The Moabites Approach Balaam

Israel had conquered the Amorites between the River Jabbok and the Arnan, as far east as where the Jabbok split to the north and south which was the boundary of Ammon.  When attacked by Og king of Bashan, they had also taken the area from the Jabbok north to the Sea of Galilee.  They returned to the Jordan valley, in Amorite territory, but known as the plains of Moab because of the large number of Moabites who lived there, in Numbers 22:1.  “And the children of Israel set forward, and pitched in the plains of Moab on this side Jordan by Jericho.”

Fearing a similar invasion of Moab, the Moabite king, Balak enlisted the help of the Midianites, descendants of Ishmael, who had settled much of the Arab Peninsula, in Numbers 22:2-4.  “And Balak the son of Zippor saw all that Israel had done to the Amorites.  And Moab was sore afraid of the people, because they were many: and Moab was distressed because of the children of Israel.  And Moab said unto the elders of Midian, Now shall this company lick up all that are round about us, as the ox licketh up the grass of the field. And Balak the son of Zippor was king of the Moabites at that time.”

Many of the Middianites, including Moses’ father-in-law’s family still worshipped God.  Balaam was a well-known Middianite prophet who worshipped God.  In an effort to get God on their side, Balak contacted Balaam, in Numbers 22:5-7.  “He sent messengers therefore unto Balaam the son of Beor to Pethor, which is by the river of the land of the children of his people, to call him, saying, Behold, there is a people come out from Egypt: behold, they cover the face of the earth, and they abide over against me: Come now therefore, I pray thee, curse me this people; for they are too mighty for me: peradventure I shall prevail, that we may smite them, and that I may drive them out of the land: for I wot that he whom thou blessest is blessed, and he whom thou cursest is cursed.  And the elders of Moab and the elders of Midian departed with the rewards of divination in their hand; and they came unto Balaam, and spake unto him the words of Balak.”

Though they still worshipped God nominally, the Middianite religion had become much like the pagan religions around them, paying a shaman to cast spells or predict the future.  Balaam found himself caught between wanting to please the king and wanting to please God.  In Numbers 22:8-14, he asked God what he should do.  “And he said unto them, Lodge here this night, and I will bring you word again, as the LORD shall speak unto me: and the princes of Moab abode with Balaam.

 And God came unto Balaam, and said, What men are these with thee?

And Balaam said unto God, Balak the son of Zippor, king of Moab, hath sent unto me, saying, Behold, there is a people come out of Egypt, which covereth the face of the earth: come now, curse me them; peradventure I shall be able to overcome them, and drive them out.

And God said unto Balaam, Thou shalt not go with them; thou shalt not curse the people: for they are blessed.

And Balaam rose up in the morning, and said unto the princes of Balak, Get you into your land: for the LORD refuseth to give me leave to go with you.

And the princes of Moab rose up, and they went unto Balak, and said, Balaam refuseth to come with us.”

God was very clear, Balaam was not to curse the people, because God wanted to bless them, so Balaam told the leaders God wouldn’t allow him to go.   It wasn’t what the king wanted to hear. 

Taking the Eastern Bank

Moses had requested permission to cross the Edomites land, knowing they were related through Esau.  The Edomites had refused permission. So they had gone around Edom’s borders.  The Moabites and Ammonites were even more distant relatives, descended from Abraham’s nephew, Lot.  Since Edom had refused passage, Moses avoided Moab and Ammon.  Centuries before, Abraham had made a treaty with the Amorites, and Moses requested permission to cross their lands based on that treaty, in Numbers 21:21-22.  “And Israel sent messengers unto Sihon king of the Amorites, saying, Let me pass through thy land: we will not turn into the fields, or into the vineyards; we will not drink of the waters of the well: but we will go along by the king's high way, until we be past thy borders.”

The Amorites not only refused permission to cross the land, but they went out into the wilderness to attack the Israelites, in Numbers 21:23.  “And Sihon would not suffer Israel to pass through his border: but Sihon gathered all his people together, and went out against Israel into the wilderness: and he came to Jahaz, and fought against Israel.”

When Israel was attacked, they defended themselves, defeating the Amorite army, in Numbers 21:24-26.  “And Israel smote him with the edge of the sword, and possessed his land from Arnon unto Jabbok, even unto the children of Ammon: for the border of the children of Ammon was strong.  And Israel took all these cities: and Israel dwelt in all the cities of the Amorites, in Heshbon, and in all the villages thereof.  For Heshbon was the city of Sihon the king of the Amorites, who had fought against the former king of Moab, and taken all his land out of his hand, even unto Arnon.”  Israel was left in control of a large area stretching from the northern boundary of Moab at the brook Arnan east to the Ammonite border at the Jabbok River, and west to the Jordan River

The defeat of the Amorites was as complete and unexpected that the nations took is as a serious warning against fighting Israel and God, as Numbers 21:27-30 describes.  “Wherefore they that speak in proverbs say, Come into Heshbon, let the city of Sihon be built and prepared: For there is a fire gone out of Heshbon, a flame from the city of Sihon: it hath consumed Ar of Moab, and the lords of the high places of Arnon.  Woe to thee, Moab! thou art undone, O people of Chemosh: he hath given his sons that escaped, and his daughters, into captivity unto Sihon king of the Amorites.  We have shot at them; Heshbon is perished even unto Dibon, and we have laid them waste even unto Nophah, which reacheth unto Medeba.”

Israel occupied the Amorite territory, including some villages which had not taken part in the original attack, according to Numbers 21:31-32.  “Thus Israel dwelt in the land of the Amorites.  And Moses sent to spy out Jaazer, and they took the villages thereof, and drove out the Amorites that were there.” In the process they came close to the border of Bashan. 

Determined to prevent an invasion, The king of Bashan attacked Israel, in Numbers 21:33-35.  “And they turned and went up by the way of Bashan: and Og the king of Bashan went out against them, he, and all his people, to the battle at Edrei.  And the LORD said unto Moses, Fear him not: for I have delivered him into thy hand, and all his people, and his land; and thou shalt do to him as thou didst unto Sihon king of the Amorites, which dwelt at Heshbon.  So they smote him, and his sons, and all his people, until there was none left him alive: and they possessed his land.”  Israel had had no intention of invading Bashan, but when they were attacked. God told them he would give them the land of Bashan as well.  The attacks by Sihon and Og gave Israel control of all the land between the Jordan and Jabbok Rivers, from where the Arnan River empties into the Dead Sea to the Sea of Galilee. 

Note:  It is interesting that Israel had been afraid to go into Canaan because of a few giants they saw there.  Deuteronomy 3:11-13 tells us, “For only Og king of Bashan remained of the remnant of giants; behold, his bedstead was a bedstead of iron; is it not in Rabbath of the children of Ammon? nine cubits was the length thereof, and four cubits the breadth of it, after the cubit of a man.  And this land, which we possessed at that time, from Aroer, which is by the river Arnon, and half mount Gilead, and the cities thereof, gave I unto the Reubenites and to the Gadites.  And the rest of Gilead, and all Bashan, being the kingdom of Og, gave I unto the half tribe of Manasseh; all the region of Argob, with all Bashan, which was called the land of giants.”  The few giants in Canaan were abnormalities, while Bashan was known as the land of Giants.  Og himself was a huge man, requiring a bed almost fourteen feet long, and six feet wide, roughly the size of two king sized mattresses end to end.  He was the last of the race of giants, and Israel had no trouble defeating his army. 

