Numbers 3 - Praying God's Word

 

Please read Numbers 3.

www.blueletterbible.org/nasb/num/3/1/s_120001

Meditate on verses 6 and 15.

 

Bring the tribe of Levi near and set them

 before Aaron the priest, that they

 may serve him.  Number the sons of Levi

 by their fathers' households, by their families;

 every male from a month old and

 upward you shall number.

 

Recall God commanded Moses to number all the sons of Israel, twenty years old and older, for the purpose of going to war, with the exception of the Levites (Numbers 1:1-3).  Interestingly, God numbered the Levites, starting at the tender age of one month, not twenty years, for the purpose of serving Him.

 

As a Christian family, a family of spiritual priests and Levites (Revelation 1:6; 5:10), think about the practical applications from Numbers 3.  The LORD numbers you from birth to be set before Him to serve Him all the days of your life (v. 6, Galatians 1:15).  You are called to serve and care for His congregation, His people (v. 7).  Be mindful of the little ones in your family, even those a month old, teaching them what it means to belong to God (vs. 12, 15).

 

Pray Numbers 3:6-10 over yourself and those for whom you stand guard as a faithful, prayerful watchman (Isaiah 62:6-7). 

 

“LORD, bring _________ and me near and

set us before You that we may serve You. 

Let us perform the duties before You

 and for the whole congregation before the tent

 of meeting, to do the service of the tabernacle.

 Let us keep all the furnishings of the tent

 meeting, along with the duties of being

Your child, to do the service of the tabernacle. 

As Christians, thank You that You have wholly

given us the privilege of being Your priests.

 Let us faithfully keep Your priesthood.

In Your name, Jesus~”

 

The WATCHMAN on the WALL – Dr. Ron and Marsha Harvell

 

 

Numbers 2 - Praying God's Word

 

Please read Numbers 2.

www.blueletterbible.org/nasb/num/2/1/s_119001

Meditate on verse 2.

 

The sons of Israel shall camp, each by his own

standard, with the banners of their fathers’ households;

they shall camp around the tent of meeting at a distance.

 

The Israelites set up camp with the tabernacle, the tent of meeting, in the center of camp.  God’s presence and the worship of Him was at the center of Israelite life.  Each tribe had a standard or a flag representing it, and each family in the tribe had a banner.  The banner was the sign, the distinguishing mark, of that household.  

 

Think about your life.  What would others say is the center of your life?  Is there a banner—evidence, proof, a distinguishing mark—that God is the center of your life, and you live to worship Him?

 

The Hebrew word translated “at a distance” in the meditation verse is neged, and it also means: “what is conspicuous, before your face, and in your view.”¹  Ask the LORD to be the conspicuous, distinguishing mark on your life.

 

Use the words from Number 2:2 to pray over yourself and those for whom you stand guard as a faithful, prayerful watchman (Isaiah 62:6-7).

 

“LORD, let _________ and me camp by Your standard, with

banners— miraculous signs—of You in our household.

  Let us camp around Your presence, not at a distance,

but in sight of all You are doing.

In Your name, Jesus~”

 

 

1.     Retrieved from www.blueletterbible.org/lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?Strongs=H5048&t=NASB

 

 

The WATCHMAN on the WALL – Dr. Ron and Marsha Harvell

Numbers 1 - Praying God's Word

 

Please read Numbers 1.

www.blueletterbible.org/nasb/num/1/1/s_118001

Meditate on verse 53a.

 

But the Levites shall camp around

the tabernacle of the testimony,

 so that there will be no wrath

 on the congregation of the sons of Israel.

 

The LORD commanded Moses and Aaron to number the men of Israel, twenty years and older, who were able to go to war (vs. 2-3).  The Levites, however, were exempt from earthly battle.  Their job was to set up, care for, and guard the tabernacle, the holy place of God’s presence in the center of the camp.  It was crucial for a Levite to faithfully execute his God-given duties, camping around the tabernacle, so the wrath of God would not be poured out on the Israelites. 

 

As a Christian, God also gives you the high Levitical calling to His priesthood:

 

You also, as living stones, are

being built up as a spiritual house

 for a holy priesthood, to

offer up spiritual sacrifices

 acceptable to God through

Jesus Christ… so that you may proclaim

 the excellencies of Him who has called you

 out of darkness into His marvelous light.

—1 Peter 2:5, 9b

 

As you continue to read the book of Numbers, notice God’s instructions to the Levites, making practical applications to your life.  Stay faithfully camped around those you love, praying for them and proclaiming the LORD’s excellencies to them, so they will choose to be part of the holy priesthood of Christ, rather than experience His wrath. 

