NUMBERS

PEOPLE ON THE MOVE

In the book of Exodus, the Lord described the birth of a nation.
Exodus and Leviticus detailed the rules and laws for this nation. In
the book of Numbers (the topic for our quarter), we see another
dimension of this nation, that of God’s people on the move.
But not just moving anywhere. They are to go and take possession of
the land promised to them—promised not because of their inherent
holiness, not because of their inherent goodness, but because of God’s
words to their father Abraham centuries earlier: “For all the land which
thou seest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed
for ever. And I will make thy seed as the dust
of the earth: so that if a man can number the
dust of the earth, then shall thy seed also be
numbered. Arise, walk through the land in the
length of it and in the breadth of it; for I will
giveit unto thee”(Gen. 13:15–17).

“Perhaps the most
important lesson in
Numbers is that
God will fulfill His
promises.”

Directly tied to this promise is another
aspect of this nation, that of the nation as an army, a mighty army of
God, a conquering army that cannot be defeated by external enemies
because the Lord, the Creator of heaven and earth, is in their midst.
And because of God’spresence, they were not only an army, they were
aholy army and thus wereexpected to act like one, as well.

Unfortunately, that isn’t exactly what happened. This mighty, power-
ful, and conquering army, hovering on the edges of the Promised Land,
was defeated, not bythe Canaanites but from within. Satan knew that as
long as they obeyed the Lord, as long as they trusted in God and lived by
faith and obedience to His commandments, he would be helpless against
them. All he could do, therefore, was use them against themselves.
And it worked. No wonder Ellen White warned: “We have far more to
fear from within than from without. The hindrances to strength and suc-
cess arefar greater from the church itself than from the world.”—Selected
Messages,book 1, p. 122.

2 The Book of Numbers

Hence, it should be obvious that, as a people on the move, as a people
seeking to reach the Promised Land, as a people called out by God, we
can learn from the book of Numbers. We can learn from how God
organized the camp and assigned duties to the priests and the Levites. We
can learn from the festivals and ordinances of the sanctuary service. We
can learn from their cries about returning to Egypt, which they called “a
land that floweth with milk and honey.” We can learn from Miriam’s lep-
rosy, from the twelve spies, from Caleb’s faith, from the intercession of
Moses, from Korah’s rebellion, and even from Balaam’s recalcitrant don-
key.

“These things happened to them as an example, and they have been
written down as a warning to us, upon whom the end of the ages has
come. Therefore, whoever thinks he is standing secure should take care
not to fall. Notrial has come to youbut what is human. God is faithful
and will not let you be tried beyond your strength; but with the trial he
will also provide a way out, so that you may be able to bear it” (1 Cor.
10:11–13, NAB).These words contain not just a warning but a prom-
ise, as well.

Despite the setbacks, the delays, and the devastating judgments, per-
haps the most important lesson in Numbers is that God will fulfill His
promises.Whether He will fulfill them through us, despite us, or with-
out us at all is, indeed, another question entirely. But they will be ful-
filled, and that’sfor sure.

In the context of the Cross and the New Covenant, the book of
Numbers reveals that God has already made His choice regarding us.
The only question left is, What will be our choice regarding Him?
From 1981 to 1990 the late Frank B. Holbrook was an associate director
of the Biblical Research Institute at the General Conference of Seventh-day
Adventists in Silver Spring, Maryland, U.S.A.

3 Got Questions?
Sabbath School
Universityhas answers!
Sabbath School Universityis a
28-minute discussion of the Adult
Sabbath School Bible Study Guide. SSU
discusses the content and strategies to
enrich your Sabbath School with
fellowship, outreach, Bible study,
and missions. Sabbath School leaders,
don’t miss this weekly broadcast on
Hope Channel.
www.hopetv.org

A NEW ORDER

THE BOOK OF NUMBERS

A New Order

Read for This Week’s Study: Gen. 15:14–16; Lev.
10:1–11; Numbers 1–4; Jer. 23:23, 24; John 14:15–18, 23.

MemoryText:“Nowall these things happened unto them for
ensamples:and they are written for our admonition, upon whom
the ends of the world arecome” (1 Corinthians 10:11).

A Christian struck up a conversation with another man, a profes-
sional biologist. Looking for a way to witness, the Christian
asked, “Don’t you see the hand of a Creator when you study
the things that you do?”

Without missing a beat, the biologist answered, “Wherever you
look, either outwardlyorinwardly, you see order.”

However much our world has been damaged by sin, we still can see
the working of our Creator in the design and order of the natural
world. Even one fanatical Darwinist was forced to admit that nature is
something that gives “the illusion of design.”

Illusion? Please. Design and order are real, and theyrepresent the
hand of our Maker.

But God’s order doesn’t end merely with nature. It is seen also in
His dealing with His covenant people, the Israelites, even as they wan-
dered in the wilderness. This week we’ll look, firsthand, at how God
organized His people for their sacred calling, and we’ll draw some les-
sons for ourselves today.

Organizing the Army

Having miraculously escaped from Egypt, the multitudes of Israel
flowed into the wilderness of Sinai. Encamped around the mountain,
they heard the voice of God proclaiming His will (Exodus 20).
Despite such an incredible manifestation of God’s power, some fell
away and worshiped the golden calf (Exodus 32). After that debacle,
the repentant nation spent time building a portable sanctuary (Exod.
25:8).The work was completed on the first day of the first month in
the second year(Exod. 40:17).

It was in the following month that the Lord proceeded to organize
the nation more thoroughly(Num. 1:1) than it previously had been.
And it’s at this point, with the new organization, with this new order,
that the book of Numbers picks up the sacred story of God’s working
with His covenant people.

What kind of census did the Lordask Moses and Aaron to draw up,
and why? Num. 1:2, 3.

The Israelites were not a warlike nation. Their occupation had been
that of shepherds, cattle herding (Gen. 47:3).Furthermore, at this point
theywere recentlyfreed slaves, without weapons or training for war. It
may seem strange for the Lord now to organize them into troops. But
it must be remembered that their task involved the displacement of sev-
eral nations of the most wicked and corrupt people in the Near East,
including the Amorites and Canaanites. Israel would serve as God’s
executioners of these nations who had filled the cup of their transgres-
sions (Gen. 15:14–16). Israel was now a theocracy, directed by God
Himself, and they were a people, a might army, on the move.

ReadGenesis 15:14–16 (see also Deut. 9:5).What’simplied here? How
can these texts help us understand Israel’s wars with the Amorites?
At the time of Abraham, God would not allow the Amorites to be
destroyed. Here God revealed His long-suffering. “The Amorites were
at enmity against His law; they believed not in Him as the true and liv-
ing God; but among them were a few good persons, and for the sake
of these few, He forbore long.”—Ellen G. White Comments, The SDA
Bible Commentary, vol. 1, p. 1093.

Manyfolk aretroubled by the Israelite destruction of these peo-
ple,and understandably so.Why,in cases such as this,in which
there is much we don’t understand, do we simply need to go by
faith,trusting in the goodness of God,who has revealed Himself
to us in Jesus? John 14:9.

The Presence of the Lord

To what task was the tribe of the Levites appointed? Num. 1:50–54.
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Moses pitched the portable tabernacle in the middle of Israel’s
encampment. The Levites pitched their tents around it, on all four
sides. Their presence acted as a kind of barrier, protecting the place
where God manifested His presence.

Why was it set up this way? The Bible doesn’t come right out and
say, yet some important lessons can be learned from this arrangement.
Yahweh, the living God, was in their midst. He, the Creator, was
among His people—so what could overcome them if they remained
faithful? And yet, at the same time, they pitched their tents at a dis-
tance from the tabernacle (Num. 2:2), and that was because He was
holy, and so they, as sinners, as fallen beings, could come only so
close. Thus, on one hand, theyhad the reality of God’scloseness and
compassionate care; at the same time, they constantly were reminded
of His greatness and holiness and that onlythrough mediation could
they, as sinners, approach a holy God.

Whatdo other Bible writers say about God’s distance (transcen-
dence) and nearness (immanence) to humanity? Ps. 139:1–10; Isa.
57:15; Jer. 23:23, 24; John 14:15–18, 23.
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“At all times and in all places, in all sorrows and in all afflictions,
when the outlook seems dark and the future perplexing, and we feel
helpless and alone, the Comforter will be sent in answer to the prayer
of faith. Circumstances may separate us from every earthly friend; but
no circumstance, no distance, can separate us from the heavenly
Comforter. Wherever we are, wherever we may go, He is always at our
right hand to support, sustain, uphold, and cheer.”—Ellen G. White,
The Desire of Ages, pp. 669, 670.

