Today’s reading: Num 1:47–2:34, John 11:28–57, Ps 2:1–12

Today’s theme: The King in the midst of His people

One of God’s great purposes is to be The King in the midst of His people. We see this in today’s reading and experience it today in the body of Christ and as believers through God the Holy Spirit. One day we will experience it in a richer way at the second coming when God Himself will dwell with His people.

Numbers 1:47–2:34

Approach God in holiness

But the Levites shall camp around the tabernacle of the testimony, so that there may be no wrath on the congregation of the people of Israel. And the Levites shall keep guard over the tabernacle of the testimony.” Numbers 1:53 (ESV)

The Levites were not included in the main census as it was concerned with fighting men. The Levites had a special charge over the Tabernacle, to carry it, set it up and guard it. They guarded it from anyone approaching it wrongly. We should still approach God in holiness and reverent fear.

The King in the midst of His people

Thus did the people of Israel. According to all that the LORD commanded Moses, so they camped by their standards, and so they set out, each one in his clan, according to his fathers’ house. Numbers 2:34 (ESV)

The camps formation had the tabernacle at the centre, God dwelt in the midst of his people as their King. Jesus came and tabernacled with us as the Word become flesh. He is now in the midst of the church leading His army through the wilderness.

John 11:28–57

An amazing supernatural miracle

The man who had died came out, his hands and feet bound with linen strips, and his face wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said to them, “Unbind him, and let him go.” John 11:44 (ESV)

Don’t read this lightly, this was an awesome miracle performed by Jesus. It points forward to a day when all who are in the graves will hear His voice. It also shines a light on the way we who are dead in sin are called into life by God.

One new man

and not for the nation only, but also to gather into one the children of God who are scattered abroad. John 11:52 (ESV)

Jesus died to make one new people for God consisting of Jews and Gentiles all united by their faith in God through Jesus. One new man. The Church.

Psalm 2:1–12

Jesus in the Psalms

I will tell of the decree: The LORD said to me, “You are my Son; today I have begotten you. Psalm 2:7 (ESV)

This whole psalm points forward to Jesus, the incarnate son of God and the one true King. This points to both Jesus’ 1st and 2nd coming.

Most of the above post is a copy of the original notes from the same date in 2014.

Additional resources

The Gospel Coalition on John 11