Inspiring Words Knight Vision

We are in Numbers chapter ten with our word for today. רְבָבָה a very great quantity, immense number, myriad, thousands, ten thousand, ten thousands, flourish. It is used 18 times in the Old Testament. We find our word used in the sense of flourish when God is speaking about how he blessed his people. Ezekiel 16:7 I made you רְבָבָ֗ה flourish like a plant of the field. And you grew up and became tall and arrived at full adornment. Most of the uses of our word are in the sense of ten thousand, the cardinal number that is the product of ten and one thousand, could also be used to refer to a large indefinite number. A good example would be of Rebekah’s blessing and the song that was sung about David’s military success that made Saul jealous. Genesis 24:60 And they blessed Rebekah and said to her, “Our sister, may you become thousands רְבָבָ֑ה of ten thousands, and may your offspring possess the gate of those who hate him!” 1 Samuel 18:7-8 And the women sang to one another as they celebrated, “Saul has struck down his thousands, and David בְּרִבְבֹתָֽיו his ten thousands.” And Saul was very angry, and this saying displeased him. He said, “They have ascribed to David רְבָב֔וֹת ten thousands, and to me they have ascribed thousands, and what more can he have but the kingdom?” We also see our word used in the context of God making his people successful in battle. Leviticus 26:7-8 You shall chase your enemies, and they shall fall before you by the sword. Five of you shall chase a hundred, and a hundred of you shall chase רְבָבָ֣ה ten thousand, and your enemies shall fall before you by the sword. This is exactly how our word is used in our chapter today. Numbers 10:35-36 And whenever the ark set out, Moses said, “Arise, O LORD, and let your enemies be scattered, and let those who hate you flee before you.” And when it rested, he said, “Return, O LORD, to the רִֽבְב֖וֹת ten thousand אַלְפֵ֥י thousands of Israel.” I’ll close with these great passages from Psalms that echo Moses words of prayer to God for victory against enemies. Psalm 3:5-6 I woke again, for the Lord sustained me. I will not be afraidמֵרִבְב֥וֹת of many thousands of people who have set themselves against me all around. Psalm 91:7-10 A אֶ֗לֶף thousand may fall at your side, וּרְבָבָ֥ה ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you. You will only look with your eyes and see the recompense of the wicked. Because you have made the Lord your dwelling place— the Most High, who is my refuge— no evil shall be allowed to befall you, no plague come near your tent. 

We are in Numbers chapter ten with our word for today. אֶ֫לֶף thousand, group of a thousand, clan, region, tribe. It is used 13 times in the Old Testament, twice in our chapter. Our word is used most of the time in the sense of clan, a group of people related by a common ancestor. Joshua 22:30 When Phinehas the priest and the chiefs of the congregation, the heads אַלְפֵ֤י of the families of Israel who were with him, heard the words that the people of Reuben and the people of Gad and the people of Manasseh spoke, it was good in their eyes. Judges 6:14-15 And the Lord turned to him and said, “Go in this might of yours and save Israel from the hand of Midian; do not I send you?” And he said to him, “Please, Lord, how can I save Israel? Behold, אַלְפִּי֙ my clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my father’s house.” We also find our word used in the sense of thousand, the cardinal number 1,000, sometimes exactly mathematically accurate and other times may simply be used to refer to a very large and uncountable number. A good example is when King Saul had a plan to search out and find David. 1 Samuel 23:23 See therefore and take note of all the lurking places where he hides, and come back to me with sure information. Then I will go with you. And if he is in the land, I will search him out among all אַלְפֵ֥י the thousands of Judah. Let’s look at our chapter that uses our word in both of these two senses of clan and thousand. Numbers 10:4, 35-36 But if they blow only one, then the chiefs, the heads of the אַלְפֵ֥י tribes of Israel, shall gather themselves to you … And whenever the ark set out, Moses said, “Arise, O LORD, and let your enemies be scattered, and let those who hate you flee before you.” And when it rested, he said, “Return, O LORD, to the רִֽבְב֖וֹת ten thousand [we will look at this word tomorrow] אַלְפֵ֥י thousands of Israel.” I’ll close with this great messianic prophecy that predicted the exact clan Jesus would be born out of 700 years beforehand. Micah 5:2 But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be בְּאַלְפֵ֣י among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days. Matthew 2:1-6 Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him; and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet: “ ‘And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.’ ” 

