Part 4:Israel - A Mighty Nation

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We preach: Christ in us - the Hope of realizing the glory.

We proclaim Him (Jesus Christ, the Lord), guiding and admonishing everyone and teaching everyone in all wisdom (i.e. comprehensive insight into the ways and purposes of God), that every person may be presented mature (i.e. full-grown, complete, and perfect) in Christ. (Col 1:27-28)

Table of Contents

 
Section 1: The period between Abraham and Moses

  • Took Rebekah as his wife
  • God confirmed His oath to Isaac
  • God blessed Isaac in the midst of famine
  • God again confirmed His oath
  • Defrauded Esau out of first born right
  • Isaac blessed Jacob
  • Promises made to Abraham confirmed in a dream
  • Jacob made vow to God
  • Tried to impress God by promising a tenth
  • Served Laban. God changed his name to Israel
  • Travelled to Canaan
  • Travelled to Bethel
  • God confirmed name change
  • His two dreams
  • Sold by his brothers
  • God’s favour with him at Potiphar’s house
  • Imprisoned in Egypt with butler & baker
  • Interpreted Pharoah’s dream & gave advice
  • Appointed as overseer in Egypt
  • Canaan where Jacob & family lived also suffered from famine
  • Jacob & family relocate to Egypt
  • Israel can now safely develop as a nation
  • Joseph died
     
     Section 2: Israel developed into a mighty nation

  • Overview of Moses’ life

  • God called Moses
  • The encounter at the burning bush
  • God – the great “I AM”
  • God promised miracles in Egypt
  • Aaron to go with Moses
  • God confirmed His covenant
  • Reassurance that Moses will free Israel
  • The ten plagues
  • Meaning and purpose of the plagues
  • Israel preparing for the exodus – The Passover
  • Blood to be shed
  • The exodus
  • Interesting statistics
  • Overview of the exodus
  • Significant events following the exodus
  • Pillars of cloud & fire
  • Red sea crossing
  • Bitter water made sweet
  • Bread from heaven
  • Water from the rock
  • Victory over Amalekites

  • Origin of the Law of Moses
  • Adam & Eve had a free will
  • Free to partake of Tree of Life
  • Christ now our Tree of Life
  • When Adam partook of Tree of Knowledge
  • Writing of Law ushered in sin-consciousness
  • Jesus came to set us free
  • Prepare to receive the Ten Commandments
  • Described in Exodus 19
  • The Ten Commandments
  • Law only temporal
  • Paul compared Ten Commandments to “ministry of death & condemnation
  • Jesus came to fulfil the Law
  • Moses alone in the presence of God
  • In Christ we all have boldness in the presence of God
  • Christ took away the mountain of fear
  • Different laws are given
  • Described in Exodus 20:22-26 & Exodus 21 & 23
  • Instructions to built Sanctuary
  • Moses 40 days with God
  • God gave instructions & detailed particulars
  • Tabernacle inaugurated
  • God no longer dwells in manmade temples
  • We are now the temple
  • No distance between us and God

Brief description on the books of “Leviticus”, “Numbers” & “Deuteronomy”
  • Mainly purity laws
  • Book of wanderings

Section 3: Overview of the Old Testament
 
Overview of the Old Testament – the backdrop of the real thing – Jesus Christ

 

SECTION 1 - The period between Abraham and Moses

Israel is formed into a nation

 

In this section I will only give a brief factual overview of what happened in the period between Abraham and the birth of Moses as it is recorded in Genesis Chapter 25 through to Genesis Chapter 50

 

The genealogy of Ishmael

Abraham's son, whom Hagar the Egyptian, Sarah's maidservant, bore to Abraham

Gen 25:12 Now these are the records of the generations of Ishmael, Abraham's son, whom Hagar the Egyptian, Sarah's maid, bore to Abraham;

Gen 25:13 and these are the names of the sons of Ishmael, by their names, in the order of their birth: Nebaioth, the firstborn of Ishmael, and Kedar and Adbeel and Mibsam

Gen 25:14 and Mishma and Dumah and Massa,

Gen 25:15 Hadad and Tema, Jetur, Naphish and Kedemah.

Gen 25:16 These are the sons of Ishmael and these are their names, by their villages, and by their camps; twelve princes according to their tribes.

Foretold by God in Gen. 17:20: "As for Ishmael, I have heard you; behold, I will bless him, and will make him fruitful and will multiply him exceedingly. He shall become the father of twelve princes, and I will make him a great nation.

 

THE STORY OF ISAAC, JACOB AND JOSEPH

 

Isaac

Isaac (the Covenant son) grew up and at the age of forty he took Rebekah as his wife.

Rebekah conceived and gave birth to twins (two nations):

Esau (the first born) – a skilful hunter; a man of the field

Jacob – a mild man, dwelling in tents

Gen 25:23 The LORD said to her (Rebekah), "Two nations are in your womb; And two peoples will be separated from your body; And one people shall be stronger than the other; And the older shall serve the younger."

Esau sold his birthright to his younger brother Jacob (Gen 25:29-34)

God confirmed the oath that He swore to Abraham, to Isaac

Gen 26:1 Now there was a famine in the land, besides the previous famine that had occurred in the days of Abraham. So Isaac went to Gerar, to Abimelech king of the Philistines.

Gen 26:2 The LORD appeared to him and said, "Do not go down to Egypt; stay in the land of which I shall tell you.

Gen 26:3 "Sojourn in this land and I will be with you and bless you, for to you and to your descendants I will give all these lands, and I will establish the oath which I swore to your father Abraham.

Gen 26:4 " I will multiply your descendants as the stars of heaven, and will give your descendants all these lands; and by your descendants all the nations of the earth shall be blessed;

Gen 26:5 because Abraham obeyed Me and kept My charge, My commandments, My statutes and My laws."

Gen 26:6 So Isaac lived in Gerar.

God blessed Isaac in spite of the famine, much to the envy of the Philistines

Gen 26:12 Now Isaac sowed in that land and reaped in the same year a hundredfold. And the LORD blessed him,

Gen 26:13 and the man became rich, and continued to grow richer until he became very wealthy;

Gen 26:14 for he had possessions of flocks and herds and a great household, so that the Philistines envied him.

 

God again confirmed His oath to Isaac

Gen 26:24 The LORD appeared to him the same night and said, " I am the God of your father Abraham; Do not fear, for I am with you. I will bless you, and multiply your descendants, For the sake of My servant Abraham."

Gen 26:25 So he built an altar there and called upon the name of the LORD, and pitched his tent there; and there Isaac's servants dug a well.

Jacob

By cunningly deceiving his older brother, Jacob (the second born) obtained the blessing of the first born (Esau).

Gen 27:26 Then his father Isaac said to him (Jacob), "Please come close and kiss me, my son."

Gen 27:27 So he came close and kissed him; and when he smelled the smell of his garments, he blessed him and said, "See, the smell of my son Is like the smell of a field which the LORD has blessed;

Gen 27:28 Now may God give you of the dew of heaven, And of the fatness of the earth, And an abundance of grain and new wine;

Gen 27:29 May peoples serve you, And nations bow down to you; Be master of your brothers, And may your mother's sons bow down to you. Cursed be those who curse you, And blessed be those who bless you ."

Esau hated Jacob for this and wanted to kill him

 

Genesis 28: Isaac blessed Jacob and charged him:

Gen 28:1 So Isaac called Jacob and blessed him and charged him, and said to him, "You shall not take a wife from the daughters of Canaan.

Gen 28:2 "Arise, go to Paddan-aram, to the house of Bethuel your mother's father; and from there take to yourself a wife from the daughters of Labanyour mother's brother.

Gen 28:3 "May God Almighty bless you and make you fruitful and multiply you, that you may become a company of peoples.

Gen 28:4 " May He also give you the blessing of Abraham, to you and to your descendants with you, that you may possess the land of your sojournings, which God gave to Abraham ."

On his way to Haran God visited Jacob in a dream and confirmed to him the promises made to his grandfather Abraham

Gen 28:10 Then Jacob departed from Beersheba and went toward Haran.

Gen 28:11 He came to a certain place and spent the night there, because the sun had set; and he took one of the stones of the place and put it under his head, and lay down in that place.

Gen 28:12 He had a dream, and behold, a ladder was set on the earth with its top reaching to heaven; and behold, the angels of God were ascending and descending on it.

Gen 28:13 And behold, the LORD stood above it and said, " I am the LORD, the God of your father Abraham and the God of Isaac; the land on which you lie, I will give it to you and to your descendants.

Gen 28:14 " Your descendants will also be like the dust of the earth, and you will spread out to the west and to the east and to the north and to the south; and in you and in your descendants shall all the families of the earth be blessed.

Gen 28:15 "Behold, I am with you and will keep you wherever you go, and will bring you back to this land; for I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you."

 

Jacob realised it was God speaking to him and he made a vow to God

Gen 28:16 Then Jacob awoke from his sleep and said, "Surely the LORD is in this place, and I did not know it."

Gen 28:17 He was afraid and said, "How awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven."

Gen 28:18 So Jacob rose early in the morning, and took the stone that he had put under his head and set it up as a pillar and poured oil on its top.

Gen 28:20 Then Jacob made a vow, saying, "If God will be with me and will keep me on this journey that I take, and will give me food to eat and garments to wear,

Gen 28:21 and I return to my father's house in safety, then the LORD will be my God.

Gen 28:22 "This stone, which I have set up as a pillar, will be God's house, and of all that You give me I will surely give a tenth to You."

 

Jacob tried to impress God by promising Him a tenth

This vow might sound very spiritual, but I believe Jacob erred here by adding some human effort to God’s unilateral covenant. This effort of Jacob is in direct contrast with what Abraham did – Abraham simply believed God and it was accounted him for righteousness

 

Jacob actually doubted God by vowing: I first want to see it happens – If God will be with me; if God will keep me; if God will give me; then He will be my God”

And here is the cherry on the cake of Jacob’s effort to impress God: “of all that You give me I will surely give a tenth to You” – God never asked him for a tenth – it was a decision taken solely by Jacob.

Jacob bargained with God and instituted a law for himself – of all that You give me, I will surely give You a tenth

It is so tragic that in this present time so many well meaning children of God still live in this mind set – trying to impress God by human efforts, while all that God requires from us is to believe in the finished work of Christ Jesus.

From Genesis 29 onwards it is recorded how Jacob served Laban, his mother’s brother and how he married Leah and Rachel, Laban’s daughters

Leah and Rachel and their respective maids gave birth to the following twelve sons to Jacob

Leah gave birth to: Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar and Zebulun

Leah’s maid Zilpah gave birth to Gad and Asher

Rebekah gave birth to Joseph and Benjamin

Rebekah’s maid Bilbah gave birth to Dan and Naphtali

The twelve tribes of Israel sprang forth from these twelve sons

Jacob eventually took his wives and children and travelled to Canaan

Two significant things happened on his way to Canaan

  • 1. Jacob reconciled with his brother Esau

  • 2. Jacob wrestled with a Man who changed his name to Israel

     

Gen 32:24 Then Jacob was left alone; and a Man wrestled with him until the breaking of day.

Gen 32:25 Now when He saw that He did not prevail against him, He touched the socket of his hip; and the socket of Jacob's hip was out of joint as He wrestled with him.

Gen 32:26 And He said, "Let Me go, for the day breaks." But he said, "I will not let You go unless You bless me!"

Gen 32:27 So He said to him, "What is your name?" He said, "Jacob."

Gen 32:28 And He said, "Your name shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel; for you have struggled with God and with men, and have prevailed."

 

God told Jacob to go to Bethel in Canaan to build an altar there

Gen 35:1 Then God said to Jacob, "Arise, go up to Bethel and live there, and make an altar there to God, who appeared to you when you fled from your brother Esau."

God confirmed the changing of Jacob’s name

Gen 35:9 Then God appeared to Jacob again when he came from Paddan-aram, and He blessed him.

Gen 35:10 God said to him, "Your name is Jacob; You shall no longer be called Jacob, But Israel shall be your name." Thus He called him Israel.

Gen 35:11 God also said to him, " I am God Almighty; Be fruitful and multiply; A nation and a company of nations shall come from you, And kings shall come forth from you.

Gen 35:12 "The land which I gave to Abraham and Isaac, I will give it to you, And I will give the land to your descendants after you."

Joseph

Now the story of Joseph – one of the sons Rebekah bore Jacob:

Joseph’s dreams

Joseph was still a young man (seventeen years of age) when he had two dreams which upset his family

Gen 37:5 Then Joseph had a dream, and when he told it to his brothers, they hated him even more.

Gen 37:6 He said to them, "Please listen to this dream which I have had;

Gen 37:7 for behold, we were binding sheaves in the field, and lo, my sheaf rose up and also stood erect; and behold, your sheaves gathered around and bowed down to my sheaf ."

 

Gen 37:9 Now he had still another dream, and related it to his brothers, and said, "Lo, I have had still another dream; and behold, the sun and the moon and eleven stars were bowing down to me."

Sold by his brothers as a slave

His brothers were jealous of him and one day when Joseph took food to them, they sold him as a slave to Midianite traders (Ishmaelites), who in return sold him in Egypt to Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh

But the favour of God was with Joseph and Potiphar put him in charge of his whole house.

Potiphar’s wife lusted after Joseph, but when he did not concede to her, she lied to her husband about Joseph. As a result Joseph was put into prison, but again the Lord favoured him in the sight of the prison. All the prisoners were committed to Joseph and the Lord prospered him.

Genesis 40 records the story of Pharaoh’s chief butler and chief baker who were also put into prison with Joseph.

Joseph interpreted their dreams and it came out exactly the way Joseph told them:

The chief butler was reinstated in his position, but sadly did not remember Joseph before Pharaoh – at least not until two years later when Pharaoh had two dreams which his own people could not declare.

So Joseph was brought before Pharaoh and he interpreted the two dreams: God told Pharaoh that there will be seven years of great abundance which will be followed by seven years of severe famine.

Joseph also gave the following advice to Pharaoh:

Gen 41:33 "Now let Pharaoh look for a man discerning and wise, and set him over the land of Egypt.

