Podcast Introduction

Today we will read Numbers 5-8. I’ll have some comments after the reading, and I’m calling today’s episode “God’s Benediction.”

Comments on Numbers 5 and 6

Thoughts on Numbers 5

In chapter 5, the Lord began preparing His people for the journey to Canaan, the Promised Land. Part of that process was to deal with the effects of sin among the people. He told Moses to send people who were unclean, the lepers, those who had a discharge, and those who had touched a dead body, out of the camp. Each of these conditions is a reminder of what sin does.

Why did this have to be done? Remember what God is doing with His people. He is preparing them to go into the Promised Land. He wanted to remind them that they must separate themselves from sin in order to accomplish this task. 

Notice also that in giving this command, He said, “send them away so that the camp where I am living among you will not be made unclean.” God would not dwell where there were any of sin’s effects. 

The Lord gave Moses instructions on confessing sin and making restitution, and He had a lot to say about how to deal with jealous husbands and their wives. 

Why did He spend so much time on this? 

One reason, I believe, is that the marriage between a husband and wife is representative of the relationship between God and His people. We learned last week when we read Numbers that God looked at His chosen people as an unfaithful wife. 

Another reason for God spending time on this is that jealousy, whether founded or not, can destroy a marriage, and God’s plan for marriage is that it should be a lifetime commitment.  God’s instructions here in chapter 5 when carried out, would reveal the guilt or innocence of the wife. The truth, once revealed, would then allow the husband and wife to take appropriate actions. It is clear that God does not want husbands and wives to endure the turmoil that jealousy brings. 

And since it appears that the ceremony seems to be a public, this was another way for the Lord to teach the people about staying faithful. To each other and to God.

Please note that there are different kinds of jealousy. Remember, God says, “I am a jealous God.”

If my neighbor gets a shiny new sports car, and I’m jealous because he got it instead of me, that’s sin. I am coveting. 

If my neighbor is flirting with my wife, the jealousy I might feel is because he has no right to flirt with her. She is my wife. Only I have the right to flirt with her. 

If I give my worship to someone or something other than God, He is jealous, because only God is worthy of worship.

So being jealous for something that rightly belongs to you is right, but being jealous for something that does not belong to you is wrong. 

So this passage in Numbers dealing with a husband’s jealousy shows how they were to determine whether the jealousy was right or wrong, and as I said, they could deal with the consequences from there. 

One last thing. The fact that jealous wives’ jealousy about suspected infidelities of husbands was not addressed does not necessarily mean that it never happened or that husbands got a free pass. It is entirely possible that this sort of ceremony could be employed in this case.

Thoughts on Numbers 6

Beloved, I want to go back to chapter 6 and the blessing with which God told Moses to have Aaron and his sons bless the children of Israel. God said, “…this is what they should say.” Notice that God gave them the words to say. He didn’t leave it up to their discretion. This blessing is directly from God. 

24“ ‘ “The Lord bless you and keep you; 25the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; 26the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.” ’

Shall we break this down?

The Lord bless you

God wants to bless His people. He wants the best, at all times, for His people, and he wants them to be happy.

and keep you

Can you think of a better place to be than to be kept by God? The giver and sustainer of life? Remember, these words are from God Himself. This is not just a nice wish, beloved. 

The Lord make His face shine on you

Some translations say “smile on you”. But for God’s face to shine on us, I think, goes beyond a smile. I think it denotes a warmth, a well-pleased and satisfied glow of approval for His people. Beloved, when we are in Christ, God sees not just us, but us as the redeemed children we are because of what Jesus has done for us.

and be gracious to you

God bestows His loving mercy on us

The Lord turn his face toward you

I like the KJV version of this: the Lord lift up His countenance upon you

In other words, the Lord pay attention to you. I think of the time when my boys were toddlers. I would often be busy, concentrating on a task. And one of my boys would come over to me and say, “Daddy.” And I would be steeped in the work I was doing, and not really hear them. “Daddy!” And my focus would be on the job. “Daddy!” And then I would turn my attention to them, and that was enough to satisfy them. Just by turning my face toward them, they knew that I loved them. Oh, to have the Lord of the universe lift up His countenance upon us. That is enough.

and give you peace.

This is the peace that passes all understanding. A peace down to the center of your being. Of knowing that as long as God is there, all is well and nothing can happen that He does not allow. And knowing that He is a good and loving God, He would never allow anything that is not ultimately good for us, that is enough. 

I truly love this benediction, this blessing. The first time I heard it, I was at Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa, and Pastor Chuck Smith spoke it. That was the way he closed every Sunday morning message. And I remember what a warm blessing it was. But no wonder, these are the words of God Himself, given to Moses, who gave them to Aaron and his sons to bless God’s people. Hallelujah and Amen.

Today’s Bible Translation

Bible translation used in today’s episode: Ch. 5-6 ERV; Ch. 7 NASB; Ch. 8 NLT

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Transcript Correction: Lifespring Family Berean, Sister Denise
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