We are in Numbers chapter ten with our word for today which is a phrase. קוּמָ֣ה יְהוָ֗ה Arise O YWHW or Arise O LORD. It is used 8 times in the Old Testament. Let’s start with our chapter since it is also the first time it is used in the Bible. Numbers 10:35-36 And whenever the ark set out, Moses said, קוּמָ֣ה יְהוָ֗ה “Arise, O LORD, and let your enemies be scattered, and let those who hate you flee before you.” And when it rested, he said, “Return, O LORD, to the ten thousand thousands of Israel.” Here we see our phrase in reference to the ark as well as two other uses. The reason is as we have seen was that the ark was where God made his special presence known to his people. It was God’s throne. The suggestion here is that Moses and Aaron marched ahead of the tribes, just behind the ark. Each time the pillar of cloud signaled a move and the tribes were assembled, Moses prayed to God for guidance and victory; and when the nation stopped to camp, he prayed that God’s presence would again rest with His people at the tabernacle. The ark would be put into the holy of holies and the pillar of fire would rest over the tent. No matter how many times the Israelites started and stopped in their journey, Moses repeated these prayers. He wanted the people to know that God, not Moses, was in charge of the nation, and that Israel was an army that depended on the Lord for victory.

Here are the other uses of our word with the ark. 2 Chronicles 6:41-42 And now קוּמָ֞ה יְהוָ֤ה arise, O Lord God, and go to your resting place, you and the ark of your might. Let your priests, O Lord God, be clothed with salvation, and let your saints rejoice in your goodness. O Lord God, do not turn away the face of your anointed one! Remember your steadfast love for David your servant.” This was at the end of Solomon’s prayer of dedication of the temple. Which God answered with fire from heaven that consumed the burnt offering. The end of this prayer is also quoted in Psalm 132:8. The rest of the uses of our phrase are in the Psalms. This shows that our phrase was sung in worship to God. All of the rest of these uses emphasize how our phrase is used in our chapter and the Bible of a prayerful worship to God for deliverance over enemies who do evil against his people. I’ll close with the rest of our uses. Psalm 3:7 ק֘וּמָ֤ה יְהוָ֨ה Arise, O Lord! Save me, O my God! For you strike all my enemies on the cheek; you break the teeth of the wicked. Psalm 7:6 ק֘וּמָ֤ה יְהוָ֨ה Arise, O Lord, in your anger; lift yourself up against the fury of my enemies; awake for me; you have appointed a judgment. Psalm 9:20 קוּמָ֣ה יְ֭הוָה Arise, O Lord! Let not man prevail; let the nations be judged before you! Put them in fear, O Lord! Let the nations know that they are but men! Psalm 10:12 קוּמָ֤ה יְהוָ֗ה Arise, O Lord; O God, lift up your hand; forget not the afflicted. Psalm 17:13 קוּמָ֤ה יְהוָ֗ה Arise, O Lord! Confront him, subdue him! Deliver my soul from the wicked by your sword.

We are in Numbers chapter ten with our word for today. עַ֫יִן eye, appearance, look, sight. It is used 897 times in the Old Testament. We find our word used in the sense of eye, the organ of sight. Numbers 24:2 Balaam lifted up עֵינָ֗יו his eyes and saw Israel camping tribe by tribe. Psalm 121:1-2 I lift up עֵ֭ינַי my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth. Psalm 123:1 To you I lift up עֵינַ֑י my eyes, O you who are enthroned in the heavens! Our word is also used in the sense of viewpoint. Psalm 32:8 I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with עֵינִֽי my eye upon you. Psalm 90:4 For a thousand years בְּֽעֵינֶ֗יךָ in your sight are but as yesterday when it is past, or as a watch in the night. Our word is used in the sense of sight, the range of the eye. Numbers 33:3-4 They set out from Rameses in the first month, on the fifteenth day of the first month. On the day after the Passover, the people of Israel went out triumphantly לְעֵינֵ֖י in the sight of all the Egyptians, while the Egyptians were burying all their firstborn, whom the Lord had struck down among them. On their gods also the Lord executed judgments. This is how our word is used in our chapter. Numbers 10:29-31 And Moses said to Hobab the son of Reuel the Midianite, Moses’ father-in-law, “We are setting out for the place of which the LORD said, ‎‘I will give it to you.’ Come with us, and we will do good to you, for the LORD has promised good to Israel.” But he said to him, “I will not go. I will depart to my own land and to my kindred.” And he said, “Please do not leave us, for you know where we should camp in the wilderness, and you will serve לְעֵינָֽיִם as eyes for us. Moses wanted his in-laws to travel with Israel and enjoy the blessings God had promised His people, but Hobab declined the offer.  But Moses knew that YWHW was with Israel and that the future lay with those who trusted Him and obeyed His laws. Perhaps that’s why Moses added a special challenge to his invitation: because of Hobab’s knowledge of the terrain, he could assist Israel in its wilderness journey. Hobab must have agreed to the proposal, because years later we find his descendants living with the Israelites (Judges 1:16; 4:11). Certainly they were better off being a part of the people of God. We might wonder why Moses asked Hobab to be Israel’s “eyes” as they traveled in the wilderness. After all, wasn’t the nation being led by the pillar of cloud and the ark of the Lord? And didn’t God speak to Moses personally and reveal His will to him? Then why draft a human guide when they had so much help from heaven? But divine providence doesn’t minimize or destroy human ability or responsibility. Israel didn’t need Hobab to tell them where to march or where to camp; God would do that. But Hobab’s knowledge of the land would assist them in making other decisions as they moved from place to place. Charles Spurgeon said: “We ought to learn from this, I think, that while we ever seek the guidance of God in providence, yet we may frequently find direction and guidance in the use of our own common sense, our own discretion with which the Lord has endowed us.” We don’t “lean on” our own understanding (Prov. 3:5–6), but neither do we ignore it. God wants us to act intelligently as well as believingly, and the spiritually minded Christian knows how to use both heart and mind in discerning God’s will. I’ll close with this great reminder. Romans 12:1-2 I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

We are in Numbers chapter ten with our word for today in both the noun and verb forms. יָטַב go well with, please, be agreeable, pleasing, be friendly, be good, to do good. This is the verb used 117 times in the Old Testament, 3 times in our chapter. טוֹב good, merry, pleasant, desirable, in order, agreeable. This is the noun that is used 484 times in the Old Testament, 2 times in our chapter. Our word is used in the sense of good, having desirable or positive qualities, especially those suitable for a thing specified. Genesis 1:31 And God saw everything that he had made, and behold, it was very ט֖וֹב good. And there was evening and there was morning, the sixth day. We also see this with noun form in the sense of a good thing, something that has attractive or beneficial qualities. This is how the noun form of our word is used twice in our chapter. We find our word used in the sense to do good for another person or behave or act in a good, proper, or satisfactory manner. Exodus 1:20 So God וַיֵּ֥יטֶב dealt well with the midwives. And the people multiplied and grew very strong. This is how the verb form of our word is used 3 times in our chapter. Numbers 10:29, 32 And Moses said to Hobab the son of Reuel the Midianite, Moses’ father-in-law, “We are setting out for the place of which the LORD said, ‎‘I will give it to you.’ Come with us, וְהֵטַ֣בְנוּ and we will do good to you, for the LORD has promised ט֖וֹב good to Israel.” … And if you do go with us, הַטּ֣וֹב whatever good the LORD יֵיטִ֧יב [word good is not translated probably because of repetition but is literally good will do] will do to us, וְהֵטַ֥בְנוּ [again not translated but our word is here] the same will we do to you.” A great example of goodness is behind Moses invitation to his family. Moses wanted his in-laws to travel with Israel and enjoy the blessings God had promised His people, but Hobab declined the offer. He preferred to stay in his own land with his own people. Why should he sacrifice comfort and security for an unknown future? But Moses knew that YHWH was with Israel and that the future lay with those who trusted Him and obeyed His laws. But let’s not miss the main thrust of what Moses did: He invited others to come with Israel to enjoy the blessings God had prepared for them. The church today is a sojourning people in this world, traveling toward heaven, and it’s our privilege to invite others to come along with us. The journey isn’t easy, but God is blessing His people now and will bless them forever. I’ll close with these great reminders. 1 Peter 2:11 Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul. Psalm 109:21 But you, O God my Lord, deal on my behalf for your name’s sake; because your steadfast love ט֥וֹב is good, deliver me! Psalm 145:9 The Lord טוֹב is good to all, and his mercy is over all that he has made.