In what ways have you experienced the reality of God’s pres-
ence, His compassionate care, and closeness? On the other
hand, what things are you doing that keep you from an even
deeper intimacy with God?

Under the Standards

“So the Israelites did everything the Lord commanded Moses;
that is the way they encamped under their standards,and that is the
way they set out,each with his clan and family”(Num. 2:34, NIV).
ReadNumbers 2. Talk about organized religion! What is one thing
that becomes apparent about how the Israelites were supposed to
live?
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The government of Israel was characterized by a very precise orga-
nizational structure, seen, for example, in how the Lord had arranged
for the camp itself to be ordered and where the people were to pitch
their tents. The Hebrew camp was separated into three great divisions,
each having its appointed position in the encampment, all based on
family and tribal ties.

The position of each tribe in the camp also was specified. Each was
to march and to encamp beside its own standard. Nothing was left to
chance. The Lord carefullyand preciselyhad organized the nation.
And though theywere one people, their distinctivefamily connections
were not broken.

ReadNumbers 2:34. What does this tell us about how, despite the
clear organizational pattern, the Lord left room for the distinct-
ness and uniqueness of the various tribes? What lessons can we
draw from that for ourselves?
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Why is it so important for the church todayto be organized, as
well? What happens when folks are left to do their own thing?
Why is that so often a recipe for chaos and deception? How has
belonging to an organized body helped you in your spiritual
walk?
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Call to Ministry

In memory of their deliverance from Egyptian slavery, the death of
the Egyptian firstborn, and the deliverance of their own under the sign
of the blood, God requested Israel’s firstborn to be dedicated to Him
(Exod. 13:2, 12–15).

GivingGod our firstborn? That’s very intense.What powerful les-
son should we take from this about how much we owe the Lord for
our redemption and deliverance? Why, in this context, are pride
and self-sufficiency so sinful?
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____________________________________________________________________

At Mount Sinai, the Lord did an exchange for the firstbornof all
Israelites. Instead of them, He would take the Levites in their place
(Num. 3:12, 13).This act, then, required the numbering of the Levites,
who until that point had not been numbered with the rest of Israel.
Moses is told to number the Levite males from a month upward (vss.
14, 15).Tomake the exchange, Moses then counted the male firstborn
Israelite children of a month old and older. Their total came to
22,273—that is, 273 more firstborn Israelites than there were Levites
(vss. 39, 43).

What were the extra Israelites to do for their redemption? To whom
was it given? Num. 3:46–51.

The Lord also dedicated the Levites to Aaron and his priestlysons
and descendants; they were to assist in the worship of God and the
care of the tabernacle. In a sense, they were called to the ministry of
the church in the wilderness.

Once the Hebrews reached the Promised Land, the Levites contin-
ued to be attached to the sanctuary in a variety of tasks (1 Chron.
23:27–32). Scattered through the tribal areas, some became teaching
Levites (2 Chron. 17:7–9);others became judges (2 Chron. 19:8–11),
instructing the people in the ways of God.

In what ways can you see the Cross,the substitutionary death of
Jesus (John 3:16), prefigured in these substitutionary rituals?
What does it mean that Jesus substituted Himself for you? How
should knowledgeof this reality change your life?

Protecting the Sacred

In establishing the system of worship at Sinai, God selected one
family of the Levites to function as priests. This work is laid out in
Numbers 4. Moses consecrated Aaron as high priest and his four
sons—Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar—as assistant priests. The
rest of the tribe of Levi would help the others but would not function
as priests. It is obvious that every working Levite had his place and
service, harmoniously working together to preserve and protect the
sacredness of Israel’s worship system.

No question, the Levites had been given a solemn responsibility. The
same with the sons of Aaron, who would function as priests before the
Lord in the tabernacle. Think about what they were called to do. The
Lord Himself, the Creator, revealed His presence among them in the
sanctuary (Num. 14:10, 11), apowerful reminder to them that their
safety and security existed only in Him, the One who had redeemed
them from Egypt. These priests were the mediators between a Holy God
and a fallen people. In their roles, too, of course, they were symbols of
Jesus, our true High Priest in the heavenly sanctuary(Hebrews 8).
ReadLeviticus 10:1–11.What happened, and what lessons are there
for us today?
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It is hard to imagine that these young men, given such a sacred
responsibility and who already had been given so much (see Exod.
24:9–11), would violate so openly an express command of God.
However hard and harsh their punishment might seem to us, it only
underscores the reality of just how sacred the responsibility given them
was. No doubt others got the message about how seriously the Lord
expected His commandments regarding the sanctuaryto be carried out.
“To handle sacred things as we would common matters is an offense
to God; for that which God has set apart to do His service in giving
light to this world is holy. Those who have any connection with the
work of God are not to walk in the vanity of their own wisdom, but in
the wisdom of God, or they will be in danger of placing sacred and
common things on the same level, and thus separate themselves from
God.”—Ellen G. White, Evangelism, p. 639.

Read carefully Leviticus 10:10. How can we today distinguish
between the holy and the common, between the clean and
unclean? Bring your answer to class on Sabbath.

Further Study:The theme of God’s holiness runs like a silver
thread throughout Scripture. Define it. What relation does it have to
the believer?Exod. 28:36; Lev. 11:44, 45; Isa. 6:1–7; Heb. 12:14;
1Pet. 1:15, 16.

“Angels work harmoniously. Perfect order characterizes all their
movements. The more closely we imitate the harmony and order of the
angelic host, the more successful will be the efforts of these heavenly
agents in our behalf. If we see no necessity for harmonious action, and
are disorderly, undisciplined, and disorganized in our course of action,
angels, who are thoroughly organized and move in perfect order, can-
not work for us successfully. They turn away in grief, for they are not
authorized to bless confusion, distraction, and disorganization. All
who desire the cooperation of the heavenly messengers must work in
unison with them. Those who have the unction from on high will in all
their efforts encourage order, discipline, and union of action, and then
the angels of God can cooperate with them.”—Ellen G. White,
Testimonies to Ministers, p. 28.

Discussion Questions:

1-Talk about the idea of organized religion.Why are some peo-
ple so hostile to it? Why, though, is it necessary? At the same
time,what are the potential problems that it brings? How can we
learn to work better with the church system, despite the prob-
lems that arise?

2-Talk about your answer to Thursday’s question.In class,make
alist of what is holyand what is common. Howcan weknow the
difference? In what ways does our culture impact our under-
standing of these things? Or our education? How, for instance,
might the idea of melding Darwinian natural selection with our
faith be a mixture of the sacred with the profane? What other
examples can you think of?

3-Dwell more on the idea of substitution, as revealed in
Wednesday’slesson study.Why is this concept so central to the
whole plan of salvation? Howdid, and still does, Jesus function
as our Substitute,and why is that so important?

Summary:God is a God of order. Once the tribes were assembled in
the wilderness before Mount Sinai, He began to organize them around
the tabernacle. First, Israel’s armies were organized, and the encamp-
ment of each tribe was selected, as was their order of march. The Levites
encamped as a barrier around the tabernacle and were given specific
directions regarding their service in transporting it and erecting it. The
HolyGod was in their midst as Israel was on the move.

The Eager Student
by CHARLOTTEISHKANIAN

Lijalem grew up as a farmer’s son in Ethiopia. He was very bright, but his
parents saw no need to send him to high school. After all, why would a farmer
need so much education? But Lijalem had a burning desire to study, and
because his parents recognized his special gifts, they allowed him to enter
secondary school. He was older than most students in high school, but he was
determined to do well.

The secondary school was some distance from home, so Lijalem rented a
small house in which to live. Every weekend he returned home to see his par-
ents, to serve in his local church, and to help on the farm. When he returned
to school, his mother made sure that he had enough food to last a week.
Lijalem noticed that many students at the secondary school were Seventh-
day Adventists. He had seen Adventist churches in his neighborhood and
wondered what these people believed. He listened as students shared their
beliefs with him. He was curious about the Sabbath, for traditionally his
church also worshiped on the Sabbath. But over the years the tradition was
set aside in most congregations. Only a few old priests remembered wor-
shiping on Sabbath.

