Law of the Beasts Leviticus 11

Leviticus 11:46-47 "This is the law of the beasts, and of the fowl, and of every living creature that moveth in the waters, and of every creature that creepeth upon the earth; To make a difference between the unclean and the clean, and between the beast that may be eaten and the beast that may not be eaten."

Outline:

v1-What beasts may
v4-and what may not be eaten
v9-What fishes
v13 What fowls
v29 The creeping things which are unclean

theocracy: government by officials regarded to be divinely inspired. The Merriam Webster Dictionary

Israel was under such a government.

In chapter 11 we find a list of clean and unclean animals. The clean could be eaten, the unclean could not. We are most familiar with the Jewish law that forbids eating swine or pigs. There were many others which were not to be eaten or even touched. Procedures were put in place to remove the uncleaniness in case of accidental touching.

I do not know the habits of all those listed as unclean but many I do recognize are scavengers, that is they dispose of waste or refuse(Webster). That is many eat dead animals and such. The catfish does not have scales but does have fins. Both are required to make it clean. They tell me a catfish scours the bottom of water bodies for dead creatures making it a scavenger.

There are others mentioned that have paws and are considered unclean. You've seen the nature channel. They sometimes come upon dead carcasses and eat them.

I do not venture to understand the mind of God in putting forth this law. It does make sense to me knowing the habits of some of these animals. We should remember that these people were living very close together while wondering in the wilderness. They moved often as well. Cleaniness would have be paramount to their survival. So many of these laws also have social implications.

I found one passage that raised a question in my mind and if I run across the answer, I will try to remember to print it here.

v20 "All fowls that creep, going upon all four, shall be an abomination unto you."

I've been trying to think of a flying creature that has four legs and have drawn a blank so far. I find it interesting that bone evidence by some evolutionist insist that four legged creatures that flew were from prehistoric times. To bad they don't believe the Bible. It would solve some of their problems with dating such creatures.

Some of them could be eaten v21 which had legs above their feet, to leap withal which included the locust and other such creatures. v22. So maybe that was the type of fowl mentioned in v20. I suppose a mosquito would be one not to eat. I've always thought of fowl as birds, turkeys, chickens and such.

Interesting chapter. Christians are not under the law now but we can still pay attention to the common sense these chapters give us.

Psalm 121:1 "I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help."

Kaphar Leviticus 10 Footnote

v17 "Wherefore have ye not eaten the sin offering in the holy place, seeing it is most holy, and God hath given it you to bear the iniquity of the congregation, to make atonement for them before the Lord?"

I'm told in Scofield's notes that the Hebrew word is kaphar meaning covering.

It makes a difference in how it was in the old testament where sin was covered while in the new testament sin is taken away and nailed to his cross.

Colossians 2:14 "Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;"

Burning of Nadab and Abihu Leviticus 10

Leviticus 10:1-2 "And Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, took either of them his censer, and put fire therein, and put incense thereof, and offered strange fire before the Lord, which he commanded them not. And there went out fire from the Lord, and devoured them, and they died before the Lord."

Outline:
v1 -Nadab and Abihu for offering of strange fire are burnt by fire
v6-Aaron and his sons are forbidden to mourn for them
v8-The priests are forbidden wine when they are to go into the tabernacle
v12-The law of ating the holy things
v16-Aaron's excuse for transgrsing thereof

Chapter 10 is a hard chapter. Why were Nadab and Abihu burnt? The passage tells us "...took either of them his censer and put fire therein, and put incense thereof, and offered strange fire before the Lord, which he commanded them not.

Scofield in his reference Bible mentions the strange fire. He also references Colossians 2:23 "Which things have indeed a shew of wisdom in will worship and humility and neglecting of the body; not in any honour to the satisfying of the flesh."

The priests job was to keep the fire burning. There was no command here to do as the brothers did. It was something they decided to do on their own. It was self will.

We have seen in previous studies that the worship procedure was set down very specifically.

The rest of the chapter gives the indication that several things had not gone properly. It was now commanded that Aaron and the priest were not to drink wine so that they could instruct the people v11.

Then Moses was looking for the goat of the sin offering and found that it had been burnt v16 and the blood was not brought in within the holy place v18.

Aaron offers his explanation as to why he did not eat the sin offering in the holy place v17 and v19.

His explanation caused Moses to be content v20.

This chapter represents the severe punishment for not following the instructions of the Lord.
Sinful man cannot approach God without the protection of the blood. It is the manifestation that the offering for sin has been made for the sins of the people.

God has made a plan. In the plan of salvation, speakers sometime try to add to or take from the simple details making it dfficult for people to come to he Lord. It is not necessary and is even dangerous.

The Lord wants people to come to Him for salvation. John 3:16

The Spirit of God through the word of God reveals to a person that they have sinned and need the Savior. Romans 5:12

The Spirit points to the Lord Jesus as the one who paid the price for personal sin. Romans 5:1-2

The sinner has but to accept Jesus as their Savior. Romans 6:9-11

Romans 5:1-2 "Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God."

Christ is our peace offering.

Christ is our sin offering.

Proverbs 29:1 "He, that being often reproved hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy."

We live in a time of grace now. There is coming a day when the deeds of men will be judged. The debt of sin will be paid. Those who have accepted Christ have that sin debt paid. Those who do not will face the Judge of the Universe and be found guilty.

Psalm 106:24-25 Yea, they despised the pleasant land, they believed not his word: But murmured in their tents, and hearkened not untothe voice of the Lord. v26 Therefore he lifted up his hand against them, to overthrow them in the wilderness:"

Special Post

I hope you will click on the link that says "A Country Church" and watch the Sunday Evening service for last week. There is a ten year old girl that sings and you will be amazed with her voice range and how well she sings. After you click the link, just go to webcast and choose the Sunday Evening service for Sunday before last.

First Offerings of Aaron Leviticus 9

Leviticus 9:7 "And Moses said unto Aaron, Go unto the altar, and offer thy sin offering, and thy burnt offering, and make an atonement for thyself, and for the people: and offer the offering of the people, and make an atonement for them; as the Lord commanded."

We have gone over the commandments to do these things and also the method to do them. Now, in chapter 9, we start with the practice of doing the things commanded.

Outline:
v1-The first offerings of Aaron, for himself and the people
v8-The sin-offering
v12-and the burnt offering for himself
v15-The offerings for the peple
v23-Moses and Aaron bless the people
v24-Fire cometh from the Lord, upon the altar

In spectacular fashion the first offering is made. After all the building and getting everything just right, today is the day.

v6 "And Moses said, This is the thing which the Lord commanded that ye should do: and the glory of the Lord shall appear unto you."

At Mount Sinai it was a fearful time for the people. Moses went in their place to hear the commandments of the Lord. Then, Moses passed them on to the people. They have learned and worked in preparing for this very day, when the glory of the Lord would come down.

v23 "And Moses and Aaron went into the tabernacle of the congregtion, and came out, and blessed the people: and the glory of the Lord appeared unto ALL the people.

v24 "And there came a fire out from before the Lord, and consumed upon the altar the burnt offering and the fat: which when all the people saw, they shouted, and fell on their faces."

Remember these are the slaves that were under Eygpt's bondage for 400 years. They have had to basically learn how to honor God as the one true God. They have been in a land of many gods.

This is a glorious time for the young nation Israel. They will falter often as we journey with them. But isn't this a good day.

Proverbs 19:16 "He that keepeth the commandment keepeth his own soul; but he that despiseth his ways shall die."

What's your question?

We will look for the answer together.

I'll try to find a scripture reference or offer my comments.

Consecration of Aaron Leviticus 8

Outline:
v1 Moses consecrateth Aaron and his sons
v14 Their sin offering
v18 Their burnt offering
v22 The ram of consecrations
v31 The place and time of their consecration

Leviticus 8:12 "And he poured of the anointing oil upon Aaron's head, and anointed him, to sanctify him."

This verse would be most familiar to us as this tradition, the anointing with oil, is still carried out in many churches. There were other things that took place that day.

Verse 2 tells the inventory of what was to be taken unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation v3.

-Aaron and his sons
-the garments
-the anointing oil
-a bullock for the sin offering
-two rams
-a basket of unleavened bread

also

-gather all the congregation together

Then from verse 6 to 9 Moses dresses Aaron and his sons after washing them with water.

