SPIRITUAL DEVELOPMENT IN THE WILDERNESS
[p. 310] SPIRITUAL DEVELOPMENT IN THE WILDERNESS
Numbers 1:1 - 19; Numbers 2:1,2; Numbers 4:1 - 3
JT I suppose the main line of thought in Numbers is the wilderness. It is the wilderness we are treading. We have not reached rest, “There remains then a sabbatism to the people of God”, Hebrews 4:9. We read from Numbers because of the idea of individuality in chapter 1 in numbering the people. In chapter 2 we have responsibility and local unity. In chapter 1 we have names and also the thought of age, all of which will come out as we speak together; and then in chapter 4, the effect of age, how it develops growth; so we have thirty years of age, as compared with twenty years in chapter 1, which points to growth, whether individual, or local, or unitedly, or however we are set up according to the standard of our fathers’ houses.
The first thing to note is the individual history and responsibility, and so the persons who were to be witnesses are mentioned, and for each tribe; there is to be no mistake; and then in chapter 2 the standard is spoken of, the local responsibility; and in the third scripture read, the responsibility of service when we have the Spirit, and also the increase, individually or locally, that is in each person, because God gives the increase. Chapter 2 points to local gatherings, and whether there is growth there, either numerically or spiritually.
WW It involves every person taking a place at the Supper, and there are questions raised with us all as to these things.
JT This book speaks of all that, especially [p. 311] of levitical service, and of growth, what we spoke of as twenty years old, which is having the Spirit, or as thirty years old, which is ability to serve and worship God, as having power in his soul.
Rem Twenty years seems to have a military setting.
JT Young people should take account of what is current, and take their place in defence of the truth, to walk in the truth as having the Spirit.
Rem We cannot have any part in the truth till we have taken up this side.
JT Certainly, and no place in the assembly of God. As having the Spirit he has power in his soul, and if not, ask for Him, and tell the brethren, and they will soon see.
Rem The “panoply of God” in Ephesians 6 would be the full end; whereas in Romans 13:12 it is the “armour of light”.
JT Very good.
FWK The second year would speak of experience and the Holy Spirit being received; (chapter 1:1).
JT Just so, so the numbering in chapter 1 is not spoken of as from infancy but from twenty years, “all that go forth to military service”. One year has elapsed and there is something there to be relied upon. If one does not defend the truth he is not fit for fellowship.
PL Are we to know our pedigree?
JT That is, where you come from, your ancestry, and of what kind it is. How emphasised it is in 1 Chronicles; whether it is just socially, or spiritually; that is this first numbering.
Rem So verse 17 speaks of “these men who are expressed by their names”.
JT It is your father, and what he is doing, and what he was doing.
PL “These were the potters, and those that abode among plantations and enclosures: there they dwelt with the king for his work”, 1 Chronicles 4:23.
JT Very good.
PL And we get “the craftsmen” in verse 14, and “the byssus-workers” in verse 21.
WW That is very helpful, for the young as well as those that are older.
JT It is if a person has been proved to be such, but if he is not walking according to right principles he needs watching. All this leads to eldership and so forth; this is Numbers, in a contrary scene in every respect.
Rem Young men today in facing unions are called out in defence of the truth.
JT Yes; especially in the U.S.A. The young men especially are in need of it.
SEE “Take thy share in suffering”, 2 Timothy 2:3. It is what they are committed to.
JT Timothy was a typical young man.
FWK In 1 Corinthians 1 they are saints by divine calling (see note to verse 2).
JT Yes, “with all that in every place call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, both theirs and ours”, 1 Corinthians 1:2.
Rem “Of him are ye in Christ Jesus” (1 Corinthians 1:30) would be tracing it back to God.
JT Yes, to God. “In Christ Jesus” brings out the anointing, too. “Jesus Christ” would be His manhood.
Rem That would help the Corinthians to face their responsibilities.
JT Just so.
JSE What about conscription in this chapter for the testimony?
JT [p. 313] That a young man should accept, for the testimony is for the military idea to go forth to war.
GCS It says in verse 3 “go forth” first, and then “ye shall number them”.
JT Good.
GCS But what about being numbered?
JT In this first chapter they are to be ready to go forth to war, and to stand by the brethren in matters that need help and care, as in the care meeting. A brother is not numbered as a troubler, but as a man of peace.
FWK There is no individualism in this chapter.
JT No; but “according to their polls; from twenty years and upward” is the individual side; and twelve “men that shall stand with you” refers to taking part in the assembly.
Rem It says “according to their hosts”.