Lijalem’sAdventist friends invited him to visit the Adventist church in
town, and he accepted the invitation. Soon he was attending regularly. His
friends taught him howto keep the Sabbath, and in time he joined the bap-
tismal class.

He began telling his family and friends what he had discovered. Some,
including his father,thought he was crazy; but others listened to what he said.
However, when he was baptized, his parents sent him away from his home.
His friends saw how he was treated and noticed that he did not retaliate
when treated badly. One by one those with whom he had shared his faith fol-
lowed him to the Adventist Church. Today 18 former members of his former
church have joined the Adventist Church. All of these have experienced dif-
ficulties similar to Lijalem. But they are not discouraged.

Lijalem says that it was the youth of the secondary school that he attended
who prepared the way for him to become an Adventist. After finishing high
school, Lijalem became a layevangelist. Because of his lovefor sharing the
gospel, he has been assigned to serve as a Global Mission pioneer in western
Ethiopia. In the first nine months in the field, Lijalem led 15 people to the
Lord.

Some 85 percent of the Adventists in westernEthiopia are young people.
Adventist youth are reaching out to their friends and bringing them to Christ.
Our mission offering helps provide materials and support for these young
people as they share their faith. Thank you!

CHARLOTTEISHKANIANis editor of Adventist Mission.

A NEW ORDER

Genesis 15:14-16; Leviticus 10:1-11; Numbers 1-4; Jeremiah 23:23; Jeremiah 23:24; John 14:15-18; John 14:23 (New International Version)