We are in Numbers chapter ten with our word for today. צָבָא military service, campaign, military men, troops, army, war, warfare. It is used 485 times in the Old Testament, 16 times in our chapter. Our word is used in the sense of horde, a host or a vast multitude. Exodus 12:51 And on that very day the Lord brought the people of Israel out of the land of Egypt by צִבְאֹתָֽם their hosts. We find our word used in the sense of army, a permanent organization of the military forces of a nation, usually referring to land forces. Judges 4:2 And the Lord sold them into the hand of Jabin king of Canaan, who reigned in Hazor. The commander צְבָאוֹ֙ of his army was Sisera. Our word is also used in the sense of war, the waging of armed conflict against an enemy. Numbers 31:6 And Moses sent them לַצָּבָ֑א to the war, a thousand from each tribe. We also find our word used in the sense of division, an army unit large enough to sustain combat. This is how our word is used 16 times in our chapter. It is used to identify groups from each of the twelve tribes. Here is an example. Numbers 10:14 The standard of the camp of the people of Judah set out first לְצִבְאֹתָ֑ם by their companies, and over צְבָא֔וֹ their company was Nahshon the son of Amminadab. Then after listing each of the twelve tribes we have this summary. Numbers 10:28 This was the order of march of the people of Israel לְצִבְאֹתָ֑ם by their companies, when they set out. So we have this detailed list of how the military divisions were to march out. The tribes already had their leaders and knew the marching order, so all that the priests had to do was sound the trumpets and signal when each tribe should move out and join the procession. The ark of the covenant led the way, carried by the Levites and following the pillar of cloud. The ark was the throne of God, and the Lord was sovereign over His people. He led the way. Where each tribe marched in the procession wasn’t an option; it was an obligation, an order from Almighty God. If the tribe of Dan or Asher grew tired of being at the end of the march and asked to take the lead, Moses would have refused their request, for the will of God in this matter wasn’t negotiable. The people of Israel weren’t on a pleasure trip, looking at the scenery. They were an army invading enemy territory and commanded by the Lord of Hosts. Each tribe was a division in the Lord’s army, and each division had to be in its proper place. I find it interesting that God would make himself known to his people in a special way in and of itself but also to travel with them. The God of the universe who created all things and sustains all things is traveling with his people in a special way. The good news is that God calls us into his army under his authority to go out and share the good news of salvation in Christ. I’ll close with these great passages. Notice the words from Jesus risen from the dead giving us orders as our commanding officer. Psalm 80:1 Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel, you who lead Joseph like a flock. You who are enthroned upon the cherubim, shine forth. Psalm 99:1 The Lord reigns; let the peoples tremble! He sits enthroned upon the cherubim; let the earth quake! Matthew 28:18-20 All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” 

We are in Numbers chapter ten with our word for today in both the noun and verb forms. תְּרוּעָה war cry, alarm for war, signal, shout of joy. This is the noun that is used 36 times in the Old Testament, 3 times in our chapter. רוּעַ Cry, cry out, shout, raise the war-cry or alarm, rejoice, cheer. This is the verb that is used 44 times in the Old testament, twice in our chapter. We see our word used in the context of worship. 2 Samuel 6:15 So David and all the house of Israel brought up the ark of the Lord בִּתְרוּעָ֖ה with shouting and with the sound of the horn. Ezra 3:11 And they sang responsively, praising and giving thanks to the Lord, “For he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever toward Israel.” And all the people הֵרִיעוּ֩ shouted with a great תְרוּעָה֙ shout when they praised the Lord, because the foundation of the house of the Lord was laid. Our word is also used in the sense of a trumpet blast, the sharp sound of a shofar or rudimentary trumpet. This is usually seen in the context of a battle. Numbers 31:6 And Moses sent them to the war, a thousand from each tribe, together with Phinehas the son of Eleazar the priest, with the vessels of the sanctuary and the trumpets הַתְּרוּעָ֖ה for the alarm in his hand. This is how our word is used 5 times in our chapter in both the noun and verb forms. Numbers 10:5-7, 9 When you blow תְּרוּעָ֑ה an alarm, the camps that are on the east side shall set out. And when you blow תְּרוּעָה֙ an alarm the second time, the camps that are on the south side shall set out. תְּרוּעָ֥ה An alarm is to be blown whenever they are to set out. But when the assembly is to be gathered together, you shall blow a long blast, but you shall not sound תָרִֽיעוּ [this is the verb form of our word] an alarm … And when you go to war in your land against the adversary who oppresses you, וַהֲרֵעֹתֶ֖ם [this is the verb form of our word] then you shall sound an alarm with the trumpets, that you may be remembered before the LORD your God, and you shall be saved from your enemies. This reminds me of how the Holy Spirit writing through Paul describes what Jesus has done for us who are in Christ. Ephesians 6:10-12 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Colossians 2:15 He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him. Romans 8:1, 37 There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus … No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. Because God gives us the victory we can worship him in loud and expressive shouts. I’ll close with these great passages. Psalm 27:6 And now my head shall be lifted up above my enemies all around me, and I will offer in his tent sacrifices תְרוּעָ֑ה with shouts of joy; I will sing and make melody to the Lord. Psalm 33:3 Sing to him a new song; play skillfully on the strings, בִּתְרוּעָֽה with loud shouts. Psalm 89:15 Blessed are the people who know תְרוּעָ֑ה the festal shout, who walk, O Lord, in the light of your face. Psalm 95:1 Oh come, let us sing to the Lord; נָ֝רִ֗יעָה let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation!

