Comments for March 20

Notice that this was quite early in their wilderness journey (v.1) and that the reason God gives for doing it is to count those (v.3) that are of age to go to war, numbering them by their armies. He didn't wait until they were nearly in the promised land to make these preparations. In a similar way we are expected to prepare ourselves for the battle now, rather than waiting to see if it is needed. Our watchfulness is now - ready for the end when God chooses to declare it. Mr.13:33-35, Luke 12:41-46.

v.17 - What an amazing honour it would be for these men to be called by the Lord God himself. We are reminded in this that God knows us all by name and has the power to write our names in the book of life by His grace, and also to give us a new name. 2Tim.2:19, Rev.2:13,17

Historically, NUMBERS takes up the story where EXODUS left it, and is the book of the wilderness wanderings of the redeemed people consequent upon their failure to enter the land at Kadesh-Barnea. The wilderness journey is used again and again in Scripture, but we probably remember 1 Corinthians 10 as a prime example of the wilderness journey being used as an example. However there are many more. Psalm 95 Psalm 105 Psalm 106 Nehemiah 9 Ezekiel 20 - 22 Jude etc.:

The events covered in NUMBERS cover a period of 39 years.

SKILL FOR THE JOB

God has given us all individual and special abilities that are different to the people we associate with. Some people seem to have more skills than we do, but they probably are just skills that are more visible to the people around them. God has a plan for your life and he has given you skills and opportunities to develop those skills so that you will be able to use them in his service.

When God asked Moses to take a census of the Israelites, he told Moses to enlist the help of twelve men, one from each tribe, to count and register the people in their tribes. The twelve men God wanted were specifically named by him to do this work. They were obviously men who had the skills and aptitude to do the job. There were many other people in Israel - there were the skilled workers who made the Tabernacle, there were Priests, there were the men chosen as spies, there were other heads of families - but these men were chosen for this job because they had the skills to be able to do it and to do it well.

We all have special abilities given to us by God. Let's tune them so that when the time comes and we are called to work, we can do it well for the LORD our God.

The numbering of the people marks the beginning of the wilderness journey as such - it is an ominous start which will end with another numbering in which no one numbered in this numbering, save Joshua and Caleb, will be numbered. A whole generation fell in the wilderness - not because of the sins of making the calf, complaining about the lack of water or any of those things. They will fall because they did not believe that God would keep His word.

1:18 Declaring their pedigree is telling us that only those who were numbered and counted as part of the family of God were to be involved in the activities. A lesson for us. Separateness is part of our walk in Christ. We are exclusive - not because we have said so but because of our calling. If this is so then we should walk in a manner which befits our high calling.

V.19  "so he numbered them" The numbering of the people was not an sinful act itself, as Moses did it by Divine appointment; But, David incurred guilt by doing it without the Authority of God. 2Sam 24:10

The Book of Numbers is so named because God ordered a counting of His people.  This occurred twice, recorded in chapters 1 and 26.
In the first counting, there were 603,550 fighting men, twenty years and older.  An extrapolation would show that the overall population must have been over two million.

Num 1:46 gives the number of soldiers, aged 20 and above, as 603,550.  This is most
  useful in working out the number of the total Israelites who came out of Egypt.
  For every male aged 20+ there would presumably be 2 elderly parents, a sister or two,
  a maiden aunt, and a couple of grandparents, besides children. So, if we multiply
  600,000 by 4 (and it could be a lot higher), we get 2,400,000.  So we can comfortably
  estimate the Israelites as two and a half million.

V.47 The Levites were obliged to keep a register of their own. The numbering of the people was subservient to the separation of the Levites from those Israelites who were fit for military service

1:16     All these ‘renowned’ ‘princes’ died in the wilderness. Status in Israel was no guarantee of acceptability. It was down to faith. They lacked faith and so died in the wilderness. Where do we stand? Do we think of ourselves as of  ‘good Christadelphian stock’, for example or do we realise the personal call to each and every one of us to have faith in the promise that the Father has made to each of us individually?

The LORD ordered a census at the beginning of the wilderness journey and found that there were 603,550 males of twenty years and older (not including Levites) (v.46).  He ordered a similar census at the end of the wilderness journey (38 years later) and found 601,730 males of twenty years and older (not including Levites) (Num 26:51).  None of the 603,550 was alive at this time (Num 26:64).  There was not much difference between the numbers of the first census and that of the second.  The LORD had dispensed with an unfaithful generation and yet had maintained the numbers of His nation.  

1:3 I don’t suppose that those who were numbered at the beginning of the wilderness journey every considered that they would not enter the land of promise. However none of them did simply because they did not believe what God had said He would do for them – Jude 1:5

V.46 When we consider that in less than 300 hundred years, the number of the house of Jacob had increased from a total of 70 (Gen 46:27) to what at this time must have been a total of over two million people. There were just over six hundred thousand males (Num 1:3) plus women and children. It is even more astonishing when we consider the hardships they encountered. 

1:7      We may wonder about the value to us of these lists of names. However the mention of Nahshon here helps us to date the book of Ruth as being early in the days of the Judges for he is in the family ancestry of Boaz – Ruth 4:20. The number of generations from here at the beginning of the wilderness journey to Boaz requires that the events of the book of Ruth occurred early in the days of the Judges.

The LORD can call for a census of His people at anytime. He did so twice during the wilderness journey, as recorded in the Book of Numbers. However, man’s numbering of the people, on his own volition, would not be a righteous act like that of the LORD. It would have its underpinnings in pride and self-glorification. Such was the case with David (1Chron 21:1).

1:18 There is emphasis in this chapter on the ‘names’. Here we read of ‘the number of the names’ which is a phrase echoed – Acts 1:15- when speaking of the early disciples.

1:49 Whilst God was very concerned that Moses and Aaron numbered the men of war the tribe of Levi was not to be numbered. Herein is a principle. God is not concerned with numbers when it comes to service. He is concerned with faithfulness.

1:22,24         Here ad throughout the chapter we read of ‘the number of the names’ which seems an odd way to speak of people. However clearly it is a significant way of speaking of the elect. We find it in Acts 1:15 where a number of followers of Jesus are described similarly.

