Num 2:16  All that were numbered in the camp of Reuben were an hundred thousand and fifty and one thousand and four hundred and fifty, throughout their armies. And they shall set forth in the second rank. 
Num 2:17  Then the tabernacle of the congregation shall set forward with the camp of the Levites in the midst of the camp: as they encamp, so shall they set forward, every man in his place by their standards. 
Num 2:18  On the west side shall be the standard of the camp of Ephraim according to their armies: and the captain of the sons of Ephraim shall be Elishama the son of Ammihud. 
Num 2:19  And his host, and those that were numbered of them, were forty thousand and five hundred. 
Num 2:20  And by him shall be the tribe of Manasseh: and the captain of the children of Manasseh shall be Gamaliel the son of Pedahzur. 
Num 2:21  And his host, and those that were numbered of them, were thirty and two thousand and two hundred. 
Num 2:22  Then the tribe of Benjamin: and the captain of the sons of Benjamin shall be Abidan the son of Gideoni. 
Num 2:23  And his host, and those that were numbered of them, were thirty and five thousand and four hundred. 
Num 2:24  All that were numbered of the camp of Ephraim were an hundred thousand and eight thousand and an hundred, throughout their armies. And they shall go forward in the third rank.
Num 2:25  The standard of the camp of Dan shall be on the north side by their armies: and the captain of the children of Dan shall be Ahiezer the son of Ammishaddai.
Num 2:26  And his host, and those that were numbered of them, were threescore and two thousand and seven hundred. 
Num 2:27  And those that encamp by him shall be the tribe of Asher: and the captain of the children of Asher shall be Pagiel the son of Ocran. 
Num 2:28  And his host, and those that were numbered of them, were forty and one thousand and five hundred. 
Num 2:29  Then the tribe of Naphtali: and the captain of the children of Naphtali shall be Ahira the son of Enan. 
Num 2:30  And his host, and those that were numbered of them, were fifty and three thousand and four hundred. 
Num 2:31  All they that were numbered in the camp of Dan were an hundred thousand and fifty and seven thousand and six hundred. They shall go hindmost with their standards. 
Num 2:32  These are those which were numbered of the children of Israel by the house of their fathers: all those that were numbered of the camps throughout their hosts were six hundred thousand and three thousand and five hundred and fifty. 
Num 2:33  But the Levites were not numbered among the children of Israel; as the LORD commanded Moses. 
Num 2:34  And the children of Israel did according to all that the LORD commanded Moses: so they pitched by their standards, and so they set forward, every one after their families, according to the house of their fathers. 

Introduction

Regarding the verses just read, we see that the children of Israel encamped in array. They did not have the right to be positioned anywhere in the camp of Israel. Their dwellings were all arranged in a pattern given to Moses by the Lord. The children of Israel in this case represent the world, and therefore, what the Lord is telling us is that in this world in which we dwell, He has arranged where we should live and at what time we are to live at a particular place. We do not therefore have the option of making our own decisions in this life. Apparently, we make choices every day, however, these choices are caused to reflect what has been written in our books concerning our lives. 

Act 17:26  And he made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place, 
Act 17:27  that they should seek God, and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him. Yet he is actually not far from each one of us, 
Act 17:28  for “In him we live and move and have our being”; as even some of your own poets have said, “For we are indeed his offspring.” (ESV)

This is all part of the Lord’s predestination. We are not born to have our own will and to do what we like, whether good or evil. In Him we live, move and have our being means that everything we think about or do is from the Lord.

Pro 16:1  The preparations of the heart in man, and the answer of the tongue, is from the LORD. 

The prophet Isaiah was given to see that the God we are dealing with is a God who likes to hide Himself. In other words, His dealings are hidden to the world, but to the elect, He has given the eyes to see and the ears to hear from the Lord and therefore, He is no longer hidden from us. 

Isa 45:15  Verily thou art a God that hidest thyself, O God of Israel, the Saviour. 

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. 
Mat 13:12  For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath. 

Mat 13:16  But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear.

This is what the Lord tells us through the prophet Jeremiah:

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. 

Understanding the sovereignty of the Lord is key to a peaceful life and rest in the Lord in this tumultuous world in which we live. In other words, knowing that everything comes from the Lord, including our sins, mistakes, etc., is what gives us rest in Christ. This is the same as knowing that in Him we live, move and have our being. As the scripture says, everything concerning us (our daily lives) was written in our books even when we were not yet born. 

Psa 139:16  Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them. 
Psa 139:17  How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them! 

As we go through chapter 2 of Numbers, the key thing to remember is the Lord’s sovereignty in everything. We have already gone over the significance of the total number of the army of the Lord for each tribe in the previous two sessions, and so we shall not do so in this session.

Num 2:1  And the LORD spake unto Moses and unto Aaron, saying, 
Num 2:2  Every man of the children of Israel shall pitch by his own standard, with the ensign of their father’s house: far off about the tabernacle of the congregation shall they pitch. 

The father’s house in verse 2 is traced to Jacob, and it is through Jacob (one blood) that all the people of Israel came.  As we can see, the Lord is using the people of Israel to depict His plan for the world. In these verses, the children of Israel represent the whole world, and the Lord is showing us how He has made all humanity from one blood to dwell on all the face of the earth. Pitching by his own standard and with the ensign of their father’s house means that the Lord has determined our parental lineage even before we were born and that it is through our parents that the Lord determines the bounds of our habitation. All the tribes are arranged to face the tabernacle of the congregation. This is another way of saying that the Lord is not far from each one of us and that all humanity will seek the Lord, but it is the elect who shall feel after Him and find Him first. Paul’s words in Acts 17:26-28 are therefore another rendition of Numbers 2:1-2. 

Act 17:26  And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation; 
Act 17:27  That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us: 
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.

Num 2:3  And on the east side toward the rising of the sun shall they of the standard of the camp of Judah pitch throughout their armies: and Nahshon the son of Amminadab shall be captain of the children of Judah. 
Num 2:4  And his host, and those that were numbered of them, were threescore and fourteen thousand and six hundred. 
Num 2:5  And those that do pitch next unto him shall be the tribe of Issachar: and Nethaneel the son of Zuar shall be captain of the children of Issachar. 
Num 2:6  And his host, and those that were numbered thereof, were fifty and four thousand and four hundred. 
Num 2:7  Then the tribe of Zebulun: and Eliab the son of Helon shall be captain of the children of Zebulun. 
Num 2:8  And his host, and those that were numbered thereof, were fifty and seven thousand and four hundred. 
Num 2:9  All that were numbered in the camp of Judah were an hundred thousand and fourscore thousand and six thousand and four hundred, throughout their armies. These shall first set forth.

There are basically four camps around the tabernacle of congregation. The first group consisted of the tribes of Judah, Issachar and Zebulun, and they were to pitch their tent on the East side of the tabernacle of the congregation. The East side is towards the rising of the sun. In other words, the sun rises from their end. Having been given eyes to see, we know that Jesus Christ is the Sun of righteousness. What we are being told here, therefore, is the fact that this group represents the elect who are first to see Christ rise in their lives. The names of the tribe affirm this assertion that this group represents the elect. Judah means to praise the Lord. Issachar means “he will bring a reward” and that of Zebulun means habitation. So, this group represents the elect who will praise the Lord as they dwell here on earth (habitation) and will definitely receive a reward. 

Mal 4:2  But unto you that fear my name shall the sun of righteousness arise with healing in its wings; and ye shall go forth, and gambol as calves of the stall.

The leading tribe of this group is Judah. As we are aware, Jesus is the lion of the tribe of Judah. As we can see from the prophecy of Jacob regarding Judah, Judah is described as a lion or an old lion. Jesus is therefore the leader of the elect or this group. Incidentally, the leader of the tribe of Judah in verse 3 is called Nahshon which means an enchanter. Jesus, who is our leader, is the one who has enchanted us with His love to follow Him.

Jer 31:3  The LORD hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee.

Rev 5:5  and one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not; behold, the Lion that is of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, hath overcome to open the book and the seven seals thereof.

Gen 49:8  Judah, thou art he whom thy brethren shall praise: thy hand shall be in the neck of thine enemies; thy father’s children shall bow down before thee. 
Gen 49:9  Judah is a lion’s whelp: from the prey, my son, thou art gone up: he stooped down, he couched as a lion, and as an old lion; who shall rouse him up? 
Gen 49:10  The sceptre shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come; and unto him shall the gathering of the people be. 

The names of the leaders of the other two tribes, Issachar and Zebulun, were Eliab and Nathaneel. Eliab means ‘God is father’ and Nathaneel means ‘given to God’. Our Lord Jesus Christ, who is our leader, is also God our father, and His life is given totally to God.   

Isa 9:6  For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

In verse 9, we are told that those in the camp of Judah shall set forth first. We, the elect, are the ones to set forth in this life to engage the enemy, which is our flesh. Our leader has already assured us that being of the camp of Judah, we shall be the first to defeat the enemies as we break our enemies’ necks.

Gen 49:8  Judah, thou art he whom thy brethren shall praise: thy hand shall be in the neck of thine enemies; thy father’s children shall bow down before thee. 

