Ephesians 4 -- I Will Make Thy Name Great

4 As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Numbers begins with the Israelites preparing for their journey and entry into the promised land. Ephesians 4 begins with how to walk worthily of the calling. Then Numbers gives instructions for making the Nazarite vows. Ephesians talks about the work of the ministry and how we all can attain it. The nazarite vow means that anyone can be a priest, in Ephesians 4 we see that every one of us can do the work of the ministry. Here we see the Lord giving gifts to the Body. Every one of us has, once the Lord’s grace acts within us our gift will be manifested. So then, how does grace activate your gift? In Numbers Balak employs Balaam to use craftiness to cause the children of Israel to commit error. Ephesians says that our maturation includes being able to discern deceitful schemes. With Balaam every word in the Old Testament is word for word from God. So then why is Balaam a false prophet? Behind the scenes Balaam taught Balak how to put a stumbling block of fornication before the Israelites. We learn about Balaam’s involvement in the New Testament though we can see them sin in Numbers. Balaam knows the truth, he knows God’s word, but in exchange for gold from Balak he is willing to coach Balak on how to defeat God’s people. By not putting the most damnable portions of his teaching into publications he proves that not only does he know the word, he also knows which parts are being used to deceive God’s elect. Some teachers speak with cunning craftiness just like Balaam. Judas and Balaam are the two examples of false prophets given in the New Testament. Both were real prophets. Judas was one of the twelve disciples of the Lord, and Balaam was a real prophet who spoke God’s word. What made them false was they were motivated by money. They were both “prophets for hire”. For 30 pieces of silver they would betray the Lord. This chapter begins with Paul urging them to live a life worthy of the calling, and then in verse 20 he refers to some who are not doing that. Numbers begins with Moses taking a census of the children of Israel and then in chapter 26 they take a second census. This is after the rebellion of Korah, and those that died by being bitten by the serpents, and those that were seduced by Moab. God insists that we no longer live in the futility of our minds like the Gentiles do. This is a non negotiable. Finally, the book of Numbers concludes with the inheritance of the daughters of Zelophehad. This is crucial to make our name great. Jesus has two lineages, one by Joseph and one by Mary. These two lineages fulfill prophecies to bless David. But the only way the inheritance should pass from Mary to Jesus is if she does not have brothers. If her case is like that of the daughters of Zelophehad then she needs to marry someone from the same tribe (Joseph) and then her father's inheritance can go to her and from her to Jesus. Therefore this is critical for God to fulfill His promise to bless us and make our name great.