27:8 Israel were to give ‘according to their ability’. God does not expect more than His servants can give.  This injunction is the basis on which the first century believers gave. Acts 11:29

1:52-54           Organising a nation moving in the wilderness was a major operation. However the detailed instructions as to who was to camp where was not simply to maintain organisation. The nation in the wilderness typified the church of God. Made up of many individuals the church must work together in an organised way to glorify God. Things must be done according to God’s instruction rather than everyone doing their ‘own thing’.

1:54    That each tribe was to camp together shows that God is concerned with family life. A theme which continued into the inheritance of the land where each tribe was allocated its own parcel of the land to dwell in.  In the wilderness choice was not an option. Friendship with others from different tribes obviously was good. However it was not a sufficient reason to relocate. In fact such relocation was barred.  How often do our associations rely on friendship rather than location? Do we go to the nearest appropriate meeting place or do we choose to go, maybe miles unnecessarily, to be with friends?

Looking at Israel from the inside

Let's be honest, reading through this long and repetitive list is a bit boring. Few of us are interested in the facts and figures of our own nation, let alone a nation far away that existed so long ago. I think for us to get anything positive at all out of this chapter, we first need to take a look at what these figures meant to Israel themselves, and if we discover that, then perhaps we can at least appreciate the chapter from their point of view. We do this kind of thing all the time, for example when we read a book or watch a film, and all of a sudden we find ourselves caring deeply for the characters in the story, even though these characters have no immediate bearing on our own lives.

Imagine, then, for a moment, that you are a man, woman or child in the ranks of the Israelites as they march through the wilderness. At this moment they are encamped, so all your meagre belongings are neatly tidied away in your family tent. Next to your tent, and perhaps all around you, are the tents of your next of kin, cousins, uncles and aunties, and friends. The farther you go from your own tent the less you know the people, and the less you recognise the tents and people busying around them. Perhaps your clan has its own area to graze and keep cattle. You all have specific jobs to do, feeding animals, making food, gathering the manna, looking after the children.

Let's imagine you are part of the tribe of Naphtali. So your dad, or granddad, will have his ancestry carefully recorded, and will have a place within a committee of leaders, which have responsibility over your family clan. These are likely the ones you're camping near to. The oldest or perhaps most influential among that family committee will represent the family to the tribe as a whole. So the tribe of Naphtali has multiple family leaders, all meeting from time to time, and discussing issues and problems, as a kind of council of elders. Then, presiding over this top group, is the "head of the father's house", which is Ahira, the son of Enan from verse 15. Enan is your elected representative, and he speaks for the whole tribe of Naphtali when meeting with the other eleven leaders. This is the group named in v5-15, and we get this description of them:

"These were chosen from the congregation, leaders of their father's tribes, heads of the divisions in Israel."

Now if we look further down the chapter we can see how many adult men that Ahira had authority over: (v43)

"those who were numbered of the tribe of Naphtali were fifty-three thousand four hundred."

Now that's an incredible number - and Ahira was an important man. Each of those 53,000 men were, or potentially were, heads of a family themselves, with a tent, goods, livestock, and wife and children. So we can really start to see the size and scope of the whole camp. Your part of the camp (the tribe of Naphtali) has perhaps fifty thousand tents in it! So if you start walking from your tent, past your family members, past all your family clan, and towards the edge of the camp of Naphtali, you have walked a very long way indeed. In v46 you can see that the total number of tents could have been around six hundred thousand.

So what did those numbers mean to you? Well, first of all you would use them to compare your tribe to all the others, so that you can have a good gloat, or a good moan, because these numbers were a direct representation of how healthy, important and strong your particular tribe was. Secondly, it would reassure you that you had a sizable fighting force to protect you, because if we look in v45 we see that these were the fighting men, enlisted in the army. Thirdly, the number allowed the army captains to divide the force into hundreds and thousands, with captains over each (see example Num 31:14). So your father, brothers, and perhaps yourself, would know your captain, your other ninety-nine family members who would fight alongside you, the captain over a thousand, and so on. All of this gave structure and focus to your community, all of which is worth bearing in mind as we work your way through the rest of Numbers.

1:47   The tabernacle has now been built. The nation has already made the golden calf and the tribe of Levi separated for the service of God. So they are no longer numbered with the rest of the nation. 

1:14    “Deuel” here is called “Reuel” in Num 2:14

1:18     So this numbering took place about two weeks after Israel left Egypt as they left at Passover time – 14^th day of the 1^st month.

  1:16    The word translated “renowned” is more commonly translated “called” – Gen 1:5 is one of many such occasions. They had been appointed by God. A high status.

1:50      The tribes other than Levi were numbered – the men of war being counted. Levites, on the other hand, were not involved in military warfare. Their warfare was associated with service in the Tabernacle – Num 4:24 – see the RV margin  

1:5    the little phrase “stand with you” highlights the responsibility that fell on the shoulders of those who were heads of their tribes.

1:53 access to the tabernacle was only available for the priests. The rest of the nation could only approach near to it according to God’s instructions. So the Levites camped all around the tabernacle would prevent any Israelite easily violating God’s laws regarding access to the tabernacle.

Num 1:1-4 – The Book begins with the LORD speaking to Moses in the Tabernacle. This was exactly one month after the construction work was completed, 1^st day, 1^st month 2^nd year after leaving Egypt (Exodus 40:17).  This appears to be the first time the LORD spoke with Moses in the Tabernacle, 1^st day, 2^nd month, 2^nd year.  

A census was to be conducted to number 20yrs olds and upward who were fit and able to serve in their army (Num 1:2-3).  Instructions were given regarding the position of the tribes encamped around the Tabernacle.  Notice the Levites were not included in the count (Num 1:47). Their camp was to be located around the Tabernacle. They were between the Tabernacle and the tribes of Israel (Num 1:53-54).  The reason for this was “that there be no wrath upon the congregation of Israel” (Num 1:53). So the Priests had a mediator role between Israel and the LORD in offerings ad sacrifices. 

Lesson for Us

The presence of the LORD in the middle of the camp of Israel alerts us to remember that the Lord dwells in the middle of the ecclesia.  “And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.” (2Cor.6:16).   

Jesus, is the “minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man.” (Heb. 8:2).

