The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him today and what came to my heart and mind in Numbers 36:13,
"These are the commands and regulations the Lord gave through Moses to the Israelites on the plains of Moab by the Jordan across from Jericho."
Here is the closing comment of the book of Numbers. In this verse the observation is made that what we read previously in the book included the commands and regulations the Lord gave Israel. I note the Lord did not give the commands and regulations to Israel directly, but through his chosen mouthpiece, his intermediary, Moses.
Moses was both a priest and a prophet. He is described in both these terms in Scripture. In his role as priest we see him presenting offerings to the Lord on behalf of the people. We also see him beseeching the Lord for the Israelites in prayer and otherwise.
As the Lord's prophet, the Lord spoke to his people through him. Again, as an intermediary he fulfilled that role. His role as prophet is on display in the verse above. The Lord had something he wanted communicated to his people, and rather than speaking to them directly, he used Moses as his prophet.
I see the use of a mediator between God and man as something the Lord established to maintain a distance from sinful and fallen mankind. His desire is to make a people for himself, but until the condition of mankind changes, he often pursues his agenda for mankind through mediators.
The preeminent, par excellent mediator between God and man is the Lord Jesus Christ. Now that he has come and dwelt among mankind, Paul tells us, "For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all people." 1 Timothy 2:5-6.
As our mediator, John tells us, "My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world." 1 John 2:1-2.
"These are the commands and regulations the Lord gave through Moses to the Israelites on the plains of Moab by the Jordan across from Jericho."
Here is the closing comment of the book of Numbers. In this verse the observation is made that what we read previously in the book included the commands and regulations the Lord gave Israel. I note the Lord did not give the commands and regulations to Israel directly, but through his chosen mouthpiece, his intermediary, Moses.
Moses was both a priest and a prophet. He is described in both these terms in Scripture. In his role as priest we see him presenting offerings to the Lord on behalf of the people. We also see him beseeching the Lord for the Israelites in prayer and otherwise.
As the Lord's prophet, the Lord spoke to his people through him. Again, as an intermediary he fulfilled that role. His role as prophet is on display in the verse above. The Lord had something he wanted communicated to his people, and rather than speaking to them directly, he used Moses as his prophet.
I see the use of a mediator between God and man as something the Lord established to maintain a distance from sinful and fallen mankind. His desire is to make a people for himself, but until the condition of mankind changes, he often pursues his agenda for mankind through mediators.
The preeminent, par excellent mediator between God and man is the Lord Jesus Christ. Now that he has come and dwelt among mankind, Paul tells us, "For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all people." 1 Timothy 2:5-6.
As our mediator, John tells us, "My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world." 1 John 2:1-2.
Here is someone to mediate for us with God the Father: our great mediator Jesus Christ!
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just reply and let me know.
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just reply and let me know.
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