Note also that three hundred years later, in Judges 11, the Moabite king would accuse Israel of stealing the Amorite land from the Moabites, and demanded it be given them even though they had never owned it.   Israel was under no obligation to give it to them.   

Pushing The Limits

Moses had asked the Edomites to allow them to cross their land, thinking that because they were related they would allow them to go through if assured they would not cause trouble.  The Edomites refused. Amd because of their relationship. Moses led the people through the wilderness around the southern and eastern border of Edom, as Numbers 21:4 tells us.  “And they journeyed from mount Hor by the way of the Red sea, to compass the land of Edom: and the soul of the people was much discouraged because of the way.” 

It was really frustrating to have to go so much out of their way to get past Edom and most of the way was just dessert where almost nothing grew.  They began to complain, and when people begin to complain, they soon reach a point where nothing satisfies them.  They began to blame God and Moses for their problems and repeat the same complaints they had made in the past. about the lack of water and the food, especially the manna.  They ignored the times God had produced water miraculously, and the fact that he provided them manna every morning and quail every night, and that they could prepare it any way they chose.  Numbers 21:describes ther complaints.  “And the people spake against God, and against Moses, Wherefore have ye brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? for there is no bread, neither is there any water; and our soul loatheth this light bread.”

It wasn’t like they had no food to eat of water to drink, they just didn’t have everything they wanted.  If you’ve ever been around people who complain about everything, even when they have gotten what they asked for, you understand the frustration it causes.  God had had enough of their complaining.  Numbers 21:6 tells us, “And the LORD sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people; and much people of Israel died.”  God is a patient and loving God, but there are limits to his patience.  He’d had enough. 

When people started dying of the snake bites, they suddenly realized they were making God angry.  Numbers 21:17 tells us, “Therefore the people came to Moses, and said, We have sinned, for we have spoken against the LORD, and against thee; pray unto the LORD, that he take away the serpents from us. And Moses prayed for the people.”   They admitted they were in the wrong for blaming Moses and God, and asked forgiveness. 

God is a loving God, willing to forgive repeatedly, as I John 1:9 tells us.  “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”  He made arrangements so that anyone who was willing to listen could be healed, In Numbers 21:8-9.  “And the LORD said unto Moses, Make thee a fiery serpent, and set it upon a pole: and it shall come to pass, that every one that is bitten, when he looketh upon it, shall live.  And Moses made a serpent of brass, and put it upon a pole, and it came to pass, that if a serpent had bitten any man, when he beheld the serpent of brass, he lived.”  It was up to each individual whether they would die or be forgiven and healed.  It is still up to the individual whether they will die in their sin or be saved. 

Opposition By Family

The Edomites, located south and east of the Dead sea, were descendants of Jacob’s brother Esau and his alliance with the Horites.  Their lands extended south to Kadesh and Mount Hor but did not include the area right next to the Gulf of Aqaqba which was occupied by the Midianites.  Wishing to travel back to the north where they would be closer to the promised land, Moses requested permission to cross the Edomite land, in Numbers 20:14.  “And Moses sent messengers from Kadesh unto the king of Edom, Thus saith thy brother Israel, Thou knowest all the travail that hath befallen us: How our fathers went down into Egypt, and we have dwelt in Egypt a long time; and the Egyptians vexed us, and our fathers: And when we cried unto the LORD, he heard our voice, and sent an angel, and hath brought us forth out of Egypt: and, behold, we are in Kadesh, a city in the uttermost of thy border: Let us pass, I pray thee, through thy country: we will not pass through the fields, or through the vineyards, neither will we drink of the water of the wells: we will go by the king's high way, we will not turn to the right hand nor to the left, until we have passed thy borders.”

Moses reminded them of their family relationship, and what they knew about Israel and promised they would stick strictly to the caravan routes, not even stopping at the wells for water or letting the livestock graze in their pastures.   The family relationship meant nothing to the Edomite king.  Numbers 20:18 tells us, “And Edom said unto him, Thou shalt not pass by me, lest I come out against thee with the sword.”

Moses approached them the second time offering to pay for any damage or for any water that was used, in Numbers 20:19.  “And the children of Israel said unto him, We will go by the high way: and if I and my cattle drink of thy water, then I will pay for it: I will only, without doing any thing else, go through on my feet.”  Even that did noty change the king’s mind, as Numbers 20:20-21 tells us.  “And he said, Thou shalt not go through. And Edom came out against him with much people, and with a strong hand.  Thus Edom refused to give Israel passage through his border: wherefore Israel turned away from him.”  Because they were family, Israel would not cross the Edomite land, remaining at Mount Hor, also known as Mount Sinai, for some time before swinging aroung the eastern border of the Edomites land. 

Many times Christians are surprised when their family does not support them in their efforts to follow the Lord.  Frequently they turn out to be our biggest opponents.  We forget that in Mark 10:36-38, Jesus warned, “And a man's foes shall be they of his own household.  He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.  And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me.”  They test our faith, forcing us to choose between them and God.   If God is not more important than our family, we do not deserve the salvation he offers.

Compensation For Ministry

The last plague when Israel was in Egypt, God had sent the death angel throughout the land to kill the firstborn in every home, both of man and beast.  If they had taken the trouble to sacrifice a lamb and apply its blood to the doorposts and lintel however, the firstborn would be spared.  God claimed those firstborn he had saved for himself.  Rather than take the oldest son from every family, God chose the tribe of Levi to take their places, as Numbers 3:11-13 tells us.  “And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, And I, behold, I have taken the Levites from among the children of Israel instead of all the firstborn that openeth the matrix among the children of Israel: therefore the Levites shall be mine; Because all the firstborn are mine; for on the day that I smote all the firstborn in the land of Egypt I hallowed unto me all the firstborn in Israel, both man and beast: mine shall they be: I am the LORD.”  This included all the Levites livestock as well, according to Numbers 3:41.  “And thou shalt take the Levites for me (I am the LORD) instead of all the firstborn among the children of Israel; and the cattle of the Levites instead of all the firstlings among the cattle of the children of Israel.”

As God’s special people, the Levites were chosen to serve as his priests and do whatever was needed relating to the worship and service of God.  Each morning and evening, a lamb was to be sacrificed, as well as special offerings on the first of the month, and on each of the special celebrations.  These sacrifices for the entire congregation were to be taken from among the Levites livestock.  Part of their duties were to teach the people to follow God’s s day by day.  In order to do that they would need to be scattered throughout Israel, so they could not have a separate country of their own.   Compensate them for their time and expenses, since they were paying for repairs on the Tabernacle, as well as the daily and special sacrifices, and spending so much time teaching and serving as priests, the Levites were to receive a tithe or one tenth of what each of the other tribes earned.   

Numbers 18:20-32 describes the way they were to be compensated.  “And the LORD spake unto Aaron, Thou shalt have no inheritance in their land, neither shalt thou have any part among them: I am thy part and thine inheritance among the children of Israel.  And, behold, I have given the children of Levi all the tenth in Israel for an inheritance, for their service which they serve, even the service of the tabernacle of the congregation.  Neither must the children of Israel henceforth come nigh the tabernacle of the congregation, lest they bear sin, and die.  But the Levites shall do the service of the tabernacle of the congregation, and they shall bear their iniquity: it shall be a statute for ever throughout your generations, that among the children of Israel they have no inheritance.  But the tithes of the children of Israel, which they offer as an heave offering unto the LORD, I have given to the Levites to inherit: therefore I have said unto them, Among the children of Israel they shall have no inheritance.

