Remove Not the Ancient Landmarks

"You shall not remove your neighbor's landmark, which the men of old have set, in your inheritance which you will inherit in the land that the Lord your God is giving you to possess." (Deuteronomy 19:14; NKJV)

Landmark – a boundary, a border

Physical Landmarks

1. Real Estate – boundaries of an individual’s property.

2. Stop Signs – bring order to our traffic system – if removed confusion results.

Spiritual Landmarks - serve to help one distinguish between right/wrong – if removed confusion results.

If the landmarks are removed:

1. Physical – lose land, life

2. Spiritual – lose soul…

"Therefore, brethren, stand fast and hold the traditions which you were taught, whether by word or our epistle." (2 Thessalonians 2:15; NKJV)

Jason Cicero

Cities of Refuge

During the days of the nation of Israel the six cities of refuge provided protection to those seeking to avoid the death penalty (Numbers 35:9-34).

A person had to make it to the city first in order to be safe. It was not enough to know about the city or to want to go there. It was not enough to pitch a tent just outside the gates. A person had to be within the city walls in order to be protected.

In the same way, it's not enough to know about Jesus or to want to meet Him. It's not enough to be near faith in Him. We must choose to be "in Christ" in order to be rescued from the death penalty: "that by two immutable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we might have strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold of the hope set before us" (Hebrews 6:18; NKJV).

Jason Cicero

Deuteronomy 17:14-20 and Solomon

Jehovah declared in Deuteronomy 17:14-20 that the kings of Israel should not:

1. Multiply Horses

2. Multiply Wives

3. Multiply Silver and Gold

Solomon did all three. His days were not prolonged in his kingdom. His children's days were cut short too. (See 1 Kings 4:26; 10:26-29; 11:1-3; 10:21-29)

"Also it shall be, when he sits on the throne of his kingdom, that he shall write for himself a copy of this law in a book, from the one before the priests, the Levites. And it shall be with him, and he shall read it all the days of his life, that he may learn to fear the LORD his God and be careful to observe all the words of this law and these statutes, that his heart may not be lifted above his brethren, that he may not turn aside from the commandment to the right hand or to the left, and that he may prolong his days in his kingdom, he and his children in the midst of Israel" (Deuteronomy 17:18-20; NKJV).

Read Jehovah's book. Learn to fear Him. Be careful to observe all that He has spoken and be blessed.

Jason Cicero

Hidden in My Heart

"

Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.

For all that is in the world — the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life — is not of the Father but is of the world.

And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever." (1 John 2:15-17; NKJV)

Jubilee

"The crowning feature, though, was the full restitution of all real property in the Jubilee Year. The primary object of this regulation was, of course, the reversion of all hereditary property to the family which originally possessed it, and the reestablishment of the original arrangement regarding the division of the land. But that was not all; for this legal disposition and regulation of external matters was closely connected with the high calling of the Jewish people. It was a part of the Divine plan looking forward to the salvation of mankind. "The deepest meaning of it (the Jubilee Year) is to be found in the apokatastasis tes basileias tou theou, i.e. in the restoring of all that which in the course of time was perverted by man's sin, in the removing of all slavery of sin, in the establishing of the true liberty of the children of God, and in the delivering of the creation from the bondage of corruption to which it was subjected on account of man's depravity" (Romans 8:19 ff) (compare Keil, Manual of Biblical Archaeology). In the Year of Jubilee a great future era of Yahweh's favor is foreshadowed, that period which, according to Isaiah 61:1-3, shall be ushered in to all those that labor and are heavy laden, by Him who was anointed by the spirit of the Lord Yahweh." (from International Standard Bible Encyclopaedia, Electronic Database Copyright © 1996, 2003, 2006 by Biblesoft, Inc. All rights reserved.)

