Numbers Overview Part 2 - Do Not Forget: How You Walk Now In Sufficing Each Day Will Determine Your Crown

1) Bliss

Have we realized that the life of man, and this includes us, is a life that is always in sufferings? Good conditions such as having a good background, being able to understand mysteries, able to fulfill ambitions, travel where the heart desires, having a great family, people loving you and supporting you, having a blessed ministry, etc, do not equate to happiness. What man needs is bliss that comes from knowing the principle of the creation of his life, which is the most honoured and precious in God’s sight, that he is chosen and that God has given His life up for him, confirmed by God, has burdens carried and supported by God, hears the voice of God as he walks with Him, having assurance for tomorrow, etc.

2) Direction: Purpose, Vision (Confirmed)

Man’s happiness in living comes from having an already fixed and confirmed lifelong living direction and vision according to the purpose God planned for him. God gives him his field of family, church, colleagues or schoolmates, friends and network, who must be blessed because God gathered them along with his precious life. God gives the temporal role of being a father or child, husband or wife, shepherd or sheep, church deacon or member, boss or employee, etc in his time now. Aiming to become even a pastor or one of high position sis not reaching the standard of God but has in fact made the power of God small. We should see and confirm that our fields and temporal roles for living only correct and absolute wayin walking towards the goal of the highest vision of God. This is the biggest reward mentioned in <Php 3:13> “Forgetting what is behind and straining forward what lies ahead”.

3) To the problems in one day, just bear for that day

Lastly, man’s happiness comes when they know that it is “suffice in bearing each day’s problems” <Mt 6:34>. The most complete and perfect timetable happens at the present time. Enduring is a misunderstanding. But after fixing up and grasping the principle of life and living, it is suffice and bearable to take each day up day by day, half a day by half a day, hour by hour, or moment by moment (according to the size of the troubles) in being at peace and joy to praise God, discovering God’s perfect will and submit, and claiming inheritance and crown. The quotation “Happiness is not a station you arrive at, but a manner of traveling” (Margaret Lee Runbeck) is true. It is the mindset and attitude that gives happiness when touring in this temporal city. When the desert and wilderness has passed, Canaan is closer. The more the prayers are taken up, the more the crown is received. If joy does not happen today, joy will never happen in future. Given the opportunity now, perspectives should be confirmed, and we should have confidence and have our perspectives fixed up. Judgments are then correct, words spoken will then be new, people will then hear God’s word and see accomplishments in our lives, and the eyes of whom we love will slowly open. As <Abraham’s promise, Israel’s history of Exodus, crossing of Red Sea, method of travelling through wilderness, conquering Canaan> are advancing day by day in our life and church, quickly believe, get the same vision, pray as one, and see God’s work accomplishing on ourselves, our family, region and workers/disciples in this age.

The book of Numbers is about 1) the principle that is already successful, 2) the sanctification of the process and our earthly days, and 3) the inheritance that is received more and more each day in how we judge, speak, decipher and obtain the treasured.

1. Principle

The book of Numbers begins by first confirming and fixing up the principle of

1) Holy People

The holy person is absolutely successful, fulfilled and complete because God is with them. Therefore judgments should not be passed on any of his current conditions. But the following principle contents must form the start of walking the wilderness.

<Chapter 1> Confirm Myself

Approve that I am one in the midst - of God’s children, Christ’s body, Holy Spirit’s temple, chosen people, royal priesthood, holy nation, people belonging to God, today’s incarnated Jesus - so that my actions are to be highly regarded like that of a king

<Chapter 2> Central Point

Central to God’s message: There are 3 tribes each centered surrounding east, west, south and north of the tabernacle. This is being central to the bible, Sunday service, meetings, parts of His body. This means that I am to be central to God’s kingdom if I am God’s people, central to prayers if prayers are all fulfilled, central to gatherings if 2 or 3 gathered will bring 100 times of <Jesus’ life potential from years of life experience, wisdom, network of contacts, inter-relationships>.

<Chapter 3-4> Living sacrifice

This means to accept all my conditions, things that happened to me, my network contacts, my inter-relationships, my appearance, etc as honoured. God has given 100% of His life. Therefore, He will not accept a 99% sacrifice.