-coat
-girdle
-robe
-ephod
-curious girdle of ephod
-mitre upon his head (the head-dresss of a Jewish priest made of fine linen in the form of an Eastern turban with a gold plate and the words "Holiness to the Lord)

Then Moses took oil and anointed the tabernacle v10 and all that were inside.
Moses sprnkled the altar seven times, anointed the altar and the vessels.
Moses poured oil upon Aaron's head

Next the offerings:

Bullock was for the sin offering.
Blood of bullock put on horns of altar and poured the remainder at the bottom of the altar.
(To make reconciliation)
Everything else was burnt with fire outside the camp.

Ram for burnt offering.
Blood sprinkled on altar and round about.
Ram pieces washed then placed on altar and burnt it

Second ram.
The ram of consecration.
Blood applied to Aaron and sons. v22-24

From the basket
-one unleavened cake
-a cake of oiled bread
-one water

Wave Offering is introduced

v27 'And he put all upon Aaron's hands and upon his sons' hands and waved them for a wave offering before the Lord."

v30 the blood is sprinkled upon Aaron and his sons.

Seven Days in the tabernacle

v33 "And ye shall not go out of the door of the tabernacle of the congregation in seven days, until the days of your consecration be at an end..."

To put it in modern terms they remained there 24/7.

As Scofield notes, the priest did not consecrate themselves. It was done by another. In this case, Moses acting in the stead of Jehovah.

Under the new testament there is a different way.

Romans 12:1 "I beseech you therefore, breathren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service."

I have taken pains in this chapter to break down the events so that you might notice the details and also note how some of these procedures are carried out in our churches today. Terms like anointing and sprinkling.

Ever present in this proceedings is the blood. In the old testament it was the blood of animals offered often. In the new testament it is the blood of Christ offered (and accepted) once for all time.

Hebrews 9:12 "Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us."

v13-14 Forif the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh: How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?"

The chapter in Hebrews goes on to explain the previous methods and compares them to the new testament.

And so after a lot of study, we are to the point where Aaron and his sons are ready to minister in the tabernacle. There they will prepare and make the various offerings for the people and their sins.

Psalm 63:1-2 "O God, thou art my God, early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is; To see thy power and thy glory, so as I have seen thee in the sanctuary."

Law of Various Offerings Leviticus 7

Outline
v1 The law of the trespass offering
v11 and of the peace offerings
v12 whether it be for thanksgiving
v16 or a vow or a freewill offering
v22 The fat,
v26 and the blood, are forbidden
v28 The priests' portion in the peace offerings

We can tell from the outline that a peace offering can be for thanksgiving or vow or freewill offering.

Leviticus 7 23-24 "Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, Ye shall eat no manner of fat, of ox, or sheep, or of goat. And the fat of the beast that dieth of itself, and the fat of that which is torn with beasts, may be used in any other use: but ye shall in no wise eat of it."

v26 "Moreover ye shall eat no manner of blood, whether it be of fowl or of beast, in any of your dwellings."

v33 "He among the sons of Aaron that offereth the blood of the peace offerings, and the fat, shall have the right shoulder for his part."

And so we continue with the law of the offerings. The details are very specific. For those who do not according to the law, there is a stern warning and the warning is given often. v27 "...even that soul shall be cut off from his people."

We should at this point remember what the people said back at Mount Sinai.

Exodus 19:8 "And all the people answered together, and said, All that the Lord hath spoken we will do. And Moses returned the words of the people unto the Lord."

Psalm 27:4 "One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to inquire in his temple."

Our Milestone

It has been about a year since I started this Bible study blog, Old Old Story. Sadly, I missed one month without doing a lesson due to illness.

We have made it from Genesis to Leviticus chapter 7. We have seen the creation and man's sin along with the first shedding of blood. The flood came and only Noah and his family survived. Abraham came on the scene and a promise was made to him. Israel went down to Egypt and 400 years passed before Moses was sent to deliver them from slavery. Now we wonder in the wilderness learning the laws of God.

That is quite a journey in a year. We will continue to go chapter by chapter and try to glean something to help us make our journey through life.

Thank you to each one who takes a moment each day or once in a while to stop and honor God's word.

If my words help you learn, then to God be the glory.

Taking Notes

When you study, it helps to take notes on things you want to remember or that you find interesting. Just having to think on something long enough to write it down will help you remember. You may never look at the notes again but you will remember more of what you read.

For example you may want to do a sort of outline when studying about David:

Your subject would be: David

The first entry might be: David's childhood

Under that indented maybe: Shepherd
Next: Anointed to be King
Then: Kills giant

Perhaps: Sings and plays for Saul
Maybe: Flees from Saul

Then: David as King
Next: David's battles

How about: David brings the ark of the covenant back

Next: David's great sin
Maybe: David pays the cost of sin

Then: David retored

There would be so much to write down about David. He had a great friend named Jonathan. He wrote Psalms. He was a man after God's own heart.

Anyway writing down notes such as this in your own format will help you to remember. You can also go back and add to the notes with references and try to figure out at what point in David's life he wrote particular Psalm. I think Psalm 40 was where David got saved but I don't know for sure.

Studying and taking notes may eventually lead you to want to tell other people about what you have studied and what you got from it in the way of right living. Learning to outline and organize your thoughts will greatly help your presentation and help keep you from rambling around and maybe getting off the subject.

Good writing.

Simple Study Hints

For those who are new to Bible study, it might help to know how to find things you vaguely remember or have heard.

A good concordance is indespensable in studying the Bible. The verse I used in the previous study concerning our sin being removed as far as the east is from the west. I could not remember where it was in the Bible so I looked up the word west and found the verse by going through the references presented. Sometimes I may have to look up several verses to find the one I am thinking of.

A good reference Bible is necessary when studying on a particular subject. There are several good ones. I used a Scofield Reference Bible for many years, he also gives some footnotes that you may or may not agree with, which also contain references to other passages. The great part about a reference Bible is that you can start at the front of the Bible and follow a subject all the way through. I've heard good comments about a Thompson Chain Reference Bible too. I'm sure there are many others.

A good commentary can give a lot of help on a subject. This are written by people who have spent their lives studying and comparing scripture. If you draw a blank on a subject, a commentary can get you started on what it means. You can then go to the scriptures to confirm what you have read.

A Bible Dictionary is most helpful. The meaning of words change over time. 'Meat' is a good example. We wouild think that it meant flesh but in the Bible we have learned that it is never flesh but always vegetable. It will also contain the meaning of names. I use The Topical Reference Bible. It is bulky but has a dictionary, concordance, references and two Bibles: one in the traditional format and another broken down by subject i.e. Jesus, family. It is also called Dugan's topical Reference Bible A complete Analytical Study Edition.

Another way to get different angles of study is to listen to good teachers. I listened to Oliver B Greene for years and he still comes on radio. His books go verse by verse. Also, J Vernon Mcgee goes verse by verse and I also listened to him a lot. He provides study guides and there is a link on this website. Both men are dead now but their ministry goes on.

Running references will also make you more familiar with the Bible and you don't have to look up page numbers on Sunday Morning to find the book the preacher says to turn to. That's nice.

That is some of my ideas. One more thing. Reading the Bible can not be stressed enough. Just because you have heard stories over and over does not mean you can't learn something new by reading. Like when Saul was trying to kill David, did you know that one time David went around one side of a hill as Saul went around the other? Or did you know that David cut off Saul's garment and made it very short? Or that before David entered Jerusalem some of his men heard him wish for a drink from a well inside the city and they went and got him a drink? Did you know David poured it out and why?

There are lots of interesting details that you might never learn until you sit down and read the Bible because you want to read it.

I wish you good studying.

Trepass Offering Leviticus 6

Outline:
-v1 The trespass offering for sins done willingly
-v8 the law of the burnt offering
-v14 and of the meat offering
-v19 The offering of the consecration of a priest
-v24 The law of the sin offering

Leviticus 6:4 "Then it shall be, because he hath sinned, and is guilty, that he shall restore that which he took violently away, or the thing which he hath deceitfully gotten, or that which was delivere him to keep, or the lost thing which he found, v5 Or all that about which he hath sworn falsely; he shall even restore it in the principal, and shall add the fifth part more thereto, and give it unto him to whom it appertaineth, in the day of his trespass offering."

Here is a chapter that would really put a crimp in much of today's business and personal dealings.

Not only are we to return that which belongs to another but add 20% interest. Also, a ram without blemish v6 is to be offered as a trespass offering.

Then we go on to an interesting passage. v13 The fire shall ever be burning upon the altar; it shall never go out.

We know from history that the fire has indeed gone out and has been so for some time. There will be a day when the fire is again burning and the end will be near.

I see a couple of things here. The fire is to burn forever which indicates to me that there is ever a need for forgiveness. It also relates, for me, to the Christian life. Often we let the fire go out and carry the guilt of sin too long without asking forgiveness. Perhaps, we think God could never forgive such a thing as we did. The Bible teaches that we can come to him and confess our sin and not have to look back at it.