Gen 41:34 "Let Pharaoh take action to appoint overseers in charge of the land, and let him exact a fifth of the produce of the land of Egypt in the seven years of abundance.

Gen 41:35 "Then let them gather all the food of these good years that are coming, and store up the grain for food in the cities under Pharaoh's authority, and let them guard it.

Gen 41:36 "Let the food become as a reserve for the land for the seven years of famine which will occur in the land of Egypt, so that the land will not perish during the famine."

 

Joseph was appointed by Pharaoh as overseer (in a matter of one day Joseph was transformed from a prisoner to second in charge of Egypt)

Gen 41:37 Now the proposal seemed good to Pharaoh and to all his servants.

Gen 41:38 Then Pharaoh said to his servants, "Can we find a man like this, in whom is a divine spirit?"

Gen 41:39 So Pharaoh said to Joseph, "Since God has informed you of all this, there is no one so discerning and wise as you are.

Gen 41:40 "You shall be over my house, and according to your command all my people shall do homage; only in the throne I will be greater than you."

Gen 41:41 Pharaoh said to Joseph, "See, I have set you over all the land of Egypt."

 

The land Canaan where Jacob (Israel) and his family lived also suffered from the famine.

Genesis chapters 42 to 47 records the story of how Jacob sent his sons to Egypt to buy grain in Egypt, how Joseph recognised his brothers and how Jacob and his whole family (70 people in total) eventually moved to Egypt to settle there.

This whole story of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and Joseph was carefully planned and orchestrated by God for this one reason – a new nation Israel could now be established and developed in the safe and protected environment of the strong nation of Egypt.

We truly serve an amazing God.

 

Why was the nation Israel so important? This was the fulfilment of the promise of God to Adam and Eve – the Saviour of the world, Jesus Christ is to be born from this nation, Israel

 

Joseph died:

Jacob blessed the two sons of Joseph (Ephraim and Manasseh) as well his own sons before he died.

Joseph died at the age of 110, but before his death he told his brothers the following:

Gen 50:24 Joseph said to his brothers, "I am about to die, but God will surely take care of you and bring you up from this land to the land which He promised on oath to Abraham, to Isaac and to Jacob ."

Gen 50:25 Then Joseph made the sons of Israel swear, saying, "God will surely take care of you, and you shall carry my bones up from here ."

Gen 50:26 So Joseph died at the age of one hundred and ten years; and he was embalmed and placed in a coffin in Egypt.


SECTION 2 - ISRAEL developed into a mighty NATION

 

 

MOSES & THE LAW

In the Bible this story starts with the Book of Exodus

Excerpt from the introduction to the Book of Exodus, New King James Version, Holman Bible Publishers

“Exodus is the record of Israel’s birth as a nation. Within the protective “womb” of Egypt, the Jewish family of seventy rapidly multiplies. At the right time, accompanied with severe “birth pains”, an infant nation, numbering between two and three million people, is brought into the world where it is divinely protected, fed and nurtured.”

 

I will start by referring to the covenant that God cut with Abraham.

This covenant was implemented in two phases:

Phase 1 begins with Moses and the Israelites (now an established nation) being taken out of Egypt, the giving of the Law and the establishing of the religious order of priests and sacrifices. All of these points to the final phase:

The complete sacrifice of Jesus Christ once and for all

To start with I give the following interesting overview of the life of Moses which was taken from “Easton’s Bible Dictionary – E-Sword”

On the invitation of Pharaoh (Gen_45:17-25), Jacob and his sons went down into Egypt. This immigration took place probably about 350 years before the birth of Moses. Some centuries before Joseph, Egypt had been conquered by a pastoral Semitic race from Asia, the Hyksos, who brought into cruel subjection the native Egyptians, who were an African race. Jacob and his retinue were accustomed to a shepherd's life, and on their arrival in Egypt were received with favour by the king, who assigned them the “best of the land”, the land of Goshen, to dwell in. The Hyksos or “shepherd” king who thus showed favour to Joseph and his family was in all probability the Pharaoh Apopi (or Apopis).

Thus favoured, the Israelites began to “multiply exceedingly” (Gen_47:27), and extended to the west and south. At length the supremacy of the Hyksos came to an end. The descendants of Jacob were allowed to retain their possession of Goshen undisturbed, but after the death of Joseph their position was not so favourable. The Egyptians began to despise them, and the period of their “affliction” (Gen_15:13) commenced. They were sorely oppressed. They continued, however, to increase in numbers, and “the land was filled with them” (Exo_1:7). The native Egyptians regarded them with suspicion, so that they felt all the hardship of a struggle for existence.

In process of time “a king [probably Seti I.] arose who knew not Joseph” (Exo_1:8). The circumstances of the country were such that this king thought it necessary to weaken his Israelite subjects by oppressing them, and by degrees reducing their number. They were accordingly made public slaves, and were employed in connection with his numerous buildings, especially in the erection of store-cities, temples, and palaces. The children of Israel were made to serve with rigour. Their lives were made bitter with hard bondage, and “all their service, wherein they made them serve, was with rigour” (Exo_1:13Exo_1:14). But this cruel oppression had not the result expected of reducing their number. On the contrary, “the more the Egyptians afflicted them, the more they multiplied and grew” (Exo_1:12).

The king next tried, through a compact secretly made with the guild of midwives, to bring about the destruction of all the Hebrew male children that be born. But the king's wish was not rigorously enforced; the male children were spared by the midwives, so that “the people multiplied” more than ever. Thus baffled, the king issued a public proclamation calling on the people to put to death all the Hebrew male children by casting them into the river ( Exo_1:22). But neither by this edict was the king's purpose effected.

One of the Hebrew households into which this cruel edict of the king brought great alarm was that of Amram, of the family of the Kohathites ( Exo_6:16-20), who with his wife Jochebed and two children, Miriam, a girl of perhaps fifteen years of age, and Aaron, a boy of three years, resided in or near Memphis, the capital city of that time. In this quiet home a male child was born (1571 B.C.). His mother concealed him in the house for three months from the knowledge of the civic authorities. But when the task of concealment became difficult, Jochebed contrived to bring her child under the notice of the daughter of the king by constructing for him an ark of bulrushes, which she laid among the flags which grew on the edge of the river at the spot where the princess was wont to come down and bathe. Her plan was successful. The king's daughter “saw the child; and behold the child wept.” The princess sent Miriam, who was standing by, to fetch a nurse. She went and brought the mother of the child, to whom the princess said, “Take this child away, and nurse it for me, and I will give thee thy wages.” Thus Jochebed's child, whom the princess called “Moses”, i.e., “Saved from the water” (Exo_2:10), was ultimately restored to her.

As soon as the natural time for weaning the child had come, he was transferred from the humble abode of his father to the royal palace, where he was brought up as the adopted son of the princess, his mother probably accompanying him and caring still for him. He grew up amid all the grandeur and excitement of the Egyptian court, maintaining, however, probably a constant fellowship with his mother, which was of the highest importance as to his religious belief and his interest in his “brethren.” His education would doubtless be carefully attended to, and he would enjoy all the advantages of training both as to his body and his mind. He at length became “learned in all the wisdom of the Egyptians” (Act_7:22). Egypt had then two chief seats of learning, or universities, at one of which, probably that of Heliopolis, his education was completed. Moses, being now about twenty years of age, spent over twenty more before he came into prominence in Bible history. These twenty years were probably spent in military service. There is a tradition recorded by Josephus that he took a lead in the war which was then waged between Egypt and Ethiopia, in which he gained renown as a skillful general, and became “mighty in deeds” (Act_7:22).

After the termination of the war in Ethiopia, Moses returned to the Egyptian court, where he might reasonably have expected to be loaded with honours and enriched with wealth. But “beneath the smooth current of his life hitherto, a life of alternate luxury at the court and comparative hardness in the camp and in the discharge of his military duties, there had lurked from childhood to youth, and from youth to manhood, a secret discontent, perhaps a secret ambition. Moses, amid all his Egyptian surroundings, had never forgotten, had never wished to forget, that he was a Hebrew.” He now resolved to make himself acquainted with the condition of his countrymen, and “went out unto his brethren, and looked upon their burdens” (Exo_2:11). This tour of inspection revealed to him the cruel oppression and bondage under which they everywhere groaned, and could not fail to press on him the serious consideration of his duty regarding them. The time had arrived for his making common cause with them, that he might thereby help to break their yoke of bondage. He made his choice accordingly (Heb_11:25-27), assured that God would bless his resolution for the welfare of his people. He now left the palace of the king and took up his abode, probably in his father's house, as one of the Hebrew people who had for forty years been suffering cruel wrong at the hands of the Egyptians.

He could not remain indifferent to the state of things around him, and going out one day among the people, his indignation was roused against an Egyptian who was maltreating a Hebrew. He rashly lifted up his hand and slew the Egyptian, and hid his body in the sand. Next day he went out again and found two Hebrews striving together. He speedily found that the deed of the previous day was known. It reached the ears of Pharaoh (the “great Rameses,” Rameses II.), who “sought to slay Moses” (Exo_2:15). Moved by fear, Moses fled from Egypt, and betook himself to the land of Midian, the southern part of the peninsula of Sinai, probably by much the same route as that by which, forty years afterwards, he led the Israelites to Sinai. He was providentially led to find a new home with the family of Reuel, where he remained for forty years (Act_7:30), under training unconsciously for his great life's work.

Suddenly the angel of the Lord appeared to him in the burning bush (Ex. 3), and commissioned him to go down to Egypt and “bring forth the children of Israel” out of bondage. He was at first unwilling to go, but at length he was obedient to the heavenly vision, and left the land of Midian ( Exo_4:18-26). On the way he was met by Aaron (q.v.) and the elders of Israel (Exo_4:27-31). He and Aaron had a hard task before them; but the Lord was with them (Ex. 7 - 12), and the ransomed host went forth in triumph. After an eventful journey to and fro in the wilderness, we see them at length encamped in the plains of Moab, ready to cross over the Jordan into the Promised Land. There Moses addressed the assembled elders ( Deu_1:1-4; 5:1 - 26:19; 27:11 - 30:20), and gives the people his last counsels, and then rehearses the great song (Deut. 32), clothing in fitting words the deep emotions of his heart at such a time, and in review of such a marvelous history as that in which he had acted so conspicuous a part. Then, after blessing the tribes (Deut. 33), he ascends to “the mountain of Nebo (q.v.), to the top of Pisgah, that is over against Jericho” ( Deu_34:1), and from thence he surveys the land. “Jehovah shewed him all the land of Gilead, unto Dan, and all Naphtali, and the land of Ephraim, and Manasseh, and all the land of Judah, unto the utmost sea, and the south, and the plain of the valley of Jericho, the city of palm trees, unto Zoar” (Deu_34:2-3), the magnificent inheritance of the tribes of whom he had been so long the leader; and there he died, being one hundred and twenty years old, according to the word of the Lord, and was buried by the Lord “in a valley in the land of Moab, over against Beth-peor” (Deu_34:6). The people mourned for him during thirty days.

Thus died “Moses the man of God” (Deu_33:1Jos_14:6). He was distinguished for his meekness and patience and firmness, and “he endured as seeing him who is invisible.” “There arose not a prophet since in Israel like unto Moses, whom the Lord knew face to face, in all the signs and the wonders, which the Lord sent him to do in the land of Egypt to Pharaoh, and to all his servants, and to all his land, and in all that mighty hand, and in all the great terror which Moses shewed in the sight of all Israel” (Deu_34:10-12).

The name of Moses occurs frequently in the Psalms and Prophets as the chief of the prophets.

In the New Testament he is referred to as the representative of the law and as a type of Christ (Joh_1:172Co_3:13-18Heb_3:5,Heb_3:6). Moses is the only character in the Old Testament to whom Christ likens himself (Joh_5:46; compare Deu_18:15Deu_18:18Deu_18:19Act_7:37). In Heb. 3:1-19 this likeness to Moses is set forth in various particulars.

In Jud_1:9 mention is made of a contention between Michael and the devil about the body of Moses. This dispute is supposed to have had reference to the concealment of the body of Moses so as to prevent idolatry. (End of Easton’s overview)

 

KEY EVENTS IN THE LIFE & CALLING OF MOSES

God called Moses

God heard the cry of the Israelites and remembered His covenant with Abraham and thus called Moses to deliver Israel from Egypt

Exo 2:23 Now it came about in the course of those many days that the king of Egypt died. And the sons of Israel sighed because of the bondage, and they cried out; and their cry for help because of their bondage rose up to God.

Exo 2:24 So God heard their groaning; and God remembered His covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

Exo 2:25 God saw the sons of Israel, and God took notice of them.

 

Exo 3:1 Now Moses was pasturing the flock of Jethro his father-in-law,

Exo 3:2 The angel of the LORD appeared to him in a blazing fire from the midst of a bush;

Exo 3:4 When the LORD saw that he turned aside to look, God called to him from the midst of the bush and said, "Moses, Moses!" And he said, "Here I am."

Exo 3:6 He said also, "I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob." Then Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look at God.

Exo 3:7 The LORD said, "I have surely seen the affliction of My people who are in Egypt, and have given heed to their cry because of their taskmasters, for I am aware of their sufferings.

Exo 3:8 " So I have come down to deliver them from the power of the Egyptians, and to bring them up from that land to a good and spacious land, to a land flowing with milk and honey , to the place of the Canaanite and the Hittite and the Amorite and the Perizzite and the Hivite and the Jebusite.

Exo 3:9 "Now, behold, the cry of the sons of Israel has come to Me;

Exo 3:10 "Therefore, come now, and I will send you to Pharaoh, so that you may bring My people, the sons of Israel, out of Egypt."

God revealed Himself to Moses as the great “I AM”

Exo 3:13 Then Moses said to God, "Behold, I am going to the sons of Israel, and I will say to them, 'The God of your fathers has sent me to you.' Now they may say to me, 'What is His name?' What shall I say to them?"

Exo 3:14 God said to Moses, "I AM WHO I AM"; and He said, "Thus you shall say to the sons of Israel, 'I AM has sent me to you.'"

God promised that He will strike Egypt with great miracles

Exo 3:19 "But I know that the king of Egypt will not permit you to go, except under compulsion.

