Abiding Fruit

Informing the Mind | Inflaming the Heart

Archives for April 2025

He Shall Not Break His Word…All Her Vows Shall Stand


“If a man vows a vow to the LORD, or swears an oath to bind himself by a pledge, he shall not break his word. He shall do according to all that proceeds out of his mouth. If a woman vows a vow to the LORD and binds herself by a pledge, while within her father’s house in her youth, and her father hears of her vow and of her pledge by which she has bound herself and says nothing to her, then all her vows shall stand, and every pledge by which she has bound herself shall stand.” (Numbers 30:2-4)

The central theme of Numbers is the accomplishment of the promise that God made to Abraham to give him descendants without number (Gen. 12:1–3; 15:1–6; 17:1–8). Supporting themes are the promise of land to be inherited, the blessing of other nations, and the covenant relationship with God. The book of Numbers moves around the subjects of lawgiving and journeying. From Exodus 19:1 to Numbers 10:10, the people of Israel are given the Law of God with all of its moral, ceremonial and civil requirements and obligations. We know this to be the covenant of Law that God gave through Moses. In Numbers 10:11–12:16 the cloud lifts off the Tabernacle in the second year after leaving Egypt and the people again take up their journey toward Canaan. In Numbers 13:1–19:22, we find Israel camped at Kadesh in the wilderness of Paran from where Moses sent out the 12 spies into Canaan. As a result of their bad report and disobedience God promised judgment upon the generation that came out of Egypt and then gave Israel more laws. In Numbers 20:1–22:1, the people journey on from Kadesh to the plains of Moab, and again judgment comes upon them for their disobedience. In Numbers 22:2–36:13, God again has to discipline Israel because they worshipped Baal of Peor and committed sin with the Midianites. This was the result of Balaam’s advice. As a result of this, God gives them more laws. [Read more…] about He Shall Not Break His Word…All Her Vows Shall Stand

Because You Did Not Believe In Me


“And the LORD said to Moses and Aaron, ‘Because you did not believe in me, to uphold me as holy in the eyes of the people of Israel, therefore you shall not bring this assembly into the land that I have given them.’” (Numbers 20:12)

These words are spoken to Moses primarily because he struck the rock twice with his staff. God’s instruction to Moses had been to speak to the rock and tell it to bring forth water (vs. 8). But Moses was so provoked by the rebellion of Israel that he struck the rock in anger. In mercy, God provided water abundantly form the rock for parched Israel, but in judgment, God pronounced that Moses would not enter the land of promise.

If you have ever seen the movie Peter Pan, you know that toward the end the demise of Captain Hook is declared with those final words: done for. That’s how we feel when we think on this passage. For forty years Moses has put up with Israel with incredible patience, and in one second, he forfeits the privilege of entering Canaan. Doesn’t seem right, does it? Doesn’t seem fair!

The lesson is always the same from God. You cannot get away with sin. Not even a life of faithfulness merits God overlooking sinfulness. God always rewards faithfulness and obedience, but never disobedience or unfaithfulness. How could he? That would make him less than God. The book of Numbers is about the faithfulness of God which comes to Israel through God’s grace. God’s faithfulness is grounded in his covenant with Israel. In spite of the many failures of Israel, God remains committed to bringing them to the land. He judges them and punishes them when they sin and rebel, yet he remains unchanged. [Read more…] about Because You Did Not Believe In Me

Inside The Veil


Leviticus 16:2, 12, 15

This phrase, “inside the veil” only occurs in these three verses in this form in the Old Testament in the ESV. The KJV lists two other verses (Exodus 26:33; Num. 18:7) but instead of “inside the veil” has the archaic “within the vail”. The NASB lists the Leviticus occurrences and has in addition the Numbers 18:7 occurrence as “inside the veil.” The NIV lists “inside the veil” as “behind the curtain.” The words “within” and behind” do convey, I think, a better understanding of the action taken by Aaron – he goes behind the veil, the curtain, in contrast to inside the veil. One cannot really be inside a veil unless one wears a curtain or veil. The word for “inside” or “within” is derived from the Hebrew word for “house” (bayith). Curtain or veil is readily understood and reflects the reality of a curtain or veil.

