Hello again STU :) , homosexuality is a sin . We are all sinners , our sin might not be homosexuality but we are still sinners . Also , we don't always know the sexuality of everyone that we come into contact with, in the same way that we don't know each others sins . Only God knows everyone perfectly and that the includes all of our sins . Ultimately God is our judge , only He is righteous and can judge righteously . I have enough to do to try to keep myself in check without worrying about what sins others might be commuting , either openly or in secret . I believe that God loves everyone , He sheds forth His love to all of His creation every day , He is kind to everyone and that makes me believe that I should be also .
"We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord."
And, read Luke 16:19-31 KJV, the parable of the rich man and Lazarus. When a person dies, they are in "heaven" so to speak, but there is a gulf, between those who believe and those who did not Luke 16:26. In 1 Thessalonians 4 when it says:
13But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.
14For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.
By saying "will God bring with him", it means they are already in heaven, and when God returns, He'll bring the saints with Him.
Divine light was only found in the Holy Place. Only as worshipers in the present age pass by the cross and laver and come to Christ for light are they truly worshiping God. Christ is the Lamp unto our feet, and the Holy Spirit is the Light unto our path (see Psalm 119:105). Christ said, "I am the light of the world" ( John 8:12). The true believers alone know that to be true.
Believers today have been sent into the world as lights: "Ye are the light of the world" ( Matthew 5:14).We are merely reflectors, to reflect His light. Only as we walk in Him can we be lights in the world. A reflector must be where the light is, in order to reflect it.
End article.
Side note;
The number 6 is the number for man. Seven is the number of completion.
We're complete in Christ .
In the OT the Lord was In the midst of Israel.
In Revelation 1:12-13 we see the Lord in the midst of the Lampstand.
In verse 20 the Lord Identify the Lampstand as the seven Churches. Here is the complete Church bearing light on the Lampstand. Revelation 1:20.
This light also represents our witness. In Revelation 2:5 Jesus tells Ephesus he will remove their candle stick.
The light isn't meant to shine light on the the candle stick, It's meant to shine light on the one in the Midst. The Lord.
When done so you see what is revealed in Revelation 1:13-17.
You see Deity, Judgment, The word, Eyes of flaming fire that reveals and exposes.
One technical point about the lampstand is of interest: It was a lightholder. The olive oil lamps were placed upon the lampstand. The lampstand supported the flame, but the flame revealed the beauties of the golden lampstand. The olive oil lamp is a scriptural symbol of the Holy Spirit. The analogy is striking. Christ sent the Holy Spirit into the world and He supports the Holy Spirit in His work, but the Holy Spirit takes the things of Christ and reveals them unto believers. As the olive oil lamps were supported by the lampstand and they in turn revealed the beauties, thus Christ is the foundation and support for the work of the Holy Spirit. But the Holy Spirit in turn reveals the things of Christ (see John 16:12-15).
The lampstand gave light in the Holy Place - it not being possible for natural light to penetrate there. The priest inside walked by divine light, and he had to go outside for natural light. True worship today is in spirit and truth; it is where the Spirit takes the things of Christ and reveals Him unto the believers. Walking by the light of reason, intellect, science, or the golden rule may be fine and proper for the natural man, but these never lead the soul into the place of fellowship with God. Natural light is the extent of these, and by virtue of the appeal to the natural man, they are indeed dazzling. The moths are attracted, and the light that draws them is their destruction. But the true worshipers behold only Christ, and this is never discerned by the natural man without the aid of the Holy Spirit. The beauties of Christ are never beheld by the natural man but are revealed only by the Holy Spirit.
The almond blossoms looked like wood but they were gold, reminding us of Aaron's rod that budded. When Aaron's priestly prerogative was in question, the budding of his almond rod established it. The almond rod, a dead branch, was made to live and to bear fruit. Christ was established as the Son of God by His resurrection from the dead. It did not make Him Son of God, for He was that from the eternal counsels of God. Resurrection only confirmed it. Aaron was the Godappointed high priest, and it was confirmed by resurrection in the dead almond rod. The resurrection of Christ, likewise, established His priesthood. Christ is our great High Priest because He became a man, partook of our nature, and "was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin" ( Hebrews 4:15). But the primary basis of His priesthood is His deity. The priest represented men before God. Christ is God who became a man, and it is now the God-man who represents man. The resurrection which declared Him to be the Son of God likewise declared His priesthood.
