Heat of Worship - Numbers 29-32

 Numbers 29:39-40 (ESV)

“These you shall offer to the LORD at your appointed feasts, in addition to your vow offerings and your freewill offerings, for your burnt offerings, and for your grain offerings, and for your drink offerings, and for your peace offerings.”

So Moses told the people of Israel everything just as the LORD had commanded Moses.

Chapters 28-29 of Numbers summarize the various feasts and offerings the nation of Israel was to observe.   There were a total of seven festivals the nation was mandated to practice:

• Passover — Leviticus 23:4-8. ... 
• Unleavened Bread — Leviticus 23:6. ... 
• First Fruits — Leviticus 23:10. ... 
• Feast of Weeks or Pentecost — Leviticus 23:16. ... 
• Feast of Trumpets — Leviticus 23:24. ... 
• Day of Atonement — Leviticus 16, 23:26-32. ... 
• Feast of Tabernacles or Booths — Leviticus 23:34.

However, as we can read in the above two verses there were also other offerings they could observe.   Vows in particular will be outlined in chapter 30.  It should be noted that Moses is outlining for the nation how God wants them to approach Him.   These are to be the very structure and order of their lives.  God intends for them to incorporate these practices into their daily lives and living.   As we move into the New Testament the worship practices change and/or take on new meaning.  The Lord’s Table becomes a key component of the life for the faith-based believer.   Sunday worship as the Body of Christ becomes the new form of collective gathering.   When Christ returns there will be more outlined worship and it will take on an even newer and more robust form of worship, as the Lamb of Christ sits on the throne in Jerusalem.   The key thought here is that God, throughout the history of man, has provided and outlined a way for us to worship Him.  All forms are to be by faith in His Word and in His person.  But an order and designed practice of worship none-the-less.  God intends us to have the worship of Him as the key component of our lives.  He wants and desires our worship.  He goes to great lengths to tell us how to approach Him.  He provided His Son, out of love, to make a way for our worship.   Let us not take these forms of worship for granted.  Yes, we no longer have to take a lamb, goat, bull or bird to the temple to offer to God.  But instead we take ourselves and lay down in worship to Him.  The Old Testament worshipper might have had these festivals to observe but it was their heart God wanted.  So, too, with us today.  It is our heart for worship, through the Son, that glorifies God. 

Romans 12:1 (ESV)

A Living Sacrifice

I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.

Don’t Just Say “Thanks” - Give “Thanks” - Numbers 29-32

Numbers 29:12 (ESV)

Offerings for the Feast of Booths

“On the fifteenth day of the seventh month you shall have a holy convocation. You shall not do any ordinary work, and you shall keep a feast to the LORD seven days.

Numbers 29:17 (ESV)

“On the second day twelve bulls from the herd, two rams, fourteen male lambs a year old without blemish,

Numbers 29:20 (ESV)

“On the third day eleven bulls, two rams, fourteen male lambs a year old without blemish,

Numbers 29:23 (ESV)

“On the fourth day ten bulls, two rams, fourteen male lambs a year old without blemish,

Numbers 29:26 (ESV)

“On the fifth day nine bulls, two rams, fourteen male lambs a year old without blemish,

Numbers 29:29 (ESV)

“On the sixth day eight bulls, two rams, fourteen male lambs a year old without blemish,

Numbers 29:32 (ESV)

“On the seventh day seven bulls, two rams, fourteen male lambs a year old without blemish,

Numbers 29:35-36 (ESV)

“On the eighth day you shall have a solemn assembly. You shall not do any ordinary work, but you shall offer a burnt offering, a food offering, with a pleasing aroma to the LORD: one bull, one ram, seven male lambs a year old without blemish,

The above verses are in reference to the Feasts of Tabernacles, or Booths.  It was to celebrate the harvest.   It was a giant Thanksgiving week.  Often, when working in the fields to gather in the harvest the people would stay in temporary shelters (booths) erected along side the fields. These shelters (booths) would protect them the elements.  The booths were also a figure to remind the nation that during their wandering in the wilderness they stayed in booths.   The offering, each day, of a particular number of animals was to commemorate what God did for them during the wilderness wanderings.  Note:

From Understanding the Bible Commentary Series: 

The remarkable total number of animals to be sacrificed during the seven days of the Feast of Tabernacles and the eighth day is seventy-one bulls, fifteen rams, 105 lambs, and eight goats with accompanying grain and drink offerings in addition to the regular daily offerings.

All these animals were to be without blemish. This feast was to say thank you to God.   A lesson for us today may be that in giving of thanks to God we are to sacrifice something.  Today we can certainly pray to God and thank Him for His abundance gifts with our heart, through our lips.   But, in keeping with the above, we ought to consider our gifts of our time, talent and treasure, as well.   Praise and worship in song to say thanks, are awesome tools to use.  But there is something to be said about saying thanks by giving something back to God for His glory and our act of worship.   We may not bring an animal to church to sacrifice, but we ought to bring something tangible that is a sacrificial offering.   Paul in his letter to the Romans said it this way:

Romans 12:1 (ESV)

I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.

