Accepted into the Family

Num 36:8  And every daughter, that possesseth an inheritance in any tribe of the children of Israel, shall be wife unto one of the family of the tribe of her father, that the children of Israel may enjoy every man the inheritance of his fathers.
Num 36:9  Neither shall the inheritance remove from one tribe to another tribe; but every one of the tribes of the children of Israel shall keep himself to his own inheritance.

Each tribe of Israel was given a portion of land by lot, in the promise land. They were not to marry outside of their tribe, so that their land would remain in ownership according to the tribe to which they belonged. People of Judah were to marry those of Judah, etc. Intermarriage of tribes was forbidden. Those who were strangers could marry if they were circumcised and accepted the God of Israel as their God and kept the laws and customs. The book of Ruth is an example of a woman who married a Jew from Judah. When he died Ruth followed Naomi her mother in law back to Judah.

 

Rth 1:16  And Ruth said, Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God:

She was married to Boaz, the kinsman redeemer of the tribe of Judah. Their children would  keep the name of the dead husband in the tribe, with his inheritance in the land.

 

Rth 4:10  Moreover Ruth the Moabitess, the wife of Mahlon, have I purchased to be my wife, to raise up the name of the dead upon his inheritance, that the name of the dead be not cut off from among his brethren, and from the gate of his place: ye are witnesses this day.

 

It is interesting to note that Boaz had a Gentile grandmother, Rahab the harlot, who helped the spies who went into Jericho. Ruth and Boaz had a son named Obed, who was the great grandfather of King David, who was of the lineage of Joseph,  the legal father of Jesus who was born of the virgin Mary. Jesus' father is God.

 

A Gentile could be converted and be accepted by the Jews, but when marriage came with Gentile women who had other gods, this brought confusion and the judgement of God; they were to be converted first. God does not want diverse gods, among his people; He alone is to be worshipped and loved. Every race color and size of people are accepted if they come to the God of Israel. Jesus his Son has made the way to be accepted in the family of God, with your sins forgiven. We are an eternal family with everlasting life with Christ Jesus our kinsman redeemer.

Eaglewings Ministries Home

Midianites

Num 31:1  And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,
Num 31:2  Avenge the children of Israel of the Midianites: afterward shalt thou be gathered unto thy people.
Num 31:3  And Moses spake unto the people, saying, Arm some of yourselves unto the war, and let them go against the Midianites, and avenge the LORD of Midian.

 

Moses was given one more thing to do before he would die. The Midianites had shown themselves the enemy of Israel, so they were to be destroyed. I see this as the continuous sins of the leaders causing the wrath of God. Moses' own father in law, Jethro, or Reuel, was a priest of Midian and  he helped Moses, even giving him his daughter Zipporah as his wife as he kept sheep in the desert for forty years. It is interesting to me that Moses met Jethros daughters at a well, just as Jesus would meet a Gentile woman at a well in Samaria. God arranges events and he uses unlikely people for his plans.

 

Exo 2:19  And they said, An Egyptian delivered us out of the hand of the shepherds, and also drew water enough for us, and watered the flock.
Exo 2:20  And he said unto his daughters, And where is he? why is it that ye have left the man? call him, that he may eat bread.
Exo 2:21  And Moses was content to dwell with the man: and he gave Moses Zipporah his daughter. 

Eaglewings Ministries Home

Here and Now

I rarely see these Red winged blackbirds at the park now. I used to hear their wind chime bird songs along the marshes at days end. Could it be that I do not hear as well?

Job 34:2  Hear my words, O ye wise men; and give ear unto me, ye that have knowledge. 

Job 34:3  For the ear trieth words, as the mouth tasteth meat. 

Job 34:4  Let us choose to us judgment: let us know among ourselves what is good. 

Falling leaves blowing in the wind, this I see now.

Psa 1:1  Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. 

Psa 1:2  But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. 

Psa 1:3  And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper. 

Psa 1:4  The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away. 

The simplest of creation has its own beauty.

1Pe 1:23  Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever. 

1Pe 1:24  For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away: 

1Pe 1:25  But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you. 

A fisher girl perched upon a rock is intent on catching a fish in the pond. She blends in like she was supposed to be there. How many things happen that were supposed to happen? Something to think about. The woman at the well in John four had a meeting with the Lord, not by chance; she became a fisher of men.

