Geylang Evangelical Free Church

After the many bad news of judgment and terrible consequences, Israel finally sees a turning point in their history. Numbers 21 marks the starting of many more good news to come as God grants them success and victory.

Numbers 20 highlights the failure of the leaders. More bad news is to follow. There is the rejection of Israel by Edom when they seek permission to pass through their territory. It closes with the death of Aaron, the first high priest of Israel. Sin and rebellion lead to denial and discipline. Who can rescue us from all these hardships?

The forty years of wandering are almost completed. Only two of the generation that came out of Egypt will live to enter the land. Shockingly, numbered with the transgressors were Miriam, Moses and Aaron. Numbers 20 highlights the failures of the leaders, even the poignant episode of Moses’ rebellion. What can we learn from this?

Fathers are called to be the spiritual heads of their families. With Job as a model for observation, inspiration and application, we see how Job lives out his spiritual headship over his family by praying regularly for his family, living righteously before God and relating compassionately to his children.

Death will be a reality to the Israelites as they wander in the wilderness. When one comes into contact with the dead, one will be deemed unclean. This uncleanness will separate them from entering the camp. The provision from the sacrifice of the red heifer, the pointing to Jesus Christ, offers them the solution.

Are you discouraged even as you seek to serve the Lord faithfully? Both Moses and Aaron must have felt the same way when their leadership was challenged. They needed the Lord's encouragement and it was not denied. Being so encouraged, they pressed on. If you're feeling discouraged, there's nothing like an encouraging word from the Lord.

Despite Israel’s faithlessness in the episode of the spies, God has shown himself faithful, when the promise to enter the land still stands (Numbers 15:2). But Korah took matters into his own hands, seeking the priesthood. What Korah sought by force comes by grace through Jesus Christ. Hence, there is no cause for rebellion.

Numbers 14 closes with Israel defeated, ejected out of the land, which they rejected when the ten spies brought a bad report of the land. The entire enterprise hangs in the balance. Numbers 15 opens with laws on various offerings. Huh? What an abrupt transition. Or is this there actually a message of hope within?

After receiving the reports from the 12 spies (Num 13), the people reacted negatively towards the entry to the Promised Land. They were so near to enter in, yet they forfeited the opportunity because of unbelief and disobedience. The lesson reminds us to constantly guard our hearts in our journey with God.

“Numbers 11-12 paints a disappointing picture of the people of Israel. They have now reached the edge of the land of Canaan. The spies are sent to explore it. What will they see? What will they say about what they see? “Is the land good or bad?” Behind this question, however, is another far more important question that confronts us even today.”

“Life goes on” is often used after something bad happened, and though you are troubled by it, yet you must carry on living normally. Something bad did happen one Passover. One man, Jesus, died on the cross. But on the third day, something wondrous happened and the old saying takes on fresh meaning.

• We continue reading of the sin of complaining and its consequences. • Behind the complaints is a dissatisfaction that may or may not be right in its motivation. • We shouldn’t voice dissatisfactions indiscriminately like the people of Num 11. But suppressing because “it’s the right thing to do” runs the risk of one day exploding like Miriam and Aaron in Num 12 incurring the greater wrath of God,...

The complaints of the Jews as they were on their way to the Promised Land in Numbers 11 with its dire consequences of driving their leader Moses to despair and incurring God's wrath calls for confession and repentance because that spirit of negativism is a human deadly disposition.

From Cambridge to Kolkata to Geylang Reaching the Unreached and the Marginalized in the Cities of the World As we look to the City of God

The people of Israel were counted. The camps were organised. The order of march has been determined. The preparations are all in place. The people of Israel have spent almost a year at Sinai. They are now ready to depart. How is the journey to the Promised Land to be undertaken? How does the Lord lead His people today?

God commanded a 2nd Passover to be observed in the wilderness of Sinai. This would mark another phase of the Israelites’ journey. The Passover is an important observance to remind them of God’s faithfulness before and His faithfulness going forward.

The lampstand is a unique tabernacle furniture. Its seven lamps shed light in front of it. Next is the installation of the Levites. They were cleansed, offered as a wave offering and given to the priests for the service at the tent of meeting. Lamps and Levites. What is their connection to the Church today?

As with earlier and later lists/chapters in Numbers, some key themes are presented with unmistakable clarity and giving being an essential part of worship is one such biblical theme in Numbers 7. We don't talk about money every week but if you're tuning in, this could be something God wants to say to you especially!

The Blessing pronounced by the priests reveals the God that the Israelites served and worshipped. Today, we can have much encouragement because we have the same God who is the Source of our blessings.

Imagine an Israelite asking, “I have kept all that is required of me (see Numbers 5). What more can I do for God?” God replies, “You can become a Nazirite.” What is a Nazirite? What does it entail? According to Gordon Wenham, “They are the monks and nuns of ancient Israel.” What does this mean for the Church today?

 

The Holy Work, assigned to the Priests and Levites, is important and critical for the whole camp’s survival and victory. They need to prepare and coordinate well to ensure the Holy Presence of God is being hosted in His Way.

The arrangement of the tribes around the Tent of Meeting is given by God. Understanding the reasons behind such an arrangement will enable us to know more about God and to live according to His ways.

“In the wilderness” is the more appropriate title for the book of Numbers. Moses is organising the people for their soon departure from Mt Sinai. A census is taken. The wilderness lies before them. What is needed for survival in the wilderness? This sermon pinpoints three things every Christian needs to take with them.

“Our pulpit series for 2022 will cover the book of Numbers. In this overview, you will learn that the book is not about accounting nor a book for accountants, despite its English title. You will also discover the two key transitions in the book that plays an important part in its message.”