A Charge to Keep
Numbers 9:15-23
1. Background/Overview of Numbers 1-8
• conclusion of one-year stay at Sinai and beginning of journey through wilderness to promised land
• first and second Passover observances (Ex. 12 and Num. 9:1)
• new beginnings: Law, priesthood/sacrificial system, tabernacle
• first and second Passover observances (Ex. 12 and Num. 9:1)
• new beginnings: Law, priesthood/sacrificial system, tabernacle
2. The Foundational Presence of God with His People
• tabernacle: God’s presence with and among His people-constantly
• pillar of cloud by day
• pillar of fire by night
• pillar of cloud by day
• pillar of fire by night
3. The Functional Procedure of God’s People
• cloud moves/people move
• cloud stops/people camp
• cloud stops/people camp
4. The Fundamental Principle for God’s People
• constant uncertainty of departure, duration and immediate destination
• the principle of dependence
• keeping the charge: adherence to divine command
• the principle of dependence
• keeping the charge: adherence to divine command
5. So What?
• Because the Lord demonstrates a historical pattern of going before His people, depend on Him to go before you.
• how this text both encourages and exposes:
• “Israel in the wilderness had nothing which we do not possess.” (Maclaren)
• “There is no time lost, while we are waiting on God’s time.” (Henry)
• connection to Christ: Heb. 11:39-40 and John 1:14
• “A charge to keep I have, a God to glorify, a never-dying soul to save, and fit it for the sky. Arm me with watchful care as in Thy sight to live, and now Thy servant, Lord, prepare, a strict account to give!” (Wesley, “A Charge to Keep I Have”)
• how this text both encourages and exposes:
• “Israel in the wilderness had nothing which we do not possess.” (Maclaren)
• “There is no time lost, while we are waiting on God’s time.” (Henry)
• connection to Christ: Heb. 11:39-40 and John 1:14
• “A charge to keep I have, a God to glorify, a never-dying soul to save, and fit it for the sky. Arm me with watchful care as in Thy sight to live, and now Thy servant, Lord, prepare, a strict account to give!” (Wesley, “A Charge to Keep I Have”)