THE TRENTON BULLETIN

THE TRENTON BULLETIN

Trenton Church of Christ, Trenton, Florida

Justice is a fleeting mistress to many who refuse to obey God’s will. The world of Paul’s day was a “crooked and perverse generation” (Philippians 2:15) and where was the justice to punish such evil doing? The majority of people today serve the god of this world and walk “according to the course of this world” (Ephesians 2:2) without penalty. David lamented how the wicked prosper and “there are no pains in their death, and their body is fat. They are not in trouble as other men, nor are they plagued like mankind” (Psalms 73:4-5). Why do the wicked prosper? Is there no reward for their rebellion?

The wise man declares in Proverbs 11 the end of all those who do not serve God. “The righteousness of the blameless will smooth his way, but the wicked will fall by his own wickedness. The righteousness of the upright will deliver them, but the treacherous will be caught by their own greed. When a wicked man dies, his expectation will perish, and the hope of strong men perishes. The righteous is delivered from trouble, but the wicked takes his place” (Proverbs 11:5-8). The wicked plants his own seed of destruction. Their actions are not unnoticed by Jehovah God. Moses reminds us of the omniscience of the Lord. “You have placed our iniquities before You, our secret sins in the light of Your presence” (Psalms 90:8).

The wicked become their worst enemy. “For the ways of a man are before the eyes of the Lord, and He watches all his paths. His own iniquities will capture the wicked, and he will be held with the cords of his sin” (Proverbs 5:21-22). There is nothing that men do that God is unaware. The wicked will suffer the consequences of their actions as one who sows must reap what they have sown (Galatians 6:7,8). When a man lays the groundwork for wickedness he will fall into the very calamity he has created. “He who digs a pit may fall into it, and a serpent may bite him who breaks through a wall. He who quarries stones may be hurt by them, and he who splits logs may be endangered by them” (Ecclesiastes 10:8-9).

Haman plotted to kill Mordecai and built a gallows 75 feet high to finish the job. “So they hanged Haman on the gallows which he had prepared for Mordecai” (Esther 7:10). The enemies of Daniel convinced King Darius to declare a decree that would put Daniel in the lions den. Daniel was thrown to the lions but delivered by the Lord. “The king then gave orders, and they brought those men who had maliciously accused Daniel, and they cast them, their children and their wives into the lions' den; and they had not reached the bottom of the den before the lions overpowered them and crushed all their bones” (Daniel 6:24).

The conclusion of the wicked is his “expectation will perish” (Proverbs 11:7). There is nothing to hope for and eternity is not life but death. Those who live righteous will receive blessing in death but those who are wicked will have nothing to live for but eternal punishment (Matthew 25:46). There is a place for the wicked and whether judgment is given in this life does not matter because “God will bring every act to judgment, everything which is hidden, whether it is good or evil” (Ecclesiastes 12:14).

No one will escape the presence of the Lord. “So then each one of us shall give account of himself to God” (Romans 14:12). “But if ye will not do so, behold, ye have sinned against Jehovah; and be sure your sin will find you out” (Numbers 32:23).

God had promised Israel during Moses' leadership that one day He would raise up another leader like Moses (Deuteronomy 18:15-18). This promise is announced as fulfilled in the New Testament with the coming of Jesus (Acts 3:18-26). Certainly Jesus is like Moses in many respects; for example, as Moses led people out of bondage in Egypt so also Christ Jesus frees us from bondage to sin. Also, Moses chose to leave the luxury of Pharaoh's palace and suffer hardship with his people, and Jesus chose to leave heaven and dwell on earth as a man.

But it is important to understand that while there are similarities, there are also great differences. The Book of Hebrews emphasizes some of these differences such as the fact that Moses was God's servant but Jesus is God's Son (Hebrews 3:1-6). As our text we will consider an event in the life of Moses when the Lord spoke to him and told him to give Aaron, the high priest, some instructions. The text is found in Numbers 6:22-27: "Then the Lord spoke to Moses saying, 'Speak to Aaron and his sons, saying, "Thus you shall bless the sons of Israel. You shall say to them: The Lord bless you, and keep you; the Lord make His face shine on you, and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up His countenance upon you, and give you peace. So they shall invoke My name on the sons of Israel, and I shall bless them."

According to Jewish writings, this benediction was quoted daily in the temple as well as in the synagogues. The words of this blessing, given through the mediator Moses, become even richer when we consider them in relationship to our new mediator and leader like Moses, that being Jesus Christ. In the light of the new covenant, which is a better covenant with better promises (Hebrews 8:6) we, as Christians, have much to rejoice about!

"The Lord bless you..." (Numbers 6:24a). The blessings of God, spiritual and physical, ought never to be taken for granted. This benediction recognizes the source of all good things as being God (cf. James 1:17). No doubt the people under Moses' leadership thought of the blessings God had promised them if they would continue to obey Him faithfully. He had promised that "if you will diligently obey the Lord your God, being careful to do all His commandments..." that "... all these blessings shall come upon you and overtake you." (Deuteronomy 28:1,2). Then the blessings are described. They would be blessed in city and country; in their offspring and the offspring of their flocks and crops and in protection from their enemies. The Lord would make them "abound in prosperity" (Deuteronomy 28:3-14).

Jesus' blessings for us today emphasize the spiritual rather than the physical. While He gives certain assurances in the physical realm, His sacrifice on the cross had to do with restoring us to spiritual life and giving us spiritual bread and water so we need never hunger or thirst again (John 6:27-35). Jesus makes a point that the world often overlooks. He could have made it His business to provide physical blessings the way Moses had (vs 31, 32) but Jesus was providing something better. This is because those who emphasize their physical needs and desires over their spiritual needs will only grow hungry again and ultimately perish whether they have something to eat or not. But those who partake of the bread of life will live forever.

