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But Caleb quieted the people before Moses and said, “Let us go up at once and occupy it, for we are well able to overcome it.” Numbers 13:30 (ESV)

Caleb’s name means bold, and he had bold faith and trust in God and God’s promises. In his faith he issued a threefold challenge to (1) immediately go up to the land as he had just done, (2) possess the land inline with God’s promise and (3) because they are well able to through Gods power and presence among them. For today’s conquest and advance of Gods kingdom we should have the direct and bold faith like Caleb and declare we are able to to take all God has promised and are not afraid to fight.

So they brought to the people of Israel a bad report of the land that they had spied out, saying, “The land, through which we have gone to spy it out, is a land that devours its inhabitants, and all the people that we saw in it are of great height. Numbers 13:32 (ESV)

As opposed to faith these men displayed cowardice, dishonesty and no faith in God and his promises. A lesson for us that if we do not put our trust in God we will walk in sin and even cause others to sin. Romans 14:23

Then Pilate said to him, “So you are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world—to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.” Pilate said to him, “What is truth?” After he had said this, he went back outside to the Jews and told them, “I find no guilt in him. John 18:37–38 (ESV)

Jesus has already made clear that his kingdom is beyond this world and that is is indeed a king, but not in the way the Jewish leaders or the romans would have perceived him to be as the Messiah. Instead Jesus focuses not on the positions men so easily gravitate towards, and focuses on purpose. His purpose for coming in to the word was to bare witness to the truth and to call those who are on the side of truth to himself… moving away from position to purpose and truth makes Pilate very uncomfortable. As followers of Jesus lets seek purpose not position.

Then Pilate took Jesus and flogged him. John 19:1 (ESV)

Don’t read this quickly, think about what Jesus went through for us

The Jews answered him, “We have a law, and according to that law he ought to die because he has made himself the Son of God.” John 19:7 (ESV)

Further evidence that is was clearly understood from Jesus’ time until now that Jesus was not just a prophet but the Son of God

Jesus answered him, “You would have no authority over me at all unless it had been given you from above. Therefore he who delivered me over to you has the greater sin.” John 19:11 (ESV)

Jesus affirms God’s sovereign rule even in the crucifixion. God rules over all political and military powers of the earth. Jesus is the true king.

And the LORD said to Moses, “Is the LORD’s hand shortened? Now you shall see whether my word will come true for you or not.” Numbers 11:23 (ESV)

In this chapter we see unbelief and discontentment among the people and doubts from Moses himself. God shows his ability and power by practically answering Moses needs as a leader and answering the evil request of the people which we see later leads to their judgement and discipline

But Moses said to him, “Are you jealous for my sake? Would that all the LORD’s people were prophets, that the LORD would put his Spirit on them!” Numbers 11:29 (ESV)

Paul echoes this in 1 Cor 14:39-40

Then a wind from the LORD sprang up, and it brought quail from the sea and let them fall beside the camp, about a day’s journey on this side and a day’s journey on the other side, around the camp, and about two cubits above the ground. Numbers 11:31 (ESV)

The spirit was given within the court of the tabernacle, in the clean and holy place however the quails fell outside the camp, in the area associated with uncleanness and death. The gift of the spirit drew men towards God as opposed to the quails which led them away from God. God may answer our fleshly prayers in judgement which is why we need to pray with clean hearts and the leading of God’s Spirit. See James 4:3

With him I speak mouth to mouth, clearly, and not in riddles, and he beholds the form of the LORD. Why then were you not afraid to speak against my servant Moses?” Numbers 12:8 (ESV)

Sedition should have no place in our minds or in the church.

Then Jesus, knowing all that would happen to him, came forward and said to them, “Whom do you seek?” John 18:4 (ESV)

Jesus was in full control of the situation, he knew what would happen… it was not a surprise or a disaster, it was all a part of Gods plan.

Jesus answered him, “I have spoken openly to the world. I have always taught in synagogues and in the temple, where all Jews come together. I have said nothing in secret. Why do you ask me? Ask those who have heard me what I said to them; they know what I said.” John 18:20–21 (ESV)

We must remember this today that our faith is a public faith and a public message, it is not a privately held opinion or worldview. the Gospel by its nature and claims is a public story for the whole world to know.

if the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do?” Psalm 11:3 (ESV)

This is a key verse when we consider our treatment of Genesis and the 6 day creation account. If we remove it the foundation of the entire bible and the gospel is removed.

Everyone utters lies to his neighbor; with flattering lips and a double heart they speak. Psalm 12:2 (ESV)

We should not flatter but speak the truth in love Eph 4:15

“Make two silver trumpets. Of hammered work you shall make them, and you shall use them for summoning the congregation and for breaking camp. Numbers 10:2 (ESV)

These two silver trumpets point forward to and are mentioned in the NT, they are the trumpets that will be used to raise the saints from the dead and gather us to the Lord (The Rapture / 2nd Coming). See Matt 24:31, 1 Cor 15:52 also see Rev 8:6 where they are used in Judgement.

“I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, John 17:20 (ESV)

It is so good to know that Jesus High Priestly prayer was said for and applies to all Christians of all time including us. Some of the things covered include our eternal security and election in Jesus, Our unity as believers, Our endurance under persecution and our sanctification and growth in the truth of Gods Word

In the pride of his face the wicked does not seek him; all his thoughts are, “There is no God.” Psalm 10:4 (ESV)

We must recognise Atheism for what it is, wickedness and pride

The LORD is king forever and ever; the nations perish from his land. Psalm 10:16 (ESV)

Just like the end of our reading in Numbers we can see that the Lord is King, and will always be king. He is the sovereign ruler of the universe

“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.