Staying Faithful to God 02.13.08

Hello My Friend/Guest,

It is Wednesday February 13, 2008 and today we are continuing our studies on the book of Numbers. Please read, Numbers 3-4. In today's lesson we will read and learn about the concequences of disobedience by spiritual leaders, the census and duties of the Levites: the Kohathites, the Gershonites, and the Merarites; and the redemption of the firstborn,

Nadab and Abihu, Aaron's two oldest sons, had been greatly honored by being included with Moses, Aaron, and 70 elders on Mount Sinai to hear the voice of God. They had been given national recognition and God ordained spiritual leadership. But, all this did not protect them from the consequences of their disobedience. "These also are the generations of Aaron and Moses in the day that the LORD spake with Moses in mount Sinai. And these are the names of the sons of Aaron; Nadab the firstborn, and Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar. These are the names of the sons of Aaron, the priests which were anointed, whom he consecrated to minister in the priest's office. And Nadab and Abihu died before the LORD, when they offered strange fire before the LORD, in the wilderness of Sinai, and they had no children: and Eleazar and Ithamar ministered in the priest's office in the sight of Aaron their father." (Numbers 3:1-4). Perhaps they presumed to burn incense, symbolic of the prayers of the people, with unauthorized fire not kindled by God from the Brazen Altar. Their unauthorized fire underlined the seriousness of departing from the Commandments of God. It points out that no one becomes so important or so popular as a spiritual leader that God will overlook disobedience to His Word. To be a minister, or even to become a member of a church, with no intent to submit one's life to please Christ is hypocrisy.

The decision to ignore any command of God is sin. We can not use circumstances to justify an exception to His Word. Neither is there a choice of what part of His Word we can neglect or reject, for all is the inspired Word of God. The Word of God is the source for meeting all the needs of our hearts and is the final and only source of absolute truth.

It was vitally important that the Levites remained faithful and loyal if the priests were to perform their sacred responsibilities. "From thirty years old and upward until fifty years old shalt thou number them; all that enter in to perform the service, to do the work in the tabernacle of the congregation. This is the service of the families of the Gershonites, to serve, and for burdens: And they shall bear the curtains of the tabernacle, and the tabernacle of the congregation, his covering, and the covering of the badgers' skins that is above upon it, and the hanging for the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, And the hangings of the court, and the hanging for the door of the gate of the court, which is by the tabernacle and by the altar round about, and their cords, and all the instruments of their service, and all that is made for them: so shall they serve. At the appointment of Aaron and his sons shall be all the service of the sons of the Gershonites, in all their burdens, and in all their service: and ye shall appoint unto them in charge all their burdens." (4:23-27). The words to perform the service occur again and again referring to the Levites' ordinary hard work of disassembling the Tabernacle and carrying the curtains, poles, furniture, and everything pertaining to the Tabernacle worship throughout the dangerous, difficult wilderness journey.

Just as the priests at that time were dependent upon the faithfulness of the workers, the outreach of God's Word throughout the world today is dependent upon the faithfulness of God's people. Every Christian is called upon to perform the service to faithfully help make it possible for others to know about Jesus Christ and His Word, which alone can set souls free from sin and falling into an eternal lake of fire. Salvation is more than a doctrine. It takes place when a person fully gives himself to the Lord. Christ expects not only to be our Savior but to be our Guide through life in that Christ may dwell in our hearts by faith and filled with the goodness of the Holy Spirit.

Everything is changed when the believer submits to the Lordship of Christ and realizes that everything of eternal value does have its source in Him. It is then that Bible reading becomes the means of discovering His will and living daily to please the Lord. Satan continually seeks to hinder everyone from accomplishing anything worthwhile for the Lord. We must be on guard against the temptations that hinder us from being fatihful servants of God.

In today's lesson Jesus Christ is revealed by Aaron, the high priest, who was served by the Levites (Numbers 3:6). Jesus Christ is the holy and royal priesthood, we serve Christ, our great High Priest.

Today's Psalm: 119:90-91
"Thy faithfulness is unto all generations: thou hast established the earth, and it abideth. They continue this day according to thine ordinances: for all are thy servants."

Today's Prayer: From Psalm 37:7-14
Hear, O LORD, when I cry with my voice: have mercy also upon me, and answer me. When thou saidst, Seek ye my face; my heart said unto thee, Thy face, LORD, will I seek. Hide not thy face far from me; put not thy servant away in anger: thou hast been my help; leave me not, neither forsake me, O God of my salvation. When my father and my mother forsake me, then the LORD will take me up. Teach me thy way, O LORD, and lead me in a plain path, because of mine enemies. Deliver me not over unto the will of mine enemies: for false witnesses are risen up against me, and such as breathe out cruelty. I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.

Have a great day/night and God Bless you.

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