Just as the Bible began in a garden, with God coming down in the “cool” of the day to walk with and fellowship with Adam and Eve … so does the Book of Leviticus teach the Jewish people how to maintain such fellowship. How to “abide in God’s Tabernacle,” or “dwell in His Holy Hill!”

And then suddenly, in the Book of Numbers, a heathen King hires a well known false prophet to ruin all that fellowship potential! Yes, Balak (of the Moabites) employed Balaam to “curse” the Israelites! This story is told in Numbers chapters 22-24.

But … instead of cursing Israel (his heart’s real desire) … Balaam (under God’s constraint) instead “blesses” Israel! Three different times!

Including this astounding benediction: “How goodly are thy tents, O Jacob, and thy tabernacles, O Israel! As the valleys are they spread forth, as gardens by the river’s side, as the trees of lign aloes which the LORD hath planted, and as cedar trees beside the waters.” Numbers 24:5-6

Clearly he describes Israel and her possessions in terms of a well-watered garden! Get that word … GARDEN!

This is a later description (in my opinion) of the Garden of Eden … some day to be restored to Israel!

This is also the Book of Numbers completely agreeing with the Book of Leviticus … God’s Goal is now (and always has been) and always will be “the dear Lord living in the midst of His people in sweet communion and delight and sweetness of fellowship!”

Who would have ever thought of such symmetry, beauty, singleness of purpose … in the first five Books of the Bible?

I am writing this Lesson on Christmas Morning, 2019 … and acknowledging that the greatest Blessing/Gift/Pleasure we have as Christians is GOD LIVING IN OUR MIDST. Our being indwelt by the Holy Spirit … fellowshipping with the Almighty day in and day out! I could even say hourly, because He has promised … “Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.” Matthew 28:20

Amen!

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

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