New International Version (NIV)
Genesis 15:14-16 14 But I will punish the nation they serve as slaves, and afterward they will come out with great possessions. 15 You, however, will go to your fathers in peace and be buried at a good old age. 16 In the fourth generation your descendants will come back here, for the sin of the Amorites has not yet reached its full measure." New International Version (NIV) Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by Biblica
Leviticus 10:1-11 Leviticus 10 The Death of Nadab and Abihu 1 Aaron's sons Nadab and Abihu took their censers, put fire in them and added incense; and they offered unauthorized fire before the LORD, contrary to his command. 2 So fire came out from the presence of the LORD and consumed them, and they died before the LORD. 3 Moses then said to Aaron, "This is what the LORD spoke of when he said: " 'Among those who approach me I will show myself holy; in the sight of all the people I will be honored.' " Aaron remained silent. 4 Moses summoned Mishael and Elzaphan, sons of Aaron's uncle Uzziel, and said to them, "Come here; carry your cousins outside the camp, away from the front of the sanctuary." 5 So they came and carried them, still in their tunics, outside the camp, as Moses ordered. 6 Then Moses said to Aaron and his sons Eleazar and Ithamar, "Do not let your hair become unkempt, a]">[a] and do not tear your clothes, or you will die and the LORD will be angry with the whole community. But your relatives, all the house of Israel, may mourn for those the LORD has destroyed by fire. 7 Do not leave the entrance to the Tent of Meeting or you will die, because the LORD's anointing oil is on you." So they did as Moses said. 8 Then the LORD said to Aaron, 9 "You and your sons are not to drink wine or other fermented drink whenever you go into the Tent of Meeting, or you will die. This is a lasting ordinance for the generations to come. 10 You must distinguish between the holy and the common, between the unclean and the clean, 11 and you must teach the Israelites all the decrees the LORD has given them through Moses." Footnotes: Leviticus 10:6 Or Do not uncover your heads New International Version (NIV) Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by Biblica
Numbers 1-4 Numbers 1 The Census 1 The LORD spoke to Moses in the Tent of Meeting in the Desert of Sinai on the first day of the second month of the second year after the Israelites came out of Egypt. He said: 2 "Take a census of the whole Israelite community by their clans and families, listing every man by name, one by one. 3 You and Aaron are to number by their divisions all the men in Israel twenty years old or more who are able to serve in the army. 4 One man from each tribe, each the head of his family, is to help you. 5 These are the names of the men who are to assist you: from Reuben, Elizur son of Shedeur; 6 from Simeon, Shelumiel son of Zurishaddai; 7 from Judah, Nahshon son of Amminadab; 8 from Issachar, Nethanel son of Zuar; 9 from Zebulun, Eliab son of Helon; 10 from the sons of Joseph: from Ephraim, Elishama son of Ammihud; from Manasseh, Gamaliel son of Pedahzur; 11 from Benjamin, Abidan son of Gideoni; 12 from Dan, Ahiezer son of Ammishaddai; 13 from Asher, Pagiel son of Ocran; 14 from Gad, Eliasaph son of Deuel; 15 from Naphtali, Ahira son of Enan." 16 These were the men appointed from the community, the leaders of their ancestral tribes. They were the heads of the clans of Israel. 17 Moses and Aaron took these men whose names had been given, 18 and they called the whole community together on the first day of the second month. The people indicated their ancestry by their clans and families, and the men twenty years old or more were listed by name, one by one, 19 as the LORD commanded Moses. And so he counted them in the Desert of Sinai: 20 From the descendants of Reuben the firstborn son of Israel: All the men twenty years old or more who were able to serve in the army were listed by name, one by one, according to the records of their clans and families. 21 The number from the tribe of Reuben was 46,500. 22 From the descendants of Simeon: All the men twenty years old or more who were able to serve in the army were counted and listed by name, one by one, according to the records of their clans and families. 23 The number from the tribe of Simeon was 59,300. 24 From the descendants of Gad: All the men twenty years old or more who were able to serve in the army were listed by name, according to the records of their clans and families. 25 The number from the tribe of Gad was 45,650. 26 From the descendants of Judah: All the men twenty years old or more who were able to serve in the army were listed by name, according to the records of their clans and families. 27 The number from the tribe of Judah was 74,600. 28 From the descendants of Issachar: All the men twenty years old or more who were able to serve in the army were listed by name, according to the records of their clans and families. 29 The number from the tribe of Issachar was 54,400. 30 From the descendants of Zebulun: All the men twenty years old or more who were able to serve in the army were listed by name, according to the records of their clans and families. 31 The number from the tribe of Zebulun was 57,400. 32 From the sons of Joseph: From the descendants of Ephraim: All the men twenty years old or more who were able to serve in the army were listed by name, according to the records of their clans and families. 33 The number from the tribe of Ephraim was 40,500. 34 From the descendants of Manasseh: All the men twenty years old or more who were able to serve in the army were listed by name, according to the records of their clans and families. 35 The number from the tribe of Manasseh was 32,200. 36 From the descendants of Benjamin: All the men twenty years old or more who were able to serve in the army were listed by name, according to the records of their clans and families. 37 The number from the tribe of Benjamin was 35,400. 38 From the descendants of Dan: All the men twenty years old or more who were able to serve in the army were listed by name, according to the records of their clans and families. 39 The number from the tribe of Dan was 62,700. 40 From the descendants of Asher: All the men twenty years old or more who were able to serve in the army were listed by name, according to the records of their clans and families. 41 The number from the tribe of Asher was 41,500. 42 From the descendants of Naphtali: All the men twenty years old or more who were able to serve in the army were listed by name, according to the records of their clans and families. 43 The number from the tribe of Naphtali was 53,400. 44 These were the men counted by Moses and Aaron and the twelve leaders of Israel, each one representing his family. 45 All the Israelites twenty years old or more who were able to serve in Israel's army were counted according to their families. 46 The total number was 603,550. 47 The families of the tribe of Levi, however, were not counted along with the others. 48 The LORD had said to Moses: 49 "You must not count the tribe of Levi or include them in the census of the other Israelites. 50 Instead, appoint the Levites to be in charge of the tabernacle of the Testimony—over all its furnishings and everything belonging to it. They are to carry the tabernacle and all its furnishings; they are to take care of it and encamp around it. 51 Whenever the tabernacle is to move, the Levites are to take it down, and whenever the tabernacle is to be set up, the Levites shall do it. Anyone else who goes near it shall be put to death. 52 The Israelites are to set up their tents by divisions, each man in his own camp under his own standard. 53 The Levites, however, are to set up their tents around the tabernacle of the Testimony so that wrath will not fall on the Israelite community. The Levites are to be responsible for the care of the tabernacle of the Testimony." 54 The Israelites did all this just as the LORD commanded Moses. Numbers 2 The Arrangement of the Tribal Camps 1 The LORD said to Moses and Aaron: 2 "The Israelites are to camp around the Tent of Meeting some distance from it, each man under his standard with the banners of his family." 3 On the east, toward the sunrise, the divisions of the camp of Judah are to encamp under their standard. The leader of the people of Judah is Nahshon son of Amminadab. 4 His division numbers 74,600. 5 The tribe of Issachar will camp next to them. The leader of the people of Issachar is Nethanel son of Zuar. 6 His division numbers 54,400. 7 The tribe of Zebulun will be next. The leader of the people of Zebulun is Eliab son of Helon. 8 His division numbers 57,400. 9 All the men assigned to the camp of Judah, according to their divisions, number 186,400. They will set out first. 10 On the south will be the divisions of the camp of Reuben under their standard. The leader of the people of Reuben is Elizur son of Shedeur. 11 His division numbers 46,500. 12 The tribe of Simeon will camp next to them. The leader of the people of Simeon is Shelumiel son of Zurishaddai. 13 His division numbers 59,300. 14 The tribe of Gad will be next. The leader of the people of Gad is Eliasaph son of Deuel. a]">[a] 15 His division numbers 45,650. 16 All the men assigned to the camp of Reuben, according to their divisions, number 151,450. They will set out second. 17 Then the Tent of Meeting and the camp of the Levites will set out in the middle of the camps. They will set out in the same order as they encamp, each in his own place under his standard. 18 On the west will be the divisions of the camp of Ephraim under their standard. The leader of the people of Ephraim is Elishama son of Ammihud. 19 His division numbers 40,500. 20 The tribe of Manasseh will be next to them. The leader of the people of Manasseh is Gamaliel son of Pedahzur. 21 His division numbers 32,200. 22 The tribe of Benjamin will be next. The leader of the people of Benjamin is Abidan son of Gideoni. 23 His division numbers 35,400. 24 All the men assigned to the camp of Ephraim, according to their divisions, number 108,100. They will set out third. 25 On the north will be the divisions of the camp of Dan, under their standard. The leader of the people of Dan is Ahiezer son of Ammishaddai. 26 His division numbers 62,700. 27 The tribe of Asher will camp next to them. The leader of the people of Asher is Pagiel son of Ocran. 28 His division numbers 41,500. 29 The tribe of Naphtali will be next. The leader of the people of Naphtali is Ahira son of Enan. 30 His division numbers 53,400. 31 All the men assigned to the camp of Dan number 157,600. They will set out last, under their standards. 32 These are the Israelites, counted according to their families. All those in the camps, by their divisions, number 603,550. 33 The Levites, however, were not counted along with the other Israelites, as the LORD commanded Moses. 34 So the Israelites did everything the LORD commanded Moses; that is the way they encamped under their standards, and that is the way they set out, each with his clan and family. Numbers 3 The Levites 1 This is the account of the family of Aaron and Moses at the time the LORD talked with Moses on Mount Sinai. 2 The names of the sons of Aaron were Nadab the firstborn and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar. 3 Those were the names of Aaron's sons, the anointed priests, who were ordained to serve as priests. 4 Nadab and Abihu, however, fell dead before the LORD when they made an offering with unauthorized fire before him in the Desert of Sinai. They had no sons; so only Eleazar and Ithamar served as priests during the lifetime of their father Aaron. 5 The LORD said to Moses, 6 "Bring the tribe of Levi and present them to Aaron the priest to assist him. 7 They are to perform duties for him and for the whole community at the Tent of Meeting by doing the work of the tabernacle. 8 They are to take care of all the furnishings of the Tent of Meeting, fulfilling the obligations of the Israelites by doing the work of the tabernacle. 9 Give the Levites to Aaron and his sons; they are the Israelites who are to be given wholly to him. b]">[b] 10 Appoint Aaron and his sons to serve as priests; anyone else who approaches the sanctuary must be put to death." 11 The LORD also said to Moses, 12 "I have taken the Levites from among the Israelites in place of the first male offspring of every Israelite woman. The Levites are mine, 13 for all the firstborn are mine. When I struck down all the firstborn in Egypt, I set apart for myself every firstborn in Israel, whether man or animal. They are to be mine. I am the LORD." 14 The LORD said to Moses in the Desert of Sinai, 15 "Count the Levites by their families and clans. Count every male a month old or more." 16 So Moses counted them, as he was commanded by the word of the LORD. 17 These were the names of the sons of Levi: Gershon, Kohath and Merari. 18 These were the names of the Gershonite clans: Libni and Shimei. 19 The Kohathite clans: Amram, Izhar, Hebron and Uzziel. 20 The Merarite clans: Mahli and Mushi. These were the Levite clans, according to their families. 21 To Gershon belonged the clans of the Libnites and Shimeites; these were the Gershonite clans. 22 The number of all the males a month old or more who were counted was 7,500. 23 The Gershonite clans were to camp on the west, behind the tabernacle. 24 The leader of the families of the Gershonites was Eliasaph son of Lael. 25 At the Tent of Meeting the Gershonites were responsible for the care of the tabernacle and tent, its coverings, the curtain at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting, 26 the curtains of the courtyard, the curtain at the entrance to the courtyard surrounding the tabernacle and altar, and the ropes—and everything related to their use. 27 To Kohath belonged the clans of the Amramites, Izharites, Hebronites and Uzzielites; these were the Kohathite clans. 28 The number of all the males a month old or more was 8,600. c]">[c] The Kohathites were responsible for the care of the sanctuary. 29 The Kohathite clans were to camp on the south side of the tabernacle. 30 The leader of the families of the Kohathite clans was Elizaphan son of Uzziel. 31 They were responsible for the care of the ark, the table, the lampstand, the altars, the articles of the sanctuary used in ministering, the curtain, and everything related to their use. 32 The chief leader of the Levites was Eleazar son of Aaron, the priest. He was appointed over those who were responsible for the care of the sanctuary. 33 To Merari belonged the clans of the Mahlites and the Mushites; these were the Merarite clans. 34 The number of all the males a month old or more who were counted was 6,200. 35 The leader of the families of the Merarite clans was Zuriel son of Abihail; they were to camp on the north side of the tabernacle. 36 The Merarites were appointed to take care of the frames of the tabernacle, its crossbars, posts, bases, all its equipment, and everything related to their use, 37 as well as the posts of the surrounding courtyard with their bases, tent pegs and ropes. 38 Moses and Aaron and his sons were to camp to the east of the tabernacle, toward the sunrise, in front of the Tent of Meeting. They were responsible for the care of the sanctuary on behalf of the Israelites. Anyone else who approached the sanctuary was to be put to death. 39 The total number of Levites counted at the LORD's command by Moses and Aaron according to their clans, including every male a month old or more, was 22,000. 40 The LORD said to Moses, "Count all the firstborn Israelite males who are a month old or more and make a list of their names. 41 Take the Levites for me in place of all the firstborn of the Israelites, and the livestock of the Levites in place of all the firstborn of the livestock of the Israelites. I am the LORD." 42 So Moses counted all the firstborn of the Israelites, as the LORD commanded him. 43 The total number of firstborn males a month old or more, listed by name, was 22,273. 44 The LORD also said to Moses, 45 "Take the Levites in place of all the firstborn of Israel, and the livestock of the Levites in place of their livestock. The Levites are to be mine. I am the LORD. 46 To redeem the 273 firstborn Israelites who exceed the number of the Levites, 47 collect five shekels d]">[d] for each one, according to the sanctuary shekel, which weighs twenty gerahs. 48 Give the money for the redemption of the additional Israelites to Aaron and his sons." 49 So Moses collected the redemption money from those who exceeded the number redeemed by the Levites. 50 From the firstborn of the Israelites he collected silver weighing 1,365 shekels, e]">[e] according to the sanctuary shekel. 51 Moses gave the redemption money to Aaron and his sons, as he was commanded by the word of the LORD. Numbers 4 The Kohathites 1 The LORD said to Moses and Aaron: 2 "Take a census of the Kohathite branch of the Levites by their clans and families. 3 Count all the men from thirty to fifty years of age who come to serve in the work in the Tent of Meeting. 4 "This is the work of the Kohathites in the Tent of Meeting: the care of the most holy things. 5 When the camp is to move, Aaron and his sons are to go in and take down the shielding curtain and cover the ark of the Testimony with it. 6 Then they are to cover this with hides of sea cows, f]">[f] spread a cloth of solid blue over that and put the poles in place. 7 "Over the table of the Presence they are to spread a blue cloth and put on it the plates, dishes and bowls, and the jars for drink offerings; the bread that is continually there is to remain on it. 8 Over these they are to spread a scarlet cloth, cover that with hides of sea cows and put its poles in place. 9 "They are to take a blue cloth and cover the lampstand that is for light, together with its lamps, its wick trimmers and trays, and all its jars for the oil used to supply it. 10 Then they are to wrap it and all its accessories in a covering of hides of sea cows and put it on a carrying frame. 11 "Over the gold altar they are to spread a blue cloth and cover that with hides of sea cows and put its poles in place. 12 "They are to take all the articles used for ministering in the sanctuary, wrap them in a blue cloth, cover that with hides of sea cows and put them on a carrying frame. 13 "They are to remove the ashes from the bronze altar and spread a purple cloth over it. 14 Then they are to place on it all the utensils used for ministering at the altar, including the firepans, meat forks, shovels and sprinkling bowls. Over it they are to spread a covering of hides of sea cows and put its poles in place. 15 "After Aaron and his sons have finished covering the holy furnishings and all the holy articles, and when the camp is ready to move, the Kohathites are to come to do the carrying. But they must not touch the holy things or they will die. The Kohathites are to carry those things that are in the Tent of Meeting. 16 "Eleazar son of Aaron, the priest, is to have charge of the oil for the light, the fragrant incense, the regular grain offering and the anointing oil. He is to be in charge of the entire tabernacle and everything in it, including its holy furnishings and articles." 17 The LORD said to Moses and Aaron, 18 "See that the Kohathite tribal clans are not cut off from the Levites. 19 So that they may live and not die when they come near the most holy things, do this for them: Aaron and his sons are to go into the sanctuary and assign to each man his work and what he is to carry. 20 But the Kohathites must not go in to look at the holy things, even for a moment, or they will die." The Gershonites 21 The LORD said to Moses, 22 "Take a census also of the Gershonites by their families and clans. 23 Count all the men from thirty to fifty years of age who come to serve in the work at the Tent of Meeting. 24 "This is the service of the Gershonite clans as they work and carry burdens: 25 They are to carry the curtains of the tabernacle, the Tent of Meeting, its covering and the outer covering of hides of sea cows, the curtains for the entrance to the Tent of Meeting, 26 the curtains of the courtyard surrounding the tabernacle and altar, the curtain for the entrance, the ropes and all the equipment used in its service. The Gershonites are to do all that needs to be done with these things. 27 All their service, whether carrying or doing other work, is to be done under the direction of Aaron and his sons. You shall assign to them as their responsibility all they are to carry. 28 This is the service of the Gershonite clans at the Tent of Meeting. Their duties are to be under the direction of Ithamar son of Aaron, the priest. The Merarites 29 "Count the Merarites by their clans and families. 30 Count all the men from thirty to fifty years of age who come to serve in the work at the Tent of Meeting. 31 This is their duty as they perform service at the Tent of Meeting: to carry the frames of the tabernacle, its crossbars, posts and bases, 32 as well as the posts of the surrounding courtyard with their bases, tent pegs, ropes, all their equipment and everything related to their use. Assign to each man the specific things he is to carry. 33 This is the service of the Merarite clans as they work at the Tent of Meeting under the direction of Ithamar son of Aaron, the priest." The Numbering of the Levite Clans 34 Moses, Aaron and the leaders of the community counted the Kohathites by their clans and families. 35 All the men from thirty to fifty years of age who came to serve in the work in the Tent of Meeting, 36 counted by clans, were 2,750. 37 This was the total of all those in the Kohathite clans who served in the Tent of Meeting. Moses and Aaron counted them according to the LORD's command through Moses. 38 The Gershonites were counted by their clans and families. 39 All the men from thirty to fifty years of age who came to serve in the work at the Tent of Meeting, 40 counted by their clans and families, were 2,630. 41 This was the total of those in the Gershonite clans who served at the Tent of Meeting. Moses and Aaron counted them according to the LORD's command. 42 The Merarites were counted by their clans and families. 43 All the men from thirty to fifty years of age who came to serve in the work at the Tent of Meeting, 44 counted by their clans, were 3,200. 45 This was the total of those in the Merarite clans. Moses and Aaron counted them according to the LORD's command through Moses. 46 So Moses, Aaron and the leaders of Israel counted all the Levites by their clans and families. 47 All the men from thirty to fifty years of age who came to do the work of serving and carrying the Tent of Meeting 48 numbered 8,580. 49 At the LORD's command through Moses, each was assigned his work and told what to carry. Thus they were counted, as the LORD commanded Moses. Footnotes: Numbers 2:14 Many manuscripts of the Masoretic Text, Samaritan Pentateuch and Vulgate (see also Num. 1:14 most manuscripts of the Masoretic Text Reuel Numbers 3:9 Most manuscripts of the Masoretic Text; some manuscripts of the Masoretic Text, Samaritan Pentateuch and Septuagint (see also Num. 8:16) to me Numbers 3:28 Hebrew; some Septuagint manuscripts 8,300 Numbers 3:47 That is, about 2 ounces (about 55 grams) Numbers 3:50 That is, about 35 pounds (about 15.5 kilograms) Numbers 4:6 That is, dugongs; also in verses 8, 10, 11, 12, 14 and 25 New International Version (NIV) Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by Biblica
Jeremiah 23:23 23 "Am I only a God nearby," declares the LORD, "and not a God far away? New International Version (NIV) Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by Biblica
Jeremiah 23:24 24 Can anyone hide in secret places so that I cannot see him?" declares the LORD. "Do not I fill heaven and earth?" declares the LORD. New International Version (NIV) Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by Biblica
John 14:15-18 Listen to this passage View commentary related to this passage Jesus Promises the Holy Spirit 15"If you love me, you will obey what I command. 16And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever— 17the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will bea]">[a] in you. 18I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. Footnotes: John 14:17 Some early manuscripts and is New International Version (NIV) Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by Biblica
John 14:23 Listen to this passage View commentary related to this passage 23Jesus replied, "If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. New International Version (NIV) Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by Biblica