Psalm 103:12 "As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgresions from us." Ephesians 1:7 "In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;"

Then in later verses the burnt offering of meat is discussed. It is to be burnt, v23 "For every meat offering for the priest shall be wholly burnt: it shall not be eaten.

In the place where the burnt offering is made, the sin offering is to be killed v25 In the place where the burnt offering is killed shall the sin offering be killed before the Lord: it is most holy. This offering is to be eaten by the priest v26 The priest that offereth it for sin shall eat it: in the holy place shall it be eaten, in the court of the tabernacle of the congregation.

Exception to eating the sin offering:
v30 "And no sin offering, whereof any of the blood is brought into the tabernacle of the congregation to reconcile withal in the holy place, shall be eaten: it shall be burnt in the fire."

This chapter might get confusing. Just make sure you know which offering the verse is discussing. As I understand it the burnt offering is the peace offering (chapter 3) and other offerings are to be killed in the spot where the burnt offering is made.

That would indicate to me that, as discussed earlier, The Lord provides a way for sinful man to approach Him through the burnt offering (peace) then sin is dealt with through the sin offering.

The blood being ever present, it is often mentioned as to what to do with the blood.

My effort is not to fully explain every verse or what it means. We need to learn the content first, so as we study other parts of the Bible, we can refer back and forth. A good man once said "The Bible is the best commentary on the Bible." First one must know the content to compare scripture with scripture.

Psalm 3:3 "But thou, O Lord, are a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head."

Trespass Offering Leviticus 5

Leviticus 5:19 "It is a trespass offering: he hath certainly trespassed against the Lord."

v17 "And if a soul sin, and commit any of these things which are forbidden to be done by the commandments of the Lord; though he wist it not, yet is he guilty, and shall bear his iniquity."

Some would like to seperate the Bible from the law of the land but it would be impossible to do and still have order. I've heard it for as long as I can remember: Ignorance is no excuse when it comes to the law. Neither is it an excuse with the law of God. Sin must still be accounted for.

There is a story in the new testament where there were sellers of doves in the temple and moneychangers which angered Jesus very much and he drove them out.

Matthew 21:12 "And Jesus went into the temple of God, and cast out all them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the money changers and the seats of them that sold doves, v13 And said unto them, it is written My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves."

Here in Leviticus 5 we see that those who could not afford to bring a lamb could bring two turtledoves, or two young pigeons v6-7. Then if they could not afford that they could bring a part of an ephah of fine flour for a sin offering v11.

So, we can see that the less expensive sacrifice used in the place of a lamb was for those who could not afford the lamb. A provision was made for the poor. But in the passage above some were taking advantage of this provision by using it to make money off the poor.

Proverbs 1:10 "My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not."

v16 : "For their feet run to evil, and make haste to shed blood."

A flower blooms

Sin Offering Leviticus 4

Leviticus 4:1-2 "And the Lord spake unto Moses saying, Speak unto the children of Israel saying, If a soul shall sin through ignorance against any of the commandments of the Lord concerning things which ought not to be done, and shall do against any of them: v3 If the priest that is anointed do sin according to the sin of the people; then let him bring for his sin, which he hath sinned, a young bullock without blemish unto the Lord for a sin offering."

Outline
v1 The sin offering of ignorance
v3 for the priest
v13 for the congregation
v22 for the ruler
v27 for any of the people

This chapter brings me to remember Romans 3:10 "As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:"

In our outline we see that provision for sin was made for the people, the priest and up to the rulers. None of us can point a finger at another and say 'I am better than you.'

Remember the sermon Jesus preached:

Matthew 7:3 "And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?"

Jesus was also a carpenter and uses some of the language.

The fact is a provision for sin had to be made for all because all are subject to sin. This chapter also deals with the possibility that someone might sin in ignorance. The law is newly written and so will take some time before all the details are ingrained into their conscienceness. Because of the importance it is no wonder they had passages to wear and post by the door to represent the law they were commanded to obey.

We have been introduced to:
-meat offering which we learned was a vegetable offering
-peace offering which allows the people to approach the Lord even before the
-sin offering is made which is with the shedding of blood

v25 And the priest shall take of the blood of the sin offering with his finger and put it upon the horns of the altar of burnt offering and shall pour out his blood at the bottom of the altar of burnt offering."

Hebrews 9:22 "And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission."

We are now studying the blood sacrifices under the law given by God via Moses to the people of Israel. Remember it is our schoolmaster and so I refer to the new testament where we find not a continuous system of sacrifice for sin but a one time sacrifice of blood by Jesus for sin to all who believe. The road leads from the sin in the garden of Eden to the cross where Jesus died for sin. Along this road we see the people being trained for what was to come. To stop along this road is to not make it to the cross.

v32 And if he bring a lamb for a sin offering, he shall bring it a female without blemish."

Here the sin offering is referred to the common people. And a female lamb is brought. Value was placed on animals. I think this may have been to relieve the burden of expense for the common people. You will notice that those more able to bear expense were required to bring a male from their flock. I do not think this places more value on either gender for gender's sake but reflects the reality of the expense of acquiring the animals.

Psalm 40:11 "Withhold not thou thy tender mercies from me, O Lord: let thy loving-kindness and thy truth continually preserve me."

Peace Offering Leviticus 3

Peace Offering

Leviticus3:6-7 "And if his offering for a sacrifice of peace offering unto the Lord be of the flock: male or female, he shall offer it without blemish. If he offer a lamb for his offering, then shall he offer it before the Lord."

Outline:
v1 The peace offering of the herd
v6 of the flock
v7 either a lamb
v12 or a goat.

Also notice Leviticus 7:11-12 "And this is the law of the sacrifice of peace offerings, which he shall offer unto the Lord. If he offer it for thanksgiving, then he shall offer with the sacrifice of thanksgiving unleavened cakes mingled with oil, and unleavened wafers anointed with oil and cakes mingled with oil of fine flour, fried.

So the peace offering is also a thanksgiving offering. The oil represents the Spirit. It is an offering by fire. v16 "And the priest shall burn them upon the altar..." It is an offering with the shedding of blood. v8And he shall lay his hand upon the head of his offering, ad kill it before the tabernacle..."

At the mount the people were not allowed to approach but here at the tabernacle a way is made for the people to approach the holiness of God through the shedding of blood and a peace offering.

Finally the people were to eat no fat nor food with the blood in it. v17 "It shall be a perpetual statute for your generation throughout all your dwellings that ye eat neither fat nor blood."

V16 explains why "...It is the food of the offering made by fire for a sweet savour: all the fat is the Lord's."

Christ made peace:

Colossians 1:20 "And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself, by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven."

Christ proclaimed peace:

Ephesians 2:17 "And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh."

Christ is our peace:

Ephesians 2:14 For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us;"

One commentator refers us to chapter 7 verses 31-32 "And the priest shall burn the fat upon the altar: but the breast shall be Aaron's and his sons. v32 And the right shoulder shall ye give unto the priest for an heave offering of the sacrifices of your peace offerings."

This commentator relates the breast to affection and the shoulder to strength.

So we have talked about the peace offering which can also be a thanksgiving offering. Chapter 3 starts the discussion, chapter 7 gives the details. It is important to note that a sinner coming to Christ is out of peace with God because of the sin that seperates him. The peace offering brings them together so that sin can be dealt with and fellowship established. First though, he needs peace with God. We may come to God because of Christ, our peace offering.

How does a sinner know that he needs to come to God and that his sins need to be forgiven?

There is a touch that comes from God which reveals to each sinner that he needs to seek forgiveness and become a child of God. This gentle touch is from the Holy Spirit. It is an invitation to an individual still in sin to be reconciled to God the Father through Jesus Christ (because of his shed blood). It is like the peace offering, as if God is saying we need to talk about your soul. This touch is an invitation that shows the need and offers the fulfillment of that need.

Think of being invited to a dinner by the president. You cannot know what is in store. You do not know him personally. Yet, he invites you. It is up to you to accept the invitation. You cannot know what is in store unless you accept the invitation and go to meet him. After you accept and attend, you will have a personal knowledge that you may attempt to describe but only those who accept the invitation can truly know just how it was.

So is the personal invitation from the Lord. I can try to explain it and give many examples from the Bible but no one can truly understand the whole joy without a personal one-on-one with the Savior. For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. Romans 5:6.

These studies are to teach us the importance of the shedding of blood leading us to the gospel story: the death burial and resurrection of Jesus.

