Numbers Book Iii: Chapters 14-21: Volume 4 of Heavenly Citizens in Earthly Shoes, an Exposition of the Scriptures for Disciples and Young Christians

The "Heavenly Citizens" series serves as a tool to help the Christian understand not only what the Bible teaches us, but also how to study the Bible. Explaining what the Bible teaches is like giving someone a fish to eat. Teaching how to study the Bible is like teaching someone how to fish so they can feed themselves. Both approaches are essential to developing spiritual maturity. "Numbers" is the fourth volume in the "Heavenly Citizens" series. This book records the numbering of the Israelites prior to their departure from Mt. Sinai, where they had spent just over one year. The Israelites were numbered by tribes as part of the military draft! The tribe of Levi was also numbered, but separately because they were to serve as the tabernacle servants to their kin the priests. The twelve tribes were organized into four divisions of three per camp, with each camp being organized into an army and the three armies of each camp forming a division. Each division guarded one of the four sides of Israel's camp during idle times, and they marched in military array during the not so idle times. The Shekinah cloud of Yahweh's presence went in front and led the Israelites during their wilderness journeys. Alas, but the Israelites had nothing on all other sinful men. They rebelled quite regularly against the Lord and His leaders Moses and Aaron. Even Moses' brother Aaron and sister Miriam rebelled against Moses! If that were not enough, Moses' and Aaron's own kin, the tribe of Levi, rebelled against the both of them! Yikes! This book should be renamed "Tide of Rebellion"! Come on in and read a spell and learn all about it for yourself. All of this teaching served as miniature picture stories of hidden spiritual truth. We have the pleasure to study those picture stories (the context). From that context we draw out the principles of hidden spiritual truth, and then we apply the principles to Christian living today. This is the approach for "Numbers" and for every volume in the "Heavenly Citizens" series. We teach the student the meaning of Scripture and we teach him or her how to study the Bible on his/her own. We do this in two ways: we provide a few rules by which to govern our Bible study, and we demonstrate by example how to study the Bible. Experience is an outstanding teacher. We practice in our books the rules for Bible study. By walking through the Bible with us, the reader experiences firsthand what our method of study is like. We believe the student will come out of our studies with both an understanding of the Bible and the ability to truthfully and intelligently study the Bible on his/her own. The path lies before you. Walk through the gate and join the journey with us! And may the blessings of the Lord Jesus Christ be yours in abundance.