Bible In One Year-Day 66 (Friday, March 07, 2014)

Commentary: Num19-21. In the last commentary, we talked of how God stands in defense of a child of God whose life is according to 2 Corinthians 10:5-6 “Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled.”

Chapter20 is about three important personalities; Miriam, Aaron and Moses. Without any contradictions, each has a measure of the grace of God upon their lives. However, we need to know that the levels of the graces are different for each of them. In addition, the responsibilities and purposes are different. 1 Corinthians 12

^4-7 Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all. But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.

Miriam was referred to as a Prophetess, this was a gift without an office. But Aaron, as a priest, had the grace to occupy an office. Moses was different, in that he carried God in a mission, i.e. he had the vision. Vision is God’s goal and we treated this aspect while we read through the book of Luke. Vision is a higher level to revelation. There are revelations in realizing a vision. Revelations gives directions while vision is the goal. It is vision you write down and use to run, while you use revelation to move from one level to another, i.e. more or less instructions. Revelation is like each page of a book (Vision). Vision is God’s purpose, while revelation is an instrument in realizing the purpose so that you don’t miss the road. You use revelation to fight the war or solve the problem at hand, while vision is the focus, the power of determination. You can’t be defeated if you don’t lose the vision. Revelations are signboards to destination, while vision is the real destination. Moses carried the vision. In Ex3&4, you could see the negotiation over the vision; God said He was in it. The level of God’s grace on Moses is in Num12:6-9/Jer23:28-29. One thing you need to know is that, human being might try to change the vision but God remains the same; instead of God changing the vision, He will rather change persons because His vision or goal is perfect; it reflects God’s faithfulness. This was what happened in chapter20. The three of them erred. Miriam was humbled with leprosy when she thought because she had the gift of prophecy, she could confront Moses, the vision carrier. From that moment (Num12) we didn’t read anything about her until her death in chapter20. Gift is not the ministry (Vision) but for the work of ministry. Aaron was stripped off his garment and his son was decorated in his stead. As for Moses, his appointment was terminated in verse12. His action in carrying out God’s instruction violates James1:19-21 on one side. In addition, he counted himself along with God by uttering the word “must we”. God is the Supreme and He will never share His glory with anyone. It was disrespectful on the person of God for Moses to say “must we” and it amounts to dishonor for him to strike rather than speak to the rock. This is a demonstration of the fact that God is not a respecter of persons. Many got it wrong with little explosion in ministry; the language changes, dressing code changes, morale revised, attitude takes another dimension. A lot who started very well got the vision re-written after sometimes to suit their mind and not God’s goal. They allow anything in the vision just to move forward; revelation and patience does not play important role anymore, rather programs upon programs replaces prayer for deeper revelations. Gradually, God is being pushed aside and human logic takes over the ministry. Moses took over with that statement which terminated his appointment; “must we”. If you noticed all along, Moses was always going to God even with the smallest case and he acted exactly on instruction but in this case, he mixed the flesh with it. The flesh is in display now in Christendom. Man of God is the center of any message, Jesus has been thrown out. I have had a lot say “I prayed for him, I prophesied to his life etc” Where is God’s mercy in answered prayers? If not for his mercy which the Bible describes as that which endures forever, no prayer would be answered. Let God be glorified in all we do; according to  Jeremiah 9:24 “But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the LORD which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the LORD”. In Luke4:18-21, we could see that Jesus owns the ministry but we, human beings, have pushed Him aside and taken over and allowed it to become Den of thieves. Check your actions, beloved, how are you contributing to the ministry; as a subservient servant or subduing servant (Matt23). You need to give the key of your ministry back to Jesus; according to  Isaiah 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 forever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this”. Just as Eleazar replaced his father (Moses), God could raise the unlearned, crude and un-polished to accomplish His vision. I pray that your bishopric shall not be replaced in the name of Jesus Christ. Next mile on the trip is Num22-24. Keep the fire burning and alive. JESUS MUST BE HONORED EVERYDAY, AMEN!!!