Psalm 122: 6-9 "Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee. Peace be within thy walls, and prosperity within thy palaces. For my brethren and companions' sakes, I will now say, Peace be within thee. Because of the house of the Lord our God I will seek thy good."

Oblation Chapter 2

Leviticus 2:1 "And when any will offer a meat offering unto the Lord, his offering shall be of fine flour; and he shall pour oil upon it, and put frankincense thereon:"

Outline:

v1 The meat offering of flour with oil and incense
v4 either baken in the oven
v5 or on a plate
v7 or in a frying pan
v12 or of the firstfruits in the ear
v13 The salt of the meat offering.

Oblation: an offering to God
Meet: fit, suitable, worthy
Meat: when mentioned in the Bible, never means flesh. The word is used to denote any other kind of food. The meat-offering was always a vegetable offering, a cake made of flour and oil.

As I read this chapter, I was pleased with how it sounded sort of like how we prepare a meal ordered to our liking. Some bread with oil, some corn dried by the fire, some frankincense which seems like putting in a little spice. Several ways to cook it are given. I like the frying pan the best or baked by the fire.

I'm glad I read this chapter.

Psalm 110: 21-22 "But do thou for me, O God the Lord, for thy name's sake; because thy mercy is good, deliver thou me. For I am poor and needy, and my heart is wounded within me."

Leviticus

Here we are in a brand new book of the Bible. It has always been a hard book for me to study. I do not know why that is, perhaps it is because it is not in the same story format as Genesis and Exodus. Let's start with an outline of chapter one.

v1 Burnt offerings
v3 Of the herd
v10 of the flocks
v14 of the fowls

Leviticus 1:1-4 "And the Lord called unto Moses and spake unto him out of the tabernacle of the congregation, saying Speak unto the children of Israel and say unto them, If any man of you bring an offering unto the Lord, ye shall bring your offering of the cattle, even of the herd, and of the flock. If his offering be a burnt sacrifice of the herd, let him offer a male without blemish: he shall offer it of his own voluntary will at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation before the Lord. And he shall put his hand upon the head of the burnt offering; and it shall be accepted for him to make atonement for him."

I picture the Lord in the tabernacle as a schoolmaster instructing the children of Israel. He is very precise.

This chapter is about the burnt offering. One phrase jumped out at me in v3 "...of his own voluntary will..." The Lord does not force himself on anyone. He understands that man has a sinful nature and here we find a way to atone for that sin and to be clean before God.

Notice the last part of the last verse "...it is a burnt sacrifice, an offering made by fire, of a sweet savor unto the Lord."

Now I'd like to give what I think is the key verse of Leviticus. It is found in chapter 17.
verse 11"For the life of the flesh is in the blood: and I have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement for your souls for it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul."

I like to think of this passage in Hebrews as a companion verse to the one just above.
Hebrews 9:12,14,15 "For if the blood of bulls and goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh: How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance."

So, we begin a detailed description of the offerings and sacrifices at the tabernacle. We should keep in mind that these are the first students of this class. All this is so we will understand the sacrifice of Christ when it comes about some time later in our study. It is our schoolmaster as was said very well in the following passage.

Galations 3:24,25 "Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.

The children of Israel are too many to be kept in line by a family hiearchy. They cannot just yell out the door of the tent and gather them together to tell them the rules of the day, everyday. They are now many thousands, I expect, we could look that up. So, there are laws being given them to live by, they are taught the law and know when they wake up and lay down at night exactly what they are suppose to do. A large part of the law points to the new testament where the law of God is put into believers hearts.

Psalm 119:4 "Thou hast commanded us to keep thy precepts diligently."

Cloud of the Lord Exodus 40

Exodus 40:38 "For the cloud of the Lord was upon the tabernacle by day, and fire was on it by night, in the sight of all the house of Israel, throughout all their journeys."

Outline
v1 The tabernacle is commanded to be reared
v9 and anointed
v13 Aaron and his sons to be sanctified
v16 Moses performeth all things accordingly
v34 A cloud covereth the tabernacle

v32...So moses fnished the work.

We started many chapters back with the children of Israel coming out of Egypt by a mighty hand. They had been there for about 400 years and knew little but slavery. They are to take posssession of the promised land and become a great nation. First, they must learn a few things.

While Moses was on the mountain getting the commandments from God for the people to live by, they sinned by worshipping an idol. It really angered God as well as Moses. It has been said that God is a God of second chances. I prefer second opportunities. The children received another opportunity to have God in their midst. The tabernacle is His place among the people.

Much work has been done to ready the tabernacle. Precious metals have been donated by the people for the makings. Fine linens with magnificant colors have been used.

Behind the veil in the Most Holy place is the ark of the covenant and the mercy seat where the Lord will meet with the priest. The work is completed.

v34 "Then a cloud covered the tent of the congregation and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle. v35 And moses was not able to enter into the tent of the congregation, because the cloud abode thereon, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle."

God has come down to dwell with his people on their journeys.

Remember Genesis 35:11-12 "And God said unto him, I am God Almighty: be fruitful and multiply; a nation and a company of nations shall be of thee, and kings shall come out of thy loins; And the land which I gave Abraham and Issac, to thee I will give it, and to thy seed after thee will I give the land."

It would be good to remember that since the garden there has been a seperation between God and mankind. The veil in the tabernacle represents that seperation. It is a real seperation at this point. Although the Lord may travel with Israel and meet with the priest behind the veil, there is still that thing between them as demonstrated by the idol worship in previous chapters.

Why are we seperated? It is the two natures. The Lord being without sin and the people having been poisioned with sin since Adam's sin in the garden. The Lord has begun a reconciliation process which the tabernacle represents a part of (or perhaps all). It is a way for the two to come together with the blood of the sacrifices acting as temporary payment for their sin. The veil being a protection for the people so that the righteousness of God does not destory sinful man. Representatively, God does not see their sin and mankind does not see the glory of the Lord.

Along with this protection, the veil is also a seperation, still, even though the Lord is ever so close to them. We will see the veil torn top to bottom in the New Testament when the better sacrifice is offered and a one time blood offering is made for sin.

Luke 23:44 "And it was about the sixth hour, and there was a darkness over all the earth until the ninth hour. And the sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was rent in the midst."

Matthew 27:50-52 "Jesus, when he had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost. And behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent; And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose;"

As Paul said, the law is our schoolmaster. It teaches us the will of the Lord. The Old Testament leads up to the New Testament. It helps us understand why Jesus had to die. The tabernacle represents, in a physical sense, the spiritual relationship of the Christian. The priest could enter into the most holy place because of the blood sacrifices, As Christians, we may also enter the most holy place because of the blood of Jesus. He removed the veil between mankind and God. We appear righteous before God because we appear as one whose sin debt has been paid by Christ.

Maybe that is a huge lesson to learn at this point. I stress it because to understand the big picture, we must remember that the events in the Old Testament are preparation for Christ to come. To teach us our need, that the righteousness of a holy God had to be satisfied if we were to be reconciled to God. The Messiah was that sacrifice, the bridge between God and man.

Remember my picture of Israel as a lady with child (the promise of Abraham) travelling toward the promised land. Israel carries the Christ child down through generations to the appropriate time for him to be born. Many attempts are made to stop the lady but all failed.

Isaiah 25:9 "And it shall be said in that day, Lo, this is our God; we have waited for him, and he will save us: this is the Lord; we have waited for him, we will be glad and rejoice in his salvation."

Bezaleel Exodus 37, 38, 39 The Doing

Exodus 37:1 "And Bezaleel made the ark... v6...and he made the mercy seat...v7 ...and he made two cherubim...v10...and he made the table v12..also he made thereunto a border v15 and he made the staves..v16...and he made the vessels v17 and he made the candlestick of pure gold v23 ...and he made his seven lamps v25...and he made the incense altar v27 and he made two rings of gold v28 and he made the staves v29 and he made the holy anointing oil..."

We revisit Bezaleel from chapter 31 verse 2. were the Lord told Moses about the call of the son of Uri, the son of Hur of the tribe of Judah. Look at verse 3

"And I have filled him with the spirit of God, in wisdom, and in understanding, and in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship."

In chapter 31 we have the call and the abilities given to do what is commanded. In chapter 37 and 38 we see that Bezaleel was indeed given the wisdom to do all manner of things. I started off as I did above to emphasize that this man was able to make all kinds of items needed to build the sanctuary.

We are starting to see a sort of division of tasks. Moses is the leader and the spokesman for the Lord to the people. Aaron is the priest and concerned with keeping the offerings and such in order. Bezaleel is given the job of making what is needed.