Exo 3:20 "So I will stretch out My hand and strike Egypt with all My miracles which I shall do in the midst of it; and after that he will let you go.

Exo 3:21 "I will grant this people favor in the sight of the Egyptians; and it shall be that when you go, you will not go empty-handed.

 

God sent Aaron with Moses

Exo 4:10 Then Moses said to the LORD, "Please, Lord, I have never been eloquent, neither recently nor in time past, nor since You have spoken to Your servant; for I am slow of speech and slow of tongue."

Exo 4:13 But he said, "Please, Lord, now send the message by whomever You will."

Exo 4:14 Then the anger of the LORD burned against Moses, and He said, "Is there not your brother Aaron the Levite? I know that he speaks fluently. And moreover, behold, he is coming out to meet you; when he sees you, he will be glad in his heart.

Exo 4:15 "You are to speak to him and put the words in his mouth; and I, even I, will be with your mouth and his mouth, and I will teach you what you are to do.

Exo 4:16 "Moreover, he shall speak for you to the people; and he will be as a mouth for you and you will be as God to him.

Exo 4:29 Then Moses and Aaron went and assembled all the elders of the sons of Israel;

Exo 4:30 and Aaron spoke all the words which the LORD had spoken to Moses. He then performed the signs in the sight of the people.

Exo 4:31 So the people believed; and when they heard that the LORD was concerned about the sons of Israel and that He had seen their affliction, then they bowed low and worshiped.

God confirmed to Moses the covenant that He made with Abraham

Exo 6:2 God spoke further to Moses and said to him, "I am the LORD;

Exo 6:3 and I appeared to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, as God Almighty, but by My name, LORD, I did not make Myself known to them.

Exo 6:4 "I also established My covenant with them, to give them the land of Canaan, the land in which they sojourned.

Exo 6:5 "Furthermore I have heard the groaning of the sons of Israel, because the Egyptians are holding them in bondage, and I have remembered My covenant.

Exo 6:6 " Say, therefore, to the sons of Israel, 'I am the LORD, and I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians, and I will deliver you from their bondage. I will also redeem you with an outstretched arm and with great judgments.

Exo 6:7 'Then I will take you for My people, and I will be your God; and you shall know that I am the LORD your God, who brought you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians.

Exo 6:8 'I will bring you to the land which I swore to give to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and I will give it to you for a possession; I am the LORD .'"

Exo 6:9 So Moses spoke thus to the sons of Israel, but they did not listen to Moses on account of their despondency and cruel bondage.

God reassured Moses that Israel will be taken out of Egypt in spite of Pharaoh hardening his heart. God will show Himself mightily to Israel and the Egyptians

Exo 7:1 Then the LORD said to Moses, "See, I make you as God to Pharaoh, and your brother Aaron shall be your prophet.

Exo 7:2 "You shall speak all that I command you, and your brother Aaron shall speak to Pharaoh that he let the sons of Israel go out of his land.

Exo 7:3 "But I will harden Pharaoh's heart that I may multiply My signs and My wonders in the land of Egypt.

Exo 7:4 "When Pharaoh does not listen to you, then I will lay My hand on Egypt and bring out My hosts, My people the sons of Israel, from the land of Egypt by great judgments.

Exo 7:5 "The Egyptians shall know that I am the LORD, when I stretch out My hand on Egypt and bring out the sons of Israel from their midst."

Pharaoh hardened his heart as a result of which God showed Himself mightily against the Egyptians in the form of ten plagues

 

 

  • The ten plagues:

    The following was taken from the website:

    http://www.gotquestions.org/ten-plagues-Egypt.html and gives an excellent summary of the meaning and purpose of the ten plagues

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    Question: "What was the meaning and purpose of the ten plagues of Egypt?" 

    Answer: 
    The Ten Plagues of Egypt —also known as the Ten Plagues, the Plagues of Egypt, or the Biblical Plagues—are described in Exodus 7 –12. The plagues were ten disasters sent upon Egypt by God to convince Pharaoh to free the Israelite slaves from the bondage and oppression they had endured in Egypt for 200 years. When God sent Moses to deliver the children of Israel from bondage in Egypt, He promised to show His wonders as confirmation of Moses' authority ( Exodus 3:20 ). This confirmation was to serve at least two purposes: toshow the Israelites that the God of their fathers was alive and worthy of their worship and to show the Egyptians that their gods were nothing

    The Israelites had been enslaved in Egypt for about 200 years, and in that time, had lost faith in the God of their fathers. They believed He existed and worshiped Him, but they doubted that He could, or would, break the yoke of their bondage. The Egyptians, like many pagan cultures, worshiped a wide variety of nature-gods, and attributed to their powers the natural phenomena they saw in the world around them. There was a god of the sun, of the river, of childbirth, of crops, etc. Events like the annual flooding of the Nile, which fertilized their croplands, were evidences of their gods' powers and good will. When Moses approached Pharaoh, demanding that he let the people go, Pharaoh responded by saying, “Who is the Lord, that I should obey his voice to let Israel go? I know not the Lord, neither will I let Israel go” ( 
    Exodus 5:2). Thus began the challenge to show whose God was more powerful. 

    The first plague, turning the Nile to blood, was a judgment against Apis, the god of the Nile, Isis, goddess of the Nile, and Khnum, guardian of the Nile. The Nile was also believed to be the bloodstream of Osiris, who was reborn each year when the river flooded. The river, which formed the basis of daily life and the national economy, was devastated, as millions of fish died in the river and the water was unusable. Pharaoh was told “By this you will know that I am the LORD...” ( 
    Exodus 7:17 ). 

    The second plague, bringing frogs from the Nile, was a judgment against Heqet, the frog-headed goddess of birth. Frogs were thought to be sacred and not to be killed. God had the frogs invade every part of the homes of the Egyptians, and when they died, their stinking bodies were heaped up in offensive piles all through the land (
    Exodus 8:13-14 ). 

    The third plague, gnats (lice), was a judgment on Set, the god of the desert. Unlike the previous plagues, the magicians were unable to duplicate this one, and declared to Pharaoh, “This is the finger of God” ( 
    Exodus 8:19 ). 

    The fourth plague, flies, was a judgment on either Re or Uatchit, who were both depicted as flies. In this plague, God clearly distinguished between the Israelites and the Egyptians, as no swarms of flies bothered the areas where the Israelites lived ( 
    Exodus 8:21-24 ). 

    The fifth plague, the death of livestock, was a judgment on the goddess Hathor and the god Apis, who were both depicted as cattle. As with the previous plague, God protected His people from the plague, while the cattle of the Egyptians all died. God was steadily destroying the economy of Egypt, while showing His ability to protect and provide for those who obeyed Him. Pharaoh even sent investigators ( 
    Exodus 9:7 ) to find out if the Israelites were suffering along with the Egyptians, but the result was a hardening of his heart against them. 

    The sixth plague, boils, was a judgment against several gods over health and disease (Sekhmet, Sunu, and Isis). This time, the Bible says that the magicians “could not stand before Moses because of the boils.” Clearly, these religious leaders were powerless against the God of Israel. 

    Before God sent the last three plagues, Pharaoh was given a special message from God. These plagues would be more severe than the others, and they were designed to convince Pharaoh and all the people “that there is none like Me in all the earth” ( 
    Exodus 9:14 ). Pharaoh was even told that he was placed in his position by God, so that God could show His power and declare His name through all the earth (v. 16). As an example of His grace, God warned Pharaoh to gather whatever cattle and crops remained from the previous plagues and shelter them from the coming storm. Some of Pharaoh's servants heeded the warning (v. 20), while others did not. The seventh plague, hail, attacked Nut, the sky goddess, Osiris, the crop fertility god, and Set, the storm god. This hail was unlike any that had been seen before. It was accompanied by a fire which ran along the ground, and everything left out in the open was devastated by the hail and fire. Again, the children of Israel were miraculously protected, and no hail damaged anything in their lands. 

    Before God brought the next plague, He told Moses that the Israelites would be able to tell their children of the things they had seen God do in Egypt and how it showed them God's power. The eighth plague, locusts, again focused on Nut, Osiris, and Set. The later crops, wheat and rye, which had survived the hail, were now devoured by the swarms of locusts. There would be no harvest in Egypt that year. 

    The ninth plague, darkness, was aimed at the sun god, Re, who was symbolized by Pharaoh himself. For three days, the land of Egypt was smothered with an unearthly darkness, but the homes of the Israelites had light. 

    The tenth and last plague, the death of the firstborn males, was a judgment on Isis, the protector of children. In this plague, God was teaching the Israelites a deep spiritual lesson which pointed to Christ. Unlike the other plagues, which the Israelites survived by virtue of their identity as God's people, this plague required an act of faith by them. God commanded each family to take an unblemished male lamb and kill it. The blood of the lamb was to be smeared on the top and sides of their doorways, and the lamb was to be roasted and eaten that night. Any family that did not follow God's instructions would suffer in the last plague. God described how He would send the death angel through the land of Egypt, with orders to slay the firstborn male in every household, whether human or animal. The only protection was the blood of the lamb on the door. When the angel saw the blood, he would pass over that house and leave it untouched ( 
    Exodus 12:23 ). This is where the term “Passover” comes from. It is a memorial of that night in ancient Egypt when God delivered His people from bondage. First Corinthians 5:7 teaches that Jesus became our Passover when He died to deliver us from the bondage of sin. While the Israelites found God's protection in their homes, every other home in the land of Egypt experienced God's wrath as their loved ones died. This grievous event caused Pharaoh to finally release the Israelites. 

    By the time the Israelites left Egypt, they had a clear picture of God's power, God's protection, and God's plan for them. For those who were willing to believe, they had convincing evidence that they served the true and living God. Sadly, many still failed to believe, which led to other trials and lessons by God. The result for the Egyptians and the other ancient people of the region was a dread of the God of Israel. Pharaoh once again hardened his heart and sent his chariots after the Israelites. When God opened a way through the Red Sea for the Israelites, then drowned all of Pharaoh's armies there, the power of Egypt was crushed, and the fear of God spread through the surrounding nations ( 
    Joshua 2:9-11 ). This was the very purpose that God declared at the beginning. We can still look back on these events today to confirm our faith in, and our fear of, this true and living God, the judge of all the earth.

     

    Exodus 3:20

    Exo 3:20 "So I will stretch out My hand and strike Egypt with all My miracles which I shall do in the midst of it; and after that he will let you go.

    Exodus 12:23

    Exo 12:23 "For the LORD will pass through to smite the Egyptians; and when He sees the blood on the lintel and on the two doorposts, the LORD will pass over the door and will not allow the destroyer to come in to your houses to smite you.

    First Corinthians 5:7

    1Co 5:7 Clean out the old leaven so that you may be a new lump, just as you are in fact unleavened. For Christ our Passover also has been sacrificed.

    Joshua 2:9-11

Jos 2:9 and said to the men, "I know that the LORD has given you the land, and that the terror of you has fallen on us, and that all the inhabitants of the land have melted away before you.

Jos 2:10 "For we have heard how the LORD dried up the water of the Red Sea before you when you came out of Egypt, and what you did to the two kings of the Amorites who were beyond the Jordan, to Sihon and Og, whom you utterly destroyed.

Jos 2:11 "When we heard it, our hearts melted and no courage remained in any man any longer because of you; for the LORD your God, He is God in heaven above and on earth beneath.

(End of quotation from http://www.gotquestions.org/ten-plagues-Egypt.html )

 

  • Israel preparing for the exodus – the Passover

     

    Blood is to be shed

Exo 12:1 Now the LORD said to Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt,

Exo 12:3 "Speak to all the congregation of Israel, saying, 'On the tenth of this month they are each one to take a lamb for themselves, according to their fathers' households, a lamb for each household.

Exo 12:5 'Your lamb shall be an unblemished male a year old; you may take it from the sheep or from the goats.

Exo 12:6 'You shall keep it until the fourteenth day of the same month, then the whole assembly of the congregation of Israel is to kill it at twilight.

Exo 12:7 'Moreover, they shall take some of the blood and put it on the two doorposts and on the lintel of the houses in which they eat it.

Exo 12:8 'They shall eat the flesh that same night, roasted with fire, and they shall eat it with unleavened bread and bitter herbs.

Exo 12:11 'Now you shall eat it in this manner: with your loins girded, your sandals on your feet, and your staff in your hand; and you shall eat it in haste--it is the LORD'S Passover.

Exo 12:12 'For I will go through the land of Egypt on that night, and will strike down all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and against all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgments--I am the LORD.

Exo 12:13 ' The blood shall be a sign for you on the houses where you live; and when I see the blood I will pass over you, and no plague will befall you to destroy you when I strike the land of Egypt.

Exo 12:14 'Now this day will be a memorial to you, and you shall celebrate it as a feast to the LORD; throughout your generations you are to celebrate it as a permanent ordinance.

Exo 12:21 Then Moses called for all the elders of Israel and said to them, "Go and take for yourselves lambs according to your families, and slay the Passover lamb.

Exo 12:22 "You shall take a bunch of hyssop and dip it in the blood which is in the basin, and apply some of the blood that is in the basin to the lintel and the two doorposts; and none of you shall go outside the door of his house until morning.

Exo 12:23 " For the LORD will pass through to smite the Egyptians; and when He sees the blood on the lintel and on the two doorposts, the LORD will pass over the door and will not allow the destroyer to come in to your houses to smite you .

Exo 12:24 "And you shall observe this event as an ordinance for you and your children forever.

Exo 12:25 "When you enter the land which the LORD will give you, as He has promised, you shall observe this rite.

Exo 12:26 "And when your children say to you, 'What does this rite mean to you?'

Exo 12:27 you shall say, 'It is a Passover sacrifice to the LORD who passed over the houses of the sons of Israel in Egypt when He smote the Egyptians, but spared our homes.'" And the people bowed low and worshiped.

Exo 12:28 Then the sons of Israel went and did so; just as the LORD had commanded Moses and Aaron, so they did.

Exo 12:29 Now it came about at midnight that the LORD struck all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, from the firstborn of Pharaoh who sat on his throne to the firstborn of the captive who was in the dungeon, and all the firstborn of cattle.

