Kingdom Keys - Numbers Series

So maybe you’ve heard it said, ‘read your bible’ so you tried the one year plan. You were faithful with the reading plan and then you came to Leviticus. You tried to read it but every time you picked up The Book it got heavier and heavier until you stopped picking it up. You gave yourself an out - not enough time, new schedule, lack of clarity in what you read and even an admission that this book didn’t seem all that helpful in your spiritual walk. All of which are understandable if this was an assignment from your High School English class to read Shakespeare But this is God’s Word curated over centuries detailing His nature, His will, the meaning of life and humanity’s historical interactions with Him. Seriously, the Bible details the hidden keys to the Kingdom. Hence, the reason we are reviewing a new book each week.

This week we move to Numbers. The book helps us to understand the struggle many have with obedience to the unseen. In other words, Faith.

Moses wrote the book around 1400 before Christ. The book describes a time in which the Israelites are waiting to move to the promised land. It’s a book with powerful stories that graphically illustrate when people disobey God, He is willing to show mercy to those who ask. Numbers also helps us understand that as we transition from lives built by our own strength (Physical and Mental), there will be trials on the road to complete obedience to God.

Just as Leviticus teaches us God longs for a relationship with you that is free from sin and all its consequences. Number's highlight God’s desire for us to be entirely reliant on Him. Obedience is a declaration against the complacency of the flesh and a commitment to a faith in the unseen.

As you read the book this week, try not to judge the Israelites grumbling and disobedience but look inwardly to your cycle of rebellion and God’s merciful response,

Today, I’d like to focus on a contrast between two ideas: A blessing and the consequence for unfaithfulness for disobedience. The blessing to all of God’s chosen people comes from Numbers 6:22-27

22 The Lord said to Moses, 23 “Tell Aaron and his sons, ‘This is how you are to bless the Israelites. Say to them:

24 “‘“The Lord bless you and keep you;

25 the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you;

26 the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.”’

27 “So they will put my name on the Israelites, and I will bless them.”

No sooner has God reminded His people of the blessing, do the majority reject His power and love. They have arrived close to the promise land, the spy’s go out to check what’s in front of them and they return with ominous news. The people on the other side are bigger physically and maybe well armed. All but two of the spy’s are fearful - Joshua and Caleb. The nation is so afraid but Josh and Caleb stand up. This is from Numbers 14:5-7:

5 Then Moses and Aaron fell facedown in front of the whole Israelite assembly gathered there. 6 Joshua son of Nun and Caleb son of Jephunneh, who were among those who had explored the land, tore their clothes 7 and said to the entire Israelite assembly, “The land we passed through and explored is exceedingly good. 8 If the Lord is pleased with us, he will lead us into that land, a land flowing with milk and honey, and will give it to us. 9 Only do not rebel against the Lord. And do not be afraid of the people of the land, because we will devour them. Their protection is gone, but the Lord is with us. Do not be afraid of them.”

Over the next eight chapters His chosen people grumble and complain. Finally God has had enough. Just like a parent struggling with a rebellious teenager, God decides on a just punishment and the first parental 'time out' in history becomes a reality. A timeout for 40 years. One year for every day they explored the promised land with scouts and rejected His promise. The consequences comes in chapter 14:20-24

The Lord replied, “I have forgiven them, as you asked. 21 Nevertheless, as surely as I live and as surely as the glory of the Lord fills the whole earth, 22 not one of those who saw my glory and the signs I performed in Egypt and in the wilderness but who disobeyed me and tested me ten times— 23 not one of them will ever see the land I promised on oath to their ancestors. No one who has treated me with contempt will ever see it. 24 But because my servant Caleb has a different spirit and follows me wholeheartedly, I will bring him into the land he went to, and his descendants will inherit it.