 

Use the words from Numbers 1:53-54 to pray over yourself and those for whom you stand guard as a faithful, prayerful watchman (Isaiah 62:6-7).

 

“LORD, I will faithfully camp around those I love,

 so there will be no wrath on them.

As a spiritual Levite, I shall keep charge of

 Your Testimony, sharing it with others.

Help _______ and me do according

 to all which You command.

In Your name, Jesus~”

 

The WATCHMAN on the WALL – Dr. Ron and Marsha Harvell

 

 

 

 

 

Leviticus 27 - Praying God's Word

 

Please read Leviticus 27.

www.blueletterbible.org/nasb/lev/27/1/s_117001

Notice the repeated words value and valuation.

As you read, ask the LORD how much He values you.

Meditate on verse 2b.

 

When a man makes a difficult

vow, he shall be valued

according to your valuation of

 persons belonging to the LORD.

 

When a man made a vow to God beyond his power to keep, he could buy back what he had promised.  The children of Israel promised to be obedient to do all God commanded (Exodus 19:8; 24:3, 7).  This was an impossible vow to keep, and the LORD’s sacrificial system was the required payment for those broken vows. Leviticus ends with the payment necessary to redeem human life.

No human vow can dedicate you to the LORD.  Rash promises are vain attempts to get to God.  What could even begin to redeem humanity?  

You were not redeemed with

 perishable things like silver or gold

from your futile way of life

 inherited from your forefathers,

 but with precious blood, as of a lamb

unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ.

—1 Peter 1:18-19

 

The blood of Jesus redeems your difficult vows, your disobedience, your uncleanness, everything that makes it impossible to be devoted to God.  God values your life with the life of His Son.  What an appropriate ending to this book fulfilled completely by Jesus Christ!

Pray Leviticus 27:29 in thanksgiving for what Jesus did for you and those for whom you stand guard as a faithful, prayerful watchman (Isaiah 62:6-7).

 

“LORD, You were set apart among men,

 not to be ransomed, but to be the ransom for

many (Matthew 20:28). You were surely

 put to death for ________ and me.

Thank You, Jesus~”

 

The WATCHMAN on the WALL – Dr. Ron and Marsha Harvell

 

 

 

 

Leviticus 26 - Praying God's Word

 

Please read Leviticus 26.

www.blueletterbible.org/nasb/lev/26/1/s_116001

Meditate on these phrases from verses 19 and 41.

 

I will break down your pride of power…

If their uncircumcised heart becomes humbled…

 

God wanted there to be no doubt about His view of sin and disobedience.  He called these things disobedience: rejecting His statutes, abhorring His ordinances, and acting with hostility against Him (vs. 15, 21, 23, 27).  He also declared the consequences of disobeying Him: “I will act with wrathful hostility against you, and I, even I, will punish you seven times for your sins.  My soul shall abhor you” (vs. 28, 30).

Amazingly, in the midst of His abhorrence for sin, God provided a way of escape for the sinner.

 

If they confess their iniquity and

 the iniquity of their forefathers,

 in their unfaithfulness which

 they committed against Me,

 and also in their acting

 with hostility against Me—

If their uncircumcised heart becomes humbled

so that they then make amends for their iniquity,

 then I will remember My covenant…

I will not reject them, nor will I so

 abhor them as to destroy them,

breaking My covenant with them;

 for I am the LORD their God.

—Leviticus 26:40, 41b-42a, 44b

 

Do not be tempted to trivialize sin; instead confess it.  Then pray Leviticus 26:3, 19, and 41 over yourself and those for whom you stand guard as a faithful, prayerful watchman (Isaiah 62:6-7).

 

“LORD, help _______ and me to walk in Your statutes

 and keep Your commandments so as to carry them out. 

Break down our pride of power

 and humble our uncircumcised hearts.

For You are the LORD our God, Jesus~”

 

The WATCHMAN on the WALL – Dr. Ron and Marsha Harvell

 

 

 

 

 

 

Leviticus 25 - Praying God's Word

 

Please read Leviticus 25.

www.blueletterbible.org/nasb/lev/25/1/s_115001

Meditate on this phrase from verse 21.

 

I will so order My blessing for you…

 

The LORD knows the importance of rest.  He created the heavens, earth, seas, and everything they contain in six days.  On the seventh day He rested, making it a sabbath day (Exodus 20:11).  God also made sabbath years.  He commanded that after producing crops for six years, the land have a year of rest (vs. 1-7).  The LORD instituted the jubilee year.  After seven sabbaths of years passed, that is 49 years, the fiftieth year was declared as a year of jubilee (v. 8).  During the year of jubilee, land was returned to its original owner and slaves redeemed and set free.

As a Christian, you are always living in the year of jubilee.  You were a slave to sin, and Christ redeemed you and set you free to live in Him.

