Goshener

Answering to Q.4:Moses, the reluctant leader, though was not born to be the leader but his overall deeds impress me for his fear of, his trust and faith in God; his being straight forward, bravery, struggle hard, endurance and his patience. His life (after Pastor Ralph's lessons) warns me to be careful of being fast and hot temper,to follow the orders or rules of God to the very details of commands(as at Meribah) and to implement or accomplish HIS plans or my duties to the best I can as an unworthy servant(of God). The only thing, after my discernment, is to listen carefully what God wants me to be and/or to do, then I must perform it/them to my utmost care and ability without any worldly bias. After this I must always thank and praise Him for giving me the chance(s) to serve Him. Deo Gratias!!! I humbly joined in your prayer and thanked Him in allowing me to be a student in Pastor Ralph's class about Moses, the reluctant leader.

Answering to Q.3:Balaam 's counsel leaded the Israelites into sin by telling Balak to allow Israelites to eat the food sacrificed to idols and to let them having illicit affairs with the Moabite women. Phinheas wae so honoured because he helped terminating and saving the lives of sinned Israelites (by piercing with lance the sinned-couple), after about 24,000 were killed. He was rewarded by God that he and his descendants will gain the everlasting priesthood. I think we now let the words "free will and human's right" play more important roles than they should be;for these things we can earthly sense more easier whilst God's statues and words from heavenly sources are graved in us spiritually and we need time, silence and awareness in order to realise and see them.

Answering to Q.2:The result was that lots of Israelites died of snakes' bites but after Moses lifted up the bronze serpent then they were saved. The impatient to God 's provision is a kind of sin to me for the good things God plans or likes to bestow on us must be respected or regarded as the best gifts we could obtain; I suppose everyone is ready and wholeheartedly to get or receive but the point is that whatever or whenever these things come, we are seldom realised that these are the gifts we are waiting for. And then they became the causes or chances of discards, unexpectations and/or disrespects to the provision of God. The bronze snake Moses lifted up according to the words of God at that time saved lots of lives of Israelites who looked upon it represents also the salvation or redemption Christ renders to us so pricelessly with His most precious Blood that all of us should try our best to obtain.

Answering to Q.1: God told Moses to order the rock to yield water for the Israelites. Moses struck the rock instead of using his vocal order as God has demanded. Moses disobeyed and did not honoured God's word as he should. Because of Moses' anger to the people and his uncareful practice to do exactly what God has demanded him to do were the causes of his sins. When leaders are in this situation, I suppose that leaders should humbly and sincerely repent for our Good Lord knows very well of our weaknesses and full of generousity and compassion; and at the same time, leaders must plead and pray for His Grace and Strength, that leaders would not stumble and fall into the snares again.

Answering to Q.4:I suppose the pride was the root cause for that rebellion. The accusations they referred were partially true for God, of course, supports Moses and Aaron; Moses did not give them any malpractices but in contrary Moses did intervene, plead and ask for His pardon for them. To challenge the authority of spiritual leader is basically dangerous to challengers because normally the spiriual leader of any group or community will be selected and supported through the intervention of the Holy Spirit who confirms the Holy Will and/or plans of God; which come from His infinite Holy Wisdom. The good leader or shepherd must intercede for his people in every wrong or sinful matter as he is regarded as being closer to Christ than the normal laymen. Besides, the leader must also thank God as the situation(s) had been changed and even offer the praises and blessings to God for His limitless loving kindness.

Answering to Q.3:I think not to enter the Promised Land is serious-for to me the P.L. represents the Kingdom of God, of the livings and the land of ideal happiness filled with honey and milk which God promised to Abraham, our ancestor. The Israelites hope and wait for this promise, so everyone wishes to enter the P.L.. On the people's part, it should be a kind of punishment, of a curse and of a lost; the result of disbelief,distrust and the original sin of man. ( I wish I were right and have the right )From God's part, it might be a way of punishment to His people who do not believe, trust and sincerely worship HIM as the only True God, their creator. In my opinion( as above,if it were correct to say ), I think it is not severe for they only could not enter the P.L., instead of being destroyed. Why? I believe because our God is the God of Love, boundless Mercy and Forgiveness. If they had more faith I only believe that their journey to the P.L. would be more shorter than the one we know and with more comfort and full of happiness.