POWER STRUGGLE

Sabbath Afternoon

Memory Text: 3 John 1:11 NKJV 11 Beloved, do not imitate what is evil, but what is good. He who does good is of God, but he who does evil has not seen God.

Sunday

The Elder and Gaius

1 Peter 5:1 NKJV 1 The elders who are among you I exhort, I who am a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that will be revealed:

3 John 1:1-4 NKJV 1 THE ELDER, To the beloved Gaius, whom I love in truth: 2 Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers. 3 For I rejoiced greatly when brethren came and testified of the truth that is in you, just as you walk in the truth. 4 I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.

3 John 1:3-4 NKJV 3 For I rejoiced greatly when brethren came and testified of the truth that is in you, just as you walk in the truth. 4 I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.

Read 1 Corinthians chapter 13

Monday

Gaius and His Ministry to the Church

3 John 1:5-8 NKJV 5 Beloved, you do faithfully whatever you do for the brethren and for strangers, 6 who have borne witness of your love before the church. If you send them forward on their journey in a manner worthy of God, you will do well,

3 John 1:7 because they went forth for His name's sake, taking nothing from the Gentiles. 8 We therefore ought to receive such, that we may become fellow workers for the truth.

Revelation 14:6 NKJV 6 Then I saw another angel flying in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach to those who dwell on the earth--to every nation, tribe, tongue, and people--

Tuesday

Diotrephes

Mark 9:35 NIV 35 Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, "If anyone wants to be first, he must be the very last, and the servant of all."

Mark 9:35 NKJV 35 And He sat down, called the twelve, and said to them, "If anyone desires to be first, he shall be last of all and servant of all."

Isaiah 14:13-14 NKJV 13 For you have said in your heart: 'I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God; I will also sit on the mount of the congregation On the farthest sides of the north; 14 I will ascend above the heights of the clouds, I will be like the Most High.'

Matthew 12:37 NKJV 37 "For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned."

Matthew 12:37 NKJV 37 "For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned."

Matthew 18:3-6 NKJV 3 and said, "Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. 4 "Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. 5 "Whoever receives one little child like this in My name receives Me. 6 "But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were drowned in the depth of the sea.

Philippians 2:3 NKJV 3 Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself.