 

 

  • The Exodus

    Exo 12:30 Pharaoh arose in the night, he and all his servants and all the Egyptians, and there was a great cry in Egypt, for there was no home where there was not someone dead.

Exo 12:31 Then he called for Moses and Aaron at night and said, "Rise up, get out from among my people, both you and the sons of Israel; and go, worship the LORD, as you have said.

Exo 12:35 Now the sons of Israel had done according to the word of Moses, for they had requested from the Egyptians articles of silver and articles of gold, and clothing;

Exo 12:36 and the LORD had given the people favor in the sight of the Egyptians, so that they let them have their request. Thus they plundered the Egyptians.

Exo 12:37 Now the sons of Israel journeyed from Rameses to Succoth, about six hundred thousand men on foot, aside from children.

 

Some interesting statistics

600,000 men on foot - This includes all the males who could march. The total number of the Israelites should therefore be calculated from the males above twelve or fourteen, and would therefore amount to somewhat more than two millions.

Another calculation:

They that were numbered were such as were twenty years old and upward, and able to go forth to war. So that if there were 600,000 men of twenty years old and upwards, able to bear arms, besides women, children, and old men, it may well be thought that in all there were no less than near two millions and a half.

 

From this day onward we would see the involvement of God with Israel in the most miraculous ways.

Exo 13:3 Moses said to the people, "Remember this day in which you went out from Egypt, from the house of slavery; for by a powerful hand the LORD brought you out from this place.

The following overview of the exodus of Israel from Egypt and their subsequent journeys, was taken from “Easton’s Bible Dictionary – E-Sword”

Exodus

The great deliverance wrought for the children of Israel when they were brought out of the land of Egypt with “a mighty hand and with an outstretched arm), about 1490 B.C.

The time of their sojourning in Egypt was, according to Exo_12:40, the space of four hundred and thirty years. (430 years from the promise made to Abraham: Gal 3:17 What I am saying is this: the Law, which came four hundred and thirty years later, does not invalidate a covenant previously ratified by God, so as to nullify the promise)

“The sojourning of the children of Israel and of their fathers which they sojourned in the land of Canaan and in the land of Egypt was four hundred and thirty years.” InGen_15:13-16, the period is prophetically given (in round numbers) as four hundred years.

 

During the forty years of Moses' sojourn in the land of Midian, the Hebrews in Egypt were being gradually prepared for the great national crisis which was approaching. The plagues that successively fell upon the land loosened the bonds by which Pharaoh held them in slavery, and at length he was eager that they should depart. But the Hebrews must now also be ready to go. They were poor; for generations they had laboured for the Egyptians without wages. They asked gifts from their neighbours around them (Exo_12:35), and these were readily bestowed. And then, as the first step towards their independent national organization, they observed the feast of the Passover, which was now instituted as a perpetual memorial. The blood of the paschal lamb was duly sprinkled on the poor-posts and lintels of all their houses, and they were all within, waiting the next movement in the working out of God's plan. At length the last stroke fell on the land of Egypt. “It came to pass, that at midnight Jehovah smote all the firstborn in the land of Egypt.” Pharaoh rose up in the night, and called for Moses and Aaron by night, and said, “Rise up, and get you forth from among my people, both ye and the children of Israel; and go, serve Jehovah, as ye have said. Also take your flocks and your herds, as ye have said, and be gone; and bless me also.” Thus was Pharaoh (q.v.) completely humbled and broken down. These words he spoke to Moses and Aaron “seem to gleam through the tears of the humbled king, as he lamented his son snatched from him by so sudden a death, and tremble with a sense of the helplessness which his proud soul at last felt when the avenging hand of God had visited even his palace.”

 

The terror-stricken Egyptians now urged the instant departure of the Hebrews. In the midst of the Passover feast, before the dawn of the 15th day of the month Abib (our April nearly), which was to be to them henceforth the beginning of the year, as it was the commencement of a new epoch in their history, every family, with all that appertained to it, was ready for the march, which instantly began under the leadership of the heads of tribes with their various sub-divisions. They moved onward, increasing as they went forward from all the districts of Goshen, over the whole of which they were scattered, to the common centre. Three or four days perhaps elapsed before the whole body of the people were assembled at Rameses, and ready to set out under their leader Moses (Exo_12:37Num_33:3). This city was at that time the residence of the Egyptian court, and here the interviews between Moses and Pharaoh had taken place.

 

From Rameses they journeyed to Succoth (Exo_12:37), identified with Tel-el-Maskhuta, about 12 miles west of Ismailia. Their third station was Etham (q.v.), Exo_13:20, “in the edge of the wilderness,” and was probably a little to the west of the modern town of Ismailia, on the Suez Canal. Here they were commanded “to turn and encamp before Pi-hahiroth, between Migdol and the sea”, i.e., to change their route from east to due south. The Lord now assumed the direction of their march in the pillar of cloud by day and of fire by night. They were then led along the west shore of the Red Sea till they came to an extensive camping-ground “before Pi-hahiroth,” about 40 miles from Etham. This distance from Etham may have taken three days to traverse, for the number of camping-places by no means indicates the number of days spent on the journey: e.g., it took fully a month to travel from Rameses to the wilderness of Sin (Exo_16:1), yet reference is made to only six camping-places during all that time. The exact spot of their encampment before they crossed the Red Sea cannot be determined. It was probably somewhere near the present site of Suez.

Under the direction of God the children of Israel went “forward” from the camp “before Pi-hahiroth,” and the sea opened a pathway for them, so that they crossed to the farther shore in safety. The Egyptian host pursued after them, and, attempting to follow through the sea, were overwhelmed in its returning waters, and thus the whole military force of the Egyptians perished. They “sank as lead in the mighty waters” (Exo_15:1-9; compare Psa_77:16-19).

Having reached the eastern shore of the sea, perhaps a little way to the north of 'Ayun Musa (“the springs of Moses”), there they encamped and rested probably for a day. Here Miriam and the other women sang the triumphal song recorded in Ex. 15:1-21.

From 'Ayun Musa they went on for three days through a part of the barren “wilderness of Shur” (Exo_15:22), called also the “wilderness of Etham” (Num_33:8; compareExo_13:20), without finding water. On the last of these days they came to Marah (q.v.), where the “bitter” water was by a miracle made drinkable.

Their next camping-place was Elim (q.v.), where there were twelve springs of water and a grove of “threescore and ten” palm trees (Exo_15:27).

After a time the children of Israel “took their journey from Elim,” and encamped by the Red Sea (Num_33:10), and thence removed to the “wilderness of Sin” (to be distinguished from the wilderness of Zin, Num_20:1), where they again encamped. Here, probably the modern el-Markha, the supply of bread they had brought with them out of Egypt failed. They began to “murmur” for want of bread. God “heard their murmurings” and gave them quails and manna, “bread from heaven” (Ex. 16:4-36). Moses directed that an omer of manna should be put aside and preserved as a perpetual memorial of God's goodness. They now turned inland, and after three encampments came to the rich and fertile valley of Rephidim, in the Wady Feiran. Here they found no water, and again murmured against Moses. Directed by God, Moses procured a miraculous supply of water from the “rock in Horeb,” one of the hills of the Sinai group (Exo_17:1-7); and shortly afterwards the children of Israel here fought their first battle with the Amalekites, whom they smote with the edge of the sword.

From the eastern extremity of the Wady Feiran the line of march now probably led through the Wady esh-Sheikh and the Wady Solaf, meeting in the Wady er-Rahah, “the enclosed plain in front of the magnificent cliffs of Ras Sufsafeh.” Here they encamped for more than a year (Num_1:1Num_10:11) before Sinai (q.v.).

The different encampments of the children of Israel, from the time of their leaving Egypt till they reached the Promised Land, are mentioned in Ex. 12:37 - 19; Num. 10-21; 33; Deut. 1, 2, 10.

It is worthy of notice that there are unmistakable evidences that the Egyptians had a tradition of a great exodus from their country, which could be none other than the exodus of the Hebrews. (End of Easton’s overview)

 

  • Significant events following the Exodus

I will now highlight some significant events and miraculous interventions of God which took place since Israel left Egypt

 

  • The pillar of cloud and the pillar of fire

    Exo 13:18 Hence God led the people around by the way of the wilderness to the Red Sea; and the sons of Israel went up in martial array from the land of Egypt.

Exo 13:21 The LORD was going before them in a pillar of cloud by day to lead them on the way, and in a pillar of fire by night to give them light, that they might travel by day and by night.

Exo 13:22 He did not take away the pillar of cloud by day, nor the pillar of fire by night, from before the people.

 

  • The Red Sea crossing

Exo 14:8 The LORD hardened the heart of Pharaoh, king of Egypt, and he chased after the sons of Israel as the sons of Israel were going out boldly.

Exo 14:9 Then the Egyptians chased after them with all the horses and chariots of Pharaoh, his horsemen and his army, and they overtook them camping by the sea, beside Pi-hahiroth, in front of Baal-zephon.

Exo 14:10 As Pharaoh drew near, the sons of Israel looked, and behold, the Egyptians were marching after them, and they became very frightened; so the sons of Israel cried out to the LORD.

Exo 14:13 But Moses said to the people, "Do not fear! Stand by and see the salvation of the LORD which He will accomplish for you today; for the Egyptians whom you have seen today, you will never see them again forever.

Exo 14:14 "The LORD will fight for you while you keep silent."

Exo 14:15 Then the LORD said to Moses, "Why are you crying out to Me? Tell the sons of Israel to go forward.

Exo 14:16 "As for you, lift up your staff and stretch out your hand over the sea and divide it, and the sons of Israel shall go through the midst of the sea on dry land .

Exo 14:19 The angel of God, who had been going before the camp of Israel, moved and went behind them; and the pillar of cloud moved from before them and stood behind them.

Exo 14:21 Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea; and the LORD swept the sea back by a strong east wind all night and turned the sea into dry land, so the waters were divided.

Exo 14:22 The sons of Israel went through the midst of the sea on the dry land, and the waters were like a wall to them on their right hand and on their left.

Exo 14:23 Then the Egyptians took up the pursuit, and all Pharaoh's horses, his chariots and his horsemen went in after them into the midst of the sea.

Exo 14:24 At the morning watch, the LORD looked down on the army of the Egyptians through the pillar of fire and cloud and brought the army of the Egyptians into confusion.

Exo 14:26 Then the LORD said to Moses, "Stretch out your hand over the sea so that the waters may come back over the Egyptians, over their chariots and their horsemen."

Exo 14:27 So Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and the sea returned to its normal state at daybreak, while the Egyptians were fleeing right into it; then the LORD overthrew the Egyptians in the midst of the sea.

Exo 14:31 When Israel saw the great power which the LORD had used against the Egyptians, the people feared the LORD, and they believed in the LORD and in His servant Moses.

 

  • Bitter water made sweet

Exo 15:23 When they came to Marah, they could not drink the waters of Marah, for they were bitter; therefore it was named Marah.

Exo 15:24 So the people grumbled at Moses, saying, "What shall we drink?"

Exo 15:25 Then he cried out to the LORD, and the LORD showed him a tree; and he threw it into the waters, and the waters became sweet. There He made for them a statute and regulation, and there He tested them.

Exo 15:26 And He said, "If you will give earnest heed to the voice of the LORD your God, and do what is right in His sight, and give ear to His commandments, and keep all His statutes, I will put none of the diseases on you which I have put on the Egyptians; for I, the LORD, am your healer."

Exo 15:27 Then they came to Elim where there were twelve springs of water and seventy date palms, and they camped there beside the waters.

  • Bread from Heaven

    Exo 16:2 The whole congregation of the sons of Israel grumbled against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness.

    Exo 16:4 Then the LORD said to Moses, "Behold, I will rain bread from heaven for you; and the people shall go out and gather a day's portion every day, that I may test them, whether or not they will walk in My instruction.

    Exo 16:8 Moses said, "This will happen when the LORD gives you meat to eat in the evening, and bread to the full in the morning; for the LORD hears your grumblings which you grumble against Him. And what are we? Your grumblings are not against us but against the LORD."

Exo 16:13 So it came about at evening that the quails came up and covered the camp, and in the morning there was a layer of dew around the camp.

Exo 16:14 When the layer of dew evaporated, behold, on the surface of the wilderness there was a fine flake-like thing, fine as the frost on the ground.

Exo 16:31 The house of Israel named it manna, and it was like coriander seed, white, and its taste was like wafers with honey.

Exo 16:35 The sons of Israel ate the manna forty years, until they came to an inhabited land; they ate the manna until they came to the border of the land of Canaan.

  • Water from the Rock

    Exo 17:1 Then all the congregation of the sons of Israel journeyed by stages from the wilderness of Sin, according to the command of the LORD, and camped at Rephidim, and there was no water for the people to drink.

Exo 17:5 Then the LORD said to Moses, "Pass before the people and take with you some of the elders of Israel; and take in your hand your staff with which you struck the Nile, and go.

Exo 17:6 " Behold, I will stand before you there on the rock at Horeb; and you shall strike the rock, and water will come out of it, that the people may drink ." And Moses did so in the sight of the elders of Israel.

  • Victory over the Amalekites

Exo 17:8 Then Amalek came and fought against Israel at Rephidim.

Exo 17:9 So Moses said to Joshua, "Choose men for us and go out, fight against Amalek. Tomorrow I will station myself on the top of the hill with the staff of God in my hand."

Exo 17:10 Joshua did as Moses told him, and fought against Amalek; and Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill.

Exo 17:11 So it came about when Moses held his hand up, that Israel prevailed, and when he let his hand down, Amalek prevailed.

Exo 17:12 But Moses' hands were heavy. Then they took a stone and put it under him, and he sat on it; and Aaron and Hur supported his hands, one on one side and one on the other. Thus his hands were steady until the sun set.

Exo 17:13 So Joshua overwhelmed Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword.

 


ISRAEL AT MOUNT SINAI – THE TEN COMMANDMENTS; DIFFERENT OTHER LAWS; THE TABERNACLE WITH ALL ITS FURNITURE; THE PRIESTHOOD AND THE RELIGIOUS ORDER (GOVERNMENT) ESTABLISHED

All of the aforementioned are described in the books of Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy.

 

Where did the law (of Moses) originate from?