And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, Thus speak unto the Levites, and say unto them, When ye take of the children of Israel the tithes which I have given you from them for your inheritance, then ye shall offer up an heave offering of it for the LORD, even a tenth part of the tithe.  And this your heave offering shall be reckoned unto you, as though it were the corn of the threshingfloor, and as the fulness of the winepress.  Thus ye also shall offer an heave offering unto the LORD of all your tithes, which ye receive of the children of Israel; and ye shall give thereof the LORD'S heave offering to Aaron the priest.  Out of all your gifts ye shall offer every heave offering of the LORD, of all the best thereof, even the hallowed part thereof out of it.  Therefore thou shalt say unto them, When ye have heaved the best thereof from it, then it shall be counted unto the Levites as the increase of the threshingfloor, and as the increase of the winepress.  And ye shall eat it in every place, ye and your households: for it is your reward for your service in the tabernacle of the congregation.  And ye shall bear no sin by reason of it, when ye have heaved from it the best of it: neither shall ye pollute the holy things of the children of Israel, lest ye die.”

When the people brought the tithes, the Levites were to treat it as ordinary income just as if it had been earned any other way.  They were to give a tenth of what ever came in directly to the upkeep and expenses of the Tabernacle.  In addition, they were to donate their own livestock for the various sacrifices for the entire congregation.  If they did so, they were free to use the rest for their own needs.  Trying to get ahead by offering inferior sacrifices or withholding their tithe would expose them to God’s judgment, including death.   This program of compensation would provide the Levites an income roughly the same as the average of the other tribes. 

While the New Testament does not specify how those in ministry should be compensated, I Corinthians 9:7-14 clearly indicates they should be.  “Who goeth a warfare any time at his own charges? who planteth a vineyard, and eateth not of the fruit thereof? or who feedeth a flock, and eateth not of the milk of the flock?  Say I these things as a man? or saith not the law the same also? For it is written in the law of Moses, Thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn. Doth God take care for oxen?  Or saith he it altogether for our sakes? For our sakes, no doubt, this is written: that he that ploweth should plow in hope; and that he that thresheth in hope should be partaker of his hope.

If we have sown unto you spiritual things, is it a great thing if we shall reap your carnal things?  If others be partakers of this power over you, are not we rather? Nevertheless we have not used this power; but suffer all things, lest we should hinder the gospel of Christ.  Do ye not know that they which minister about holy things live of the things of the temple? and they which wait at the altar are partakers with the altar?  Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel.”

While serving as a missionary, Paul had not exercised his right to be paid for his ministry, but as he said, God has ordained that those who preach the gospel should be compensated for their work.  God’s arrangement for the Levites provides us with an example of what God considers proper compensation. 

Reviewing Their Responsibilities

Korah and his followers had decided to assume the priesthood for themselves in Numbers 16.  God had destroyed them, and in Numbers 17, made if clear that position was to be held only by those he had chosen.  In Numbers 18 he described the responsibilities the priests and Levites.  It parallels the responsibilities of Christians today.  He starts with the priests, in Numbers 18:1.  “And the LORD said unto Aaron, Thou and thy sons and thy father's house with thee shall bear the iniquity of the sanctuary: and thou and thy sons with thee shall bear the iniquity of your priesthood.” 

The priests’ first responsibility was for how the people worshipped God. Their second responsibility was for how they themselves performed their priesthood.  They were to bear the responsibility for any deficiencies(iniquity) in either area.   Today there are a number of people who want to be pastors and church leaders who have no idea of the responsibilities involved.  Just as the different priests had different responsibilities, God has given various responsibilities in the church.   Ephesians 4:11-16 describes these different jobs.  “And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.”

The apostles special mission was to lay the foundation for the church, teaching who Christ was and why he came, and teaching the people the basic principles of what God expected.  They were responsible for leaving the written word so that people could remember these things after the apostles died. As Peter said in II Peter 2:15.  “Moreover I will endeavour that ye may be able after my decease to have these things always in remembrance.”  II Peter 3:1 makes the point that both his books were written to stir up people’s memories.  Prophets served to fill in the gaps until the scriptures were completed, as I Corinthians 13:9-10 tells us.  “For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.  But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.” Evangelists or missionaries were to announce the gospel in areas where people had never heard, teaching the same things the apostles had taught.  Pastors and teachers were to teach and encourage the people who had heard to go on and serve the Lord.    The ultimate goal of each position was to bring people to a point of being like Christ, so that they deserve the appellation of “Christian” or “little Christ.”  In the process they should also become doctrinally grounded so that they stand for what God has said and are not swayed by people’s opinions. 

It was with this in mind that Paul wrote in II Timothy 4:1-5, “I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.  For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.  But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.”  The pastors and leaders of the church are going to be held accountable for how they have taught and led the church, and for how they have performed their ministry.   They need to do the entire job, including reaching out to the unsaved.   

The rest of the Levites were to help the priests with whatever was needed, even helping the priests offer the offerings when the need was too great.  They were always to be under the direction of the priests.  Numbers 18:2-5 tells us, “And thy brethren also of the tribe of Levi, the tribe of thy father, bring thou with thee, that they may be joined unto thee, and minister unto thee: but thou and thy sons with thee shall minister before the tabernacle of witness.  And they shall keep thy charge, and the charge of all the tabernacle: only they shall not come nigh the vessels of the sanctuary and the altar, that neither they, nor ye also, die.  And they shall be joined unto thee, and keep the charge of the tabernacle of the congregation, for all the service of the tabernacle: and a stranger shall not come nigh unto you.  And ye shall keep the charge of the sanctuary, and the charge of the altar: that there be no wrath any more upon the children of Israel.”

They were not to try to take over the priest’s job, so that they didn’t experience the same consequences as Korah and his followers did.  Sinilarly, in the church today, God’s plan is for the people to follow the pastor’s leadership, helping wherever they may be needed.  Hebrews 13:17 commands,   “Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.”  They are not to blindly follow the leadership however.  Hebrews 13:7 commands, “Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation.”  They were to examine the leader’s life and teaching before putting them into positions of leadership, or if he does not continue to follow the scriptures. 

Continued Rebellion Makes It Worse

 When the spies or scouts had said there were giants in the land, many of the people were afraid they couldn’t defeat them.  There was also a group who wanted to go back to the things they were familiar with even though they didn’t like it.  By playing on the people’s fears, they were able to convince the people to go back to Egypt, effectively rejecting everything God had done for them as being of no importance.  God was offended by the lack of appreciation, and declared that none of the people with that attitude would be allowed live in the land he had promised, but their children would.   As Jesus said in Luke 9:62, “…No man, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.”  As long as they are still looking back longing for what they used to have or do, they will never be satisfied where they are. 

When Moses told the people what God had said, instead of apologizing and asking forgiveness, the people rebelled, determined to show God they could do as the pleased.  Numbers 14:39-40 tells us the decided they would go into the land anyway.  “And Moses told these sayings unto all the children of Israel: and the people mourned greatly.  And they rose up early in the morning, and gat them up into the top of the mountain, saying, Lo, we be here, and will go up unto the place which the LORD hath promised: for we have sinned.”

