NUMBERS 2:1-3:51
Encampment: Picture a cross laying on its side, foot toward the east. This is how the encampment of the Israelites looked from heaven. Judah, Zebulon and Issachar formed the east leg (foot) of the cross (186,400 men). Ephraim, Manasseh and Benjamin formed the head (west leg) of the cross (108,00 men). Reuben, Simeon, Gad formed the south leg (right arm) of the cross (151,450 men). Dan, Asher, and Naphtali formed the north leg (left arm) of the cross (157,600) men. Each group of three tribes had an ensign or banner over them. The lion, the ox, a man, and the eagle. In the middle, where each arm of the cross met, was the tabernacle, and the Levitical tribes in charge of the tabernacle camped there. Moses, Aaron and his sons camped on the east - so that they would move out first. (Judah went first of the tribes.)
Levites: "Levite" means "to be joined to" - and they were "joined to Aaron" (Num 18:2,4) to care for the tabernacle. They actually belonged to the Lord and were a substitute for God's claim to ALL the first-born of every Israelite woman (Num 3:12-13). Because they belonged to God, they were numbered from infancy instead of at 20 years old. There were 22,000 Levites. The total number of Israeli firstborns was 22,273. The extra 273 had to pay redemption money to Aaron and his sons.
RESPONSE: Imagine looking down from heaven and seeing the "Body of Christ", (Acts 7:38) "the church in the wilderness", forming up in the shape of a cross made up of nearly a million people! It must have been fantastic! On the other hand, I believe the present-day Body of Christ is no less fantastic! And each individual in that Body can consider himself a Levite - God's property. God inherits us and we inherit Him. He feeds us and is Our Portion. Once again, He is enough for us.
MARK 11:27-12:27 (IN ORDER TO COMPLETE THE THOUGHT CONTAINED HERE)
By what authority did Jesus Cleanse the Temple? No man has his own authority. ALL authority comes from God, whether it is recognized as such or not. It flows down from God's throne. God's authority extends through all of time and on into eternity. It arches over any other authority and into the invisible realms. God is Sovereign in all of Life.
The first group (the Jewish heads of State) to ask about authority was asked, in turn, what they thought of John's new thing - a baptism of repentance. Was it authorized by God or man? When they refused to give an opinion, they showed themselves to be self-serving, opposed to God. So Jesus let them know that He was the rightful "heir of the vineyard" and that He knew they didn't respect His authority and would even kill Him. BUT that God would have the last word because their authority (man's) was limited in duration. Eventually God would have the last say.
Second group (Pharisees and Herodians) asked about secular, political authority. "Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's." BUT you'd better render to God what rightfully belongs to Him because secular, political authority (man's) is limited in scope. It does not govern the human spirit, the human conscience, and what we worship.
Third group (Sadducees) were the "experts" of their day and believed only in what they could see and feel. They didn't believe in life after death, yet here they were asking Jesus about the resurrection! They knew nothing about the invisible realm because "they err because they know not the Scriptures nor the power of God." Therefore, their human authority was limited in its dimension. Their authority did not reach beyond what they could see and understand. Their lives were bound by a narrow view. They could not see Reality. They lived their lives according to "the Lie" - because they have lost touch with the Truth, and indeed, are not interested in Truth.
RESPONSE: In Matt 28:18 Jesus said, "All authority is given to Me.." and I think I understand better what He meant. His authority is higher than any kind of man's authority. Even it men use their authority wrongly, they can't outlast God. All authority is delegated. Even man's. So if I am not submitted to proper authority, I have no authority at all! It is ridiculous to say I am submitted to God if I am not submitted to His delegated authority! Let's see, that would include governmental, police, teachers, pastors, parents, judicial - did I leave anyone out? At the same time, if Jesus is Lord of my life, and I am, indeed, submitted and obedient to God and His Word and His Spirit - then all the other authorities can be assumed to be submitted to - because their authority was delegated to them by God.
PSALM 47:1-9
This is a Psalm of the Sovereignty of God, a coronation Psalm. "God is King of all the earth" and the "kings of the earth belong to God." "God reigns over the nations." These statements are very important because it leaves NO MISUNDERSTANDING about Who is in charge. Neither the nations, nor the "kings of the earth" rule this universe, although the politicians (kings) would like for us to think they do. The fight is over. God rules.
PROVERBS 10:24-25
The wicked "dreads"; the righteous "desire". Both are fulfilled! It sounds like the righteous inherit the earth again! When the storm is over, the last ones standing are the righteous!
RESPONSE: God's people have longevity, and that's much better than perceived control. The righteous outlast everyone and everything but God. We look like servants and we only look like "the underdogs". Jesus said if we want authority, we must be the "servant of all". It's like we are sneaking around in the world, in disguise! We are powerful because we do everything "in the Name of Jesus". I hope I never make Jesus look like a jerk! My desire is to make Him be admired because of how I live.
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