It all started in the Garden of Eden

 

Gen 2:7 And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being.

Gen 2:8 The LORD God planted a garden eastward in Eden, and there He put the man whom He had formed.

Gen 2:9 And out of the ground the LORD God made every tree grow that is pleasant to the sight and good for food. The tree of life was also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.

 

Adam and Eve (having a free will) had a choice between life and death

Gen 2:16 And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, "Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat;

Gen 2:17 but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die."

 

They were free to partake of the “tree of life”, which signified the abundant life of God.

There was no prohibition of their eating of it, so there was no obstruction to it.

“The tree of life” was designed for their use, to support and maintain their natural life, which would have been continued, had they persisted in their obedience and state of innocence. Some calls it the “tree of immortality”.

It might be also a sign, token, and symbol to them of their dependence on God; that they received their life from God; and that this life was preserved by His blessing and providence, and not by their own power and skill; and that this would be continued, provided they transgressed not the divine law (“of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat”)

 

Christ is now to us the Tree of life and the Bread of life:

Joh 1:4 In Him was life, and the life was the light of men.

Joh 14:6 Jesus said to him, I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life; no one comes to the Father but by Me.

Joh 11:25 Jesus said to her, I am the Resurrection and the Life! He who believes in Me, though he die, yet he shall live.

Joh 6:48 I am the Bread of life.

Joh 6:51 I am the Living Bread which came down from Heaven. If anyone eats of this Bread, he shall live forever.

Rev 2:7 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give to eat of the Tree of Life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.

Rev 22:2 In the midst of its street, and of the river, from here and from there, was the Tree of Life, which bore twelve fruits, each yielding its fruit according to one month. And the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.

 

What happened when Adam partook of the “Tree of the knowledge of good and evil”?

He chose death and this resulted in:

Rom 5:12 Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned—

Rom 5:13 (For until the law sin was in the worldbut sin is not imputed when there is no law.

Rom 5:14 Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moseseven over those who had not sinned according to the likeness of the transgression of Adam, who is a type of Him who was to come.

Rom 3:10 as it is written: "There is none righteous, no not one;

Rom 3:11 there is none that understands, there is none that seeks after God."

Rom 3:12 "They are all gone out of the way, they have together become unprofitable, there is none that does good, no, not one."

Rom 3:19 Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.

Rom 3:20 Therefore by the deeds of the law no flesh will be justified in His sight, for by the law is the knowledge of sin.

“The tree of the knowledge of good and evil” is “God’s second best way of living”- the Law –the knowledge of what is wrong and what is right. Through disobedience they forfeited the privilege of living life according to God’s best. They chose to live by the secondary sources of knowledge of good and evil – a life of constant sin consciousness opposed to a life where they would be constantly conscious of God and His abundance.

This was the main driving force behind the devil conning them into disobedience – to institute a constant feeling of guilt and condemnation into the hearts of mankind.

The moment Eve and Adam partook of its fruit, the Law with all its condemnation, guilt and death was released over the earth (released but not written yet).

The writing of the Law ushered in knowledge of sin and constant sin consciousness.

 

That is why the following Scripture is of the utmost importance:

Rom 8:1 Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.

Rom 8:2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death.

Rom 8:3 For what the Law could not do, weak as it was through the flesh, God did: sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and as an offering for sin, He condemned sin in the flesh,

Rom 8:4 so that the requirement of the Law might be fulfilled in us, who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. (NASB)

 

Although Christ Jesus completely fulfilled the Law, the Law is not abolished and destroyed. I can still revert to the law and live life by its ordinances and statutes. By doing this I move away and fall from Grace .

 

Preparation to receive the Ten Commandments

Described in Exodus 19

Exo 19:1 In the third month after the sons of Israel had gone out of the land of Egypt, on that very day they came into the wilderness of Sinai.

Exo 19:3 Moses went up to God, and the LORD called to him from the mountain, saying, "Thus you shall say to the house of Jacob and tell the sons of Israel:

Exo 19:4 'You yourselves have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles' wings, and brought you to Myself.

Exo 19:5 'Now then, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be My own possession among all the peoples, for all the earth is Mine;

Exo 19:6 and you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.' These are the words that you shall speak to the sons of Israel."

Exo 19:10 The LORD also said to Moses, "Go to the people and consecrate them today and tomorrow, and let them wash their garments;

Exo 19:11 and let them be ready for the third day, for on the third day the LORD will come down on Mount Sinai in the sight of all the people.

Exo 19:16 So it came about on the third day, when it was morning, that there were thunder and lightning flashes and a thick cloud upon the mountain and a very loud trumpet sound, so that all the people who were in the camp trembled.

Exo 19:17 And Moses brought the people out of the camp to meet God, and they stood at the foot of the mountain.

Exo 19:18 Now Mount Sinai was all in smoke because the LORD descended upon it in fire; and its smoke ascended like the smoke of a furnace, and the whole mountain quaked violently.

Exo 19:19 When the sound of the trumpet grew louder and louder, Moses spoke and God answered him with thunder.

Exo 19:20 The LORD came down on Mount Sinai, to the top of the mountain; and the LORD called Moses to the top of the mountain, and Moses went up.

 

The Ten Commandments

Exo 20:1 Then God spoke all these words, saying,

Exo 20:2 "I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery.

Exo 20:3 (1)"You shall have no other gods before Me.

Exo 20:4 (2)"You shall not make for yourself an idol, or any likeness of what is in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the water under the earth.

Exo 20:5 "You shall not worship them or serve them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children, on the third and the fourth generations of those who hate Me,

Exo 20:6 but showing lovingkindness to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My commandments.

Exo 20:7 (3)"You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain, for the LORD will not leave him unpunished who takes His name in vain.

Exo 20:8 (4)"Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy.

Exo 20:9 "Six days you shall labor and do all your work,

Exo 20:10 but the seventh day is a sabbath of the LORD your God; in it you shall not do any work, you or your son or your daughter, your male or your female servant or your cattle or your sojourner who stays with you.

Exo 20:11 "For in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, the sea and all that is in them, and rested on the seventh day; therefore the LORD blessed the sabbath day and made it holy.

Exo 20:12 (5) "Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be prolonged in the land which the LORD your God gives you.

Exo 20:13 (6)"You shall not murder.

Exo 20:14 (7)"You shall not commit adultery.

Exo 20:15 (8)"You shall not steal.

Exo 20:16 (9)"You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.

Exo 20:17 (10)"You shall not covet your neighbor's house; you shall not covet your neighbor's wife or his male servant or his female servant or his ox or his donkey or anything that belongs to your neighbor."

 

Further Scriptures on the giving of the Ten Commandments

Exo 24:12 Now the LORD said to Moses, "Come up to Me on the mountain and remain there, and I will give you the stone tablets with the law and the commandment which I have written for their instruction."

Exo 31:18 When He had finished speaking with him upon Mount Sinai, He gave Moses the two tablets of the testimony, tablets of stone, written by the finger of God.

Exo 32:15 Then Moses turned and went down from the mountain with the two tablets of the testimony in his hand, tablets which were written on both sides; they were written on one side and the other.

Exo 32:16 The tablets were God's work, and the writing was God's writing engraved on the tablets.

Exo 32:17 Now when Joshua heard the sound of the people as they shouted, he said to Moses, "There is a sound of war in the camp."

Exo 32:18 But he said, "It is not the sound of the cry of triumph, Nor is it the sound of the cry of defeat; But the sound of singing I hear."

Exo 32:19 It came about, as soon as Moses came near the camp, that he saw the calf and the dancing; and Moses' anger burned, and he threw the tablets from his hands and shattered them at the foot of the mountain.

Exo 34:1 Now the LORD said to Moses, "Cut out for yourself two stone tablets like the former ones, and I will write on the tablets the words that were on the former tablets which you shattered.

Exo 34:2 "So be ready by morning, and come up in the morning to Mount Sinai, and present yourself there to Me on the top of the mountain.

Exo 34:4 So he cut out two stone tablets like the former ones, and Moses rose up early in the morning and went up to Mount Sinai, as the LORD had commanded him, and he took two stone tablets in his hand.

Exo 34:5 The LORD descended in the cloud and stood there with him as he called upon the name of the LORD.

Exo 34:6 Then the LORD passed by in front of him and proclaimed, " The LORD, the LORD God, compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in lovingkindness and truth;

Exo 34:7 who keeps lovingkindness for thousands, who forgives iniquity, transgression and sin; yet He will by no means leave the guilty unpunished, visiting the iniquity of fathers on the children and on the grandchildren to the third and fourth generations."

Exo 34:28 So he was there with the LORD forty days and forty nights; he did not eat bread or drink water. And he wrote on the tablets the words of the covenant, the Ten Commandments.

Exo 34:29 It came about when Moses was coming down from Mount Sinai (and the two tablets of the testimony were in Moses' hand as he was coming down from the mountain), that Moses did not know that the skin of his face shone because of his speaking with Him.

Exo 34:33 When Moses had finished speaking with them, he put a veil over his face.

In spite of all the glory of the Law it was only temporal – the Jews’ Tutor until Christ came

Gal 3:23 But before faith came, we were kept in custody under the lawbeing shut up to the faith which was later to be revealed.

Gal 3:24 Therefore the Law has become our tutor to lead us to Christ, so that we may be justified by faith.

Gal 3:25 But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor.

Gal 3:26 For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.

 

Paul refers to this great encounter between Moses and God where the Ten Commandments were given and calls it “the ministry of death” and “the ministry of condemnation”

2Co 3:1 Are we beginning to commend ourselves again? Or do we need, as some, letters of commendation to you or from you?

2Co 3:2 You are our letter, written in our hearts, known and read by all men;

2Co 3:3 being manifested that you are a letter of Christ, cared for by us, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts.

2Co 3:4 Such confidence we have through Christ toward God.

2Co 3:5 Not that we are adequate in ourselves to consider anything as coming from ourselves, but our adequacy is from God,

2Co 3:6 who also made us adequate as servants of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.

2Co 3:7 But if the ministry of death, in letters engraved on stones, came with glory, so that the sons of Israel could not look intently at the face of Moses because of the glory of his face, fading as it was,

2Co 3:8 how will the ministry of the Spirit fail to be even more with glory?

2Co 3:9 For if the ministry of condemnation has glory, much more does the ministry of righteousness abound in glory.

2Co 3:10 For indeed what had glory, in this case has no glory because of the glory that surpasses it.

2Co 3:11 For if that which fades away was with glory, much more that which remains is in glory.

2Co 3:12 Therefore having such a hope, we use great boldness in our speech,

2Co 3:13 and are not like Moses, who used to put a veil over his face so that the sons of Israel would not look intently at the end of what was fading away.

2Co 3:14 But their minds were hardened; for until this very day at the reading of the old covenant the same veil remains unlifted, because it is removed in Christ.

2Co 3:15 But to this day whenever Moses is read, a veil lies over their heart;

2Co 3:16 but whenever a person turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away.

2Co 3:17 Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.

2Co 3:18 But we all, with unveiled facebeholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit.

 

An appetizer: Jesus came to fulfil the Law.

The Law has served its purpose

Joh 1:17 For the law was given through Moses, but (THE)grace and (THE)truth came through Jesus Christ.

 

Grace, in the Person of Jesus Christ now replaces the law, because the law was completely fulfilled by Christ!

Mat 5:17 "Do not think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish but to fulfill. (NASB)

Mat 5:17 Do not think that I have come to do away with or undo the Law or the Prophets; I have come not to do away with or undo but to complete and fulfil them.(AMP)

 

Meaning of the word “fulfil”

With regard to the “Law”:

To thoroughly accomplish

To bring to an end by completing it

To perform fully

To reach its goal

 

With regard to the “Prophets”:

To accomplish or perform that which was foretold or prefigured in the Old Testament by the prophets

To prove fully

To confirm with the fullest evidence

 

Quotation from “The Complete Word Study New Testament” by Spiros Zodhiates, Page 948:

“When Jesus said that He came not to destroy the law or the prophets, but to fulfil, meaning that He came not only to fulfil the types and prophecies by His actions and sufferings, but also to perform perfect obedience to the law of God in His own Person and to enforce and explain it fully by His doctrine. Thus He has fully satisfied the requirements of the law.”

(With regard to the aforementioned I would refer you to my Teaching on “Grace” where this topic is covered extensively)

 

 

The People of Israel are afraid of God’s presence and Moses went alone into His presence

Exo 20:18 All the people perceived the thunder and the lightning flashes and the sound of the trumpet and the mountain smoking; and when the people saw it, they trembled and stood at a distance.

Exo 20:19 Then they said to Moses, "Speak to us yourself and we will listen; but let not God speak to us, or we will die."

Exo 20:20 Moses said to the people, "Do not be afraid; for God has come in order to test you, and in order that the fear of Him may remain with you, so that you may not sin."

In direct contrast with the undue fear and trembling of the Israelites, the Bible tells us that as a result of the finished work of Christ we now have the boldness to enter into God’s holy presence:

Heb 10:16 "This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, says the Lord: I will put My laws upon their heart, and on their mind I will write them," He then says,

Heb 10:17 "and their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more."

Heb 10:18 Now where there is forgiveness of these things, there is no longer any offering for sin.

Heb 10:19 Therefore, brethren, since we have confidence to enter the holy place by the blood of Jesus,

Heb 10:20 by a new and living way which He inaugurated for us through the veil, that is, His flesh,

Heb 10:21 and since we have a great priest over the house of God,

Heb 10:22 let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith,

In Christ we are drawn away from this mountain of fear

Heb 12:18 For you have not come to a mountain that can be touched and to a blazing fire, and to darkness and gloom and whirlwind,

Heb 12:19 and to the blast of a trumpet and the sound of words which sound was such that those who heard begged that no further word be spoken to them.

Heb 12:20 For they could not bear the command, "if even a beast touches the mountain, it will be stoned."

Heb 12:21 And so terrible was the sight, that Moses said, "I am full of fear and trembling."

Heb 12:22 But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to myriads of angels,

Heb 12:23 to the general assembly and church of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God, the Judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect,

Heb 12:24 and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood, which speaks better than the blood of Abel.

