Scripture is the Strength of the God-centered congregation

Numbers 1:1 "Then the Lord spoke to Moses in the Wilderness of Sinai, in the tent of meeting, on the first of the second month, in the second year after they had come out of the land of Egypt, saying"

Reviewing what we looked at yesterday - The God-Centered Congregation
Yesterday we began to look at what is meant by the term "congregation".  Local churches are often referred to by this title.  As we saw yesterday, in both the Hebrew and Greek meanings behind this English word, the idea of "God-appointed" or "God-called" is meant.  God must be central if the church congregation is to fulfill its purpose.  With that general idea put forth - we obviously need to flesh that out a little further.  What traits must be present for there to be a consistent God-centered congregation?  In today's blog, we want to consider that first crucial emphasis - namely the Strength of Scripture.

The Strength of a God-centered Congregation is the scriptures
Here in Numbers 1-4 we see several references to God speaking to Moses the words of God for their instruction.  In fact, in just the first four chapters of Numbers alone we find no less than thirteen places where God speaks to the people.  Below I will point out some observations from key verses in Numbers 1-4 that describe the function of God's Word in the God centered congregation:
 
1. God's Word is God's Words revealed In Numbers 1:1; 2:1; 3:11,14, 40, 44; 4:17,21 God "spoke to Moses", saying particular words that revealed His intent for the people

2. God's Word Compels the Conscience  In Numbers 1:19 and 3:51, 4:41 we see another word, namely "commanded being used".  Thus God's Word has the authority to compel the conscience to pursue a course of action

3. God's Words are Written Words In Numbers 3:1 and 4:41 we see reference to this phrase: "Now these are the records".  That phrase is found a dozen times in another book written by Moses - the Book of Genesis.  This term is a technical term describing the taking down of history or biographical information.  Thus when God spoke to a prophet his words - that was revelation.  When those prophets in turn wrote down the words by the supervision of the Holy Spirit - that was inspiration.  The fact that men such as Moses had to get all of his facts accurate tells us that what He wrote was without error - or inerrant.  Furthermore, the fact that the words of scripture had to lead the people into accurate carrying out of God's instruction meant they were infallible - or incapable of leading into error. 

4. God's Words are to be proclaimed to the congregation
Imagine having responsibility over the wellfare of 3 million people.  According to one commentator, the camp of Israel here in Numbers 1-4 numbered in excess of 2 million people and stretched over an area of 12 square miles!  Even with the aid of delegation, the organizational demands would had been staggering.  Moses, the man of God, had to take the word of God revealed and wrote it down under inspiration of the Holy Spirit. (Exodus 24:4)  He then needed illumination to digest its contents to understand its bearing on his life and the lives of those whom he served.  Then he had to proclaim the Word of God to the people.

God's Word was revealed with the intent that it would be proclaimed, preached, taught and explained.  Without this God-ordained method, God's people will not know how to take the sacred words of pen and ink and live them out in their daily lives.  Why else do you think Moses was able to assemble the people in Numbers 1:18? Or organized the people by their camps and standards in Numbers 2?  Or explained God's words to the priesthood in Numbers 3-4?  The words of God had to be explained.  This is necessary for every generation of God's people. 

The Pattern for ensuring the Scriptures Strengthen the congregation - Proclaiming the revealed, inspired and illumined Scriptures
And so the Word of God is His revelation spoken to His prophets (Old Testament) and Apostles (New Testament). (2 Peter 1:20-21)  This revelation was not merely left to be retained in the memories of the forty biblical authors.  The revelation given by God was written, superintended by the Holy Spirit - which is what we call inspiration. (2 Timothy 3:16-17)  With inspiration completing the writings of the scriptures, the ability to understand them comes as a result of the Holy Spirit's ministry of illumination. (John 14:26, 16:15; 1 John 2:20,27) Then we see the necessity for the preacher to come and proclaim God's Word to the congregation. (1 Timothy 4:13, 16; 2 Timothy 4:1-4)