JT The book of Numbers in the early days was the wilderness, after they had passed through the Red sea, that is from Egypt to Canaan.
Ques Would you encourage the young men to be at the care meeting?
JT Yes, prayerfully, not as criticising the elder brethren. The Levite has relief from bearing arms or working, because he begins work at thirty.
Rem These men were “those summoned of the assembly” (verse 16, and see note).
JT That is it. The Lord selected a little child in Matthew 18 to use as a pattern.
Rem “Leading men among the brethren” in Acts 15:22, would allow for distinctiveness.
JT Acts 15, very good. We have to discern the want of leadership in the true sense, not twenty years old, but thirty years, not only having the Holy Spirit, but having developed in it. Manhood is much before us, and we are continuing the subject of manhood next year in our city readings.
PL Would “thirty” imply weight and influence through maturity?
JT Influence is a very good word. Eldership comes through influence.
Ques Why is this ten years difference?
JT I thought the Lord Himself was the type of thirty years of age.
PL “Jesus himself was beginning to be about thirty years old”, Luke 3:23.
JT That is it. The real Person.
AW David reduced the age to twenty years in 1 Chronicles 23:24 - 27.
JT He was short of men, so to speak.
Rem There was an addition of light and love connected with David; it brings out this young manhood as serviceable.
JT That is one of the best things to bring out, this as to David; “For of old, in the days of David”, it says in Nehemiah 12:46, and it must apply now. We have come to the young men, and they must learn by experience. The Psalms is a great book of experience.
P In Leviticus 27:3 we have the valuation of the male “from twenty years old even unto sixty years old”, starting at twenty as here in chapter 1, but thirty years old is not mentioned.
JT It is a question of the value of a man.
P Twenty years seems a definite mark.
JT Twenty-five years old is mentioned in Numbers 8:24, but not so much as thirty.
Rem There is much to encourage us in the young men today.
JT Yes, and never forget the young women. The word ‘Man’ means both male and female (Genesis 1:27); so they should both be learning and getting on in the truth.
Rem “That our sons may be as plants grown up in their youth”, Psalm 144: 12.
JT What about the daughters? They are mentioned, too.
Rem “Our daughters as corner-columns, sculptured after the fashion of a palace”, Psalm 144:12. It would give the idea of maturity in the young.
JT The children are mentioned too, “like olive-plants round about thy table”, Psalm 128:3.
JOS “The daughters of Zelophehad speak right”, Numbers 27:7.
JT Excellent, and not only well, but right things morally.
WW Why is the valuation of fifty shekels of silver for the males of twenty to sixty years in Leviticus 27?
JT It is a question of valuation. The old men lose their ‘caste’, and are regarded as being passed by, but Moses valued them; they were as good as ever!
PL Their value was not diminishing!
JT Caleb in the book of Joshua was a similar man, though much younger than Moses. In verse 18 of our chapter they “gathered the whole assembly together on the first of the second month”; then in the second chapter the local assembly is in mind, “The children of Israel shall encamp everyone by his standard, with the ensign of their father’s house; round about the tent of meeting, afar off, opposite to it shall they encamp”. One has to learn that after receiving his individual responsibility, he has to take up his local responsibility.
C The “princes” are mentioned in this chapter.
JT Quite so.
C What place have they in this book?
JT A very great place in chapter 7.
[p. 316] C The feature of mobility in view of the wilderness position, would this be so?
JT There would be princely power to go forth to war, and to defend the truth. He might be a poor man in other ways.
FWK Princes represent those who take on responsibility.
JT Yes; it involves accumulating power by the younger people, so that ‘able’ is the word, able to do things.
Rem “Princes of the tribes of their fathers”, in chapter 1:16, would mean family feeling.
JT Yes; and to learn to stand in his place, and not to go out of it.
FWK At Corinth they were inclined to make much of those who were not princely.
JT Very good.
FWK Quality is seen in spiritual leadership.
JT Read 1 Corinthians 2:6, and on to verse 10, please.
FWK “But we speak wisdom among the perfect; but wisdom not of this world, nor of the rulers of this world, who come to nought. But we speak God’s wisdom in [a] mystery, that hidden [wisdom] which God had predetermined before the ages for our glory: which none of the princes of this age knew, (for had they known, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory;) but according as it is written, Things which eye has not seen, and ear not heard, and which have not come into man’s heart, which God has prepared for them that love him, but God has revealed to us by [his] Spirit; for the Spirit searches all things, even the depths of God”.
JT The “princes of this age” were not the princes here; they knew nothing.
KMcK Jacob is an outstanding example of a prince, in Genesis 48, in contrast to these “princes of this age”.