A New Covenant Prayer

And Jehovah spake unto Moses, saying, "Speak unto Aaron and unto his sons, saying, 'On this wise ye shall bless the children of Israel: ye shall say unto them, Jehovah bless thee, and keep thee: Jehovah make his face to shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee: Jehovah lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace.' So shall they put my name upon the children of Israel; and I will bless them." (Numbers 6:22-27; ASV).

Father, bless us and keep us in your Son and Holy Spirit. Make your face shine upon us. Be gracious to us. Lift your countenance upon us and give us peace. In Christ's name, Amen.

Jason Cicero

The Lord's Supper: Our Peace Offering

Each kind of OT sacrifice had its own specific purpose and each sacrifice was handled differently. The two kinds of sacrifices offered at Mount Sinai were burnt offerings and peace offerings. The burnt offerings were completely burned up, and no one ate any of the flesh (Leviticus 1:8-9). In the case of the peace offerings, a portion was given to the priests (Leviticus 7:31-34), and the rest was eaten by the worshiper (Leviticus 7:11-21). What they ate was the flesh of the peace offerings (Exodus 24:5; Leviticus 7:11-21). The eating of the peace offering served to seal (to close securely, to certify as correct) the covenant (Exodus 24:11). Jeremiah confirms that the covenant at Sinai was made after the ancient manner in Jeremiah 34:18. What does this have to do with the Lord’s Supper? Notice the similarity between the words of Moses and the words of Christ. Moses: “This is the blood of the covenant” (Exodus 24:8; Hebrews 9:20). Jesus: “This is My blood of the new covenant” (Matthew 26:28; Mark 14:24; Luke 22:20; 1 Corinthians 11:25; NKJV). Notice the parallel between the making of the covenants. Moses: “This is the blood of the covenant” (Exodus 24:8)

Jesus: “This is My blood of the new covenant” (Matthew 26:28). The blood of Jesus that dedicated His covenant was His literal blood that was shed in His death. The “blood” of Jesus in Matthew 26:28 was a symbol of His blood, the fruit of the vine. In the OT, the sacrifice was an animal, and the portion eaten was from the animal. In the case of Jesus, the sacrifice could not be eaten by the participants because Jesus was the sacrifice. An even greater reason why our covenant sacrifice could not be eaten in ratification of the covenant was that our sacrifice was raised from the dead. Jesus, knowing these things beforehand, ordained a symbolic peace offering of His body and blood, the eating of which seals the covenant between God and His people. Thus the eating of the Lord’s Supper constitutes a weekly affirmation of our covenant with God. In Christ, all the sacrifices of the Law of Moses are combined and fulfilled. He is the sacrifice whereby we are completely dedicated to God (burnt offering). He is the sacrifice by which we are forgiven of sin (sin offering). He is the sacrifice by which we are cleansed from specific sins (trespass offering). He is our peace offering. Thus the Lord’s Supper is a symbol of Christ, our complete sacrifice, including our peace offering!

Jason Cicero

Christ in the Sacrifices

The Burnt Offering typifies Christ’s total offering in submission to His Father’s will (LEV 1; 6:8-13).

The Grain Offering typifies Christ’s sinless service (LEV 2; 6:14-23).

The Peace Offering is a type of fellowship believers have with God through the work of the Cross (LEV 3; 7:11-21).

The Sin Offering typifies Christ as our guilt bearer (LEV 4; 6:24-30).

The Trespass Offering typifies Christ’s payment for the damage of sin (LEV 5; 7:1-10).

Jason Cicero

Christ in the Feasts

Passover speaks of the substitutionary death of the Lamb of God (LEV 23:4-8; JOHN 1:29, 36; REV 5:6).

Unleavened Bread speaks of the holy walk of the believer (LEV 23:4-8; 1 COR 5:6-8).

Firstfruits speaks of Christ’s resurrection as the firstfruits of the resurrection of all believers (LEV 23:9-14; 1 COR 15:20-23); Christ rose on the Day of the Firstfruits.

