THE TABERNACLE SYSTEM (6)
[p. 156] THE TABERNACLE SYSTEM (6)
Numbers 11:16,17; Numbers 11:24 - 29; Numbers 12: 4 - 10
JT I think we observed in our last meeting, that Numbers sets forth the love of God seen in His journeying with us in our wilderness circumstances; so wherever the children of Israel went, God went with them. In Numbers 10 we see that as they were about to move the ark went before them. According to primary arrangements, the ark should be in the centre. Such a position is due to Christ, as He said in John 13: 13: “Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am”. Yet, He who has this position among them washes their feet. The Lord takes a lowly place to serve them; that is to say, love is not limited to its own arrangements. The love of God is sovereign, so that whilst the Lord has a place of honour among His people, He takes a lowly place to serve them. The ark went before the children of Israel to seek out a resting place for them; it bore the dangers, as it were, contingent upon seeking out a resting place in a way where they had not passed before.
AFM I suppose that the love of God would characterise the journey when the ark takes the lead.
JT It seems so; in the history of the church the love of Christ is seen in this way. He takes the lowest place to serve for the sake of the well-being of the saints. Even the great apostle Paul said, “ourselves your servants for Jesus’ sake” (2 Corinthians 4: 5), and again, “all things are for your sakes”, 2 Corinthians 4: 15.
AFM So that the ark takes the lead right on in love, even through the Jordan.
JT I think that an understanding of Numbers 10 enables us to see the bearing of these chapters which follow. In that chapter we see how the love of God [p. 157] meets oppression arising from the enemy, and how it settles other questions in relation to the calling together of the assembly, and finally we see how the love of God is connected with the ark going before. Now we come to chapter 11, where Moses feels the burden too heavy for him. This question is to be adjusted at the tent of meeting, so that it is written “And Jehovah said to Moses, Gather unto me seventy men of the elders of Israel, whom thou knowest to be the elders of the people, and their officers; and take them to the tent of meeting, and they shall stand there with thee. 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, and thou shalt not bear it alone”. That was to be done before the tent of meeting.
AFM I suppose this would show how the type fails, yet there was no lack of power for the Spirit is put upon seventy; but with the Lord Himself there was every capability to undertake the burden and carry us through.
JT Quite.
Ques Why are seventy taken?
JT It is an allusion to the principle of responsibility taken up by those who are qualified. They were elders of the people and officers over them.
Ques Would it refer to those who have a genuine care for the people of God?
JT Yes. “Whom thou knowest to be the elders”. They would be known to Moses as men who were already qualified.
BF How would you apply this today?
JT I suppose that the same principle applies today. Persons who are fit for the service of God are those who are already qualified by experience.
WB Was there a similar principle in connection with Stephen and [p. 158] Philip?
JT Yes, when murmuring arose among the disciples, the apostles said, “Look out therefore, brethren, from among yourselves seven men, well reported of, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we will establish over this business”, Acts 6: 3. Stephen and Philip are soon distinguished in connection with the testimony. They were men of good report and full of the Holy Spirit. What we are considering in the book of Numbers shows that God had not miscalculated the position, although Moses might have thought so; for there is no addition to the power already there: “I will take of the Spirit which is upon thee, and will put it upon them”.
Ques Was there not an expansion of the power?
JT Yes.
Ques Is that the way God meets failure?
JT Yes, and in doing so, God shows that He has not miscalculated. If it were said to Moses, “Carry them in thy bosom, as the nursing-father beareth the suckling”, there was power for it; for it was really God who was doing it.
Rem These seventy men were in the school of God.
JT Yes, and it is important to see that God has never miscalculated or underrated. He knows what is needed and gives it when the position calls for it. Therefore, if the vessels are increased, it is a question whether those who are already in the service can make room for the added vessels. Moses has a beautiful spirit with respect to those who were added.
AFM But you do not think that Moses failed to rise to the dignity of his position as having received the Spirit in such a wonderful way?
JT Probably he did not realise the extent of the power.
AFM In regard to making room, we find in the gospels that seventy disciples are sent forth, but their position did not conflict with the work of the [p. 159] twelve. We should desire to see amongst us expansion in the way of ministry.
JT I think that is an important thing. Joshua, being a young man, was disposed to be a partisan. There were two men who did not go out to Moses in the tabernacle, but remained in the camp; nevertheless the Holy Spirit came upon them: they were of them that were written. They were selected by God and they prophesied in the camp; but Joshua wished Moses to forbid them.
Ques How would you apply the position of the seventy today?
JT I think that what we are to learn is, that God has made provision for His people, and if those who are serving are not equal to the service. God meets the failure, not with an addition of power, but by adding more vessels. The power that came down at Pentecost is the same.
BF You would not say that Eldad and Medad represent those who are not walking in the truth. It is possible that there are some true ones in system whom God may use.