In Him (Jesus), we have redemption through

His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses,

according to the riches of His grace

 which He lavished on us.

—Ephesians 1:7-8a

 

Does your life reflect the LORD’s jubilee?   Live for others to want Christ’s redemption of their lives, so they can enter their year of jubilee.

 

Pray Leviticus 25:21, 48, and 55 over yourself and those for whom you stand guard as a faithful, prayerful watchman (Isaiah 62:6-7).

 

“LORD, so order Your blessing for _______ and me.

You redeemed us; thank You!  Please redeem _________.

We are Your servants, whom You

brought out from the land of sin.

 You are the LORD our God, Jesus~”

 

The WATCHMAN on the WALL – Dr. Ron and Marsha Harvell

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Leviticus 24 - Praying God's Word

 

Please read Leviticus 24.

www.blueletterbible.org/nasb/lev/24/1/s_114001

Meditate on verse 11a.

 

The son of the Israelite woman blasphemed the Name and cursed.

 

Leviticus reveals God’s heart and expectations.  His expectations from Leviticus 24 are:

 

·      Provide oil, so the lamp burns continually (v. 2).

·      Present the bread before the LORD continually (vs. 5-8).

·      Protect the Name of the LORD and protect life (vs. 10-23).

 

Jesus, the Light of the world, calls us “the light of the world” (John 9:5; Matthew 5:14).  Jesus is the bread of life (John 6:35, 48, 51).  His name is “above every name” (Philippians 2:9).  Jesus gave up His life, so we can have His eternal life (Matthew 20:28; John 10:28).

 

Ponder these truths and let your light shine, so others can see the Bread of Life.  Live so others will be open to know the Giver of eternal life.

Pray Leviticus 24:2, 4, 9, 11, and 17-18 over yourself and those for whom you stand guard as a faithful, prayerful watchman (Isaiah 62:6-7).

 

“LORD, keep the lamps of ________ and me in order

and let them burn continually before You.

Thank You for letting us eat Your Bread. 

You are our portion forever!

May we never curse and blaspheme Your Name.

May we protect life rather than take it.

Because of You, Jesus~”

 

The WATCHMAN on the WALL – Dr. Ron and Marsha Harvell

 

 

Leviticus 23 - Praying God's Word

 

Please read Leviticus 23.

www.blueletterbible.org/nasb/lev/23/1/s_113001

Meditate on verse 2b.

 

The LORD’s appointed times which you

shall proclaim as holy convocations—

My appointed times are these:

 

The LORD gave details for eight holy convocations (sacred assemblies).   Just like Christ fulfilled every aspect of the tabernacle and the sacrificial system, He has and will fulfill these holy convocations. 

 

·       The Sabbath rest – Jesus is your Sabbath rest (Hebrews 4:7-11).

·       The LORD’s Passover – Jesus died on Passover, and He is your Passover (1 Corinthians 5:7).  

·       Feast of Unleavened Bread – This feast began the day after Christ’s crucifixion.  His sacrifice removes the leaven (sin) in your life (1 Corinthians 5:8). 

·       Feast of First Fruits – Christ rose from the dead on this feast day.  He is the First Fruit raised from the dead (1 Corinthians 15:20). 

·       Feast of Weeks (Pentecost) – Fifty days after His resurrection, Jesus gave His Spirit to believers on this day, and 3,000 people were added to His church. The church is the new grain offering (Acts 2:1-47). 


·       Feast of Trumpets – Jesus will fulfill this feast when He returns with the sounding of God’s trumpet (1 Thessalonians 4:16).

·       Day of Atonement – Your Day of Atonement is when you make Jesus the sacrifice for your sins. It will come for Israel when they accept Jesus as their atoning sacrifice (Romans 11:25-29). 


·       Feast of Booths (Tabernacles) – The kingdom of the world will become the Kingdom of Christ, and He will tabernacle with you forever (Revelation 7:15; 11:15; 21:1-4). Glory!

 

Pray Leviticus 23:4 over yourself and those for whom you stand guard as a faithful, prayerful watchman (Isaiah 62:6-7).

 

“LORD, You have appointed times for holy convocations.

LORD, let _______ and me not miss any of Your appointed times. 

May we proclaim to others Your times appointed for them.

In Your name, Jesus~”

 

The WATCHMAN on the WALL – Dr. Ron and Marsha Harvell

 

 

Leviticus 22 - Praying God's Word

 

Please read Leviticus 22.

www.blueletterbible.org/nasb/lev/22/1/s_112001

Meditate on verses 2 and 4.

 

Tell Aaron and his sons to be careful

 with the holy gifts of the sons of Israel,

which they dedicate to Me, so as not

to profane My holy name; I am the LORD.