Pentecost speaks of the descent of the Holy Spirit after Christ’s ascension (LEV 23:15-22; ACTS 2).

Trumpets, the Day of Atonement, and Tabernacles speak of events associated with the second coming of Christ (LEV 16; 23:23-44).

Jason Cicero

Hidden in My Heart

"For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope." (Romans 15:4; NKJV)

Reading the Laws of Moses

Remember these three things as we read the Laws of Moses:

1. Jehovah is behind every law (see James 2:10).

2. Jehovah wants us to be like Him (see 1 Peter 1:16).

3. Jehovah gave us law to guide us to Christ (see Galatians 3:16).

Jason Cicero

The Finger of God

Then the magicians said to Pharaoh, "This is the finger of God" (Exodus 8:19; NKJV).

"And when He had made an end of speaking with him on Mount Sinai, He gave Moses two tablets of the Testimony, tablets of stone, written with the finger of God" (Exodus 31:18; NKJV).

"Then the LORD delivered to me two tablets of stone written with the finger of God, and on them were all the words which the LORD had spoken to you on the mountain from the midst of the fire in the day of the assembly" (Deuteronomy 9:10; NKJV).

"But if I cast out demons with the finger of God, surely the kingdom of God has come upon you" (Luke 11:20; NKJV).

According to Jesus, "The Finger of God" is a description of the Holy Spirit: "But if I cast out demons by the Spirit of God, surely the kingdom of God has come upon you" (Matthew 12:28; NKJV). "The Finger of God is synonymous with the power of God and is an appropriate description of the third member of the Godhead" (Ferrell Jenkins, The Finger of God: A Study of the Holy Spirit, p. v).

Jason Cicero

What Deuteronomy 6:4 Teaches Us About God

"Hear, O Israel: Jehovah our God is one Jehovah..." (Deuteronomy 6:4; ASV)

We learn three things about Jehovah from Deuteronomy 6:4.

1. Eternal (YHWH)

2. Plural (Elohim)

3. Unity (One)

Jehovah is eternal. Jehovah is the Father, the Word and the Holy Spirit. Jehovah is one in the sense of unity.

Hear, O spiritual Israel, Jehovah your God is one!

Jason Cicero

Enough of That

Everyone has limits. Even the true and living God. Consider what we learn about Jehovah from these words of Moses:

Then I pleaded with the LORD at that time, saying: "O Lord GOD, You have begun to show Your servant Your greatness and Your mighty hand, for what god is there in heaven or on earth who can do anything like Your works and Your mighty deeds? I pray, let me cross over and see the good land beyond the Jordan, those pleasant mountains, and Lebanon." But the LORD was angry with me on your account, and would not listen to me. So the LORD said to me: "Enough of that! Speak no more to Me of this matter" (Deuteronomy 3:23-36; NKJV).

Jason Cicero

Be Sure

Now the children of Reuben and the children of Gad had a very great multitude of livestock; and when they saw the land of Jazer and the land of Gilead, that indeed the region was a place for livestock, the children of Gad and the children of Reuben came and spoke to Moses, to Eleazar the priest, and to the leaders of the congregation, saying, "Ataroth, Dibon, Jazer, Nimrah, Heshbon, Elealeh, Shebam, Nebo, and Beon, the country which the LORD defeated before the congregation of Israel, is a land for livestock, and your servants have livestock." Therefore they said, "If we have found favor in your sight, let this land be given to your servants as a possession. Do not take us over the Jordan." (Numbers 32:1-5; NKJV)

Moses expresses His concern of Reuben and Gad's request in Numbers 32:6-15. He is concerned that they, like the ten spies that brought back a bad report, will discourage their brethren. Reuben and Gad agree to go into the land and fight before they receive the land that they've requested. Moses then utters these words: "But if you do not do so, then take note, you have sinned against the Lord; and be sure your sin will find you out" (Numbers 32:23; NKJV).

Sin has consequences. If they don't find you out here, they will on the day of judgment. "Go and sin no more" (John 8:11).

