Israel as an Example

Israel as an Example

Israel’s wandering in the desert is an example for us. 1 Corinthians 10:1-6. In the desert they bore the tabernacle that consisted of the outer court, the inner court, and the Most Holy Place.

This serves as a model of how God is worshiped in the church of the new covenant, where brothers and sisters are in various stages of development. If a person is only converted, he has not come any further than the outer court under the law. He is kept under guard. He is born again on the day when he takes a wholehearted stand for Christ. He receives the Spirit and becomes a partaker of the gifts; then he has entered into the inner court. There his flesh is illuminated, because the lampstand is there. Hebrews 9:2. Now it is possible for him—with a crucified flesh (Galatians 2:20) and in the blood of Jesus—to go on the new and liv ing way into the Holiest (Hebrews 10:19-20).

It was God’s purpose with Israel that they should enter the land of Canaan, into rest, but Israel failed miserably and God was not pleased with most of them. This is a serious example for us. May it awaken us to examine ourselves. 2 Corinthians 13:5. It does not help us at all if we all receive the same spiritual food and the same spiri­tual drink. It is of the utmost importance that we can say, “Behold, I have come to do Your will, O God!” Hebrews 10:5-7. This is being fully surrendered to God, without anything else stealing our time and strength.

Most people today would rather not go any further than the outer court and the sanctuary. However, God has established a new covenant and appointed a new day for the one who wants to enter the Holiest. “Today, if you will hear His voice, do not harden your hearts.” Hebrews 4:7. This voice is heard in the church with the clear tones of the trumpet. We have to leave the outer court and the sanc­tuary, and enter the Holiest. God is looking for a Joshua who stays close to the tabernacle. Exodus 33:11. He does not take pleasure in the great masses who sit down to eat and drink, and rise up to play. 1 Corinthians 10:7.

The six hundred thousand who did not enter the land had not tasted the safety and the blessing of the outer court in their youth, but they had tasted of the flesh pots of Egypt. Numbers 11:4-6. However, a new generation had grown up in the desert who had tasted the blessing of the outer court of the tabernacle, and so they also entered the land. This is a beautiful example of God’s preserving power.. One is kept under guard in one’s youth so one does not end up in an evil and terrible world.

God has appointed in the church apostles, prophets, etc. 1 Corinthians 12:28. Those who are appointed by God must be aware of their responsibility so that each individual partakes of God’s measure of grace. Ephesians 4:7. The way has been consecrated right into the Ho­liest of All, for service behind the second veil, to the golden altar of incense (Hebrews 9:3), and into the perfect rest of the great God. Song of Solomon 4:16.