The phrase 'and he made' is prominent in many verses. That was his command and he was faithful. He did have someone with him Chapter 38 v23 his name was Aholiab who was an engraver, and a cunning workman, and an embroiderer in blue, and in purple, and in scarlet, and fine linen.

Chapter 38:21"This is the sum of the tabernacle, even of the tabernacle of testimony, as it was counted, according to the commandment of Moses for the service of the Levites, by the hand of Ithamar, son to Aaron the priest. Witnesses are also listed.

Gold: v24 29 talents, thirty shekels
Silver:v25 200 talents, thousand,seven-hundred,threescore and fifteen shekels
Brass:v29 70 talents, 2400 shekels

Then as they put it together more people are involved. Many verses have ...and they..." to show this.

v30 "And they made the plate of the holy crown of pure gold, and wrote upon it a writing, like to the engravings of a signet, HOLINESS TO THE LORD."

V43 "And Moses did look upon all the work, and behold, they had done it as the Lord had commanded, even so had they done it: and Moses blessed them."

We have zipped through three chapters not because they are less important but because they should be read through. I believe one lesson from chapter 31 and these chapters is in Bezaleel who was called for a particular purpose and appropriately equipped to do the job. Also that the job was completed.

We should remember that the purpose for all this work is so the Lord will have a place among the people as they travel and camp on the way to the promised land.

It is unfortunate that sometimes we get so intent on the doing that we forget the purpose for the doing. It is not so the workman can be remembered but so that the Lord may be honored.

Ezekiel 11:19-20 "And I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within you; and I will take the stony heart out of their flesh, and will give them an heart of flesh: that they may walk in my statutes, and keep mine ordinances, and do them: and they shall be my people, and I will be their God."

Sidenote

We are in the book of Exodus which is the second book of the Bible. The children of Israel have been delivered from Egypt and are at Mount Sinai receiving the commandments and building the sanctuary. The study may seem to go over the same ground several times but there are differences. In some places, it is the command to do, in others it is preparing to do and then there is the doing.

Reminders are given of things already said and we know that we must all be reminded from time to time.

Israel is doing new things now. They are doing very detailed work and so we often read things very familiar. It helps us learn and it did them.

We will go into the law and commandments in detail in Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy and see the doing of those things that have been commanded.

It is not until we get to Joshua that we see the people moving to the promised land. They are now learning, and becoming established in the things they should be doing and their conduct in the future.

So we must have patience in our study. We are seeing a nation built of slaves. It seems now that they are unruly students but they will become grounded and take the teachings for their own beliefs.

Offering Exodus 35 and 36

Exodus 35:5-6 "Take ye from among you an offering unto the Lord: whosoever is of a willing heart, let him bring it, an offering of the Lord; gold, and silver, and brass, And blue, and purple, and scarlet and fine linen and goats hair..."

It is a long list that is needed for the building of the tabernacle and other things. The people took to this task as if with new energy.

v25 "And all the women that were wisehearted did spin with their hands, and brought that which they had spun, both of blue, and of purple and of scarlet and of fine linen. v26 And all the women whose heart stirred them up in wisdom spun goats hair."

This seems to be the attitude that prevailed in Israel. Everyone gave offerings and did that which would help with the job of building the sanctuary. So much so that in Chapter 36 verse 6 nd 7 they had to be stopped.

"And Moses gave commandment and they caused it to be proclaimed thoughout the camp, saying, Let neither man nor woman make anymore work for the offering of the sanctuary. So the people were restrained from bringing. v7 For the stuff they had was sufficient for all the work to make it, and too much."

So chapter 36 continues with descriptions of how the work went on.

It is great when people do so well that someone has to say that's all we need.

Psalm 31:23 "O love the Lord, all ye his saints: for the Lord preserveth the faithful, and plentifully rewardeth the proud doer."

New Tables Exodus 34

Exodus 34:1 "And the Lord said unto Moses, Hew thee two tables of stone like unto the first: and I will write upon these tables the words that were in the first tables, which thou brakest."

I think I stated someplace that Moses had to write on the second tables but I have learned something already today. He did hew the tables but the Lord has said here that he would rewrite them. The broken ones are in the ark. I wonder where the second ones are now.

It appears that the Lord rewrote the part broken by Moses but then in verse 27 Moses does some writing "And the Lord said unto Moses, Write thou these words; for after the tenor of these words I have made a covenant with thee and with Israel."

In this chapter the Lord and Moses seem to have a personal conversation before the commands are given. Moses again pleads with the Lord to go among us, and admits that the people are stiffnecked as the Lord had said in our last chapter.

The Lord goes on to describe to Moses how he will prepare the promised land for Israel. He also reminds Moses of the necessity not to mix with the people of that land because of the danger of temptation to worship their gods. The Lord uses the name Jealous in verse 14 saying "For thou shalt worship no other god: for the Lord, whose name is Jealous, is a Jealous God:"

In the Bible names are very descriptive of who the person is. Different names of the Lord are given us throughout the Bible revealing more of who he is to us.

After the great disappointment in the actions of the people in making the image while Moses was gone on the mount, a wonderful verse is given us verse 6 And the Lord passed by before him and proclaimed, The Lord, The Lord God, merciful and gracious, lonsuffering and abundant in goodness and truth."

It would take all those qualities to put up with us: mercy, grace, lonsuffering
Then we are told of his goodness and truth. We can trust him to do right and tell us the truth.

Then he deals with the firstborn belonging to him and feast.

v29 "And it came to pass when Moses came down from mount Sinai with the two tables of testiony in Moses hand, when he came down frm the mount, that Moses wist not that the skin of his face shone while he talked with him."

So much did he shine that he the people were afraid and Moses put a veil on his face when he talked with them but removed it when he talked with the Lord again.

Proverbs 3:26 "For the Lord shall be thy confidence, and shall keep thy foot from being taken."

If you are reading please leave a note

Doing this study keeps me on a sort of schedule to read so I will continue as long as my health allows. I hope it helps someone do the same. Feel free to leave a note that you were here. It is very encouraging. Thanks.

Exodus 33 Moses Prays

Exodus 33:13 "Now therefore, I pray thee, if I have found grace in thy sight, show me now thy way, that I may know thee, that I may find grace in thy sight: and consider that this nation is thy people."

v14 "And he said, My presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest."

v15 "And he said unto him, If thy presence go not with me, carry us not up hence."

The situation is very tense here. Moses has come down and found the people deep in sin. The Lord is pretty disgusted with the people and the Moses sets up the tabernacle outside the camp. He and Joshua go into the tabernacle but at one point Moses goes outside the tabernacle and Joshua remains. It is outside the tabernacle that the conversation between the Lord and Moses takes place.

In verse 3 the Lord tells Moses that he will take them to the land promised but will not go in midst of the people but rather he will send angels to prepare the way for them.

Here the phrase used often since is born "v5 "...Ye are a stiffnecked people..."

Moses seeks to see the Lord and is hid in a cleft of the rock v21-23 and sees part of the Lord but not his face.

v17 "And the Lord said unto Moses, I will do this thing also that thou hast spoken: for thou hast found grace in my sight, and I know thee by name."

I find this a very beautiful chapter. The situation is bad. The people are out of fellowship with the Lord. Moses, in the midst of this trouble, finds comfort from the Lord.

Psalm 22: 10-11 "I was cast upon thee from the womb: thou are my God from my mother's belly, Be not far from me; for trouble is near, for there is none to help."

False Gods Exodus 32

Exodus 32:1 "And when the people saw that Moses delayed to come down out of the mount, the people gathered themselves together unto Aaron and said unto him, Up, make us gods, which shall go before us; for as for this Moses, the man that brought us up out of Egypt, we wot not what is become of him."

Contrast this verse with the promise of the people back in chapter 20 verse 23

"Ye shall not make with me gods of silver, neither shall ye make unto you gods of gold."

chapter 19 verse 8 "And all the people answered together, and said, All that the Lord hath spoken we will do. And Moses returned the words of the people unto the Lord."

Imagine for a moment our forefathers working feverishly on the Declaration of Independence and coming up with a good plan for the people and the country. Exhausted and excited they come to the people only to find they had went over to the enemy. Perhaps Moses felt emotions and disappointment similiar to what they would have felt when he came from talking with God and found false gods in the camp.

We know now that Israel survived but at that point in time they were on the verge of nonexistence.

verse 9-10 "And the Lord said unto Moses, I have seen this people and behold it is a stiffnecked people; Now therefore let me alone, that my wrath may wax hot against them, and that I may consume them: and I will make of thee a great nation.