We are moving into Numbers chapter ten with our word for today. חֲצֹצְרָה trumpet. It is used 29 times in the Old Testament, 4 times in our chapter. Our word is used in the sense of trumpeter, a person who plays or blasts the trumpet. 2 Chronicles 23:13 And when she looked, there was the king standing by his pillar at the entrance, and the captains וְהַחֲצֹצְרוֹת֮ and the trumpeters beside the king, and all the people of the land rejoicing and blowing בַּחֲצֹ֣צְר֔וֹת trumpets, and the singers with their musical instruments leading in the celebration. Our word is used most of the time in the sense of trumpet, an instrument made of either metal or an animal horn that produced a loud noise when played. We find our word used in the context of worshiping YWHW the true reality God. 2 Chronicles 5:13 It was the duty מַּחֲצֹצְרִים of the trumpeters and singers to make themselves heard in unison in praise and thanksgiving to the Lord), and when the song was raised, בַּחֲצֹצְר֨וֹת with trumpets and cymbals and other musical instruments, in praise to the Lord, “For he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever”. 2 Chronicles 20:28 They came to Jerusalem with harps and lyres וּבַחֲצֹצְר֑וֹת and trumpets, to the house of the Lord. We also see our word used in the context of battle in war. 2 Chronicles 13:14-15 And when Judah looked, behold, the battle was in front of and behind them. And they cried to the Lord, and the priests blew בַּחֲצֹצְרֽוֹת the trumpets. Then the men of Judah raised the battle shout. This is how our word is used 4 times in our chapter today along with the context of assembling the people together. Numbers 10:1-2, 8-10 The Lord spoke to Moses, saying, “Make two silver חֲצֽוֹצְרֹ֣ת trumpets. Of hammered work you shall make them, and you shall use them for summoning the congregation and for breaking camp … And the sons of Aaron, the priests, shall blow בַּֽחֲצֹצְר֑וֹת the trumpets. The trumpets shall be to you for a perpetual statute throughout your generations. And when you go to war in your land against the adversary who oppresses you, then you shall sound an alarm בַּחֲצֹצְר֑וֹת with the trumpets, that you may be remembered before the Lord your God, and you shall be saved from your enemies. On the day of your gladness also, and at your appointed feasts and at the beginnings of your months, you shall blow בַּחֲצֹֽצְרֹ֗ת the trumpets over your burnt offerings and over the sacrifices of your peace offerings. They shall be a reminder of you before your God: I am the Lord your God.” These two trumpets were used, not to accompany worship, but to communicate orders quickly to the camp of Israel. Not only did the leaders and people have to keep their eyes open and pay attention to the pillar over the tabernacle, but they also had to keep their ears open for the sound of the trumpets. If Moses wanted to call an assembly of the people or the leaders, the trumpet blast would give the proper signal. Two trumpets would call the people, one trumpet would call the leaders. When it was time for the camp to move, the trumpets would give the signal for each set of three tribes to march, beginning with Judah, Issachar, and Zebulun at the east end of the tabernacle. The trumpets would also sound an alarm that commanded the soldiers to prepare for battle. Numbers 10:9 describes this trumpet blast as a prayer before God that He would give His people success in battle. But even after the nation settled in the Promised Land, the blowing of the trumpets was important to remind them of the special festivals that were a part of their religious calendar. The Feast of Trumpets ushered in the special religious events of the seventh month: the Day of Atonement and the Feast of Tabernacles. The blowing of trumpets announced the special celebrations of the Israelites, including the beginning of the Year of Jubilee. Like the Old Testament people of God, the children of God today are awaiting “the sound of the trumpet” that signals our gathering together to Jesus as well as God’s declaration of war against a wicked world ready for judgment. Until that hour, we remain a sojourning people in this wilderness world, following God’s directions and serving Him faithfully. I’ll close with these great reminders. 1 Thessalonians 4:16–18 For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. Therefore encourage one another with these words. 1 Corinthians 15:51–53 Behold! I tell you a mystery. We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed. For this perishable body must put on the imperishable, and this mortal body must put on immortality.