Wednesday

Bearing Witness About Demetrius

3 John 1:11 NKJV 11 Beloved, do not imitate what is evil, but what is good. He who does good is of God, but he who does evil has not seen God.

3 John 1:12 NKJV 12 Demetrius has a good testimony from all, and from the truth itself. And we also bear witness, and you know that our testimony is true.

Acts 19:23-29 NKJV 23 And about that time there arose a great commotion about the Way. 24 For a certain man named Demetrius, a silversmith, who made silver shrines of Diana, brought no small profit to the craftsmen. 25 He called them together with the workers of similar occupation, and said: "Men, you know that we have our prosperity by this trade. 26 "Moreover you see and hear that not only at Ephesus, but throughout almost all Asia, this Paul has persuaded and turned away many people, saying that they are not gods which are made with hands. 27 "So not only is this trade of ours in danger of falling into disrepute, but also the temple of the great goddess Diana may be despised and her magnificence destroyed, whom all Asia and the world worship." 28 Now when they heard this, they were full of wrath and cried out, saying, "Great is Diana of the Ephesians!" 29 So the whole city was filled with confusion, and rushed into the theater with one accord, having seized Gaius and Aristarchus, Macedonians, Paul's travel companions.

Thursday

Leadership Crisis in the Early Church

1 Peter 2:9 NKJV 9 But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;

1 Corinthians 12:7-31 NKJV 7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all: 8 for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit, 10 to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. 11 But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills. 12 For as the body is one and has many members, but all the members of that one body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ. 13 For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body--whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free--and have all been made to drink into one Spirit. 14 For in fact the body is not one member but many.

1 Corinthians 12:15-31 15 If the foot should say, "Because I am not a hand, I am not of the body," is it therefore not of the body? 16 And if the ear should say, "Because I am not an eye, I am not of the body," is it therefore not of the body? 17 If the whole body were an eye, where would be the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where would be the smelling? 18 But now God has set the members, each one of them, in the body just as He pleased. 19 And if they were all one member, where would the body be? 20 But now indeed there are many members, yet one body. 21 And the eye cannot say to the hand, "I have no need of you"; nor again the head to the feet, "I have no need of you." 22 No, much rather, those members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary. 23 And those members of the body which we think to be less honorable, on these we bestow greater honor; and our unpresentable parts have greater modesty, 24 but our presentable parts have no need. But God composed the body, having given greater honor to that part which lacks it, 25 that there should be no schism in the body, but that the members should have the same care for one another. 26 And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; or if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it. 27 Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually. 28 And God has appointed these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, varieties of tongues. 29 Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Are all workers of miracles? 30 Do all have gifts of healings? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret? 31 But earnestly desire the best gifts. And yet I show you a more excellent way.

1 Timothy 5:19 NKJV 19 Do not receive an accusation against an elder except from two or three witnesses.

Acts 20:17 NKJV 17 From Miletus he sent to Ephesus and called for the elders of the church.

Acts 20:28 NKJV 28 "Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood.

Mark 10:42-44 NKJV 42 But Jesus called them to Himself and said to them, "You know that those who are considered rulers over the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. 43 "Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you shall be your servant. 44 "And whoever of you desires to be first shall be slave of all.

Acts 6:1-7 NKJV 1 Now in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplying, there arose a complaint against the Hebrews by the Hellenists, because their widows were neglected in the daily distribution. 2 Then the twelve summoned the multitude of the disciples and said, "It is not desirable that we should leave the word of God and serve tables. 3 "Therefore, brethren, seek out from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business; 4 "but we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word."

Acts 6:5-7 5 And the saying pleased the whole multitude. And they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas, a proselyte from Antioch, 6 whom they set before the apostles; and when they had prayed, they laid hands on them. 7 Then the word of God spread, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were obedient to the faith.

Acts 15:6 NKJV 6 Now the apostles and elders came together to consider this matter.

Acts 15:22-25 NKJV 22 Then it pleased the apostles and elders, with the whole church, to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas, namely, Judas who was also named Barsabas, and Silas, leading men among the brethren. 23 They wrote this letter by them: The apostles, the elders, and the brethren, To the brethren who are of the Gentiles in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia: Greetings. 24 Since we have heard that some who went out from us have troubled you with words, unsettling your souls, saying, "You must be circumcised and keep the law" --to whom we gave no such commandment-- 25 it seemed good to us, being assembled with one accord, to send chosen men to you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul,

1 Timothy 4:14 NKJV 14 Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you by prophecy with the laying on of the hands of the eldership.

James 5:14 NKJV 14 Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord.

Friday

John 13:1-12 NKJV 1 Now before the feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that His hour had come that He should depart from this world to the Father, having loved His own who were in the world, He loved them to the end. 2 And supper being ended, the devil having already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, to betray Him, 3 Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into His hands, and that He had come from God and was going to God, 4 rose from supper and laid aside His garments, took a towel and girded Himself. 5 After that, He poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel with which He was girded. 6 Then He came to Simon Peter. And Peter said to Him, "Lord, are You washing my feet?" 7 Jesus answered and said to him, "What I am doing you do not understand now, but you will know after this." 8 Peter said to Him, "You shall never wash my feet!" Jesus answered him, "If I do not wash you, you have no part with Me." 9 Simon Peter said to Him, "Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head!" 10 Jesus said to him, "He who is bathed needs only to wash his feet, but is completely clean; and you are clean, but not all of you." 11 For He knew who would betray Him; therefore He said, "You are not all clean." 12 So when He had washed their feet, taken His garments, and sat down again, He said to them, "Do you know what I have done to you?

Ephesians 4:11-16 NKJV 11 And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, 12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, 13 till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; 14 that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, 15 but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head--Christ-- 16 from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.

1 Thessalonians 5:12-13 NKJV 12 And we urge you, brethren, to recognize those who labor among you, and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, 13 and to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake. Be at peace among yourselves.

1 Timothy 1:3-4 NKJV 3 As I urged you when I went into Macedonia--remain in Ephesus that you may charge some that they teach no other doctrine, 4 nor give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which cause disputes rather than godly edification which is in faith.

1 Timothy 4:13 NKJV 13 Till I come, give attention to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.

1 Timothy 5:22 NKJV 22 Do not lay hands on anyone hastily, nor share in other people's sins; keep yourself pure.

Titus 1:1-3 NKJV 1 Paul, a bondservant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God's elect and the acknowledgment of the truth which accords with godliness, 2 in hope of eternal life which God, who cannot lie, promised before time began, 3 but has in due time manifested His word through preaching, which was committed to me according to the commandment of God our Savior;

1 Peter 5:1-4 NKJV 1 The elders who are among you I exhort, I who am a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that will be revealed: 2 Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly; 3 nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock; 4 and when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away.

Ellen G. White, Gospel Workers, p. 444

Those who are inclined to regard their individual judgment as supreme, are in grave peril. It is Satan's studied effort to separate such ones from those who are channels of light, through whom God has wrought to build up and extend His work in the earth.

To neglect or despise those whom God has appointed to bear the responsibilities of leadership in connection with the advancement of the truth, is to reject the means that He has ordained for the help, encouragement, and strength of His people. For any worker in the Lord's cause to pass these by, and to think that his light must come through no other channel than directly from God, is to place himself in a position where he is liable to be deceived by the enemy, and overthrown. The Lord in His wisdom has arranged that by means of the close relationship that should be maintained by all believers, Christian shall be united to Christian, and church to church. Thus the human instrumentality will be enabled to co-operate with the divine. Every agency will be subordinate to the Holy Spirit, and all the believers will be united in an organized and well-directed effort to give to the world the glad tidings of the grace of God. (p. 445) {GW 444.1}

Paul regarded the occasion of his formal ordination as marking the beginning of a new and important epoch in his life-work. It was from this time that he afterward dated the beginning of his apostleship in the Christian church.--"The Acts of the Apostles," pages 160-165.

Ellen G. White, Testimonies for the Church, vol. 8, p. 236

Leadership St. Helena, California, November 17, 1903.