It sounds like the Lord was saying, never mind all the plans from Abraham, Issac and Jacob and the rescue from Egypt. I'll just start all over with you Moses.

Not only is the Lord angry but Moses is very unhappy as well.

verse 19-20 "And it came to pass, as soon, as he came nigh unto the camp, that he saw the calf and the dancing: and Moses' anger waxed hot, and he casst the tables out of his hands, and brake them beneath the mount. And he took the calf which they had made and burnt it in the fire and ground it to powder, and strewed it upon the water, a made the children of Israel drink of it."

The people are guilty and they have no defense. Between them and the wrath of God stands one man. Moses. Three thousand men v28 fell that day under the judgment of God but the nation survived because of Moses and the mercy of the Lord.

verse 31-32 "And Moses returned unto the Lord and said Oh, this people have sinned a great sin, and have made them gods of gold. Yet now if thou wilt forgive their sin; and if not, blot me, I pray thee out of thy book which thou has written."

But the Lord did not put the peope's sin on Moses but rather plagued them v35 "And the Lord plagued the people, because they made the calf, which Aaron made."

In another time and another place, another man stood before God in defense of people who had sinned. This time the sins of the people were placed on the man and a way of salvation was made.

Romans 5:19 "For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous. v21 That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord."

Psalm 6 1-2 "O Lord rebuke me not in thine anger, neither chasten me in thy hot displeasure. Have mercy upon me, O Lord; for I am weak: O Lord, heal me; for my bones are vexed."

A Dark Day

Moses has been on the mountain taking instructions from the Lord for the tabernacle and how the people are to live. Meanwhile, the people complain that he has been gone a long time. They go after Aaron to satisfy their boredom. What Moses finds upon his return is enough to make even him mad.

Bezaleel Exodus 31

Exodus 31:1-3 "And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, See, I have called by name Bezaleel the son of Uri the son of Hur, and the tribe of Judah: And I have filled him with the spirit of God, in wisdom, and in understanding, and in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship."

We should note that God called Bezaleel by name.
We should note that God called him for a purpose.
We should note that God gave him the ability (filled him with wisdom and understanding).
We should note that God spoke to the man in charge so Bezaleel would have the authority.
We should not v6 that God gave Bezaleel some help. (Aholiab)

Verses 12-17 is the command to keep the sabbath. They may work six days but are to rest on the seventh. It is a reminder to Israel that God created six days and rested the seventh.

V18 "And he gave unto Moses when he had made an end of communing with him upon mount Sinai, two tables of testimony, tables of stone, written with the finger of God."

Notice that the word is tables not tablets. They will end up in the ark of the covenant later. Also that these two were written by the finger of God.
Later after trouble in the camp and Moses goes back to the mountain, I believe we will find that Moses had to bring tables and write down what God said himself rather than God writing with his finger. We'll get to that later.

Moses has been alone on the mountain with the Lord for a long time. Chapter 19-31. God has given Moses a lot of instructions to carry out. I expect Moses was pretty excited and eager to tell the people what he had heard but there is not joy upon his return.

Psalm 119:97 "Oh how love I the law! it is my meditation all the day."

Altar Exodus 30

Exodus 30:10 "And Aaron shall make an atonement upon the horns of it once in a year with the blood of the sin offering of atonements; once in the year shall he make atonement upon it throughout your generations: it is most holy unto the Lord."

The Lord repeated himself that the blood was to be applied to the altar once a year. It is noteworthy that when the Lord repeats something it is very important. Of course, the whole Bible is important but we should pay attention when it is repeated.

In this chapter the elaborate making of the altar is described. It sits before the ark where the Lord comes to meet with the high priest in the most holy place. There is a great process of cleansing as one enters the front gate and approaches the veil. Inside is where the atonement is made by blood for the sins of the people.

In the new testament and speaking of Christ things are different "Hebrews 7:22-25 "By so much was Jesus made a surety of a better testament. And they truly were many priests, because they were not suffered to continue by reason of death: But this man, because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood. Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them."

In our chapter the blood was applied once a year. Christ blood was applied for all eternity.

Location of the altar: v6 "And thou shall put it before the veil that is by the ark of the testimony, before the mercy seat that is over the testimony, where I will meet with thee."

Note that the ark is called the ark of the testimony.

The chapter also discusses how the tabernacle is to be supported financially. An offering of 1/2 shekel was to be given by everyone 20 years old and above. v14, 15, 16

v23-38 deals with making of oil and a perfume and how to make it to be used to anoit the priest and no one else. The formula was not to be copied.

v38 "Whosoever shall make like unto that, to smell thereto, shall even be cut off from his people."

Proverbs 25:19 "Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble is like a broken tooth, and a foot out of joint."

Hallow the Priest Exodus 29

Exodus 29:1-3 "And this is the thing that thou shalt do unto them to hallow them, to minister unto me in the priest's office: Take one young bullock and two rams without blemish And unleavened bread and cakes unleavened tempered with oil and waffers unleavened anointed with oil, of wheaton flour shalt thou make them And thou shalt put them into one basket and bring them in the basket with the bullock and the two rams."

Outline:
-The sacrifice and ceremonies of consecrating the priests v1
-The continual burnt offering v38
-God's promise to dwell among the children of Israel. v45

We have seen the precise building of the tabernacle and the garments for the priest. The offerings are just as precise. First of all, before the priest can minister to the Lord and represent the people, they must be consecrated. Some offering is to be burned as a burnt offering v25 unto the Lord. Some is for a wave offering v26-27. Then there is the continual sacrifice of the two lambs. I'd like to zero in on verse 20-21 where the priest and their garments are consecrated.

Exodus 29:20-21 "Then shalt thou kill the ram, and take of his blood and put it upon the tip of the right ear of Aaron and upon the tip of the right ear of his sons and upon the thumb of their right hand and upon the great toe of their right foot and sprinkle the blood upon the altar round about. And thou shalt take of the blood that is upon the altar and of the anointing oil and sprinkle it upon Aaron and upon his garments and upon his sons and upon the garments of his sons with him: an dhe shall be hallowed and his garments and his sons' garments with him."

The last part of the chapter contains the promise. If you will do all this I(the Lord) will dwell with you. We must remember that a holy God is making arrangements to live among a sinful people. Although they are chosen for a purpose, there is still the sinful nature that must be dealt with.

v43 "And there I will meet with the children of Israel and the tabernacle shall be sanctified by my glory." v45 "And I will dwell among the children of Israel and will be their God."

In review, we should be aware that Moses is on the mountain top receiving all this from the Lord. He is on Mt Sinai and there are "thunders and lightenings and a thick cloud upon the mount, and the voice of the trumpet exceeding loud..." 19:16. It is a serious, historical time in the lives of the children of Israel. They have only recently come from under 400 years of slavery.

I should also remind us that the promise of Abraham still carries within the children of Israel.

The events hear lead us to an understanding of events many years later when Christ comes to earth and becomes our high priest to plead our case before God the Father.

Hebrews 9:11-14 "But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come by a greater and more perfect tabernacle not made with hands that is to say not of this building; Neither by the blood of goats and calves but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy palce having ordained eternal redemption for us. For if the blood of bulls and of goats and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean sanctifieth to purifing of the flesh: How much more shall the blood of Christ who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God.

So, in all these instructions and the years of practice that follow, they are but a very real and necessary practice to teach the redemption process and give us understanding of the final sacrifice for sin: the Christ.

Psalm 33:20-22 "Our soul waiteth for the Lord: he is our help and our shield. For our heart shall rejoice in him, because we have trusted in his holy name. Let thy mercy, O Lord, be upon us, according as we hope in thee."

Priest garments Exodus 28

Exodus 28:6 "And thou shalt make a plate of gold, and grave upon it, like the engravings of a signet HOLINESS TO THE LORD."

The colors and materials reflect those used in the building of the tabernacle leaving me the impression that the two parts (garments of the priest and tabernacle) are all one.

I'd like to point out two verses that I find very touching. They show that the Lord ever had the children of Israel on his mind.

Exodus 28:11-12 "With the work of an engraver in stone, like the engravings of a signet, shalt thou engrave the two stones with the names of the children of Israel: thou shalt make them be set in ouches of gold. And thou shalt put the two stones upon the shoulders of the ephod for stones of memorial unto the children of Israel: and Aaron shall bear their names before the Lord upon his two shoulders for a memorial."

What a difference time makes. It seems that in our day many (but not all) ministers do not bear their people before the Lord. By their living standards, they appear to be living above their people. Something is the matter when a preacher buys a luxury car from the pennies of the widows and poor.

