You shall not pollute the land in which you live (Nu 35:33a)
God cares about the earth he made. It's his planet after all. When he created man in the garden he gave them a commission of care for and rule over the earth. As Christians we are instructed to pray that God's will will done on earth as it is in heaven - for the earth to become like the pattern of heaven. God is opposed to pollution.
I've never liked dispensationalism [understatement!], especially the pessimistic escatology that says that everything is going to get worse in the end times, the church will barely survive, and Jesus will come to destroy everything and start again. In such a world view there is no incentive to preserve the environment, or even pick up your litter, because it's all going to be destroyed anyway! In my understanding the Kingdom is already coming, not just something that is yet to come, and the new creation is already breaking through like the first shoots of spring. It is in eager expectation that creation waits for its redemption - it is not cowering waiting for destruction. The wars and famines and trials that we see are described in the scriptures as birth pains not death throws! I understand the new heavens and the new earth in the same way as I understand that I am already a new creation. It is to do with the transforming power of Christ's death and resurrection, not to do with my literal physical disintegration and reconstruction. In this world view, everything we do to make the earth more like heaven is achieving the eternal plan of God for which man was created in the first place - I like that!
But before everyone thinks I have become a green activist, let me quote the whole verse in context:
You shall not pollute the land in which you live, for blood pollutes the land, and no atonement can be made for the land for the blood that is shed in it, except by the blood of the one who shed it. You shall not defile the land in which you live, in the midst of which I dwell, for I the Lord dwell in the midst of the people of Israel.” (Nu 35:33-34)
The real issue is not environmental, but spiritual. And the reason God is opposed to pollution is not because he is a signed up member of the Green Party, but because it is God's intention to make his habitation amongst us. It is not just the ancient land of Israel that was intended to be a dwelling for God, but he desires to live inside each one of us.
The most serious pollution in the world today is not the litter in the streets or the carbon-dioxide in the air, but the sin in human hearts. It is this "blood-guilt" that pollutes the land and our souls prevents the close fellowship with God that we were intended for. It is not just murder that is the problem either, all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. Even to be angry against our brother is like the sin of murder.
The only solution to this problem is the blood of the polluter — the wages of sin is death. We are all under a death sentence because of the pollution we have caused. The only solution is redemption by blood. There was only one hope for the man who had shed blood, he could take refuge in a designated city until the death of the high priest. Upon the high priest's death, his sins would be forgotten and he could walk free.
This is just what happened when Jesus died on the cross on our behalf. He died in our place. His blood payed the price of redemption for all who have the pollution of sin in their hearts, and as our high priest his death allows all who have taken refuge in him to walk free, pardoned from all guilt with a fresh start — all pollution gone. It was not just the pollution in humanity that his blood cleanses, but the pollution in the land too. In fact we are told that even the heavenlies themselves were cleansed by his blood. On his brow, the crown of thorns, as he took not only the curse of our sins, but the curse on creation itself. With the pollution dealt with, God's original and eternal plan can go on - to make earth a place where God dwells amongst his people just as in heaven.
As important as environmental issues are, there is a solution for this polluted world, and it's not a "green" solution.... it's crimson!
...and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel. (Heb 12:24)
Thank you Jesus for your shed blood! The blood that payed the price for me, and deals with the pollution in my heart so that I can walk with God and he can live in me!
Showing posts with label meditations/numbers. Show all posts
Showing posts with label meditations/numbers. Show all posts
1.6.06
The Almond Blossoms
On the next day Moses went into the tent of the testimony, and behold, the staff of Aaron for the house of Levi had sprouted and put forth buds and produced blossoms, and it bore ripe almonds. (Numbers 17:8)
The account of Aaron's stalf blossoming is a great illustration of God's validation of the men through whom he chooses to delegate his authority. God shows no favoritism, and loves all alike, but the people of Israel were mistaken on more than one occasion when they thought that this meant that all carried the same measure of delegated authority before the Lord and towards the people. To truly exercise authority we must be under authority and we cannot claim to be submitted to God unless we also submit to those whom he has chosen to exercise his delegated authority. We may not need priests to come before God on our behalf, but we certainly still need those men of double account who keep watch over us.
