Archives for 2014

“These you shall offer to the LORD at your appointed feasts, in addition to your vow offerings and your freewill offerings, for your burnt offerings, and for your grain offerings, and for your drink offerings, and for your peace offerings.” Numbers 29:39 (ESV)

All the Feasts point to spiritual realities in the New Testament, The following is adapted from the “New Bible commentary: 21st century edition”… Passover points to Jesus’ crucifixion. The Feast of Weeks or Pentecost (firstfruits) points to the sending of the Holy Spirit and the firstfruits of the gospel harvest (Acts 2). The Feast of Tabernacles points to Christ’s second coming at the close of the age, marking the end of the harvest.

The time between the Feast of Weeks and the Feast of Tabernacles was a busy period when Israel laboured for the harvest. Similarly, between Pentecost and the second coming labourers are sent to reap the harvest among the Gentiles (Mt 9:37–38; 13:30–39; Lk. 10:2; Jn. 4:35). At the end of the age, the harvest will be gathered in and the weeds thrown into the fire (Mt. 13:39; Mk. 4:29; Rev. 14:15).

But I want you to understand that the head of every man is Christ, the head of a wife is her husband, and the head of Christ is God. 1 Corinthians 11:3 (ESV)

This first half of 1 Cor 11, is one of the parts of the New Testament that is the subject of much debate among biblical scholars. One thing we can certainly see in context to the issues dealt with before and after this section is that Paul is concerned with proper Christian conduct in the church.

The point Paul is driving home is that there is order, rank and authority in Gods created order and even in the relationship between the Father and the Son. This should be reflected in creation and most clearly in the church. A pressing point for Paul was to address a tendency from the secular world around the Corinthians for male and female distinctions to become blurred, we have the same fight in today’s culture which is trying to make sexuality and gender roles so androgynous so as to lose distinction all together.

We must uphold the image of God in the church by men dressing and acting as men and women as women, not in competition with each other but complementing one another.

for there must be factions among you in order that those who are genuine among you may be recognized. 1 Corinthians 11:19 (ESV)

The divisions in the Corinthian church were sometimes along social lines and betrayed the message of the Gospel by giving preference to the rich. Paul summarises this activity as unbiblical and points to the very divisions as a tool God would use weed out the church and to distinguish between those who were genuine as opposed to those still in the flesh. In Church history division in the church has given rise to the firmer definition our doctrines, creed and confessions, just like germs in a body give rise to antibodies making the body stronger.

Let a person examine himself, then, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup. 1 Corinthians 11:28 (ESV)

We are reminded of this at every Lord’s Supper and must take the command seriously, we really need to examine our hearts towards God and our fellow believers and if we have not been walking as we ought to then we should refrain from taking the Lord’s supper until we are right. Self examination should be a daily Christian discipline.

Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone. 1 Corinthians 12:4–6 (ESV)

This is such a wonderful passage, God has given a diverse variety of gifts to the Church through the members of the church, we do not all have the same gift, all our gifts and callings are different. Another amazing thing abut this passage is the entire Trinity is involved in the distribution of the varied gifts to the Church. The Spirit, The Lord Jesus and God the Father.

To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. 1 Corinthians 12:7 (ESV)

Our Gifts are not for us but for the common good of our fellow believers, we are not supposed to use our gifts to build ourselves up or for our own advantage but to lovingly serve the body of Christ

to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the ability to distinguish between spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. 1 Corinthians 12:10 (ESV)

Tongues and the interpretation of tongues is a gift of the Spirt given to some rather than all believers. Some today say that a believer does not have the Holy Spirit unless they speak in tongues but this is a mistake as tongues is one of the list of possible gifts given to individuals alongside prophecy, healing, words of wisdom etc. As the final verse states we can not decide or dictate which gifts we are given, the Holy Spirit apportions to each individually according to His own will.

Who is this King of glory? The LORD, strong and mighty, the LORD, mighty in battle! Psalm 24:8 (ESV)

Hallelujah, Jesus is the King of Glory!

And you shall say to them, This is the food offering that you shall offer to the LORD: two male lambs a year old without blemish, day by day, as a regular offering. Numbers 28:3 (ESV)

All these sacrifices find their ultimate fulfilment in Jesus, with the different types of sacrifice pointing towards various aspects of Jesus atoning work on the cross. In this case we can also see a message for us directly. We should dedicate ourselves to consistent, daily, repeated (within one day, possibly the morning and the evening) times of prayer and reading the Bible (thinking it over and studying it too). See Romans 12:1 and 1 Thessalonians 5:16–18

“All things are lawful,” but not all things are helpful. “All things are lawful,” but not all things build up. Let no one seek his own good, but the good of his neighbor. 1 Corinthians 10:23–24 (ESV)

The Corinthians were very much concerned with their rights and freedom to do what they wanted to do and what pleased them. Paul reverses this and explains to them and us that the freedom and rights we have in Christ are not for our own benefit but so that we can be become servants of all (Mark 9:35), purposefully building up fellow believers. Paul bases this thinking on the teaching and example left to us by Jesus in his sacrificial suffering and death on the cross. Let’s lay down our rights, freedom and lives to serve and build others.