Defining a God-centered congregation

Numbers 1:1 "Then the LORD spoke to Moses in the wilderness of Sinai, in the tent of meeting, on the first of the second month, in the second year after they had come out of the land of Egypt, saying"

A God centered congregation has its life centered around God
As we turn our attention to the book of Numbers, the chief aim of the first four chapters of the book is to outline for us the essential elements of a God-centered congregation.  The children of Israel - at least in form - were to have their spiritual lives (Numbers 2); daily lives (Numbers 3) and work lives (Numbers 4) centered around God. 

What is a congregation? Called and Appointed by God
Seventy-seven times do we see the nation of Israel referred to the title "congregation".  The term translated "congregation" in Numbers 1:2, 18 and 19 refers to a group of people who are appointed by God.  The Hebrew word also tells us that these people were to keep appointments with their God.  God is a God of fellowship and relationship.  In fact, in Acts 7:38 we see Stephen refer to the Israelites in his sermon as the "congregation in the wilderness".  Stephen uses a Greek word that we find often used in the New Testament to describe the church, a word that means "called out ones".  Thus a congregation is appointed and called out by God. To be a called out and appointed people is essential to identifying a God-centered congregation. 

The Lord and His congregation
We must never forget that the local church, identified as a congregation, is owned by the Lord.  Here in Numbers, God wanted to take a census of the people whom He reigned.  Why? So that the people of God would have a means of identifying themselves and rendering their identity in the context of God's promises.  When any king took a census, whether for good purposes or bad, it was an excercise of that King's authority over the people. 

For instance, in Luke 2:1 we read: "Now in those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus, that a census be taken of all the inhabited earth."  Just as Caesar, no doubt under the Providence of God, took a census of those under His realm to fix in his mind and his his subjects mind that scope of his authority over their lives - so too Yahweh, the Lord of Heaven and earth, wanted to fix in the people's minds His reign over them.  Christ of course is the Head over His church, of which He purchased with His blood. (Acts 20:28; Colossians 1:13-20) 

Things the local church must remember in aiming to be a God-centered congregation
If local churches in the 21st century would remember the following truths gained from consideration of this word congregation - I believe we could have more God-centered congregations in our local churches. 

First, let us remember that every aspect of our life is to be centered around God.  That is, not only our spiritual lives but also our daily lives at home and our work lives on the job.  Then secondly, a local congregation is not formed by men, but called by God.  We are appointed to keep appointments with Christ - who calls each believer by grace through faith out of the world and into His domain.  All truely converted and then baptized believers are to compose the membership of the local church.

Then finally, if we would remember that the congregation is the Lord's, we would excercise more care, consideration and compassion towards one another.  The Lord Jesus Christ paid for the church by His own blood.  We owe our lives and allegiance to Him. 

Christ by the numbers - particularly the number 40

Mark 1:13 And He was in the wilderness forty days being tempted by Satan; and He was with the wild beasts, and the angels were ministering to Him.

For the past couple of days we have witnessed how the Bible uses specific numbers to convey meaning and truth about God and the Christian life.  We have looked at numbers one through ten, twelve, fourteen, forty, fifty and 1,000.  Today I want us to revisit the number forty, since it communicates so much about God's divine purposes, especially as they pertain to the life and ministry of Jesus Christ.

The More specific meaning of the number forty
In over 140 spots do we find mention of the number forty.  A quick survey will reveal that this number was often used to refer to God's testing of individuals.  As I think about what it is that God is looking to accomplish through the number forty in the lives of His people, three purposes come to mind:

1. Preparation Moses lived the first forty years of his live being prepared by God in the realm of human affairs.  Then for the second forty year period of time God prepared Moses' further in the realm of Divine affairs on the back side of a desert.  Why? So that He could be used of God to lead forth His people for the final forty years of his life.  Goliath taunted the people of God for forty days in 1 Samuel 17:16.  God used that time to orchestrate events wherein a young shepherd boy, David, would hear Goliath and be stirred by God to kill the Giant and make way for his eventual ascension to the throne of Israel.