I saw something new in this passage though. I don't know if you ask questions of the Bible when you read it? I do all the time. This is very different from questioning the Bible, by the way — something I never do! When I read this verse, I thought, "Why Almonds?" It may seem like an irrelevant and trivial detail to most, which adds nothing to the main thrust of the message; nevertheless since all the Word is inspired by God and profitable, I'm of the opinion that it all communicates something, even if it is just a little shard of extra light in an already dazzling scene. These details intrigue me!
The best place to look for such answers is the Bible itself. It is its own best commentary. So I used a concordance (my most frequently used study tool) to look up almonds. Immediately I was struck by a possible connection.
And on the lampstand itself there shall be four cups made like almond blossoms, with their calyxes and flowers (Ex 25:34)
The lampstand with its main trunk and three branches either side which all ended in carved almond blossoms must have looked much like Aaron's stalf, or rather Aaron's stalf must have reminded Moses and the people of the lampstand before the presence of God!
This in turn speaks to me about Christ and the church — it's all about him after all. The branch that sprouts from the root and produces fruit is a prophetic picture of Christ.
There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse, and a branch from his roots shall bear fruit. (Isa 11:1)
And the lampstand is a New Testament prophetic picture of the Church.
The seven lampstands are the seven churches. (Rev 1:20)
What is more both Aaron and almonds can represent Christ. Aaron was the high priest, the anointed one (Messiah). Almonds are the first to blossom in the year (January) and coming after the winter are the first signs of the new life of spring. Jesus is our high priest and the fist-born from among the dead. Jesus is the light of the world, just as the light on the lampstands shone from the almonds.
Being stirred, as I am lately, on the need for both Word and Spirit in the Church. I also spotted a connection here too. It's not unreasonable to think that the seven lampstands in Revelation that represent the church are like the seven pointed lampstand that stood before the presence in the tabernacle. This shone with light from the branches of almond blossoms.
We know from Revelation that the lamp on the lampstand corresponds to the Spirit of God (Rev 4:5), but we can also see in the prophetic writings of the Old Testament that branches of almond blossom represents the Word of God.
And the word of the Lord came to me, saying, “Jeremiah, what do you see?” And I said, “I see an almond branch.” Then the Lord said to me, “You have seen well, for I am watching over my word to perform it.” (Jer 1:11-12)
Thus Aaron's stalf that produced almonds communicates to us volumes about the nature of the Church. It is founded, joined and grows from Christ. It must be based on the ministries who carry God's delegated authority. It is to be a light to the world, and it does so by demonstrating the reality of the Word of God by a life led in the Spirit of God.
...not bad for an insignificant detail!
The account of Aaron's stalf blossoming is a great illustration of God's validation of the men through whom he chooses to delegate his authority. God shows no favoritism, and loves all alike, but the people of Israel were mistaken on more than one occasion when they thought that this meant that all carried the same measure of delegated authority before the Lord and towards the people. To truly exercise authority we must be under authority and we cannot claim to be submitted to God unless we also submit to those whom he has chosen to exercise his delegated authority. We may not need priests to come before God on our behalf, but we certainly still need those men of double account who keep watch over us.
I saw something new in this passage though. I don't know if you ask questions of the Bible when you read it? I do all the time. This is very different from questioning the Bible, by the way — something I never do! When I read this verse, I thought, "Why Almonds?" It may seem like an irrelevant and trivial detail to most, which adds nothing to the main thrust of the message; nevertheless since all the Word is inspired by God and profitable, I'm of the opinion that it all communicates something, even if it is just a little shard of extra light in an already dazzling scene. These details intrigue me!