There were no measurements given for the lampstand of pure gold. That which speaks of His deity alone cannot be measured, for deity is beyond the computation of man. Neither can a tape measure be placed along that which speaks of God. Again, the priesthood of Christ, which is conditioned on the fact that He became a man, is made to rest on His deity. There is not recorded any incident in the life of Christ in the Gospels which does not instantly record His deity with every mention of His humanity, yet never confusing or fusing the two. In the shortest verse of the Bible, "Jesus wept" ( John 11:35), there is recorded a perfectly human incident in His life. It is a characteristic of humanity to weep; it is perfectly natural. But the tears were not dry upon His cheeks before He commanded, "Lazarus, come forth" ( John 11:43). And Lazarus came forth. That was perfectly divine - only Deity has the power over death.
The substance of the material for the furniture of the Tabernacle was different in the Holy Place. In the outer court, brass was the prevailing material since it had to do with the judgment of sin. In the Holy Place, gold was the material that predominated. This was no accident or chance occurrence. Gold was the only object that set forth in such a visible way the deity of Christ. Two objects of furniture, the lampstand and the mercy seat, were made entirely of gold.
The lampstand was the perfect symbol of Christ as the Son of God:
That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world. ( John 1:9)
He was a "light of the Gentiles" ( Isaiah 42:6). Had He been philanthropic and had not come out of God, He would have been merely another teacher "that darkeneth counsel by words without knowledge" ( Job 38:2). He would have only added another ethical system to the already multitudinous and multifarious systems, and He would have been but the harbinger of darkness "through philosophy and vain deceit" ( Colossians 2:8). But as the Son of God, He "is light, and in him is no darkness at all" ( 1 John 1:5).
The lampstand was handmade of beaten work and was highly ornamented. There was a central shaft with three branches on a side, making seven branches in all. Each branch contained three sections, each section being beaten into the shape of an almond blossom and a knop. On top of each shaft was an open almond blossom. On each of these were placed the olive oil lamps.
The floor lamp is not a modern invention, but it is as old as the Tabernacle at least. The Tabernacle contained a floor lamp, and that is what the golden candlestick was in the Holy Place. We are substituting the more descriptive title, "lampstand," for the King James rendering of "candlestick." It was more than a candlestick, as we designate such. The blueprint for it is given in Exodus 25:
And thou shalt make a candlestick of pure gold: of beaten work shall the candlestick be made: his shaft, and his branches, his bowls, his knops, and his flowers, shall be of the same. And six branches shall come out of the sides of it; three branches of the candlestick out of the one side, and three branches of the candlestick out of the other side: three bowls made like unto almonds, with a knop and a flower in one branch; and three bowls made like almonds in the other branch, with a knop and a flower: so in the six branches that come out of the candlestick. And in the candlestick shall be four bowls made like unto almonds, with their knops and their flowers. And there shall be a knop under two branches of the same, and a knop under two branches of the same, and a knop under two branches of the same, according to the six branches that proceed out of the candlestick. Their knops and their branches shall be of the same: all it shall be one beaten work of pure gold. And thou shalt make the seven lamps thereof: and they shall light the lamps thereof, that they may give light over against it. And the tongs thereof, and the snuffdishes thereof, shall be of pure gold. Of a talent of pure gold shall he make it, with all these vessels. And look that thou make them after their pattern, which was shewed thee in the mount.
TammyC. Post-trib, and pre-wrath. Post-trib means it is After the tribulation like we are told in ( Mt 24:29-31) Pre-wrath means the wrath of God will start the same day Jesus returns for His elect, the church. ( Nahum 1:2,5-6) ( Zephaniah 1:14-18) ( John 3:36) ( Romans 1:18) Then God pours out His wrath on those disobedient ones who are left on the earth. One shall be taken and the other left. This view is Biblically correct. I hope this helps. Blessings.
I agree that much of what is proscribed by God to the Israelites concerning religious rites do point to Christ. I don't always pick up on this in some of the OT text, so I appreciate it when people can shed light on it for me. Feel free to do so , Steven.