Jason Cicero

Israel's Second Numbering

The Book of Numbers is easy to outline.

1. Order - The Old Generation (1:1 - 10:10)

2. Disorder - Transition - Postponement (10:11 - 25:18)

3. Reorder - New Generation - Preparation (26:1 - 36:13)

As we read the second numbering of the Israelites in Numbers 26 we see that a lot of them have died since the first numbering. The conquest of the land was postponed because of their mindset. They died because of their unbelief (see Hebrews 3-4).

Be faithful unto death and be numbered with the faithful in Heaven.

Jason Cicero

Hidden in My Heart

"For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope." (Romans 15:4; NKJV)

Jesus is the Star of Jacob

"I see Him, but not now; I behold Him, but not near; A Star shall come out of Jacob; A Scepter shall rise out of Israel, And batter the brow of Moab, And destroy all the sons of tumult" (Numbers 24:17; NKJV).

"I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you these things in the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, the Bright and Morning Star" (Revelation 22:16; NKJV).

"The scepter shall not depart from Judah, Nor a lawgiver from between his feet, Until Shiloh comes; And to Him shall be the obedience of the people" (Genesis 49:10; NKJV).

Let Him shine on you! Let Him rule every aspect of your life!

Jason Cicero

Take God at His Word

Jehovah said, "Speak to the rock..." (Numbers 20:8).

Moses "struck the rock..." (Numbers 20:11).

And Jehovah said unto Moses and Aaron, "Because ye believed not in me, to sanctify me in the eyes of the children of Israel, therefore ye shall not bring this assembly into the land which I have given them" (Numbers 20:12; ASV).

Notice Numbers 20:10. Moses was commanded to "speak to the rock." Instead, He spoke to the people. Moses made the same mistake at Kadesh in Numbers 20 that the people made in Numbers 14. "And Jehovah said unto Moses, 'How long will this people despise me? and how long will they not believe in me, for all the signs which I have wrought among them?'" (Numbers 14:11; ASV). They didn't enter into the promised land. Neither will Moses.

Hear the conclusion: Take God at His word. "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned" (Mark 16:15-16; NKJV).

Jason Cicero

Respect His Authority

And when Moses heard it, he fell upon his face: and he spake unto Korah and unto all his company, saying, "In the morning Jehovah will show who are his, and who is holy, and will cause him to come near unto him: even him whom he shall choose will he cause to come near unto him" (Numbers 16:3-4; ASV).

1. Numbers 16:1-40 - Jehovah deals with Korah's opposition to authority

2. Numbers 14:41 - 17:13 - Jehovah reaffirms Aaron

3. Numbers 18:1-32 - Jehovah reaffirms the duties and support of the priests

Hear the conclusion: Respect the authority of the true and living God - "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth" (Matthew 28:18; NKJV).

Jason Cicero

Moses Was Very Humble

"(Now the man Moses was very humble, more than all men who were on the face of the earth.)" (Numbers 12:3; NKJV)

To be "humble" is to be meek and lowly. To be "humble" is to prefer to suffer wrong than to do wrong. To be "humble" is to have one's strength under control.

Moses was the meekest of men when it came to abuse offered to him, but his anger could burn out against irreverence offered to Jehovah (see Exodus 32:19-20, 25-28).

Jason Cicero

The Cloud and the Fire

Numbers 9:15-23 has always reminded me of the children's game "Simon says."

"At the commandment of Jehovah they encamped, and at the commandment of Jehovah they journeyed: they kept the charge of Jehovah, at the commandment of Jehovah by Moses" (Numbers 9:23; ASV).

When Jehovah said, "Camp," they camped. When Jehovah said, "Journey," they journeyed. Obedience to His voice keeps us from getting ahead of or falling behind the true and living God.