Answering Q. 2:I think it is jealousy that causes the matter. The most general ones of the human being mortal sins are the pride and greed. So I do not see any strange things which occurred to the three of them; for besides being as an important lesson to all of us, we should always aware ourselves of this popular weakness for this common trick of discredit the existing leader is being used till nowsaday. I suppose since Moses is trying his best to be good and meek leader he did not have to exercise anything for at once God intervened and settled everything God's way. Moses did plead to God for them later. If Moses were a proud man he might take vengeance or react angrily or strongly as a man could think of. Miriam became a leper and for seven days she had to live outside the camp.

Answering to Q. 1:Moses is so frustated for he is annoyed by the complaints of the Israelites which never have enough faith in God who always looks after them quite properly and well. This is the result of weaknesses of human beings. Since Moses cannot get away from this reason for he leads the Israelites for quite a period of hard times, he as the mediator between God and the Israelites is naturally exhausted and prone to fall as preys to both the emotional and physical endurance and perseverance. I do not think Moses personally wants to file complaints to God who has supported him all the times but as a leader of people who do not understand the situations and lack of faith, he has to bring up those cryings to God anyhow. No,I do not think so. To me the good prayer should first thank and praise God, confirming with Him to accomplish His plans or works He wants one to fulfill, then asking Him what one needs from Him, especially to plead for the strength and ability to execute the works or plans HE wants one to do. I suppose we are shown this prayer that we should learn from this prayer and adapt or say any prayers more properly. God shows His kindness to Moses once more by telling him to choose 70 elders to assist him about his works and also God taunts them by giving them the meat, much much more than they want or need.

Answering Q.4:To touch the head of the animal is to mark that the said animal will be acceptable to make atonement for such a person. The offerer is better to slaughter the animal himself to show the real intention of offering and the sincere reconciliation to God. The blood is the offering part which the priest will splash by the sides of the altar, the dwelling place of God, that makes belief the man's sins are pardoned. Lord Jesus's sacrifice on the cross fulfills all of the old lore for Jesus himself is the Lord and eternal priest at the same time, sacrificing His most precious Blood to redeem us instead of the animal's blood and on behalf of us, sinners. Therefore HIS sacrifice, for everybody, covers all the aspects each sinner needs to make atonement to God.

Answering Q.3:The arrangement tells us of the gradation of holiness where the normal people stay at bronze or outer area while the priests stay at the inner part and only the high priest can enter into the most holy zone and only once a year. We come to the bronze area to express ourselves as the sinners and unworthy to offer sacrifices and blessings. So, we should clean ourselves first and then confess of our sins or to fully reconcile to God and ask the priest to offer our sacrifices for us instead.

Answering to Q 3:It is significant for it is the place where Moses put the commandments which God gave to him and is also the place where God talks and/or give His decrees to Moses for the Israelites. It did represent the holy, dwelling place of God with His people at that time and is used as the worship place for the Israelites. It is so holy as I wrote above, it can still show the surrender of Israelites to God that HE is the only true God whom they offer their sacrifices, bless and praise His Holy Name. Though no one sat upon, it is still important for it is the throne of God and whoelse will be greater or more important than God.

Answering to Q. 1:Moses and Aaron arranged this camp as such layout according to the words of God. This lay out taught the Israelites to count and pay respect to each clan and their ranks of each tribe, i.e. the 12 descendants from Israel, by starting from Reuben to the last of the twelveth.While the Levites were not included to the census. Levites and priests are camped closer for God said that Levites are His because every first-born is His. HE has chosen the Levites from the Israelites in place of every first-born that opens the womb among the Israelites.

Answering to Q.4:The tent of meeting is so important to Moses for it is the place where God and Moses intemately talk with each other about the matters concerned. After each consultation, Moses then tells the Israelites what God wants them to do. It is the place where God and Moses meet each other outside the camp that Moses converses with and receives orders or advices from God. I think I need to patiently strive harder to love Him more and to plead Him to reveal to me what and how He wants me to serve Him better each day. I believe that this will yield me better work or projects and I may plan and/or execute my projects according to His Wills in the future, not mine.

Answering to Q. 3:Moses as the leader had the responsibility to lead Israelites to the promised land, to look after and tend them well in all scopes of normal life; so he had to intervene in everything, of course, in interceding to God for both the negative and positive matters. Today people still complain and grumble at almost everything in everyday life,so pastors and lay leaders ought and/or have to pray and intercede for them besides giving or teaching them the truth of life. We must know both his character and promises in order to intercede effectively for if we do not learn or know well enough of these things, how we can inform, encourage and/or be the good witness to the Word and Love of God we proclaim.

