Contention

The people of God, the Israelites, were surrounded by enemy nations that stood between them and the Promised Land. However, they were never more weakened, and fatally threatened than when they were in contention with each other, with their leadership, and with God. The title of this week's Sabbath reading is Chukkat, meaning "Ordinance of". Some commentaries on this Sabbath's title include the idea that there are ordinances (huqqa - statute, custom, manners, rites, appointed; root meaning: decree, bounds, commandment, lawgiver, governor, engrave, cut in, to trace, mark out) of God that are not necessarily written, but taught and frequently passed along orally. The ordinances of God reflect Who He is, what He does, and how this should mold our lives and understanding. We will see examples of that in this reading portion. Moses' father-in-law offered him this counsel from God: "And thou shalt teach them ordinances and laws, and shalt shew them the way wherein they must walk, and the work that they must do." (Ex. 18:20 KJV). Let's look at some of the contentions that opposed the ordinances of God in this Sabbath reading portion from Num. 20. Numbers 20 opens with important information: "Then the children of Israel, the whole congregation, came into the Wilderness of Zin in the first month, and the people stayed in Kadesh; and Miriam died there and was buried there." We already are told that this involves "the children of Israel", so why does the LORD further tell us it was "the whole congregation"? The Hebrew word used is eda, with the root words ed, and ud. The meanings include: witness, testimony, evidence (of things), a recorder, prince, commander, legislator, to return, repeat, do again, go round and round, say again and again, give warning, to restore, relieve. "The whole congregation" were to be witnesses, and those who say again and again, who were to give evidence of something, to give warning, to restore something. They were to be witnesses to the ordinances of God. It turned out, however, that they "spoke again and again" something completely different, as we will see. We are also dealing here, according to that first verse, with the time of "the first month". This would have been the month of Passover, as commanded by God to Moses (Ex. 12:1-14). In fact, the LORD described the keeping of Passover in the first month as an everlasting ordinance (v. 14). It was by the Passover that the Israelites were delivered from deth miraculously by the blood of the Passover lamb, and brought out of slavery in Egypt. However, did the Israelites really understand the ordinance of Passover- not just as an appointed feast for a specific day- but as a continual way by which to walk with the LORD? We will see that they did not. Then we are told in Numbers 20 that the Israelites were camped in the Wilderness of Zin (meaning flat, to prick). The word "wilderness is midbar, and can mean a desert, a pasture, mouth and speech. The root word of midbar, or wilderness, is dabar, which has a deep meaning: to speak, say, promise, utter, command, declare, put to flight, destroy, subdue, to be a spokesman. The individual Hebrew letters (Mem, Daleth, Beth, Reysh) in midbar, or wilderness when placed together could mean "mighty (water) source which is a door, a path, a way of life that moves one into the house or family of the Highest". The wilderness could be a desert or a pasture based upon the witness and repeated spoken testimony of the people of God. In the wilderness, the people of God had the opportunity to know the way of life, or ordinances, that would lead them into the house of the Highest. Another event that occurred at this time was the death of Miriam, Moses' sister. Although Miriam committed a grave error, and suffered for it (Num. 12:1-15), she was also called a prophetess, who led the women of the congregation in celebration and praise of the greatness of God (Ex. 15:20-21). Her death would have probably caused a great spiritual change within Israel (see Num. 12:15). It is a truth that every soul that enters or leaves the earth is of importance, and changes the earth (see Gen. 1:26-28, Gen. 2:7, Ps. 139:13-17, Jn. 1:3-5). The Wilderness of Zin, where the people were encamped, was located in a place south of Palestine known as Kadesh, meaning "holy, sanctuary, dedicate, consecrate, purified". This is what the people of God, these witnesses, said or testified to in this place of holiness, sanctification and dedication during the first month, which contained Passover: "...the people contended with Moses and spoke, saying: 'If only we had died when our brethren died before the LORD! Why have you brought up the assembly of the LORD into this wilderness, that we and our animals should die here? And why have you made us come up out of Egypt, to bring us to this evil place? It is not a place of grain or figs or vines or pomegranates; nor is there any water to drink." (v. 3-5). Their witness and spoken declaration is that they wished they had died with the others who had been killed previously in the rebellion against the leadership of Moses and Aaron (Numbers 16). This is not a testimony that reflects the ordinances of God that can change a desert wilderness into a pasture for God's people. The people spoke the testimony that they had been brought to a place that was without grain, figs, grapevines or pomegranates. However, God had tried to bring them into such a fruitful land, but they had refused to go because of their fear of the giants and hostile Canaanite tribes there (Num. 13:23-24). The ordinances of God would have led His people into the way of truth that God is greater than any