In the life of Jesus we see him tempted in the desert for forty days prior to the beginning of his public ministry.  From the time Christ was baptized until he began to speak parables we see forty episodes in all four Gospels.  Then from the time He began to speak parables until He confronted the Pharisees in Matthew 23 was another forty episodes.  Then from that time until the night of His betrayal, prior to His crucifixion, passed another set of forty events in the life of Jesus Christ. 

2. Purification The Israelites wandered for forty years in the desert around the Sinai Peninsula for the unbelieving generation to die off and for the new generation to be purified.  Numbers 33 records the people traveling to 42 different spots in the course of those forty years.  Yesterday we identified 42 and 40 both referring to times of testing.  Christ never needed to be purified, since He himself was sinless. 

3. Proving Often we see the number forty associated with times of proving - whether it God proving Himself to His people or the people getting the chance to prove whether or not they'll operate in faith or unbelief.  The spies in Numbers 13 went to spy out the promised land for forty days - the the people's response proved that they were unbelievers. (Hebrews 3-4)  Jesus was tempted in the wilderness to prove  that He is the sinless, spotless lamb who provides the ability for every child of God to overcome temptation.  Following His resurrection from the dead, Jesus appeared over a period of forty days before He ascended in to heaven.   

As we have witnessed, the number 40 communicates the three points of testing in the life of the Christian: Preparation, Purification and Proving.  May this number, and really all the numbers of scripture, point the way to Christ - who alone can enable us to pass whatever test may come our way. 

More Numbers used in the Bible

Matthew 1:17 So all the generations from Abraham to David are fourteen generations; from David to the deportation to Babylon, fourteen generations; and from the deportation to Babylon to the Messiah, fourteen generations.

Yesterday I blogged about biblical numerology - that is - the study of how God uses certain numbers in the Bible with different meanings.  We looked at numbers one through ten, noting how they are used in the scriptures.  Today we want to continue this survey, noting more numbers that we can definitely say teach us about the major themes of God's revealed Word.

1. The Number Twelve -The Number of God's people. In the Old Testament we see Israel divided up into twelve tribes.  Jacob, Abraham's grandson, has twelve sons, from whence trhe twelve tribes came.  In the New Testament Christ of course had his twelve disciples.  In Revelation we see references to the 24 elders - most likely pointing back to the twelve sons of Jacob (the patriarchs) and the twelve apostles.  On the foundation of the New Jerusalem there are twelve layers of foundation, inscribed with the names of the Apostles. (Revelation 21:14) 

2. The Number Fourteen - The Number of Redemption. We see this most readily in Matthew Gospel, wherein he mentions three sets of fourteen generations in Jesus' geneaology. 

3. The Numbers Forty & Forty Two - The Numbers of Testing. This number has extensive use throughout the scriptures.  Noah had forty days of testing during the flood when it rained for forty days and forty nights.  (Genesis 7:4)  Moses went up and down Mount Sinai three times, each times for a forty day period of time.  The spies of Israel in Numbers 13-14 spied out the land for forty days and brough back a bad report.  For forty years they wandered following their unbelief, and ended up traveling to 42 different locations. 

Saul reigned in Israel 40 years, so did David and so did Solomon.  The Kings following the reign of Solomon, when you add them all up, equalled forty in number.  Elijah the Prophet fasted for forty days.  Christ was tempted for forty days.  Many more significant patterns could be mentioned, but the primary thrust of this number is that of testing God's people for the purposes of either: purification, preparation or proving.