Answer to Q. 2:Aaron's sin should be on idolatry, for he made and worshipped the gold calf with the Israelites. He didn't take responsibility for he is not the true shepherd for he didn't have the real intention to be a leader. I think he was afraid of being punished and lost heart to be assistant to Moses and might think of being much easier follower as the others. I suppose it is fair enough that a leader should bear the outcomess or results of his jobs, no matter he likes or dislikes. A good leader should be brave enough to stand against all the blames, even though some mistakes did not directly come from his part. From mistakes he encountered, he should study the causes, try to figure out which way or means to overcome such the mistakes, in the same time of being humble, accepting his weakness, asking for pardon and the chance(s)(if any,)to stand or work again.

Answer to Q. 1:It is the weak Faith still of the Israelites, the influence so far of being used to worship the gods in Egypt which is yet lingered on in their minds and also the weakness of human beings to get hold anything visible and nearer to them. Aaron may not think to intend to commit sin himself at first but wanted only to control the situation; he then slipped and committed the sin when he joined the people to worship the calf himself later on. Worshiping the golden calf, of course, is the cause of our God's wrath. Anyhow, as HE is full of compassion he later on forgave the Israelites and honor His covenant with them. The idols I could think of right now should be the ones most of us - christians - use in decorating our Christmas seasons, but I do not think it is a sin for this kind of things is not to worship them at all.

AnswerQ. 4: The "blood of the covenant" functions as the holy covenant the Lord has made with the Israelites according to the words of God in the book of the covenant, read by Moses to the Israelites. "The blood of the covenant" in the New Testament is the wine changed into His Blood offered to everybody for the forgiveness of sins (through His apostles)at the Last Supper on the night he was betrayed. The Old and the New Covenant have one thing in common, it is " the blood ". The difference is that the blood in the Old Testament is the blood of an animal (of sheep, goat or bull)while the blood in the New Testament is the Blood of Jesus Christ, our Lord.

AnswerQ.3:Israel is a holy nation for our God is Holy and Israel becomes His special possession, therefore, it is fit for Israel to be called a " holy nation. " I think the word "to be holy" here, means the nation belongs to God,the people must obey to the decrees,the statutes and the commandments of God ( in that era under the leadership of Moses and Aaron ),according to the Sinai Covenant. At this present time,less people care for personal holiness for the daily modern life offers us more easy things, more comfortable and convenience earthly matters which lead people that they can survive on their owns and we fall as preys to modern temptation while we care or think of God less; we may think of God only in few serious matters or when we encounter something big as in very bad health, accident or dying moment, etc..

Answer to Q. 2: Priests in the old testament are media in making atonements for themselves first and then for the people of Israel; also to offer the sacrifices of Israelites to praise and to thank God. In the senses of reconciliation, repentance and make atonement for myself first, then offering the sacrifices not only for me but also for my brethren as well. I should proclaim the words of the Lord (Bible), His decrees and statutes in order to function as a priest. To become a "royal priest" is to try to be holy (as our Father is Holy) by pleading and asking HIM to shower His Grace upon me to humbly repent, strengthen my faith, gain more Holy Love, accomplish my daily's duty as a good christian, to proclaim His Truth and being a good example (witness)to the gentiles. I suppose I could improve my ways of daily's life by surrender to HIM more completely, pray more and asking for His support and boldly profess to the world of being His good disciple.

Answering Q.1:From the emotional standpoints, I feel I own and have full right to take care, to offer and to give the good things or whatever I feel like in order to make such a treasured one(s) be happy or be always a noble thing(s) to my concepts. For Israelites, they are specially chosen but they have to fully obey the commandments of God that the covenant will be honoured; and they accepted ( as I think ) " Everything the Lord has said, we will do " (Exodus 19:8). So I believe that the Israelites by the time of Moses had become the treasured possesion of God. We, Christians, should be proud and feel being fortunate of being chosen, besides we should act or perform our lives as holy, as........( 1Peter 2:9 )to let the gentiles see and realize how lucky we are that they will follow us one day and be as worthy as us to receive the most valuable gifts as our Lord promised.