In the daily papers of various cities there have appeared articles which represent that there is a strife between Dr. Kellogg and Mrs. Ellen G. White as to which of them shall be leader of the Seventh-day Adventist people. As I read these articles I felt distressed beyond measure that anyone should so misunderstand my work and the work of Dr. Kellogg as to publish such misrepresentations. There has been no controversy between Dr. Kellogg and myself as to the question of leadership. No one has ever heard me claim the position of leader of the denomination. {8T 236.1}

I have a work of great responsibility to do--to impart by pen and voice the instruction given me, not alone to Seventh-day Adventists, but to the world. I have published many books, large and small, and some of these have been translated into several languages. This is my work--to open the Scriptures to others as God has opened them to me. {8T 236.2}

God has not set any kingly power in the Seventh-day Adventist Church to control the whole body or to control any branch of the work. He has not provided that the burden of leadership shall rest upon a few men. Responsibilities are distributed among a large number of competent men. {8T 236.3}

Every member of the church has a voice in choosing officers of the church. The church chooses the officers of the state conferences. Delegates chosen by the state conferences choose the officers of the union conferences, and delegates chosen by the union conferences choose the officers of the General Conference. By this arrangement every conference, every institution,

(p. 237) every church, and every individual, either directly or through representatives, has a voice in the election of the men who bear the chief responsibilities in the General Conference. {8T 236.4}

Loved and Loving: John's Epistles and Jesus' Methods

Chapter 9

An Illustration of His Methods

"I have manifested Thy name unto the men which thou gavest me."

Sections on this page...
The Transforming Power of Christ
From Weakness to Strength
A Lesson in Love

The most complete illustration of Christ's methods as a teacher is found in His training of the twelve first disciples. Upon these men were to rest weighty responsibilities. He had chosen them as men whom He could imbue with His Spirit, and who could be fitted to carry forward His work on earth when He should leave it. To them, above all others, He gave the advantage of His own companionship. Through personal association He impressed Himself upon these chosen colaborers. "The Life was manifested," says John the beloved, "and we have seen it, and bear witness." 1 John 1:12.

Only by such communion--the communion of mind with mind and heart with heart, of the human with the divine--can be communicated that vitalizing energy which it is the work of true education to impart. It is only life that begets life.

In the training of His disciples the Saviour followed the system of education established at the beginning. The Twelve first chosen, with a few others who through ministry to their needs were from time to time connected with them, formed the family of Jesus. They were with

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Him in the house, at the table, in the closet, in the field. They accompanied Him on His journeys, shared His trials and hardships, and, as much as in them was, entered into His work.

Sometimes He taught them as they sat together on the mountainside, sometimes beside the sea, or from the fisherman's boat, sometimes as they walked by the way. Whenever He spoke to the multitude, the disciples formed the inner circle. They pressed close beside Him, that they might lose nothing of His instruction. They were attentive listeners, eager to understand the truths they were to teach in all lands and to all ages.

The first pupils of Jesus were chosen from the ranks of the common people. They were humble, unlettered men, these fishers of Galilee; men unschooled in the learning and customs of the rabbis, but trained by the stern discipline of toil and hardship. They were men of native ability and of teachable spirit; men who could be instructed and molded for the Saviour's word. In the common walks of life there is many a toiler patiently treading the round of his daily tasks, unconscious of latent powers that, roused to action, would place him among the world's great leaders. Such were the men who were called by the Saviour to be His colaborers. And they had the advantage of three years' training by the greatest educator this world has ever known.

In these first disciples was presented a marked diversity. They were to be the world's teachers, and they represented widely varied types of character. There were Levi Matthew the publican, called from a life of business activity, and subservience to Rome; the zealot Simon, the uncompromising foe of the imperial authority; the impulsive, self-sufficient, warmhearted Peter, with Andrew his

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brother; Judas the Judean, polished, capable, and mean-spirited; Philip and Thomas, faithful and earnest, yet slow of heart to believe; James the less and Jude, of less prominence among the brethren, but men of force, positive both in their faults and in their virtues; Nathanael, a child in sincerity and trust; and the ambitious, loving-hearted sons of Zebedee.

In order successfully to carry forward the work to which they had been called, these disciples, differing so widely in natural characteristics, in training, and in habits of life, needed to come into unity of feeling, thought, and action. This unity it was Christ's object to secure. To this end He sought to bring them into unity with Himself. The burden of His labor for them is expressed in His prayer to the Father, "that they all may be one; as Thou, Father, art in Me, and I in Thee, that they also may be one in Us: . . . that the world may know that Thou hast sent Me, and hast loved them, as Thou hast loved Me." John 17:21-23.

The Transforming Power of Christ
[Top]

Of the twelve disciples, four were to act a leading part, each in a distinct line. In preparation for this, Christ taught them, foreseeing all. James, destined to swift-coming death by the sword; John, longest of the brethren to follow his Master in labor and persecution; Peter, the pioneer in breaking through the barriers of ages, and teaching the heathen world; and Judas, in service capable of pre-eminence above his brethren, yet brooding in his soul purposes of whose ripening he little dreamed-- these were the objects of Christ's greatest solicitude and the recipients of His most frequent and careful instruction.

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Peter, James, and John sought every opportunity of coming into close contact with their Master, and their desire was granted. Of all the Twelve their relationship to Him was closest. John could be satisfied only with a still near intimacy, and this he obtained. At that first conference beside the Jordan, when Andrew, having heard Jesus, hurried away to call his brother, John sat silent, rapt in the contemplation of wondrous themes. He followed the Saviour, ever an eager, absorbed listener. Yet John's was no faultless character. He was no gentle, dreamy enthusiast. He and his brother were called "the sons of thunder." Mark 3:17. John was proud, ambitious, combative; but beneath all this the divine Teacher discerned the ardent, sincere, loving heart. Jesus rebuked his self-seeking, disappointed his ambitions, tested his faith. But He revealed to him that for which his soul longed--the beauty of holiness, His own transforming love. "Unto the men which Thou gavest Me out of the world," He said to the Father, "I have manifested Thy name." John 17:6.

John's was a nature that longed for love, for sympathy and companionship. He pressed close to Jesus, sat by His side, leaned upon His breast. As a flower drinks the sun and dew, so did he drink in the divine light and life. In adoration and love he beheld the Saviour, until likeness to Christ and fellowship with Him became his one desire, and in his character was reflected the character of his Master.

"Behold," he said, "what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew Him not. Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know

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that, when He shall appear, we shall be like Him; for we shall see Him as He is. And every man that hath this hope in Him purifieth himself, even as He is pure." 1 John 3:1-3.

From Weakness to Strength
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The history of no one of the disciples better illustrates Christ's method of training than does the history of Peter. Bold, aggressive, and self-confident, quick to perceive and forward to act, prompt in retaliation yet generous in forgiving, Peter often erred, and often received reproof. Nor were his warmhearted loyalty and devotion to Christ the less decidedly recognized and commended. Patiently, with discriminating love, the Saviour dealt with His impetuous disciple, seeking to check his self-confidence, and to teach him humility, obedience, and trust. {Ed 88.1}

But only in part was the lesson learned. Self-assurance was not uprooted.

Often Jesus, the burden heavy upon His own heart, sought to open to the disciples the scenes of His trial and suffering. But their eyes were holden. The knowledge was unwelcome, and they did not see. Self-pity, that shrank from fellowship with Christ in suffering, prompted Peter's remonstrance, "Pity Thyself, Lord: this shall not be unto Thee." Matthew 16:22, margin. His words expressed the thought and feeling of the Twelve.

So they went on, the crisis drawing nearer; they, boastful, contentious, in anticipation apportioning regal honors, and dreaming not of the cross.

For them all, Peter's experience had a lesson. To self-trust, trial is defeat. The sure outworking of evil still unforsaken, Christ could not prevent. But as His hand had been outstretched to save when the waves were about

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to sweep over Peter, so did His love reach out for his rescue when the deep waters swept over his soul. Over and over again, on the very verge of ruin, Peter's words of boasting brought him nearer and still nearer to the brink. Over and over again was given the warning, "Thou shalt . . . deny that thou knowest Me." Luke 22:34. It was the grieved, loving heart of the disciple that spoke out in the avowal, "Lord, I am ready to go with Thee, both into prison, and to death" (Luke 22:33); and He who reads the heart gave to Peter the message, little valued then, but that in the swift-falling darkness would shed a ray of hope: "Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: but I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren." Luke 22:31, 32.

When in the judgment hall the words of denial had been spoken; when Peter's love and loyalty, awakened under the Saviour's glance of pity and love and sorrow, had sent him forth to the garden where Christ had wept and prayed; when his tears of remorse dropped upon the sod that had been moistened with the blood drops of His agony--then the Saviour's words, "I have prayed for thee: . . . when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren," were a stay to his soul. Christ, though foreseeing his sin, had not abandoned him to despair.

