(Key Verse: Numbers 24:5)
"How goodly are your tents, O Jacob, and your tabernacles, O Israel!"
Why Goodly?
Five Reasons why;
Ebenezer: God our Helper. The tabernacle is fixed with cords (Isaiah 54:2). We trust in God alone, not in ourselves. These are the cords of God's love. Thus far God has helped us: Ebenezer (1 Samuel 7:12). God sustains us (Psalm 3:5), and trusting Him brings blessings.
Christ, our Rock. Where was the tabernacle fixed? On Mount Gilead (Genesis 31:21, 25). Gilead means rock, and the rock represents Christ. We must stand on the Rock that is Christ. Laban thought, "Jacob may have gone away, but he took my idols, and I will do him harm." But God met Laban in a dream (Genesis 31:24) and commanded him to speak neither good nor bad to Jacob. The thief comes to steal, kill, and destroy (John 10:10), but God has fixed and preserved us on the Rock that is Christ.
Abiding presence. The names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb are written in the foundations of the city (Revelation 21:14). Those who abide in the Lord will have their names there. No matter what comes against us, nothing will shake us if we stand on that Rock. Never think the winds and floods will not come against us, but God's presence protects us.
No iniquity. Return to the Almighty, and your sins will be far from your tabernacles (Job 22:23). The wrath of God came upon Nineveh because of their sins, but God stayed His hand and had mercy on them (Jonah 3:9, 10).
United with God. A covering is over us (Exodus 26:19). Our unity must always be with God, and with one another. How good and pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity (Psalm 133:1).
Voices of salvation and rejoicing. The voice of rejoicing and salvation is in the tabernacles (Psalm 118:15). Paul and Silas rejoiced in the Lord (Acts 16:23-25). Which voice does God want to hear from us? Rejoicing and praise!
May God's mercy be upon us always. We must pacify His wrath by remaining in His presence. Jesus is coming for those who stand on that Rock.
Maranatha. Praise God, and Amen.
