PRAYER - "What Does Your Heart Say?"   

    We usually think of prayer as the way we communicate our requests to God. In reality, God is influenced by all our words, spoken or not. He discerns our thoughts and intentions and acts accordingly. That is why we must be extremely careful of all our thoughts and words. God knows when our hearts are not pure. You do not have to say evil things out loud. God reads you like a book.

Deuteronomy 8:17,20 - "And thou say in thine heart, 'My power and the might of mine hand hath gotten me this wealth,' ...so shall ye perish." 

   
PRINCIPALS - "Numbers"    

   
The Book of Numbers is especially valuable for its historicity. Moses chronicled nearly forty years of wilderness journeying: the census, the camp, the Tabernacle, ordaining Levites, Passover and other ordinances. He reports rebellions, adventures, war, divine interventions and many miracles. Finally, Moses gave instructions for conquering the land of Canaan, including cities for Levites. Anybody who calls this a myth is a hardened skeptic. What other ancient nation has a better documented beginning? None!

Numbers 36:13 - "These are the commandments and the judgments, which the LORD commanded by the hand of Moses unto the children of Israel."

PRINCIPLES - "Purity"

The services of the tabernacle required continual supplies of oil for the golden candlestick, flour for the shewbread, and incense. God required the oil and the incense to be pure, and the flour refined. The oil represents the Holy Ghost; the bread, the body of Christ; and the incense, the prayers of the saints. Now the church is the tabernacle of God and functions by the Holy Spirit, the body of Christ and prayer.

Leviticus 24:2,5,7 - "Command the children of Israel, that they bring unto thee pure oil olive beaten for the light, ...fine flour, ...pure frankincense."

PROPHECIES - "Judah Shall First Set Forth"

When Israel pitched camp around the tabernacle, they pitched three tribes on each side. Every tribe posted their standard, their ensign for all to see; three on the east, three on the west, three on the north, three on the south. Judah, the lead tribe, "shall first set forth." This lead tribe would eventually produce Jesus, the captain of our salvation, lion of the tribe of Judah.

Numbers 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."    

PRAYER - "Forty Days of Prayer"
Most modern believers cannot comprehend a forty-day vigil of prayer and fasting. Nevertheless, it was the crucial key to Israel's survival. God had purposed to destroy the children of Israel for worshiping the golden calf, but Moses pressed hard on God. It worked. You can make excuses for anything, but when things get really critical, nothing works like prayer and fasting.

Deuteronomy 10:10 - "And I stayed in the mount, according to the first time, forty days and forty nights; and the LORD hearkened unto me at that time also, and the LORD would not destroy thee."



PRINCIPALS - "Gershon, Kohath and Merari"

Moses' great-grandfather, Levi, begat three sons: Gershon, Kohath and Merari. These comprised the Levitical priesthood. Aaron, the High Priest, and his sons were Kohathites. Kohath's other descendants transported and set-up the most holy furnishings of the tabernacle. Gershon's descendants were responsible for the curtains, cords and hangings. Merari's descendants attended the boards, bars, pillars and sockets of the tabernacle. God loves to use families.

Numbers 4:3 - "...From thirty years old and upward even until fifty years old, all that enter into the host, to do the work in the tabernacle of the congregation."

PRINCIPLES - "The Poll"

God promised Abraham to "make of thee a great nation." At Mount Sinai, Moses counted every male Israelite older than twenty, who was fit for war. There were 603,550 warriors! From only seventy elders who migrated to Egypt, God raised up this powerful infant nation of at least two million souls! God will keep His promise to you, too. Believe it.

Numbers 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."

PROPHECIES - "Beaten Gold"

The Golden Candlestick with its seven lamps represented the seven spirits of God in the seven churches which were to come (Revelation 1:20). It was made of beaten gold. This is contrasted to a molten (molded) work. Saints of God are not molded. They are beaten into shape. They, like their Savior, are made perfect by the things they suffer.

Numbers 8:4 - "And this work of the candlestick was of beaten gold, unto the shaft thereof, unto the flowers thereof, was beaten work: according unto the pattern which the LORD had shewed Moses, so he made the candlestick."

PRAYER - "When God Says 'No'"
Moses desperately wanted to go into the Promised Land, but God's punishment stood. God loves to hear and answer prayer, but we must understand that even prayer must sometimes yield to His greater sovereign purpose.

Deuteronomy 3:24-26 - "O Lord GOD ...I pray thee, let me go over, and see the good land that is beyond Jordan, that goodly mountain, and Lebanon. But the LORD was wroth with me for your sakes, and would not hear me: and the LORD said unto me, Let it suffice thee; speak no more unto me of this matter."

PRINCIPALS - "Feast Day of Atonement"

The Feast of Trumpets announced ten days of preparation for the Day of Atonement, now known as Yom Kippur. It was an elaborate event, including fasting, sacrificing, and repentance. This most important ritual ransomed Israel from sin and restored pure fellowship with God. Now, atonement comes by "...the man, Jesus Christ; Who gave himself a ransom for all." (1 Timothy 2:5,6).