Moses warned them that God was not going to bless their efforts, in Numbers 14:41-43.  “And Moses said, Wherefore now do ye transgress the commandment of the LORD? but it shall not prosper.  Go not up, for the LORD is not among you; that ye be not smitten before your enemies.  For the Amalekites and the Canaanites are there before you, and ye shall fall by the sword: because ye are turned away from the LORD, therefore the LORD will not be with you.”  The same people they had been afraid of before were still living in the land.  The only difference was that now God had said he would not help them. 

Unfortunately, some people are so rebellious that if they are told not to do something they try to do it to prove you can’t tell them what to do.  The leaders of the mob had that attitude.  Numbers 14:44-tells us, “But they presumed to go up unto the hill top: nevertheless the ark of the covenant of the LORD, and Moses, departed not out of the camp.  Then the Amalekites came down, and the Canaanites which dwelt in that hill, and smote them, and discomfited them, even unto Hormah.”  Those who were following God did not move, but the others went charging off to fight the people with no clear battle plan, just trying to prove they could do things.  They were totally unequipped to fight experienced raiders and military groups such as the Amalekites or various Canaanite tribes.  They were driven back to the camp where Moses and the others had remained in disgrace.  It was a natural result of rebelling and rushing into things in an effort to prove something.  Rebellion almost always makes things worse. 

Although they would have to suffer the consequences of their decision to disobey, God held no grudges against them.  He continued to plan for their eventual ownership of the land, as we see in Numbers 15:1-5, for example.  “And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, When ye be come into the land of your habitations, which I give unto you, And will make an offering by fire unto the LORD, a burnt offering, or a sacrifice in performing a vow, or in a freewill offering, or in your solemn feasts, to make a sweet savour unto the LORD, of the herd, or of the flock: Then shall he that offereth his offering unto the LORD bring a meat offering of a tenth deal of flour mingled with the fourth part of an hin of oil.  And the fourth part of an hin of wine for a drink offering shalt thou prepare with the burnt offering or sacrifice, for one lamb.”  Their sin had not changed God’s plan, but only delayed it. 

Forgiven But Consequences Remain

God had led Israel to where they were with the pillar of cloud and fire.  They had seen God do numerous miracles the year and a half since they came out of Egypt, and had covenanted to keep his commands.  Their determination to go back to Egypt rather than going into Canaan was in effect saying God had lied to them and could not be trusted.  Moses and Aaron remembered how many had died when they made the golden calf and were worried what would happen this time.  Numbers 14:5 tells us, “Then Moses and Aaron fell on their faces before all the assembly of the congregation of the children of Israel.”

Two of the scouts, Joshua and Caleb tried to reason with the people in Numbers 14:6-9.  “And Joshua the son of Nun, and Caleb the son of Jephunneh, which were of them that searched the land, rent their clothes: And they spake unto all the company of the children of Israel, saying, The land, which we passed through to search it, is an exceeding good land.  If the LORD delight in us, then he will bring us into this land, and give it us; a land which floweth with milk and honey.  Only rebel not ye against the LORD, neither fear ye the people of the land; for they are bread for us: their defence is departed from them, and the LORD is with us: fear them not.”

The problem was the congregation had become a mob.  The people’s fear was feeding off other people’s fear, and the fear had so consumed their thoughts they ignored everything else.  When people fear or anger, of drugs or alcohol take over their thoughts completely, anything that feeds that fear can easily influence them because they cease to think about anything else.  They are open to satanic influence or control, and corrupt political and religious figures play on the anger and fear to stir up violence, often turning what started as a peaceful protest into a riot.  The people responded in typical mob fashion, in Numbers 14:10a. “But all the congregation bade stone them with stones.”

If people are not completely possessed with a spirit of fear or anger, it is sometimes possible to distract them and get them to thinking again.  God distracted the people in Numbers 14:10b- 12.  “And the glory of the LORD appeared in the tabernacle of the congregation before all the children of Israel.  And the LORD said unto Moses, How long will this people provoke me? and how long will it be ere they believe me, for all the signs which I have showed among them?  I will smite them with the pestilence, and disinherit them, and will make of thee a greater nation and mightier than they.”

The glory of God appeared on the Tabernacle like it had at the dedication, redirecting people’s attention.  God was frustrated with the people’s refusal to believe him despite all the miracles.  He was to the point of wanting to just destroy them and start over with Moses’ family.  When they are angry or fearful people often say or do things with no thought of how affects the people involved.  Even God gets tired of being treated that way. 

Moses reminded God that if he destroyed the people, the Egyptians would conclude he wasn’t able to fulfill his promise and couldn’t be trusted, killing the very people he promised to care for, in Numbers 14:13-16.  “And Moses said unto the LORD, Then the Egyptians shall hear it, (for thou broughtest up this people in thy might from among them;) And they will tell it to the inhabitants of this land: for they have heard that thou LORD art among this people, that thou LORD art seen face to face, and that thy cloud standeth over them, and that thou goest before them, by day time in a pillar of a cloud, and in a pillar of fire by night.  Now if thou shalt kill all this people as one man, then the nations which have heard the fame of thee will speak, saying, Because the LORD was not able to bring this people into the land which he sware unto them, therefore he hath slain them in the wilderness.”  When the story got around, no one would believe God. 

Instead of destroying them, Moses asked God to forgive them, so that people would understand that God was a forgiving and loving God, in Numbers 14:17-19.  “And now, I beseech thee, let the power of my LORD be great, according as thou hast spoken, saying, The LORD is longsuffering, and of great mercy, forgiving iniquity and transgression, and by no means clearing the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation.  Pardon, I beseech thee, the iniquity of this people according unto the greatness of thy mercy, and as thou hast forgiven this people, from Egypt even until now.”  As he pointed out, God had forgiven them repeatedly already. 

God had no intention of destroying Israel or Moses request would not have changed anything, but god wanted Israel to take their sin seriously.  He had forgiven them repeatedly and they continued to do the same things.  While he will forgive them, they are going to suffer some consequences for their actions, according to Numbers 14:20-35.  “And the LORD said, I have pardoned according to thy word: But as truly as I live, all the earth shall be filled with the glory of the LORD.  Because all those men which have seen my glory, and my miracles, which I did in Egypt and in the wilderness, and have tempted me now these ten times, and have not hearkened to my voice; Surely they shall not see the land which I sware unto their fathers, neither shall any of them that provoked me see it: But my servant Caleb, because he had another spirit with him, and hath followed me fully, him will I bring into the land whereinto he went; and his seed shall possess it.  (Now the Amalekites and the Canaanites dwelt in the valley.) To morrow turn you, and get you into the wilderness by the way of the Red sea.

And the LORD spake unto Moses and unto Aaron, saying, How long shall I bear with this evil congregation, which murmur against me? I have heard the murmurings of the children of Israel, which they murmur against me.  Say unto them, As truly as I live, saith the LORD, as ye have spoken in mine ears, so will I do to you: Your carcases shall fall in this wilderness; and all that were numbered of you, according to your whole number, from twenty years old and upward, which have murmured against me, Doubtless ye shall not come into the land, concerning which I sware to make you dwell therein, save Caleb the son of Jephunneh, and Joshua the son of Nun.  But your little ones, which ye said should be a prey, them will I bring in, and they shall know the land which ye have despised.  But as for you, your carcases, they shall fall in this wilderness.  And your children shall wander in the wilderness forty years, and bear your whoredoms, until your carcases be wasted in the wilderness.  After the number of the days in which ye searched the land, even forty days, each day for a year, shall ye bear your iniquities, even forty years, and ye shall know my breach of promise.  I the LORD have said, I will surely do it unto all this evil congregation, that are gathered together against me: in this wilderness they shall be consumed, and there they shall die.”