Joh 4:25  The woman saith unto him, I know that Messias cometh, which is called Christ: when he is come, he will tell us all things. 

Joh 4:26  Jesus saith unto her, I that speak unto thee am he. 

Joh 4:27  And upon this came his disciples, and marvelled that he talked with the woman: yet no man said, What seekest thou? or, Why talkest thou with her? 

Joh 4:28  The woman then left her waterpot, and went her way into the city, and saith to the men, 

Joh 4:29  Come, see a man, which told me all things that ever I did: is not this the Christ? 

The lemons on my lemon tree are the smallest yet, probably because of lack of water. All living things need water. All humans need the Living Water of God. We were created in his image to fellowship with him. This is so amazing. How can it be that my Saviour would die for me?

Eph 3:7  Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power. 

Eph 3:8  Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ; 

A Robin has his eyes on a  ripe persimmon. Robins love fruit...and worms. The Robin's red breast is worn like a shield the color of the persimmons. We only have now, so let's make the most of here and now.

2Sa 22:36  Thou hast also given me the shield of thy salvation: and thy gentleness hath made me great. 

2Sa 22:37  Thou hast enlarged my steps under me; so that my feet did not slip. 

Eaglewings Ministries Home

No Leftovers

Lev 22:29  And when ye will offer a sacrifice of thanksgiving unto the LORD, offer it at your own will.
Lev 22:30  On the same day it shall be eaten up; ye shall leave none of it until the morrow: I am the LORD.

The LORD knows our hearts, so when we offer thanksgiving, we should mean it. When we eat our thanksgiving feast, we should be thankful to the LORD. The command to not have leftovers does not apply to our turkeys. I like feasting on the leftovers in the days following thanksgiving. Let us all thank the Lord for his bounty and the peace we have enjoyed for so many years. Things happen sometimes suddenly, to change the events of our life. I am thankful that the LORD changes not and that he is faithful. We will have a feast with Jesus in the future. Keep your faith in God and his word with thanksgiving.

Rev 19:7  Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready. 

Rev 19:8  And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints. 

Rev 19:9  And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God. 

A New Leader

Moses struck the rock twice, when the LORD commanded him only to speak to it for water. The rock was an important symbol of Jesus who was stricken once for us and we were only to ask of him and he would give us living waters. By striking him twice, Moses disobeyed, and was not allowed to go into the promise land. Moses was a true leader, for he was concerned about the people, that they would have an anointed leader to lead the people into battle. Joshua was chosen; Moses laid hands on him and part of his anointing was given to Joshua. The high priest was to inquire of the LORD for judgement  using urim "lights; something used to divine the will of God. In other places urim and thummin were used together. Joshua was to inquire of the high priest, whereas Moses spoke face to face with the LORD and gave counsel; to Aaron, the high priest. Joshua was to be the leader of his people when Moses died.

 

Num 27:12  And the LORD said unto Moses, Get thee up into this mount Abarim, and see the land which I have given unto the children of Israel.
Num 27:13  And when thou hast seen it, thou also shalt be gathered unto thy people, as Aaron thy brother was gathered.
Num 27:14  For ye rebelled against my commandment in the desert of Zin, in the strife of the congregation, to sanctify me at the water before their eyes: that is the water of Meribah in Kadesh in the wilderness of Zin.
Num 27:15  And Moses spake unto the LORD, saying,
Num 27:16  Let the LORD, the God of the spirits of all flesh, set a man over the congregation,
Num 27:17  Which may go out before them, and which may go in before them, and which may lead them out, and which may bring them in; that the congregation of the LORD be not as sheep which have no shepherd.
Num 27:18  And the LORD said unto Moses, Take thee Joshua the son of Nun, a man in whom is the spirit, and lay thine hand upon him;
Num 27:19  And set him before Eleazar the priest, and before all the congregation; and give him a charge in their sight.
Num 27:20  And thou shalt put some of thine honour upon him, that all the congregation of the children of Israel may be obedient.
Num 27:21  And he shall stand before Eleazar the priest, who shall ask counsel for him after the judgment of Urim before the LORD: at his word shall they go out, and at his word they shall come in, both he, and all the children of Israel with him, even all the congregation.
Num 27:22  And Moses did as the LORD commanded him: and he took Joshua, and set him before Eleazar the priest, and before all the congregation:
Num 27:23  And he laid his hands upon him, and gave him a charge, as the LORD commanded by the hand of Moses.

