We are in Numbers chapter two with our word for today which is a phrase. בֵּ֥ית אֲבֹתָֽיו house of his father, his father’s house. It is used 3 times in the Old Testament, it is used around 70 times in other forms. Our phrase is used in the context of a leader or head over the clan. Numbers 1:3-4 From twenty years old and upward, all in Israel who are able to go to war, you and Aaron shall list them, company by company. And there shall be with you a man from each tribe, each man being the head לְבֵית־אֲבֹתָ֖יוof the house of his fathers. Our phrase is used in the context of one who represents his clan. Numbers 1:44 These are those who were listed, whom Moses and Aaron listed with the help of the chiefs of Israel, twelve men, each representing לְבֵית־אֲבֹתָ֖יו his fathers' house. Our phrase is used in the sense of how the people were organized to set out when the whole nation traveled. Numbers 2:34 Thus did the people of Israel. According to all that the Lord commanded Moses, so they camped by their standards, and so they set out, each one in his clan, according to בֵּ֥ית אֲבֹתָֽיו his fathers' house. Our phrase points to one’s past where they came from. While it is true that we all came from God ultimately because he truly did knit us together in our mother’s womb. Our phrase is most often used to refer to one’s human father looking back to the past. The good news is that regardless of where we came from and who our earthly father is. If we are in Christ we have been connected to our heavenly father. And the emphasis on our heavenly father is the present for sure but mostly the future glory that we will have waiting for us. I like how Peter puts it. 1 Peter 1:3-9 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God's power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls. I’ll close with Jesus great words. John 14:1-3 Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father's house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.