And also, if you read something in my post that seems to be wrong or errant, please point it out to me soon after I post so that I can rethink and recant what I need to. I know I will make mistakes at times, such as what you pointed out about the lampstand. In my mind I thought I had seen one that had six branches per side, but when I re-read the text and looked at photos, the lampstand used in the tabernacle had three branches on each side of a single center lamp. So, I am glad you pointed that our. The significance of 7 lamps on the single stand is certainly of some significance. Can you help on this point?
Numbers Chapter 4 does give the number of Levites from each of Aarons living sons that were ages 30-50.
Yes, I agree that these men would be considered mature, not just physically, but also mentally, and spiritually able to understand the seriousness of their service to YHWH and be consistently responsible in carrying out what YHWH had laid out for each tribe of Levi to do concerning the transportation of the many items of the tabernacle.
In today's society, we should be able to assume that someone pf this age is mature and responsible enough to carry out the affairs of their life and to serve God as He calls each to the service He intends for each to do.
This is usually the age bracket when we are raising our children to adulthood. May God help all young parents in this wonderful and sobering calling.
There's a lot being said in those scriptures and also these!
John 15:18-21.
If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you.
IF YE WERE OF THE WORLD, THE WORLD WOULD LOVE HIS OWN: BUT BECAUSE YE ARE NOT OF THE WORLD, BUT I HAVE CHOSEN YOU OUT OF THE WORLD, THEREFORE THE WORLD HATETH YOU.
Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also.
But all these things will they do unto you for my name's sake, because they know not him that sent me.
They hated the Lord without a cause!! They hated him for telling the truth! John 8:42-47.
Galatians 4:16-20.
John 15:26.
John 16:12-15.
It shouldn't be surprising when we see hatred from the world and those of the world gravitate toward one of the other and those that are Christ gravitate toward one another!
Here's why!
John 15:17 These things I command you, that ye love one another.
John 4:20-21.
If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?
And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also.
1 John 2:3-11.
If Christ spirit doesn't CAUSE you to Love one another then perhaps the world spirit and the father of lies stand in the way.
When the Spirit of truth is taken out of the way then the father of lies will be revealed.
To be honest STU , I think that anyone who doesn't realise that abortion is murder doesn't want to realise that fact . If only we had better social services then we could place all these unwanted babies with couples who can't conceive and they could adopt these babies . Now though because of IVF and other reproductive sciences , many infertile couples don't feel the need or desire to adopt . If we make abortion illegal then we need to make all these artificial reproductive sciences illegal also . That way things should balance out with infertile couples adopting unwanted babies , all natural . One of the problems with human nature is that once we know we can do something , then we just have to do it . All this messing with God's perfect design of ways and means in His creation is vile to me . Medicines are there to alleviate suffering , not to mess with God's perfect design for life . We think we own everything and therefore have the right to mess with everything . Non Christians can't understand that we own nothing and have no right to anything , all we truly deserve is death . Thanks to God for life , life in Christ .
Winston4933 There were two Enochs born during that time period in Scripture. The first Enoch was the son of Cain in ( Genesis 4:17) The second Enoch was the son of Jared in ( Genesis 5:18) You can read of their family in those Chapters. Blessings.
Here in Genesis 5 you will find Enoch in the genealogy from Adam to Moses.
And Jared lived an hundred sixty and two years, and he begat ENOCH:
And Jared lived after he begat Enoch eight hundred years, and begat sons and daughters.
And all the days of Jared were nine hundred sixty and two years: and he died.
And Enoch lived sixty and five years, and begat Methuselah:
And Enoch walked with God after he begat Methuselah three hundred years, and begat sons and daughters:
And all the days of Enoch were three hundred sixty and five years:
And Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him.
And Methuselah lived an hundred eighty and seven years, and begat Lamech:
And Methuselah lived after he begat Lamech seven hundred eighty and two years, and begat sons and daughters:
And all the days of Methuselah were nine hundred sixty and nine years: and he died.
And Lamech lived an hundred eighty and two years, and begat a son:
And he called his name Noah, saying, This same shall comfort us concerning our work and toil of our hands, because of the ground which the LORD hath cursed.
Daniel 10:13 seems to suggest there's an hierarchy of Angels.