Num 2:10  On the south side shall be the standard of the camp of Reuben according to their armies: and the captain of the children of Reuben shall be Elizur the son of Shedeur.
Num 2:11  And his host, and those that were numbered thereof, were forty and six thousand and five hundred. 
Num 2:12  And those which pitch by him shall be the tribe of Simeon: and the captain of the children of Simeon shall be Shelumiel the son of Zurishaddai. 
Num 2:13  And his host, and those that were numbered of them, were fifty and nine thousand and three hundred. 
Num 2:14  Then the tribe of Gad: and the captain of the sons of Gad shall be Eliasaph the son of Reuel. 
Num 2:15  And his host, and those that were numbered of them, were forty and five thousand and six hundred and fifty. 
Num 2:16  All that were numbered in the camp of Reuben were an hundred thousand and fifty and one thousand and four hundred and fifty, throughout their armies. And they shall set forth in the second rank.

This second group shall camp on the south side. This group consists of the tribes of Reuben, Simeon and Gad. This group is dominated by the tribe of Reuben. Pitching their camp on the south side of the tabernacle of congregation means that their dwelling portion in this life is towards the sea. In other words, this group is those who start their journey with the Lord. However, the pull of the sea of flesh denied them from attaining the higher calling of the Lord.

Eze 48:28  And by the border of Gad, at the south side southward, the border shall be even from Tamar unto the waters of strife in Kadesh, and to the river toward the great sea.

Mat 13:22  He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful. 

We must remember that Reuben, the first son of Jacob, who through him the tribe of Reuben came into existence, was disqualified from His birthright as firstborn as a result of his inability to resist the pull of the flesh as he slept with his father’s concubine.  This affirms this group’s positioning at the south side, towards the sea of flesh.

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:
Gen 49:4  Unstable as water, thou shalt not excel; because thou wentest up to thy father’s bed; then defiledst thou it: he went up to my couch. 
Gen 49:5  Simeon and Levi are brethren; instruments of cruelty are in their habitations. 
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 they digged down a wall.

The names of the leaders of this group are Elizur, Shelumiel and Eliasaph. Elizur means ‘my God is a rock’; Shelumiel means ‘Peace of God’ and Eliasaph denotes ‘God has added’.  The names of the leaders therefore implies that the God of the rock of our salvation, who is the prince of peace, will in the fullness of time add this group to His people. In verse 16, this group is the second to move whenever the Israelites have to move to another place. We must remember that it is only those who are first to know Christ in this life that matters. Whether you come second or third or fourth is irrelevant.  

Num 2:17  Then the tabernacle of the congregation shall set forward with the camp of the Levites in the midst of the camp: as they encamp, so shall they set forward, every man in his place by their standards. 

The Levites who take care of the tabernacle of the congregation follow in terms of movement after the group led by the tribe of Reuben. As the story of the hired laborers shows us, what matters is those who were paid first. It is the group of Judah who moved first who received the prize. The Levites and the other groups who moved later will not receive the prize, although they shall be saved. The Levites in verse 17 here represent Babylon or the Christian religion who are protecting the relics of the fading glory – Ichabod!! 

Neh 1:3  And they said to me, “The remnant there in the province who had survived the exile is in great trouble and shame. The wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates are destroyed by fire.”  

Mat 20:1  “For the kingdom of heaven is like a master of a house who went out early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard.
Mat 20:2  After agreeing with the laborers for a denarius a day, he sent them into his vineyard.
Mat 20:3  And going out about the third hour he saw others standing idle in the marketplace, 
Mat 20:4  and to them he said, ‘You go into the vineyard too, and whatever is right I will give you.’ 
Mat 20:5  So they went. Going out again about the sixth hour and the ninth hour, he did the same. 
Mat 20:6  And about the eleventh hour he went out and found others standing. And he said to them, ‘Why do you stand here idle all day?’
Mat 20:7  They said to him, ‘Because no one has hired us.’ He said to them, ‘You go into the vineyard, too.’ 
Mat 20:8  And when evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his foreman, ‘Call the laborers and pay them their wages, beginning with the last, up to the first.’ 
Mat 20:9  And when those hired about the eleventh hour came, each of them received a denarius. 
Mat 20:10  Now when those hired first came, they thought they would receive more, but each of them also received a denarius. 
Mat 20:11  And on receiving it they grumbled at the master of the house,

Num 2:18  On the west side shall be the standard of the camp of Ephraim according to their armies: and the captain of the sons of Ephraim shall be Elishama the son of Ammihud. 
Num 2:19  And his host, and those that were numbered of them, were forty thousand and five hundred. 
Num 2:20  And by him shall be the tribe of Manasseh: and the captain of the children of Manasseh shall be Gamaliel the son of Pedahzur. 
Num 2:21  And his host, and those that were numbered of them, were thirty and two thousand and two hundred. 
Num 2:22  Then the tribe of Benjamin: and the captain of the sons of Benjamin shall be Abidan the son of Gideoni. 
Num 2:23  And his host, and those that were numbered of them, were thirty and five thousand and four hundred. 
Num 2:24  All that were numbered of the camp of Ephraim were an hundred thousand and eight thousand and an hundred, throughout their armies. And they shall go forward in the third rank.

This group is composed of the tribe of Ephraim, Manasseh and Benjamin. The tribe of Ephraim is the dominant tribe of this group. This group is required to pitch their tents on the west side of the tabernacle of the congregation. The west is where the sun sets. This implies that those in this group will definitely be visited by the Lord at the end of the ages through judgment. The names of the leaders also confirm this assertion. The leaders of the tribe of Ephraim, Manasseh and Benjamin are Elishama, Gamaliel and Abidan. Eliashama means ‘God has heard’. Gamaliel means ‘God is my recompense’ and Abidan signifies ‘the Father judges’. What these names signify is that at the end of the ages when the sun sets, this group shall have God as their reward when He hears them through His judgment.

Rev 7:9  After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, 
Rev 7:10  and crying out with a loud voice, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!” 

As we are aware in the scriptures, the Lord was not pleased with the tribe of Ephraim. This is what He says about the tribe of Ephraim:

Hos 4:17  Ephraim is joined to idols: let him alone.

Hos 5:3  I know Ephraim, and Israel is not hid from me: for now, O Ephraim, thou committest whoredom, and Israel is defiled.

Hos 7:8  Ephraim, he hath mixed himself among the people; Ephraim is a cake not turned.

Hos 7:11  Ephraim also is like a silly dove without heart: they call to Egypt, they go to Assyria.

Hos 8:9  For they are gone up to Assyria, a wild ass alone by himself: Ephraim hath hired lovers.

As a result of the sins of Ephraim, this group shall surely undergo the Lord’s judgment at the end of the ages before they come to drink from the rivers of water. 

Jer 31:18  I have surely heard Ephraim bemoaning himself thus; Thou hast chastised me, and I was chastised, as a bullock unaccustomed to the yoke: turn thou me, and I shall be turned; for thou art the LORD my God.

Jer 31:9  They shall come with weeping, and with supplications will I lead them: I will cause them to walk by the rivers of waters in a straight way, wherein they shall not stumble: for I am a father to Israel, and Ephraim is my firstborn.

Num 2:25  The standard of the camp of Dan shall be on the north side by their armies: and the captain of the children of Dan shall be Ahiezer the son of Ammishaddai.
Num 2:26  And his host, and those that were numbered of them, were threescore and two thousand and seven hundred. 
Num 2:27  And those that encamp by him shall be the tribe of Asher: and the captain of the children of Asher shall be Pagiel the son of Ocran. 
Num 2:28  And his host, and those that were numbered of them, were forty and one thousand and five hundred. 
Num 2:29  Then the tribe of Naphtali: and the captain of the children of Naphtali shall be Ahira the son of Enan. 
Num 2:30  And his host, and those that were numbered of them, were fifty and three thousand and four hundred. 
Num 2:31  All they that were numbered in the camp of Dan were an hundred thousand and fifty and seven thousand and six hundred. They shall go hindmost with their standards. 

The group that dwelt on the northern part of the tabernacle of the congregation consists of the tribes of Dan, Asher and Naphtali. Being in the north, which is the opposite of the south, means they are far from the sea of flesh which represents the world. The dominant tribe in this group is Dan. In Judges we see the children of Dan setting up a graven image which became a stumbling block to many people of Israel. In addition, they used Gershom and his sons, who were from the tribe of Manasseh, to become priests which was against the Lord’s requirement. Dan here, or this group therefore, represents Babylon where we worship another Jesus.

Jdg 18:30  And the children of Dan set up the graven image: and Jonathan, the son of Gershom, the son of Manasseh, he and his sons were priests to the tribe of Dan until the day of the captivity of the land.

2Co 11:3  But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. 
2Co 11:4  For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him. 