<Chapter 5> Holiness: The Heart of loving God, loving men, loving myself, walking with Him

With such holiness, all holy things will flow. This is in contrast with having our own motives, and doing a lot of self-thinking.

<Chapter 6> Nazarite

Nazarites are the most holy people. They made a vow with God to set themselves apart for holiness.

2) Serving

The following contents are what must be confirmed and fixed up about on what is serving before God’s people walk in the wilderness.

<Chapter 7> Tribe leaders, offerings for necessities of tabernacle

The leaders of 12 tribes bring offerings for the necessities of the tabernacle. The leaders represent people like the elders and deacons of the church holding positions with acting capacity.

<Chapter 8> Levites: full-time ministers

The tribe of Levites gives the image of the important need for people to work full-time so as to bring the tabernacle to all the people of God.

<Chapter 9> Continue to remember Passover/ Born Again

The Passover should be kept in remembrance in the day, at night and in all matters. This is the remembrance of “Born again”, mystery of death and resurrection to obtain the identity that is most loved, that has the most grace imparted, most blessings, called from the darkest, chosen though without a single reason, so that guidance of God in wilderness can be seen.

<Chapter 10> Advance on: 7 fields

The community of God’s people follows the trumpet calls for assembly and for setting out from camp, and they follow the pillar of fire and cloud, and the ark for moving into the 7 fields. Out from tiredness, sleep or sorrows, the trumpet sounds, “Let’s move on!”, and God’s people put down their thoughts of lack of assurance, power and hope, and wake up to God’s ability to do the impossible. The picture of how the family, church, etc should move is by grabbing onto the promise (central to pulpit), with the Holy Spirit guiding in front, discovering the perfect wills of God when advancing, and submitting in what pleases the Lord. The life and living principle is fixed up once the above picture is received: (1) waking up in the morning and fixing up the ark (God’s promise, Holy Spirit’s anointing, Jesus Christ’s likeness in his examples) in front so that God’s perfect will is obvious in a glance of my life, family, children and times, timetable, all things, (2) striving to drive away and bind the lack of strength, uneasiness, fear, sorrow, worries, hurts, complaints, anger, greed towards self or others as they are the result of ignorance and having no assurance of God’s perfect will, and (3) get the heart of mercy, of love, the mind ready to battle on, and submit to the perfect will discovered. There is no case for worries in whatever that may happen to our families or church when this principle is grabbed. The Lord Himself will bring these to be under His charge so that His joy for His saints to be in all thanks, peace and joy can be manifested. If there leaves some fear or wondering after knowing God’s will, promise, and Jesus Christ’s examples through the conscience or people beside, the incorrect relationship between the child and God is the problem. Breaking the walls of uneasiness and sorrow will be ever more difficult if the heart continues to wonder like this and discipline will come in the morning, noon and evening when lamentations and negativity pile up. God gave us a holy road and a holy mystery, and since it is inevitable that the saint be careless in battling with Satan, who is like a roaring lion prowling and waiting to devour at any moment, only that we restore vision in the morning, self-criticising (sin offering) at night, and again lifting up a holy life to follow the Lord the next morning, no discipline will pile up for us. Cleansing is not pressurizing but the most joyful, as it is just turning back to God and having our life cleansed with the attitude to submit and love God, having no need of self-esteem before man and God but calling to Him, “Lord, My faith is not enough... I understand now... I am willing... May You instruct me...” With such a walk with God, the saint will meet more and more hopeful and joyful things, and the saints around him that he loves will know and listen to him as one without self-intentions but God’s intentions.

2. Sanctification

The 38 years, 3 months and 10 days were used by God to remove all who did not pass the test of the kingdom. These were  those who did not believe, love and submit to God (21 years old and above all died leaving only Joshua and Caleb), and God raised up a new generation to take over portions of land in Canaan. To us today, God’s purpose for leaving us back on earth after regeneration is to thoroughly remove all that is in us where we do not believe, love and submit to him. God used the process of problems, prosperity, happy and unhappy things, interpersonal relationships, conditions, sufferings, etc, for our discovery that what we go through is nothing as compared to the eternal times. Once seen incomparable <2Co. 4:17 For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.>, managing ourselves, our relationships, blessing our families, raising up children, managing our work and finance can then give no headaches, but that we may supercede the world in all of these so that we may bring the sanctified life that has received the crown into the kingdom.