God had forgiven them, and would continue to provide for them and protect them, but they would never experience the blessings he had promised because they would not stop their sin.  Rather thatn accepting responsibility for their actions, as we see in Numbers 16:13-14, many of the people Blamed Moses and god for their situation.  “Is it a small thing that thou hast brought us up out of a land that floweth with milk and honey, to kill us in the wilderness, except thou make thyself altogether a prince over us?  Moreover thou hast not brought us into a land that floweth with milk and honey, or given us inheritance of fields and vineyards: wilt thou put out the eyes of these men? we will not come up.”  As we saw, that refusal to accept their responsibility cost almost fifteen thousand people’s lives.  It is impossible to guess how many people have lost their health, their job, their marriages, their children, or even their own lives because they blamed someone else and would not accept responsibility for what they did. 

Sometimes the results of our actions come right away.  Numbers 14:36-38 tells us. “And the men, which Moses sent to search the land, who returned, and made all the congregation to murmur against him, by bringing up a slander upon the land, Even those men that did bring up the evil report upon the land, died by the plague before the LORD.  But Joshua the son of Nun, and Caleb the son of Jephunneh, which were of the men that went to search the land, lived still.”

Listening to Their Emotions

One of the excuses the people had used for following Korah, Dathan and Abiram was that Moses had not fulfilled the promise to bring them into the land of Canaan, according to Numbers 16:14.  “Moreover thou hast not brought us into a land that floweth with milk and honey, or given us inheritance of fields and vineyards: wilt thou put out the eyes of these men? we will not come up.”  

Almost two months before. God had led Israel  north to the tip of the Gulf of Aqaba, to ancient Caravan trail into Egypt, near the border of the Edomite land, in the wilderness of Paran.  In preparation for invading the Land of Canaan, God directed them to send twelve spies to go before them and scout out the land, as Numbers 13:1-2 tells us.  “And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, Send thou men, that they may search the land of Canaan, which I give unto the children of Israel: of every tribe of their fathers shall ye send a man, every one a ruler among them.”

Numbers 13:17-21 describes the directions the scouts were given.  “And Moses sent them to spy out the land of Canaan, and said unto them, Get you up this way southward, and go up into the mountain: And see the land, what it is; and the people that dwelleth therein, whether they be strong or weak, few or many; And what the land is that they dwell in, whether it be good or bad; and what cities they be that they dwell in, whether in tents, or in strong holds; And what the land is, whether it be fat or lean, whether there be wood therein, or not. And be ye of good courage, and bring of the fruit of the land. Now the time was the time of the firstripe grapes.  So they went up, and searched the land from the wilderness of Zin unto Rehob, as men come to Hamath.”

The Israelites had not lived in Canaan for over four hundred years, and had no clear picture of what the land was like.  The spies or scouts were to find out where the different groups of people lived and get an idea of their military capabilities.  They were also to see what areas would provide enough food and water and firewood for them and which areas should be their primary targets. The scouts spent forty days observing the land thoroughly, getting a good idea what was available. 

Numbers 13:25-29 describes the report the gave Moses.  “And they returned from searching of the land after forty days.  And they went and came to Moses, and to Aaron, and to all the congregation of the children of Israel, unto the wilderness of Paran, to Kadesh; and brought back word unto them, and unto all the congregation, and showed them the fruit of the land.  And they told him, and said, We came unto the land whither thou sentest us, and surely it floweth with milk and honey; and this is the fruit of it.  Nevertheless the people be strong that dwell in the land, and the cities are walled, and very great: and moreover we saw the children of Anak there.  The Amalekites dwell in the land of the south: and the Hittites, and the Jebusites, and the Amorites, dwell in the mountains: and the Canaanites dwell by the sea, and by the coast of Jordan.”

It was truly a land flowing with milk and honey,  with ample grazing for hteir herds and vast quantities of fruitful plants for food, keeping the bees busy pollinating them.  They even displayed samples of the food to support their claim.  They also warned that each group had developed strong defenses to protect against neighboring tribes.    They named the different tribes and described their locations, but the most concerning were the Anakims, near Hebron, who were known or having extremely large people, even giants among them.  The thought of fighting giants troubled the people.

Israel had crossed the Gulf of Aqaba on dry ground when god held back over a thousand feet of water so they could pass on dry ground,  They had seen God release the same water and drowned the entire Egyptian army.  They had defeated the Amalekites as a result of Moses’ prayers, and had seen the manmiracles in the area around Mount Sinai.  If god could do those things, s few giants were a pretty minor problem.   Numbers 13:30 tells us, “And Caleb stilled the people before Moses, and said, Let us go up at once, and possess it; for we are well able to overcome it.”  After all, the same God who had done those other things was still leading them. 

The spies job had been solely to scout out the land so they would know where to go and where to expect resistance.   Ten of them went beyond their instructions, and began to judgements about whether it would be feasible to win, without finding out what the plans were and began to change their story.  Numbers 13:32-33 describes their changed story.  “But the men that went up with him said, We be not able to go up against the people; for they are stronger than we.  And they brought up an evil report of the land which they had searched unto the children of Israel, saying, The land, through which we have gone to search it, is a land that eateth up the inhabitants thereof; and all the people that we saw in it are men of a great stature.  And there we saw the giants, the sons of Anak, which come of the giants: and we were in our own sight as grasshoppers, and so we were in their sight.”

Suddenly, instead of the just the children of Anak, all the people were bigger and stronger than they were and they felt like grass hoppers compared to them.  In addition, the land was a land that ate up its inhabitants, whatever that means.  In fact, when Israel finally conquered the land we find there were only three sons of Anak who were giants, and Israel had an army of over six hundred thousand men.    

Unfortunately, people often give way to their emotions and ignore the facts.  When they do, they are easily influenced by appeals to their emotions, and that is what happened in Numbers 14:1-4.  “And all the congregation lifted up their voice, and cried; and the people wept that night.  And all the children of Israel murmured against Moses and against Aaron: and the whole congregation said unto them, Would God that we had died in the land of Egypt! or would God we had died in this wilderness!  And wherefore hath the LORD brought us unto this land, to fall by the sword, that our wives and our children should be a prey? were it not better for us to return into Egypt?  And they said one to another, Let us make a captain, and let us return into Egypt.” Based on their emotions, the people decided to go back to Egypt rather than following God and Moses into Canaan.  Emotions are very powerful, but they are easily influenced by false or irrelevant information and cannot be trusted.

The People Blame Moses And Aaron

Korah and his followers had rebelled against God choosing Moses as the leader and Aaron and his family as the priests.  As a result, God had caused an earthquake that swallowed up Korah and his immediate followers, and a fire that burned up the two hundred fifty men who decided to take over the priesthood. Ignoring the fact that only God could have caused an earthquake and an eruption of burning gas at that precise location and time, the people accused Moses of murdering God’s people, in Numbers 16:41.  “But on the morrow all the congregation of the children of Israel murmured against Moses and against Aaron, saying, Ye have killed the people of the LORD.” 

The people were almost ready to execute Moses and Aaron for murder, when God intervened, in Numbers 16:42-45.  “And it came to pass, when the congregation was gathered against Moses and against Aaron, that they looked toward the tabernacle of the congregation: and, behold, the cloud covered it, and the glory of the LORD appeared.  And Moses and Aaron came before the tabernacle of the congregation.  And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, Get you up from among this congregation, that I may consume them as in a moment.”

