Enlisted Soldiers

Rabbi Ken Alpren
May 27, 2011
Sermon Notes by Teresa Bennett, Pharm.D.

Numbers 1:1-4, ‘ADONAI spoke to Moshe in the Sinai Desert, in the tent of meeting, on the first day of the second month of the second year after they had left the land of Egypt. He said, 2 "Take a census of the entire assembly of the people of Isra'el, by clans and families. Record the names of all the men 3 twenty years old and over who are subject to military service in Isra'el. You and Aharon are to enumerate them company by company. 4 Take with you from each tribe someone who is head of a clan.”’

This census was taken after the Tabernacle was constructed and delineated who would serve as well as provided for the arrangement of the tribes for battle. The priests were separated and counted in a different census and the priests were critical for having
G-d’s blessing on the army.

Those subject to military service were to trust in G-d’s blessings and His strength for winning battles.

Psalm 44:6-8, ‘For I don't rely on my bow, nor can my sword give me victory. 7 No, you saved us from our adversaries; you put to shame those who hate us. 8 We will boast in our God all day and give thanks to your name forever. (Selah)’

Likewise, we are to trust in the L-rd, not our own resources; the victory is not dependent upon us, but on Him!

Notice also that G-d identified leaders for the head of the clans. Similarly, each of us is called to leadership in some form or fashion. He will direct us into leadership and service by putting desires in our hearts that are confirmed through prayer. Don’t wait for someone else to take leadership and know that sometimes G-d is waiting on us to be the leader!

No experience or qualifications needed for leadership. Remember Moses and Gideon? Where they qualified when G-d called them? In fact, G-d receives more glory if we have no ability of our own and when His strength takes over our weaknesses.

2 Corinthians 12:9-10, ‘but he told me, "My grace is enough for you, for my power is brought to perfection in weakness." Therefore, I am very happy to boast about my weaknesses, in order that the Messiah's power will rest upon me. 10 Yes, I am well pleased with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions and difficulties endured on behalf of the Messiah; for it is when I am weak that I am strong.”’

G-d looks at our heart and loves our faith or trust in Him!

There are several key phrases that appear in the passage when G-d instructed Moses to enumerate those for military service.

The Hebrew used when counting those for military service is ‘shi-oo et rosh’ which means to ‘lift the head of’. G-d counts people and knows every one. He numbers the fighters; those going forth to fight. When one’s head is lifted, it is easy to look into the eyes; to be counted. He is counting them and is counting on them!

Additionally, the Hebrew word ‘paqad’ is used when He is numbering the fighters. ‘Paqad’ means number, but also means visit, look after, and care for. Doesn’t He keep count of the very hairs on our head, tears we have cried and the stars in the sky? He cares individually and counts on those mature enough to do battle. Those mature enough for battle protected the nation, they contributed and worked as a unit just as the Body of Messiah is designed to do.

Many people love to fellowship with other Believers, but fellowship in the Body of Messiah is much more than enjoying social activities together! We are meant to minister to each other and those yet believing, contribute to the Body and get together for eternal purposes.

In the Numbers passage above, if the person wasn’t mature enough to fight, then he wasn’t counted. G-d counted those He could count on!

Is G-d Army a volunteer army? NO! G-d’s Army are enlisted.

2 Timothy 2:1-4, ‘So then, you, my son, be empowered by the grace that comes from the Messiah Yeshua. 2 And the things you heard from me, which were supported by many witnesses, these things commit to faithful people, such as will be competent to teach others also. 3 Accept your share in suffering disgrace as a good soldier of the Messiah Yeshua. 4 No soldier on duty gets involved with civilian affairs, since he has to please his commanding officer. ‘

What kind of soldier am I?

Fourteen times in the passage of Numbers the phrase, “all who go forth to fight” is used; in Hebrew, “kol yatsa’ tsava’”. The word ‘tsava’ is related to the word used to describe the L-rd of Hosts which is ‘ADONAI Tzevaot’. We are in warfare and their is a lot against us!

As we have a Trunity G-d; also called a Uniplural G-d, so also, we war against three main forces which are the world or social culture, the flesh or sin nature and the devil also known as Ha Satan. We fight a cultural war which is external and a carnal war which is internal.

What did Yeshua use against temptation? Clearly in Luke 4 and Matthew 4, He responds with “It is written”. He fought with the Word of G-d as should we!

1 John 2:15-17, ‘Do not love the world or the things of the world. If someone loves the world, then love for the Father is not in him; 16 because all the things of the world - the desires of the old nature, the desires of the eyes, and the pretensions of life - are not from the Father but from the world. 17 And the world is passing away, along with its desires. But whoever does God's will remains forever.’

The answer is to wield the Sword of the Spirit in the power of the Spirit! Many people know the Word of G-d but either don’t believe it to be true or aren’t following His direction and the power is not manifested in them. However, the power is manifested when the Holy Spirit is wielding the Word of G-d through us!

Most of the aspects of the Armor of G-d described in Ephesians 6 are defensive, however, two aspects are offensive; they are the Sword which is the Word of G-d and prayer! Be strong in G-d’s strength!

We are enlisted as G-d’s soldiers! Don’t get side tracked, detoured, or caught up in a lesser battle and don’t quit! Our real battle and focus should remain on sharing the Gospel and making disciples! And ultimately we are against the Adversary who opposes the spread of the Gospel and who is against the Word of G-d.

1 Timothy 1:18, ‘This charge, son Timothy, I put to you, in keeping with the prophecies already made about you, so that by these prophecies you may fight the good fight.’

Remember Yeshua will be returning as a Rider making war as described in Revelation 19!

Exodus 15:3, ‘ADONAI is a warrior; ADONAI is his name.’

He is returning to set up His Kingdom, as His enlisted soldiers let us focus on discipleship, His work and mission and don’t get entangled in lesser things!

Further Reading: Numbers 1:44-45, 1 Samuel 17:32-40, 44-45, Psalm 18:28-29, 31-34, 39; 144:1, 2 Corinthians 10:3-5, 1 Timothy 6:12, Psalm 2