"...and keep you." (Numbers 6:24b). The idea of "keep you" is divine protection. In Moses' time, this would refer to protection from hostile invasions and drought and things chiefly of a physical nature. However, again the emphasis shifts in the New Testament and deals more with spiritual protection. One good example of this is the figure of speech that Jesus uses to describe His relationship with His disciples. He is the "Good Shepherd" and we are His sheep. He knows His own, and His own know Him. He lays down His life for his sheep so that they may be protected from the robber or the wolf. His sheep hear His voice and follow Him, and as long as they do, He keeps them safe promising them eternal life (John 10:1-16; 27,28).

"The Lord make His face shine upon you..." (Numbers 6:25a). The Lord's face is depicted a shining in several places in the Bible. It shines with a tremendous radiant glory, instilling awe in His creatures. We recall how even Moses' face once shined after communicating with the Lord. However, there is more to it than that. The blessing asks the Lord to make His face "shine upon you." This suggests a pleasure or warmth of association with the Lord. Awareness of God's presence brings comfort to the faithful.

We also recall how Jesus was transfigured in the New Testament. Peter, James and John were awe-struck when the beheld the Lord. The Bible says, "And He was transfigured before them; and His face shone like the sun, and His garments became as white as light." (Matthew 17:2). Paul, in encouraging faithful living on the part of Christians and a warning against being lulled back into the world, later wrote "Awake, sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you." (Ephesians 5:14).

"...And be gracious to you;" (Numbers 6:25b). Certainly, God favored the faithful of Moses' era with mercy and blessings. Our God is a God happy to give good things to His children. The nation of Israel never did better than during those times when it was loyal to God. Neither will our own nation, and the same thing applies to individuals.

The supreme example of God's graciousness is not found in the sun or rain or crops or physical prosperity. We thank God for these things; but as wonderful as they are they pale when compared to the favor God bestows upon us through His Son Jesus. It is this inner wealth that is most important; the blessings of spirit which God abundantly gives. "He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things?" (Romans 8:32).

"The Lord lift up His countenance upon you..." (Numbers 6:26a). This phrase suggests the opposite of "hiding His face from you" which the Bible also uses (Isaiah 54:6). It suggests His interest as well as His readiness to help. It is a look of approval that the Lord gives to those who live by faith.

The Lord watches His people today as well. Again, it is a look of approval that the Lord gives His people. He knows what we endure for His namesake. He will not forget our work and love (Hebrews 6:10) and will one day welcome the faithful home with the words; "Well done!" It is a wonderful thing to know that the Lord approves of the way we are using our talents, opportunities and lives.

"...And give you peace." (Numbers 6:26b). This peace denotes stability and calmness. Isaiah wrote, "The steadfast of mind Thou wilt keep in perfect peace, because he trusts in Thee. Trust in the Lord forever, for in God, the Lord, we have an everlasting Rock." (Isaiah 26:3,4).

Jesus is our Rock, and gives peace as well. A solid foundation is needed for stability, and there is none sounder than that of the Living Word of God. Jesus promises peace, and since He is the Prince of Peace we can be sure of His promise. In this mad, crazy world, we are sorely in need of this calm assurance and peaceful confidence. Your friends, family and neighbors need it as well. "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, shall guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:6,7).

§ When we worry we literally divide the mind. The word worry comes from a combination of two other word, divide and mind. As John Haggai writes, “Worry divides the feelings; therefore emotions lack stability. Worry divides the understanding; therefore convictions are shallow and changeable. Worry divides the faculty of perception; therefore observations are faulty and even false. Worry divides the faculty of judgment; therefore attitudes and decisions are often unjust and lead to damage and grief. Worry divides the determinative faculty; therefore plans and purposes if not scrapped altogether are not filled with persistence.

§ Such fear can begin to affect our behavior and our actions. Eventually it will have a negative effect on our health. It can lessen the quality and shorten the longevity of our lives. The story has been told of Death walking toward a city. A man stopped Death and asked, “What are you going to do?” “I’m going to kill 10,000 people,” Death replied. “That’s horrible.” “That’s the way it is,” Death said. “That’s what I do.” So the day passed. That evening the man met Death coming back, and he said, “You said you were only going to kill 10,000 people, but I heard that 70,000 were killed.” Death said, “But I only killed 10,000. Worry and fear killed the others.” (Gary J. Oliver)

§ A little boy was at his first wedding. After the service, another child asked him, “How many men can a woman marry?” “Sixteen,” the little boy said. “How do you know?” his friend asked. “The preacher said it – four better, four worse, four richer, and four poorer.”

§ In the days of Roman greatness so many people wanted their likeness in sculpture that Greek artists, working in Rome, had apprentices turning out stock bodies of gods and goddesses, while the artists made the heads to fit into sockets. In our day the situation is reversed. Thousands of people are wearing the heads of others. They will not think for themselves, carried away by fads in science and religion. It takes individual courage and faith to come out from the world. Only the spirit of God can furnish this supernatural life.

§ Motherhood is full of frustrations and challenges … but eventually they move out.

§ “It’s not whether you get knocked down. It’s whether you get up again.” (Vince Lombardi, football coach, took over the Green Bay Packers in 1959 after the team had lost 10 out of 12 games in the previous season.)

§ Many of life’s failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up. (Thomas A. Edison)