The names of the leaders of the tribes in this group tell us about the nature of this group. The leaders of Dan, Asher and Naphtali are Ahiezer, Pagiel and Ahira respectively. Ahiezer means ‘brother of help’, Pagiel stands for ‘meeting with God’ and Ahira signifies ‘brother of evil’. What these names imply is that our brothers and sisters in Babylon cause us a lot of evil, but they are also a help to us, the elect. As we can see in the scriptures, the Levites are given to help the elect. At the climax of the ages, our brothers and sisters in Babylon will also have the chance to meet 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 2:32  These are those which were numbered of the children of Israel by the house of their fathers: all those that were numbered of the camps throughout their hosts were six hundred thousand and three thousand and five hundred and fifty. 
Num 2:33  But the Levites were not numbered among the children of Israel; as the LORD commanded Moses. 
Num 2:34  And the children of Israel did according to all that the LORD commanded Moses: so they pitched by their standards, and so they set forward, every one after their families, according to the house of their fathers. 

As we indicated in the previous study, the Levites were not counted and therefore, were not enrolled in the army of the Lord. The Levites represent our brothers and sisters in Babylon who are also of Abraham’s seed. However, they are not counted as the seed of promise and therefore are not to be given any inheritance. This is not because we, the elect, deserve any inheritance. It is through the hardening of their hearts to believe that we are privileged to receive mercy to believe. In the final analysis, this mercy we have received will be extended to the whole of the human race. 

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.

May the Lord continue to show mercy to us as we strive for the mark of His higher calling!! Amen!!

[Study Aired April 10, 2023]

Num 1:1  And the LORD spake unto Moses in the wilderness of Sinai, in the tabernacle of the congregation, on the first day of the second month, in the second year after they were come out of the land of Egypt, saying, 
Num 1:2  Take ye the sum of all the congregation of the children of Israel, after their families, by the house of their fathers, with the number of their names, every male by their polls;
Num 1:3  From twenty years old and upward, all that are able to go forth to war in Israel: thou and Aaron shall number them by their armies. 
Num 1:4  And with you there shall be a man of every tribe; every one head of the house of his fathers. 
Num 1:5  And these are the names of the men that shall stand with you: of the tribe of Reuben; Elizur the son of Shedeur.
Num 1:6  Of Simeon; Shelumiel the son of Zurishaddai.
Num 1:7  Of Judah; Nahshon the son of Amminadab. 
Num 1:8  Of Issachar; Nethaneel the son of Zuar. 
Num 1:9  Of Zebulun; Eliab the son of Helon. 
Num 1:10  Of the children of Joseph: of Ephraim; Elishama the son of Ammihud: of Manasseh; Gamaliel the son of Pedahzur. 
Num 1:11  Of Benjamin; Abidan the son of Gideoni.
Num 1:12  Of Dan; Ahiezer the son of Ammishaddai.
Num 1:13  Of Asher; Pagiel the son of Ocran. 
Num 1:14  Of Gad; Eliasaph the son of Deuel. 
Num 1:15  Of Naphtali; Ahira the son of Enan. 
Num 1:16  These were the renowned of the congregation, princes of the tribes of their fathers, heads of thousands in Israel. 
Num 1:17  And Moses and Aaron took these men which are expressed by their names: 
Num 1:18  And they assembled all the congregation together on the first day of the second month, and they declared their pedigrees after their families, by the house of their fathers, according to the number of the names, from twenty years old and upward, by their polls. 
Num 1:19  As the LORD commanded Moses, so he numbered them in the wilderness of Sinai. 
Num 1:20  And the children of Reuben, Israel’s eldest son, by their generations, after their families, by the house of their fathers, according to the number of the names, by their polls, every male from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war; 
Num 1:21  Those that were numbered of them, even of the tribe of Reuben, were forty and six thousand and five hundred.
Num 1:22  Of the children of Simeon, by their generations, after their families, by the house of their fathers, those that were numbered of them, according to the number of the names, by their polls, every male from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war; 
Num 1:23  Those that were numbered of them, even of the tribe of Simeon, were fifty and nine thousand and three hundred. 
Num 1:24  Of the children of Gad, by their generations, after their families, by the house of their fathers, according to the number of the names, from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war; 
Num 1:25  Those that were numbered of them, even of the tribe of Gad, were forty and five thousand six hundred and fifty. 
Num 1:26  Of the children of Judah, by their generations, after their families, by the house of their fathers, according to the number of the names, from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war; 
Num 1:27  Those that were numbered of them, even of the tribe of Judah, were threescore and fourteen thousand and six hundred. 
Num 1:28  Of the children of Issachar, by their generations, after their families, by the house of their fathers, according to the number of the names, from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war; 
Num 1:29  Those that were numbered of them, even of the tribe of Issachar, were fifty and four thousand and four hundred. 

Introduction

As we are aware, the entire Bible is all about Christ. The scriptures testify that every aspect of the word of the Lord is about Christ.

Joh 5:39  Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.

Joh 1:45  Philip findeth Nathanael, and saith unto him, We have found him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, did write, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph. 

Luk 24:27  And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself. 

The Book of Numbers looks at Christ from His mission to transform the church into a heavenly army with the objective of establishing His kingdom within His people first as they journey through the wilderness of this life. In the fullness of time, this inward kingdom of God will become manifested visibly as the kingdoms of this world becomes the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ. 

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.

Rev 11:15  And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.

A key role of an army is to destroy any potential threat posed by opposing forces to the building of a kingdom. In our case, our flesh poses a potential threat to the building of the kingdom of God within us and therefore, as an army of the Lord, we are in a war situation with our flesh. This flesh is symbolized by the enemies that the Israelites fought with, as they journeyed in the Book of Numbers. The latter part of the Book of Numbers therefore focuses on this war of the Israelites such as the Amorites and the Midianites.

Eph 6:10  Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. 
Eph 6:11  Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 
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 6:13  Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 

Rev 12:7  And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels,
Rev 12:8  And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven. 
Rev 12:9  And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.

A significant aspect of being of the army of the Lord is that we are required to endure hardships and also not to be involved in the affairs of this world as we please our commanding officer, who is Christ.

2Ti 2:3  Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. 
2Ti 2:4  No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier. 

Today’s study focuses on the formation of this army of the Lord’s elect from different tribes and kindred all over the world, who are represented by the twelve tribes of Israel. 

Num 1:1  And the LORD spake unto Moses in the wilderness of Sinai, in the tabernacle of the congregation, on the first day of the second month, in the second year after they were come out of the land of Egypt, saying, 
Num 1:2  Take ye the sum of all the congregation of the children of Israel, after their families, by the house of their fathers, with the number of their names, every male by their polls;
Num 1:3  From twenty years old and upward, all that are able to go forth to war in Israel: thou and Aaron shall number them by their armies. 

The Lord ordered a census to be conducted for all males of the tribe of Israel above 20 years old. As we know, all things are for our benefit. Thus, this census was part of the Lord’s plan to unveil to His elect, who would come centuries later, what is required to be part of the Lord’s army. 

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; 

Being a male of 20 years old signifies that we are ready to handle the word of truth as the Lord guides us to engage the flesh on a daily basis. This implies that we have become spiritually mature and therefore are not blown away by every wind of doctrine. 

Eph 4:11  And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
Eph 4:12  For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: 
Eph 4:13  Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:
Eph 4:14  That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; 
Eph 4:15  But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: 

Verse 2 says that these armies to be numbered were to come from every tribe of Israel. It shows that the Lord is redeeming people from every tribe and kindred from every generation to be enrolled in His army. 

Rev 5:9  And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; 

This numbering excluded all females of Israel. This is because spiritually, there is only one church, who is the bride of Christ and therefore cannot be counted. This church is that of the firstborn or Jerusalem which is above, which is contrasted with Jerusalem which is, and is in bondage with her children. As Paul indicated, Jerusalem which is, has many divisions and therefore cannot constitute an army as no army that is divided can stand any chance against an enemy. 

1Co 3:3  For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men? 
1Co 3:4  For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal? 

Mar 3:24  And if a kingdom be divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. 
Mar 3:25  And if a house be divided against itself, that house cannot stand.  

In the Bible, there was a time that David also ordered his army commander, Joab, and the rulers of the people to count his army. However, the Lord was not pleased with David’s action and as a result, many people died resulting from the Lord sending a plague to the people of Israel. The question is, ”Why was the Lord displeased with David when in the Book of Numbers, the Lord ordered the counting of His army?”

1Ch 21:1  And Satan stood up against Israel, and provoked David to number Israel. 
1Ch 21:2  And David said to Joab and to the rulers of the people, Go, number Israel from Beersheba even to Dan; and bring the number of them to me, that I may know it. 
1Ch 21:3  And Joab answered, The LORD make his people an hundred times so many more as they be: but, my lord the king, are they not all my lord’s servants? why then doth my lord require this thing? why will he be a cause of trespass to Israel? 
1Ch 21:4  Nevertheless the king’s word prevailed against Joab. Wherefore Joab departed, and went throughout all Israel, and came to Jerusalem.  

1Ch 27:23  But David took not the number of them from twenty years old and under: because the LORD had said he would increase Israel like to the stars of the heavens. 
1Ch 27:24  Joab the son of Zeruiah began to number, but he finished not, because there fell wrath for it against Israel; neither was the number put in the account of the chronicles of king David.

