On March 3, 1975, Brother Stephen continued his ministry on the Book of Numbers, emphasizing God's way with His people. He highlighted that the Book of Numbers illustrates how God led the Israelites through the wilderness, teaching them obedience and humility. The concept of 'testimony' is central, as it reflects God's covenant with His people, who are called to uphold His name. Stephen explained that the church today carries the testimony of Jesus, and God deals with His people according to this testimony. He discussed the importance of being 'numbered' as a community, which signifies belonging and unity, and how God orders His people in relation to the testimony. The Levites, exempt from military service, were appointed for specific tasks related to the tabernacle, illustrating the distinction between priestly and Levitical ministries. Stephen emphasized that all believers are both priests and Levites, called to serve God and one another. He concluded by noting that while there are divine orders, there is also liberty in serving God, allowing for initiative driven by love. The message encourages believers to recognize their roles and responsibilities within the body of Christ.
Introduction to the Book of Numbers
God's way with His people
Importance of 'testimony'
Numbering and unity in the church
Role of the Levites
Distinction between priestly and Levitical ministries
All believers as priests and Levites
Divine order and liberty in serving God
1 And it came to pass on the day that Moses had fully set up the tabernacle, and had anointed it, and sanctified it, and all the instruments thereof, both the altar and all the vessels thereof, and had anointed them, and sanctified them; 2 That the princes of Israel, heads of the house of their fathers, who were the princes of the tribes, and were over them that were numbered, offered: 3 And they brought their offering before the LORD, six covered wagons, and twelve oxen; a wagon for two of the princes, and for each one an ox: and they brought them before the tabernacle. 4 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, 5 Take it of them, that they may be to do the service of the tabernacle of the congregation; and thou shalt give them unto the Levites, to every man according to his service. 6 And Moses took the wagons and the oxen, and gave them unto the Levites. 7 Two wagons and four oxen he gave unto the sons of Gershon, according to their service: 8 And four wagons and eight oxen he gave unto the sons of Merari, according unto their service, under the hand of Ithamar the son of Aaron the priest. 9 But unto the sons of Kohath he gave none: because the service of the sanctuary belonging unto them was that they should bear upon their shoulders.
1 And the LORD spake unto Moses and unto Aaron, saying, 2 Take the sum of the sons of Kohath from among the sons of Levi, after their families, by the house of their fathers, 3 From thirty years old and upward even until fifty years old, all that enter into the host, to do the work in the tabernacle of the congregation.
1 And the LORD spake unto Moses and unto Aaron, saying, 2 Every man of the children of Israel shall pitch by his own standard, with the ensign of their father’s house: far off about the tabernacle of the congregation shall they pitch.