4. The Number Fifty - The Number of celebration. Fifty days after the Israelites crossed the Red Sea, the Law of God was revealed to them on Mount Sinai. (Exodus 12-20)  The Jews, every fifty years, celebrate Jubilee, wherein all debts were cancelled, all slaves were set free and houses returned.  We also come to the New Testament and see the Holy Spirit coming on the day of Pentecost, fifty days after Jesus' resurrection. (Acts 2)

5. The Number 1,000 - The Number of Kingdom. When David killed Goliath, the women of Israel sang: "David killed his thousands, but David His tens of thousands." In Psalm 90 we read that a thousand years is like a day unto the Lord.  Scholars debate whether the thousand years in Revelation 20 are literal years or figuarative.  Those that take Revelation 20 to be referring to a figurative view of the 1,000 years often appeal to passages such as Psalm 90.  Others who take the 1,000 years to be more literal, stress that six times in that chapter we find the number mentioned.  We will leave further discussion about Revelation 20 for another time - since it would take us beyond the scope of today's blog. Whichever view one takes, there can be no doubt that the Kingdom or Reign of God is in view. 

The above numbers are some of the more significant ones mentioned in the scripture.  I would encourage the Bible student to tuck them away as useful tools in studying through God's Word. 

God's use of numbers in the Bible

Proverbs 16:11 A just balance and scales belong to the LORD;
All the weights of the bag are His concern.

Why God wanted to use numbers in the Bible
God is the author of all absolutes - whether they be morals, measurements or constants of nature.  Biblical Numerology is the name assigned to identifying the ways certain numbers are used in the Bible.  Numbers and numerical patterns were devised by God and are used by God to govern the lives of His people, the giving of His revelation in the Old and New Testaments and to point the way to certain spiritual principles.  Although it would be going too far to say that every number has a particular significance or meaning, yet at the same time there are certain numbers in the Bible that appear repeatedly. 

Examples of certain numbers and their meaning in the Bible
In studying God's Word there is an undeniable pattern of meaning that we can assign to certain numbers.  I would encourage the reader to get a copy of H.L Wilmington's: "The Complete Book of Bible's Lists" as well as Walter Lewis Wilson's: "Wilson's Dictionary of Bible Types".  Both are reliable reference works for understanding the significance of numbers in the Bible.  Below are some of the more significant numbers and their meanings that we find in the scriptures.  I hope you find them helpful and spiritually enriching:

One = The number of unity, supremacy. There is One God. (Deuteronomy 6:4-5)  One mediator between God and men, Christ Jesus. (1 Timothy 2:5)

Two = The number of testimony. By the mouth of two or three witnesses is a matter established. (Deuteronomy 17:6; 19:15; Matthew 18:16; 2 Corinthians 13:1; Hebrews 10:28)  Jesus always appealed to at least the Law and the Prophets in establishing His identity. (Luke 24:44) 

Three = The Number of Completeness. God Himself is Father, Son and Holy Spirit - The Trinity. (Matthew 28:18-20; Ephesians 2:18; 2 Corinthians 13:14).

Four = The Number of the Earth. There were four categories of created things in the visible creation (birds of the air, fish of the sea, beasts and crawling things).  There is North, South, East and West.

Five = The Number of Grace. Wilmington in his book (see above reference) points out five Levitical offerings in Leviticus 1-5 and five wise virgins in Jesus parable of the wise and foolish virgins of Matthew 25:2. 

Six - The Number of Man. Revelation 13:8 tells us plainly that the number "666" is man's number.  Man was created on the sixth day.  Man's number points to incompleteness, in need of God. 

Seven - The Number of God, Divine perfection.  This is perhaps the most extensively used number in God's Word.  It truly is the finger print of God.  We see for instance seven key men in Genesis; seven pieces of furniture in the Old Testament Tabernacle; seven feasts of Israel and the Spirit of God having a seven fold nature in Isaiah 11.  We see in the New Testament Jesus revealing Himself through seven "I AM sayings"; seven sayings from the cross and seven signs in the Gospel of John wherein Christ was revealing both His Divine and Human natures.  In Revelation we seven sets of seven judgments.  Jesus told Peter that He had to forgive seventy times seven.  These are but just a few examples.