Answering Q.4: It took Moses for quite a while before he could choose his delegates for he might have thought he had to undertake the burden alone, but after he consulted and discussed with his father-in-law, Jethro, he then chose his seventy true elders to carry out the minor jobs as his delegates. These judges had to be able and God-fearing men. The role of Moses in comparison to the ones in Ephesians is the one who works as pastor, teacher and the decision-maker for them. The importance of the anointing of the Spirit is to be the designated sign that God bestows on each leader His Authority, Love, Care and Leadership to His chosen peoples that each leader should accomplish his works the best one can.

Answering Q.3:God always care, look after and give all the basic needs to HIS people. When the Israelites need more food, He immediately send enough manna for them to consume each day, I regard manna the best food they could ever have for manna is the food for angels, and HE gave to us the mere sinners which I interprete as the gifts to the ones HE loves so much. God offered them the manna every day but on the sixth day they can take the double quantity, for God wants them to spend the seventhday as the day of Sabbath. Though they did not completely obey HE gave the manna to them for forty years. Anyhow, He stopped to send the manna any more when the throng of Israelites arrived at the borders of Canaan. I believed that at the beginning Israelites begged for food and when the had it they thank God for that. But when it started to be as routine to them then they began to take it for grant as if their God has the duty to look after them; that prooves as our normal human-beings weaknesses that God once said " You think as man thinks not the God's one." I have to confess again that I am not doing better than my predecessors Israelites, for I can have or own everything in my daily life through HIS great Mercy and Love; I from time to time thank God for His Tender Love and Care, whilst most of the time I just consume, use, spend for things of vanity and very seldom I do give alms though I think I should, ect. - this is only few examples I take HIS Provision for granted.

Answering Q.2: God creates and owns everything on earth. HE picks leaders as HE wishes and leaders must act or work according to HIS commands; so when the people start to grumble to any leader it is, of course,as they are grumbling against God who chose HIS representative. To my few knowledge, there might be rare cases which not be true and that will happen when the leaders are not doing the right things which are against HIS command or Order; then the grumbling of the followers might not be the grumbling against God. The leaders tend to take the complaints as of their owns for they are naturally human-beings, think first as they are attacked personally for they forget and seldom aware that they are only God's representatives and have the duties to only accomplish the works as best as they can. To me,I believe that such a phrase is the very important one to be always set in front of my face that I, as trying to be good and humble servant, in proclaming HIS Words and Deeds, can have always self-awareness, politeness and happiness in trying to execute the received orders or works on HIS behalf the best I can for HIS Glory both on earth and in the heaven.

Answer to Q.1: The reasons they grumble and complain consist of the non-acquaintance of living in the desert,uncomfortable way of living in comparison to leading normal lives (though being slaves)in Egypt; i.e. eating, drinking and to rest. All of these for they lack of Faith and Trust in God's words, including not 100% sure in the leadership of Moses. I think it is quite obvious to relate fear and faith to any grumbling and/or complaint, for men with fear are very seldom to think of causes and reasons or how to solve the problems; it is much easier to complain especially when they think they have the leader. And when they add fear with not enough faith anything can happen. In my own life, I several times complain, grumble and burst out into the air, friends and surroundings without reason, without cause - most of all to what annoyed me or anything that did not come along my expectations. Though I regret each time after that but the real symptoms of selfishness, impolite, injustice and not knowing and having true love still remain in me. In short, I believe I do not know God yet for I do not know the LOVE of God. What should I do about it ? I should confess that I am not so far a good Christian; I should be more humble, pray more and plead to HIM for His Mercy, Pardon, Love, Wisdom and Providence.

Answering to Q.4: God's Glory is important to the Exodus for on this earth there is nothing that doesnot belong to HIM, whatever we do we must boast in HIS Glory especially the HELPS and GRACE he bestow or impart to us; furthermore, everything will be fulfill according to the words of prophets. The Glory of HIM puts more faith into their hearts for they really see the holy deeds and of course, they will naturally believe and give more reverence to God. When leaders take for themselves the rewards of their deeds which belong to God, I suppose they can live with that pride not for long; for our God is the God of jealous and HE will mangae that those leaders will realize pretty soon that the said rewards do not belong to them. Leaders should always aware of themselves that they are just normal servants who just finish one of the jop assigned to them for the Glory of God whilst asking or waiting for the job next one. That is, to thank God to let and help them accomplish the past ones and asking God for the Grace of being more humble.