“We are too busy to pray, and so we are too busy to have power. We have a great deal of activity, but we accomplish little; many services but few conversions; much machinery but few results.” (R.A. Torrey) In Numbers 7-10, we learn that prayerful leaders shape discipleship to change lives.
Moses set up, anointed and consecrated the tabernacle with all its furnishings, altar and utensils. The leaders of their fathers’ households made an offering. They gave the Levites six covered carts and 12 oxen with a cart for every two leaders and an oxen for each one to Gershon and Merari. They did not give any to Kohath because they carried the holy objects on the shoulder. Each leader representing the twelve tribes offered fine flour mixed with oil for grain offering, incense, burnt offering, sin offering and peace offering, beginning with the tribe of Judah (Num. 7:1-83). If leaders dedicate their lives to God, then discipleship can extend to the whole body of Christ.
This was the dedication offering for the altar from Israel’s leaders when it was anointed: twelve silver dishes, bowls and gold pans full of incense, all oxen for burnt offering, male lambs with their grain offering, male goats for sin offering and oxen for peace offerings (Num. 7:84-88). God reigns in leaders’ hearts when they offer their time, talent and treasure to Him.
When Moses went into the tent of meeting to speak with God, he heard the voice speaking to him from above the mercy seat on the ark of testimony between two cherubim (Num. 7:89). Leaders hear God speak when they trust in Christ’s blood to forgive their sins and meditate on His word.
Seven lamps gave light in front of the lampstands, which were hammered works of gold according to the pattern the Lord showed Moses. Cleanse the Levites using a bull for a grain offering with fine flour mixed with oil and a second bull for a sin offering. Present the Levites before the tent of meeting and assemble the whole congregation. Levites laid hands on the bulls for a sin offering and burnt offering to make atonement for themselves. God took the Levites instead of every first-born to make atonement so no plague would come near the sanctuary. Moses, Aaron and all the congregation of Israel followed what God commanded Moses concerning the Levites. They purified themselves from sin, washed their clothes and Aaron presented them as a wave offering before the Lord to qualify them to perform the service of the Lord (Num. 8:1-26). When the church confesses sins and dedicates itself to obey God’s word, it then becomes the light of the world.
The Lord told Moses to observe the Passover at the appointed time on the 14th day of the first month. Some unclean men because of a dead person could not observe the Passover so they came before Moses and Aaron. The Lord spoke to Moses after waiting to hear from Him. They should eat unleavened bread and bitter herbs while not leaving any until morning or breaking a bone. If a clean person did not observe the Passover, he would be cut off and bear his sin with one statute for the alien and native. A cloud covered the tabernacle continuously by day and fire by night. When the cloud was lifted from over the tent, Israel would set out. When the cloud settled down, Israel would camp and not set out. At the Lord’s command, they camped and at His command, they set out to keep His charge (Num. 9:1-23). If the church listens to God’s word by not moving ahead or behind the Lord’s leading, it will know when and what to do.
When you go to war against the adversary who attacked you, sound an alarm, be remembered before the Lord and be saved from enemies. Gershon and Merari set out carrying the tabernacle after it was taken down. Kohathites carried holy objects. The Lord promised good concerning Israel. The father-in-law of Moses set out with him to the place the Lord would give them. The ark of the covenant journeyed in front of them for three days to seek out a resting place for them. The cloud of the Lord was over them by day. When the ark set out, Moses said, “Rise up, O Lord! And let Thine enemies be scattered, and let those who hate Thee flee before Thee” (Num. 10:1-36). The church gains victory over the world, flesh and devil by calling upon the Lord.
Is God reigning your life? Do you confess sin? Do you call upon God’s name? Is prayer a major part of your life? Ask God to break your heart for a church and world that does not seek Him, and then pray as He leads you.