The best place to look for such answers is the Bible itself. It is its own best commentary. So I used a concordance (my most frequently used study tool) to look up almonds. Immediately I was struck by a possible connection.
And on the lampstand itself there shall be four cups made like almond blossoms, with their calyxes and flowers (Ex 25:34)
The lampstand with its main trunk and three branches either side which all ended in carved almond blossoms must have looked much like Aaron's stalf, or rather Aaron's stalf must have reminded Moses and the people of the lampstand before the presence of God!
This in turn speaks to me about Christ and the church — it's all about him after all. The branch that sprouts from the root and produces fruit is a prophetic picture of Christ.
There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse, and a branch from his roots shall bear fruit. (Isa 11:1)
And the lampstand is a New Testament prophetic picture of the Church.
The seven lampstands are the seven churches. (Rev 1:20)
What is more both Aaron and almonds can represent Christ. Aaron was the high priest, the anointed one (Messiah). Almonds are the first to blossom in the year (January) and coming after the winter are the first signs of the new life of spring. Jesus is our high priest and the fist-born from among the dead. Jesus is the light of the world, just as the light on the lampstands shone from the almonds.
Being stirred, as I am lately, on the need for both Word and Spirit in the Church. I also spotted a connection here too. It's not unreasonable to think that the seven lampstands in Revelation that represent the church are like the seven pointed lampstand that stood before the presence in the tabernacle. This shone with light from the branches of almond blossoms.
We know from Revelation that the lamp on the lampstand corresponds to the Spirit of God (Rev 4:5), but we can also see in the prophetic writings of the Old Testament that branches of almond blossom represents the Word of God.
And the word of the Lord came to me, saying, “Jeremiah, what do you see?” And I said, “I see an almond branch.” Then the Lord said to me, “You have seen well, for I am watching over my word to perform it.” (Jer 1:11-12)
Thus Aaron's stalf that produced almonds communicates to us volumes about the nature of the Church. It is founded, joined and grows from Christ. It must be based on the ministries who carry God's delegated authority. It is to be a light to the world, and it does so by demonstrating the reality of the Word of God by a life led in the Spirit of God.
...not bad for an insignificant detail!
23.5.06
Drawn or Driven
For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. (Ro 8:5)
But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. (Ga 5:16)
For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. (Ga 6:8)
Now these things took place as examples for us, that we might not desire evil as they did. (1Co 10:6)
I love the Old Testament! And one of the reasons I love it so much is that it is all relevant. It may not be applicable in the same way as it was to those under the Old Covenant who had only the types and shadows rather than the realities that are found in Christ, but it is all applicable to me and to all of us under the wonderful new covenant. In fact Paul in Corinthians goes even further and explains that the ultimate reason for the things that happened to Moses and the people in the wilderness was for warnings and examples to God's new covenant people - they happened as examples for us! The Old Testament is full of wonderfully illustrative stories that serve to instruct those who see it through the light of the New Testament. These examples and warnings help us to avoid evil and grow in faith and obedience.
The eleventh chapter of the book of Number is one of my firm favourites. I have said much on it already in earlier posts (look in my categories under Mediations/Numbers), but it struck me again while I was on holiday that this chapter contains both an example and a warning. We see two parallel stories unfold in the same chapter that serve as a wonderful illustration of the contrast expressed in Galatians 6:8. We read of those who were drawn by the Holy Spirit and came into a new anointing and position of service that benefited the people, and those who were driven by the cravings of the flesh and reaped death.
I don't find anything in the new testament that separates people as "men of the Spirit" or "men of flesh". We are all both! Even Jesus experienced the same temptations of the flesh as we do, yet was without sin. It is not sinful to have desires of the flesh, that's the way God made us. But the problem arises when we don't control them, and they control us. The carnally minded man is the one who is controlled and driven by his self-centered desires. So these are examples to all of us. We deceive ourselves and walk straight into the enemy's trap if we suppose that because we move under the anointing of the Holy Spirit, that we are not still vulnerable to the flesh. Look what happened to King David. No wonder the scriptures tell us to work out our salvation with fear and trembling, for none of us are so strong that we cannot stumble if we do not take care.