Leviticus 23:28 - "And ye shall do no work in that same day: for it is a day of atonement, to make an atonement for you before the LORD your God."   
   

PRINCIPLES - "Love Thy Neighbor"
God's word is profoundly good. What would we do, or where would we be without God's word? It is the ancient, historical, DIVINE source of priceless values. Things like: "...don't curse the deaf," "...don't stumble the blind," "...have no respect of persons," "...don't be a talebearer," "...don't hate your brother," and the best of all, "...love thy neighbor as thyself." Thank God for His word!

Leviticus 19:18 - "Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself: I am the LORD."

PROPHECIES - "I Will Walk Among You"

Incentives. People are motivated by incentives. God always offered marvelous incentives. He promised that if His people would love Him and obey His commandments, He would give rain in due season, harvests would increase, trees would bear fruit, their land would have peace, their enemies would be defeated, and so much more. Most valuable, is His promise to come and dwell among us. Jesus IS coming. We shall behold Him.

Leviticus 26:11,12 - "And I will set my tabernacle among you: ...And I will walk among you, and will be your God, and ye shall be my people."    

 PRAYER - "Seek Him, Find Him" 

 Moses knew that Israel would be sorely tempted by the gods of the heathen. He sternly warned them that if they worshiped idols or images of any kind, or if they worshiped such as the sun, moon or stars, God would drive them out of the land and destroy them. Moses urged them to always quickly turn back to God anytime they erred, and God would save them.

Deuteronomy 4:29 - "But if from thence thou shalt seek the LORD thy God, thou shalt find him, if thou seek him with all thy heart and with all thy soul."

PRINCIPALS - "Feast of Tabernacles"

The Feast of Tabernacles (also called Sukkot, or Feast of Ingathering) celebrates the final harvest. In late September or early October, various branches are waved before the Lord, presenting the harvest in this "Feast to the Lord." Israelites pitched tents in the fields, remembering the wilderness journey while celebrating the fruit of the Promised Land. In the Millennium of Jesus Christ, all nations will come to Jerusalem annually to celebrate Tabernacles (Zechariah 14:16). It celebrates redemption: God's harvest (ingathering) of mankind after atonement.

Leviticus 23:34,42 - "...the feast of tabernacles...Ye shall dwell in booths seven days."

PRINCIPLES - "Familiar Spirits"

God is the only uncreated spirit. All other spirits were created by Him; angels, men, and all living creatures. Angels who sinned became unclean spirits. They are diabolical enemies of God. They keenly observe humans to become FAMILIAR with them that they may imposter God. Foolish men and women confuse familiar spirits with God. God will destroy everyone who consults these evil, familiar spirits. Leviticus 20:6 - "...the soul that turneth after such as have familiar spirits, and after wizards, ...I will even set my face against that soul, and will cut him off from among his people."   

     

 PROPHECIES - "Seven Times More Plagues"  

 In contrast to God's promised blessings, He promised judgment if they rebelled. Even worse, He promised to multiply their punishment SEVEN TIMES if they did not repent when chastised. This actually happened several centuries later. God sentenced Israel to 70 years captivity in Babylon for their sins. But most did not repent, so the prophet Daniel proclaimed "Seventy Weeks" of years to finish the transgression - 490 years! (Daniel 9:24).

Leviticus 26:21 - "...if ye walk contrary unto me, and will not hearken unto me; I will bring seven times more plagues upon you according to your sins."     

 

 PRAYER - "Afraid to Pray" The Israelites were terrified of the voice of God that spoke from Mount Sinai. They asked Moses to relay their prayers. They promised that they would obey whatever God told Moses to tell them. God knew better. "Oh, that there were such a heart in them!" He promised many, many blessings if they would simply walk in His commandments.

Deuteronomy 5:27 - "Go thou near, and hear all that the LORD our God shall say: and speak thou unto us all that the LORD our God shall speak unto thee; and we will hear it, and do it."

PRINCIPALS - "The Shekel of the Sanctuary"

When men made vows to God, they were obliged to keep them. But, if a man vowed himself, or a family member, or a piece of property to God, he could redeem them by paying an estimated fee in "Temple shekels." If he vowed animals, he could exchange another animal for it. If he delayed to pay a tithe to the Lord, he had to add a fifth part later.

Leviticus 27:23 - "...the priest shall reckon unto him the worth of thy estimation, ...and he shall give thine estimation in that day, as a holy thing unto the LORD."

   

PRINCIPLES - "Child Sacrifices"

The heathen were known to make child sacrifices by fire to various gods, including Molech, Milcom and Chemosh. One prominent location was the Valley of Tophet, or Gahenna, at Jerusalem. Priests beat drums to drown out the voices of screaming dying children. God abhors such horrors, pronouncing the death penalty on anyone who practices such.

Leviticus 20:2 - "...Whosoever he be of the children of Israel, or of the strangers that sojourn in Israel, that giveth any of his seed unto Molech; he shall surely be put to death: the people of the land shall stone him with stones."  Human Sacrifice

   

PROPHECIES - "Pedigrees"    We often skim over scriptures that list the "begats," because it is difficult to appreciate the seemingly endless listings of family genealogies. However, many detailed and extensive Bible prophecies are given to specific tribes and families, including tribal inheritances, etc. It is important to establish pedigrees to prove that prophecy is truly fulfilled and that claims are legitimate.