giant, especially in the face of His covenant promises. Above we read that the people also contended with Moses because they didn't have water in the wilderness. As Moses and Aaron sought the LORD regarding the need for water, the LORD gave them this instruction: "Take the rod; you and your brother, Aaron, gather the congregation (witnesses, give testimony, give evidence of a thing, say again and again) together. Speak (dabar - see above) to the rock before their eyes, and it will yield its water; thus you shall bring water for them out of the rock, and give drink to the congregation and their animals." (v. 8). As Moses, Aaron and the congregation gathered before the rock, again the ordinance of God was not kept. Instead of speaking to the rock, Moses spoke to the people: "Hear now, you rebels! Must we bring water for you out of this rock?" (v. 10). Then again another ordinance of God was not kept: "Then Moses lifted his hand and struck the rock twice with his rod; and water came out abundantly, and the congregation and their animals draank." (v. 11). Moses did not walk in the ordinances of the LORD before the people. He did not speak to the rock, but struck it. This is the word naka, which means "smite, slay, kill, murderer, slaughter, wound, stripes, attack and destroy, conquer, subjugate, ravage, chastise, send judgment upon". This is the same manner in which men would later seek to destroy their Living Water of Salvation, Christ the Messiah. Not only did Moses strike the rock, but it is written that he struck it twice (pa'am - beat persistently, to impel, to disturb, to agitate, to trouble). The LORD then said to Moses and Aaron: "Because you did not believe Me, to hallow Me in the eyes of the children of Israel, therefore you shall not bring this assembly into the land which I have given them." (v. 12). Moses' unbelief, and failure to obey the ordinances of God given to him, affected what God had planned to accomplish among His people through the event, and would change Moses' life. Earlier we read that Moses' father-in-law had instructed him to teach Israel not only the Law, but the ordinances also, and how to walk and work in them. He did not teach them the ordinances here. Instead of becoming a place and situation where God could hallow Himself before the people, it became a place called Meribah, or "Contention". How and what are we speaking in our wilderness? Is our testimony and witness in agreement with the ordinances of God? Are we speaking and working obediently in a manner that allows God to hallow Himself before the people? In another part of this Sabbath's reading, we are shown how to "speak" as witnesses to the ordinances of God: "Oh come, let us sing to the LORD! Let us shout joyfully to the Rock of our salvation. Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving; Let us shout joyfully to Him with Psalms. For the LORD is the great God, and the great King above all gods...Oh come, let us worship and bow down; Let us kneel before the LORD our Maker. For He is our God, and we are the people of His pasture, and the sheep of His hand." (Ps. 95:1-3, 6-7). We can see the great difference here between a song/psalm that follows the ordinances of God, contrasted with the people who got caught up in contention instead. The Apostle Paul wrote: "Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ. Now I praise you, brethren, that you remember me in all things, and keep the ordinances (paradosis - the substance of a teaching, the transmission of a precept; to deliver to one something to keep, use, take care of, manage)), as I delivered them to you." (1 Cor. 11:1-2). Paul passed along to the churches the ordinances of Christ, which are His precepts, His ways. Paul was diligent to pass the ordinances to those whom he called "brethren", or adelphos, meaning "Christians, as those who are exalted to the same heavenly place". Christ's ordinances exalt Him, His Word, His ways, and those who follow Him (see Mt. 4:18-22, Mt. 16:24-25). As witnesses in the wilderness who testify and deliver the evidence of the ordinances of God, we can do so with these scriptures in mind: "He turns a wilderness into pools of water, and dry land into watersprings. There He makes the hungry dwell, that they may establish a city for a dwelling place, and sow fields and plant vineyards, that they may yield a fruitful harvest. He also blesses them, and they multiply greatly..." (Ps. 107:35-38, see also Isa. 41:17-20 and Isa. 58:10-12). If you would like to know more about walking in the ordinances of God, you can pray with me: "Heavenly Father, Your ordinances bring life and transformation even in the driest places. Make me a witness of Your testimony, giving evidence by the words of my mouth, so that I speak and walk in Your ordinances, and follow the ways of Christ with all of the brethren. You are the Rock of my Salvation, and You fill me with the Holy Spirit so that I may remember Your Words and am led in Your ordinances. Let the wilderness become a well-watered pasture for me, and for Your people, as we humble ourselves, seek Your face, repent, turn from wickedness, and obediently follow the paths of Your righteousness. I ask this in Jesus' name. AMEN."

Worms

Any gardener will tell you that worms are a valuable asset in soil. We don't give worms much thought, but they work diligently eating and digesting the decaying organic matter in the dirt, their castings enriching the soil and benefitting plants. Worms by their activity, also aerate the soil, breaking up the hardened dirt, increasing its oxygen content. Both soil, and the thriving plants that grow in it, are helped by the presence of worms.