All of us therefore have a continual choice to make. The choice we made yesterday may help us with our choice today in forming good habits, but it does not mean that we cruise by default into the right decision. We must chose to live by the Spirit, and chose not to live according to the flesh. We must chose to allow ourselves to be drawn by the anointing that God has placed upon our lives, and chose not to give in to the petulant demands of our self-centered desires.
But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. (Ga 5:16)
For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. (Ga 6:8)
Now these things took place as examples for us, that we might not desire evil as they did. (1Co 10:6)
I love the Old Testament! And one of the reasons I love it so much is that it is all relevant. It may not be applicable in the same way as it was to those under the Old Covenant who had only the types and shadows rather than the realities that are found in Christ, but it is all applicable to me and to all of us under the wonderful new covenant. In fact Paul in Corinthians goes even further and explains that the ultimate reason for the things that happened to Moses and the people in the wilderness was for warnings and examples to God's new covenant people - they happened as examples for us! The Old Testament is full of wonderfully illustrative stories that serve to instruct those who see it through the light of the New Testament. These examples and warnings help us to avoid evil and grow in faith and obedience.
The eleventh chapter of the book of Number is one of my firm favourites. I have said much on it already in earlier posts (look in my categories under Mediations/Numbers), but it struck me again while I was on holiday that this chapter contains both an example and a warning. We see two parallel stories unfold in the same chapter that serve as a wonderful illustration of the contrast expressed in Galatians 6:8. We read of those who were drawn by the Holy Spirit and came into a new anointing and position of service that benefited the people, and those who were driven by the cravings of the flesh and reaped death.
I don't find anything in the new testament that separates people as "men of the Spirit" or "men of flesh". We are all both! Even Jesus experienced the same temptations of the flesh as we do, yet was without sin. It is not sinful to have desires of the flesh, that's the way God made us. But the problem arises when we don't control them, and they control us. The carnally minded man is the one who is controlled and driven by his self-centered desires. So these are examples to all of us. We deceive ourselves and walk straight into the enemy's trap if we suppose that because we move under the anointing of the Holy Spirit, that we are not still vulnerable to the flesh. Look what happened to King David. No wonder the scriptures tell us to work out our salvation with fear and trembling, for none of us are so strong that we cannot stumble if we do not take care.
All of us therefore have a continual choice to make. The choice we made yesterday may help us with our choice today in forming good habits, but it does not mean that we cruise by default into the right decision. We must chose to live by the Spirit, and chose not to live according to the flesh. We must chose to allow ourselves to be drawn by the anointing that God has placed upon our lives, and chose not to give in to the petulant demands of our self-centered desires.
22.6.05
Numbers 11 - Part 4
Time to return to Numbers 11, there is something else in this passage that is significant.
This verse is not intended as an excuse to stay at home on a Sunday morning! ;-) For whatever reason, these two young men were not included in the natural, yet God still included them in what he was doing in the Spirit. God is not constrained by our geography or by meetings, he knows those he has called, and he will never exclude us from what he is doing.
When I lived and worked in Manchester I had a job that took me abroad for long periods of time. It was hard for me spiritually, and I often felt like I was missing out, and not being used as much as I would be if I was attending regularly. But God is so gracious! One Sunday morning in 1994, when I was located in the German town of Stade, I woke up early, alert and wide awake - which for those who know me will know is a miracle in itself! I felt God tell me clearly that I needed to go up a hill on the other side of town and pray. I went, and found in a clearing in the woods a park bench - not a soul in sight. I felt urged to pray for the meeting back in Manchester, that his Spirit would be outpoured and flow in a way that was greater than anything that we had experienced before. I stormed the heavens for about an hour, and then went back to my hotel room. That night I called up some friends back home - they were bouncing with excitement... guess what had happened. God had moved sovereignly on the meeting, people were falling over under the anointing of the Spirit left right and centre, and lives were touched and transformed in an instant. It was the beginning of the "Times of Refreshing" or as it was called elsewhere the "Toronto Blessing."