He we have Prince and we have a CHIEF Prince.
'But the PRINCE of the kingdom of Persia withstood me one and twenty days: but, lo, Michael, one of the (CHIEF PRINCES,) came to help me; and I remained there with the kings of Persia."
There seems to be an hierarchy in that text alone.
Pierre1939 That mans Concordance interpretation as you call it, is the only way we can take any word out of the King James Bible and get the TRUE meaning of that word in the Original Languages of Hebrew, and Greek. The True meaning of the word not what we think the words mean. You are relying to much on your own interpretation of so many things, you have some truth mixed with many things that are not truth but twisted, it is confusion. The Word of God will speak for itself. You change many things in the Word to what you think it means. Sorry Pierre I really don't mean to offend you, but you are the one twisting Scripture and anyone reading these comments can see that. God is not the author of confusion Pierre, His Words are pure Words. ( Ps 12:6-7) ( Proverbs 30:5-6) The word (pure) is #2889; it means unadulterated, uncontaminated, sound. (How can you say anything is wrong with the TRUE meaning of the word (pure) in the Original Language?) If you believe God preserved His Word, then you should believe the Words of the LORD are (pure) Words! You are contaminating the True Words of the LORD. I honestly see no reason to continue a discussion with someone who thinks their words or interpretation of the Word is more important, or is more trustworthy or truthful than God's pure Words. Have a good day Pierre. Truth matters. Blessings.
In Numbers 6, God instituted a way for leaders to bless the people with a prayer of benediction.
We see this patterned by Paul, Peter, and Jude also gave benedictions at the end of there letters to the churches. I recommend to those reading this that we each read these benedictions from the writers of Scriptures as these are inspired by God, just as the Aaronic blessing came from God, too.
One of my favorite part of church service is receiving the benediction from the pastor. I hold out my hands palms up to receive it for myself. How good it is to be blessed of God through the pastor God has put over me. The benediction binds the body together in a common blessing until they meet together once again. These "parting words" are valuable and endearing to me.
As parents, we too can impart benedictions upon our children as they grow up and even when grown. I pray for my sons daily, but I especially look forward to the time when they will be receptive of me and my husband praying over them once again.
LORD GOD, I pray once again for my sons, Brian, Rob, and Kevin, and for my daughter in law, Elfe. I ask that You will bring each of them to faith in Your Son Jesus, who is the only Savior for them. I ask that you will remove the stony hearts in them and do the miracle of giving them a softened heart that will turn to You in faith. I ask that You will remove all Islamic influences from Elfe and Brian, all the barriers erected by Satan in their lives and in the lives of Rob and Kevin. Break down all of the idolatrous altars in their minds and souls and show them the wonders of your grace and mercies in Jesus Christ the Lord of all. Father, because You know how it feels for Your children to go astray into unbelief, rebellion, and idolatry, I know that You understand my heart. I also know that Your plans are to redeem each of them in time. I look forward to that day when they will turn to You and be made secure in faith by the Spirit.
Thanks for going over these OT scriptures and refreshing us especially for those of us who haven't visited them recently.
I would like to point something out in Numbers 13 the 3 families of the Levites had to be 30-50 years old to serve and there probably were estimated thousands of them.
The age 30-50 may also emphasis maturity.
That was the prime of life for them
I believe the Lord preserved they're strength throughout their journey as seen in Joshua 14:10-11.
"And now, behold, the LORD hath kept me alive, as he said, these forty and five years, even since the LORD spake this word unto Moses, while the children of Israel wandered in the wilderness: and now, lo, I am this day fourscore and five years old.
As yet I am as strong this day as I was in the day that Moses sent me: as my strength was then, even so is my strength now, for war, both to go out, and to come in."
These services and the tabernacle itself pointed to Christ.
Christ also started his ministry at the age of 30.
The last section of this chapter contains the prayer that God told Aaron to use as a blessing upon God's people. He was to use this often to bless the Israelites. it is very wonderful that it was God's Words that Aaron and the high priests after him used to bestow God's blessing upon God's people. These were not words composed by Moses or Aaron or any other man. So, these words are fr us as well as for the Israelites of that time, as they have been recorded in His Word for us.