No man of the descendants of Aaron…may

eat of the holy gifts until he is clean…

 

Only priests were allowed to eat from the sacrifices, “the holy gifts” (v. 4), and they had to be clean before being allowed to eat.  An unclean priest first bathed then ate of the holy (vs. 6-7).

Let these Old Testament insights be illuminated by the Light of New Testament understanding:

·      Jesus is the Holy Gift, the Holy One of God (John 4:10; 6:69).

·      Jesus washes you clean (John 13:8).

·      In Christ, you are a priest offering spiritual sacrifices to God (1 Peter 2:5).

·      As God’s priest, you eat the Holy (John 6:53-56).

 

While they were eating, Jesus took

some bread, and after a blessing,

 He broke it and gave it to the disciples,

and said, “Take, eat; this is My body.”

—Matthew 26:26

 

Pray Leviticus 22:31-33 over yourself and those for whom you stand guard as a faithful, prayerful watchman (Isaiah 62:6-7).

 

“LORD, help _______ and me keep

Your commandments and do them.

You are the LORD.  Do not let

 us profane Your holy name. 

Let us sanctify (reverence and honor) You

 among the people.  You are the LORD who

sanctifies (purifies and cleanses) us. 

Thank You for bringing us out of

the land of slavery to be our God. 

Because You are LORD, Jesus~”

 

The WATCHMAN on the WALL – Dr. Ron and Marsha Harvell

 

 

 

Leviticus 21 - Praying God's Word

 

Please read Leviticus 21.

www.blueletterbible.org/nasb/lev/21/1/s_111001

Meditate on verse 12.

 

Nor shall he go out of the sanctuary nor

profane the sanctuary of his God,

 for the consecration of the anointing oil of his

God is on him; I am the LORD.

 

The priests were anointed and consecrated (set apart) by God to work in His sanctuary, presenting offerings on behalf of the people.  Such a high calling required stringent rules for maintaining purity and holiness among those who served in God’s presence.

As a Christian, the LORD consecrated you to be a priest and a sanctuary.

He (Jesus) has made us to be a kingdom, priests to His God and Father.

—Revelation 1:6a

 

Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you,

whom you have from God, and that you are not your own? 

For you have been bought with a price; therefore, glorify God in your body.

—1 Corinthians 6:19-20

 

The life of Jesus paid for you to be both God’s priest and His sanctuary, housing His glory.  How precious you are to be bought with the blood of the One of eternal value! Let Christ’s holiness and purity be evident by the way you glorify God in your body.

Pray Leviticus 21:12 over yourself and those for whom you stand guard as a faithful, prayerful watchman (Isaiah 62:6-7).

 

“LORD, do not let _________ and me go out

 from Your sanctuary (Your presence)

 nor profane Your sanctuary (our bodies),

 for the consecration of Your anointing oil is on us. 

You are the LORD, and

 You bought us with Your life, LORD Jesus~”

 

The WATCHMAN on the WALL – Dr. Ron and Marsha Harvell

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Leviticus 20 - Praying God's Word

 

Please read Leviticus 20.

www.blueletterbible.org/nasb/lev/20/1/s_110001

Meditate on verse 26.

 

Thus you are to be holy to Me, for I the LORD am holy;

and I have set you apart from the peoples to be Mine.

 

Leviticus gives a vivid picture of God’s heart and mind.  He abhors child sacrifice, sexual immorality, disrespect of parents ... God hates sin ... but He loves people.  He loves people so much He created a sacrificial system to remove sin, making it possible for people to belong to Him.

Christ’s death on the cross was the culmination of sacrifices for sin.  His death forever satisfied the need for sacrifice.  Jesus, as payment for your sins, was so costly and so complete that your faith in Him sets you apart to belong to God forever.  As you grow in that eternal relationship, you will want to do things that please the LORD.  Pleasing Him is so wonderful you will find you no longer desire things which He abhors.

Now those who belong to Christ Jesus

have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.

—Galatians 5:24

 

Heed God’s words and warnings from Leviticus 20 and pray verses 7-8, 23, and 25-26 over yourself and those for whom you stand guard as a faithful, prayerful watchman (Isaiah 62:6-7).

 

“LORD, consecrate _______ and me. 

Make us holy, for You are the LORD our God.

Help us keep Your statutes and practice them.

Sanctify us, LORD!

May we not follow the customs of our nation, which You abhor. 

Let us make a distinction between the clean and the unclean. 

LORD, make us holy because You are holy,

and You have set us apart to be Yours.

Because of You, Jesus~”

 

The WATCHMAN on the WALL – Dr. Ron and Marsha Harvell