 

When Judas betrayed the Lord, Peter inquired of the LORD for a new apostle using the lots. They had chosen two candidates and the lots fell to Matthias. I do not know what the lots were, but it was like when we flip a coin to decide something. Perhaps the LORD was in the answer.

 

Act 1:26  And they gave forth their lots; and the lot fell upon Matthias; and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.

 

When they received the Holy Spirit, then they could inquire of the LORD by knowing the scriptures, by prayer and by the Holy Spirit.

 

John 16:13  Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. 

Eaglewings Ministries.com

 

Son of Man

The Moabites were concerned about all the Israelites coming into their land,  so King Balak offered to pay the local prophet Balaam to curse them. He could not prophecy from God to curse those who God had blessed. Instead of cursing them, he blessed them. Balaam may have been a prophet, but he was a sinner too. He would show Balak later that by their women he could turn their hearts away from serving the true living God, unto idols. Let's look at this brief prophecy.

 

Num 23:19  God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?
Num 23:20  Behold, I have received commandment to bless: and he hath blessed; and I cannot reverse it.

 

Jesus often referred to himself as the son of man. The prophet Daniel had a vision about the Son of man.

 

Dan 7:13  I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him.

 

Daniel's night vision, possibly of Jesus before he was born, appearing like a Son of man. Jesus is the God man, the son of God from heaven, and the son of man, being fashioned like a man, a second Adam, and our atonement for sins. In the prophecy that God is not a man, Jesus was not in truth only a man. He never had to repent nor did he ever lie. A natural man sins and not always tells the truth. A ruler who is a man may exalt himself, but it is evident that he is flawed by the lies he tells. Men have flaws. Jesus was perfect as the God-man, without sin or flaws; He is our perfect sacrifice for sins.

The devil and his demons new that Jesus was not just a man.

 

Mat 4:3  And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread.

Mat 8:28  And when he was come to the other side into the country of the Gergesenes, there met him two possessed with devils, coming out of the tombs, exceeding fierce, so that no man might pass by that way.
Mat 8:29  And, behold, they cried out, saying, What have we to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of God? art thou come hither to torment us before the time?

Mar 3:11  And unclean spirits, when they saw him, fell down before him, and cried, saying, Thou art the Son of God.

His disciples testified of him.

Mat 16:16  And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.

 

It is important to see Jesus as the Son of God, from heaven and also the Son of man to shed his perfect life blood for our sins. Both titles are needed to define who he is. He is also our Great High Priest. Isaiah gave a more complete prophetic description of our Lord.

 

Isa 9:6  For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
Isa 9:7  Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this. 

Do not sell Jesus short, He is God come as a man to redeem that which was lost.

Eaglewngs Ministries.com

The Brazen Serpent

  

Num 21:5  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.
Num 21:6  And the LORD sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people; and much people of Israel died.
Num 21:7  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.
Num 21:8  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.
Num 21:9  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.

 

Later on the brazen serpent was being worshipped, so King Hezekiah broke it into pieces. We are not to worship a graven image.

 

2Ki 18:4  He removed the high places, and brake the images, and cut down the groves, and brake in pieces the brasen serpent that Moses had made: for unto those days the children of Israel did burn incense to it: and he called it Nehushtan.

 

 Nehushtan: A thing of Brass.

 

Joh 3:14  And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up:

 

Brass shines in the sun.

 

Heb 1:3  (Jesus) Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;

Jesus was lifted up on a pole to destroy the work of the serpent, the devil. We are to look to Jesus for our salvation and our healing. The cross is a symbol of the place where blood was shed for our salvation. We are not to worship the cross, but the one who was on the cross who died to set us free and has risen from the grave to show us that we have eternal life through him. A popular old hymn is the Old Rugged Cross.

The Old Rugged Cross

by George Bernard

 

On a hill far away stood an old rugged cross,
The emblem of suff’ring and shame;
And I love that old cross where the Dearest and Best
For a world of lost sinners was slain.

So I’ll cherish the old rugged cross,
Till my trophies at last I lay down;
I will cling to the old rugged cross,
And exchange it someday for a crown.

 

Mar 8:34  And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.
Mar 8:35  For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel's, the same shall save it.