Now, I'm not claiming that it was my prayers that caused this to happen. It was a sovereign move of God. But because I had prayed, when I heard the news my heart leapt with excitement and praise for God. I may have been in another country far away, but God in his grace and mercy had still included me in what was going on back home.
Feeling excluded is a terrible thing. God never wants us to feel that way. Whatever events or circumstances may conspire to make us feel excluded, God wants us to know that he will never exclude us. If you are God's he can and will meet you and use you wherever you are. Those two men caused more of a stir than all the others put together!
< Part 3
There is no exclusion for those in the purpose of God
However, two men, whose names were Eldad and Medad, had remained in the camp. They were listed among the elders, but did not go out to the Tent. Yet the Spirit also rested on them, and they prophesied in the camp. (v26)
This verse is not intended as an excuse to stay at home on a Sunday morning! ;-) For whatever reason, these two young men were not included in the natural, yet God still included them in what he was doing in the Spirit. God is not constrained by our geography or by meetings, he knows those he has called, and he will never exclude us from what he is doing.
When I lived and worked in Manchester I had a job that took me abroad for long periods of time. It was hard for me spiritually, and I often felt like I was missing out, and not being used as much as I would be if I was attending regularly. But God is so gracious! One Sunday morning in 1994, when I was located in the German town of Stade, I woke up early, alert and wide awake - which for those who know me will know is a miracle in itself! I felt God tell me clearly that I needed to go up a hill on the other side of town and pray. I went, and found in a clearing in the woods a park bench - not a soul in sight. I felt urged to pray for the meeting back in Manchester, that his Spirit would be outpoured and flow in a way that was greater than anything that we had experienced before. I stormed the heavens for about an hour, and then went back to my hotel room. That night I called up some friends back home - they were bouncing with excitement... guess what had happened. God had moved sovereignly on the meeting, people were falling over under the anointing of the Spirit left right and centre, and lives were touched and transformed in an instant. It was the beginning of the "Times of Refreshing" or as it was called elsewhere the "Toronto Blessing."
Now, I'm not claiming that it was my prayers that caused this to happen. It was a sovereign move of God. But because I had prayed, when I heard the news my heart leapt with excitement and praise for God. I may have been in another country far away, but God in his grace and mercy had still included me in what was going on back home.
Feeling excluded is a terrible thing. God never wants us to feel that way. Whatever events or circumstances may conspire to make us feel excluded, God wants us to know that he will never exclude us. If you are God's he can and will meet you and use you wherever you are. Those two men caused more of a stir than all the others put together!
< Part 3
10.6.05
Numbers 11 - Part 3
Time for my third and final (for now) post on Numbers 11.
I know that God is my provider. I know that his provision is unlimited. Yet when I am in need, I still try and work out how God will provide for me (As if he needed my suggestions!) We do it though, don't we? (Or is it just me?) When I am in a financial need, I try and think of the ways that God could provide the money for me - "Someone could drop a cheque through the post", "I could get an unexpected tax rebate" etc. What I love about this part of Numbers 11, is that God can provide for us, even when we don't have the faintest idea how he could possibly do it! To Moses it seemed like an impossibility. He went though a list of options in his head on how God might provide, but still he couldn't see a way out. There was no way God could provide meat for more than half a million hungry mouths in the middle of the desert when there wasn't so much as a skinny cow in sight.... But God did provide!
When you are in a position of need or difficulty, and there doesn't seem to be any way out. Just remember - God can make a way where there is no way. Nothing is too difficult for him. You don't even have to be able to imagine how he will do it, just ask and trust. He can do more than all we can ask or imagine.