So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. 1 Corinthians 10:31 (ESV)

Paul was dealing with a new question in the church about eating meat that had been used in pagan sacrifice, this seemed like a grey area to the Corinthians which is why they asked the questions and contended over the issue. Paul gives us a great test for all things we are not sure about… we can ask ourselves this question “Will this bring glory to God”. We need to ensure this is the overarching motivation in our hearts for everything we do. We can not compartmentalise our life so that a part of it brings glory to God and the rest is for our own pleasure… Our entire life should bring glory to God.

just as I try to please everyone in everything I do, not seeking my own advantage, but that of many, that they may be saved. 1 Corinthians 10:33 (ESV)

Another guiding principle for our thinking and behaviour is the desire to see others saved

“The daughters of Zelophehad are right. You shall give them possession of an inheritance among their father’s brothers and transfer the inheritance of their father to them. Numbers 27:7 (ESV)

The bible makes it very clear that God’s heart for women is one of love and justice. In the ancient world and in may cultures around the world today women have no rights and are treated like possessions. This makes the boldness of these 5 daughters and Gods positive response so important. Men and women are of course different but in Christ we all share the same promises and inheritance. God has a purpose for every woman’s life including those with no male covering. We must be bold in approaching God too to claim the inheritance he has for us. see Ephesians 1:3 and Hebrews 11:6

So the LORD said to Moses, “Take Joshua the son of Nun, a man in whom is the Spirit, and lay your hand on him. Numbers 27:18 (ESV)

The baton of leadership would pass fromMoses to Joshua. One of the qualifications for a godly leader is that they are filled with the Holy Spirit, Joshua is. The laying on of hands was symbolic of the transferring or impartation of authority (or negatively the transferring of sins). This continues in the church, see Acts 6:6, 13:3, 1 Timothy 4:14, Hebrews 6:2

Now these things took place as examples for us, that we might not desire evil as they did. 1 Corinthians 10:6 (ESV)

This gives us a context for reading the Old Testament. Here and in other place in the New Testament, we are told that the things recorded in the scriptures are there as examples and warnings for us to learn from. See Romans 15:4 and 2 Timothy 3:16. The lesson to be learned here is that we should not follow our cravings and lusts which lead to sin and rebellion (and then to disciple or judgement) but to submit to God in joy

Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall. 1 Corinthians 10:12 (ESV)

Paul warns us against the pitfalls self confidence in our own knowledge or standing. We need to humbly rely on God or we risk falling

No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it. 1 Corinthians 10:13 (ESV)

In this particular case the tempting was the alluring power of idolatry and suffering and persecution abandoning it’s practise in Corinth would bring. Our examples today may not be so obvious but we too are commonly tempted by our own selfish desires and held hostage by thoughts of being maligned socially among friends, family and at work if we do not compromise and join them in the celebration of sin.

We must remember that God is faithful, he will give us strength to endure and a way of escape when we are under pressure to conform to the world. So as the next verse says take the way out and flee idolatry or whatever the compromising / challenging sin is tempting you or piling pressure on you.

For dogs encompass me; a company of evildoers encircles me; they have pierced my hands and feet— Psalm 22:16 (ESV)

One of the clearest prophecies of the crucifixion that Jesus would endure, this is mentioned in a time when crucifixion was not practised by the people of Israel (even in Jesus time it was a Roman form of execution)

they divide my garments among them, and for my clothing they cast lots. Psalm 22:18 (ESV)

The fulfilment of this prophecy is recorded in all 4 Gospel accounts see Matthew 27:35, Mark 15:24, Luke 23:34 and John 19:23

they shall come and proclaim his righteousness to a people yet unborn, that he has done it. Psalm 22:31 (ESV)

This points forward to Jesus finishing the work on the cross John 19:30

This was the list of the people of Israel, 601,730. Numbers 26:51 (ESV)

The total number in the new generation are not far from that of the first census (603,550 in the first compared to 601,730 in the second). If we are unfaithful to the Lord it will not reduce the size of the Lord’s army but it will cause the size of our reward to be diminished or completely lost. Gods plans and purposes always come to pass.

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. 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. Numbers 26:64–65 (ESV)

It has been 40 years since the last census and all the unbelieving generation has died in the wilderness. God has proven himself faithful in three ways, 1) he has passed judgement as declared, 2) he has preserved the people through the wideness journey and 3) he has kept the faithful Joshua and Caleb alive. As believers in Jesus we are warned against being unbelieving and so never entering his rest in Hebrews 3:7–4:2. We also learn we lose nothing through faithfully waiting on God. We must find ourselves counted with the new believing and conquering generation, not the unbelieving, wandering one.