JT He says, “I know, my son, I know”, Genesis 48:19. He knew better than Joseph; it shows that Jacob had developed fully in the princely idea.
Rem Jehovah started with a prince in Moses.
JT Just so.
Ques What does Aaron stand for?
JT The system. It is now brought down to us, the prophet and the priest; instead of Moses and Aaron it is in Christ Himself, no one else.
SC Is it worked out in the twelve men at Ephesus receiving the Spirit, in Acts 19, and later, in chapter 20, Paul calling over the elders of Ephesus?
JT Very good, showing that Paul was ahead of everything. It is a very good question to ask young people, “Did ye receive the Holy Spirit when ye had believed?” Ask them, and tell the brethren, and if they have not the Holy Spirit they will be in their place wrongfully. No one without the Holy Spirit can be in the assembly.
WW To be born anew is one thing, and to have the indwelling Spirit another thing.
JT So it says in John 3:5, “Except anyone be born of water and of Spirit”.
WW There is always a supply of grace and power for all tests.
JT Yes, and the tests will come, but defend the truth at all costs!
RGB Are those who take the lead ultimately, those who, while young, take on responsibility?
JT Yes; and the Lord will promote them to universal leadership. You are not to confine yourself to your local meeting; the continent and other places have a great need.
Rem Timothy was taken for a long tour by Paul. His influence thereby became widened. God was extending His empire.
JT Quite so.
PL Jabez prays, “Enlarge my border”, 1 Chronicles 4:10.
JT He is an excellent leader. His mother had something to do with it; she was a real “mother in Israel” He also says, “that thou wouldest keep me from evil, that it may not grieve me!”, 1 Chronicles 4:10 “And God brought about what he had requested”.
JT He is an excellent example for young people, “for the same Lord of all is rich towards all that call upon him” (Romans 10:12); and we can call at all times.
GCS The Levites encamped around the tabernacle, but the children of Israel were to be “round about the tent of meeting, afar off, opposite to it shall they encamp”, Numbers 2:2. They were a protection to keep the evil afar off.
JT The children of Israel here were not the Levites.
GCS The Levites were encamped as a protection to the tabernacle, near to it, “that there come not wrath upon the assembly of the children of Israel” (chapter 1:53), and when they “set forth” in chapter 2:17, the camps of the children of Israel were a protection “afar off” to the tabernacle and the camp of the Levites “in the midst” of them. Is it a universal view of the Levites here?
JT Almost universal; it is the Levites in relation to the tent of meeting.
GCS We may speak of the Levites disparagingly; we are to value and respect them.
JT Yes; we may ask especially whether the saints have respect for the levitical service; a very strong word is used of them, involving labour (see note to chapter 4:3); it is not ordinary service, it is real labour, arduous work.
WW What about chapter 4?
JT The idea of “thirty years old” is mentioned in regard to the Kohathites first (verse 3); that is their service is the most spiritual, and involves priestly power. It is more spiritual than the average Levite. Kohath is the leading Levite; this is to bring out the special quality in Levites, almost bordering on priestly power.
WW “It is most holy”; that would help us to take up the service in a priestly way.
JT Notice the cloth of blue that the Kohathites brought; the blue would speak of heaven, “Higher and higher yet”; the first day of the week we go higher, and do not go out by the same door as we came in, Ezekiel 46:9.
KMcK Why does it say in verse 3, “even unto fifty years old”?
JT It is the idea of the average age of the Levites; in 1 Chronicles 23:27 it is “from twenty years old and upward”, there is no limit. They are spiritual, able to take on things spiritually; they are “priests of God and of the Christ”, Revelation 20:6. So the first day of the week begins, and goes on to praise to the Father; we begin with ourselves as brethren, and then the Lord in the emblems, and go on, and the blue is sure to be seen.
WW Though old there is fulness and freshness.
JT Yes. Keep fresh, even if old. “What she could she has done”, Mark 14:8. There is to be no burden of reproach because of age.
WW All that enters into “the service” (verse 3).
JT So that “from thirty years old and upward even unto fifty years old”, all that enters into the service, real service, as the note says, ‘(labour, suffering, military service)’ not idling or taking holidays!
GCS They never get beyond fifty; sons are to be always ready for service.
JT ‘Ready’, that is the word.
GCS Paul says, “Salute Prisca and Aquila, my fellow-workmen in Christ Jesus (who for my life staked their own neck)”, Romans 16:3,4. They would be an example of this.
JT Yes. Each is mentioned the same number of times. So it is to be an exercise, if a brother is working hard in the Lord’s service, that his wife takes the same part.