Sending out by courses

[Stewardofthemystery]

In Judges 5:20 we read “They fought from heaven; "the stars in their courses" fought against Sisera.”

In the Old Testament we often see a "sending out by courses" as in 1 Chronicles 27:1 “Now the children of Israel after their number, to wit, the chief fathers and captains of thousands and hundreds, and their officers that served the king in any matter of "the courses", which "came in and went out "month by month throughout all the months of the year, of"every course" were twenty and four thousand.”

What I found interesting with that is the number of 12 months x 24,000 = 288,000 which is double the number we see in Revelation chapter 7 of 12 tribes x 12,000= 144,000.
 

But what I also found interesting is what the Lord told David in verse 23..“But David took not the number of them from twenty years old and under: because the Lord had said he would increase Israel "like to the stars of the heavens".

Moses in his old age spoke of not being able to "go out, or to come in". Jesus said something interesting in Revelation 3:12 "Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall "no more go out".

This going in and out and "serving by course" is also shown in the priesthood in Ezra 6:18 “And they set the priests in their "divisions", and the Levites in "their courses", for the service of God, which is at Jerusalem; as it is written in the book of Moses.”

And we also see this type of sending out by courses in the building of the Temple in 1 Kings 5:13-14 “And king Solomon raised a levy out of all Israel; and the levy was thirty thousand men.14 And he sent them to Lebanon, ten thousand a month "by courses": a month they were in Lebanon, and two months at home: and Adoniram was over the levy.”

And these numbers I also found interesting, as 10,000 men x 12 months= 120,000 divided by the work pool of 30,000 = 4 

Which then made me think of how the word "courses"" is also shown as "divisions", and how the stones on the breastplate of judgment with "the names "of the 12 tribes of Israel were "divided into 4 separate rows" shown in Exodus 28:17

And then also how the sons of Israel are shown as "stars" in Genesis 37:9 as the sons of God are also shown as "stars" in Job 38:7.

Then I thought, wow that is pretty cool! Then I remembered how God symbolizes "angels as stars" in His word, and according to the words of God in Psalm 104:4 "He makes His angels spirits". And we are told in Hebrews 1:14 that these angels who are spirits, are "sent forth to minister" for them who shall be the heirs of salvation.

Which then made me think of Jacob's ladder in Genesis 28:12 where Jacob saw in a dream the angels of God "ascending and descending" on the ladder.

Which then brought to mind the words of Jesus in John 1:51 where Jesus said "Hereafter you shall see heaven open, and the angels of God "ascending and descending" upon the Son of man.

So then I thought, I wonder if this serving "in courses" can also be shown in the New Testament as well?

And it is with John the Baptist and his Dad Zacharias….

Luke 1:8 And it came to pass, that while he executed the priest's office before God in the order of "his course,”

And then it is also said of John the Baptist in Acts 13:25“And as John "fulfilled his course," he said, Whom think ye that I am? I am not he. But, behold, there cometh one after me, whose shoes of his feet I am not worthy to loose.”

Even Jesus spoke of John the Baptist as a "shining light", like the stars that light up a dark sky.

 John 5:35 “He was a burning and a "shining light": and ye were willing for a season to rejoice in his light.”

What is also interesting about John the baptist was, it was said that John came in “the spirit of Elijah" in Luke 1:17. And Jesus confirmed in Matthew 11:14 that John was Elijah which was prophesied to come."

So the "ministering spirit of Elijah" was ministering in John to fulfill “his course.”

Even Paul spoke of finishing "his course"and the ministry he received of the Lord in Acts 20:24 and then of also having finished "his course" in 2 Timothy 4:7 “I have fought a good fight, I have finished "my course", I have kept the faith:”

Even Jesus was determined to come at a certain point in time to do the Fathers will as well, as seen in Galatians 4:4 “But when "the fullness of the time was come", God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,”

And we also know Jesus is called the bright and "morning star" in Revelation 22:16 “I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and "the bright and morning star.”

So then I got to thinking, we too are also called to be a royal priesthood as is written 1 Peter 2:9 . So consider how you also may have been called, chosen, even pre-determined by God to serve and be sent forth in your "course of time"; as the Father saw fit, according to His good pleasure and will.

And what an amazing thought indeed!
 

And also, what an honor to be among the called, the chosen, and the anointed priesthood of God, being "illuminated by the Light "and the glory of God. And sent forth by God to shine forth "like a star" in a darkened world. 

And so truly, like the stars in heaven, He knows us all by name.

It is written Psalm 147:4 “He telleth the number of the stars; he calleth them all by their names.

Daniel 12:3 “And they that be wise "shall shine as the brightness" of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as "the stars" for ever and ever.”

Therefore let your little light shine before men, for all to see!
 

Peace and God bless

Edited July 15, 2023 by Stewardofthemystery