David wanted to count his army to give him the assurance that he had the men to fight for him after having won many victories. It is during the time of our success that we are most vulnerable as we think that it is through our strength that we have won many victories over the flesh. However, we do not bring anything to the table when it comes to our salvation or victories over the flesh. It is all the work of the Lord.

Another reason why the Lord was displeased with David was that he refused to listen to a multitude of counsel. He did not consult anyone regarding his decision to number the army. At least Joab warned David that his action would cause a trespass to Israel, but David refused. He was not prepared to listen to this counsel. Immediately we refuse to listen to the multitude of counsel or defer to our elders, then we come under the spell of Satan to buffet us. We have seen this happen to many of our brothers and sisters who had left us.

Pro 11:14  Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety. 

Pro 15:22  Without counsel purposes are disappointed: but in the multitude of counsellors they are established. 

Pro 24:6  For by wise counsel thou shalt make thy war: and in multitude of counsellors there is safety. 

1Pe 5:5  Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.

Num 1:4  And with you there shall be a man of every tribe; every one head of the house of his fathers. 
Num 1:5  And these are the names of the men that shall stand with you: of the tribe of Reuben; Elizur the son of Shedeur.
Num 1:6  Of Simeon; Shelumiel the son of Zurishaddai.
Num 1:7  Of Judah; Nahshon the son of Amminadab. 
Num 1:8  Of Issachar; Nethaneel the son of Zuar. 
Num 1:9  Of Zebulun; Eliab the son of Helon. 
Num 1:10  Of the children of Joseph: of Ephraim; Elishama the son of Ammihud: of Manasseh; Gamaliel the son of Pedahzur. 
Num 1:11  Of Benjamin; Abidan the son of Gideoni.
Num 1:12  Of Dan; Ahiezer the son of Ammishaddai.
Num 1:13  Of Asher; Pagiel the son of Ocran. 
Num 1:14  Of Gad; Eliasaph the son of Deuel. 
Num 1:15  Of Naphtali; Ahira the son of Enan. 
Num 1:16  These were the renowned of the congregation, princes of the tribes of their fathers, heads of thousands in Israel.
Num 1:17  And Moses and Aaron took these men which are expressed by their names: 
Num 1:18  And they assembled all the congregation together on the first day of the second month, and they declared their pedigrees after their families, by the house of their fathers, according to the number of the names, from twenty years old and upward, by their polls. 

These 12 men were the leaders of the various tribes who were called to assist Moses with the census. The twelve sons of Jacob became the twelve tribes which served as the foundation for the fulfillment of God’s intention to gain a people and to form an army with the intention of building a kingdom. Among the twelve tribes, Levi was consecrated to God to serve in the tabernacle. As a result, the Levites were not counted. This means that there was a shortage of one tribe. Fortunately, the place of the tribe of Levi was filled by Joseph who received a double portion through his two sons, Ephraim and Manasseh. The fact that the Levites were not counted means that they were not part of the army of God and therefore represent Babylon, the religions of this world who are involved physically with matters pertaining to God (upholding the law of Moses) but are not counted as part of the Lord’s elect. As the name Levi implies, they are joined to us to assist us in serving the Lord in this life.

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.

Now, let’s take a look at the twelve tribes to see their characteristics as it informs us of the credentials the Lord is looking for in forming His army. We can know more of these tribes by reviewing Jacob’s blessing of his sons in Genesis chapter 49 as follows:

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:
Gen 49:4  Unstable as water, thou shalt not excel; because thou wentest up to thy father’s bed; then defiledst thou it: he went up to my couch.
Gen 49:5  Simeon and Levi are brethren; instruments of cruelty are in their habitations.

The tribe of Reuben is described as unstable because the founding father, Reuben, defiled his father’s bed. Reuben represents Babylon where we all ended up defiling the Lord’s wife by promoting false doctrines at the expense of the Lord’s words. This is exemplified in the Corinthian church when a member slept with his father’s wife. Levi and Simeon were described as instruments of cruelty. When the Lord came to pick us up to enroll in His army, we were under the influence of the flesh and were indeed children of wrath just like Reuben, Simeon and Levi. This is what the Lord says we were when He came for us:

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.  

1Co 5:1  It is reported commonly that there is fornication among you, and such fornication as is not so much as named among the Gentiles, that one should have his father’s wife. 
1Co 5:2  And ye are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he that hath done this deed might be taken away from among you.

The tribe of Judah was promised rulership. As we are aware, even though in our current state it is difficult to imagine that we shall be rulers, the Lord has again and again assured us that we shall surely overcome and reign with Christ. This rulership is part of the incentives for our enrollment in the Lord’s army.

Gen 49:10  The sceptre shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come; and unto him shall the gathering of the people be.

Rev 2:26  And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations: 
Rev 2:27  And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father. 

The tribe of Zebulun cannot dissociate itself from the sea of flesh in which it finds itself. That is the meaning of Zebulun dwelling at the haven of the sea. This implies that the tribe of Zebulun represents us who were dominated by the flesh when Christ came to enroll us in His army. The tribe of Issachar loves life and therefore became a slave of the pleasures of the flesh. We were all slaves of the pleasures of the flesh until Christ came.

Gen 49:13  Zebulun shall dwell at the haven of the sea; and he shall be for an haven of ships; and his border shall be unto Zidon. 
Gen 49:14  Issachar is a strong ass couching down between two burdens: 
Gen 49:15  And he saw that rest was good, and the land that it was pleasant; and bowed his shoulder to bear, and became a servant unto tribute. 

The tribe of Dan was assured of being judges, while that of Gad is destined to overcome. The tribe of Asher was promised to understand the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, as symbolized by their bread being fat. The result of comprehending these mysteries is that they shall become kings. We are called to be judges and kings when we overcome. It is not by our strength or anything we can do, but by the Lord’s mercies, we shall surely overcome.

Gen 49:16  Dan shall judge his people, as one of the tribes of Israel. 
Gen 49:17  Dan shall be a serpent by the way, an adder in the path, that biteth the horse heels, so that his rider shall fall backward.
Gen 49:18  I have waited for thy salvation, O LORD. 
Gen 49:19  Gad, a troop shall overcome him: but he shall overcome at the last.
Gen 49:20  Out of Asher his bread shall be fat, and he shall yield royal dainties.

Like the tribe of Naphtali, we are assured that when we are loosed from the sins which easily beset us through the judgment of our old man as we become enlightened in knowledge of His words, what comes out of our mouth will be beautiful words (goodly words) which give life.

Gen 49:21  Naphtali is a hind let loose: he giveth goodly words. 

As indicated earlier, Joseph was given a double portion and therefore his two sons, Ephraim and Manasseh, were therefore the founding fathers of their tribes. Through these two tribes, represented by Joseph, we come to see the suffering we must endure as we are hated by the world. However, in the final analysis, we shall go from strength to strength as symbolized by the arms of our hands being made strong by the hand of the almighty!! 

Gen 49:22  Joseph is a fruitful bough, even a fruitful bough by a well; whose branches run over the wall: 
Gen 49:23  The archers have sorely grieved him, and shot at him, and hated him: 
Gen 49:24  But his bow abode in strength, and the arms of his hands were made strong by the hands of the mighty God of Jacob; (from thence is the shepherd, the stone of Israel:)
Gen 49:25  Even by the God of thy father, who shall help thee; and by the Almighty, who shall bless thee with blessings of heaven above, blessings of the deep that lieth under, blessings of the breasts, and of the womb: 
Gen 49:26  The blessings of thy father have prevailed above the blessings of my progenitors unto the utmost bound of the everlasting hills: they shall be on the head of Joseph, and on the crown of the head of him that was separate from his brethren. 

The tribe of Benjamin spiritually represents those who will become victorious over the flesh, which is powered by the devil, when the sun of righteousness (Christ) rises within them. While the world is becoming darker and darker as the day approaches, the Lord’s called and chosen shall be celebrating their victories over the flesh on a daily basis.

Gen 49:27  Benjamin shall ravin as a wolf: in the morning he shall devour the prey, and at night he shall divide the spoil.  

Mal 4:2  But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall. 
Mal 4:3  And ye shall tread down the wicked; for they shall be ashes under the soles of your feet in the day that I shall do this, saith the LORD of hosts. 

In summary, the twelve tribes constituting the Lord’s army represent the elect with varied backgrounds which in the sight of men, amounts to nothing. However, the Lord has chosen the foolish things of this world to transform them into the Lord’s army with the full assurance of their victory over the enemies of Christ and to be rewarded with kingship, the priesthood and judgments of the world.

Num 1:19  As the LORD commanded Moses, so he numbered them in the wilderness of Sinai. 
Num 1:20  And the children of Reuben, Israel’s eldest son, by their generations, after their families, by the house of their fathers, according to the number of the names, by their polls, every male from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war; 
Num 1:21  Those that were numbered of them, even of the tribe of Reuben, were forty and six thousand and five hundred (46,500). 