If the look that Jesus cast upon him had spoken condemnation instead of pity; if in foretelling the sin He had failed of speaking hope, how dense would have been the darkness that encompassed Peter! how reckless the despair of that tortured soul! In that hour of anguish and self-abhorrence, what could have held him back from the path trodden by Judas?

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He who could not spare His disciple the anguish, left him not alone to its bitterness. His is a love that fails not nor forsakes.

Human beings, themselves given to evil, are prone to deal untenderly with the tempted and the erring. They cannot read the heart, they know not its struggle and pain. Of the rebuke that is love, of the blow that wounds to heal, of the warning that speaks hope, they have need to learn.

It was not John, the one who watched with Him in the judgment hall, who stood beside His cross, and who of the Twelve was first at the tomb--it was not John, but Peter, that was mentioned by Christ after His resurrection. "Tell His disciples and Peter," the angel said, "that He goeth before you into Galilee: there shall ye see Him." Mark 16:7.

At the last meeting of Christ with the disciples by the sea, Peter, tested by the thrice-given question, "Lovest thou Me?" was restored to his place among the Twelve. His work was appointed him; he was to feed the Lord's flock. Then, as His last personal direction, Jesus bade him, "Follow thou Me." John 21:17, 22.

Now he could appreciate the words. The lesson Christ had given when He set a little child in the midst of the disciples and bade them become like him, Peter could now better understand. Knowing more fully both his own weakness and Christ's power, he was ready to trust and to obey. In His strength he could follow his Master.

And at the close of his experience of labor and sacrifice, the disciple once so unready to discern the cross, counted it a joy to yield up his life for the gospel, feeling

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only that, for him who had denied the Lord, to die in the same manner as his Master died was too great an honor.

A miracle of divine tenderness was Peter's transformation. It is a life lesson to all who seek to follow in the steps of the Master Teacher.

A Lesson in Love
[Top]

Jesus reproved His disciples, He warned and cautioned them; but John and Peter and their brethren did not leave Him. Notwithstanding the reproofs, they chose to be with Jesus. And the Saviour did not, because of their errors, withdraw from them. He takes men as they are, with all their faults and weaknesses, and trains them for His service, if they will be disciplined and taught by Him.

But there was one of the Twelve to whom, until very near the close of His work, Christ spoke no word of direct reproof.

With Judas an element of antagonism was introduced among the disciples. In connecting himself with Jesus he had responded to the attraction of His character and life. He had sincerely desired a change in himself, and had hoped to experience this through a union with Jesus. But this desire did not become predominant. That which ruled him was the hope of selfish benefit in the worldly kingdom which he expected Christ to establish. Though recognizing the divine power of the love of Christ, Judas did not yield to its supremacy. He continued to cherish his own judgment and opinions, his disposition to criticize and condemn. Christ's motives and movements, often so far above his comprehension, excited doubt and disapproval, and his own questionings and ambitions

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were insinuated to the disciples. Many of their contentions for supremacy, much of their dissatisfaction with Christ's methods, originated with Judas.

Jesus, seeing that to antagonize was but to harden, refrained from direct conflict. The narrowing selfishness of Judas' life, Christ sought to heal through contact with His own self-sacrificing love. In His teaching He unfolded principles that struck at the root of the disciple's self-centered ambitions. Lesson after lesson was thus given, and many a time Judas realized that his character had been portrayed, and his sin pointed out; but he would not yield.

Mercy's pleading resisted, the impulse of evil bore final sway. Judas, angered at an implied rebuke and made desperate by the disappointment of his ambitious dreams, surrendered his soul to the demon of greed and determined upon the betrayal of his Master. From the Passover chamber, the joy of Christ's presence, and the light of immortal hope, he went forth to his evil work--into the outer darkness, where hope was not.

"Jesus knew from the beginning who they were that believed not, and who should betray Him." John 6:64. Yet, knowing all, He had withheld no pleading of mercy or gift of love.

Seeing the danger of Judas, He had brought him close to Himself, within the inner circle of His chosen and trusted disciples. Day after day, when the burden lay heaviest upon His own heart, He had borne the pain of continual contact with that stubborn, suspicious, brooding spirit; He had witnessed and labored to counteract among His disciples that continuous, secret, and subtle

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antagonism. And all this that no possible saving influence might be lacking to that imperiled soul!

"Many waters cannot quench love,

Neither can the floods drown it;"

"For love is strong as death." Canticles 8:7, 6.

So far as Judas himself was concerned, Christ's work of love had been without avail. But not so as regards his fellow disciples. To them it was a lesson of lifelong influence. Ever would its example of tenderness and long-suffering mold their intercourse with the tempted and the erring. And it had other lessons. At the ordination of the Twelve the disciples had greatly desired that Judas should become one of their number, and they had counted his accession an event of much promise to the apostolic band. He had come more into contact with the world than they, he was a man of good address, of discernment and executive ability, and, having a high estimate of his own qualifications, he had led the disciples to hold him in the same regard. But the methods he desired to introduce into Christ's work were based upon worldly principles and were controlled by worldly policy. They looked to the securing of worldly recognition and honor--to the obtaining of the kingdom of this world. The working out of these desires in the life of Judas, helped the disciples to understand the antagonism between the principle of self-aggrandizement and Christ's principle of humility and self-sacrifice--the principle of the spiritual kingdom. In the fate of Judas they saw the end to which self-serving tends.

For these disciples the mission of Christ finally accomplished its purpose. Little by little His example and His

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lessons of self-abnegation molded their characters. His death destroyed their hope of worldly greatness. The fall of Peter, the apostasy of Judas, their own failure in forsaking Christ in His anguish and peril, swept away their self-sufficiency. They saw their own weakness; they saw something of the greatness of the work committed to them; they felt their need of their Master's guidance at every step.

They knew that His personal presence was no longer to be with them, and they recognized, as they had never recognized before, the value of the opportunities that had been theirs to walk and talk with the Sent of God. Many of His lessons, when spoken, they had not appreciated or understood; now they longed to recall these lessons, to hear again His words. With what joy now came back to them His assurance:

"It is expedient for you that I go away; for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send Him." "All things that I have heard of My Father I have made known unto you." And "the Comforter, . . . whom the Father will send in My name, He shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you." John 16:7; 15:15; 14:26.

"All things that the Father hath are Mine." "When He, the Spirit of truth, is come, He will guide you into all truth. . . . He shall receive of Mine, and shall show it unto you." John 16:15, 13, 14.

The disciples had seen Christ ascend from among them on the Mount of Olives. And as the heavens received Him, there had come back to them His parting promise, "Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world." Matthew 28:20.

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They knew that His sympathies were with them still. They knew that they had a representative, an advocate, at the throne of God. In the name of Jesus they presented their petitions, repeating His promise, "Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in My name, He will give it you." John 16:23.

Higher and higher they extended the hand of faith, with the mighty argument, "It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us." Romans 8:34.

Faithful to his promise, the Divine One, exalted in the heavenly courts, imparted of His fullness to His followers on earth. His enthronement at God's right hand was signalized by the outpouring of the Spirit upon His disciples.

By the work of Christ these disciples had been led to feel their need of the Spirit; under the Spirit's teaching they received their final preparation and went forth to their lifework.

No longer were they ignorant and uncultured. No longer were they a collection of independent units or of discordant and conflicting elements. No longer were their hopes set on worldly greatness. They were of "one accord," of one mind and one soul. Christ filled their thoughts. The advancement of His kingdom was their aim. In mind and character they had become like their Master; and men "took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus." Acts 4:13.

Then was there such a revelation of the glory of Christ as had never before been witnessed by mortal man. Multitudes who had reviled His name and despised His power confessed themselves disciples of the Crucified. Through the co-operation of the divine Spirit the labors

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of the humble men whom Christ had chosen stirred the world. To every nation under heaven was the gospel carried in a single generation.

The same Spirit that in His stead was sent to be the instructor of His first co-workers, Christ has commissioned to be the instructor of His co-workers today. "Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world" (Matthew 28:20), is His promise. {Ed 96.1}

The presence of the same guide in educational work today will produce the same results as of old. This is the end to which true education tends; this is the work that God designs it to accomplish.

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