Jesus is the appointed Priest by God and the mediator between God and man. 

“For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.” (1Timothy 2:5 -6). 

This pattern of the numbered camp of Israel with the tribes camped around the Tabernacle is the basis for the symbolic representation of time of rejoicing when Jesus returns. Jesus will return in power and sit on the throne with the saints, Jews and Gentiles around him. (Rev 7:4-12).

1 We are at Sinai in the book of Exodus when the events in this chapter happened.

The tabernacle had been set up  as can be seen from Exo 40:17

Verses Num 1:7-17 records the heads of the tribes of Israel.

All of these men were “great men” in their tribes.

They had worked together to provide wagons and animals for the transportation of the tabernacle through the wilderness

However they all died I the wilderness.

None of them entered the land of promise because none of them had faith in what God had promised.

Num 1:19-45 recounts how many “men of war” there were in the nation by their tribes.

All but two of those who were counted amongst the “men of war” died in the wilderness.

They died because of lack of faith. They did not believe that God would keep His word.

We know the names of the two – Josh and Caleb

Whilst God had promised that if faithful the seed of Abraham would increase we notice that at the end of the wilderness journey there were less “men of war” than at the beginning of the journey

Num 1:46 records 603,550

At the end of the journey we see

Num 26:51 records 601,730

Which is 1,820 less than at the beginning of the journey.

The lesson for us is clear

Heb 3:19   so we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief

That is they lacked the faith to believe that God would give them the kingdom

So, as Hebrews continues

Heb 4:1       let us therefore fear lest a promise being left us of entering into his rest any of you should seem to come short of it.

That is entry to the kingdom is determined by our willingness to believe that God will keep His word and give us what He has promised.

1 We are at Sinai in the book of Exodus when the events in this chapter happened.

The tabernacle had been set up  as can be seen from Exodus 40:17

Verses :7-17 records the heads of the tribes of Israel.

All of these men were “great men” in their tribes.

They had worked together to provide wagons and animals for the transportation of the tabernacle through the wilderness

However they all died I the wilderness.

None of them entered the land of promise because none of them had faith in what God had promised.

Verses 19-45 recounts how many “men of war” there were in the nation by their tribes.

All but two of those who were counted amongst the “men of war” died in the wilderness.

They died because of lack of faith. They did not believe that God would keep His word.

We know the names of the two – Josh and Caleb

Whilst God had promised that if faithful the seed of Abraham would increase we notice that at the end of the wilderness journey there were less “men of war” than at the beginning of the journey

Numbers 146 records 603,550

At the end of the journey we see

Numbers 26:51 records 601,730

Which is 1,820 less than at the beginning of the journey.

The lesson for us is clear

Hebrews 3:19    so we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief

That is they lacked the faith to believe that God would give them the kingdom

So, as Hebrews continues

Hebrews 4:1       let us therefore fear lest a promise being left us of entering into his rest any of you should seem to come short of it.

That is entry to the kingdom is determined by our willingness to believe that God will keep His word and give us what He has promised.

1:4 Being the “Head of the house” was a position of responsibility. He was to ensure that the counting was done correctly for his tribe. He had to ensure that every male who fell into the category was counted. In like manner today fathers have a divinely appointed responsibility to care for their children.

1:16 Each of the heads of the tribes gave identical offerings and at the end of the chapter what was given is totalled up.

We read that the spoons were given “full of incense”. The same is true of the bowls that were given. They were “filled with flour mingled with oil”.

The lesson for us is clear. There is not value in giving the “tools” without also supplying the effort to use the tools.

1:16 Each of the heads of the tribes gave identical offerings and at the end of the chapter what was given is totalled up.

We read that the spoons were given “full of incense”. The same is true of the bowls that were given. They were “filled with flour mingled with oil”.

The lesson for us is clear. There is not value in giving the “tools” without also supplying the effort to use the tools.

1:19 It would appear that this numbering took place at Sinai before the giving of the Law and related matters. Probably it took place almost as soon as the nation arrived at Sinai.

143 v.2 - The psalmist finds it useful to remind himself that no living man can be justified in God's sight by his own efforts. It is an important humbling theme of scripture and one which heightens our awareness of God's mercy and grace, and gives us more reason to praise his name. Ps.103:3, Job 14:3,17, 9:2,3, 15:14, 25:4, Ecc.7:20, Rom.3:20. Justification is available through Jesus. Let us be grateful and thankful for this beyond all else. Gal.2:16, 1John 1:10

144:8,11 - Here we see a contrast with the contents of God's right hand (Psa.16:11).

Psalm 143 :2 In asking God not to enter into judgement with him David realises that he cannot justify himself before God, no matter what he does. If we realise this we will not think that given a little more time we will have improved our lives enough to earn salvation. Rather will we develop a deeper understanding that we are saved by grace. This does not stop us trying to change the way we think and live. However we will realise that the change will still leave us falling short of the glory of God So we will come to rely more and more on the mercy of God and in so doing will please Him more.

Psalm 144 vs 2-3 contrast mot powerfully with Psalm 8:4. Of course Psalm 8 speaks of Jesus - Hebrews 2:6. Psalm 144 shows us what we would be like if Jesus had not come and died for us.

Psalm 143 - PRAYER FOR MERCY
There are times in the lives of every one of us when we need to cry to God for mercy. We find ourselves surrounded by either physical or spiritual enemies that try to take our lives or cause us to sin by tempting us. So let us take a look at one of David's prayers for mercy and see what we can learn from it.
1. He lifts God up and asks him to hear his cry for mercy.
2. He explains his position and why he needs the mercy of God.
3. He says how much he loves and needs God.
4. He pleads for and answer to his prayer by explaining that he needs God to answer, that, as far as he is able, he trusts, loves, and hides himself with God and he wants to do God's will.
5. He pleads that God, for his own sake, his righteousness, his reputation and his love would save him from his foes.
We are surrounded by temptations every day so let us pray to God as David did. We know that he saved David and he will save you too. Pray for mercy today.

143:10 In asking God to 'teach me to do thy will' David realises that 'it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps' (Jeremiah 10:23)

144:1 It might seem incongruous to see a servant blessing God for the ability to fight. However David fought the Lord's battles and so his praise of God is most appropriate.