What is significant in these verses is the number of those enlisted in the Lord’s army representing the tribe of Reuben – 46,500. The significant numbers here are 4,6 and 5. The number 4 signifies the whole of the issue under discussion and in this case, we are dealing with the whole of the elect from every generation.  The number 6 is the number of mankind and therefore tells us that the Lord’s army is selected from among men. The number 5 refers to grace through faith. It is by grace through faith that we become part of this formidable army of the Lord.

Eph 2:8  For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 
Eph 2:9  Not of works, lest any man should boast. 
Eph 2:10  For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. 

Num 1:22  Of the children of Simeon, by their generations, after their families, by the house of their fathers, those that were numbered of them, according to the number of the names, by their polls, every male from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war; 
Num 1:23  Those that were numbered of them, even of the tribe of Simeon, were fifty and nine thousand and three hundred (59,300). 

The total number of the army from the tribe of Simeon was 59,300. As indicated earlier, the number 5 means grace through faith. The number 9 signifies God’s judgment, and the number 3 is the process of spiritual maturity through judgment. Thus, the tribe of Simeon reminds us that as a soldier of Christ, we are to endure hardships as part of the Lord’s judgment of our old man, and it is through this process that we become spiritually mature.

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. 
Rom 5:3  And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; 
Rom 5:4  And patience, experience; and experience, hope: 
Rom 5:5  And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.

Num 1:24  Of the children of Gad, by their generations, after their families, by the house of their fathers, according to the number of the names, from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war; 
Num 1:25  Those that were numbered of them, even of the tribe of Gad, were forty and five thousand six hundred and fifty (45,650).

The number counted for the tribe of Gad was 45,650. This signifies that those pre-selected (the elect) by the Lord to be enrolled in His army come from the whole of the human race, and it is by grace through faith that they become victorious in this life.   

Num 1:26  Of the children of Judah, by their generations, after their families, by the house of their fathers, according to the number of the names, from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war; 
Num 1:27  Those that were numbered of them, even of the tribe of Judah, were threescore and fourteen thousand and six hundred (74,600).

In the case of the tribe of Judah, 74,600 were counted. This means that those who are predestined to become part of the Lord’s army, come from the whole of the human race and that they shall complete (the significance of the number 7) their mission as soldiers of Christ.

Php 1:6  Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ: 

Num 1:28  Of the children of Issachar, by their generations, after their families, by the house of their fathers, according to the number of the names, from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war; 
Num 1:29  Those that were numbered of them, even of the tribe of Issachar, were fifty and four thousand and four hundred (54,400). 

The tribe of Issachar had 54,400 men enlisted in the army of Israel. This means that it is by grace through faith that the whole of the Lord’s elect are privileged to be enlisted in the Lord’s army and that it is not of ourselves, but the gift of God.

Eph 2:8  For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 
Eph 2:9  Not of works, lest any man should boast. 
Eph 2:10  For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. 

We thank the Lord for His mercies towards us to count us worthy to be enlisted in His army. May He continue to uphold us as the day approaches!! Amen!!

[Study Posted January 19, 2021]

Jdg 1:16  And the children of the Kenite, Moses’ father in law, went up out of the city of palm trees with the children of Judah into the wilderness of Judah, which lieth in the south of Arad; and they went and dwelt among the people. 
Jdg 1:17  And Judah went with Simeon his brother, and they slew the Canaanites that inhabited Zephath, and utterly destroyed it. And the name of the city was called Hormah. 
Jdg 1:18  Also Judah took Gaza with the coast thereof, and Askelon with the coast thereof, and Ekron with the coast thereof. 
Jdg 1:19  And the LORD was with Judah; and he drave out the inhabitants of the mountain; but could not drive out the inhabitants of the valley, because they had chariots of iron. 
Jdg 1:20  And they gave Hebron unto Caleb, as Moses said: and he expelled thence the three sons of Anak. 
Jdg 1:21  And the children of Benjamin did not drive out the Jebusites that inhabited Jerusalem; but the Jebusites dwell with the children of Benjamin in Jerusalem unto this day. 
Jdg 1:22  And the house of Joseph, they also went up against Bethel: and the LORD was with them. 
Jdg 1:23  And the house of Joseph sent to descry Bethel. (Now the name of the city before was Luz.) 
Jdg 1:24  And the spies saw a man come forth out of the city, and they said unto him, Shew us, we pray thee, the entrance into the city, and we will shew thee mercy. 
Jdg 1:25  And when he shewed them the entrance into the city, they smote the city with the edge of the sword; but they let go the man and all his family. 
Jdg 1:26  And the man went into the land of the Hittites, and built a city, and called the name thereof Luz: which is the name thereof unto this day. 
Jdg 1:27  Neither did Manasseh drive out the inhabitants of Bethshean and her towns, nor Taanach and her towns, nor the inhabitants of Dor and her towns, nor the inhabitants of Ibleam and her towns, nor the inhabitants of Megiddo and her towns: but the Canaanites would dwell in that land. 
Jdg 1:28  And it came to pass, when Israel was strong, that they put the Canaanites to tribute, and did not utterly drive them out. 
Jdg 1:29  Neither did Ephraim drive out the Canaanites that dwelt in Gezer; but the Canaanites dwelt in Gezer among them. 
Jdg 1:30  Neither did Zebulun drive out the inhabitants of Kitron, nor the inhabitants of Nahalol; but the Canaanites dwelt among them, and became tributaries. 
Jdg 1:31  Neither did Asher drive out the inhabitants of Accho, nor the inhabitants of Zidon, nor of Ahlab, nor of Achzib, nor of Helbah, nor of Aphik, nor of Rehob: 
Jdg 1:32  But the Asherites dwelt among the Canaanites, the inhabitants of the land: for they did not drive them out. 
Jdg 1:33  Neither did Naphtali drive out the inhabitants of Bethshemesh, nor the inhabitants of Bethanath; but he dwelt among the Canaanites, the inhabitants of the land: nevertheless the inhabitants of Bethshemesh and of Bethanath became tributaries unto them. 
Jdg 1:34  And the Amorites forced the children of Dan into the mountain: for they would not suffer them to come down to the valley: 
Jdg 1:35  But the Amorites would dwell in mount Heres in Aijalon, and in Shaalbim: yet the hand of the house of Joseph prevailed, so that they became tributaries. 
Jdg 1:36  And the coast of the Amorites was from the going up to Akrabbim, from the rock, and upward. 

In the last study, we looked at how the tribe of Judah fought against Jerusalem, took it and set the city on fire. This speaks of our deliverance from the Jerusalem within us, which represents Jerusalem which now is (the false doctrines which we have imbibed during our time in Babylon under the leadership of this mystery woman) and is in bondage with her children.

Gal 4:22  For it is written, that Abraham had two sons, the one by a bondmaid, the other by a freewoman.
Gal 4:23  But he who was of the bondwoman was born after the flesh; but he of the freewoman was by promise.
Gal 4:24  Which things are an allegory: for these are the two covenants; the one from the mount Sinai, which gendereth to bondage, which is Agar.
Gal 4:25  For this Agar is mount Sinai in Arabia, and answereth to Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children.
Gal 4:26  But Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all.

We also reviewed how Caleb gave his daughter as a wife to Othniel (a type of the elect) for defeating Kirjathsepher and through the wife Othniel was given upper and the nether springs. This shows how when we get into the right fellowship (Jerusalem which is above), our understanding of the scriptures is deepened through God giving gifts to men.

Eph 4:7  But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.
Eph 4:8  Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.
Eph 4:9  (Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth?
Eph 4:10  He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.)
Eph 4:11  And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
Eph 4:12  For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:

In spite of our progress so far, there are wars to be won in order for us to possess our land – offering our body as a living sacrifice to God.

Jdg 1:16  And the children of the Kenite, Moses’ father in law, went up out of the city of palm trees with the children of Judah into the wilderness of Judah, which lieth in the south of Arad; and they went and dwelt among the people. 

The Kenites, the tribe of Moses’ father-in-law, were a nomadic tribe which dwelt in Canaan during the time of Abraham (Gen 15:19). This tribe became integrated with the children of Israel as they journeyed from Egypt.  In Numbers 10:29-32 Moses wanted to rely on the insight of Hobab (Moses’ brother-in-law), since he knew the terrain, but God did not want the Israelites to depend on the arm of the flesh. It is surprising that the Kenites would leave the city of Palm trees and go into the wilderness of Arad with Judah.

In the scriptures, palm trees are likened to the elect or Christ, and Arad means wild ass. Thus, the Kenites left Christ to become a wild ass roaming in the wilderness.  This speaks of us at a certain point in our walk when we do not want to pay heed to sound doctrine (Christ) but rather follow after the dictates of the flesh as the man of sin is sitting in the temple of God and calling himself God (the abomination of desolation).

Psa 92:12  The righteous shall flourish like the palm tree: he shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon.

2Ti 4:3  For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;
2Ti 4:4  And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.

2Th 2:3  Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;
2Th 2:4  Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.

Jdg 1:17  And Judah went with Simeon his brother, and they slew the Canaanites that inhabited Zephath, and utterly destroyed it. And the name of the city was called Hormah. 
Jdg 1:18  Also Judah took Gaza with the coast thereof, and Askelon with the coast thereof, and Ekron with the coast thereof. 

