TRUMPETS, BLOOD, CLOUD AND FIRE Lesson 4 for the 24th of October, 2009

GOD DIED FOR YOU The people of Israel celebrated Passover remembering that God “passed over” the blood-marked houses, and He spared the firstborns their life. When they celebrated the Passover dinner, they announced prophetically the death of the Messiah who will free them from sin. Jesus died the 14th of nisan (while the Passover was sacrificed) to save us from sin.

GOD DIED FOR YOU Nowadays we celebrate the Holy Communion. It was established by Jesus, instead of the Passover to remember His expiatory death at the cross. Furthermore, we announce his return to this world to carry us to heaven, where we will celebrate the Passover once more, with Him, free from sin.

GOD IS WITH YOU Since the day the Sanctuary was erected, the cloud covered the Tabernacle by day and the fire appearance did it by night. The people saw God’s appearing between them, and they obeyed His mandate.

GOD IS WITH YOU When the cloud lifted up, the Israelites obeyed and went on. When the cloud came down, the Israelites obeyed and camped. This is declared three times in the scriptures. If the cloud remained lifted up for a day, a month or a year, the Israelites kept going on through the desert until it came down. If the cloud remained covering the Tabernacle for a day, a month or a year, the Israelites kept camping until it rose again.

GOD IS WITH YOU If you are willing to obey Him, God is with you, no matter what happens to yourself or around you. Maybe a cloud will protect you from the burning sun or a fire will light or heat a cold night. Never doubt it: God is with you.

DISTINGUISH GOD’S VOICE What was the purpose of the two silver trumpets God ordered Moses to make? In the desert Alarm warning First sound: Judah’s camp started walking Second sound: Reuben’s camp started walking A constant sound One trumpet: Meeting with leaders Two trumpets: Meeting with all the people In Canaan War. God heard them and saved them from their enemies When they presented sacrifices, God heard them and accepted them God speaks God hears Learn to listen to God’s voice to distinguish the different sounds (messages) He speaks to you.

FOLLOW GOD As in the people of Israel, God leads your way to the celestial Canaan. The dangers of the path doesn’t matter, God is with you. FOLLOW HIM! Numbers, 10: 11-28

LEARN FROM YOUR BROTHERS Moses invited his brother-in-law to share his experience walking towards Canaan with the people of Israel. Hobab settled in Canaan and was the father of a holy family, twinned with Israel. Rechabites descended from him. Jeremiah pointed them as a faithful example for Israel leaders (Jeremiah, 35)

LEARN FROM YOUR BROTHERS You are not alone in the path of Salvation. Others can help you sharing his Christian experience. You can help others sharing the good God done for you and inviting others to come with you in the way to Canaan.

MOSES MORNING PRAYER MOSES EVENING PRAYER “Whenever the ark set out, that Moses said: "Rise up, O Lord! Let Your enemies be scattered, And let those who hate You flee before You"” MOSES EVENING PRAYER “And when it rested, he said: "Return, O Lord, To the many thousands of Israel."” Numbers, 10: 35-36

I must pray God for His special protection every morning. I must let the divine cloud to lead me all day long, not my own thoughts. Jesus [represented in every part of the sanctuary] must dwell in the centre of my life every moment. When they day ends, I will pray the Lord to remain camping in my heart.