143:1 If God taught David to ‘war’ and ‘fight’ then he would know also who he should fight. There is no conflict between being a conscientious objector and David’s position here.

144:12  That his sons might be as ‘plants’ has already been seen (Psa 128:3) as a blessing from God – it carries the idea of peace and stability which is something that will be established in the kingdom when the wicked no longer rule.

Psalm 143 In this prayer David requests six things from God.

There’s 4 wonderful verses in today’s reading, Psa 144:12-15.  David lists the best possible things that could happen to Jewish people in his days:-
our sons to be like mature plants; our daughters as polished corner stones; our barns full; our sheep giving birth to many lambs; the oxen strong; no burglaries and no emigrations; and no complaining.  It’s a great picture, isn’t it?
Now compare that with Hab 3:17,18. Here the prophet says that even though the worst possible were to happen, he would still rejoice in God. And what was the worst?
The fig tree and the vine giving no fruit; no olive oil, and no food at all from the fields; no sheep and no oxen.  In fact, total calamity! Yet despite all, Habakkuk would still praise the Lord.     If you’ve got a few minutes to spare today, just fill in your best possible, and worst possible happenings.  Then see if you are still with both David and Habakkuk.

143:6    We saw the lifting up of hands in Psa 88:9, 141:2 and we are encouraged to ‘pray lifting up holy hands’1Tim 2:8.

144:4,8 Man is ‘vanity’ so, if he is not careful, all he speaks is also ‘vanity’.

143:2 Man can only find justification through death. Whether it be Jesus through his own sacrificial death, or those who are his through union with that sacrifice in the symbolic death of baptism.

143:11 Notice for whose benefit David desired to be quickened. It is not for his own benefit but for God’s name’s sake. Is this the reason for our desire to be in the kingdom? Do we want to be in the kingdom for our benefit or to justify God?

143:2That no man is justified in God’s sight as expressed here in the Psalm is taken up by Paul – Rom 3:30– showing that the Psalmist is highlighting a fundamental principle for this is how Paul uses this passage.

Even after much thought, there are times when we do not know what to do in a given circumstance. Like David, we must pray to the LORD for guidance (143:8 see also Prov 3:5,6).

David is obviously in mortal danger while he prays Psalm 143. It is a desperate plea to God for help. The interesting thing about it is v2 "do not enter into judgement with me". It suggests the reason David was in trouble was because God was chastening him for his sin. This fits in with the time period after his sin with Bathsheba. David's plea isn't merely for God to save him from trouble, but from the cause of that trouble; namely his own sin. In v6-7 we see how desperately he longed for that forgiveness. The lesson for us is in v11-12 - note "in your mercy" and "for your righteousness sake". Forgiveness from God often accompanies our deliverance from trouble, which is why Jesus on several occasions said "your sins are forgiven you" when he offered aid.

EXTRA SKILL

I am not a man of war. If you put me in the middle of a battle, I would probably be the first man down. One of David's skills was to be able to fight, to make war and to win battles. God has given me skills in other areas, but the words of David are still appropriate for me. "Praise be to the LORD my Rock, who trains my hands for war, my fingers for battle. He is my loving God and my fortress, my stronghold and my deliverer, my Shield in whom I take refuge, who subdues peoples under me." (Psa 144:1-2)

David realised that although he was skilled at war, it was the LORD who gave him the edge. It was the LORD who trained his fingers and hands; it was the LORD who sheltered David from enemy attacks; and it was the LORD who subdued his enemies. I have had similar experiences. While playing the piano for Sunday morning services, I know God has given me ability and guided my fingers well above my skill level. At other times when I have prayed for guidance while I speak, illustrations have popped into my head which have turned out to be just what someone needed to hear. Again, while I enjoy speaking and have a certain amount of skill at it, I am certain that it is God's guidance that gives me the right words for the right people. How pathetic and weak we would be if God was not with us!

Praise be to the LORD my Rock, who trains my hands and guides me to bring glory to him!

144:4 From our perspective we can so easily see ourselves as all important. It is all too easy to form an elevated opinion of ourselves. David did not have that problem. Clearly his opinion of himself was informed by Scripture.

144:9 There are three occasions, here and Psa 33:2, 92:3 where David speaks of an instrument with ‘ten strings’. This provides us an insight into Hebrew music. One cannot help but realise that Hebrew music would sound very different from the sort of music that we use in our worship.

144:13-14        The blessing that David is speaking of is not just that he is looking for material wealth. Rather he is seeing these blessings coming upon him and Israel because of their faithfulness. This was promised in Deut 28:3-6

143:5   Notice that David gives careful thought – ‘meditate’ ‘muse’ – it is only on thinking about how God has worked in the past that we can have confidence about our lives now and in the future. Present tribulations should take their corrected perspective when seen against the background of God’s containing care for His servants.

David as a type of Christ:

1. he is persecuted because he is the Lord's anointed.

2. he conquers Goliath by striking a mortal blow to the head as Christ did to sin (Gen 3:15).

3. the cave David hid in compares to Christ's sepulchre. They each emerge with tokens of victory over their enemy.

4. he is joined by his brethren and others.

5. he is not accepted by his own people, and he absents himself from them for a time.

6. later he returns in triumph to be their king.

7. his loyal friends become the king's 'mighty men'.

Much of the above was gleaned from Psalms Studies, Volume 2, George Booker, p 830.

1. Psa 143:1 - "O Lord, give ear to my supplications" (Psa 141:1;142:1) - perhaps this has application to Christ praying at Gethsemane.

2. Psa 143:1 - "in thy faithfulness" (perhaps refers to God's covenants of promise; also compare with 1John 1:9).

3. Psa 143:2 - "enter not into judgment with thy servant" - Jesus could not be held bound to death as he didn't sin (Acts 2:24).

4. Psa 143:2 - "for in thy sight shall no man living be justified" - no man living can be justified (Rom 3:20). Even Jesus was justified only through his own death and only after his death given a nature where he would not be tempted in all points as we are (Heb 4:15). All of us are unworthy and need mercy.

