LESSONS in the BOOK of NUMBERS Gene Hawkins The
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LESSONS IN THE BOOK OF NUMBERS Gene Hawkins The Numbering of the Men of War Chapter One "And the Lord spoke unto Moses in the wilderness of Sinai, in the tabernacle of the congregation, on the first day of the second month, in the second year after they were come out of the land of Egypt, saying, Take ye the sum of all the congregation of the children of Israel, after their families, by the house of their fathers with the number of their names every male by their polls: From twenty years old and upward, all that are able to go forth to war in Israel: thou and Aaron shall number them by their armies." 1:1-3. The book of Numbers is a record of the journeys of Israel from the time they left Mt. Sinai after coming out of Egypt, and receives its name from the various numberings of the people. According to 1:1, we learn that Israel was probably camped in front of Mt. Sinai just short of one year. They came out of Egypt on the fifteenth day of the first month (Ex. 12) and into the wilderness of Sinai in the third month (Ex. 19:1). Israel began their journey from Mt. Sinai on the 20th day of the second month in the second year (Num. 10:11). God never needs to hurry and as stated in Num. 9:22, Israel only journeyed when the cloud was taken up - "Or whether it were two days, or a month, or a year, that the cloud tarried upon the tabernacle, remaining thereon, the children of Israel abode in their tents, and journeyed not: but when it was taken up, they journeyed." As we will see from these lessons, it is important for us also to neither go ahead of the Lord, nor behind Him as to His purposes for us. Israel is now about ready to resume their journeys toward the promised land, but first there is some very important business at hand. They are to be a people of war if they are to possess the land of Canaan, and this is the first occasion of their numbering. All families were numbered "from twenty years old and upward, all that are able to go forth to war in Israel." All the instruction given to Israel in preparation for their journeys and conquests have special application to us. We do well to realize that we, too, must be prepared for war. Those numbered were not babies, but rather young men. Likewise, we must grow up into Christ in some measure before we are able to go forth to battle; and then, it is by no means going alone, but as a part of the overall army. Another important aspect of their preparation for battle is found in 1:18. Each one must declare his pedigree. In a spiritual sense, we must know who we are in order to battle effectively. We must know that we are a new creation in Christ Jesus, and that we do not war after the flesh, for we are no longer of the first Adam. Our citizenship is now in heaven and we must know and declare that, "now are we the sons of God." There are twelve tribes named in these verses, but Levi is not among them; for theirs was a ministry which did not permit them to go to war. These names of the twelve tribes listed for war are wonderfully instructive of certain qualities and credentials which we need to battle effectively. All the tribes were necessary for a full victory. Reuben, the firstborn son of Jacob, means "see a son." His name informs us of the fact that this is our beginning in the ways of God. Simeon is the next named son. His name means "hearing," and reminds us that our victory not only results from God hearing us, as is the context of his name when it was first given to him by his mother, Leah, but that, we as good soldiers must listen diligently to the Leader of our spiritual warfare. A good soldier is one who follows orders and is absolutely submissive to those in authority over him, though he may not always agree with the strategy. Gad's name signifies "a troop cometh," and informs us of a multitude of things both good and bad which may come in our lives as a result of the complete submission of Simeon. Judah is "praise," without which we can never gain the victory. Praise lifts the spirit even though a troop of things may come our way. Paul expresses it thus: "In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you." Later in this book, we find that when Israel went forward, it is the camp of Judah which leads the way. Praise must be an active part of our warfare if we are going to be victorious. Issachar, the fifth tribe named, means "reward," and being in the fifth slot, teaches us that our rewards are all of grace. Divine Grace has caused us to triumph and the reward of victory is often beyond our wildest dreams. Zebulun, "dwelling," is next and tells us that we must dwell where God puts us. There is where we will have the presence of the Lord. Psalm 91:1-7 declares the protection and victory of the one who dwells in the secret place of the Most High. "He that dwelleth in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty . He shall cover thee with His feathers ... Thou shalt not be afraid ... a thousand shall fall at thy side and ten thousand at thy right hand." There is no substitute for the "dwelling Zebulun" when we are engaged in battle against the power of Satan. The Tribe of Joseph is represented by his two sons. Ephraim, the "fruitful" one, is next and speaks of the fruit resulting from every battle. It is imperative that we realize our fight is not in vain. To the victor belongs the spoils of war, and so often this means spiritual fruit producted in us, is a result of an encounter with the enemy. Next comes Manasseh - "forgetting." Paul mentions him in Phil. 3:13 as he says, "forgetting those things which are behind." We cannot grieve and sorrow over the hardships which we have endured, nor can we stand and gloat over all our victories, lest we be overcome by foolish pride. We need to forget those things which are behind and reach forth to the provisions which are yet to be possessed. Benjamin is the next one named - "son of my right hand." He tells of the hope of reigning con- jointly with Christ, even as we are now seated with Christ in the heavenlies. This hope serves as a tremendous incentive to continue to fight the good fight of faith and win a crown of righteousness. The Tribe of Dan emerges next - "the judge." It is not simply marching in judgment of the enemy, but a good soldier or warrior must also judge himself. Paul said, "I keep under my body and bring it into subjection, lest that by any means when I have preached to others, I myself should be disapproved." (I Cor. 9:27). He, like Peter, knew that judgment must first begin at the house of God (I Peter 4:17). Asher is the next named tribe, his name meaning "happy." He speaks of the warrior who is content, even happy, with the rigors and hardships of constant battle. This is something that must be learned, but it comes as a result of finding joy, contentment, and happiness in Christ Himself, rather than things and circumstances. Finally, Napthali, "the wrestler", tells us that we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities and powers. He knows who his enemy is and goes out to battle with spiritual weapons rather than carnal ones. All these tribes were necessary for Israel to have complete victory over their enemies, and the various attributes which their names suggest, are also necessary for full victory in our lives. We must possess them and display them in our lives if we intend to experience the fulness of God. Revelation 5:10 declares that we have been made kings and priests unto our God. These twelve tribes who went to war, tell us of the kingly side of our ministry upon the earth. The priestly aspect of this ministry is portrayed by the Levites. 1:47. "But the Levites after their fathers were not numbered among them (those who went to war). The Levites were appointed to take charge over the tabernacle and all the contents therein. They were to take it down and set it up, and were encamped directly surrounding it "That there be no wrath upon the congregation of the chldren of Israel." This priestly ministry of guarding the things of God and being in constant communion with Him, watching the guiding cloud of the Holy Spirit, to know when to move and when to stay, must be an active part of our experience. Not only so, but this same priestly company is seen in Rev. 7:1 as the four angels holding back the four winds of the earth - protectors from the wrath to come. Even now, these same ministers of faith lead the charge in hindering the mystery of iniquity which is already at work. I Thess. 2:7. In all these ways, we are to be, in a very practical sense, kings and priests unto our God.