Different Laws are given

Described in Exodus 20:22-26 and in Exodus Chapters 21 to 23

Moses received instructions for building of the Sanctuary

Moses spent 40 days and 40 nights with God on the mountain where he received instructions for the building of a Sanctuary and detailed guidelines for the establishing of the Priesthood

(Recorded in Exodus Chapter 25 right through to Exodus Chapter 31)

 

Some highlights are recorded below:

 

Moses went into the presence of the Lord

Exo 24:15 Then Moses went up to the mountain, and the cloud covered the mountain.

Exo 24:16 The glory of the LORD rested on Mount Sinai, and the cloud covered it for six days; and on the seventh day He called to Moses from the midst of the cloud.

Exo 24:17 And to the eyes of the sons of Israel the appearance of the glory of the LORD was like a consuming fire on the mountain top.

Exo 24:18 Moses entered the midst of the cloud as he went up to the mountain; and Moses was on the mountain forty days and forty nights.

 

God’s instructions for a Sanctuary to be built

Exo 25:1 Then the LORD spoke to Moses, saying,

Exo 25:2 "Tell the sons of Israel to raise a contribution for Me; from every man whose heart moves him you shall raise My contribution.

Exo 25:8 "Let them construct a sanctuary for Me, that I may dwell among them.

Exo 25:9 "According to all that I am going to show you, as the pattern of the tabernacle and the pattern of all its furniture, just so you shall construct it.

 

 

God gave particulars of

  • The Ark of the Testimony (Exodus 25:10-40)

  • The Table for the Showbread and (Exodus 25:10-40)

  • The Gold Lamp stand (Exodus 25:10-40)

  • The Tabernacle itself (Exodus 26)

  • The Altar of Burnt Offerings (Exodus 27:1-8)

  • The Court of the Tabernacle (Exodus 27:9-18)

  • The garments of the Priesthood, the Ephod, the Breastplate and other Priestly Garments (Exodus 28)

  • How Aaron and his sons should be consecrated (Exodus 29:1-37)

  • The daily Offerings (Exodus 29:38-46)

  • The Altar of Incense (Exodus 30:1-10)

  • The ransom Money (Exodus 30:11-16)

  • The Bronze Laver (Exodus 30:17-21)

  • The Holy Anointing Oil (Exodus 30:22-33)

  • The Incense (Exodus 30:34-38)

  • The artisans for the building of the Tabernacle (Exodus 31:1-11)

  • The Sabbath Law (Exodus 31:12-18)

     

    The building of the Tabernacle and the making of all the Furniture is recorded in Exodus 36:8 through to Exodus 40:33

    The Tabernacle is inaugurated and filled with the Glory of LORD

    Exodus 40:34-38

Exo 40:34 Then the cloud covered the tent of meeting, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle.

Exo 40:35 Moses was not able to enter the tent of meeting because the cloud had settled on it, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle.

Exo 40:36 Throughout all their journeys whenever the cloud was taken up from over the tabernacle, the sons of Israel would set out;

Exo 40:37 but if the cloud was not taken up, then they did not set out until the day when it was taken up.

Exo 40:38 For throughout all their journeys, the cloud of the LORD was on the tabernacle by day, and there was fire in it by night, in the sight of all the house of Israel.

 

As a result of the finished work of Christ, God no longer dwells in manmade temples

Act 7:46 "David found favor in God's sight, and asked that he might find a dwelling place for the God of Jacob.

Act 7:47 "But it was Solomon who built a house for Him.

Act 7:48 "However, the Most High does not dwell in houses made by human hands; as the prophet says:

Act 17:24 "The God who made the world and all things in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands;

Act 17:25 nor is He served by human hands, as though He needed anything, since He Himself gives to all people life and breath and all things;

 

We are now the temple (the habitation, the abode) of God

Joh 14:23 Jesus answered and said to him, "If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our abode with him.

1Co 6:19 Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own?

1Co 6:20 For you have been bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body.

1Co 3:16 Do you not know that you are a temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?

1Co 3:17 If any man destroys the temple of God, God will destroy him, for the temple of God is holy, and that is what you are.

 

No distance between us and God anymore

Eph 2:10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.

Eph 2:11 Therefore remember that formerly you, the Gentiles in the flesh, who are called "Uncircumcision" by the so-called "Circumcision," which is performed in the flesh by human hands--

Eph 2:12 remember that you were at that time separate from Christexcluded from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world.

Eph 2:13 But now in Christ Jesus you who formerly were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.

Eph 2:14 For He Himself is our peace, who made both groups into one and broke down the barrier of the dividing wall,

Eph 2:15 by abolishing in His flesh the enmitywhich is the Law of commandments contained in ordinances, so that in Himself He might make the two into one new man, thus establishing peace,

Eph 2:16 and might reconcile them both in one body to God through the cross, by it having put to death the enmity.

Eph 2:17 and He came and preached peace to you who were far away, and peace to those who were near;

Eph 2:18 for through Him we both have our access in one Spirit to the Father.

Eph 2:19 So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and are of God's household,


BRIEF DESCRIPTION ON THE BOOKS OF “LEVITICUS”, “NUMBERS” AND “DEUTERONOMY” DESCRIBING GOD’S DEALINGS WITH THE NATION, ISRAEL

Leviticus

Excerpt from the introduction to the Book of Leviticus, New King James Version, Holman Bible Publishers

“Leviticus is God’s guidebook for His newly redeemed people, showing them how to worship, serve, and obey a holy God. Fellowship with God through sacrifice and obedience show the awesome holiness of the God of Israel. Indeed, “you shall be holy, for I the Lord your God am holy” (Lev 19:2)

Leviticus focuses on the worship and walk of the nation of God. In Exodus, Israel was redeemed and established as a kingdom of priests and a holy nation. Leviticus shows how God’s people are to fulfil their priestly calling.

The Talmud refers to Leviticus as the “Law of the Priests” and the “Law of the Offerings.”

This title is slightly misleading because the book does not deal with the Levites as a whole but more with the priests, a segment of the Levites.”

Brief summary of the Book “ Leviticus” taken from “Easton’s Bible Dictionary – E-Sword”

The third book of the Pentateuch; so called because it treats chiefly of the Levitical service.

In the first section of the book (Lev. 1 - 17), which exhibits the worship itself, there is,

(1.) A series of laws (Lev. 1 - 7) regarding sacrifices, burnt-offerings, meat-offerings, and thank-offerings (Lev. 1 - 3), sin-offerings and trespass-offerings (Lev. 4; 5), followed by the law of the priestly duties in connection with the offering of sacrifices (Lev. 6; 7).

(2.) An historical section (Lev. 8 - 10), giving an account of the consecration of Aaron and his sons (Lev. 8); Aaron's first offering for himself and the people (Lev. 9); Nadab and Abihu's presumption in offering “strange fire before Jehovah,” and their punishment (Lev. 10).

(3.) Laws concerning purity, and the sacrifices and ordinances for putting away impurity (Lev. 11 - 16). An interesting fact may be noted here. Canon Tristram, speaking of the remarkable discoveries regarding the flora and fauna of the Holy Land by the Palestine Exploration officers, makes the following statement: “Take these two catalogues of the clean and unclean animals in the books of Leviticus [11] and Deuteronomy [14]. There are eleven in Deuteronomy which do not occur in Leviticus, and these are nearly all animals and birds which are not found in Egypt or the Holy Land, but which are numerous in the Arabian desert. They are not named in Leviticus a few weeks after the departure from Egypt; but after the people were thirty-nine years in the desert they are named, a strong proof that the list in Deuteronomy was written at the end of the journey, and the list in Leviticus at the beginning. It fixes the writing of that catalogue to one time and period only, viz., that when the children of Israel were familiar with the fauna and the flora of the desert” (Palest. Expl. Quart., Jan. 1887).

(4.) Laws marking the separation between Israel and the heathen (Lev. 17 - 20).

(5.) Laws about the personal purity of the priests, and their eating of the holy things (Lev. 20; 21); about the offerings of Israel, that they were to be without blemish (Lev. 22:17-33); and about the due celebration of the great festivals (Lev. 23; 25).

(6.) Then follow promises and warnings to the people regarding obedience to these commandments, closing with a section on vows.

The various ordinances contained in this book were all delivered in the space of a month (Compare Exo_40:17Num_1:1), the first month of the second year after the Exodus. It is the third book of Moses.

No book contains more of the very words of God . He is almost throughout the whole of it the direct speaker. This book is a prophecy of things to come, a shadow whereof the substance is Christ and his kingdom. The principles on which it is to be interpreted are laid down in the Epistle to the HebrewsIt contains in its complicated ceremonial the gospel of the grace of God.

Numbers

Excerpt from the introduction to the Book of Numbers, New King James Version, Holman Bible Publishers

Numbers is the book of wanderings. It takes its name from the two numberings of the Israelites – the first at Mount Sinai and the second on the plains of Moab. Most of the book, however, describes Israel’s experiences as they wander in the wilderness. The lesson of Numbers is clear. While it may be necessary to pass through wilderness experiences, one does not have to live there. For Israel, an eleven day journey became a forty-year agony.”

 

Brief summary of the Book of “Numbers” taken from “Easton’s Bible Dictionary – E-Sword”

The fourth of the books of the Pentateuch, called in the Hebrew be-midbar, i.e., “in the wilderness.” In the LXX. version it iscalled “Numbers,” and this name is now the usual title of the book. It is so called because it contains a record of the numbering of the people in the wilderness of Sinai (Num. 1 - 4), and of their numbering afterwards on the plain of Moab (Num. 26).

This book is of special historical interest as furnishing us with details as to the route of the Israelites in the wilderness and their principal encampments .

It may be divided into three parts :,

1. The numbering of the people at Sinai, and preparations for their resuming their march (Num. 1 - 10:10). The sixth chapter gives an account of the vow of a Nazarite.

2. An account of the journey from Sinai to Moab, the sending out of the spies and the report they brought back, and the murmurings (eight times) of the peopleat the hardships by the way (Num. 10:11 - 21:20).

3. The transactions in the plain of Moab before crossing the Jordan (Num. 21:21 - Num. 36).

The period comprehended in the history extends from the second month of the second year after the Exodus to the beginning of the eleventh month of the fortieth year, in all about thirty-eight years and ten months; a dreary period of wanderings, during which that disobedient generation all died in the wilderness. They were fewer in number at the end of their wanderings than when they left the land of Egypt. We see in this history, on the one hand, the unceasing care of the Almighty over his chosen people during their wanderings; and, on the other hand, the murmurings and rebellions by which they offended their heavenly Protector, drew down repeated marks of his displeasure, and provoked him to say that they should “not enter into his rest” because of their unbelief (Heb_3:19).

Deuteronomy

Excerpt from the introduction to the Book of Deuteronomy, New King James Version, Holman Bible Publishers

“Deuteronomy, Moses’ “Upper Desert Discourse,” consists of a series of farewell messages by Israel’s 120-year-old leader. It is addressed to the new generation destined to possess the Land of Promise – those who survived the forty years of wilderness wandering.

Like Leviticus, Deuteronomy contains a vast amount of legal detail, but its emphasis is on the laymen rather than the priests. Moses reminds the new generation of the importance of obedience if they are to learn from the sad example of their parents”

 

Brief summary of the Book of “Deuteronomy” taken from “Easton’s Bible Dictionary – E-Sword”

In all the Hebrew manuscripts the Pentateuch forms one roll or volume divided into larger and smaller sections called parshioth and sedarim. It is not easy to say when it was divided into five books. This was probably first done by the Greek translators of the book, whom the Vulgate follows.

The fifth of these books was called by the Greeks Deuteronomion, i.e., the second law, hence our name Deuteronomy, or a second statement of the laws already promulgated. The Jews designated the book by the two first Hebrew words that occur, 'Elle haddabharim, i.e., “These are the words.” They divided it into eleven parshioth. In the English Bible it contains thirty-four chapters.

It consists chiefly of three discourses delivered by Moses a short time before his death . They were spoken to all Israel in the plains of Moab, in the eleventh month of the last year of their wanderings.

The first discourse (Deut. 1-4:40) recapitulates the chief events of the last forty years in the wilderness, with earnest exhortations to obedience to the divine ordinances, and warnings against the danger of forsaking the God of their fathers.

The second discourse (Deut. 5 - 26:19) is in effect the body of the whole book . The first address is introductory to it. It contains practically a recapitulation of the law already given by God at Mount Sinai, together with many admonitions and injunctions as to the course of conduct they were to follow when they were settled in Canaan.

The concluding discourse (Deut. 27 - 30) relates almost wholly to the solemn sanctions of the law, the blessings to the obedient, and the curse that would fall on the rebellious . He solemnly adjures them to adhere faithfully to the covenant God had made with them, and so secure for themselves and their posteritythe promised blessings.

These addresses to the people are followed by what may be called three appendices, namely

(1.) a song which God had commanded Moses to write (Deut. 32:1-47);

(2.) the blessings he pronounced on the separate tribes (Deut. 33); and

(3.) the story of his death (Deu_32:48-52and burial (Deu_34:1-12), written by some other hand, probably that of Joshua.

These farewell addresses of Moses to the tribes of Israel he had so long led in the wilderness “glow in each line with the emotions of a great leader recounting to his contemporaries the marvellous story of their common experience. The enthusiasm they kindle, even to-day, though obscured by translation, reveals their matchless adaptation to the circumstances under which they were first spoken. Confidence for the future is evoked by remembrance of the past. The same God who had done mighty works for the tribes since the Exodus would cover their head in the day of battle with the nations of Palestine, soon to be invaded. Their great lawgiver stands before us, vigorous in his hoary age, stern in his abhorrence of evil, earnest in his zeal for God, but mellowed in all relations to earth by his nearness to heaven. The commanding wisdom of his enactments, the dignity of his position as the founder of the nation and the first of prophets, enforce his utterances. But he touches our deepest emotions by the human tenderness that breathes in all his words. Standing on the verge of life, he speaks as a father giving his parting counsels to those he loves; willing to depart and be with God he has served so well, but fondly lengthening out his last farewell to the dear ones of earth. No book can compare with Deuteronomy in its mingled sublimity and tenderness.” Geikie, Hours, etc.