As we continue to offer our true worship to the Lord by offering our bodies as living sacrifices (Rom 12:1-2), which represents Judah, our praise, the Lord will continue to defeat the enemy within on our behalf. The city of Zephath (formerly called Hormah meaning destruction) is near the border of Edom which speaks of our flesh.

The defeat of the flesh is in stages. As indicated earlier, God picks the low-hanging fruits for us before we are finally ushered into serious battles. After the defeat of Zephath, Judah went ahead and defeated three of the principal cities of the Philistines which represents a more challenging enemy. Gaza means stronghold, so here we are dealing with sin that easily besets us and the false doctrines which have become our idols. Judah took over these Philistine cities for a brief period, but later these cities reverted to the control of the Philistines. This struggle against the flesh is for a lifetime. But one day, we will have the ultimate victory as the dragon will prevail not, neither will his place be found in our heavens.

Rev 12:7  And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels,
Rev 12:8  And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven.

Jdg 1:19  And the LORD was with Judah; and he drave out the inhabitants of the mountain; but could not drive out the inhabitants of the valley, because they had chariots of iron. 
Jdg 1:20  And they gave Hebron unto Caleb, as Moses said: and he expelled thence the three sons of Anak. 
Jdg 1:21  And the children of Benjamin did not drive out the Jebusites that inhabited Jerusalem; but the Jebusites dwell with the children of Benjamin in Jerusalem unto this day. 

Although Judah had been successful in defeating the inhabitants of the mountain, they could not defeat those in the valley because they had chariots of iron. In the Book of Revelation, out of the bottomless pit of our flesh came the locusts whose breastplates were made of iron and the sound of their wings was as the sound of chariots of many horses rushing to battle. So the inhabitants of Canaan with chariots of iron represents the doctrines that we have imbibed which were propagated by the Babylonian messengers (the scorpions) which dominate our mind and have become strong barriers that prevent the word of God to easily break through to renew our minds.  This is because these doctrines are like “iron chariots”.

Rev 9:9 And they had breastplates like breastplates of iron, and the noise of their wings was like the noise of many chariots with horses rushing into battle.

God knows our frame, and therefore He leads us to war from one level to another such that with every temptation He makes a way for us. At the right time we will be able to defeat the enemy with chariots of iron as God demonstrated later when the people of Israel defeated Sisera with nine-hundred chariots of iron. We need patience in this walk, and patience here is just obeying God and having faith that He who has started this good work (the defeat of the enemy within) will bring it to completion!!

1Co 10:13  There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

Jdg 4:13  And Sisera gathered together all his chariots, even nine hundred chariots of iron, and all the people that were with him, from Harosheth of the Gentiles unto the river of Kishon.
Jdg 4:14  And Deborah said unto Barak, Up; for this is the day in which the LORD hath delivered Sisera into thine hand: is not the LORD gone out before thee? So Barak went down from mount Tabor, and ten thousand men after him.
Jdg 4:15  And the LORD discomfited Sisera, and all his chariots, and all his host, with the edge of the sword before Barak; so that Sisera lighted down off his chariot, and fled away on his feet.

Heb 10:36  For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.

Rev 14:12  Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.

One problem with our walk is that sometimes we become too comfortable with the flesh as Abraham didn’t want Ishmael to go. Our victory is in relentless pursuit – that is, our desire to have our heavens cleansed and to be separated completely from Babylonian influences. The children of Benjamin were comfortable living with the Jebusites in Jerusalem however, and this became a snare to them. In spite of our desire to have our heavens cleansed, there are certain aspects of our lives that we find it difficult to let go just like the Israelies being comfortable living with the Jebusites. This is the picture of Jerusalem today. No wonder it is in bondage with her children.

Rev 18:4  And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.

2Co 6:14  Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?
2Co 6:15  And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?
2Co 6:16  And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
2Co 6:17  Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,
2Co 6:18  And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.

At this point in time of our study, Judah is now waging war against much stronger opposition – enemies on the hills, giants from the descendants of Anak, etc. The cleansing of our heavens is a long drawn-out war which proceeds in stages, but our confidence is in the fact that He who has started this good work will see to its completion.

Php 1:6  Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:

Jdg 1:22  And the house of Joseph, they also went up against Bethel: and the LORD was with them. 

The meaning of Joseph is “may he add”, and Bethel means the house of God. According to Genesis 28:17, the house of God is also the gate of heaven. So what the verse means is that we need to add to our conquest the gate of heaven, which is the house of God.

Gen 28:17  And he was afraid, and said, How dreadful is this place! this is none other but the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven.

“Gate” represents an entrance so the gate of heaven is the entrance to our heart and mind. This war being waged by the house of Joseph to defeat Bethel is our war to add to our possession the gate of our heaven, which will help us to screen everything that enters our heart and mind. Possessing the gate of our heart and mind will help us focus on whatsoever is lovely, of good report, etc., and not allow evil thoughts to permeate our heavens!

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.

From another perspective, this gate of heaven can be looked at as the entrance to the Word which is Christ.

Psa 119:130  The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple.

Thus, our war against Bethel is a war against the stumbling block of our iniquities which prevent us from understanding the word of God. This is demonstrated in the Book of Ezekiel.

Eze 14:1  Then came certain of the elders of Israel unto me, and sat before me.
Eze 14:2  And the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,
Eze 14:3  Son of man, these men have set up their idols in their heart, and put the stumblingblock of their iniquity before their face: should I be enquired of at all by them?
Eze 14:4  Therefore speak unto them, and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Every man of the house of Israel that setteth up his idols in his heart, and putteth the stumblingblock of his iniquity before his face, and cometh to the prophet; I the LORD will answer him that cometh according to the multitude of his idols;

Jdg 1:23  And the house of Joseph sent to descry Bethel. (Now the name of the city before was Luz.) 
Jdg 1:24  And the spies saw a man come forth out of the city, and they said unto him, Shew us, we pray thee, the entrance into the city, and we will shew thee mercy. 

This war is so important that the house of Joseph sent spies to have a feel of what they are up against, and they could not locate the entrance to the city until they got help. The entrance to the word that brings understanding is not by human effort. It is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that showeth mercy. Our understanding of the word of God is only through the mercies of God. It is not through our wisdom to discern or anything else. If we are called and chosen, then at the set time, God will open our eyes to see and our ears to hear.

Psa 136:1  O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.
Psa 136:2  O give thanks unto the God of gods: for his mercy endureth for ever.
Psa 136:3  O give thanks to the Lord of lords: for his mercy endureth for ever.
Psa 136:4  To him who alone doeth great wonders: for his mercy endureth for ever.

God in His mercy will send us the men – the elect, just as the spies saw a man who showed the house of Joseph the gate of the city which signifies the entrance to His words which brings illumination. During the time of the apostles, God took a man (Philip) to the desert to explain the scriptures to an Ethiopian Eunuch.  Peter was sent to Cornelius, and Ananias was sent to Paul to open his eyes to see!! Today God, through His Christs, is showing us the entrance to His Words!!

Jdg 1:25  And when he shewed them the entrance into the city, they smote the city with the edge of the sword; but they let go the man and all his family. 
Jdg 1:26  And the man went into the land of the Hittites, and built a city, and called the name thereof Luz: which is the name thereof unto this day. 

Getting to understand the Word and putting it in practice liberates us from the shackles of false idols, doctrines, etc. It gives us victory gradually over the flesh!! It must be noted that the man and his family were protected and set free during the war against Bethel. God preserves us in the midst of the raging storms in our lives. God’s modus operandi is not to whisk us away from trouble (as those in Babylon who believe in rapture states) but to keep us in the midst of trouble.

The inability of the Israelites to drive the enemies from the land

Jdg 1:27  Neither did Manasseh drive out the inhabitants of Bethshean and her towns, nor Taanach and her towns, nor the inhabitants of Dor and her towns, nor the inhabitants of Ibleam and her towns, nor the inhabitants of Megiddo and her towns: but the Canaanites would dwell in that land. 
Jdg 1:28  And it came to pass, when Israel was strong, that they put the Canaanites to tribute, and did not utterly drive them out. 
Jdg 1:29  Neither did Ephraim drive out the Canaanites that dwelt in Gezer; but the Canaanites dwelt in Gezer among them. 
Jdg 1:30  Neither did Zebulun drive out the inhabitants of Kitron, nor the inhabitants of Nahalol; but the Canaanites dwelt among them, and became tributaries. 
Jdg 1:31  Neither did Asher drive out the inhabitants of Accho, nor the inhabitants of Zidon, nor of Ahlab, nor of Achzib, nor of Helbah, nor of Aphik, nor of Rehob: 
Jdg 1:32  But the Asherites dwelt among the Canaanites, the inhabitants of the land: for they did not drive them out. 
Jdg 1:33  Neither did Naphtali drive out the inhabitants of Bethshemesh, nor the inhabitants of Bethanath; but he dwelt among the Canaanites, the inhabitants of the land: nevertheless the inhabitants of Bethshemesh and of Bethanath became tributaries unto them. 
Jdg 1:34  And the Amorites forced the children of Dan into the mountain: for they would not suffer them to come down to the valley: 
Jdg 1:35  But the Amorites would dwell in mount Heres in Aijalon, and in Shaalbim: yet the hand of the house of Joseph prevailed, so that they became tributaries. 
Jdg 1:36  And the coast of the Amorites was from the going up to Akrabbim, from the rock, and upward. 