We are in Numbers chapter nine with our word for today which is a phrase. עַל־פִּ֣י יְהוָ֗ה on the mouth of YWHW, at the commandment of YWHW, the will of YWHW, according to the word of YWHW. It is used 25 times in the Old Testament, 7 times in our chapter. Our phrase is used in the context of God’s direction in dividing up the promised land. Joshua 19:49-50 When they had finished distributing the several territories of the land as inheritances, the people of Israel gave an inheritance among them to Joshua the son of Nun. עַל־פִּ֨י יְהוָ֜ה By command of the Lord they gave him the city that he asked, Timnath-serah in the hill country of Ephraim. Our phrase is also used in the context of determining God’s will in the matter of the one who blasphemed God. Leviticus 24:12 And they put him in custody, till עַל־פִּ֥י יְהוָֽה the will of the Lord should be clear to them. We also see our phrase used in reference to following God’s direction of listing the Levites. Numbers 3:39 All those listed among the Levites, whom Moses and Aaron listed עַל־פִּ֥י יְהוָ֖ה at the commandment of the Lord, by clans, all the males from a month old and upward, were 22,000. We find our phrase used in the context of God’s instructions of the order they left camp. Numbers 10:12-13 The people of Israel set out by stages from the wilderness of Sinai. And the cloud settled down in the wilderness of Paran. They set out for the first time עַל־פִּ֥י יְהוָ֖ה at the command of the Lord by Moses. This is how our phrase is used 7 times in our chapter. Numbers 9:18-23 עַל־פִּ֣י יְהוָ֗ה At the command of the LORD the people of Israel set out, וְעַל־פִּ֥י יְהוָ֖ה and at the command of the LORD they camped. As long as the cloud rested over the tabernacle, they remained in camp. Even when the cloud continued over the tabernacle many days, the people of Israel kept the charge of the LORD and did not set out.  Sometimes the cloud was a few days over the tabernacle, and עַל־פִּ֤י יְהוָה֙ according to the command of the LORD they remained in camp; וְעַל־פִּ֥י יְהוָ֖ה then according to the command of the LORD they set out. And sometimes the cloud remained from evening until morning. And when the cloud lifted in the morning, they set out, or if it continued for a day and a night, when the cloud lifted they set out. Whether it was two days, or a month, or a longer time, that the cloud continued over the tabernacle, abiding there, the people of Israel remained in camp and did not set out, but when it lifted they set out. עַל־פִּ֤י יְהוָה֙ At the command of the LORD they camped, וְעַל־פִּ֥י יְהוָ֖ה and at the command of the LORD they set out. They kept the charge of the LORD, עַל־פִּ֥י יְהוָ֖ה at the command of the LORD by Moses. The movements of the pillar were ordered by the Lord; He didn’t ask for the counsel of the leaders or the people. Nor were the people of God able to predict what God would do next. The pillar might linger overnight and then move in the morning, or it might stay two days, a month, or even a year. But no matter when the pillar moved, by day or by night, the Hebrews had to be ready to pack up and follow. It’s interesting to note that this miraculous pillar brought light to the people of Israel but darkness to their enemies. In this respect, it symbolizes the Word of God, because those who don’t know Christ by faith simply can’t understand what the Word is saying. In order to know the mind of God, we must submit to the will of God, and the first step is to put saving faith in Jesus Christ. Then we move out of darkness and into God’s wonderful light. I’ll close with these great passages. John 3:18–21 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God. And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed. But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God.” 1 Peter 2:9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. 2 Corinthians 4:6 For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. Colossians 1:13 He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son. 