 

SUCCESSOR OF MOSES - JOSHUA

Calling of Joshua

Because of their unbelief and disobedience Israel wandered for forty years in the wilderness. Moses died at the age of 120 years and God called Joshua (who was raised for this purpose) to take the new generation of Israelites into the Promised Land

Jos 1:1 Now it came about after the death of Moses the servant of the LORD, that the LORD spoke to Joshua the son of Nun, Moses' servant, saying,

Jos 1:2 "Moses My servant is dead; now therefore arise, cross this Jordan, you and all this people, to the land which I am giving to them, to the sons of Israel.

Jos 1:3 "Every place on which the sole of your foot treads, I have given it to you, just as I spoke to Moses.

 

All the dealings of God with Israel under the leadership of Joshua is described in:

 

The Book of Joshua:

Excerpt from the introduction to the Book of Joshua, New King James Version, Holman Bible Publishers

Joshua, the first of the twelve historical books (Joshua – to Esther), forges a link between the Pentateuch (the First Five Books of the Bible written by Moses) and the remainder of Israel’s history. Through three major military campaigns involving more than thirty enemy armies, the people of Israel learn a crucial lesson under Joshua’s capable leadership: victory comes through faith in God and obedience to His word, rather than through military might or numerical superiority.

His name (Joshua – meaning: Yahweh is Salvation) is symbolic of the fact that although he is a leader of the Israelite nation during the conquests, the Lord is the Conqueror.”

Brief summary of the Book of “Joshua” taken from “the International Standard Bible Encyclopedia – E-Sword”

Book of Joshua,

CONTENTS

1. Invasion and Conquest of Western Palestine

2. Allotment of the Country to the Tribes of Israel

 

Contents

With regard to the contents of Joshua, it will be found to consist of two well-marked divisions, in the first of which (Joshua 1-2) are narrated the invasion and gradual conquest under the command of Joshua of the land on the West of the Jordan; while the 2nd part describes in detail the allotment of the country to the several tribes with the boundaries of their territories, and concludes with a brief notice of the death and burial of Joshua himself.

 

1. Invasion and Conquest of Western Palestine:

Joshua 1: Renewal of the Divine promise to Joshua and exhortation to fearlessness and courage (Jos_1:1-9); directions to the people to prepare for the passage of the river, and a reminder to the eastern tribes (Reuben, Gad, and half and Manasseh) of the condition under which they held their possession beyond Jordan; the renewal by these tribes of their pledge of loyalty to Moses' successor (Jos_1:10-18).

Joshua 2: The sending of the two spies from Shittim and their escape from Jericho through the stratagem of Rahab.

Joshua 3: The passage of Jordan by the people over against Jericho, the priests bearing the ark, and standing in the dry bed of the river until all the people had crossed over.

Joshua 4: Erection of 12 memorial stones on the other side of Jordan, where the people encamped after the passage of the river (Jos_4:1-14); the priests with the Ark of the Covenant ascend in their turn from out of the river-bed, and the waters return into their wonted course (Jos_4:15-24 ).

Jos_5:1-15 : Alarm excited among the kings on the West of Jordan by the news of the successful crossing of the river (Jos_5:1); circumcision of the people at Gilgal (Jos_5:2-9); celebration of the Passover at Gilgal in the plains of Jericho (Jos_5:10Jos_5:11); cessation of the supply of the manna (Jos_5:12); appearance to Joshua of the captain of the Lord's host (Jos_5:13-15).

Joshua 6: Directions given to Joshua for the siege and taking of Jericho (Jos_6:1-5); capture of the city, which is destroyed by fire, Rahab and her household alone being saved (6:6-25); a curse is pronounced on the man who rebuilds Jericho (Jos_6:26).

Joshua 7: The crime and punishment of Achan, who stole for himself part of the spoil of the captured city (Jos_7:1Jos_7:16-26); incidentally his sin is the cause of a disastrous defeat before Ai (Jos_7:2-12).

Joshua 8: The taking of Ai by a stratagem, destruction of the city, and death of its king (8:1-29); erection of an altar on Mt. Ebal, and reading of the Law before the assembled people (Jos_8:30).

Joshua 9: Gathering of the peoples of Palestine to oppose Joshua (Jos_9:1-2); a covenant of peace made with the Gibeonites, who represent themselves as strangers from a far country (9:3-26); they are, however, reduced to a condition of servitude (Jos_9:27).

Joshua 10: Combination of 5 kings of the Amorites to punish the inhabitants of Gibeon for their defection, and defeat and rout of the kings by Joshua at Beth-horon (Jos_10:1-14); return of the Israelites to Gilgal (Jos_10:15); capture and death by hanging of the 5 kings at Makkedah (Jos_10:16-27); taking and destruction of Makkedah (Jos_10:28), Libnah (Jos_10:29Jos_10:30), Lachish (Jos_10:31,Jos_10:32), Gezer (Jos_10:33), Eglon (Jos_10:34Jos_10:35), Hebron (Jos_10:36Jos_10:37), Debir (Jos_10:38,Jos_10:39), and summarily all the land, defined as from Kadesh-barnea unto Gaza, and as far North as Gibeon ( Jos_10:40-42); return to Gilgal (Jos_10:43).

Joshua 11: Defeat of Jabin, king of Hazor, and allied kings at the waters of Merom (Jos_11:1-9); destruction of Hazor (Jos_11:10-15); reiterated summary of Joshua's conquests (Jos_11:16-23).

Joshua 12: Final summary of the Israelite conquests in Canaan, of Sihon and Og on the East of the Jordan under the leadership of Moses ( Jos_12:1-6); of 31 kings and their cities on the West of the river under Joshua (12:7-24).

 

2. Allotment of the Country to the Tribes of Israel:

Joshua 13: Command to Joshua to allot the land on the West of the Jordan, even that which was still unsubdued, to the nine and a half tribes ( Jos_13:1-7); recapitulation of the inheritance given by Moses on the East of the river (Jos_13:8-13Jos_13:32); the border of Reuben (Jos_13:15-23), of Gad (Jos_13:24-28), of the half-tribe of Manasseh (Jos_13:29); the tribe of Levi alone received no the landed inheritance (Jos_13:14Jos_13:33).

Jos_14:1-15 : Renewed statement of the principle on which the division of the land had been made (Jos_14:1-5); Hebron given to Caleb for his inheritance ( Jos_14:6-15).

Joshua 15. The inheritance of Judah, and the boundaries of his territory (15:1-20), including that of Caleb (Jos_15:13-19); enumeration of the cities of Judah (15:21-63).

Jos_16:1-10 : Inheritance of the sons of Joseph (Jos_16:1-4); the border of Ephraim (Jos_16:5-10).

Joshua 17: Inheritance of Manasseh and the border of the half-tribe on the West of the Jordan (Jos_17:1); complaint of the sons of Joseph of the insufficiency of their inheritance, and grant to them by Joshua of an extension of territory (Jos_17:14-18).

Joshua 18: The land yet unsubdued divided by lot into 7 portions for the remaining 7 tribes (Jos_18:1-10); inheritance of the sons of Benjamin and the border of their territory (Jos_18:11-20); enumeration of their cities (Jos_18:21-28).

Joshua 19: Inheritance of Simeon and his border (Jos_19:1-9); of Zebulun and his border (Jos_19:10-16); of Issachar and his border (Jos_19:17-23); of Asher and his border (Jos_19:24-31); of Naphtali and his border (Jos_19:32-39); and of Dan and his border ( Jos_19:40-48); inheritance of Joshua (Jos_19:49Jos_19:50); concluding statement (Jos_19:51).

Jos_20:1-9 : Cities of Refuge appointed, three on each side of the Jordan.

Joshua 21: 48 cities with their suburbs given to the Levites out of the territories of the several tribes (21:1-41); the people had rest in the land, their enemies being subdued, according to the Divine promise (Jos_21:43-45).

Joshua 22: Dismissal of the eastern tribes to their inheritance, their duty to their brethren having been fulfilled (Jos_22:1-9); the erection by them of a great altar by the side of the Jordan aroused the suspicion of the western tribes, who feared that they intended to separate themselves from the common cause (Jos_22:10-20); their reply that the altar is to serve the purpose of a witness between themselves and their brethren ( Jos_22:21-34).

Joshua 23: Joshua's address of encouragement and warning to the people.

Joshua 24: Second address of Joshua, recalling to the people their history, and the Divine interventions on their behalf (24:1-23); the people's pledge of loyalty to the Lord, and formal covenant in Shechem (Jos_24:24Jos_24:25); the book of the law of God is committed to writing, and a stone is erected as a permanent memorial (Jos_24:26-28); death and burial of Joshua (Jos_24:29-31); burial in Shechem of the bones of Joseph, brought from Egypt (Jos_24:32); death and burial of Eleazar, son of Aaron (Jos_24:33).

 

 

Joshua – meaning: Yahweh is Salvation is a type of the Lord Jesus Christ. Joshua led the Israelites into the Promised Land. Jesus Christ is the fulfilment of all the promises of God – in Him we are complete.

 

 

 

THE LAW IS CALLED “A SHADOW OF THINGS TO COME”

 

*The further history of Israel is described in the rest of the Old Testament, but before I give a brief overview of this, just a reminder to my readers:

Every act of God in the Old Testament had Jesus Christ in mind

All of my above teachings centre around one theme:

“The coming of the Messiah – the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Living God” – and I quote from a passage from the beginning of these teachings

“Second dispensation – God’s promises to bring us back to His original creative purpose – the dispensation of the Law

The start of this dispensation is recorded in Genesis 3 where God announced that the Seed of the woman shall bruise the serpent’s head.

This exciting dispensation takes us on a journey where we experience the calling of Abraham, the Covenant that God cut with him and the Oath swearing.

During this dispensation Israel was established as a nation – with the promise that the Saviour, Jesus Christ will be born from among them.

This was the time of the Tabernacle (the Religious Order of Israel), the Law of Moses (the Principles they lived by) and the Prophets (keeping Israel on track with God’s ordinances).

 

This Dispensation was drawing to an end when our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ was born and was dramatically ended when Jesus cried out on the cross – “it is finished” and He died.

The Law is completely fulfilled and the life and abundance of Jesus Christ inaugurated.”

 

Every act of God recorded in the Old Testament had this in mind – Jesus Christ, the ultimate sacrifice is to be revealed to take away our sin and for the whole world to be made whole in and through Him.

 

Moses foretold the coming of Jesus Christ

Deu 18:15 "The LORD your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among you, from your countrymen, you shall listen to him.

 

God Himself confirmed it

Mar 9:7 Then a cloud formed, overshadowing them, and a voice came out of the cloud, "This is My beloved Son, listen to Him!"

 

Why then “the law, the tabernacle, the priestly order and all the different sacrifices”?

These were the first phase of implementation of the covenant that God cut with Abraham showing us that the “Tree of knowledge of good and evil” was unable to produce righteousness.

Only the “Tree of Life” – Jesus Christ can take away sin and sin consciousness and make us righteous children (sons) of God

2Co 5:21 He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

 

Gal 4:1 Now I say, as long as the heir is a child, he does not differ at all from a slave although he is owner of everything,

Gal 4:2 but he is under guardians and managers until the date set by the father.

Gal 4:3 So also we, while we were children, were held in bondage under the elemental things of the world.

Gal 4:4 But when the fullness of the time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law,

Gal 4:5 so that He might redeem those who were under the Law, that we might receive the adoption as sons.

Gal 4:6 Because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, "Abba! Father!

 

 

A few Scriptures confirming that the Law is called “a shadow of things to come” and our “tutor to lead us to Christ”

My question is this: Why should I spend time with a “shadow which was only for a moment” and with a “tutor which was only temporary” if I can spend quality time with the real Substance – Jesus Christ?

Col 2:16 Therefore no one is to act as your judge in regard to food or drink or in respect to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath day--

Col 2:17 things which are a mere shadow of what is to come; but the substance belongs to Christ.

Heb 8:3 For every high priest is appointed to offer both gifts and sacrifices; so it is necessary that this high priest also have something to offer.

Heb 8:4 Now if He were on earth, He would not be a priest at all, since there are those who offer the gifts according to the Law;

Heb 8:5 who serve a copy and shadow of the heavenly things, just as Moses was warned by God when he was about to erect the tabernacle; for, "SEE," He says, "that you make all things according to the pattern which was shown you on the mountain."

Heb 8:6 But now He has obtained a more excellent ministry, by as much as He is also the mediator of a better covenant, which has been enacted on better promises.

Heb 8:7 For if that first covenant had been faultless, there would have been no occasion sought for a second.

Heb 8:8 For finding fault with them, He says, "behold, days are coming, says the Lord, when I will effect a new covenant with the House of Israel and with the house of Judah;

Heb 8:9 not like the covenant which I made with their fathers on the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; for they did not continue in my covenant, and I did not care for them, says the Lord.

Heb 8:10 "for this is the covenant that I will make with the House of Israel after those days, says the Lord: I will put my laws into their minds, and I will write them on their hearts. And I will be their God, and they shall be my people.

Heb 8:11 "and they shall not teach everyone his fellow citizen, and everyone his brother, saying, 'know the Lord,' for all will know Me, from the least to the greatest of them.

Heb 8:12 "for I will be merciful to their iniquities, and I will remember their sins no more."

Heb 10:1 For the law having a shadow of the good things to come, not the very image of the things, they can never with the same sacrifices year by year, which they offer continually, make perfect them that draw nigh.

Heb 10:2 Else would they not have ceased to be offered, because the worshippers, having been once cleansed, would have had no more conscience of sins?

Heb 10:3 But in those sacrifices there is a remembrance made of sins year by year.

Heb 10:4 For it is impossible that the blood of bulls and goats should take away sins.

Heb 10:5 Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, But a body didst thou prepare for me;

Heb 10:6 In whole burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin thou hadst no pleasure:

Heb 10:7 Then said I, Lo, I am come (In the roll of the book it is written of me) To do thy will, O God.

Gal 3:19 Why the Law then? It was added because of transgressions, having been ordained through angels by the agency of a mediator, until the seed would come to whom the promise had been made.

Gal 3:20 Now a mediator is not for one party only; whereas God is only one.