"The Lord bless you and keep you
The Lord make His face shine upon you
and be gracious to you
The Lord life up His countenance upon you and give you peace."
Then the chapter concludes with these words
"And they (the priests) shall put my name upon the children of Israel; and I will bless them."
How good it is to marked as God's own children. The ancient Israelites were so marked by the name of YHWH as we are marked with the name of Jesus. YHWH is the Savior of the Israelites and Jesus is the Savior of both Jews and Gentiles. YHWH/Jesus is the Savior of all who believe, no matter if one is a Jew or Gentile, it is the one same God who saves us all.
So we can know by this Aaronic blessing that God wants to bless us: to bring us good and not curses; to keep us: to preserve us in our faith and place in Jesus until we enter heaven. He wants to have His face shine upon us: to look on us with favor and acceptance that we may reflect the light of His face to others. He wills to be gracious to us: through grace He saves us and is gracious in all of His ways to His children. He will lift up His countenance upon us: He will look upon us with love, mercy, and grace; he will give us His attention; and He will never leave us nor forsake us. He will give us peace: Jesus is our peace, the Prince of Peace. In Him we have the peace of knowing Him and knowing that our sins are forgiven and that we can have the peace that passes understanding.
I will pray for your brother as I head of to sleep. Good night to you, too.
2 Corinthians 5:8
"We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord."
And, read Luke 16:19-31 KJV, the parable of the rich man and Lazarus. When a person dies, they are in "heaven" so to speak, but there is a gulf, between those who believe and those who did not Luke 16:26. In 1 Thessalonians 4 when it says:
13But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.
14For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.
By saying "will God bring with him", it means they are already in heaven, and when God returns, He'll bring the saints with Him.
Part 5.
Divine light was only found in the Holy Place. Only as worshipers in the present age pass by the cross and laver and come to Christ for light are they truly worshiping God. Christ is the Lamp unto our feet, and the Holy Spirit is the Light unto our path (see Psalm 119:105). Christ said, "I am the light of the world" ( John 8:12). The true believers alone know that to be true.
Believers today have been sent into the world as lights: "Ye are the light of the world" ( Matthew 5:14).We are merely reflectors, to reflect His light. Only as we walk in Him can we be lights in the world. A reflector must be where the light is, in order to reflect it.
End article.
Side note;
The number 6 is the number for man. Seven is the number of completion.
We're complete in Christ .
In the OT the Lord was In the midst of Israel.
In Revelation 1:12-13 we see the Lord in the midst of the Lampstand.
In verse 20 the Lord Identify the Lampstand as the seven Churches. Here is the complete Church bearing light on the Lampstand. Revelation 1:20.
This light also represents our witness. In Revelation 2:5 Jesus tells Ephesus he will remove their candle stick.
The light isn't meant to shine light on the the candle stick, It's meant to shine light on the one in the Midst. The Lord.
When done so you see what is revealed in Revelation 1:13-17.
You see Deity, Judgment, The word, Eyes of flaming fire that reveals and exposes.
Thanks for allowing me Gigi.
Good night.
Part 4.
One technical point about the lampstand is of interest: It was a lightholder. The olive oil lamps were placed upon the lampstand. The lampstand supported the flame, but the flame revealed the beauties of the golden lampstand. The olive oil lamp is a scriptural symbol of the Holy Spirit. The analogy is striking. Christ sent the Holy Spirit into the world and He supports the Holy Spirit in His work, but the Holy Spirit takes the things of Christ and reveals them unto believers. As the olive oil lamps were supported by the lampstand and they in turn revealed the beauties, thus Christ is the foundation and support for the work of the Holy Spirit. But the Holy Spirit in turn reveals the things of Christ (see John 16:12-15).
The lampstand gave light in the Holy Place - it not being possible for natural light to penetrate there. The priest inside walked by divine light, and he had to go outside for natural light. True worship today is in spirit and truth; it is where the Spirit takes the things of Christ and reveals Him unto the believers. Walking by the light of reason, intellect, science, or the golden rule may be fine and proper for the natural man, but these never lead the soul into the place of fellowship with God. Natural light is the extent of these, and by virtue of the appeal to the natural man, they are indeed dazzling. The moths are attracted, and the light that draws them is their destruction. But the true worshipers behold only Christ, and this is never discerned by the natural man without the aid of the Holy Spirit. The beauties of Christ are never beheld by the natural man but are revealed only by the Holy Spirit.
