Numbers + #4

Reading: Numbers 7-8, Romans 4, Psalm 81

Numbers 7 is a description and counting of the Offerings of Dedication at the set up of the Tabernacle. "When Moses finished setting up the tabernacle, he anointed and consecrated it and all its furnishings. He also anointed and consecrated the altar and all its utensils. Then the leaders of Israel, the heads of families who were the tribal leaders in charge of those who were counted, made offerings." NIV Most of the rest of the chapter is counting those offerings. If you read carefully, you found that each leader from each tribe brought exactly the same amount of offerings, and the same kind of offerings. Once again, the same things is required from each one.

The last paragraph of the chapter is very important. "When Moses entered the tent of meeting to speak with the LORD, he heard the voice speaking to him from between the two cherubim above the atonement cover on the ark of the covenant law. In this way the LORD spoke to him." NIV There are many and varied stories in literature about how Moses heard God. Some involve the breastplate lighting up, etc... However, the Word says clearly that the LORD spoke to him from the Mercy Seat (or atonement cover). Once again, we find a supernatural event. Our God has always been supernatural and He is constantly with and in His people. It is amazing what we are told in the Word.

Chapter 8 rehearses the setting up of the Lampstand and how it was made..."exactly like the pattern the LORD had shown Moses." This is followed with the setting apart the Levites, officially, for their service and it is explained they were to serve the Tabernacle from ages 25-50. Then they could assist the other Levites, but not the Tabernacle itself.

Our LORD is very orderly and no detail escapes Him. He is truly Wonderful!

Then we turn to Romans 4 and discover Father God who loves and provides for every human being. The Spirit had already discussed the sinful nature of the nations and then of the Jews themselves, (which represent to us all ethnic and religious distinctions). In Chapter 3, we were told that everyone has sinned, but God has made a way for all of us through Christ Jesus our Lord.

The theme of 2:28-29 is enlarged. That reads, "For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh: 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." KJV Now we are told that the promise to Abraham, that he would inherit the world, was not made to the seed of the Law, but to the seed of Faith. So all, circumcised in flesh or not, could share in the righteousness of faith given to Abraham, and be known as the children of Abraham. This is awesome for all of us. Now it is no longer about what race, or religion one is birthed in the natural, but rather, the circumcision of the heart which is voluntary and occurs with a willing second birth - one from above. We are so blessed.

Psalm 81 is a precious praise and prophetic song between the Psalmist and God Himself. Our Father relieved every burden, but Israel of old choose other Gods. He would have fed them with the finest wheat and oil, but they would not. So He let them have the emptiness they had sought.

May our lives reflect the reception of every good and perfect gift from Him. Everything but relationship in Him, ends in emptiness and loneliness. Only Jesus our Lord can bring us all the Father is and desires for us to share in participation. How I praise Him!

Next reading: Numbers 9-10, Romans 5, Psalm 82.