This part of the Chapter relates to the inability of the Israelites to drive out the enemies from the Promised Land. A look at the commentary by F.B. Meyer in e-sword summarizes the whole study for today as follows:

“The conquest of Canaan was very partial. Israel dwelled among the ancient inhabitants of the land, much as the Normans did among the Anglo-Saxons, whom they found in England, and the mixture of the two peoples was the beginning of moral degeneracy and decline in the chosen race. Wherever there was the old-time faith in God, as in the case of Caleb, the land was cleared of the Canaanite; but where God was out, the Canaanite was in.

So it is in the life of the soul. It is intended that the whole should be yielded to Christ, that no evil passion should reign, that no besetting sin should enthrall. But how often Christian people give up the fight! They say that the old Adam is too strong for them, and settle down to a joint-occupation. Let us not yield to reasoning like this! The Lion of Judah can break every chain. By faith in Him we can be more than conquerors! The Holy Spirit strives with the flesh, so that we may not do as otherwise we would. Only give Him the right of way! Sin shall not reign in your mortal body!” [End of quote]

In many ways, Meyer’s commentary really hit the nail on the head. However, it makes it look like we call the shots! We must understand that the Israelites inability to rid the land of their enemies is caused by the Lord who was seeking an occasion to judge them so that at the end, sin will not reign in the land. The conquest of the land is a long process!! It is not a one-time conquest. It is for a lifetime.

Spiritually, the Promised Land, Canaan, represents the Kingdom of God within. Since John the Baptist, this kingdom of God has suffered much violence but with Christ, we will be the violent that takes this kingdom by force. In Genesis the land promised is described as including the territories occupied by ten nations.

Gen 15:18  In the same day the LORD made a covenant with Abram, saying, Unto thy seed have I given this land, from the river of Egypt unto the great river, the river Euphrates:
Gen 15:19  The Kenites, and the Kenizzites, and the Kadmonites,
Gen 15:20  And the Hittites, and the Perizzites, and the Rephaims,
Gen 15:21  And the Amorites, and the Canaanites, and the Girgashites, and the Jebusites.

The number of tribes listed is ten, which represents our flesh and their false doctrines. So what occupies this land and prevents the growth of the kingdom of God within us is our own flesh. Salvation therefore is being delivered from our flesh which is our old man and it is through this process that we have victory over sin.

The common reason for the Israelites’ inability to drive out the land is stated in this verse:

Jdg 1:28  And it came to pass, when Israel was strong, that they put the Canaanites to tribute, and did not utterly drive them out. 

The Israelites had the resources to drive them out of the land but they chose to live with them and put them to forced labor. In other words, they profited from the Canaanites. That is always the mentality of the carnal mind just as the Israelites were put under forced labor by the Egyptians representing the world. So this is a worldly mentality.

Jdg 1:30  Neither did Zebulun drive out the inhabitants of Kitron, nor the inhabitants of Nahalol; but the Canaanites dwelt among them, and became tributaries. 

Jdg 1:33  Neither did Naphtali drive out the inhabitants of Bethshemesh, nor the inhabitants of Bethanath; but he dwelt among the Canaanites, the inhabitants of the land: nevertheless the inhabitants of Bethshemesh and of Bethanath became tributaries unto them. 
Jdg 1:34  And the Amorites forced the children of Dan into the mountain: for they would not suffer them to come down to the valley: 
Jdg 1:35  But the Amorites would dwell in mount Heres in Aijalon, and in Shaalbim: yet the hand of the house of Joseph prevailed, so that they became tributaries. 

The verses here are to show us that it was not only one tribe that failed to drive out the Canaanites but the whole tribe of Israel. Almost all of them put the Canaanites to forced labor as shown in the verses above. As a result of this co-habitation, the Israelites became ensnared by another Jesus which the Canaanites worshipped. As a result, their mind became darkened, and so the Lord took away from Israel (Babylon) the whole stay of bread which is the word of God. By putting them to forced labor, the Israelites were enjoying the pleasures of sin, and therefore they did not want the Canaanites to go. In our quest to cleanse our temple of all that offends, we have to be ruthless in making sure that no stone is left unturned. All that offends must be put to death!! We must have no room for the pleasures of sin as demonstrated by Moses who chose to suffer instead.

2Co 11:4  For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him.

Isa 3:1  For, behold, the Lord, the LORD of hosts, doth take away from Jerusalem and from Judah the stay and the staff, the whole stay of bread, and the whole stay of water,

Heb 11:24  By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter;
Heb 11:25  Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season;

When we look at our current situation, we are all in different stages of this battle against the flesh. We have at certain times of our lives enjoyed the pleasures of sin, and as a result, the enemies within had held us in bondage. This is the picture of the people of God that runs through the Book of Judges. However, God in His mercy will not leave us in that state.  He raised up judges to deliver His people from the enemies during the time of the judges and will do the same for us. These judges are a type of our Lord’s elect who motivate us to win this war against the flesh by speaking the fiery word which is able to save us from our enemies.

Jdg 2:16  Nevertheless the LORD raised up judges, which delivered them out of the hand of those that spoiled them.

According to Strong’s definition of judges, it means to pronounce a sentence for or against.

shâphaṭ
shaw-fat’
A primitive root; to judge, that is, pronounce sentence (for or against); by implication to vindicate or punish; by extension to govern; passively to litigate (literally or figuratively): – + avenge, X that condemn, contend, defend, execute (judgment), (be a) judge (-ment), X needs, plead, reason, rule.

So at God’s appointed time, He will pronounce sentence against our foes within. In other words, He will send his word to heal us and deliver us from being destroyed by our coexistence with the strong enemies within. We should not therefore be frustrated when we fall. God will use these failures to judge us and bring us to an expected end. Victory is coming!!

Psa 107:20  He sent his word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions.
Psa 107:21  Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!

Let us therefore come with supplication before our Lord to ask Him to help us in this war to overcome the enemies within. For we of ourselves cannot win this war!! But our help is in the name of the Lord who made heaven and earth. For He that keepeth us shall not slumber nor sleep!! He will come in at the right time with the brightness of His coming to defeat on our behalf the giants on our land with the spirit of his mouth!!

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:

Psa 124:8  Our help is in the name of the LORD, who made heaven and earth.

Psa 121:1  A Song of degrees. I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help.
Psa 121:2  My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth.
Psa 121:3  He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber.
Psa 121:4  Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep.
Psa 121:5  The LORD is thy keeper: the LORD is thy shade upon thy right hand.
Psa 121:6  The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night.
Psa 121:7  The LORD shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul.
Psa 121:8  The LORD shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore.

[Next study in this series is here.

Mike,

What is the spiritual significance of this phrase in the 23rd Psalm… “thy rod and thy staff?

Thanks,

P____

Hi P____,

Thank you for your question. You ask:

What is the spiritual significance of this phrase in the 23rd Psalm… “thy rod and thy staff?”

Here is the verse to which you are referring:

Psa 23:4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

It always helps when striving to understand God’s Word, to know what those words mean, and to see how they are used in scripture.

God’s “rod” is a “rod of correction”. Here are a few instances where this particular word you ask about is used. In the Hebrew this word is ‘shebet’ appears: and His “staff” is “the staff of [ his] bread”.

Exo 21:20 And if a man smite his servant, or his maid, with a rod [ shebet], and he die under his hand; he shall be surely punished.
Job 9:34 Let him [ God] take his rod [ shebet] away from me, and let not his fear terrify me:
Psa 89:32 Then will I visit their transgression with the rod [ shebet], and their iniquity with stripes.
Pro 22:15 Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child [“Adam, the son of God”,
Luk 3:38]; but the rod [ shebet] of correction shall drive it far from him.
2Sa 7:14 I will be his father, and he shall be my son. If he commit iniquity, I will chasten him with the rod [ shebet] of men, and with the stripes of the children of men:
Lev 26:26 And when I have broken the staff [ Hebrew – matteh, mattah] of your bread, ten women shall bake your bread in one oven, and they shall deliver you your bread again by weight: and ye shall eat, and not be satisfied.
Num 13:23 And they came unto the brook of Eshcol, and cut down from thence a branch with one cluster of grapes, and they bare it between two upon a staff [ Hebrew – matteh, mattah]; and they brought of the pomegranates, and of the figs.
Psa 110:1 A Psalm of David. The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool.
Psa 110:2 The LORD shall send the rod [ Hebrew – matteh, mattah] of thy strength out of Zion: rule thou in the midst of thine enemies.

It is important to know that both these Hebrew words, ‘shebet’, which is the word ‘rod’ in this verse of Psalms you inquire of, and the word ‘meteh’, or ‘metaw’, translated as ‘staff’ in Psa 23:4, are both most often translated as ‘tribes’ and ‘tribe’, respectively.

