This week's scriptures: Numbers 8:1–12:16; Zechariah 2:14–4:7; 1 Corinthians 10:6-13; Revelation 11:1-19.

Our Torah portion this week focuses on the care, holiness and right choices that God requires of people who live in His Presence, and on some lessons that the Hebrew nation learned in the desert after their Exodus from Egypt.

Everything that God creates and does has an order and a beauty that invite a reverent approach to an awesome God. But the book of Numbers records problems that arose in the young nation from wrong choices made by both leaders and people. Their choices were gateways to either life or death; blessings or curses (Deut 30:19).

In Numbers 8-12 we read of wrong choices made from jealousy or criticism of the appointed leaders, from a desire for personal honour, from greed and lust for worldly luxuries, and from disobedience to God's laws which were given to promote a dependence on, and a trust in His provision. Do we make such wrong choices too? The desert can be a testing place - for us as well, sometimes.

The name 'Numbers' derives from the Greek translators of the Hebrew Scriptures (arithmoi - as in 'arithmetic'). The Latin (Vulgate) version also used this word because the book starts and ends with censuses – 603,550 men at the beginning and 601,730 at the end of their 40-year journey through the desert – itself a measure of God's faithfulness.

However, the Hebrew name, B'midbar (wilderness), better describes the location for the lessons the Israelites learned and how these taught them about the requirements and faithfulness of their covenant-keeping God and His holy nature (Ex 34:6).

The Blessings of Obedience

The Tabernacle, where God chose to 'dwell' with His people, was set up in the area of Mt Sinai almost a year after the institution of the Passover, according to a strict pattern. It was a type of the sanctuary of God's Presence in Heaven (Ex 25:40, Heb 8:5) and was in the centre of the camp.

Moses and Aaron encamped at the single entrance door, the priests and the three Levite families encamped around its perimeter (to guard it), and the 12 tribes encamped at the four sides (each side watched over by one selected tribe).

The head tribe, Judah, encamped behind Moses and Aaron, by the door to the sanctuary (who guards the spiritual 'doors' of our nation?). When the nation moved their camp on the journey through the wilderness, the tribe of Judah led the march with songs of praise. This order reminds us that Jesus is the Lion of the tribe of Judah (Rev 5:5), the Rock who followed them through the wilderness (1 Cor 10:4) and the Door whereby we too may make the right choice to come in and find salvation (John 10:9). Each group had its particular responsibilities and place in the order of marching.

But the people learned about God's nature and provision the hard way, through their grumbling. They complained about their leaders (do we also?) and many died in the rebellion. A hard lesson. Even Aaron's and Moses' elder sister Miriam spoke against Moses, and she became leprous for seven days.

Then the non-Israelites who came with them out of Egypt incited them to complain about the lack of fancy foods in the desert that they had in Egypt, so God gave them 'manna', a simple but adequate staple provision (even double quantities to cover Shabbat). When they continued to murmur, He also gave them meat, but their rejection of Him caused a severe plague and many died at Kibrot hattaavah - the graves of lust, or greed (are we, too, serving mammon in our nation?). Another hard lesson to be learned.

The Holy Place - In Our Homes?

The Holy Place in the Tabernacle was a pattern of what our homes can be, a small Tent of Meeting filled with the Presence of God's light and provision. Such a Godly home can be a tremendous influence in the area where we live, if we too learn of the order, and reverence of our God in wilderness situations, and make right choices to be dependent on His provision.¹

The menorah is a symbol of the light and revelation of God's word of truth, and was set up to flood the Holy Place with light (does God's word in our homes do the same?). It burns with the oil of His Spirit of Truth (John 15:26) to enable us to shine with clarity and power.

This is the same power that was given to the disciples at the Feast of Shavuot which we celebrated earlier this week, when Peter stood up and said, "God has made this Jesus both Lord and Christ", and he encouraged all to "Repent and be baptised in the Name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins" (Acts 2:36, 38).

Time of National Decision

As we take a fresh look at the national choice God has presented us with at this time, let us:

• seek to link the Feasts of Passover and Shavuot, remembering God's redemption from slavery to sin through the shed Blood of Messiah Jesus, and choosing to receive His Spirit of Truth;
• seek to deepen our trust and dependence on his provision, especially in times of wilderness, and not complain when we do not have (or need) the luxuries of this world;
• seek to live in the light of His revealed word, and make our homes tents of meeting where He may dwell with us - Emmanuel - and help us to make right choices;
• seek God's wisdom and discernment about the vital Referendum on 23 June. Our nation is also in a wilderness time. It is a spiritual battle. We need to repent before Him, cry out for mercy, confess the sins of our nation, and make the right choice to cleanse our nation from unGodly influences, that we might again be His salt-and-light witnesses to the world.

Jesus said, "In Me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble, but take heart, I have overcome the world" (John 16:33); and "I am coming, and will live among you. Many nations will be joined with the Lord in that day, and will become My people" (Zech 2:11). Paul reminds us that, "These things [in Numbers 8-12] happened to them as examples and...as warnings to us, on whom the fulfilment of the ages has come" (1 Cor 10:11).

As a nation, let us turn back to our God, make right choices, and respond to the challenge of Joshua: "Choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve" (Joshua 24:15) - and of Moses:"Now choose life, so that you and your children may live...For the LORD is your life" (Deut 30:19).

References

1 See the challenging testimony in The God-Dependent Life by Joanie Yoder (1991, Hodder & Stoughton).

Author: Greg Stevenson