< Part 2
The Unlimited Provision of God
But Moses said, "Here I am among six hundred thousand men on foot, and you say, `I will give them meat to eat for a whole month!' Would they have enough if flocks and herds were slaughtered for them? Would they have enough if all the fish in the sea were caught for them?" The LORD answered Moses, "Is the LORD's arm too short? You will now see whether or not what I say will come true for you."
I know that God is my provider. I know that his provision is unlimited. Yet when I am in need, I still try and work out how God will provide for me (As if he needed my suggestions!) We do it though, don't we? (Or is it just me?) When I am in a financial need, I try and think of the ways that God could provide the money for me - "Someone could drop a cheque through the post", "I could get an unexpected tax rebate" etc. What I love about this part of Numbers 11, is that God can provide for us, even when we don't have the faintest idea how he could possibly do it! To Moses it seemed like an impossibility. He went though a list of options in his head on how God might provide, but still he couldn't see a way out. There was no way God could provide meat for more than half a million hungry mouths in the middle of the desert when there wasn't so much as a skinny cow in sight.... But God did provide!
When you are in a position of need or difficulty, and there doesn't seem to be any way out. Just remember - God can make a way where there is no way. Nothing is too difficult for him. You don't even have to be able to imagine how he will do it, just ask and trust. He can do more than all we can ask or imagine.
< Part 2
7.6.05
Numbers 11 - Part 2
Continuing on the subject of what I love about Numbers 11; here is my second point:
It is very significant that God does not say here that he will put his Spirit on the 70 elders, but that he will put the Spirit that is on Moses. Now obviously this is the same Spirit. There was not a different Holy Spirit on Moses, than was available directly from God. But this is the way God chooses to work; he imparts the Spirit through those who are already full of the Spirit. He chooses to impart gifts through those who already move strongly in that gift. Whatever anointing we have is contagious; it is designed to be passed on.
We see this clearly in Ephesians 4, where the ascension gifts of Christ are described. "It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up" (v11-12). We see that these ministries are not just to do a job - but to enable God's people to do the same job. Thus a prophet is not just someone who prophesies, but someone who makes the church more prophetic. This is exactly what we see in Numbers 11. The contagious spirit that is on Moses, the great prophet, causes 70 others to become prophetic and move out in the prophetic gift.
This is how ministries are supposed to work in the church. If they try to do it all themselves it becomes a burden. But if they communicate their gift and anointing to others, and each one plays their part, then the whole body is built up. Jesus, as in all things, is our ultimate example. He did not just do the work himself, but he too imparted himself to others, mainly to 12, but at another time it was 72. The seventy in Numbers 11, would thus seem to be a foreshadow of the seventy-two in Luke 10.
< Part 1
The Contagious Nature of Anointing
I will come down and speak with you there, and I will take of the Spirit that is on you and put the Spirit on them. They will help you carry the burden of the people so that you will not have to carry it alone. (v17)
It is very significant that God does not say here that he will put his Spirit on the 70 elders, but that he will put the Spirit that is on Moses. Now obviously this is the same Spirit. There was not a different Holy Spirit on Moses, than was available directly from God. But this is the way God chooses to work; he imparts the Spirit through those who are already full of the Spirit. He chooses to impart gifts through those who already move strongly in that gift. Whatever anointing we have is contagious; it is designed to be passed on.
We see this clearly in Ephesians 4, where the ascension gifts of Christ are described. "It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up" (v11-12). We see that these ministries are not just to do a job - but to enable God's people to do the same job. Thus a prophet is not just someone who prophesies, but someone who makes the church more prophetic. This is exactly what we see in Numbers 11. The contagious spirit that is on Moses, the great prophet, causes 70 others to become prophetic and move out in the prophetic gift.
This is how ministries are supposed to work in the church. If they try to do it all themselves it becomes a burden. But if they communicate their gift and anointing to others, and each one plays their part, then the whole body is built up. Jesus, as in all things, is our ultimate example. He did not just do the work himself, but he too imparted himself to others, mainly to 12, but at another time it was 72. The seventy in Numbers 11, would thus seem to be a foreshadow of the seventy-two in Luke 10.