Now concerning food offered to idols: we know that “all of us possess knowledge.” This “knowledge” puffs up, but love builds up. 1 Corinthians 8:1 (ESV)

Paul is teaching the Corinthians that true Christianity is founded in love, not knowledge. Knowledge without love can lead to an elitist type of faith community where those in the know are seen as superior to the ignorant…. This is the opposite to the teaching of God’s word. Self sacrificial love patterned after the love of Christ (shown in his death on the cross) builds up the church. Just because we know something dose not mean we should act on that knowledge, we must first ask, “will this build up or hinder my fellow believer(s)”. Our culture tells us knowledge is power and power gives us rights but the bible teaches that the real power is in serving one another in love.

yet for us there is one God, the Father, from whom are all things and for whom we exist, and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things and through whom we exist. 1 Corinthians 8:6 (ESV)

In an increasingly pluralistic society where it is popular to say all religions lead to God or that there are many gods, or even that we are gods this verse is a refreshing reminder that the lying demons, false religions and wicked men are not really gods and are can not be compared to the one true God. Idols are empty and without power, except over those that believe or fear them and the spirits behind them.

My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, from the words of my groaning? Psalm 22:1 (ESV)

Jesus quoted this verse from the cross and in doing so he points us to look at this psalm as prophetic and to understand his suffering in light of it

“He trusts in the LORD; let him deliver him; let him rescue him, for he delights in him!” Psalm 22:8 (ESV)

This is said to the Lord Jesus when he is on the cross in Matthew 27:39–44. This points to the fulfilment of prophecy again. Also we can learn a lesson from Jesus’ response to those who dealt so cruelly with him

God brings him out of Egypt and is for him like the horns of the wild ox; he shall eat up the nations, his adversaries, and shall break their bones in pieces and pierce them through with his arrows. Numbers 24:8 (ESV)

The first two oracles of Balaam spoke of Gods unique covenant relationship with Israel, these last two are prophetic and point to Israel’s future kingdom and victory in the land of Canaan. God leads his people into victory just as Jesus alway leads us in victory. see Romans 8:37, 1 Corinthians 15:57, 2 Corinthians 2:14 and 1 John 5:4

I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not near: a star shall come out of Jacob, and a scepter shall rise out of Israel; it shall crush the forehead of Moab and break down all the sons of Sheth. Numbers 24:17 (ESV)

Without really knowing it Balaam was prophesying about the Messiah which reminds us that the bible was inspired by God and is without error regardless of the tools God used to proclaim or record his word. The star and sceptre point to a future king and find their messianic fulfilment in Jesus.

Jesus’ birth is marked by the appearance of a star in Matthew 2:2 and in Revelation 22:16 Jesus is called the bright and morning star. The sceptre always spoke of authority and rule, in Genesis 49:9-10 Jacob said that the sceptre would never leave Judah, so the royal line from Judah would be eternal, this is also fulfilled by Jesus as the incarnate and risen king.

“Phinehas the son of Eleazar, son of Aaron the priest, has turned back my wrath from the people of Israel, in that he was jealous with my jealousy among them, so that I did not consume the people of Israel in my jealousy. Numbers 25:11 (ESV)

We should like Phinehas have great zeal for the Lord to see his name honoured. Phinehas actions are a great example to us of the type of Spirit we should have in killing sin (in particular, compromise, rebellion and lust as 1d earlier in the chapter) in honour of God’s holiness. Jesus cleansed the temple in John 2:13-17 in fulfilment of Psalm 69:9 and we should be violent and ready to act in our spirit for the Lord’s glory too. see Matthew 11:12 and 2 Corinthians 9:3

For neither circumcision counts for anything nor uncircumcision, but keeping the commandments of God. 1 Corinthians 7:19 (ESV)

Circumcision was a sign of God’s covenant with Abraham and the law given to Moses which have now been fulfilled and surpassed by Jesus. The main point of this entire section is that when we are called to faith in Jesus we do not need to do anything externally like changing jobs, changing our marital status or cultural / ethnic identity (circumcision), God can use and often does use us in the situation in which he called us initially to reach those around us. No matter what our situation is or how it changes we should be faithful in our devotion to the Lord.

His glory is great through your salvation; splendor and majesty you bestow on him. For you make him most blessed forever; you make him glad with the joy of your presence. Psalm 21:5–6 (ESV)

This glorious king finds its ultimate fulfilment in Jesus, the Messiah King. In Jesus we see this glory and majesty in John 13:31 and Revelation 5:12. The Joy spoken of in verse 6 is fulfilled in him too, see Hebrews12:2