5. Psa 143:3 - "the enemy hath persecuted my soul" - God's promises centered in Jesus, yet he was persecuted.

6. Psa 143:3 - "he hath smitten my life down to the ground" - literally (Matt 26:39) and figuratively.

7. Psa 143:3 - "he hath made me to dwell in darkness, as those that have been long dead" (Lam 3:6) - Christ would dwell in darkness for three days or perhaps this has application to the darkness from noon to 3 pm while on the cross (Luke 23:44-45).
8. Psa 143:4 - "my heart within me is desolate" (Mark 14:33-34;Heb 4:15;5:5-8).

9. Psa 143:6 - "I stretch forth my hands unto thee" - could this have application to Christ's uplifted hands of prayer, or his outstretched hands impaled on the cross?

10. Psa 143:6 - "my soul thirsteth" - Christ, like the Bereans, thirsted for God's Word (Acts 17:10-11), and Christ also thirsted on the cross (John 19:28).

11. Psa 143:7 - "my spirit faileth: hide not thy face from me, lest" - fortunately, Christ did not fail in his mission (Psa 22:1,24;28:1;Luke 22:43), or perhaps this refers to when Christ yielded up his life (Luke 23:46).

12. Psa 143:8 - "thy lovingkindness in the morning" - could this hint Christ's morning resurrection?

13. Psa 143:9 - "Deliver me...I flee unto thee to hide me" - David hid in a cave while Christ was hidden in a pit for three days and God delivered them both.

14. Psa 143:10 - "teach me to do thy will" (Luke 22:42;Isa 7:14-15).

15. Psa 143:10 - "lead me into the land of uprightness" - could this have application to the future millenial kingdom on earth where sin and death is done away with?

16. Psa 143:11 - "Quicken me" - could this have application to Christ's resurrection? (Acts 2:24;Rom 1:17).

17. Psa 143:12;54:4-5.

1. Psa 144:3 - "...or the son of man, that thou makest account of him!" - perhaps this has application to Christ who with his human nature vulnerability was tempted in all points as we are (Matt 26:63-64;Heb 4:15;2:7;Psa 8:4-5;John 14:28;Psa 22:6) - unlike his Father God who can't be tempted with evil (James 1:13) - on the other hand Psa 146:3 would seem to indicate "the son of man" might not have application to Christ.

2. Psa 144:4,8 - v4 "vanity"<1892>; v8 "vanity"<7723>.

3. Psa 144:7 - "deliver me out of great waters" - perhaps this has application to Christ asking for deliverance via resurrection (Psa 69:2,14).

4. Psa 144:7,11 - "from the hand of strange children" (John 8:41-42).

5. Psa 144:8 - "Whose mouth speaketh 'vanity'<7723>...their right hand is a right hand of falsehood" - the hypocritical Pharisees feigned friendship with Jesus (Matt 22:15-18).

6. Psa 144:9 - "a new song" - a song of the resurrection? (Psa 96:1-3;Psa 98:1-4).

7. Psa 144:9 - "ten strings" - the number ten is thought by some to signify perfection of divine order and/or judgment.

8. Psa 144:10 - "It is he that giveth 'salvation'<8668> unto kings" - God has provided His Son Christ through whom kings can have true salvation.

9. Psa 144:10 - "who delivered 'David'(<1732> means "beloved" according to Brown-Driver-Briggs) his servant from the hurtful sword" - could have application to David or Christ with both being beloved (1Sam 17:45;Luke 22:52).

10. Psa 144:12-15 - could this have application to the prosperity of Christ's kingdom on earth to come?

144:10  Throughout his “fugitive years” David was delivered by God from the hand of Saul. Now on the throne his confidence in God continues. The degree to which we can have confidence in God’s continuing care for us is determined by how much we see how He was cared for us in the past. Of course His care does not mean, as it did not for David, mean a trouble free life.

GOD'S WILL FOR YOU.

If you want to do God's will, where do you start?

There are so many amazing areas we could serve in. Some people choose to do missionary work, some devote themselves to music. Some people put all their energy into helping people - cleaning, making meals or they choose to work in the health industry. We could teach, organise, plan, write, work or encourage on the telephone or internet. And there are so many more other options.

The question is, have we chosen the right places to serve, or is there something different and maybe more effective that God has in mind for us?

David's devotion to doing God's will eventually led him to being King. But even as King, David still found himself needing God's guidance when it came to knowing and doing God's will. He prayed "Teach me to do your will, for you are my God; may your good spirit lead me on level ground" (Psa 143:10).

This is a prayer that we too should be praying so that we can know what God's will for our life is, and how we should go about it.

So, let's pray it today and ask for God's direction as we seek to do His will.

144:15   The happiness spoken of twice in this verse is not some inner emotion. Rather it is “blessed” <835> for this is how the word is translated for example in Psa 32:2

144:11-15          David’s desire that the wicked should perish from before him is not for any personal gain. Rather he sees the wicked as being a bad influence on him and his children. Without them he and his children would find it easier to worship God faithfully.  Paul says this is true of us 1Cor 15:33.

Psalm 144

Notice the language David uses to describe God, and consider that he might have been hiding in the rock caves of En-Gedi at the time:

"Blessed be the LORD my Rock, Who trains my hands for war, and my fingers for battle. My lovingkindness and my fortress, My high tower and my deliverer, My shield and the One in whom I take refuge, Who subdues my people under me." v1-2

At this time it may literally have felt that God was their only hope, the rock within which they were taking refuge. It was here that men gathered to David, many of whom had their own problems, so that David saw it as a miracle that these men were subject to him as their leader. David may have been thinking about Moses who had a similar problem, stuck in the wilderness with argumentative and dissatisfied people. The word "Rock" (Hebrew tsuwr) that David uses for God is first used in Exo 17:6 and Exo 33:21-22. It was when Moses brought water out of the rock that the people were quieted (Deut 8:15) and in Deut 32, the Song of Moses, the whole song establishes God as the Rock.

143:1,11          We should realise that it is because God is righteous that He forgives as can be seen in Rom 3:24-26

143:11  We might think that being “quickened” speaks of the resurrection. Whilst it does in many places here the Psalmist is asking to be “made alive” by the removal of his persecutors to that he can praise God more effectively. Free from the hindrance of man. Do we wish for our problems to go away so we can have an easier life or so we can praise God more effectively?