We are to offer ourselves, first.  

2 Corinthians 8:3-5 (ESV)

For they gave according to their means, as I can testify, and beyond their means, of their own accord, begging us earnestly for the favor of taking part in the relief of the saints— and this, not as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then by the will of God to us.

God Is In Control - Hebrews 1-4

Hebrews 2:5-9 (ESV)

5 For it was not to angels that God subjected the world to come, of which we are speaking. 6 It has been testified somewhere,

“What is man, that you are mindful of him,

or the son of man, that you care for him?

7 You made him for a little while lower than the angels;

you have crowned him with glory and honor,

8 putting everything in subjection under his feet.”

Now in putting everything in subjection to him, he left nothing outside his control. At present, we do not yet see everything in subjection to him. 9 But we see him who for a little while was made lower than the angels, namely Jesus, crowned with glory and honor because of the suffering of death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone.

To understand the above passage we have to go back to the author of Hebrew’s statement in the first chapter.  In the book of Hebrews God is writing to the church to not be fearful of the persecution they are experiencing.  He does not want them to fall into a state of unbelief. So throughout the book God is telling us that Jesus is more superior than anything or anyone or any system.   He had just said:

Hebrews 1:13 (ESV)

And to which of the angels has he ever said,

“Sit at my right hand

until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet”?

God is telling believers that Jesus is more superior than angels.  There was, at that time, a powerful belief in angels and even a worship of angels.   In this verse God tells these persecuted believers that they believe in Jesus, who, unlike the angels, has had all things put under His feet.    (Even those persecuting them.) Yet, these persecuted faithful were still in persecution.  How is this so?   After a lengthy interlude in the writer’s approach, he returns to this thought that all things are under Jesus’ feet with the above teaching.   He first quotes an Old Testament section to prove all things are subject to Jesus.   But then the writer makes a startling statement:

Now in putting everything in subjection to him, he left nothing outside his control. At present, we do not yet see everything in subjection to him. 

He is basically saying that everything is under Jesus’ control, but, then again, they are not.   Heavenly speaking, they are!   There is nothing not under the control of Jesus.   But right now (and in the case of His death) all things don’t appear to be that way.   Creation was not under His feet when He suffered on the cross.  But He had to suffer on the cross for our sins.  He over came death, by death, and that put all things, even death, under His feet.   He tasted death so that we do not have to.  He made even death subject to Him.   He will go on in this chapter to say it this way:

Hebrews 2:14-15 (ESV)

Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery.

Today, we might not see all things under His feet and see that all things are subject to Him.   But what we don’t see has already been realized.   We serve a Savior who has defeated death.  There is nothing left, therefore, that is not under His feet and subject to Him.  We can live, even in persecution, knowing that God has it all under control.   

How Should Preachers Preach? Acts 1-2

Acts 2:37-41 (ESV)

Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.” And with many other words he bore witness and continued to exhort them, saying, “Save yourselves from this crooked generation.” So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls.

The above passage is at the end of Peter’s first ever sermon.  It was the day of Pentecost and the Spirit of God had come down on the disciples and the other 120 that were there.  Here are some key elements of Peter’s preaching that saw 3,000 people come to Jesus by faith and be baptize both in the Spirit and by water.  Perhaps if our preaching today included all these elements we would see similar results:

1.  They anticipated this based upon the promise Jesus gave them. They were there on the word of Jesus that He was going to send them the Spirit of God.  They knew not when but were anticipating it.  We ought to anticipate the movement of the Spirit in our preaching today. (Acts 1:7-11)

2. Peter recognized his experience and what he was witnessing as a fulfillment of God’s Word.  He was able to take the moment and see it through the lens of Scripture.  He did not attempt to view it any other way.   We might do well to start seeing the experiences of those we preach to as being activity and actions of God in their lives for His plan.  (Acts 2:14-21)

3. Peter began to exegetical take the Old Testament words of David and show how they were applicable in the moment.   What we read in Acts 2:23-35 is simply amazing. It is the perfect example of exegetical preaching.   Peter is feeding the people, but at the same time the Spirit of God is using Peter to give a clinic for all preachers on how to take a passage and break it down for spiritual application.  (Acts 2:23-35)

4. Peter made Jesus Christ’s death and resurrection the center piece of his preaching.  He didn’t wonder into politics, social concerns and/or economic benefits of walking with God.  He simply preached Christ crucified and that was what the Spirit of God would use to convict and convince and convert these souls. (Acts 2:23-24)

5. When they asked how to respond to the preaching, Peter made it simply:  Repent and believe!!   Peter did not confound the message with a 10 step process.  He did not open a theology book to explain transubstantiation.    He did tell them it was up to their good works and they had to be circumcised (something Peter will actually stumble over later in his ministry).   He simply told them to repent and believe.   (Acts 2:36-38)

This approach converted 3,000 souls.   We ought to try it any given Sunday.  