1) Moses Exalted

The most important thing in sanctification is exalting Moses. Looking deeper, God is exalting the word of God that comes out from the mouth of Moses because Moses is just made of clay.

<Chapter 11> Grumbles (fire disaster)

The people of Israel, who already disbelieved and did not submit to God, grumbled against Moses and the fire of God burned and consumed some of them. Moses saw how stiff-necked the people of Israel were in not submitting to God that he prayed for death when he cannot handle. God therefore gave him 70 elders with evidence of the descent of the Holy Spirit so that there may be co-working and an organization was born. However, it is important that there should not be 70 opinions. Therefore, God used the event in chapter 12 to exalt Moses.

<Chapter 12> Miriam and Aaron despised Moses who was lifted up

Prophetess Miriam and priest Aaron criticized Moses and questioned why God had only spoken to Moses, but God also  spoke to them. God immediately made Miriam leprous and thus had the need to go out of camp for 7 days. This was to let all Israel know that God chose Moses to put His words in him because he was faithful in His entire house and God spoke to him face to face. In our context, we must know that the pulpit must be one. It is not about Moses but about the Pentateuch - the 5 books of the law and promise, the mystery of which has now been totally manifested and revealed in Jesus Christ, and which has then spread to the 12 apostles. The Apostle’s Creed is about the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, ourselves, the present and future times and how today, we can use in our life. If the church does not stay by what Moses, the prophets and the apostles emphasized, the bible says that such a pastor shall be accursed.

<Chapter 13> 12 spies

It is indeed proven that all Israel (10 of the 12 spies, one representing each tribe), except for Joshua and Caleb, disbelieved God in the first place as they said that God wanted to kill them. Indeed, God removed all the 10 spies. but exalted Moses,. The most important thing of sanctification is throwing away all intentions, motives, plans and contents, and restoring God’s word.

2) High Priest’s Sacrifice: Worship, Prayer, Serving in Living

<Chapter 15> 5 Offerings: Sabbath Day, Tassles

We cannot solve our problems by our own wisdom, but by the 5 offerings. How do we live for 7 days? God has given us the method of Sunday worship. The high priest wears differently from all as he cannot be like ordinary people. God has spoken all His words already.That being the case, we must constantly remember and obey the word of Jehovah.

<Chapter 16> Korah Levites + Reubenites + 250 leaders

Korah Levites, Reubenites and 250 leaders rebelled against Moses (i.e. God). God opened the earth and ate them up along with their families. This is a warning to all people of God: try to look down on God’s appointment (offering, worship, prayer, living) and see what will happen to your career and your family! This is not promoting the pastor but is emphasizing the dignity of the altar of the church.

<Chapter 17> Aaron’s Staff (Set Apart)

This is not about promoting any ministers, but the staff of Aaron sprouted, budded, blossomed and produced almonds is meant to show that the high priest is personally established by God.

<Chapter 18> The Responsibilities of the high priest, Levites are big

If the pastor does not speak the Word uprightly before God, see what will happen. God will hit the pastor’s family. When the phone call comes from a church member, the pastor must not turn away from the face of God and say in his heart, “another call from yet another brother... sigh...”

<Chapter 19>: Cleansing of Israel (water for atonement/cleansing)

3) Eternally Victorious: Promise, Offering, Plan, Direction

This promise is the most important start. We must grab hold of it every day.

<Chapter 20> The exchange of generations

Miriam and Aaron died before entering the Promise Land. Also, because Moses lost his temper at the waters of Meribah, he too was forbidden from entering the Promised Land.