Eaglewings Ministries Home

Korah and Sons

  

Num 16:1  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:
Num 16:2  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:
Num 16:3  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 and two hundred and fifty of the most powerful and renowned men of Israel led a rebellion against the authority of Moses and Aaron. Moses reacted by falling on his face before the LORD. The LORD had the earth open up to swallow Korah and all pertaining to him.  The men with him were destroyed by fire from heaven.

Num 16:32  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.
Num 16:33  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.

You need to read all of this story in Numbers 16. I was wondering about all the Psalms that were written by the sons of Korah. Were they spared from this judgement? The answer was found in Numbers 26.

 

Num 26:10  And the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed them up together with Korah, when that company died, what time the fire devoured two hundred and fifty men: and they became a sign.

Num 26:11  Notwithstanding the children of Korah died not.

 

Apparently the sons of Korah were innocent of their fathers actions and were spared. The lineage of Korah continued for seven generations and Samuel was from this lineage. 

 

 "However, the most remarkable thing to note about the sons of Korah is that during the time of King David, they became the great leaders in choral and orchestral music in the tabernacle. Heman the Korahite had a place of great importance as a singer, along with Asaph (a Gershonite) and Ethan or Jeduthan (a Merarite). These individuals played an important role in the thanksgiving services and pageantry when the Ark of the Covenant was brought to Jerusalem. David formed an elaborate organization for song, instrumental music, and prophesying through these men."

Who were the sons of Korah in the Old Testament?

The LORD can use anyone he chooses to glorify him if they humbly seek to serve him. Jesus is our entrance to the service of the Most High God. You may not have been planned or wanted by your parents. Perhaps they were evil, but God has chosen you to serve and more; he has given you sonship in his kingdom. Let us use our gifts to glorify our LORD.

Psa 42:1  To the chief Musician, Maschil, for the sons of Korah. As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God. 

Eaglewings Ministries Home

Fearful

Num 13:32  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.
Num 13:33  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.

 

Num 14:6  And Joshua the son of Nun, and Caleb the son of Jephunneh, which were of them that searched the land, rent their clothes:
Num 14:7  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.
Num 14:8  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.
Num 14:9  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.
Num 14:10  But all the congregation bade stone them with stones. And the glory of the LORD appeared in the tabernacle of the congregation before all the children of Israel.
Num 14:11  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 shewed among them?

 

Joshua and Caleb had faith in the promises of God. The LORD told Israel to go into the promised land and that He would go before them, but ten of the twelve princes were fearful. Fear traveled throughout the people and they began murmuring and complaining again; but Joshua and Caleb had a more excellent spirit.

 

Fear is in our nation today as well. The thought of hidden Islamic terrorists is causing fear. The bringing in of millions of undocumented aliens and then ten thousand Syrians, mostly men of the age to be soldiers is causing many to fear. We are to be wise and use discernment, there is a danger and our leaders are dangerous to the America we know. Fear can paralyze a people, even cause them to take mob rule. In this rage Christians may well be thought as a threat as well. What? more to fear?  The LORD has spoken in every book of the Bible that we are not to be fearful. Fear is a spirit. There is a spiritual battle going on and the players are men and women here in this world. We are to fear God and be wise. If we are born again of the Spirit of God, we have the excellent spirit of Moses, Joshua and Caleb. We listen to the voice of God and not the antichrist spirit of the world. All this must be, before the return of Jesus.

 

1Jn 4:3  And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.
1Jn 4:4  Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world. 

Eaglewings Ministries Home

Spirit Filled Help

Num 11:14  I am not able to bear all this people alone, because it is too heavy for me.
Num 11:15  And if thou deal thus with me, kill me, I pray thee, out of hand, if I have found favour in thy sight; and let me not see my wretchedness.
Num 11:16  And the LORD said unto Moses, Gather unto me seventy men of the elders of Israel, whom thou knowest to be the elders of the people, and officers over them; and bring them unto the tabernacle of the congregation, that they may stand there with thee.
Num 11:17  And I will come down and talk with thee there: and I will take of the spirit which is upon thee, and will put it upon them; and they shall bear the burden of the people with thee, that thou bear it not thyself alone.

 

Our help comes from the LORD, we are not alone. As Moses needed help caring for the needs of his people he was given seventy men with the Spirit of the LORD upon them to help in ministry. When we look to the Lord for help, it is often by the caring of Spirit filled people that our comfort comes. We do need the fellowship of the saints with the different spiritual gifts that they have. Find true friends of God to pray together and to do the work of the Lord. Be thankful and give God the glory. Do not saturate yourself with the bad news.The good news is in the word of God and the truth is the living Son of God, Jesus our saviour. Our comforter is the Holy Spirit.