James 1:13 tells us, “Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man.”   Since only God could have killed these men the way they were killed, the people were blaspheming God by accusing Moses and Aaron of murder.   Anyone who has been falsely accused can understand the Lord’s anger.  Just a few days before, the people had refused to trust him and go into the land, with the result that God had said they would die in the wilderness.  Now they were accusing him of murder, and he told Moses and Aaron to get out of the way so he could destroy the whole bunch.  God sent a plague upon the people to make them realize how wicked they were.

Moses and Aaron prayed for the people and Aaron offered sacrifices in an attempt to placate the Lord, in Numbers 16:45b-49.  “And they fell upon their faces. And Moses said unto Aaron, Take a censer, and put fire therein from off the altar, and put on incense, and go quickly unto the congregation, and make an atonement for them: for there is wrath gone out from the LORD; the plague is begun.  And Aaron took as Moses commanded, and ran into the midst of the congregation; and, behold, the plague was begun among the people: and he put on incense, and made an atonement for the people.  And he stood between the dead and the living; and the plague was stayed.  Now they that died in the plague were fourteen thousand and seven hundred, beside them that died about the matter of Korah.”

Fourteen thousand seven hundred people died before Aaron could placate the Lord for their accusations of murder.  God gave a permanent reminder that he had chosen Aaron’s family as his priests in Numbers 16:50-17:11.  “And Aaron returned unto Moses unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation: and the plague was stayed.  And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, Speak unto the children of Israel, and take of every one of them a rod according to the house of their fathers, of all their princes according to the house of their fathers twelve rods: write thou every man's name upon his rod.  And thou shalt write Aaron's name upon the rod of Levi: for one rod shall be for the head of the house of their fathers.  And thou shalt lay them up in the tabernacle of the congregation before the testimony, where I will meet with you.  And it shall come to pass, that the man's rod, whom I shall choose, shall blossom: and I will make to cease from me the murmurings of the children of Israel, whereby they murmur against you.”

And Moses spake unto the children of Israel, and every one of their princes gave him a rod apiece, for each prince one, according to their fathers' houses, even twelve rods: and the rod of Aaron was among their rods.  And Moses laid up the rods before the LORD in the tabernacle of witness.  And it came to pass, that on the morrow Moses went into the tabernacle of witness; and, behold, the rod of Aaron for the house of Levi was budded, and brought forth buds, and bloomed blossoms, and yielded almonds.  And Moses brought out all the rods from before the LORD unto all the children of Israel: and they looked, and took every man his rod.

And the LORD said unto Moses, Bring Aaron's rod again before the testimony, to be kept for a token against the rebels; and thou shalt quite take away their murmurings from me, that they die not.  And Moses did so: as the LORD commanded him, so did he.”

Aarons rod was placed in the Ark of the Covenant as a permanent reminder to Israel that God had chosen the the tribe of Levi to be his priests, and that rebellion against him would result in death.  Instead of being thankful for what God had done for them, the people began to feel like he was out to get them, according to Numbers 176:12-13.  “And the children of Israel spake unto Moses, saying, Behold, we die, we perish, we all perish. Whosoever cometh any thing near unto the tabernacle of the LORD shall die: shall we be consumed with dying?”  Like many today, they began to feel like it wasn’t worth serving God, never realizing the problem was their own attitudes and choices.    

Rebelling Against God’s Plan

God had specified who was to do the different Jobs relating to his service.  Some of the people got jealous because their job didn’t get as much attention as Moses or Aaron, in Numbers 16:1-3.  “Now Korah, the son of Izhar, the son of Kohath, the son of Levi, and Dathan and Abiram, the sons of Eliab, and On, the son of Peleth, sons of Reuben, took men: And they rose up before Moses, with certain of the children of Israel, two hundred and fifty princes of the assembly, famous in the congregation, men of renown: And they gathered themselves together against Moses and against Aaron, and said unto them, Ye take too much upon you, seeing all the congregation are holy, every one of them, and the LORD is among them: wherefore then lift ye up yourselves above the congregation of the LORD?”  

Korah was one of the Kohath Levites, charged with caring for the different things used in the worship process, but he wanted to be the high priest, or the leader that everyone looked up to.  The others felt like they should have been given the leadership as descendants of Reuben since he was Jacob’s oldest son.  They said that Moses and Aaron had no right to take the leadership but had just seized it in their ambition. 

Moses had not sought leadership of Israel, and had tried to get out of taking the4 position.  Instead of trying to convince them he had the right to lead, Moses said they should let God show who he had chosen, in Numbers 16:4-7.  “And when Moses heard it, he fell upon his face: And he spake unto Korah and unto all his company, saying, Even to morrow the LORD will show who are his, and who is holy; and will cause him to come near unto him: even him whom he hath chosen will he cause to come near unto him. This do; Take you censers, Korah, and all his company; And put fire therein, and put incense in them before the LORD to morrow: and it shall be that the man whom the LORD doth choose, he shall be holy: ye take too much upon you, ye sons of Levi.” 

Moses said they were doing exactly what they were accusing him of doing.   As a Kohath Levite, Korah had been given a special position by God, as Moses explains in Numbers 16:8-11,  “And Moses said unto Korah, Hear, I pray you, ye sons of Levi: Seemeth it but a small thing unto you, that the God of Israel hath separated you from the congregation of Israel, to bring you near to himself to do the service of the tabernacle of the LORD, and to stand before the congregation to minister unto them?  And he hath brought thee near to him, and all thy brethren the sons of Levi with thee: and seek ye the priesthood also?  For which cause both thou and all thy company are gathered together against the LORD: and what is Aaron, that ye murmur against him?”  He was in effect saying he was too good for the job God had called him to do.   

The others blamed Moses for being stuck in the wilderness, even though they had refused to go into the land in Numbers 14, as Numbers 16:12-14 tells us.  “And Moses sent to call Dathan and Abiram, the sons of Eliab: which said, We will not come up: Is it a small thing that thou hast brought us up out of a land that floweth with milk and honey, to kill us in the wilderness, except thou make thyself altogether a prince over us?  Moreover thou hast not brought us into a land that floweth with milk and honey, or given us inheritance of fields and vineyards: wilt thou put out the eyes of these men? we will not come up.”  Unfortunately, a lot of people blame others rather than accepting responsibility for the consequences of their actions.   

Knowing it was their own faul they were stuck there, Moses was frustrated about being blamed and asked God not to accept their efforts to mollify him with sacrifices.  He then instructed tham as to what they should do so that God could show who he had chosen, In Numbers 16:15-17.  “And Moses was very wroth, and said unto the LORD, Respect not thou their offering: I have not taken one ass from them, neither have I hurt one of them.  And Moses said unto Korah, Be thou and all thy company before the LORD, thou, and they, and Aaron, to morrow: And take every man his censer, and put incense in them, and bring ye before the LORD every man his censer, two hundred and fifty censers; thou also, and Aaron, each of you his censer.”