Numbers 1:18 - "And they assembled all the congregation together... 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."  

 

 

 

 

 

  

PRAYER - "Prayer for Divine Healing"

Miriam and Aaron spoke against their brother, Moses, criticizing him and challenging his authority. God Himself called all three to the Tabernacle door, where He came in a pillar of a cloud. God was angry, and vindicated Moses, smiting Miriam with leprosy. Aaron panicked and pleaded with Moses to have mercy. Moses prayed for God to heal Miriam, and seven days later, she was healed. This first occurrence proves for all time that effective prayer can and will bring divine healing.

Numbers 12:13 - "And Moses cried unto the LORD, saying, Heal her now, O God, I beseech thee." Bible , Commentary and Video on healing




PRINCIPALS - "Five Offerings"     Burnt Offerings (Leviticus 1) were primary sacrifices for universal sin. Meat (food) Offerings (Leviticus 2) were a gift offering. Peace Offerings (Leviticus 3) were fellowship offerings shared between God (at the altar), the priest and the donor. Sin Offerings (Leviticus 4) covered sins of ignorance - unknown sins. Trespass Offerings (Leviticus 5) covered sins that were knowingly commited.

Leviticus 4:2 - "...If a soul shall sin through ignorance against any of the commandments of the LORD... then let him bring for his sin, which he hath sinned, a young bullock without blemish unto the LORD for a sin offering."     Bible and Commentary

 
Principles - "Lies and Deceptions"

Throughout the Pentateuch (the first five books, written by Moses), an almost countless array of sins are condemned. But among the reasons for the five major offerings for sins, lies, deception and bearing false witness ranked among the worst of all. The God of truth hates lies, deception and false testimony. Liars are reckoned among the worst of sinners. Only speak truth.

Leviticus 6:2-6 - "If a soul sin, and commit a trespass against the LORD, and lie unto his neighbour... or hath deceived his neighbour; or ...sweareth falsely; ...he shall bring his trespass offering unto the LORD."  Bible and Commentary  


PROPHECIES - "Compensation for the Priests"

God stipulated that the priests should keep a portion of the burnt offerings, meat offerings, peace offerings, sin offerings, and trespass offerings for themselves. Prophetically, this a divine precedent that all ministers of all ages should be compensated for their services in the ministry.

       Leviticus 7:35 - "This is the portion ...out of the offerings of the LORD made by fire, in the day when he presented them to minister unto the LORD in the priest's office; Which the LORD commanded to be given them of the children of Israel, ...by a statute for ever throughout their generations."   Bible , Commentary   and Video

Declare the Way of the Lord

PRAYER - "The Voice from the Mercy Seat"
They finally finished setting up and consecrating the tabernacle and priesthood. The tribes brought six wagons full of offerings. Sacrifices were made on the new altar. Then, Moses entered in, and God spoke to him from the Mercy Seat. Completed acts of obedience lead to great communion with God.

Numbers 7:89 - "...when Moses was gone into the tabernacle of the congregation to speak with him, then he heard the voice of one speaking unto him from off the mercy seat that was upon the ark of testimony, from between the two cherubims: and he spake unto him."   Let's read the story.  Bible and Commentary

PRINCIPALS - "The Breastplate"

The priest's breastplate was attached to the ephod (vestment) by golden rings. It had twelve stones, each representing a tribe of Israel. This dramatized the role of the High Priest as the intercessor before God in behalf of the twelve tribes. Some believe that individual stones became illuminated when God had a special message for a particular tribe. A man of God carries the burden of the people continually over his heart.

Exodus 39:8 - "And he made the breastplate of cunning work, ...It was foursquare; ...And they set in it four rows of stones."    Let's read the story. Bible and Commentary

 
PRINCIPLES - "Touch not"

Everything in the Tabernacle was portable, because Israel was on a journey. God required them to put rings on the four corners of the holy furniture to slide staves into for the priests to lift and carry the items. The Ark of the Covenant could NEVER be touched by any man, and the staves must never be removed. This teaches reverence and sanctity for the things of God and the ministry. Modern Christians desperately need to re-learn this lesson.

Exodus 38:7 - "...he put the staves into the rings on the sides of the altar, to bear it withal."    Let's read the story. Bible and the Tabernacle Furnishings

PROPHECIES - "Wood Overlaid With Gold"

The tabernacle furniture was made of shittim wood, overlaid with gold, silver or brass. The furnishings and walls inside the Holy Place were covered in gold. The Ark represents Christ. Wood symbolized the humanity of Christ; gold, His deity. God said, in Isaiah 13:12, "I will make a man more precious than fine gold." Shittim wood is now obscure. No one knows with certainty what kind of tree it was. The significance of our humanity will be obscured in heaven after God changes our corruption to incorruption.

Exodus 37:1 - "Bezaleel made the ark of shittim wood."   Let's read the story. Bible and Commentary