 

John 15:26  But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me: 

Eaglewings Ministries Home

The Uttermost

Num 11:1  And when the people complained, it displeased the LORD: and the LORD heard it; and his anger was kindled; and the fire of the LORD burnt among them, and consumed them that were in the uttermost parts of the camp.
Num 11:2  And the people cried unto Moses; and when Moses prayed unto the LORD, the fire was quenched.
Num 11:3  And he called the name of the place Taberah: because the fire of the LORD burnt among them.

Uttermost is an interesting word. When the people complained, the fire of the LORD, his judgement reached to the uttermost parts of the camp. Strong's concordance gives the meaning of "uttermost" as the end, the extremity; the border, the outskirts; the whole and the end. I see this as the fire of God, his chastisement reaching to every complainer. The LORD does not like complainers, those who demand their own way. We have complainers today that organize to spread their complaints and unrest among the people. It worked in the 1960's and now that these are in the ruling class, they seek to bring more complaining groups. The aim is to divide the people, to cause unrest and to rebel against the established authority. This leads to the downfall of a people and a return to slavery. Do you want to be in bondage? In Christ we are called to freedom.

 

Joh 8:34  Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin.
Joh 8:35  And the servant abideth not in the house for ever: but the Son abideth ever.
Joh 8:36  If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.

 

Jesus came to save that which was lost. A free people remains free by following the commands of the LORD. Moses was the intercessor for his people and when he prayed, the fire of the LORD was quenched. Jesus is our intercessor today . He saves the lost who come to him. Jesus is also our great high priest who makes intercession for us.

 

Heb 7:25  Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.

He is able to save to the uttermost. I like that use of the word "uttermost." God is able to bless his people abundantly through his Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, no one is beyond his reach. Do not complain, but call upon the LORD in faith knowing that Jesus intercedes for us and we can also pray for others who need his touch.

Eaglewings Ministries Home

The Firstborn

Num 8:17  For all the firstborn of the children of Israel are mine, both man and beast: on the day that I smote every firstborn in the land of Egypt I sanctified them for myself.
Num 8:18  And I have taken the Levites for all the firstborn of the children of Israel.
Num 8:19  And I have given the Levites as a gift to Aaron and to his sons from among the children of Israel, to do the service of the children of Israel in the tabernacle of the congregation, and to make an atonement for the children of Israel: that there be no plague among the children of Israel, when the children of Israel come nigh unto the sanctuary.

 

All the firstborn of Israel, man and beast are sanctified unto the LORD. Instead of being given to the LORD's service, the son's of Levi, the Levites were given as a sanctified people unto the LORD's service. They were to serve in the sanctuary and to make an atonement sacrifice for the children of Israel. They were chosen and knew how to prepare themselves to enter the sanctuary.

 

I remember the story of a barren woman, named Hannah. She prayed that if the LORD would give her a son that she would give him to the LORD. She had a son and called him Samuel.

 

1Sa 1:27  For this child I prayed; and the LORD hath given me my petition which I asked of him:
1Sa 1:28  Therefore also I have lent him to the LORD; as long as he liveth he shall be lent to the LORD. And he worshipped the LORD there.

 

The son was "lent" to the LORD, he was given to minister and to serve the LORD. Samuel was a prophet and the last judge of Israel, before they chose a king to rule over them.  1 Chronicles 6 (6:28) lists Samuel’s ancestors as coming from the Kohathite branch of the tribe of Levi, though not from the priestly line of Aaron. Thus, when his father Elkanah is called an “Ephraimite” it is an indication of WHERE he lived, not his tribal origins. Samuel was a Levite, a prophet and a judge.

Jesus was a firstborn son of the virgin Mary. He was not a Levite, but of  King David's tribe, Judah. Jesus is born to be king and priest after the order of Melchizedek, (Gen 14:8) a priest of the Most High God, with no known beginning or end. As followers of Jesus we are servants of the Most High God, born again into his family. We shall be kings and priests in his kingdom. We are servants now to be the light of God's truth in a sin darkened world. We are the chosen of God for his service. LORD here I am, unworthy in myself, but sanctified by the blood of Jesus.