JT For some reason these men did not go to the tent of meeting; they should have gone. But they were among them that were written, and the Spirit came upon them so that they prophesied.
AFM I suppose we see the sovereignty of God in connection with these two men.
JT Yes, but they are not to be excused for not going to the tent of meeting. They missed what was said to Moses: “And Jehovah came down in a cloud, and spoke to him”. We do not want to miss anything that occurs at the tent of meeting. These two men represent persons who have relations with God; the name Eldad has some significance of friendship, and Medad refers to love. But although that is true, yet there is a tendency to neglect going to the tent of meeting and on account of that we miss [p. 160] very much.
AFM We have to learn that prominence is connected with the tent of meeting.
JT Yes, and we cannot absent ourselves from the tent of meeting with impunity, for we miss very much. There were certain occasions for gathering the people at the tent of meeting and such assemblings are not to be regarded lightly.
Ques Were the people gathered at the tent of meeting in view of adjustment?
JT The Lord gives His presence at the tent of meeting and whatever is to be dealt with is solved. It is not a question of right or wrong doctrine so much, but the presence of the Lord that settles any difficulty.
AFM We always need the presence of the Lord whether it is a question of adjustment, privilege, or discipline.
JT Yes, hence in a case of discipline, you rely upon the presence of the Lord. His presence solves the matter as we see here: “And I will come down and talk with thee there”. We see also that “Jehovah came down in a cloud, and spoke to him (Moses), and took of the Spirit that was upon him, and put it upon the seventy men”. It was God’s action. Who could question that?
AFM The result is that they prophesied, even the two men in the camp did the same. It was a mark of God’s sovereign choice.
HSD Although these two men did not go to the tent of meeting, yet they received the Spirit.
JT There are many who have the Spirit and minister, but do not know what it is to go to the tent of meeting; we should not like to restrict all real ministry to those who have the light of the assembly. Some persons have gift, yet they remain in the camp.
[p. 161] Rem In one of the gospels we read of one who was casting out demons, but was not among the disciples.
JT We are thankful for ministry, but to miss the Lord coming down to the tent of meeting is a great loss. One loses colour for he cannot take on the heavenly character and learn to do things rightly if he misses these occasions.
BF Is there any connection between the way that Jehovah comes down to the tent of meeting and what we read in John 14: 18, “I will not leave you orphans, I am coming to you”? Do you think that discipline is connected with that passage in John?
JT The subject we are considering in Numbers deals chiefly with discipline. While you may also connect it with John 14, I think that I would connect this section of the scripture with chapters 2 and 3 of Revelation. In those chapters we see the Lord walking among the candlesticks. His presence settles whatever issue there may be; for we may make a thing very clear and yet we may not settle it. But if the Lord comes in it is settled.
AFM Would it be like 1 Corinthians 5: 4, where the apostle Paul said, “when ye are gathered together, and my spirit”?
JT Yes, and Paul added, “with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ, to deliver such an one unto Satan”.
WB When the Lord comes in, I suppose the matter is ratified in heaven.
JT Yes, and it is written: “where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them”, Matthew 18: 20.
Rem Moses said on a certain occasion, “If thy presence go not with me, carry us not up hence”, Exodus 33: 15.
[p. 162] Rem The two disciples who were going to Emmaus were not adjusted until the Lord manifested Himself to them.
JT Yes, that is right.
Rem That scripture which says, “not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together” (Hebrews 10: 25), may be connected with what we are considering in Numbers.
JT Those who forsake the assemblings do not see the visitations when the Lord comes in, for it is the assembling of ourselves together that gives the occasion for Him to come. The assembling may be looked at as the tent of meeting.
WB In other places we see that Jehovah speaks from off the mercy-seat, but here He comes down to the tent of meeting; what is the difference?
JT In another instance when adjustment was needed, we saw that “Moses took the tent, and pitched it outside the camp, far from the camp, and called it the Tent of meeting”, Exodus 33: 7. In a similar manner 1 Corinthians 5 contemplates the idea that sin is to be dealt with. The brother who is guilty of anything that is evil has to be shunned: “with such an one no not to eat”. Fellowship is an important subject, therefore we have to be clear from what is evil. I think that is why the tent of meeting is emphasised at certain times.
WB And what we are considering is adjustment in relation to service.
JT Yes; the next thing we have to notice is the position that Miriam and Aaron assume in connection with Moses. They spoke against him. That was a sorrowful thing, for we were just considering how Moses was feeling the weight of things; but now he is also despised by those who are near him: “And Miriam and Aaron spoke against Moses because of the Ethiopian woman whom he had married”, Numbers [p. 163] 12: 1.
AFM Miriam takes the lead in speaking against him because of his marriage.