We are in Numbers chapter nine with our word for today. עָנָן  cloud, cloud-mass, clouds. It is used 87 times in the Old Testament, 11 times in our chapter. We have already looked at this word previously but because it is used so many times in our chapter it is worth another look. We find our word used in the sense of mist, a thin fog that reduces visibility and is dissipated by the sun; often near the ground. Isaiah 44:22 I have blotted out your transgressions כָעָב֙ [this is a different word] like a cloud and your sins וְכֶעָנָ֖ן like mist; return to me, for I have redeemed you. Our word is used in the sense of a cloud of smoke, a collection of smoke, dust or gases that is visible. Leviticus 16:13 Put the incense on the fire before the Lord, that עֲנַ֣ן the cloud of the incense may cover the mercy seat that is over the testimony, so that he does not die. Deuteronomy 4:11 And you came near and stood at the foot of the mountain, while the mountain burned with fire to the heart of heaven, wrapped in darkness, עָנָ֥ן cloud, and gloom. Deuteronomy 5:22 These words the Lord spoke to all your assembly at the mountain out of the midst of the fire, הֶֽעָנָ֣ן the cloud, and the thick darkness, with a loud voice. Ezekiel 8:11 Each had his censer in his hand, and the smoke עֲנַֽן of the cloud of incense went up. Most of the uses of our word are in the sense cloud, a visible mass of water or ice particles suspended at a considerable altitude. Genesis 9:13 I have set my bow בֶּֽעָנָ֑ן in the cloud, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between me and the earth. Exodus 24:15 Then Moses went up on the mountain, and הֶעָנָ֖ן the cloud covered the mountain. This is how our word is used 11 times in our chapter. Numbers 9:15-22 On the day that the tabernacle was set up, הֶֽעָנָן֙ the cloud covered the tabernacle, the tent of the testimony. And at evening it was over the tabernacle like the appearance of fire until morning. So it was always: הֶעָנָ֖ן the cloud covered it by day and the appearance of fire by night. And whenever הֶֽעָנָן֙ the cloud lifted from over the tent, after that the people of Israel set out, and in the place where הֶֽעָנָ֔ן the cloud settled down, there the people of Israel camped. At the command of the LORD the people of Israel set out, and at the command of the LORD they camped. As long as הֶעָנָ֛ן the cloud rested over the tabernacle, they remained in camp. Even when הֶֽעָנָ֛ן the cloud continued over the tabernacle many days, the people of Israel kept the charge of the LORD and did not set out. Sometimes הֶֽעָנָ֛ן the cloud was a few days over the tabernacle, and according to the command of the LORD they remained in camp; then according to the command of the LORD they set out. And sometimes הֶֽעָנָן֙ the cloud remained from evening until morning. And when הֶֽעָנָ֛ן the cloud lifted in the morning, they set out, or if it continued for a day and a night, when הֶעָנָ֖ן the cloud lifted they set out. Whether it was two days, or a month, or a longer time, that הֶעָנָ֤ן the cloud continued over the tabernacle, abiding there, the people of Israel remained in camp and did not set out, but when it lifted they set out. The Israelites were a pilgrim people, marching through the wilderness like an army, and they constantly needed the guidance of God. Their goal was the Promised Land, and the God who delivered them from Egypt promised to bring them into their inheritance if they would trust Him and obey His will. To guide Israel in their journey, God gave them the pillar of cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night; and to announce the will of God to the people, He ordered the priests to blow two silver trumpets. Knowing the will of God and doing it is vitally important to a fulfilled and fruitful Christian life. To assist us today in determining and doing God’s will, we have the Holy Spirit within us, the Word of God before us, and the interceding Savior above us who providentially works on our behalf. I’ll close with these great passages that remind us why it is vitally important to know and follow God’s will instead of trusting in our own. Jeremiah 10:23 I know, O Lord, that the way of man is not in himself, that it is not in man who walks to direct his steps. James 4:13–17 Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit”— yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes. Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.” As it is, you boast in your arrogance. All such boasting is evil. So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin.