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“Thus you shall separate the Levites from among the people of Israel, and the Levites shall be mine. Numbers 8:14 (ESV)

Like the Levites, God has called us out to be set aside from the world, so that we can serve him in his kingdom, for his glory and our joy. (2 Cor 6:17, 1 Peter 2:9 and Rev 1:16)

“Speak to the people of Israel, saying, If any one of you or of your descendants is unclean through touching a dead body, or is on a long journey, he shall still keep the Passover to the LORD. In the second month on the fourteenth day at twilight they shall keep it. They shall eat it with unleavened bread and bitter herbs. Numbers 9:10–11 (ESV)

God is gracious in that he gives the unclean an opportunity a month later to observe the passover. This shows how essential the passover was.

At the command of the LORD the people of Israel set out, and at the command of the LORD they camped. As long as the cloud rested over the tabernacle, they remained in camp. Numbers 9:18 (ESV)

This was pointing forward to the Holy Spirit guiding us. We shouldn’t make any big moves without God’s guidance

And when he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment: John 16:8 (ESV)

Thank God for the Holy Spirit’s work in the world to convict sinners of sin, without the drawing of the Holy Spirit none of us could be saved or truly understand sin, righteousness or judgement.

When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. John 16:13 (ESV)

Even though we have God’s word in the bible, without the guidance and leading of the Holy Spirit we will never really know God truth and revelation of Jesus as we ought to. God’s Holy Spirit is our guide and teacher.

Until now you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full. John 16:24 (ESV)

Prayer and making requests to God in Jesus name will make our joy full. You will not enjoy your Christian life without prayer.

This was the dedication offering for the altar on the day when it was anointed, from the chiefs of Israel: twelve silver plates, twelve silver basins, twelve golden dishes, Numbers 7:84 (ESV)

This reminds us that the number 12 is representative of order and government in the Bible

And when Moses went into the tent of meeting to speak with the LORD, he heard the voice speaking to him from above the mercy seat that was on the ark of the testimony, from between the two cherubim; and it spoke to him. Numbers 7:89 (ESV)

In response to the 12 days of consecration and offerings alongside Moses finishing the work of building the tabernacle in obedience we see God’s self disclosure and revelation of himself in the new relationship with his people, through Moses as the mediator. Jesus has fulfilled all Gods requirements and now makes intimate relationship with God available to us too. If we do not consecrate our lives to the Lord it will hinder or communication and relationship with him.

Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. John 15:4 (ESV)

To abide means to stay, remain, last, persist, continue and to live in Jesus. There can be no fruitfulness if we do not stay connected to Jesus, because he is the one with life in himself. Without his life running trough us by the Holy Spirit we will have no fruit. We have been called to perseverance and to fruitfulness.

And the LORD said to Moses, “They shall offer their offerings, one chief each day, for the dedication of the altar.” Numbers 7:11 (ESV)

This is a very repetitive part of scripture and it may seem hard to find application. However some important points are illustrated. The leaders all showed equal support for the priesthood and ministry, meaning worship was for and supported by every tribe. The giving of the gifts is recorded directly after the priestly prayer of blessing we read yesterday as though it is in response to it. This outpouring of generosity in response to Gods blessing will lead to further blessing. We are all called equally to respond to Gods grace to us by giving our very lives and our money in support of the ministry for Gods glory and our joy.

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. John 14:6 (ESV)

Jesus answer to Thomas is the sum of the exclusive claim of Jesus and the gospel that Jesus is the only way to God because he is the truth (Gods ultimate self revelation) and the life (He has life in himself and so makes us alive). This is the solid ground to stand on when sharing the gospel with those from other religions, explaining that no other way will ever work or be sufficient…only Jesus.

If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it. John 14:14 (ESV)

We can boldly ask Jesus in prayer and he will do it, he will do the greater works through and for us.

“If you love me, you will keep my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, John 14:15–16 (ESV)

Keeping Jesus commands is proof that we really love him. We keep his commands because we love him. The desire to keep his commands springs from our love for him.

even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you. John 14:17 (ESV)

Muslims say this is Mohammed… this is impossible, he was not alive for another 600 years and Jesus said the Helper was already with the disciples and would dwell inside them

Out of the mouth of babies and infants, you have established strength because of your foes, to still the enemy and the avenger. Psalm 8:2 (ESV)

Fulfilled in Matthew 21:16 When Jesus entered Jerusalem on Palm Sunday

what is man that you are mindful of him, and the son of man that you care for him? Psalm 8:4 (ESV)

When we consider the vastness of Gods creation, his power and glory we recognise our insignificance in light of him. The great question is why has God been so gracious to man, the answer can only be his love demonstrated most clearly by Jesus becoming a man to save us.

he shall separate himself from wine and strong drink. He shall drink no vinegar made from wine or strong drink and shall not drink any juice of grapes or eat grapes, fresh or dried. All the days of his separation he shall eat nothing that is produced by the grapevine, not even the seeds or the skins. “All the days of his vow of separation, no razor shall touch his head. Until the time is completed for which he separates himself to the LORD, he shall be holy. He shall let the locks … Numbers 6:3–8 (ESV)

Any person (not just Levite men like the priests) could become a Nazarrite, consecrating a period of time to being set aside for God. The vow to refrain from wine and strong drink points to the virtue of a life of abstinence from alcohol and Gods desire for them to stand out from those around them. In the NT limitations regarding alcoholic consumption are among the qualifications for Elders (Pastors) and Deacons, also drunkenness is the negative comparison to being filled with the Spirit (Eph 5:18; 1 Cor 6:10).

The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the LORD lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace. Numbers 6:24–26 (ESV)

What a wonderful prayer. We should pray for God’s abundant and gracious blessings which are expressed in fruitfulness, over the lives of our fellow believers. We should also pray that our brothers and sisters remain in the special peace that is only available in Jesus (John 14:27)

A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” John 13:34–35 (ESV)

We should love one another with the same selfless, service and sacrifice displayed by Jesus, this is the mark of authentic discipleship and the loudest declaration to the surrounding world that we belong to God. This love is foundational to the church and true Christianity, we must ave it and pursue it.

God is a righteous judge, and a God who feels indignation every day. Psalm 7:11 (ESV)

God is not just a judge but is the righteous judge and so can not turn a blind eye to sin. This is why we need the Gospel

“Speak to the people of Israel, When a man or woman commits any of the sins that people commit by breaking faith with the LORD, and that person realizes his guilt, Numbers 5:6 (ESV)

If we break faith with God it is itself a sin and leads unto more sin, it is like a type of adultery to turn our backs on the Lord and withdraw our trust from him

Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going back to God, John 13:3 (ESV)

Jesus knowing who he is, where he has come from and is going makes his humble act of service even more remarkable. Jesus even washed Judas feet. This displayed his love and gave us an example to follow

I am not speaking of all of you; I know whom I have chosen. But the Scripture will be fulfilled, ‘He who ate my bread has lifted his heel against me.’ John 13:18 (ESV)

Jesus choose Judas to be a disciple knowing all things, including that Judas would choose to betray him regardless of all the love shown to him by Jesus. This shows that someone being called or chosen for ministry or used for Gods purpose does not equate to or guarantee that person has been elected to eternal salvation

All my enemies shall be ashamed and greatly troubled; they shall turn back and be put to shame in a moment. Psalm 6:10 (ESV)

We can use this scripture as we pray for persecuted Christians