Korah and his followers did as instructed, each one gathering the different items indicating they were priests.  Korah got all the people to come watch while he put down Moses and Aaron, in Numbers 16:18-21.  “And they took every man his censer, and put fire in them, and laid incense thereon, and stood in the door of the tabernacle of the congregation with Moses and Aaron.  And Korah gathered all the congregation against them unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation: and the glory of the LORD appeared unto all the congregation.  And the LORD spake unto Moses and unto Aaron, saying,  Separate yourselves from among this congregation, that I may consume them in a moment.”  When they assembled at the Tabernacle, the glory of the Lord came down like it had when they dedicated it, and God told Moses and Aaron to get out of the way so he could destroy the people for their constant complaining and disobedience. 

Moses and Aaron prayed that God would not kill them all for the sins of a few, and God warned that the people should get away from the guilty ones if they didn’t want to be destroyed,  The people did separate from them as Numbers 16:22-27 describes.  “And they fell upon their faces, and said, O God, the God of the spirits of all flesh, shall one man sin, and wilt thou be wroth with all the congregation?

And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, Speak unto the congregation, saying, Get you up from about the tabernacle of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram.

And Moses rose up and went unto Dathan and Abiram; and the elders of Israel followed him.  And he spake unto the congregation, saying, Depart, I pray you, from the tents of these wicked men, and touch nothing of theirs, lest ye be consumed in all their sins.  So they gat up from the tabernacle of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram, on every side: and Dathan and Abiram came out, and stood in the door of their tents, and their wives, and their sons, and their little children.”

Moses then described How God would show that it was God who had placed Moses and Aaron in the positions of Leadership, and not just Moses’ ambition, In Numbers 16:28-30. “And Moses said, Hereby ye shall know that the LORD hath sent me to do all these works; for I have not done them of mine own mind.  If these men die the common death of all men, or if they be visited after the visitation of all men; then the LORD hath not sent me.  But if the LORD make a new thing, and the earth open her mouth, and swallow them up, with all that appertain unto them, and they go down quick into the pit; then ye shall understand that these men have provoked the LORD.”

Moses explained that if Korah and his followers lived for years and died a natural death, it would prove that God had not chosen Moses and Aaron specially, but if God caused the earth to split open and swallow them up it would prove God did not approve of their actions.  Numbers 16:31-35 describes what happened.  “And it came to pass, as he had made an end of speaking all these words, that the ground clave asunder that was under them: And the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed them up, and their houses, and all the men that appertained unto Korah, and all their goods.  They, and all that appertained to them, went down alive into the pit, and the earth closed upon them: and they perished from among the congregation.  And all Israel that were round about them fled at the cry of them: for they said, Lest the earth swallow us up also.  And there came out a fire from the LORD, and consumed the two hundred and fifty men that offered incense.” 

Something like an earthquake cause the ground to split open right where Korah and his followers were standing , then close on them when they fell in.  The people who were close panicked, fleeing for their lives.  At the same time there was a flame of fire that killed the two hundred fifty men who had decided to become priests.  God said they should flatten those men’s incense burners and hang them on the brazen altar as a reminder what happened when people tried to override what God commanded, in Numbers 16:36-40.  “And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, Speak unto Eleazar the son of Aaron the priest, that he take up the censers out of the burning, and scatter thou the fire yonder; for they are hallowed.  The censers of these sinners against their own souls, let them make them broad plates for a covering of the altar: for they offered them before the LORD, therefore they are hallowed: and they shall be a sign unto the children of Israel.

And Eleazar the priest took the brazen censers, wherewith they that were burnt had offered; and they were made broad plates for a covering of the altar: To be a memorial unto the children of Israel, that no stranger, which is not of the seed of Aaron, come near to offer incense before the LORD; that he be not as Korah, and as his company: as the LORD said to him by the hand of Moses.”

Different People Have Different Callings

As we have already seen, God calls different people to do different jobs.  Just as he gave Bezaleel and Aholiab, and the various tradesmen special talents in order to build different parts of the Tabernacle, He gives Christians special gifts so they can do the job he called them to do.  Not everyone has the same gifts, as we see in I Corinthians 12:4-11.  “Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.  And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord.  And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all.  But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.  For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues: But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.”

A person who lives in an area where everyone speaks the same language will have little need for a special talent in speaking other languages, and a carpenter probably will not need the same healing skills as a doctor.   God gives special gifts and talents to the people who will need them to accomplish his purpose. 

In the Old Testament, God had chosen the Levites as his special tribe to minister to him.  Aaron and his descendants were to serve as the priests, offering the different Sacrifices and doing the actual work of the ministry.  The other Levites had special jobs related to the Tabernacle.   For example, the Kohath Levites were responsible for maintaining and transporting the furniture and fixtures used in the ministry.  Numbers 4:4-20 describes their special job.    

“This shall be the service of the sons of Kohath in the tabernacle of the congregation, about the most holy things: Nu 4:5 And when the camp setteth forward, Aaron shall come, and his sons, and they shall take down the covering veil, and cover the ark of testimony with it: And shall put thereon the covering of badgers' skins, and shall spread over it a cloth wholly of blue, and shall put in the staves thereof.  And upon the table of showbread they shall spread a cloth of blue, and put thereon the dishes, and the spoons, and the bowls, and covers to cover withal: and the continual bread shall be thereon: And they shall spread upon them a cloth of scarlet, and cover the same with a covering of badgers' skins, and shall put in the staves thereof.  And they shall take a cloth of blue, and cover the candlestick of the light, and his lamps, and his tongs, and his snuffdishes, and all the oil vessels thereof, wherewith they minister unto it: And they shall put it and all the vessels thereof within a covering of badgers' skins, and shall put it upon a bar. And upon the golden altar they shall spread a cloth of blue, and cover it with a covering of badgers' skins, and shall put to the staves thereof: And they shall take all the instruments of ministry, wherewith they minister in the sanctuary, and put them in a cloth of blue, and cover them with a covering of badgers' skins, and shall put them on a bar: And they shall take away the ashes from the altar, and spread a purple cloth thereon: And they shall put upon it all the vessels thereof, wherewith they minister about it, even the censers, the fleshhooks, and the shovels, and the basins, all the vessels of the altar; and they shall spread upon it a covering of badgers' skins, and put to the staves of it.

And when Aaron and his sons have made an end of covering the sanctuary, and all the vessels of the sanctuary, as the camp is to set forward; after that, the sons of Kohath shall come to bear it: but they shall not touch any holy thing, lest they die. These things are the burden of the sons of Kohath in the tabernacle of the congregation.  And to the office of Eleazar the son of Aaron the priest pertaineth the oil for the light, and the sweet incense, and the daily meat offering, and the anointing oil, and the oversight of all the tabernacle, and of all that therein is, in the sanctuary, and in the vessels thereof. And the LORD spake unto Moses and unto Aaron, saying, Cut ye not off the tribe of the families of the Kohathites from among the Levites: But thus do unto them, that they may live, and not die, when they approach unto the most holy things: Aaron and his sons shall go in, and appoint them every one to his service and to his burden: But they shall not go in to see when the holy things are covered, lest they die.”

While the Kohath Levites were responsible for carrying the various items used in worship, it was the priest’s job to prepare those items.  If the priests did not do their jobs properly, they would place the Kohath Levites in danger, as they were not to touch any of the holy items.  Once the priests had prepared the various items used in worship for travel and the Kohath Levites had moved them out, the Gershonite Levites were to take down the tent coverings and different pieces of fabric and rope, loading them onto two wagons for transportation.    They were responsible for any needed repairs or replacements.   By the time they did their Jobs, the sacred items had been removed so that they were not in danger.  Numbers 4:24-28 describes their responsibilities.