< Part 1
5.6.05
Numbers 11
I was recently asked why I chose Numbers 11 for my 1 chapter that I would like to read for 1 month. (See Which Chapter? on Roger's Blog)
I love this chapter of Scripture. Numbers is an oft-overlooked book of the Bible, with many considering it to be dry and boring, just list of genealogies and the like. But there are some real gems in this book, and this chapter in particular is fantastic. There is so much in it. In my next few posts I will attempt to enthuse you about this chapter. Here's my first point:
There are three prophets in the Scriptures who foresaw God's plan to pour out his Spirit on his people with a lasting anointing.
The last was John the Baptist. He is recorded as being the greatest of all the prophets and yet we only have one recorded prophecy he gave: "After me will come one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not fit to carry. He will baptise you with the Holy Spirit and with fire." It is interesting that his prophetic vision of Christ and his work, jumps straight from his coming to the baptism in the Spirit. There is no mention of the cross! Whilst the cross is essential to the salvation plan of God, it is important to remember that it was the means to an ends, not the ends in itself. It was for the joy set before him that Jesus endured the cross. Jesus, like John saw beyond the cross to see what was on the other side. A people filled with the Spirit doing the works of God on his behalf. A Church as a bride fit for the King. The true sign of our faith, is not a cross we wear around our necks, but the infilling of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
The second was Joel: "I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions." This is the prophecy that Peter refers to in Acts 2:17 when he explains what is happening on the day of Pentecost. The promise has arrived! God has always desired to have a prophetic people, who are filled with his Spirit. Now after Jesus' triumphant resurrection and ascension, that promise is ours. The gift of the Spirit is not just for the spiritual elite, or those who a "charismatic", but for all. That is why Paul informs the Corinthians that they can all prophesy (1Co 14:31)
But the fist prophet to catch God's heart in this matter was Moses. And it is here in Numbers 11 that he voices that heart.
[To be continued...]
I love this chapter of Scripture. Numbers is an oft-overlooked book of the Bible, with many considering it to be dry and boring, just list of genealogies and the like. But there are some real gems in this book, and this chapter in particular is fantastic. There is so much in it. In my next few posts I will attempt to enthuse you about this chapter. Here's my first point:
The First Prophetic Mention of Pentecost
But Moses replied, "Are you jealous for my sake? I wish that all the LORD's people were prophets and that the LORD would put his Spirit on them!" (v29)
There are three prophets in the Scriptures who foresaw God's plan to pour out his Spirit on his people with a lasting anointing.
The last was John the Baptist. He is recorded as being the greatest of all the prophets and yet we only have one recorded prophecy he gave: "After me will come one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not fit to carry. He will baptise you with the Holy Spirit and with fire." It is interesting that his prophetic vision of Christ and his work, jumps straight from his coming to the baptism in the Spirit. There is no mention of the cross! Whilst the cross is essential to the salvation plan of God, it is important to remember that it was the means to an ends, not the ends in itself. It was for the joy set before him that Jesus endured the cross. Jesus, like John saw beyond the cross to see what was on the other side. A people filled with the Spirit doing the works of God on his behalf. A Church as a bride fit for the King. The true sign of our faith, is not a cross we wear around our necks, but the infilling of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
The second was Joel: "I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions." This is the prophecy that Peter refers to in Acts 2:17 when he explains what is happening on the day of Pentecost. The promise has arrived! God has always desired to have a prophetic people, who are filled with his Spirit. Now after Jesus' triumphant resurrection and ascension, that promise is ours. The gift of the Spirit is not just for the spiritual elite, or those who a "charismatic", but for all. That is why Paul informs the Corinthians that they can all prophesy (1Co 14:31)
But the fist prophet to catch God's heart in this matter was Moses. And it is here in Numbers 11 that he voices that heart.
[To be continued...]
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