Aarron's Rod

Aarron's rod in Numbers was set aside along with a rod from each of the other tribes of Israel, 12 in all. This was done to put to rest the rebels. A rod or staff is a symbol of authority. I am impressed with the fact that Aarron's rod (or authority) brought forth life (the almond buds and fruit).

In a similar was, Jesus Christ has an authority that brings forth life. The Scriptures tell us that those who listen and heed His words shall have eternal life. Compare the authority of Christ with that of anyone else, whose authority brings forth life and whose brings forth death?

"Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him." John 3:36

The Door

"I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture." John 10:9

The Door of the Outer Court was a large curtain, made of fine linen, colored in blue, purple, red and white. A depiction of what the curtain looked like is pictured above, but we do not know for sure what it looked like. The above picture is an interpretation by an artist. But, we do know what the colors were based upon Scripture.

Blue indicates heavenly and godly. "Behold your God" Isaiah 40:9, pointing to John's Gospel, where doubting Thomas eventually says to Jesus, "My Lord and my God." John 20:28

Purple signifies kingship. "Behold your King" Zechariah 9:9, points to Matthew's Gospel, where Jesus , the descendant of King David (Matthew 1:1), declares after rising from the dead, "All authority in heaven and on earth is given to Me." Matthew 28:18

Red signifies blood. "Behold My Servant" Isaiah 52:13; 53:5, pointing to Mark's Gospel, where Jesus says He, "came to serve and to give His life as a ransom for many." Mark 10:45

White signifies purity and a right humanity. "Behold the Man" Zechariah 6:12, pointing to Luke's Gospel, where Pilate says of Jesus, "Behold I have found not one fault in this man." Luke 23:4,14 
These four colors are woven together to become the complete Door, just as the four gospels combine to give a complete picture of Jesus. Jesus Christ is pure and righteous, kingly and godly, and is this is how He as a man can be our ransom, the Door for us to enter into God's presence in the Tabernacle.

The Door of the Outer Court is the only way in, inviting and attractive. The Door speaks of both the compassion and the Kingliness of Jesus, His nature as both God and a genuine man, Son of God and Son of Man, woven together as a beautiful tapestry.

(Taken from http://www.domini.org)

I am the Door, I am the Door, By Me if any man enter in He shall be saved, He shall be saved, He shall be saved.
I am the Door, The words are but four, Millions are in, But there's room for more,The door's open wide, Come right inside, And Thou shalt be saved.

Workmanship Works

"Now as Jesus passed by, He saw a man who was blind from birth. And His disciples asked Him, saying, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” Jesus answered, “Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but that the works of God should be revealed in him. I must work the works of Him who sent Me while it is day; the night is coming when no one can work. As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” When He had said these things, He spat on the ground and made clay with the saliva; and He anointed the eyes of the blind man with the clay. And He said to him, “Go, wash in the pool of Siloam” (which is translated, Sent). So he went and washed, and came back seeing." John 9:1-6

Sometimes I am more concerned with correct theology rather than having the right actions. Have you ever been guilty of this? The above event involving the Lord Jesus gives us an explanation as to what we are called to do once we have been born of the water and of the Spirit. We are called to do the works of He who has sent out as His witnesses. How do you know if someone is loving? How do know if someon is merciful? How do you know if someone is just? You do not know someone's character until they are in a situation where they act. Man was created in the image of the living God, but since Adam sinned and plunged all of the human into sin, we have not being representing God as we were created to do so. So God in His love sent forth His Son to reconcile us unto Himself. Now all those who repent of their sin and put their trust in Christ are created new in Christ to serve the living God. Why created in Christ? Because He is the Son of Man (the builder of the name or character of man). He displays the perfect humanity that God is after and in following His example, we ought to be doing the works that our God and Father has sent us to do. Are you doing the works God has prepared beforehand for you to walk in?

"For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them." Ephesians 2:8-10

"...a House for My Name..."

“When your days are fulfilled and you rest with your fathers, I will set up your seed after you, who will come from your body, and I will establish his kingdom. He shall build a house for My name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. I will be his Father, and he shall be My son. If he commits iniquity, I will chasten him with the rod of men and with the blows of the sons of men. But My mercy shall not depart from him, as I took it from Saul, whom I removed from before you. And your house and your kingdom shall be established forever before you. Your throne shall be established forever.” 2 Samuel 7:12-16

Reflecting on the passage above, I have been appreciating the work of the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of David. David had purposed in his heart to build a house for the name of the LORD. But the LORD spoke words to David that reached beyond his life time. His son Solomon did build the temple that the glory of the LORD dwelt in, but this was only a foreshadowing of what was to come. Now the seed of David, who is Jesus Christ, has appeared as the LORD God foretold in time past, and He is now building a house for the name of the LORD. This house is made not of brick and mortar, but of those who have been redeemed by the blood of the Lamb and filled with the Holy Spirit. As the scripture says,

"...having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone, in whom the whole building, being fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord, in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit." Ephesians 2:20-22.