See part 5.
Part 3.
The almond blossoms looked like wood but they were gold, reminding us of Aaron's rod that budded. When Aaron's priestly prerogative was in question, the budding of his almond rod established it. The almond rod, a dead branch, was made to live and to bear fruit. Christ was established as the Son of God by His resurrection from the dead. It did not make Him Son of God, for He was that from the eternal counsels of God. Resurrection only confirmed it. Aaron was the Godappointed high priest, and it was confirmed by resurrection in the dead almond rod. The resurrection of Christ, likewise, established His priesthood. Christ is our great High Priest because He became a man, partook of our nature, and "was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin" ( Hebrews 4:15). But the primary basis of His priesthood is His deity. The priest represented men before God. Christ is God who became a man, and it is now the God-man who represents man. The resurrection which declared Him to be the Son of God likewise declared His priesthood.
There were no measurements given for the lampstand of pure gold. That which speaks of His deity alone cannot be measured, for deity is beyond the computation of man. Neither can a tape measure be placed along that which speaks of God. Again, the priesthood of Christ, which is conditioned on the fact that He became a man, is made to rest on His deity. There is not recorded any incident in the life of Christ in the Gospels which does not instantly record His deity with every mention of His humanity, yet never confusing or fusing the two. In the shortest verse of the Bible, "Jesus wept" ( John 11:35), there is recorded a perfectly human incident in His life. It is a characteristic of humanity to weep; it is perfectly natural. But the tears were not dry upon His cheeks before He commanded, "Lazarus, come forth" ( John 11:43). And Lazarus came forth. That was perfectly divine - only Deity has the power over death.
See part 4.
Part 2.
The substance of the material for the furniture of the Tabernacle was different in the Holy Place. In the outer court, brass was the prevailing material since it had to do with the judgment of sin. In the Holy Place, gold was the material that predominated. This was no accident or chance occurrence. Gold was the only object that set forth in such a visible way the deity of Christ. Two objects of furniture, the lampstand and the mercy seat, were made entirely of gold.
The lampstand was the perfect symbol of Christ as the Son of God:
That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world. ( John 1:9)
He was a "light of the Gentiles" ( Isaiah 42:6). Had He been philanthropic and had not come out of God, He would have been merely another teacher "that darkeneth counsel by words without knowledge" ( Job 38:2). He would have only added another ethical system to the already multitudinous and multifarious systems, and He would have been but the harbinger of darkness "through philosophy and vain deceit" ( Colossians 2:8). But as the Son of God, He "is light, and in him is no darkness at all" ( 1 John 1:5).
The lampstand was handmade of beaten work and was highly ornamented. There was a central shaft with three branches on a side, making seven branches in all. Each branch contained three sections, each section being beaten into the shape of an almond blossom and a knop. On top of each shaft was an open almond blossom. On each of these were placed the olive oil lamps.
See part 3.
That's certainly not something I found on my own.
Here's a article from J vernon mcgee.
Part 1 of 5.
The floor lamp is not a modern invention, but it is as old as the Tabernacle at least. The Tabernacle contained a floor lamp, and that is what the golden candlestick was in the Holy Place. We are substituting the more descriptive title, "lampstand," for the King James rendering of "candlestick." It was more than a candlestick, as we designate such. The blueprint for it is given in Exodus 25:
And thou shalt make a candlestick of pure gold: of beaten work shall the candlestick be made: his shaft, and his branches, his bowls, his knops, and his flowers, shall be of the same. And six branches shall come out of the sides of it; three branches of the candlestick out of the one side, and three branches of the candlestick out of the other side: three bowls made like unto almonds, with a knop and a flower in one branch; and three bowls made like almonds in the other branch, with a knop and a flower: so in the six branches that come out of the candlestick. And in the candlestick shall be four bowls made like unto almonds, with their knops and their flowers. And there shall be a knop under two branches of the same, and a knop under two branches of the same, and a knop under two branches of the same, according to the six branches that proceed out of the candlestick. Their knops and their branches shall be of the same: all it shall be one beaten work of pure gold. And thou shalt make the seven lamps thereof: and they shall light the lamps thereof, that they may give light over against it. And the tongs thereof, and the snuffdishes thereof, shall be of pure gold. Of a talent of pure gold shall he make it, with all these vessels. And look that thou make them after their pattern, which was shewed thee in the mount.
