At Israel's special feasts there were -bullocks, rains, and lambs, together with a goat for a sin offering, sacrificed in addition to the continual burnt offering of the morning and evening. The bullock tells us of the highest apprehension of the work of Christ, and we learn in these feasts how, in a coming day, Israel will enter into the enjoyment of what was accomplished on the cross, and will worship in a wonderful way. The ram tells us of that consecration, that devotedness, which will characterize them as they enter into the devotedness of Christ even unto death. The lambs which were also offered, speak of the fragrance of the worship that will arise as they enter into these things. The sin offering is also included, for it is a millennial picture, and sin will still be on earth though judged daily in righteousness and the people will be reminded even then, of the cost by which sin has been put away. What a day it will be for Israel when they learn how all these sacrifices pointed to Christ and offer them in a commemorative way; not then in view of a work yet to be accomplished, but in the knowledge that "It is finished."
The thirtieth chapter deals with vows. We need hardly say here that as Christians we should not make vows. A vow supposes some goodness within, or ability to fulfil the vow, but we have no goodness in ourselves. "The flesh profiteth nothing" (John 6:6363It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life. (John 6:63)). When Israel was under -trial it was different, but, oh, how much they had to suffer in the government of God for the vow they foolishly made to keep God's holy law. They could not keep it, for "they that are in the flesh cannot please God" (Romans 8:88So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. (Romans 8:8)). Man is no longer under trial now, for his helplessness has been fully proved. Now we who are saved have a new nature and without a vow at all, this new nature delights in pleasing the Lord. Thus when we walk in the Spirit we please Him, and not in any other way. Let us not put any confidence in thy flesh at all, which we surely do if we make vows.
In Israel if the husband disallowed his wife's vow, then he had to bear her iniquity (Numbers 30:1515But if he shall any ways make them void after that he hath heard them; then he shall bear her iniquity. (Numbers 30:15)); and se the Lord Jesus, the true Husband of Israel bore her iniquity on Calvary, for, as we have remarked before, Israel had utterly failed to keep her vows.
This also makes us think of those who cried of Christ, "Away with Him, crucify Him." They said, "His blood he on us, and on our children" (Matt. 27:2525Then answered all the people, and said, His blood be on us, and on our children. (Matthew 27:25)), but the Lord Jesus said, "Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do" (Luke 23:3434Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots. (Luke 23:34)). As it were, He disallowed their vow, and because of this they will be brought into blessing in a coming day. How beautifully all these types point on to Christ, the center and theme of God's blessed Word. The Lord Jesus disallowed Israel's vow, and then bore their iniquity Himself in order that they, might he assured of the blessing.
Moses told the people to choose out twelve thousand men to go out and fight against the Midianites. We will remember that the Midianites were the ones who previously led the people into idolatry and sin, and therefore the children of Israel were no longer to consider them as friends, but as enemies. If, as Christians, we try to make friends with the world, or fall in at all with their evil ways, God has to intervene.
Messages of the Love of God 2/17/1952