God has a use for spiritual worms as well. Like the natural worm, these spiritual worms consume decaying organic matter. They feed on the carnal, or fleshly activities of man. We will see the details of that later on. First, we can look at an interesting account in Jonah:
In the fourth chapter of Jonah, the prophet has become very angry and exceedingly displeased. The LORD had compelled him to go to the city of Nineveh to warn of God's impending judgment for their wickedness. It turned out that the king and citizens of Nineveh listened to and believed the prophet, and sincerely repented of their wickedness before God. Therefore, "God relented from the disaster that He had said He would bring upon them, and He did not do it." (Jonah 3:10). Jonah was so angry that God did not carry out the judgment of which he had prophesied, that he even wished for death. He said it was better for him to die than to live. As Jonah sat on a hill to see what God would do with Nineveh, God caused a plant, or a gourd, to grow over Jonah to give him shade, and deliver him from his misery. Jonah was thankful for that miraculous plant. However, God prepared (appointed, ordained) a worm that so damaged the plant that it withered and died. As the plant died, and the sun and wind beat upon Jonah's head, Jonah again wished that he might die. God asked Jonah if it was right for Jonah to be angry about the plant, and Jonah answered, "It is right for me to be angry, even to death!" (Jonah 4:9). God declared to him that even as Jonah was able to pity the loss of a plant that he had not labored to grow, shouldn't God pity Nineveh with its many people, even for its lowly animals?
The word "worm" in Jonah's account has a Hebrew root ("towla/yala") meaning of "to speak rashly, talk wildly, to blurt or utter inconsiderately, devour". This particular "worm" appointed by God is connected to dangerously careless speech. Jonah's reckless words came from the anger in his heart towards God, because Jonah's prophetic warning to Nineveh did not come to pass. Jonah's spiritual pride was wounded, and it generated extreme anger and bitterness. This is all carnal thought, words and behavior. The Word says:
"The wicked is ensnared by the transgression of his lips, but the righteous will come through trouble."  Prov. 12:13
This worm, with its roots in reckless speech, is the same Hebrew word used for the worm that Isaiah speaks of when he prophesies, "And they shall go forth and look upon the corpses of the men who have transgressed against Me. For their worm does not die, and their fire is not quenched. They shall be an abhorrence to all flesh."  (Isa. 66:24). Jesus also referred to the worms of this prophecy of Isaiah in Mark 9:44-48 when describing hell. Natural worms feed upon decaying organic matter. Spiritual worms feed upon decaying matter of fleshly words and attitudes.
There is another kind of worm appointed by God. An example is used in Isa. 14, as the prophet describes what will happen to the oppressive king of Babylon, but even more so, to his spiritual counterpart, Lucifer himself:
"Hell from beneath is excited about you, to meet you at your coming; it stirs up the dead for you...They all shall speak and say to you: "Have you also become as weak as we? Have you become like us?" Your pomp is brought down to Sheol, and the sound of your stringed instruments (sound made by empty skin-bag used to hold liquids); The worm* is spread under you, and worms** cover you. How you are fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning!"  Isa. 14:9-12
The second mention of "worms"**, in the above verses from Isaiah, that will be under this king in hell, refer to the same worms that were mentioned in Jonah-the worms ("towla/yala") connected to rash and dangerously careless speech. The first "worm"** mentioned above, that will cover this king in hell, is a different kind of worm in Hebrew ("rimmah/ramam"). This worm is bred from the putrification of self-exaltation, self-magnification. We can see why this second worm was appointed as this king/Lucifer declared in his heart, "I will ascend into heaven...I will exalt my throne above...I will sit on the mount...I will ascend above the heights...I will be like the Most High" (v. 13-14). We can see how God has appointed this worm to devour the rotting flesh of gross pride, and arrogant, destructive spiritual ambition. Hannah, in her warning to the so-called mighty, prayed:
"Talk no more so very proudly; Let no arrogance come from your mouth. for the LORD is the God of knowledge; and by Him actions are weighed."  1 Sam. 2:3
The third different Hebrew word for "worm" is found in Isa. 51:7-8, as the LORD says to the righteous:
"...Do not fear the reproach of men, nor be afraid of their insults. For the moth will eat them up like a garment, and the worm will eat them like wool; But My righteousness will be forever, and My salvation from generation to generation."
The worm mentioned in these verses, is appointed by God to devour decaying temporary things that the world relies upon and puts faith in as a covering. This is a warning to those who hold the opinions of men higher than the thoughts of God. Doing so, they trust in coverings that will be consumed into dust, rather than the everlasting nature of the covering of the salvation of God. This worm, by its meaning in Hebrew ("cac/cuc"), swallows up what it has been appointed to devour in the same manner that a leaping horse joyfully swallows up great distances over the ground. The root meaning for this worm also represents a chariot horse, or an outer appearance of great military strength, upon which man falsely relies:
"It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man."  Ps. 118:8
These different worms that we have looked at have been appointed by God to devour the dead and decaying, the works of those who have chosen the carnal and the dying over the eternal things of God. Even God's people, like the prophet Jonah, can be impacted by the spiritual worms of God's garden. The worms in His garden reveal our flesh to us, the flesh upon which we have foolishly relied, correcting us and helping us to grow in the things of the Spirit instead. By the work of the worms, we can easily see the end result of flesh and carnality. We are meant to walk not after the ways of the decaying flesh, but by the life quickening Spirit of God, and the work of God's spiritual worms helps us in these things. As we do walk in the Spirit, we are the sons of God:
"He condemned sin in the flesh, that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace...For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are the sons of God..."  Rom. 8:3-5, 13-14 (Gal. 6:8, Phil. 2:15, 3:3)

Our Father has prepared worms to benefit His beautiful garden of life and peace.