( Exodus 25:31-40)
See part 2.
I believe at the age 25 the Levites is doing more observation and then by the time they reach 30 they're serving.
Today technology, entertainment and media has taken a hold on the young and perhaps worldly mature people as well.
Information is at there fingertips.
World wisdom is sought after and coveted.
2 Timothy 3:16-17. should be a nations focus.
I agree that much of what is proscribed by God to the Israelites concerning religious rites do point to Christ. I don't always pick up on this in some of the OT text, so I appreciate it when people can shed light on it for me. Feel free to do so , Steven.
And also, if you read something in my post that seems to be wrong or errant, please point it out to me soon after I post so that I can rethink and recant what I need to. I know I will make mistakes at times, such as what you pointed out about the lampstand. In my mind I thought I had seen one that had six branches per side, but when I re-read the text and looked at photos, the lampstand used in the tabernacle had three branches on each side of a single center lamp. So, I am glad you pointed that our. The significance of 7 lamps on the single stand is certainly of some significance. Can you help on this point?
Numbers Chapter 4 does give the number of Levites from each of Aarons living sons that were ages 30-50.
Yes, I agree that these men would be considered mature, not just physically, but also mentally, and spiritually able to understand the seriousness of their service to YHWH and be consistently responsible in carrying out what YHWH had laid out for each tribe of Levi to do concerning the transportation of the many items of the tabernacle.
In today's society, we should be able to assume that someone pf this age is mature and responsible enough to carry out the affairs of their life and to serve God as He calls each to the service He intends for each to do.
This is usually the age bracket when we are raising our children to adulthood. May God help all young parents in this wonderful and sobering calling.
There's a lot being said in those scriptures and also these!
John 15:18-21.
If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you.
IF YE WERE OF THE WORLD, THE WORLD WOULD LOVE HIS OWN: BUT BECAUSE YE ARE NOT OF THE WORLD, BUT I HAVE CHOSEN YOU OUT OF THE WORLD, THEREFORE THE WORLD HATETH YOU.
Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also.
But all these things will they do unto you for my name's sake, because they know not him that sent me.
They hated the Lord without a cause!! They hated him for telling the truth! John 8:42-47.
Galatians 4:16-20.
John 15:26.
John 16:12-15.
It shouldn't be surprising when we see hatred from the world and those of the world gravitate toward one of the other and those that are Christ gravitate toward one another!
Here's why!
John 15:17 These things I command you, that ye love one another.
John 4:20-21.
If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?
And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also.
1 John 2:3-11.
If Christ spirit doesn't CAUSE you to Love one another then perhaps the world spirit and the father of lies stand in the way.
When the Spirit of truth is taken out of the way then the father of lies will be revealed.
God bless.
Here in Genesis 5 you will find Enoch in the genealogy from Adam to Moses.
And Jared lived an hundred sixty and two years, and he begat ENOCH:
And Jared lived after he begat Enoch eight hundred years, and begat sons and daughters.
And all the days of Jared were nine hundred sixty and two years: and he died.
And Enoch lived sixty and five years, and begat Methuselah:
And Enoch walked with God after he begat Methuselah three hundred years, and begat sons and daughters:
And all the days of Enoch were three hundred sixty and five years:
And Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him.
And Methuselah lived an hundred eighty and seven years, and begat Lamech:
And Methuselah lived after he begat Lamech seven hundred eighty and two years, and begat sons and daughters:
And all the days of Methuselah were nine hundred sixty and nine years: and he died.
And Lamech lived an hundred eighty and two years, and begat a son:
And he called his name Noah, saying, This same shall comfort us concerning our work and toil of our hands, because of the ground which the LORD hath cursed.
I hope this helps God bless.
Daniel 10:13 seems to suggest there's an hierarchy of Angels.
He we have Prince and we have a CHIEF Prince.
'But the PRINCE of the kingdom of Persia withstood me one and twenty days: but, lo, Michael, one of the (CHIEF PRINCES,) came to help me; and I remained there with the kings of Persia."