143:3-4            We should not underestimate the impact of those who opposed David on his life and his spirituality. Further we should realise that the way we speak of our fellow believers will impact on the way in which they serve God. If we are negative it will be unhelpful. If we are positive it will help to build them up.

144:14-15             The way in which David speaks here is like the way that God speaks of the blessings on the faithful in Deut 3:3-6

144:1 Do we see God as our “strength”? Society today teaches us to be self-reliant. We should be careful not to follow society in seeing ourselves as “strong”. Rather we should live a life which shows that we recognise our strength is to be found in having confidence in God and His word.

143 Notice that David appeals to God’s righteousness  (verse :1) as the basis for God answering his prayer. That is because God is righteous he will hear and by implication, answer our prayers.

This is followed with a  request that God will not enter into judgment (verse :2) because of his own shortcomings.

Whilst we might think that we are unworthy to speak to the Creator of the whole universe David is saying that because God is righteous we can approach Him in prayer in the certain knowledge that He will hear us.

Because of this confidence we see in the rest of the Psalm how David did, in fact, speak with God in prayer.

144:2 Having spoken of the way God strengthened David to fight he acknowledges that it is God who subdues his enemies – not the strength that David had been given.

It is like what Paul says –2Cor 10:17.

143:3 The way in which the Psalmist reflects on his position as being in a dark place and as if he is dead is echoed by the prophet Jeremiah – Lam 3:6 – when he reflects on the captivity of Judah by the Babylonians. Jeremiah identified with the city that had been destroyed. Are we “overwhelmed “ by the fact that Jerusalem is not a praise in the earth yet?

144 In this Psalm David acknowledges his own failing and mortality. He recognises all his skills come from God. We might struggle with the way in which David speaks of being strengthened by God for warfare. However David was the king of the kingdom of God and so that was appropriate.

Notice as the Psalm continues that David, even though he recognises that God has given him the strength to fight appeals to God for Him to intervene,

David, in verses:5-7 does not see victory being achieved by his own strength. Rather he sees that God will intervene  using the natural elements of the weather.

And notice that it relates to – Verse 10 - salvation, not David’s status.

144:1 David recognised that it was God that enabled him to conquer God’s enemies. We see this first when he went to fight against Goliath – 1Sam 17:36-37.

v. 8 - God requires us to keep asking - to put our petitions before him regularly. Asking once and then sitting back and doing nothing more about it is unacceptable with God. We need to make our requests known to him. We need to allocate God specific time every day for this communion, just as we allocate time in contact with his words, which is often where we get our answers. Luke 18:1-8, Gen.32:26, Matt.15:22-28, Rom.15:30, 2Cor.12:8, Col.4:12.

v. 16 The request for a 'sign' from Jesus was a repeated feature of those who opposed Jesus. As if they were not willing to accept that the healings that Jesus did were real proof of his claims. Matthew 12:38 16:1 Mark 8:11 Here John 2:18 6:30
v. 20 by using the phrase 'the finger of God' Jesus is reminding his critics that even the Egyptian magicians recognised the power of Yahweh manifest in Moses' miracles. [Exodus 8:19]

This unique section of Luke's gospel shows Jesus teaching his disciples, showing them how they should grow so that they would be effective ministers of the gospel after his death. To this end Jesus repeatedly reminds the disciples of his teaching in the sermon on the mount.
11:2-4 Matthew 6:9-13
11:9-11,13 Matthew 7:7-11
11:33 Matthew 5:15
11:34 Matthew 6:22-23

In re-presenting the language from the Sermon On The Mount Jesus is showing the disciples how the different parts of the sermon relate to their daily living.

:28 There are many who are willing to listen to Jesus' words but not all of them will keep those words. Jesus, in quoting Proverbs 8:32 is linking hearing and doing his words with wisdom. The wise man not only hears but does.

V.35  "Therefore watch out that the light within you may not be darkness" There are two kinds of darkness: (1) That of ignorance. (2) that of stubborn unbelief. The second kind, is the more dangerous. It was that kind of darkness which reigned in the hearts of those who hated Christ. Once present, it is hard to dislodge. "Watch out, therefore" 

11:27 Jesus' response to the woman who called out shows that the wisdom of God should be our focus - Prov 8:32

Some might suppose that v.13 says that the Holy Spirit will be given to all who ask for it. 
Jesus is here talking to His disciples who were, indeed, given the power of the Holy Spirit (Matt 10:1). 
Spirit gifts ceased after the initial gospel witness and the writing of the New Testament.
What we are encouraged to ask for is wisdom, which will be freely given, if we ask in faith (James 1:5,6).
 
v. 27,28 Jesus elevates the spirit over the flesh.  The deifying of Mary by the Catholic Church is in blasphemous contravention of this.
 
v.51 The Zachariah referred to was probably the priest/prophet who was killed at the behest of Joash (2Chron 24:20-22).

11:1 The disciples have the manners to wait until Jesus has finished speaking before asking Jesus a questions. This contrasts with the ‘certain woman – 11:27– and the Pharisee – 11:37– who both interrupted Jesus.

The Queen of Sheba will be subject to the judgement (v.31), as will the men of Nineveh (v.32). That means Solomon revealed Yahweh to the queen and instructed her of the LORD's world plan. Jonah did the same to the men of Nineveh. This shows that all those, throughout the ages, who have received sufficient knowledge of the LORD and His gospel will also face the judgement. Knowledge does bring responsibility.

Jesus claims to have performed His miracles with the finger (Gr. daktulos) of God (v.20). Ironically, He uses the same figure of speech to show the lawyers unwillingness to help their fellow man, by not lifting a finger (daktulos) (v.46).

11:2-4 Jesus had taught the disciples to pray ‘in this manner’ before in the Sermon on the Mont – Matt 6:9-11. the fact that Jesus had used the same words about three years previously and repeated them again now teaches us at least two things. Jesus’ disciples easily forget what they are taught If a teaching is correct it simply needs to be repeated when forgetfulness manifests itself. There is no need to change the message just because it is not easily remembered .