“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.  This is the service of the families of the sons of Gershon in the tabernacle of the congregation: and their charge shall be under the hand of Ithamar the son of Aaron the priest.”

The descendants of Merari were responsible for the framework of the Tabernacle, including the tent poles and stakes.  Their part would be last in taking down the Tabernacle, and first is setting it up.  They had four wagons to haul the  various pieces.  They were responsible for any repairs to the framework.  Numbers 4:29-33 describes their responsibilities.  “As for the sons of Merari, thou shalt number them after their families, by the house of their fathers; From thirty years old and upward even unto fifty years old shalt thou number them, every one that entereth into the service, to do the work of the tabernacle of the congregation.  And this is the charge of their burden, according to all their service in the tabernacle of the congregation; the boards of the tabernacle, and the bars thereof, and the pillars thereof, and sockets thereof, And the pillars of the court round about, and their sockets, and their pins, and their cords, with all their instruments, and with all their service: and by name ye shall reckon the instruments of the charge of their burden.  This is the service of the families of the sons of Merari, according to all their service, in the tabernacle of the congregation, under the hand of Ithamar the son of Aaron the priest.”

In addition to these specific jobs, All the Levites were responsible for helping the priests where ever they might be needed to offer sacrifices.  They were also responsible for teaching the other people in their areas what God expected.   I Corinthians 12:22-25 makes the point that every position or calling is to treated with the same respect.  “Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary: And those members of the body, which we think to be less honourable, upon these we bestow more abundant honour; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness.  For our comely parts have no need: but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honour to that part which lacked: That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another.”  That some jobs are more noticeable than others does not make them more important.  They still depend on other people’s work to make their job possible. 

Setting Up the Tabernacle

“And it came to pass in the first month in the second year, on the first day of the month, that the tabernacle was reared up.”  (Exodus  40:17)

Israel had eaten the first Passover meal at sundown on the fourteenth day of the first month.  One year later, on the first day of the month, they had finished the Tabernacle and set it up.  Exodus 40:18-33 describes the process.  “And Moses reared up the tabernacle, and fastened his sockets, and set up the boards thereof, and put in the bars thereof, and reared up his pillars.  And he spread abroad the tent over the tabernacle, and put the covering of the tent above upon it; as the LORD commanded Moses.  And he took and put the testimony into the ark, and set the staves on the ark, and put the mercy seat above upon the ark: And he brought the ark into the tabernacle, and set up the veil of the covering, and covered the ark of the testimony; as the LORD commanded Moses.

And he put the table in the tent of the congregation, upon the side of the tabernacle northward, without the veil.  And he set the bread in order upon it before the LORD; as the LORD had commanded Moses.  And he put the candlestick in the tent of the congregation, over against the table, on the side of the tabernacle southward.  And he lighted the lamps before the LORD; as the LORD commanded Moses.  And he put the golden altar in the tent of the congregation before the veil:  And he burnt sweet incense thereon; as the LORD commanded Moses.

And he set up the hanging at the door of the tabernacle.  And he put the altar of burnt offering by the door of the tabernacle of the tent of the congregation, and offered upon it the burnt offering and the meat offering; as the LORD commanded Moses.  And he set the laver between the tent of the congregation and the altar, and put water there, to wash withal.  And Moses and Aaron and his sons washed their hands and their feet thereat: When they went into the tent of the congregation, and when they came near unto the altar, they washed; as the LORD commanded Moses.  And he reared up the court round about the tabernacle and the altar, and set up the hanging of the court gate. So Moses finished the work.”

This was the first time they had set up the entire tabernacle.  It was done in a very organized manner which would be followed from that time on.  Everything came together exactly as planned. And the work was finished.  When everything was complete, the leaders of the different tribes offered special offerings on behalf of their tribes, according to Numbers 7:1-11.  “And it came to pass on the day that Moses had fully set up the tabernacle, and had anointed it, and sanctified it, and all the instruments thereof, both the altar and all the vessels thereof, and had anointed them, and sanctified them; That the princes of Israel, heads of the house of their fathers, who were the princes of the tribes, and were over them that were numbered, offered: And they brought their offering before the LORD, six covered wagons, and twelve oxen; a wagon for two of the princes, and for each one an ox: and they brought them before the tabernacle.

And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, Take it of them, that they may be to do the service of the tabernacle of the congregation; and thou shalt give them unto the Levites, to every man according to his service.  And Moses took the wagons and the oxen, and gave them unto the Levites.  Two wagons and four oxen he gave unto the sons of Gershon, according to their service: And four wagons and eight oxen he gave unto the sons of Merari, according unto their service, under the hand of Ithamar the son of Aaron the priest.  But unto the sons of Kohath he gave none: because the service of the sanctuary belonging unto them was that they should bear upon their shoulders.  And the princes offered for dedicating of the altar in the day that it was anointed, even the princes offered their offering before the altar.  And the LORD said unto Moses, They shall offer their offering, each prince on his day, for the dedicating of the altar.” 

The people demonstrated their pleasure in the Tabernacle by donating six large wagons to move the framework and the coverings and.  God demonstrated his approval of the work in Exodus 40:34-35, by placing the pillar of cloud that had led them through the wilderness upon the Tabernacle.  “Then a cloud covered the tent of the congregation, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle.  And Moses was not able to enter into the tent of the congregation, because the cloud abode thereon, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle.”

According to Numbers 10:11-12, Israel remained at Mount Sinai, until the twentieth of the following month.  “And it came to pass on the twentieth day of the second month, in the second year, that the cloud was taken up from off the tabernacle of the testimony.  And the children of Israel took their journeys out of the wilderness of Sinai; and the cloud rested in the wilderness of Paran.”  During that period, Exodus 33:7-11 tells us those who really cared about the Lord spent time in the Tabernacle with him.  “And Moses took the tabernacle, and pitched it without the camp, afar off from the camp, and called it the Tabernacle of the congregation. And it came to pass, that every one which sought the LORD went out unto the tabernacle of the congregation, which was without the camp.

And it came to pass, when Moses went out unto the tabernacle, that all the people rose up, and stood every man at his tent door, and looked after Moses, until he was gone into the tabernacle.  And it came to pass, as Moses entered into the tabernacle, the cloudy pillar descended, and stood at the door of the tabernacle, and the LORD talked with Moses.  And all the people saw the cloudy pillar stand at the tabernacle door: and all the people rose up and worshipped, every man in his tent door.  And the LORD spake unto Moses face to face, as a man speaketh unto his friend. And he turned again into the camp: but his servant Joshua, the son of Nun, a young man, departed not out of the tabernacle.”

While all the people had the opportunity of spending time with God, Moses had developed a special relationship, which was apparent to all the people as they saw the cloud descend when Moses went to talk to God.  It was the kind of relationship with God that every Pastor needs to have.   Because of that relationship, Moses was able to come back and share what God had told him.  Desiring a similar relationship, Joshua stayed in the Tabernacle even when Moses went out to share with the people.  Forty years later, when Joshua assumed the leadership, God promised to be with him just as he had been with Moses, in Joshua 1:5-8.  “There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life: as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.  Be strong and of a good courage: for unto this people shalt thou divide for an inheritance the land, which I sware unto their fathers to give them.  Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest.  This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.”  This promise was dependent on his following God’s word completely. He would never have been given such a promise if he had not shown such a desire to know the Lord.  Unfortunately, most people settle for knowing about the Lord and never make the effort to get to know him personally.