There seems to be an hierarchy in that text alone.
I hope this helps
God bless.
The Benediction
In Numbers 6, God instituted a way for leaders to bless the people with a prayer of benediction.
We see this patterned by Paul, Peter, and Jude also gave benedictions at the end of there letters to the churches. I recommend to those reading this that we each read these benedictions from the writers of Scriptures as these are inspired by God, just as the Aaronic blessing came from God, too.
One of my favorite part of church service is receiving the benediction from the pastor. I hold out my hands palms up to receive it for myself. How good it is to be blessed of God through the pastor God has put over me. The benediction binds the body together in a common blessing until they meet together once again. These "parting words" are valuable and endearing to me.
As parents, we too can impart benedictions upon our children as they grow up and even when grown. I pray for my sons daily, but I especially look forward to the time when they will be receptive of me and my husband praying over them once again.
LORD GOD, I pray once again for my sons, Brian, Rob, and Kevin, and for my daughter in law, Elfe. I ask that You will bring each of them to faith in Your Son Jesus, who is the only Savior for them. I ask that you will remove the stony hearts in them and do the miracle of giving them a softened heart that will turn to You in faith. I ask that You will remove all Islamic influences from Elfe and Brian, all the barriers erected by Satan in their lives and in the lives of Rob and Kevin. Break down all of the idolatrous altars in their minds and souls and show them the wonders of your grace and mercies in Jesus Christ the Lord of all. Father, because You know how it feels for Your children to go astray into unbelief, rebellion, and idolatry, I know that You understand my heart. I also know that Your plans are to redeem each of them in time. I look forward to that day when they will turn to You and be made secure in faith by the Spirit.
Thanks for going over these OT scriptures and refreshing us especially for those of us who haven't visited them recently.
I would like to point something out in Numbers 13 the 3 families of the Levites had to be 30-50 years old to serve and there probably were estimated thousands of them.
The age 30-50 may also emphasis maturity.
That was the prime of life for them
I believe the Lord preserved they're strength throughout their journey as seen in Joshua 14:10-11.
"And now, behold, the LORD hath kept me alive, as he said, these forty and five years, even since the LORD spake this word unto Moses, while the children of Israel wandered in the wilderness: and now, lo, I am this day fourscore and five years old.
As yet I am as strong this day as I was in the day that Moses sent me: as my strength was then, even so is my strength now, for war, both to go out, and to come in."
These services and the tabernacle itself pointed to Christ.
Christ also started his ministry at the age of 30.
God bless.
The last section of this chapter contains the prayer that God told Aaron to use as a blessing upon God's people. He was to use this often to bless the Israelites. it is very wonderful that it was God's Words that Aaron and the high priests after him used to bestow God's blessing upon God's people. These were not words composed by Moses or Aaron or any other man. So, these words are fr us as well as for the Israelites of that time, as they have been recorded in His Word for us.
"The Lord bless you and keep you
The Lord make His face shine upon you
and be gracious to you
The Lord life up His countenance upon you and give you peace."
Then the chapter concludes with these words
"And they (the priests) shall put my name upon the children of Israel; and I will bless them."
How good it is to marked as God's own children. The ancient Israelites were so marked by the name of YHWH as we are marked with the name of Jesus. YHWH is the Savior of the Israelites and Jesus is the Savior of both Jews and Gentiles. YHWH/Jesus is the Savior of all who believe, no matter if one is a Jew or Gentile, it is the one same God who saves us all.
So we can know by this Aaronic blessing that God wants to bless us: to bring us good and not curses; to keep us: to preserve us in our faith and place in Jesus until we enter heaven. He wants to have His face shine upon us: to look on us with favor and acceptance that we may reflect the light of His face to others. He wills to be gracious to us: through grace He saves us and is gracious in all of His ways to His children. He will lift up His countenance upon us: He will look upon us with love, mercy, and grace; he will give us His attention; and He will never leave us nor forsake us. He will give us peace: Jesus is our peace, the Prince of Peace. In Him we have the peace of knowing Him and knowing that our sins are forgiven and that we can have the peace that passes understanding.
What a beautiful blessing (benediction)! cont.