Here are the KJC entries for both. We will begin with ‘shebet’.:

H7626 she bet Total KJV Occurrences: 190

tribes, 84 Gen_49:16, Gen_49:28, Exo_24:4, Exo_28:21, Exo_39:14, Num_36:2-3 (2), Deu_1:13, Deu_1:15 (2), Deu_5:23, Deu_12:5, Deu_12:14, Deu_16:18, Deu_18:5, Deu_29:10, Deu_29:21, Deu_31:28, Deu_33:5, Jos_3:12, Jos_4:5, Jos_4:8, Jos_7:14, Jos_7:16, Jos_11:23, Jos_13:7 (2), Jos_18:2, Jos_21:16, Jos_23:4, Jdg_20:1-2 (3), Jdg_20:10, Jdg_20:12, Jdg_21:5, Jdg_21:8, Jdg_21:15, 1Sa_2:28, 1Sa_9:21, 1Sa_10:19-20 (2), 1Sa_15:17, 2Sa_5:1, 2Sa_7:7, 2Sa_15:2, 2Sa_15:10, 2Sa_19:9, 2Sa_20:14, 2Sa_24:2, 1Ki_8:16, 1Ki_11:31-32 (2), 1Ki_11:35, 1Ki_14:21, 1Ki_18:31, 2Ki_21:7, 1Ch_27:16, 1Ch_27:22, 1Ch_28:1, 1Ch_29:6, 2Ch_6:5, 2Ch_11:16, 2Ch_12:13, 2Ch_33:7, Psa_78:55, Psa_105:37, Psa_122:4 (2), Isa_19:13, Isa_49:6, Isa_63:17, Eze_37:19, Eze_45:8, Eze_47:13, Eze_47:21-22 (2), Eze_48:1, Eze_48:19, Eze_48:23, Eze_48:29, Eze_48:31, Hos_5:9, Zec_9:1

tribe, 57 Num_4:18, Num_18:2, Num_32:33, Deu_1:23, Deu_3:13, Deu_10:8, Deu_18:1, Deu_29:8, Deu_29:18, Jos_3:12 (2), Jos_4:2, Jos_4:4, Jos_4:12, Jos_7:14, Jos_7:16, Jos_13:6-7 (2), Jos_13:14, Jos_13:29, Jos_13:33, Jos_18:4, Jos_22:7 (2), Jos_22:9-11 (3), Jos_22:13, Jos_22:15, Jos_22:21, Jdg_18:1, Jdg_18:19, Jdg_18:30, Jdg_20:12, Jdg_21:3, Jdg_21:6, Jdg_21:17, Jdg_21:24, 1Sa_9:21, 1Sa_10:20-21 (2), 1Ki_11:13, 1Ki_11:32, 1Ki_11:36, 1Ki_12:20-21 (2), 2Ki_17:18, 1Ch_5:18, 1Ch_5:23, 1Ch_5:26, 1Ch_12:37, 1Ch_23:14, 1Ch_26:32, 1Ch_27:20, Psa_78:67-68 (2), Eze_47:23

rod, 34 Exo_21:20, Lev_27:32, 2Sa_7:14, Job_9:34, Psa_2:9 (2), Psa_23:4, Psa_74:2, Psa_89:32, Psa_125:3, Pro_10:13, Pro_13:24, Pro_22:8, Pro_22:15, Pro_23:13-14 (2), Pro_26:3, Pro_29:15, Isa_10:4-5 (2), Isa_10:15, Isa_10:24, Isa_11:4, Isa_14:29, Isa_28:27, Isa_30:31, Jer_10:16, Jer_51:19, Lam_3:1, Eze_20:37, Eze_21:10, Eze_21:13, Mic_5:1, Mic_7:14

sceptre, 9 Gen_49:10, Num_24:17, Psa_45:6 (2), Isa_14:5, Eze_19:14, Amo_1:5, Amo_1:8, Zec_10:11

staff, 2 2Sa_23:21, 1Ch_11:23

correction, 1 Job_37:13

darts, 1 2Sa_18:14 ,

pen, 1 Jdg_5:14 (2)

sceptres, 1 Eze_19:11

Out of 190 entries, 141 are either ‘tribes’ – the plural, or ‘tribe’ – the singular. Yet it is also obvious by the entries quoted above, that this word means more than just a tribe or tribes. It also has to do with correction, discipline and rulership. For example:

Gen 49:10 The sceptre [ Hebrew – shebet] shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come; and unto him shall the gathering of the people be.
Job 37:13 He causeth it to come, whether for correction [ Hebrew – shebet] , or for his land, or for mercy.

Now ‘matteh’ or ‘mattah’:

H4294 / mat t eh / mat t a h Total KJV Occurrences: 248

tribe, 162 Exo_31:2, Exo_31:6, Exo_35:30, Exo_35:34, Exo_38:22-23 (2), Lev_24:11, Num 1 (15), Num_2:5, Num_2:7, Num_2:12, Num_2:14, Num_2:20, Num_2:22, Num_2:27, Num_2:29, Num_3:6, Num_7:12, Num_10:15-16 (2), Num_10:19-20 (2), Num_10:23-24 (2), Num_10:26-27 (2), Num_18:2, Num_31:4-6 (3), Num_36:9 (12), Num_36:12, Jos_7:1, Jos_7:18, Jos_13:15, Jos_13:24, Jos_13:29, Jos_14:2-3 (2), Jos_15:1, Jos_15:20-21 (2), Jos_16:8, Jos_17:1, Jos_18:11, Jos_18:21, Jos_19:1, Jos_19:8, Jos_19:23-24 (2), Jos_19:31, Jos_19:39-40 (2), Jos_19:48, Jos_20:8, Jos 21 (25), (3), Jos_22:1, 1Ki_7:14, 1Ch 6 (22), 1Ch_12:31

rod, 42 Exo_4:2, Exo_4:4, Exo_4:17, Exo_4:20, Exo_7:9-10 (2), Exo_7:12 (2), Exo_7:15, Exo_7:17, Exo_7:19-20 (2), Exo_8:5, Exo_8:16-17 (2), Exo_9:23, Exo_10:13, Exo_14:16, Exo_17:5, Exo_17:9, Num_17:2-3 (4), Num_17:5-6 (3), Num_17:8-10 (3), Num_20:8-9 (2), Num_20:11, 1Sa_14:27, 1Sa_14:43, Psa_110:2, Isa_10:26, Eze_7:10-11 (2), Eze_19:14 (2), Mic_6:9

tribes, 20 Num_1:16, Num_7:2, Num_26:55, Num_30:1, Num_31:4, Num_32:28, Num_33:54, Num_34:13, Num_34:15, Num_36:9, Jos_14:1-4 (4), Jos_19:51, Jos_21:1, Jos_22:14, 1Ki_8:1, 2Ch_5:2, Hab_3:9

staff, 15 Gen_38:18, Lev_26:25-26 (2), Psa_105:16, Isa_10:4-5 (2), Isa_10:15, Isa_10:24, Isa_14:5, Isa_28:27, Isa_30:32, Jer_48:17, Eze_5:16 (2), Eze_14:13

rods, 8 Exo_7:12, Num_17:2, Num_17:6-7 (3), Num_17:9, Eze_19:11-12 (2)

staves, 1 Hab_3:14

Again, there are 248 entries, and out of those 182 are either tribes or tribe. But this word too, obviously carries with it the meaning of correction and rulership.

Psa 110:2 The LORD shall send the rod [ Hebrew – matteh, mattah] of thy strength out of Zion: rule thou in the midst of thine enemies.
Eze 7:10 Behold the day, behold, it is come: the morning is gone forth; the rod [ Hebrew – matteh, mattah] hath blossomed, pride hath budded.
Eze 7:11 Violence is risen up into a rod [ Hebrew – matteh, mattah] of wickedness: none of them shall remain, nor of their multitude, nor of any of theirs: neither shall there be wailing for them.

This verse In Eze 37:10 demonstrates the negative use of this word, showing that pride and wickedness must first rule over us, before God’s rod and His staff can rule over us and comfort us. So God’s rod and His staff, like the cows and the corn of Pharaoh’s dream, are really one and the same thing.

Gen 41:26 The seven good kine are seven years; and the seven good ears are seven years: the dream is one.

God’s rod and His staff are His sovereign work of all things in our lives, good and evil, being used by God to correct and to chasten us “to forsake ungodliness and worldly lusts and to live godly lives in this present world” (Tit 2:11-12). Read this link for the purpose and function of God’s chastening grace within the life of every man:

http:// www. iswasandwillbe. co/ The_ Difference_ Between_ What_ Grace_ Is_ And_ What_ Grace_ Does. php

I hope this answers your question “What does ‘Thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me’ mean”? When God uses His rod and His staff to comfort us, He does so by correcting and disciplining us as any loving and comforting father worth his salt would do. That is exactly what we are told our Lord does for us and to us.

Here is the same message as it appears in the New Testament:

Heb 12:6 For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.

Your brother in the Christ,

Mike