JT The marriage was only the occasion, for they could have spoken of it without going further, not that they would have been justified, but they said, “Has Jehovah indeed spoken only to Moses? Has he not spoken also to us?” I suppose the Ethiopian woman was a type of the church and what we see here may be taken as Jewish opposition.
HSD Do you think that the opposition arose from jealousy?
JT It appears so. The opposition comes in after the seventy are selected, after there was an extension of power. Miriam and Aaron did not say that God spoke to the seventy. They say, “has he not spoken also to us?” I suppose we may speak of Miriam and Aaron as those among the Jews who could not endure the testimony going out among the gentiles. Hence Miriam became leprous, “and the people did not journey till Miriam was received in again”, Numbers 12: 15. It alludes to the fact that Israel does not move now.
BF I suppose the truth is that the gentiles are brought into blessing and occupy the place that Israel once had and that the saints are now in a closer intimacy than Israel.
JT Yes, the wife was nearer than Miriam. You will observe that this question is also settled at the tent of meeting: “Then Jehovah spoke suddenly to Moses, and to Aaron, and to Miriam, Come out ye three unto the tent of meeting”.
BF Would this refer to the assembly in function today?
JT I think so, actual discipline occurs when we are gathered together.
Rem Moses did not defend himself against the accusations of Miriam and [p. 164] Aaron.
JT We see how the character of Moses shines out in this instance, “But the man Moses was very meek, above all men that were upon the face of the earth”. It seems as though God would emphasise the dignity of Moses, for He said to Miriam and Aaron, “Hear now my words: If there be a prophet among you, I Jehovah will make myself known to him in a vision, I will speak to him in a dream. Not so my servant Moses; he is faithful in all my house. Mouth to mouth do I speak to him openly, and not in riddles; and the form of Jehovah doth he behold”. From this we learn how to reckon on God when we are attacked, however serious the attack may be.
Ques Does the word “suddenly” in the fourth verse suggest the seriousness of the case?
JT Yes, it shows that God would settle it at once.
AFM I suppose that the greatness of Moses would be seen in his meekness. Would it be right to say that, as being the meekest man, he was the greatest?
JT The word ‘man’ seems to be emphasised here. It is not the official character of Moses but what he was in his relation to everybody.
AFM This case shows us how adjustment puts us in our respective places before God when anything is settled from heaven; Miriam was put outside the camp and Aaron beseeches Moses on her account. They are all adjusted.
Rem Speaking reverently, I think it is an honour if God should bear testimony on behalf of His servant, as in the case of Moses.
JT It makes you very restful, if anything happens like this. If it is a personal matter or an attack, you should rest on God; for if He approves of you. He will see that no one will do you harm.
Ques How does God indicate His approval of His servants [p. 165] today?
JT I think that God would make it clear that He is with them. God may appear by means of ministry on their behalf. The approval would be manifested in our meetings, just as these various issues were settled at the tent of meeting.
Rem Miriam must have been the leader; nothing happens to Aaron.
JT Evidently, she must have been the leader. It does not appear that Aaron was ever a leader in such matters.
Rem This instance shows us how solemn it is to attack anyone whom the Lord is using.
JT Yes, and it is well to observe by whom Moses is attacked here. He is attacked by those who were near to him, by those whom God is using, for Miriam is called a prophetess. The danger is to assume that you are as great as others, whereas the Lord will never allow His arrangements to be interfered with. Paul said, “Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me; that by me the preaching might be fully known, and that all the gentiles might hear: and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion”, 2 Timothy 4: 17. God would let no one put Paul aside. Although Miriam was a prophetess and God might have spoken through her, she was not as great as Moses.
Rem It seems that Aaron was easily influenced.
JT Yes, he was a man of affections; but it is not enough to be swayed by affections. We should be on our guard against being easily influenced.
Rem The making of the golden calf shows that Aaron was not firm.
JT Yes, he did not mean to be a leader in idolatry, but he went with it.
BF What is suggested in Miriam being made [p. 166] leprous?
JT I think it suggests the state in Israel; you could not apply it to an individual. I think Miriam represents a state more than a person.
AFM It is will.
JT In a subjective way, so that she was shut out of the camp seven days and the people did not journey.
AFM In a similar manner, if there is a condition like this among us, we do not receive much help and real ministry until the thing is healed.
JT Yes, not even until the man was restored was there much movement at Corinth. If discipline or restoration is to be executed, we cannot go on until it occurs.
Rem The first letter to the Corinthians was more on the line of adjustment, while the second presented ministry of a different character.
JT Yes, they could move on; the man was ready for recovery.
Rem So that, in our local meetings, if we are able to recover one, the Lord takes account of that and helps us.
JT Yes, I think so.
Ques Do you not think that we have a tendency to be indifferent in connection with restoration?
JT There may be such a tendency yet there are those who are not indifferent. In the case before us, all seemed to be concerned, “And the people journeyed not till Miriam was brought in again”, Numbers 12: 15.