Leviticus 16 is about the “Day of Atonement”. It is one of the annual feasts of Israel and was considered a “fast day” (Acts 27:9). Leviticus 23 gives a full list of all the feasts of Israel. The Day of Atonement took place on the tenth day of the seventh month – Tishri (Lev. 16:29; 23:27), our October-November. Leviticus 16 provides an overview of what would happen on the Day of Atonement in vv. 6 – 10. There is; a). the sin offering of a bull for Aaron and his house (also vv. 11 – 14, 24, 25, 27); b). the sin offering of the two goats for the sins of the people – one being for sacrifice and the other to be a scapegoat or Azazel (vv. 7, 8; 15 – 19; 24, 25); and c). the sending out of the scapegoat into the wilderness (vv. 20 – 22). [Read more…] about Inside The Veil

He Shall Lay His Hand On The Head


“He shall lay his hand on the head of the burnt offering, and it shall be accepted for him to make atonement for him.” (Levitcus 1:4)

There are three things to notice immediately in this verse. First, the idea of identification is present. The one making the offering lays his hand on the head of his sacrifice. Second, the idea of substitution is also present. His offering is accepted in his place. Third, atonement is accomplished. The ideas of identification, substitution and atonement are crucial to the doctrine of salvation.

The book of Leviticus is divided into two major sections. First, chapters 1–16 focus on the way we have access to God. It is through biblical worship. By biblical I mean the way God has stipulated. Second, chapters 17–27 focus on how to be acceptable to God. This is through obedience to biblical prescriptions. We are to approach God in the way he has commanded. We have access to God, if this is according to his commands. We walk before him according to his laws. [Read more…] about He Shall Lay His Hand On The Head

The Cloud Covered…The Glory Filled


“Then the cloud covered the tent of meeting, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle.”  (Exodus 40:34)

Exodus 40 is a fitting chapter to end the book of Exodus with. The last five verses are about the glory of the Lord filling the tabernacle and the cloud settling upon it. The cloud and the glory of God descend and fill because the tabernacle is complete and the Levitical ministry was about to begin. This is always the right place to be in. God’s work can proceed only when God is present. Many have tried to engage in God’s work without the presence of the Lord. It cannot happen. Just as there can only be blessing through obedience, so too, God’s presence is required for the ministry to succeed. Success here is not our definition of success, but rather God’s blessing because of his presence.

Moses was required to ensure that the building of the tabernacle with all its components was “according to the pattern shown you on the mountain” (Ex. 25:9, 40, Num. 8:4; Acts 7:44; Heb. 8:5). The tabernacle was an incredible piece of construction. Moses was on the mountain before God for forty days and nights. During this time, God revealed to him the plans he had for the tabernacle. It began with the gifts of the people. They were to make contributions toward the building (Ex. 25:1–9). [Read more…] about The Cloud Covered…The Glory Filled

A Vision Glorious


“Moses said, ‘Please show me your glory.’” (Exodus 33:18)

In this passage of Scripture, the heart cry of Moses is to have God show him His glory. Moses has had enough experience of God, from the burning bush episode which revolutionized and galvanized his life in a new direction, to the contests with Pharaoh in Egypt, to the Passover deliverance, to the escape from Egypt through the Red Sea, to the giving of the Law of God, and we should not forget the on-going rebellion of the people. In all of these, God had so magnificently demonstrated that He was doing something beyond the powers and abilities of man. Moses had certainly recognized the otherness of God. The gods of Egypt were insufficient and puny and had no power (except the power of darkness) against God. Moses had rejoiced in the giving of the Law, as this was surely a revelation of God like no other. [Read more…] about A Vision Glorious