Eaglewings Ministries Home

Badger

Num 4:5  And when the camp setteth forward, Aaron shall come, and his sons, and they shall take down the covering vail, and cover the ark of testimony with it:
Num 4:6  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.

When I think of Badgers skins I see a scrappy animal with sharp claws, kind of a strange covering, so I looked up Badgers skins and found the following in Easton's Bible dictionary.

 

Our translators seem to have been misled by the similarity in sound of the Hebrew tachash_ and the Latin _taxus , "a badger." The revisers have correctly substituted "seal skins." The Arabs of the Sinaitic peninsula apply the name tucash to the seals and dugongs which are common in the Red Sea, and the skins of which are largely used as leather and for sandals. Though the badger is common in Palestine, and might occur in the wilderness, its small hide would have been useless as a tent covering. The dugong, very plentiful in the shallow waters on the shores of the Red Sea, is a marine animal from 12 to 30 feet long, something between a whale and a seal, never leaving the water, but very easily caught. It grazes on seaweed, and is known by naturalists as Halicore tabernaculi.

There is always something to learn when reading the Bible.

Eaglewings Ministries Home

Princes

Num 1:4  And with you there shall be a man of every tribe; every one head of the house of his fathers.

 

Each of the tribes of Israel, except the Levites were to appoint princes of the tribes, leaders or captains of the armies among the people.

 

Num 1:16  These were the renowned of the congregation, princes of the tribes of their fathers, heads of thousands in Israel.

 

These were the leaders who were called upon to number the eligible men twenty years and older for future combat, and the census was useful for genealogy when the tribes would settle in their inheritance in the promise land. The inheritance had to be fought for and faith would be required as well as courage. They were to trust in the LORD who promised to go before them.

 

Later on King David made a census of his troops and this got him in trouble with the LORD, because he was trusting in the numbers instead of trusting the LORD. The United States had the greatest army and equipment ever seen to fight in WW2. Pride in the great material advantage of America replaced the trust and reliance on the LORD. Stubborn politicians faced spoiled young people of privilege who believed the socialist professors and "street organizers" Saul Alinsky's Rules for Radicals and the morals of America fell to drugs, sex, and rebellion. The soldiers who fought for America were brave and many were killed, only to be treated with contempt when they returned home. Wealth and power without God proved to be a disaster.  America is reaping the judgement of moral blindness, leaders who hate America and waste resources and a communistic lying media.  It appears that most of  our princes, or our leaders are serving their own interests. Will America return to the God of their fathers? There are a remnant of faithful people who  trust the Prince of Peace.

 

Isa 9:6  For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

The Lord Jesus Christ is the Prince of Peace.

Eaglewings Ministries Home

I will walk among you

Lev 26:11  And I will set my tabernacle among you: and my soul shall not abhor you.
Lev 26:12  And I will walk among you, and will be your God, and ye shall be my people.
Lev 26:13  I am the LORD your God, which brought you forth out of the land of Egypt, that ye should not be their bondmen; and I have broken the bands of your yoke, and made you go upright.

 

The LORD spoke of his being with his covenant people, to those who keep his commands. He will dwell among them, they will not be hated. He will walk among them, be their God and "ye shall be my people". It sounded like back in the beginning in the garden of Eden; only unfortunately Adam and Eve had disobeyed the LORD's command. It is impossible that we can keep from sinning in some way. Sin causes us to hide from God or to come to him with repentance.

 

Gen 3:8  And they heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God amongst the trees of the garden.

 

The LORD delivered Israel out of Egypt and bondage. One of the best things about America is freedom, but sin and willingness to let government control our lives will put us back into bondage. We are to be free in Christ and to use our freedom to bring others out of bondage. This is the work of the Lord Jesus Christ who walked among us.

 

Luk 4:16  And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up: and, as his custom was, he went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and stood up for to read.
Luk 4:17  And there was delivered unto him the book of the prophet Esaias. And when he had opened the book, he found the place where it was written,
Luk 4:18  The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,
Luk 4:19  To preach the acceptable year of the Lord.
Luk 4:20  And he closed the book, and he gave it again to the minister, and sat down. And the eyes of all them that were in the synagogue were fastened on him.
Luk 4:21  And he began to say unto them, This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears.

Walk with the LORD by walking in his spirit and doing his will.