God is good. Earthly fathers look after their children, and give them food when requested. Surely the Good Lord in Heaven will answer the prayers of those who ask Him (Luke 11:6,7). If you check the parallel passage in Matt 7:11 you will see that there “Holy Spirit” is written as “good things”. I presume that we should understand this as God works via His spirit, therefore the product of His gift is through His spirit.

It is interesting to note that the expression finger of God (v.20) is used, by weather experts, to describe the most intense tornado. This category F5 tornado occurs infrequently (0.1% relative frequency), but with winds of 261-318 mph (416-510 kph) it is capable of incredible damage. One can imagine the destructive power of this tornado as if it were the LORD tracing His powerful finger across the land. Compare this imagery with David's request in Psalm 144:5: Part your heavens, O LORD, and come down; touch the mountains, so that they smoke.

11:9-13          This section is lifted out of the sermon on the mount -  Matt 7:7-11. So Jesus is repeating his very early teaching now very close to the end of his ministry. The sermon on the mount was directed particularly to the disciples. Likewise on this occasions the primary audience for his message are the disciples.

Vs.5-8 shows a parable which highlights a man’s importunity. The parable is given in relation to how we should pray. It is not suggesting that we should constantly badger and bombard the LORD with the same request. The LORD is not subject to the sort of persuasion that man is. The object of the parable is to show the attitude in which we should approach the LORD with our requests. We should come to the LORD with boldness and confidence, speaking frankly and specifically, without waffling (Eph 3:12; Heb 4:16). The LORD will hear (vs.9,10). Then He will answer our requests according to His Will.

11:5-14 This parable emphasising the need for persistence is all part of Jesus teaching his disciples how to pray, which was their question. He not only taught them the sort of words that they should use but that they had to be persistent in their prayers.

Jesus the antagonist

Consider the situation Jesus was in. He had been invited to the house of a Pharisee. He reclined at the table with him along with many other Pharisees, Scribes and lawyers. He then proceeded to insult, antagonise and criticise each of them. How would you have felt if you were one of them? Think about the room they were in. Maybe a large dining hall, but probably just a room in a house. No-one could get away. Jesus had forced the issue. And these men responded like cornered rats (v53).

Given that Jesus appeared to orchestrate this whole confrontation, it's so apt that he chose to liken himself to Abel and Zechariah. These men had simply done what was right, and in doing so were a challenge to the evil actions of their brothers. Both were murdered because they stood for an inconvenient truth, and for no greater reason than that. In Gen 9:5-6 and 2Chron 24:22 the same phrase is used regarding the bloodshed of these men: "I will require it". Jesus used the same in v50: "it will be required of this generation". Jesus now forced the Jewish rulers to consider their options: would they join that sorry group of prophet murderers, or take the criticism and repent? What would you have done in this closed room when all your friends were watching, with your pride and importance at stake?

"Who Is On The Lord's Side?"

"He that is not with me is against me..." (Luke 11:23)  vs  "He that is not against us is on our part" (Mark 9:40).

These two sayings of Jesus appear to be contradictory but they are not. These two sayings were spoken on different occasions and under quite different circumstances.

Luke 11:23 was a rebuke of half-heartedness. Jesus never had much time for those who were half hearted (Rev 3:14-17). There is no room for the uncommitted (Josh 24:15), "no one can serve two masters" (Matt 6:24) and those who truly belong will stay the course and run the good race (1John 2:19;1Cor 9:24-27).

Mark 9:38-40 was a very different situation. A man was reported to be doing good works independently (but in the name of Jesus). This man in question was not an opponent, for he was working in Christ's name. He might have been alienated from John but not from his master. Note the follow up comment (Mark 9:41). The humblest service "in his name", even by one who "followeth not us", is better than the loudest protestations of those who claim to "belong" but by their indifference prove themselves to not be true followers (Matt 7:21-24).

The above was gleaned from Balancing The Book: A Study of Biblical Paradoxes by Len Richardson, pps 52-55.

11:20 In making the point that he healed ‘by the finger of God’ Jesus is using the words of the magicians in Exo 8:19. The point being that the Egyptians recognised something that the Jewish leaders failed to see – namely that the man of God’s provision was able to do the work of God.

FATHER

The first word of the Lord's Prayer: "Father." (Luke 11:2) What an honour and privilege it is to be able to address God as our Father.

Imagine if Jesus, instead of suggesting we address God as our Father, had told us to pray to the Great and Most Holy God, the Avenger of Wickedness, and the One who Punishes Sin. The whole tone of the prayer would have been altered. We would crawl before the destructive and angry God, hoping that we might have caught him on a good day so that we could have the chance to crave mercy from him. But he did not, and told us to address him him as Father.

He is a God, who, as a father, loves us and wants the best for us. Because he is our Father, he wants us to succeed in the best possible way, he will provide all we need for our good, he will overlook our faults and guide us in the best way to go.

As our Father, we don't have to cower before God, hoping he won't lash out and strike us down. Instead, as in a father and child relationship, it is like we can sit on his knee and confidently share our feelings with him - our cares and worries, the things we love, our indecision, the best and worst of our days, our plans, hopes and dreams.

What a difference being able to address God as our Father makes to our prayers, and not only to our prayers, but to our whole lives in our relationship with him.

Let us talk to our Father today.

11:42-52       This section is a condemnation of the religious leaders of Jesus’ day and is repeated later – Matt 23:23-39

Luke 11:33-36

"No man, when he hath lighted a candle, putteth it in a secret place, neither under a bushel, but on a candlestick, that they which come in may see the light..."

Hiding the light of the Word is nothing short of spiritual disaster. We become spiritually myopic, seeing what we want to see, and not what we should see. We have become the barometer by which we judge others, and by which we judge the circumstances around us. We walk contrary to God's commands, and don't even see it. We give ourselves, not wholly, but partially to obedience to the Word, thus losing the true vision, and deception blinds us. We have become the "many" who will be rejected (Matt 22:14)!

In Luke 11:35-36, we learn that the "light" we see are at various levels of brightness. We may see part of the Truth, but not its fullness. We may live part of the Truth, but not in its fullness. Many of the Laodiceans were, "neither cold nor hot" (Rev 3:15). Jesus plainly tells us that we are either full of light, "having no part dark," or full of darkness. A middle-ground light in us is nothing short of darkness! "Take heed therefore that the light in thee be not darkness."