Eight - The Number of Renewal.  Wilmington points out that baby boys in Israel were circumcised on the eighth day of their life and that Thomas saw Jesus eight days after His resurrection.  Further study reveals that in John's Gospel, seven signs govern the flow of the book - however Christ's resurrection itself could be counted as the eighth sign - lending to this idea of the number.

Nine - The Number of Fulness.  We see for example in Galatians 5:22ff the nine fruits of the Spirit.

Ten - The Number of the nations, Divine Government. 
We know the book of Genesis for instance is fond of using the number ten to refer to God's government of history and humanity.  For instance, between Adam and Noah are ten generations. (Genesis 5)  From the point of Noah's Son Shem to that of Abraham is another ten generations. (Genesis 11:10-32)  Then from Abraham's Son Isaac to Moses lies yet another ten generations.

The first set of counting numbers are definitely used by God to communicate truths about Himself and principles by which God's people can live by.  Tomorrow we will continue exploring some more numbers in God's Word to discover how they point us to Christ, God's purposes and spiritual realities of the Christian life.     

Picturing Christ in the Book of Numbers

1 Corinthians 10:6 "Now these things happened as examples for us, so that we would not crave evil things as they also craved."

1 Corinthians 10:1-13 represents a remarkable section of sacred scripture that outlines for us the entire book of Numbers and gives us several pictures of Jesus Christ from that book.  In today's blog we will explore 1 Corinthians 10:1-13 to see how exactly the Apostle Paul appeals to Numbers to picture Jesus Christ.

A brief word on Moses and the books of Exodus thru Deuteronomy
The first five books of the Bible were written by Moses from 1446-1406 b.c.  Moses' life can be divided into three forty year periods.  The first forty year period has him in the courts of Pharoah, growing up and being educated under the teachers of the nation.  Following an increasing burden for his fellow Israelites who were enslaved under the Egyptian regiem, Moses witnesses an Egyptian beating a fellow Israelite and ends up killing the man.  This leads to Moses' fleeing for his life into the Midianite desert. 

For the second period of forty years Moses learns how to shepherd sheep and live in obscurity.  At the end of that time God meets him in the burning bush, calling him to go back and redeem the people of God.  Exodus records those events, wherein Moses leads the people out of of Egypt, across the Red Sea, and by God's power brings them to the base of Mt. Sinai. (Exodus 1-24)  While at the Mountain Moses and the people are shown the vision of the Tabernacle. (Exodus 25-40)  It is quite likely that Moses composed the book of Genesis while being on top of Mount Sinai in Exodus 33.  By the end of Exodus, we have seen the people one year removed from their deliverance from Egypt.  The Book of Leviticus records their first 50 days in the second year, preparing for when they would leave for the promised land. 

It is in the Book of Numbers that we come to the third forty year period of Moses' life.  Picking up where Leviticus leaves off, the people of God are depicted as journeying from Mount Sinai, complaining and rebelling against God.  Eventually God consigns them to forty years of wandering.  By the time we reach the end of Numbers, Moses is nearly 120 years old.  The Book of Deuteronomy records the final year or so of Moses' life as a whole new generation of Israelites are camped on the plains of Moab, ready to enter into the promised land. 

Seeing Christ in the Book of Numbers
That brief summary was to show you where the book of Numbers fits into God's overall work in the lives of His people.  Their lack of faith and unbelief provided lessons that Paul reminded the Corinthian church not to repeat.  In 1 Corinthians 10:6 and 11, Paul reminds us as well that if we do not heed the lessons of Numbers, we too will end up in major trouble.  How can we avoid that - by fixing our eyes on Christ.