Psalm 119:89 "Forever, O Lord, thy word is settled in heaven."

The Priest - and his garments Exodus 28

Exodus 28:1 "And take thou unto thee Aaron thy brother, and his sons with him, from among the children of Israel, that he may minister unto me in the priest's office, even Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar, Aaron's sons."

Previously we saw the instructions for building the tabernacle. It is full of intricate details. Now we see the great detail placed on making the garments for the priests. Today I will give an outline of chapter 28.

-Aaron and his sons are set apart for the priest's office
-Holy garments are appointed
-The ephod
-The breastplate with twelve precious stones
-The urim and Thummim
-The robe of the ephod with pomegranates and bells
-The plate of the mitre
-The embroidered coat
-The garments for Aaron's sons

V5 "And they shall take gold, and blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine linen."

Psalm 103:14 "For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust."

Exodus 27 "Tabernacle" The Light

Exodus 27:20 "And thou shalt command the children of Israel, that they bring thee pure olive oil beaten for the light, to cause the lamp to burn always."

Let us not forget that Moses is still on the mountain taking instructions from the Lord while the children of Israel wait.

It would be difficult to talk about anything God does without noticing the presence of light. We know from John that he is light. There is also the association of Satan and darkness. So, the distinction is unmistakeable. I add that God does things openly while Satan does things in a deceptive manner.

John 1:1-9 "In the beginning was the Word (Jesus), and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not anything made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not. There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. The same came for a witness to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe. He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light, That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world."

The oil in the lamp represents the Spirit of God while the light represents Jesus. It is through the Spirit that we know the Christ. The Spirit reveals Christ to humanity which is worldly and can not otherwise understand spiritual things.

So, in the tabernacle, we not only see a place of worship and communion for man with God. We also see how a relationship comes about between man and God. There is an order of things for sinful man to stand before a holy God. While (I must say) God is merciful, and just and loving, he is also righteous.

On an earthly level, it is sort of like going to court without a lawyer to represent you. The judge will most likely do exactly as the law reads. But a lawyer might point out circumstances which give the judge a reason to be merciful. So with God. He has stated what man is to do and man does something else instead. Then comes Christ to represent us. He bore our penalty and his blood testifies to that fact before God the Father. We are therefore justified, not because we are faultless but because the penalty has already been paid.

Romans 3:24-25 "Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation though faith in his blood to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;"

Psalm 116:12-13 "What shall I render unto the Lord for all his benefits toward me? I will take the cup of salvation, and call upon the name of the Lord."

Tabernacle

Exodus 26: 33 "And thou shalt hang up the veil under the taches, that thou mayest bring in thither within the veil the ark of the testimony: and the veil shall divide unto you between the holy place and the most holy."

The tabernacle was like a tent in a tent. There was a large door for the people to enter and another where the priest entered into the holiest of holies.

This seperation between the people and the Lord takes us back to the garden of Eden where man sinned and was therefore seperated from God by that sin. A verse in the New Testament should be noted here.

Matthew 27:51 "And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent; v52 And the graves were opened and many bodies of the saints which slept arose v53 And came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many.

I mention this because as the veil represented the seperation between God and man, so the renting of the veil represented that by the death of Jesus the seperation has been removed through Him alone.

The tabernacle was 45 ft long, 15 feet wide and 15 feet high. The outer curtains were 150 feet by 70 feet. The outer door was 30 feet wide. There was a thick covering which included goats hair and one source says badger skin.

One would enter the outer opening(sanctuary) with the candlestick on the left and the shewbread on the right. The altar is ahead and then beyond the veil the ark of the covenant. An urn is provided for the priest to wash his hands and feet before entering the holiest.

The tabernacle was about 9 months in the making. I am reminded that it was about 9 months to wait for the birth of the Savior. Of course, Israel waited hundreds of years.

The opening to enter was facing east which probably accounts for the reverence to the now walled up eastern gate in Jerusalem.

As with much in the Bible, a book could be written on the tabernacle and the meaning of all the articles in its making and those placed inside. As mentioned the veil has great significance, but then so does all of it. The mercy seat should be noted and thanks given for. It is good to have a mercy seat before the judge of the universe, for it was oft sprinkled with blood in times past for the sins of the people. We will find later that Christ offered his own blood on the mercy seat in heaven for our sins and was accepted for our atonement.

Psalm 71:17-18 "O God, thou hast taught me from my youth and hitherto have I declared thy wondrous works. Now also when I am old and grayheaded, O God, forsake me not; until I have showed thy strength unto this generation, and thy power to everyone that is to come."

Tabernacle Exodus 26 and 27

At this point I suggest reading these two chapters. Notice the attention to detail and the quality of the materials. It is a place of majesty and made to be mobile. Years ago I helped put up, took down and moved a huge gospel tent many times. We only lost one to a twister. The details are important and skipping one can cause serious problems.

Candlestick for the Tabernacle

Exodus 25:31 "And thou shalt make a candlestick of pure gold: of beaten work shall the candlestick be made: his shaft and his branches, his bowls, his knobs and his flowers, shall be of the same."

I believe this golden candlestick represents Christ.

It consisted of:
-7 places for candles called bowels(shaped like almonds)
-6 branches (three on either side of the center candle)
-knobs
-flower

The shaft under the center candle was to have three branches on either side.

According to my comprehensive bible helps:

-location: left side of one entering holy place opposite shewbread table
-size: five feet high
3 1/2 across
made of: 1 talent of gold

It was to be all of one piece. The tongs and snuffdishes were of gold v38.

Suggested reading Revelation 1-2, Revelation 21:23

Psalm 4:6 "There be many that say, Who will show us any good? Lord, lift thou up the light of thy countenance upon us."

Tabernacle Sidenote

I just ran across this site which appears to have some good details on the tabernacle. This site appears to be sound but as always on the internet use good judgment: http://www.the-tabernacle-place.com/

I could use your help

If you know the title and author of some good fundamental books or studies on the tabernacle or sermons, please leave a reference to them for our readers. I venture to say that J Vernon Mcgee has covered it, a link to his site is on the front page at right. I've listened to him for years and trust his wisdom. I'm sure there are others.

Exodus 25 Tabernacle or Sanctuary Part 1

Exodus 25: 8 "Let them make me a sanctuary; that I may dwell among them."

Jumping back to the previous chapter I should note that it contains a general guideline for the children of Israel. I say general because more details come later. The word general in no way should diminish the importance of these commands. Moses is going up into the mount to meet with the Lord and it was necessary to leave instructions for the people. You will note that the people agreed to do as instructed. So later if judgment comes we should remember that they did agree.

Exodus 24:3 "And Moses came and told the people all the words of the Lord, and all the judgments and all the people answered with one voice, and said, All the words which the Lord hath said will we do."

So you see as we proceed, we must realize that the people knew what they should do. We will see them falter but it is not through ignorance that they do it.

We have journeyed in our study from the garden of Eden where humanity sinned and saw the shedding of blood to make them coats to cover their nakedness. We have seen the flood and the ark of safety for Noah. Then we say the family of Abraham develop into a nation while in captivity in Egypt. They have now come out of Egypt under the guiding hand of Moses and the miracles of the Lord. The Lord desires to be near them but for God to dwell amonst a sinful people there must be strict guidelines, not to protect the Lord but to protect the people. For a holy God cannot look upon sin. As in Eden where the blood was shed, so must the dwelling be santified with blood as an atonement for sin and the blood stands as a protecting wall (if you will) between sinful people and a holy God. We have talked of this blood pointing to and representing the blood that Christ shed in the new testament.

And so in the building of the sanctuary we can see Christ and his work. There are books and studies on the tabernacle which go into great detail in what everything means. I simply want to note two things which will help in our study:
-when building the tabernacle, it started with the Lord as represented by the ark.
-In approach man begins with himself and moves toward the Lord, as represented by the washing and the progressive move toward the holiest of hollies. The mercy seat being sprinkled with the blood of atonement.

The colors of the tabernacle: (as accepted by scholars)
-Gold-diety - divine glory
-silver-redemption
-brass symbol of judgment
-blue: heavenly origin or nature
-purple: royalty
-scarlet: sacrifice
(from Scofield's footnotes)

Exodus 25:1-2 "And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, Speak unto the children of Israel that they brng me an offering of every man that giveth it willingly with his heart ye shall take my offering."

And so a list is provided of material needed to make the tabernacle. This is not a tax on the people but as the verse says an offering from those who wish to give. You can tell from the list that it is going to be a thing of beauty and unlike anything seen before.