11:24-26     Just getting rid of a bad habit is not sufficient.  We should remove bad habits by replacing them with better ones.  It is no good just sitting there, so to speak, saying ‘well I haven’t done that sin’. Just thinking about the problem will cause it to remain. Rather we should fill our time with profitable activities so that we will not have time for the sinful things.

Summary Of Luke

11:1-13         Speaking to the disciples Teach us to pray – “The Lord’s Prayer” Parables about asking and receiving

                     :5-8     Parable - Friend at midnight

11:14-26       Accusation – You cast out devils by Beelzebub

                     :21-23 Parable – Strong man defends his own house

                     :24-26 Parable – house cleaned but more evil spirits return

11:27-28       Woman interrupts – blessed is your mother

11:29-36       Jesus warns the people that they are living in an evil generation

                     :30       Sign of Jonas

                     :31       Sign of Queen of the South (Queen of Sheba)

                     :32       Sign of the men of Nineveh

                     :33-36   Parable – Light in secret place

11:37-54      Pharisee invites Jesus for a meal. He goes with him

                     :42-52 Woe unto you ...

Luke 11:13.

11:4   The “evil” that Jesus is asking God to help us avoid is not the same as the “trials” –chastening - that He brings in our lives that we might develop the mind of Christ. It is those things which will attack our faith in Him.

11:53-54     The Jewish leaders were trying to make Jesus an offender “for a word” Isa 29:21

SIGNS FOR US

Jesus complained that his generation kept asking for signs. He said, "This is a wicked generation. It asks for a miraculous sign, but none will be given it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. For as Jonah was a sign to the Ninevites, so also will the Son of Man be to this generation." (Luke 11:19-20).

Looking back we can see that the generation of Jesus received sign after sign - healings, people raised from the dead, miraculous feedings, and even walking on water, for the observant. But by far the greatest sign they saw was the resurrection.

We too live in a generation that mostly chooses not to believe. But when we look at prophecies of the last days that have yet to come to pass leading up to and surrounding the return of Christ, we can see that more signs will be given to this generation than to any other. It has already begun with the return of Israel to their land, and as the time gets closer, the signs spoken of in the Bible will get more frequent and more intense.

Jesus will return. Are we being encouraged or warned by the signs we are given, or are we going to choose to ignore them? Either way, Jesus will return. It's our choice as to whether we will have been warned and whether we will be ready.

11:14-15       Notice how Jesus’ actions in healing the dumb man caused division amongst those who saw and heard. Whilst Jesus came to bring peace with God there were those who did not want his message. Thus his message  separated  between those who loved God and those who loved themselves.

11:19   Jesus’ question here informs us, incidentally, that he wat not the only one who cast out devils. The Jewish leaders did. The difference, of course, was that Jesus was always successful and the people watching knew this. Hence his great popularity.

11:53   The way the scribes and Pharisees are presented here is that whilst Jesus was talking they interrupted him, trying to divert him from his preaching.

Luke 11:17

“… every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and a house divided against a house falleth.”

A house against a house is at cross-purposes with each other and will eventually fall (Matt 12:25; Mark 3:25). In-fighting will tear itself apart, and this is true in all aspects of life - religious, domestic, political. Abraham Lincoln used this verse when he campaigned for the Presidency in 1858. Back then, the United States was so divided over the issue of slavery that many feared civil war would break out.

Today America and the world are at crossroads, divided against Socialism and Conservatism. Their words are fierce and threatening! America is a two-party system, the Democratic Party and the Republican Party; the Democrats pushing for Socialism, the Republicans for Conservatism, though not all. History has shown that Socialism/Liberalism/Communism only leads to disaster.

Margaret Thatcher: “The problem with Socialism is that you eventually run out of other people’s money.”

Winston Churchill: “Socialism is a philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance, and the gospel of envy, its inherent virtue is the equal sharing of misery.”

Adolf Hitler: “Why need we trouble to socialize banks and factories? We socialize human beings.” “The Voice of Destruction,” by Hermann Rauschning, 1940, pp. 192-195. Cf. the relevant part for this quote may be read at https://aristotlethegeek.wordpress.com/2009/06/10/we-socialize-human-beings/

https://www.nationalreview.com/2014/02/nazis-still-socialists-jonah-goldberg/

Gregor Strasser: “We are Socialists, we are enemies of the capitalistic economic system for the exploitation of the economically weak, with its unfair salaries, with its unseemly evaluation of a human being according to wealth and property instead of responsibility and performance and we are all determined to destroy this system under all conditions.” “Thoughts about the Tasks of the Future,” June 15, 1926, by Gregor Strasser, German politician Nazi Official, “and second only to Hitler in power and popularity.” https://www.britannica.com/biography/Gregor-Strasser

President Donald Trump in his 2019 State of the Union Address vowed “America will never be a Socialist country.” His approval rating went up to 59%. President Trump, the most popular Western leader in Europe because of his persistent stance against Socialism, their Socialist leaders like President Emmanuel Macron of France, approval rating at 27%, and German Chancellor, Angela Merkel, approval rating at 29%, fear what the impact of all this will be in the upcoming European Parliament Election in May 2019. Countries like Austria, Hungary, and Italy are moving away from the oppressive socialist rule of the EU. With the European Union dominated by Germany, it is but the extension of Nationalist German Socialism.  

The United States is at crossroads with Socialism, the world's countries are at crossroads such as never was, and as we watch it unfolding, it is clear that this cannot last too long. Whichever way some may cave in and give in, war is inevitable; the division is just too great.

11:49God’s approach does not change, even those spoken to did not listen to the prophets – see 2Chron 24:19

11:4 the sentiments of this prayer “deliver us from evil” is represented in the letters – Gal 4:1, 2Tim 4:18.

11:4 The prayer “deliver us from evil” should be the prayer of all faithful disciples. There is a man of who it is recorded that he made such a prayer – 1Chron 4:10. And he was heard.

11:21-22     The “strong man” represented the Jewish leaders. The “stronger” man was Jesus with the gospel message. The people listening to Jesus had to decide who to follow – in which strong man to place their confidence.

11:49 God’s approach does not change, even those spoken to did not listen to the prophets – see 2Chron 24:19