1. Christ the Protective Shepherd. 1 Corinthians 10:1-6
Paul first of all hearkens the reader back to those opening chapters in Numbers 1-21.  He reminds the reader of the rock that gave water to a grumbling people.  In Numbers 20:8-13, Moses struck that rock in anger and it resulted in him not being able to go into the promised land.  Paul reminds us that we must ever be careful how we regard Christ our protective shepherd.  Despite what can be our rebellion at times, Christ is ever faithful and desires us to love Him as much as He loves us. 

2. Christ the Perfect Savior. 1 Corinthians 10:7-13
In this tenth chapter of 1 Corinthians, Paul lays out for us a Divine commentary on Numbers - pointing us to Jesus Christ.  He points us to Christ the Protective Shepherd in 1 Corinthians 10:1-6.  Various events are recalled from Numbers 1-21.  Then Paul takes the remainder of 1 Corinthians 10:7-13 and shows us Christ the Perfect Savior.

In 1 Corinthians 10:7-10 he hearkens us back to Numbers 22-25, during those days when the Israelites compromised with the false prophet Balaam.  Paul warns us not to crave evil things as they craved, including idolatry (10:7); immorality (10:8) and testing of God's character (10:9).  In 1 Corinthians 10:10 he warns his readers and us not to complain nor grumble - a sin which they repeatedly did throughout Numbers (Numbers 11,12,13-14, 16 and 20 and 21)

Then In 1 Corinthians 10:11-13 he hearkens us back to Numbers 26-36, driving home the point of our need to focus on Jesus Christ - the Perfect Savior.  

Concluding Thoughts
In summary, Paul takes 1 Corinthians 10:1-13 and points us to Christ the Protective Shepherd and Perfect Savior by outlining for us the entire Book of Numbers:

1 Corinthians 10:1-6 = Numbers 1-21
1 Corinthians 10:7-10 = Numbers 22-25
1 Corinthians 10:11-13 = Numbers 26-36

May you and I ever keep Christ before us. 

Worship is Pleasureable Enjoyment of God

Jude 25 - "to the only God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen."

Excitement and joy over God

This focus on the Living Word, in the written Word, has caused Jude to break out in what theologians call – “a doxology”.  The word "doxology" is composed by two Greek words: "doxa" meaning "to think, to deem" and "logos" meaning "a word, matter or thing".  Thus in a "doxology" my praise of God flows from the highest thoughts of Him in my mind and the sweetest desire for Him in my heart.   It is when after writing about God that the author suddenly erupts in praise.  He cannot contain himself.  This future activity of God has broken into the present.  The Kingdom that is coming is also the Kingdom here.  It is now invisible, but will soon be made visible. 

All theology must lead to worship, or doxology

All theology, all doctrine, must lead to worship.  Think of this in terms of an ever-increasing cycle: theology leads to doxology which produces theology leading to even more doxology.  The pleasure of my joy derives from who God is, and is expressed in the three-fold description of God given in this text:

a. Before all time – My Creator

b. and now – My Redeemer
c. and Forever – My Soon coming King.

The Living Word Jesus Christ is revealed in this same fashion in Revelation 1:8 “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.”

The Written Word, the Bible, can be summed up as being Beginning, creation – Genesis 1-2; Middle – all about redemption from sin – Genesis 3-Jude; and end – Revelation. 

The focus upon the Living Word causes great worship in Heaven both now (Isaiah 6) and forever (Revelation 4-5; 21-22).  The fulfillment of the written word cause joyful worship (Revelation 5).  Is it no wonder that Jude writes these words.  Even in his book, after writing about the grief caused by so many walking away from the faith, we see that for those who persevere and who plug into the Living Word through the Written Word, there will be ceaseless joy before His throne. 

Concluding thoughts

Thus we have considered Jude 24-25, considering how we as Christians can increase our joy from consideration of prophetic scripture.  We have note the following thoughts from Jude 24-25:

1. Power Source of your joy – The Word Jude 24a

2. Perseverance unto joy – The Word Jude 24b
2. Pleasure of joy: Worship – because of the Word. Jude 25

To God be the Glory both now and forever.  Amen!