<Chapter 21> Grumbled again: Bronze snake

The bronze snake was lifted up, similar to the Son of Man being lifted up <Jn 3:14>. Those who gazed upon the snake that was lifted up would all be saved. However, why was the snake lifted up? Was not the snake a representation of Satan? Jesus Christ Himself is cursed because of our transgressions, and He carried all these burdens on the cross. Only with this can He break Satan’s head.

Wars (Arad, Amorites, Bashan) -> Victory

Only when we have gone through spiritual warfare can we be victorious. We have already overcome the world with Christ. Therefore, shall we still need to be circumcised and abide by the law? No!

<Chapters 22-24> Moab: Balaam

Balaam originally wanted to curse Israel for a total of 3 times. However, all of them turned into blessings. We must really open our eyes to see how God loves us. Our tomorrow is really not a problem. If man shall give you trouble, that is your great reward.

<Chapter 25> 24,000 died

Why did 24,000 died? Moabites could not win over Israel by might or swords, and even curses did not work. Therefore, they used temptations to seduce Israel. The daughters of Moab represented Moab’s culture and idols. They were totally in line with the interests of the world. The concern of the world is totally on their careers. It was only till by the weeping of Israelites, and out of these weeps, Phinehas killed the man and the woman still loosely indulging, that the plaque of the Lord stopped. The curses, discipline or problems that we encounter will stop only when our hearts turn back towards God! Do not continue to be beaten or be disciplined and yet turn a blind eye to that and continue to ask for strength. Clearly, it is your wrong! However, just quickly do the sin offering as atonement. If I see our brothers and sisters not coming to church for meetings, I will surely kneel down and pray. Do not ignore but just be upright. If there is sickness in me, find out the root of that problem because problems have their roots and foundation too. If our small group members do not come and they encounter problems, do not continue to only give nice words of grace. If you always lead your small group members unclearly, pray and ask the Lord for direction. Your grumbles or weaknesses will pass on to your group members. Kneel down immediately to turn to God. Then the plaque will stop and God’s grace will continue in you and your small group.

3. Inheritance: 5 months

Deuteronomy speaks clearer on reflection, laws and prophecies.

1) New generation

<Chapter 26> Re-census

The re-census confirmed Israelites’ belonging. Men of 20 years to 60 years old (40 years), plus only 2 people of 80 years old (Joshua and Caleb) were counted. The church will not become weak if only 1 or 2 people becomes weak. If the grandparents are weak, the parents will be raised up. If the parents are weak, the children will be lifted up to take over for ministry.

I am one of them

I am one of the numbers having identity, belonging, method and direction.

<Chapter 27> Successor: Moses -> Joshua

This is not talking about men, but this is about continuing the promise. Joshua is chosen because he has the same life as Moses, the one Father, one Lord, one Spirit, one direction, and one method.

Life, Power, Inheritance in the whole bible

This is the central focus of the effect of God’s word. Those who are central to this promise are chosen as the successors. The importance is not about a quantity of 50 to 100 people. What God (and therefore what the pastor should) sees is the successors who are equivalent  to 10,000.

<Chapters 28-29> Conversing with God

If you have the knowledge of the 36 lessons, sorry, it does not mean that you can converse with God. Through conversing with God, you will acquire His perfect will. To win over problems, we must meditate on His word for 24 hours.

Daily, Sabbath, Monthly

If you cannot overcome darkness in your prayers, bring it to the Sabbath. Monthly by monthly, see how God is going to fulfill in your life.

Passover, Feast of Weeks (Pentecost) = Provision, Feast of Trumpets

God says that we must remember before our first step towards Canaan from Sinai. We must remember! God repeatedly tells us to remember!

Day of Atonement

Yearly, there is the day of atonement. Remember!

Feast of Tabernacles

Remember is the meaning of do not forget! No matter what happens, use this perspective to see.

If we reflect, the recent months of April to August were the times when the church was beaten the most seriously. Use this perspective to see God’s works in our church.

<Chapter 26> Confirm myself

<Chapter 27> Grasp the promise

<Chapters 28-29> Prayer

<Chapter 30> Vows

How can we, on one side say that, “Lord, You are my shield”, etc, yet on another side feel frustrated and angry?