The hymn writer, Samuel Medley (1738-1799), wrote many years ago,

In Him it is ordained to raise
A temple to the Father's praise,
Composed of all the saints who own
No Saviour but the "Living Stone".

View the vast building, see it rise;
The work how great, the plan how wise!
Oh, wondrous fabric, power unknown
That rears it on the "Living Stone"!

Symbol of Authority

"For this reason the woman ought to have a symbol of authority on her head, because of the angels." 1 Corinthians 11:10.

Have you ever wondered why men remove their hats before they pray? It seems to be an odd practice if you are unfamiliar with it. I once asked someone why they removed their hat before praying and they said it was to sign of respect towards God. I would agree with this, but what about if a woman has a hat on her head? Should she remove it? Or should a woman have a hat (or covering) on her head when she prays?

"Every man praying or prophesying, having his head covered, dishonors his head. But every woman who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonors her head, for that is one and the same as if her head were shaved." 1 Corinthians 11:4-5.

According to the Word of God, a woman shows disrespect when her head is uncovered. I have discussed this with different people to find that many do not understand the teaching or dismiss it as a "cultural practice" that is no longer observed. But taking a look at the 11th chapter of the letter to the church at Corinth, one will see that the Apostle Paul writes the above quoted verse 10, stating "...the woman ought to have a symbol of authority on her head..."

What is the purpose of the headcovering? Is it to draw attention to men or Christ? It is to draw attention to Christ. Colossian 1:18, says "And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence." The headcovering is a symbol just as the Scripture says. For a symbol is something that stands for or suggests something else by reason of relationship, association, convention, or accidental resemblance; especially : a visible sign of something invisible (definition taken from Merriam-Webster).

The headcovering points to the authority of Christ. Man being the creation of God that shows forth character; males showing his authority and females showing his submission. Together as Man, they show forth the character of God. So when believers gather together to remember the Lord Jesus Christ, the men uncover their heads to show the Headship (authority) of Christ and the women cover their heads to show forth the submission of Christ. Both have their role so "...that in all things He may have the preeminence."

Some other Scriptures to consider along with 1 Corinthians 11:1-16.
- Job 1:6-12; 2:1-7. This Scripture shows us that the heavenly hosts are observing the things we do.
- 1 Peter 1:10-12. This Scripture tells us the heavenly hosts are looking at us even now.
- Ephesians 3:8-12. This Scripture reminds us of our purpose; to make God's wisdom to the Heavens.

Disarmed

"Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it." Colossians 2:15

I was reading in Numbers 16, about the rebellion of Korah, Dathan and Abiram. It says in verse 25, " Then Moses rose and went to Dathan and Abiram, and the elders of Israel followed him. And he spoke to the congregation, saying, Depart now from the tents of these wicked men! Touch nothing of theirs, lest you be consumed in all their sins." The Scriptures go on to tell us that the LORD opened up the ground and swallowed up "...with their households and all the men with Korah, with all their goods." As I was reflecting on this the above verse quoted from Colossians came to mind. The LORD in Numbers triumphed over those wicked men who rebelled against the command of the LORD through Moses and Aaron. And in these days He has triumphed over those who have rebelled against His command through Jesus Christ. But the interesting thing is this, in Numbers 16:25, it says, "...Depart now from the tents of these wicked men! Touch nothing of theirs, lest you be consumed in all their sins."

The LORD has spoken to us in His Son, Jesus Christ, and has given us a warning, depart from this wicked and perverse world or suffer the same fate as its ruler. Satan has been disarmed, Christ conquered death by suffering death on the cross and then rising from the grave 3 days later. God's message is clear, depart from this evil world and touching nothing lest you be consumed along with the "god of this age."

Vintage-Time

And he said to him, “Every man at the beginning sets out the good wine, and when the guests have well drunk, then the inferior. You have kept the good wine until now!” John 2:10

Reflecting on the above verse from the Gospel of John, I thought of how the living God has sent His Son. In Isaiah God refers to Israel as His vineyard, and in keeping with this expression, I am struck with how this highlights what the Lord Jesus did. Think for a minute of all the Prophets that the LORD sent forth to His people; Moses, Joshua, Isaiah, Elijah, Elisha and many more. These men being moved by the Holy Spirit spoke mighty words and conveyed truth about the living God. But even though these men brought forth mighty truth about the living God, He kept His best wine until now. God has sent forth His Son to make Himself known to the world. The LORD God creator of Heaven and Earth has kept back the good wine until now. Have you tasted of the good wine that the LORD has now set before all men? Vintage-Time is here and the LORD would have us come enjoy eternal life which is found in His Son, Jesus Christ. Come taste and see that the LORD is good.