Gold stands out in the makings v30 "...thou shalt set upon the table shewbread before me alway." or showbread.

Again I go to my footnotes for guidance where I find that shewbread is a type of Christ. He is the life-sustaining Christ. As the manna was the life-giving Christ.
John 12:24 (Jesus talking) "Verily, verily, I say unto you Except a corn of wheat fall into the grond and die, it abideth alone, but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit."
Who can deny that from the death of Jesus many have come to believe? And so one grain of wheat has produced a bountiful crop.

Next we will see the details of the candlestick.

Psalm 126:6 "He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing bringing his sheaves with him."

Numbers in the Bible (Side note)

I would not venture to predict the end of the world based on numbers in the Bible. It is interesting from time to time to note numbers for they do have a meaning although I do not always catch on to them.

In the previous chapter Exodus 24 v 18 you will notice that Moses was forty days and forty nights in the cloud with the Lord. If you look at Genesis 7:12 the "And the rain was upon the earth forty days and forty nights. Then again in Luke 4:2 in the story of Jesus' temptation "Being forty days tempted of the devil. And in those days he did eat nothing: and when they were ended, he afterward hungered."

There may be other examples but I do not recall them at the moment. I cannot give any deep meaning to these but they should be noted now in case we find more clarity in later studies.

Exodus 24 "Come up unto the Lord"

Exodus 24:13 "And Moses rose up and his minister Joshua and Moses went up into the mount of God."

After the command for Moses to meet the Lord on the mountain it is 12 verses and a second command before Moses actually heads up the mountain to meet alone with God. During this time Moses reminds the people of the covenant and builds an altar. He then sprinkled the altar with blood. It seems that in verse 10 a select group saw God, at least the spot where He was "there was under his feet as it were a paved work of a sapphire stone and as it were the body of heaven in his clearness." I do not pretend to understand that fully but I have no doubt they knew God was in the place.

A "cloud covered the mount" v15. It was into this cloud that Moses went alone and stayed for six days. v16 then on the seventh the Lord called unto Moses out of the midst of the cloud. What transpired in the 6 days, I cannot tell. Perhaps Moses did not know or could not see where God was but then he heard the Lord's voice and in v17 saw the "sight of the glory of the Lord was like devouring fire on the top of the mountain".

So Moses did as we should do and followed the voice of the Lord to where he was. Then for 40 days and nights "Moses was in the mount..."

The next chapter begins the instructions the Lord gave Moses. The detail is amazing. Think about it...The Lord is telling Moses how to do something.

Psalm 146:18 "The Lord is nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth."

Still Here

Just a note. I am still here and thinking of my next post. I've been under the weather again and not able to sit at the computer much. I'll try to do better.

Exodus 23 "Little by Little"

Exodus 23:30 "By little and little I will drive them out from before thee, until thou be increased, and inherit the land. v29 I will not drive them out from before thee in one year; lest the land become desolate, and the beast of the field multiply against thee."

I heard once that someone prayed 'Give me patience, Lord, and hurry.'

God does things in his time and in his way. We may not always know the reason as the Israelites did but we can rest assure there is a good one.

Psalm 145:17 "The Lord is righteous in all his ways, and holy in all his works."

Exodus 23 contains further instructions for Israel as they ready for their entry into Canaan. I think of parents talking to their new adult child as they go out into the world. 'Now don't forget this...don't forget that...remember to so-and-so...'

He tells them to not follow the crowd to do evil v2. There is further talk about how to treat neighbors and their property. Verse 10-11 talks about letting the land rest after six years for a whole year then ties it in with resting on the seventh day of the week v12. He further talks about the feast they would keep.

In verse 20-23 God tells them of the angel that was to guide and protect them and how they should have respect for him. Then, v24-25 He talks of worshipping only the Lord God.

v8 "And thou shalt take no gift; for the gift blindeth the wise, and perverteth the words of the righteous." We know that to be a true statement. If you have two friends, one gives you a gift and the other does not, who would you be the quickest to do a favor for? Politicians and lobbyist have used the gift to subvert our government and it is true to the highest and lowest levels.

Proverbs 3:27 "Withhold not good from them to whom it is due, when it is in the power of thine hand to do it."

Proverbs 3:1-3 "My son, forget not my law; but let thine heart keep my commandments: for length of days and long life and peace, shall they add to thee. Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about they neck; write them upon the table of thine heart."

Do Right by thy Neighbor Exodus 22

Exodus 22 26-27 "If thou at all take thy neighbor's raiment to pledge, thou shalt deliver it unto him by that the sun goeth down: For that is his covering only, it is his raiment for his skin wherein shall he sleep? and it shall come to pass, when he crieth unto me, that I will hear; for I am gracious."

Here is a list of everyday "do rights" . It would seem that much of it could have gone without saying as they cover just plain acting right toward others. But having lived a long time, I can see that people tend to do the wrong until there is a penalty to redirect them. Even then, some people will still do what they can get away with.

Our society seems bent on breaking every commandment in the Bible. It seems to be the attitude that if enough people do wrong that it somehow makes it right. Not so.

A couple of verses jumped out at me. Verse 16 "And if a man entice a maid that is not betrothed, and lie with her, he shall surely endow her to be his wife." Now, for the most part that one has been thrown out the window but it is still right. It is a way to right a wrong.

Verse 21 "Thou shalt neither vex a stranger, nor oppress him: for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt." There was an old song about a stranger. It said of a young man that he was someones son. A person may be a stranger to us but somewhere they are known and not a stranger.

Verse 22-24 "Ye shall not afflict any widow, or fatherless child. If thou afflict them in any wise, and they cry at all unto me, I will surely hear their cry. And my wrath shall wax hot, and I will kill you with the sword, and your wives shall be widows, and your children fatherless. A very strict punishment for a very low action.

Psalm 34:13 "Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile."

Exodus 21 "Day to Day Laws"

Exodus 21:1 "Now these are the judgments which thou shalt set before them."

It would have been difficult for Moses or any judge to come up with fair settlements between people without some guideline. With these guidelines, they did not have to 'think up' the proper path but had only to know the law as God had given it. As in our day, the judge had some leeway here and there but mostly he just had to know the law and dispense judgement accordingly.

I admit, as I study, I get bogged down in some of these chapters. There is one passage that stands out to me. It deals with being a welling servant.

Exodus 21:5-6 "And if the servant shall plainly say, I love my master, my wife, and my children; I will not go out free: Then his master shall bring him unto the judges; he shall also bring him to the door, or unto the door post; and his master shall bore his ear through with an awl; and he shall serve him forever."

There were specific guidelines for a servant to be set free. He might be purchased and serve for six years but on the seventh he was to go free. In this case, the master has given him a wife and they have children, but the rule is he can be set free but since his wife was a gift and the children are a product of that gift, they belong to the master. The servant is free to leave but his wife and children must stay. So, because he loves his master and his family the servant, due to be freed willingly becomes a servant for life.

Exodus 21:3 "If he came in my himself, he shall go out by himself: if he were married, then his wife shall go out with him."

It is near impossible for us, in this modern age, to get a handle on the servant and master relationship of the early Bible days. Any thoughts we have are clouded by the cruel slavery days of years past. Servants were treated much different in early Bible days. They were trusted members of the household and had lives of their own and rights under the law. If I had to make a comparison, I would think their situation was more comfortable than many modern free people who must work in a plant for people who could care less about their well-being. People who work very hard but never make enough to accumulate any kind of wealth.

In our verse, it is better for the man to become a servant than to be free. He has all the wealth of his master's house and his family is taken care of by the same laws. He can be free with nothing or stay with the master and have everything. He is more free in his master's house than he would be 'out on his own' . Out on his own, he would have to work for someone, provide a place to live, food and protection for himself. And he would be alone. In the master's house he is protected, fed, sheltered and loved by his family. The only hang up is he must serve the master. But wait, he loves the master, so if you love someone, serving them is a token of love. Does a mother consider changing a baby or feeding it a burden? No. She loves the child even though she is a servant to its every cry. Does a man or woman consider it a burden to work and feed her family? He or she may get tired but the joy of being able to provide for them takes away the burden and replaces it with joy over their comfort.

As we serve the Lord willingly, are we being treated badly because we are asked to keep the house clean or tell another of the joy of having a master who talks of himself as our brother and shares his endless kingdom with us. He could just give us the kingdom to do with as we see fit, but what if we squandered it as did the prodigal son and there was nothing left. No. It is better that He keep the kingdom with all his wisdom for He is able to preserve it for our joy.

Psalm 27:4-5 "One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to inquire in his temple. For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion; in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon a rock."