The principle of vows is that you must obey or fulfill. If you have heard God’s voice clearly that there is something wrong and you must turn back to God. Do not be shaken just once or twice but you must hear clearly that you must obey. This is the principle. However, if you are a daughter or a wife, you will have authority above you. Then the responsibility is on the parent or the husband. God looks at this with great importance. For example, since the pastor of a church has responsibility to pray for the church, if there is anything wrong, the pastor will first get the discipline or need to be watchful.

<Chapter 31> Conquest of Midianites

The conquest of Midianites represented the conquest of the world. It is the premonition of the conquest of Canaan.

(1) All tribes

All the tribes must participate in the wars at the conquest of Canaan. Each tribe had to send 1000 men, representing the unity of hearts.

(2) Must exterminate all boys and married women

Boys represent those who will inherit the culture of the Gentiles. Married woman have authority so that if their husbands are killed, they will take revenge. Therefore, all must be exterminated. There is an important meaning that we must exterminate each and every of the things of the world that remain in our lives. If you discover there is something (10% or 20%) that remained that is learnt from your parents, or from your primary or elementary school, you must kill it off completely. The things of the world are like yeast, which will expand quickly to infect the whole life.

(3) Obliterate

Everything must be burnt, including idols. The plunder must be totally taken charge of.

(4) Purify sinners, the soldiers who had participated in the war

This is about looking at life with great importance. Therefore, God said to cleanse them.

2) <Chapters 32-36> Division of lands

There are a total of 13 tribes as Joseph has 2 tribes, Manasseh and Ephraim. Levites became the tribe of priests and full-time ministers and the rest of the 12 tribes participated in war.

<Chapter 32> Tribes of Reuben and Gad

The tribes of Reuben and Gad requested for lands on the east side of Jordan, the land of Edom. However, Moses rejected their request. They requested again, supplemented with conditions to participate together in the war of the conquest of Canaan. Then Moses permitted and gave to the Gadites, the Reubenites and the half-tribe of Manasseh the lands on the east side of Jordan. The emphasis is to tell us that we must not look to the matters of ourselves but everyone must participate and be involved in the heavenly kingdom. Children, women and animals could remain, but every other people will move to be involved in the conquest of Canaan. Moses gave orders to Eleazar the priest and to Joshua to make sure that they fulfill their vows. The 2 and a half tribes had to treat Joshua as Moses, or all would be destroyed and be cut off.

<Chapter 33> Moses’ reflection / recap

Moses reflected upon the wilderness journey in the last 40 years. Those who had faith to follow in the wilderness will receive the most beautiful inheritance. Of course, we will have crown in that day, but at the present time, the important thing is how we walk amidst problems.

<Joshua 14> Caleb saw the Lion of Judah. He first set off in the wilderness at the age of 40. On reaching 80 years old, he told Joshua that he has the same strength as when he was 40 years old, “therefore, send me to conquer Hebron.” Hebron was the City of David before David moved to Jerusalem. Moses recapped why some people received the best. No matter what will happen tomorrow (the state of our wives or children), the crux is how you follow God’s promise at the present time.

<Chapter 34> Boundaries of Israel assigned by God (the meaning of choosing by lot)

If the Lord has assigned, planned and arranged, no one can take that away. Grab hold of this.

<Chapter 35> Inheritance of Levites

The Levites are bestowed a total of 48 towns and their country-side where they can raise their cattle, flocks and place all their other livestock. Out of these 48 towns, 6 of them are cities of refuge. Those who have killed someone accidentally may flee there. When the year of Jubilee comes, they can all go free. We must quickly grab the merciful heart of God here!

<Chapter 36> Regulations concerning female heirs

When women were married off, their lands must remain and they could not take it along with them. The Lord commanded them to marry anyone that belonged to their tribal clan of their father. The Lord has promised us that there is no one inheritance given by the Lord that will be taken away by others. In the past, it was like this. For now, it is also the same. In the future, it will absolutely still be the same. God has eyes. Today, if you love the life of men, God will give the best honoured reward for you tomorrow.

Taken from Discipleship Training on 4^th August 2006, Numbers Overview Part 2.