Eaglewings Ministries Home

I will be hallowed

Lev 22:31  Therefore shall ye keep my commandments, and do them: I am the LORD.
Lev 22:32  Neither shall ye profane my holy name; but I will be hallowed among the children of Israel: I am the LORD which hallow you,
Lev 22:33  That brought you out of the land of Egypt, to be your God: I am the LORD.

 

 Dr. Ben Carson who is a Christian and a republican was recently accused of lying in a book about something concerning a scholarship to West Point. Those who are not Christians are quick to accuse the Christian of any sin or wrong doing while completely ignoring the evil in their own hearts and of those they support. They want to destroy a good reputation. We have an enemy, the devil works in the children of disobedience to destroy the reputation of a Christian or Jew and to dishonor the holy name of the LORD. I await the time when the accuser will be thrown into the bottomless pit and then the lake of fire.

 

Rev 12:10  And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.

 

Satan may use men to accuse us, but Jesus is our advocate who intercedes for us to the Father.

 

1Jn 2:1  My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:

We are loved by God and our saviour, the Lord Jesus christ.

 

Rom 8:33  Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth.
Rom 8:34  Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.
Rom 8:35  Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?

 

If we are in Jesus, God is for us. Who can be against us? Does it matter what the accusers say? Truth and righteousness used to be important in America, as one super hero would say" truth, justice and the American way". I am not sure what the American way is anymore, but truth and justice are the way of God's people. LORD may this be the American way as well.

Eaglewings Ministries Home

Ye shall be holy

Lev 19:1  And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,
Lev 19:2  Speak unto all the congregation of the children of Israel, and say unto them, Ye shall be holy: for I the LORD your God am holy.

We are to be like the LORD we serve. All the laws and ordinances were to show us what we should do and be, but it was impossible to keep them all. The LORD knows our hearts; Jesus even looked at our hearts to see what was in them.

 

Mat 5:27  Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery:
Mat 5:28  But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.
Mat 5:29  And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.
Mat 5:30  And if thy right hand offend thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.

Jer 17:9  The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?
Jer 17:10  I the LORD search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings.

 

Isa 6:5  Then said I, Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts.

Thank God for Jesus who kept all the laws and took our sins to the cross!

Psa 89:1  ...I will sing of the mercies of the LORD for ever: with my mouth will I make known thy faithfulness to all generations. 

Eaglewings Ministries Home

Priestly Garments

Lev 16:1  And the LORD spake unto Moses after the death of the two sons of Aaron, when they offered before the LORD, and died;
Lev 16:2  And the LORD said unto Moses, Speak unto Aaron thy brother, that he come not at all times into the holy place within the vail before the mercy seat, which is upon the ark; that he die not: for I will appear in the cloud upon the mercy seat.
Lev 16:3  Thus shall Aaron come into the holy place: with a young bullock for a sin offering, and a ram for a burnt offering.
Lev 16:4  He shall put on the holy linen coat, and he shall have the linen breeches upon his flesh, and shall be girded with a linen girdle, and with the linen mitre shall he be attired: these are holy garments; therefore shall he wash his flesh in water, and so put them on.

The LORD is holy and is to be approach in a holy manner. The LORD spoke to Moses what Aaron was to do.

 

Deu 34:10  And there arose not a prophet since in Israel like unto Moses, whom the LORD knew face to face,

Aaron was to wash his body and put on special priestly garments of white linen. He was to offer sacrifices on appointed times. He was not to enter into the LORD's presence at all times. I think that many churches have gotten too casual with preachers wanting to look and dress like the fashions of the world. They may wear Levis with holes in them and some younger people wear shirts with skulls and such as they play music for worship. What a privilege it is to be saved by the blood of the Lamb of God. We may enter into the presence of the LORD at any time by prayer, through the sacrifice of the Lord Jesus Christ.

 

Heb 4:15  For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
Heb 4:16  Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

 

The linen garments may be symbolic of the righteousness of Christ, but it was also used as burial cloth. It was to cover stinking flesh.

 

Heb 10:21  And having an high priest over the house of God;
Heb 10:22  Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.

1Co 15:50  Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.

 

Holiness is required, for God is holy and a spirit. We must enter his presence with clean hearts and in spirit and in truth. Fortunately we do not have to feel holy, for often we call upon him in afflictions and distress. He hears our prayers because we are spiritually in Christ Jesus. We call unto God the father by the name Jesus.

 

 Eaglewings Ministries Home