Jason Cicero

The Purpose of the Book of Numbers

The Greek title in the Septuagint is Arithmoi, "Numbers." This title is based on the two numberings. The first is of the generation of the Exodus (1). The second is of the generation that grew up in the wilderness and conquered Canaan (26). Jewish writings refer to this book by its fifth Hebrew word in 1:1, Bemidbar, which means "In the wilderness," which more nearly indicates the content of the book (The Open Bible, p. 189).

"The numbering is more than a census or even military draft. In fact it is a national registration from which the Jewish people in centuries to come will trace their ancestry" (F. LaGard Smith, The Daily Bible, p. 159).

The Purpose of Numbers: To tell the story of how Israel prepared to enter the promised land, how they sinned and were punished, and how they prepared to try again.

Jason Cicero

Hidden in My Heart

"For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope." (Romans 15:4; NKJV)

All That Jehovah Commanded

"Thus did Moses, and Aaron, and all the congregation of the children of Israel, unto the Levites: according unto all that Jehovah commanded Moses touching the Levites, so did the children of Israel unto them. And the Levites purified themselves from sin, and they washed their clothes: and Aaron offered them for a wave-offering before Jehovah; and Aaron made atonement for them to cleanse them. And after that went the Levites in to do their service in the tent of meeting before Aaron, and before his sons: as Jehovah had commanded Moses concerning the Levites, so did they unto them." (Leviticus 8:20-22; ASV)

Jehovah "commanded." The Hebrew tsavah means "to command, to charge, to give orders, to lay charge, to give charge to, to order" (Brown Driver & Briggs Hebrew Lexicon). When Jehovah commands, His expectation is that He will be obeyed.

Jason Cicero

Strange

"And Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, took each of them his censer, and put fire therein, and laid incense thereon, and offered strange fire before Jehovah, which he had not commanded them. And there came forth fire from before Jehovah, and devoured them, and they died before Jehovah. Then Moses said unto Aaron, 'This is it that Jehovah spake, saying, I will be sanctified in them that come nigh me, and before all the people I will be glorified.' And Aaron held his peace." (Leviticus 10:1-3; ASV)

Fire is not fire. Nadab and Abihu offered "strange" fire before Jehovah. Look at Strong's definition of "strange" and meditate on the different nuances of the word:

OT: 2114 zuwr (zoor); a primitive root; to turn aside (especially for lodging); hence to be a foreigner, strange, profane; specifically (active participle) to commit adultery: KJV - (come from) another (man, place), fanner, go away, (e-) strange (-r, thing, woman). (Biblesoft's New Exhaustive Strong's Numbers and Concordance with Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary. Copyright © 1994, 2003, 2006 Biblesoft, Inc. and International Bible Translators, Inc.)

Jehovah would have us to be His. We are to be set apart to Him. He would not have a stranger, a foreigner come before Him.

Jason Cicero

And Moses Blessed Them

"According to all that Jehovah commanded Moses, so the children of Israel did all the work. And Moses saw all the work, and, behold, they had done it; as Jehovah had commanded, even so had they done it: and Moses blessed them." (Exodus 39:42-43; ASV)

Exodus 39:43 communicates the only time in Exodus that Moses pronounces a blessing on the people. Here's why: "Thus was finished all the work of the tabernacle of the tent of meeting: and the children of Israel did according to all that Jehovah commanded Moses; so did they" (Exodus 39:32; ASV).

Let us do all according to the commandment of Jehovah and trust that Christ will bless us!

Jason Cicero

Too Much

So Moses gave a commandment, and they caused it to be proclaimed throughout the camp, saying, "Let neither man nor woman do any more work for the offering of the sanctuary." And the people were restrained from bringing, for the material they had was sufficient for all the work to be done - indeed too much." (Exodus 36:6-7; NKJV)

Exodus 36 records the fulfillment of Jehovah's desire that was first expressed in Exodus 25. He longed for His people to bring Him an offering, willingly from their heart. They gave "too much."

How much are we giving to His work today?

Jason Cicero