What Is Obadiah All About? - Obadiah

1. Outline -  Name means, Servant of Yahweh

2. Historical setting:  Jehoram (2 Kings 8;20-22); Evil King (2 Kings 8:16-19 

3. Prophecy Against:  Edomites

4. Time Period: 850 B.C. (Pre-Exile)

5.  What did it mean then?  

It highlights the feud between the Edomites (descendants of Esau) and their continued grudge that Jacob stoled Easu’s birthright. 

6.  New Testament References

a.  Day of the Lord from 1:15 is quoted often in NT.  

b.  No direct reference by Christ or Apostles

7.   Future Theme: 

What does it mean in the future? -Edom was prophesied by Obadiah to be utterly destroyed and no one will survive the doom he prophecies (see 1:18).   However, Amos, the prophet says there will be a remnant from Edom in the last days (Amos 9:12)

8.  Reason To Read It

a. 1 Corinthians 10:6, 11

b.  2 Timothy 2:15

c. 1 Timothy 3:16

d.  This is a book you would turn to when you think God doesn’t see how others treat you. 

e.  This is a book you would turn to when you are tempted to hurt or not help your brother

f.   This is a book you would turn to to be reminded that God sees every act of mankind and will deal with each act, specifically

9.  Practical Theme:  What does it mean for me today?

a.  God uses obscure people to accomplish His tasks.  We know nothing about Obadiah except this book.  No fancy resume.  Just a guy with a message for the Edomites.(Introduction)

b. God wants us to be more concerned about His message than know about the messenger. (Introduction)

c.  God is concerned about those who interact with His people and God remembers how they interact with His people and will repay them or reward them accordingly - 1:1 (See Numbers 20:14-22 and Romans 12)

d. Arrogance brings everyone down, no matter their station in life or status or power - 1:3-4 (See Proverbs 16:18; 11:2; 8:13; 29:23)

e. God’s discipline may be slow to us but it is complete for Him - 1:5-6

f.  The help unbelievers think will be there will not - That includes Allies; friends; Intellect; Strength; Strongholds - 1:7-9

g.  God knows the sins we do against others - That includes sins of omission and sins of commission - 1:10-14

h.  God works His plans based upon firm principles and His Character - 1:15-16

i.  God always protects those who operate by Faith - 1:17

j.  God will utterly destroy those who operate in the Flesh - 1:18

Walk With Fools and Become One - Proverbs 26-27

Proverbs 26:1-12 (ESV)

1 Like snow in summer or rain in harvest,

so honor is not fitting for a fool.

2 Like a sparrow in its flitting, like a swallow in its flying,

a curse (implied from a fool) that is causeless does not alight.

3 A whip for the horse, a bridle for the donkey,

and a rod for the back of fools.

4 Answer not a fool according to his folly,

lest you be like him yourself.

5 Answer a fool according to his folly,

lest he be wise in his own eyes.

6 Whoever sends a message by the hand of a fool

cuts off his own feet and drinks violence.

7 Like a lame man’s legs, which hang useless,

is a proverb in the mouth of fools.

8 Like one who binds the stone in the sling

is one who gives honor to a fool.

9 Like a thorn that goes up into the hand of a drunkard

is a proverb in the mouth of fools.

10 Like an archer who wounds everyone

is one who hires a passing fool or drunkard.

11 Like a dog that returns to his vomit

is a fool who repeats his folly.

12 Do you see a man who is wise in his own eyes?

There is more hope for a fool than for him.

Do you work with fools?   Are your friends fools?   Did you marry a fool?   Do you work along side a fool?   Is our country run by fools?  You can see the struggle here, correct?  Solomon is warning us about what the fool looks like and how difficult it is when you are around them.    In the above compilation of proverbs we read the dangers and outcomes of putting your trust in foolish people.   He is not telling us why the person is a fool, he is simply telling us how a fool might act.   His father David helped us understand what makes a fool:

Psalms 53:1 (ESV)

TO THE CHOIRMASTER: ACCORDING TO MAHALATH. A MASKIL OF DAVID.

The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.”

They are corrupt, doing abominable iniquity;

there is none who does good.

Anyone who denies God is a fool.   Anyone who denies God will eventually get to the behaviors, as described in Solomon’s list.  The entire book of Proverbs is written to help us understand folly vs wisdom.  Wisdom, in this book, is defined several times, but here is the main definition:

Proverbs 9:10 (ESV)

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom,

and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight.

When we fear God we avoid fools.  We have to avoid fools if we fear God because the fear of the Lord is the direct opposite of the walk of the fool.  If you want to walk with fools less, than fear the Lord more.