Gal 3:21 Is the Law then contrary to the promises of God? May it never be! For if a law had been given which was able to impart life, then righteousness would indeed have been based on law.

Gal 3:22 But the Scripture has shut up everyone under sin, so that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe.

Gal 3:23 But before faith came, we were kept in custody under the law, being shut up to the faith which was later to be revealed.

Gal 3:24 Therefore the Law has become our tutor to lead us to Christ, so that we may be justified by faith.

Gal 3:25 But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor.

Gal 3:26 For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.


Section 3 - Overview of the Old Testament

 

OVERVIEW OF THE OLD TESTAMENT – THE BACKDROP OF THE REAL SUBSTANCE OF ALL THINGS – JESUS CHRIST THE LORD

 

I came across this excellent piece of work done by Rev. Paul R. Schmidtbleicher, Th.B., Th.M., pastor of the Evergreen Baptist Church in the Seattle Area of Washington

(Taken from his website: http://www.scriptureman.com/ - with his permission)

 

A Basic Overview of the Bible 
Part I Old Testament

(c)2000 Rev. Paul R. Schmidtbleicher, Th.B., Th.M.


Introduction: 
The Bible is an massive library of 66 separate books. Gaining an understanding of this one book composed of sixty-six is a life long study. As one has said, "It is hard to see the forest through the trees." One early approach is to come out from among the "trees" of chapters and verses and see the "forest" by way of an overview of the Bible in its scope and entirety. Such is the point of this panoramic view of God's Word. 

The Double Division: The Old and New Testaments 
The Bible is divided into two sections. The first section, called the Old Testament, takes up origins as well as the history of the Jews, the nation through whom the Messiah, Jesus Christ would come. The second section, called the New Testament, begins with the birth and life of God's Son, Jesus Christ. It then proceeds to trace the origin of the church as well as the commands and principles given to the Church. 

 

 

 

 



The Old Testament 
If the library of 39 Old Testament books were laid out in categories this is how it would look

The Old Testament contains Law, History, Poetry, Major Prophets, and Minor Prophets.


THE LAW 
The Books of Law called the "Torah" by the Jews are the first five books of the Old Testament. They contain God's revelation as to origins, the beginning of the Hebrew people, and the Laws God would give them to keep and model for the world at large. Since these five books are the basis and foundation for the rest of Scripture, a more detailed survey will be given. 

Genesis 
Genesis is the book of beginnings and origins. The first 11 chapters of Genesis are extremely important and detail a number of origins. This brief survey will highlight the first 11 chapters 
Genesis 1 - The Overview of Creation 
God created the heavens and earth in six literal days. As Adam was created out of the dust of the earth with an age of about 30 years, so God created the heavens and earth with a similar appearance of age. Man tries to assign millions of years to this earth as he would assign 30 years to Adam when he was brought into existence in less than a day. 
Genesis 2 - Details on the Creation and Placement of Man 
The man and the woman are taken up in detail. As God creates them, places them in the garden and gives them specific callings. 
Genesis 3 - The Origin of Sin 
Man was given a command by God, but chose to ignore it, thus destroying his perfect state and perfect nature. Sin entered the world and death would follow. In verse 15 is God's first promise of future salvation. 
Genesis 4 - Sin Leads to Murder 
As the children of Adam and Eve sought to approach God, the blood sacrifice was necessary. Abel obeyed, but Cain, under sin, chose his own solution, was rejected, and rose up in anger to murder his brother. 
Genesis 5 - The Line and Genealogy of Adam through Seth 
Genesis 6-8 - The Flood 
The origin of mythologies as the fallen angels cohabit with the daughters of men. Out of such sinfulness, God destroys corrupted humanity with a flood preserving Noah and his family in the Ark 
Genesis 9 - The Rainbow Covenant 
After the flood, several things change. Such things as climate, meat eating, and delegated government from God to men with capital punishment are detailed. 
Genesis 10 - The Table of Nations 
The Lord gives Divine Revelation (still used today by anthropologists) to show how mankind spread over the earth from the three sons of Noah. 
Genesis 11 - The Tower of Babel and Origin of Languages 
God's Plan was for man to spread out to populate the earth. When they came together in defiance of God to build the "tower," God scattered them through the confusion of language. 
Genesis 12-23 The Origin of the Hebrews with Abraham 
Abraham was to become the first Hebrew as he believed God and followed His guidance out of the city of Ur to go to the promised land of Canaan. Abraham exercised great faith and crossed out of his country to become the first Hebrew. He was given an unconditional covenant by God for a (1) land, (2) a progeny, and (3) a promise that through him all the world would be blessed. 
Genesis 21-27 - Isaac, Son of Abraham 
Isaac is the son of promise. The promised covenant would come through him. He obtains a wife and has twins, Esau and Jacob, an unbeliever and a believer. 
Genesis 25-36 - Jacob and His Twelve Sons 
Jacob is the son of promise, the son of faith. He will have twelve sons who, when his name is changed by God to "Israel" will become the father of the "children of Israel." 
Genesis 37-50 - Joseph, the Strongest Believing Son of Jacob 
Joseph is a strong believer hated by his brothers. He is sold into slavery to the Egyptians and ultimately rises to power in Egypt. There he will both protect his family and move the whole of them to Egypt to deliver them from a world-wide famine. 

Exodus 
Exodus is the history of Israel under Egyptian Bondage, liberation from that bondage, the "exodus" from Egypt, and the giving of God's Written Law at Mount Sinai. 
Exodus 1-3 - Egyptian Bondage and the Birth of Moses 
As Israel remains in Egypt for 430 years, the Egyptians, fearful of them, enslave them and try to hinder their growth by destroying male babies. Moses is born and raised as an adopted Egyptian. In protecting his people he is forced to flee Egypt to be called of God to go back and liberate the Hebrews. 
Exodus 4-12 - The Ten Plagues 
In an effort to get the Israelites released from Egypt, Moses is used of God to call down ten plagues of judgment against Egypt and its false gods. With the Passover plague and death of the firstborn in Egypt, God's people are released to go into the wilderness. 
Exodus 13-19 - Early Journeys and Provisions in the Wilderness 
Exodus 20-24 - The Law of the Lord Given At Mount Sinai 
As Israel reaches Mount Sinai in their journeys, the Lord gives them a system of law (10 Commandments with details) to both keep them separate from other heathen nations as well as bless them with health, wealth, and prosperity. The promise of these laws was never salvation for salvation has always been based upon ones faith in the coming of Messiah in the Old Testament and His ultimate sacrifice for sin. 
Exodus 25-40 - God's Religious System Pointing Towards Messiah 
As Moses is called up to the mountain again, the Lord gives him the plan for the Tabernacle. This would be a building that reflected a complete message on Messiah to come and the sacrifice He would offer of Himself for the sins of the world. Worship involved looking forward to Messiah and putting ones faith and trust in the salvation to be provided by Him through the visual teachings of the Tabernacle. 

Leviticus 
Leviticus takes up many details on the offerings depicting doctrines of the coming Messiah and the specialized priesthood who would function in relationship with God ultimately showing every believer's position with the Lord after the victory of the Cross of Christ. 

Numbers 
Numbers takes up the wilderness history of Israel as the men were numbered and organized into a military to "take" the promised land and execute God's judgments upon the Canaanites. In the process, Israel would fail the wilderness testings of the Lord. The first generation out of Egypt would be judged by God to die in the wilderness over 40 years while their children prepared to be faithful, walk with the Lord, and win the promised land. 

Deuteronomy 
This is the "Second Law." The book is composed of five messages of Moses to the second generation Israelites training them in God's Law, adding details, and preparing them to take the promised land. They are encamped on the East side of Jordan and being readied to cross the river to capture the land.

HISTORY 
The next segment of the Old Testament is the History segment. These twelve books take up the history of God's People - His believers - as the line of Messiah is closely followed. The history section teaches us by example and testimony as we see God working to bless the good as well as curse the bad actions of man. The History of Israel begins with the taking of the Land continues through the kingdom stage, the judgment stage and its captivity as well as return of the captives back into the land. The rest of the Old Testament relates to history contained in these twelve books.

Joshua 
General Joshua is the leadership replacement for Moses. He leads the Israelites over Jordan to Jericho, the strongest city, and a supernatural victory over the major strongholds of the Canaanites. The land is then divided among the twelve tribes with the mandate to obey and walk with the Lord and thus expand the tribal lands and domain to encompass the whole of the land. 

Judges 
The initial government in Israel set up God as King, His Law as Legislative, and the judges as Judicial being the civil leaders in courts. Each tribe begins strong, but then one by one they succumb to sin. The Canaanites are allowed to be strengthened by the Lord as judgment. When Israel cries unto the Lord to return to Him, He responds by raising up a new Deliverer, a judge. Judges such as Gideon, Deborah, and Samson would be raised up by the Lord to deliver a repentant people. The book is the up and down history of a people not fully ready to completely follow the Lord for the "long haul." 

Ruth 
Ruth story of personal faith and blessing coming out of the period of the judges. She is a Gentile Moabite woman who lived during this time and made a choice against the heathen faith of her family and for the faith in the Lord God of heaven. She is rewarded with a wonderful husband, wealth, and the ultimate blessing of being included in the genealogy of Messiah Himself. 

1 Samuel 
Samuel is the last of the Judges who is faced with a nation wanting a king before it would be God's timing. The Lord permits this and King Saul is chosen. He is a bitter disappointment as he makes choices to follow his own will rather than that of the Lord. For this reason a young lad, David, is chosen to someday become the new king. David distinguishes himself by slaying the Philistine giant, Goliath. Saul becomes obsessed with destroying David whose popularity is quickly rising above his. David is forced to flee into the wilderness where the Lord ultimately prepared him by trial and tribulation to be the new king when King Saul would be removed. 

2 Samuel

The rise and reign of King David is taken up in 2 Samuel. Details involved in ascending to the throne, leading the armies of Israel to finally take the promised land, and his fall with Bathsheba are covered. The examples given have much to teach about living close to the Lord or wandering from Him.

 

1 Kings 
The rise and reign of Solomon is revealed in the first half of 1 Kings. He builds the magnificent temple envisioned by King David his father. As he passes the throne to his son, Rehoboam, there is a split in the kingdom with 10 tribes to the north revolting against Rehoboam's rule to become Israel and the two remaining tribes in the south under Rehoboam will be known as Judah. From there begins the parallel line of kings in the northern kingdom of Israel and a line of kings in the southern kingdom of Judah. Most progressively do evil with a few interspersed reformers. By the end of 1 Kings a mighty prophet, Elijah, appears in Israel to seek to bring the nation back to the Lord.

 

2 Kings 
2 Kings continues with the parallel histories of the kings of the two kingdoms of Israel and Judah. Elijah continues to minister until taken in a chariot of fire. He passes the prophetic mantle on to Elisha, his successor. The reigns of the kings grow progressively worse with a few reformers until the Northern Kingdom of Israel is judged by being carried away captive to Assyria in 722 B.C. and the Southern Kingdom lasting 136 years longer before being judged by being carried away captive to Babylon in 586 B.C.. 

1 Chronicles 
The Chronicles are the histories of Israel with emphasis upon certain spiritual details. The first 9 chapters establish the national heritage by genealogies. The history begins with the death of Saul and the establishment of the kingdom of David. Spiritual emphasis is placed upon King David's reign as well as certain actions he took during his reign. 

2 Chronicles 
The second history with spiritual emphasis continues with Solomon and the building of the magnificent temple. The kingdom split and subsequent reigns of kings mostly in Judah are chronicled with some details on the revivals that occurred under the kings who sought reform in returning the nation to the Lord. Also covered is the judgment of Judah as they are carried away into captivity by Babylon. 

Ezra 
After Judah is carried away captive to remain enslaved for 70 years, a remnant is allowed to return. Ezra is a scribe used of the Lord to record the history of the returning remnant of Judah to Jerusalem to rebuild the land and the temple. The captives return and amidst much opposition they succeed in rebuilding the temple and dedicating it. 

Nehemiah 
At the time of the return of the captives back to Judah and Jerusalem, Nehemiah leads the efforts to rebuild the broken walls and fortifications of the city. As the rebuilding begins so does the opposition. However, the remnant persists and finishes the walls. For the first time in years the Feast of Tabernacles is observed as the Law of God is read and the people confess their wickedness. 

Esther 
At some point between the first and second return from the captivity, a great anti-Semitic tide rises against God's people. One man decides that he wants them all killed. At the same time God orchestrates Esther to be selected as queen. In her position Esther makes a very risky choice to ask for mercy for her people. The king responds and the Jews are preserved through the efforts of Esther.

 

POETRY 
The next segment of the Old Testament is composed of five books. These are the books of poetry. The poetry seeks to teach Godly principles through verbal pictures as well as music. The uniting of God's principles with illustration and verbal pictures presents His message in a compelling manner. 

Job 
Thought to be the oldest book of the Bible, it takes up the problem of human suffering. The disasters which befall Job are the working of Satan himself as he is permitted by God. God's purpose is to refine and sharpen the faith of Job. Satan's purpose is to "break" and destroy Job. As Job and his friends try to figure out the reason for the suffering, Job moves to argue with God. In the end God establishes that He is the Creator who knows what He is doing. We are his subjects and are subject to His Will in all things. Job would be refined and delivered by the Lord in His perfect timing. 

Psalms 
The psalms are the Lord's Hymnbook. Godly principles, admonitions, inspiration, and comfort are presented poetically in verbal pictures that were originally set to music. The words are inspired, but the music can be the well written music of any generation that will aid in imprinting the messages of the Psalms upon the heart. 

Proverbs 
The Proverbs are a summarization of God's Law, its principles, and commands as might be given to a student in order to master many of the major challenges of life. The Lord used Solomon to write the proverbs to train up his children. 

Ecclesiastes 
The Lord used Solomon to write this book reflecting on the futility of many areas of life when they are approached without the Lord and sought after as a substitute source of happiness apart from God. Solomon's conclusion was that it all was "emptiness." His conclusion sets forth the recommendation of the inclusion of the Lord in one's life from the earliest days of youth. 

Song of Solomon 
The Song of Solomon is the Lord's treatise of courtship, marriage and sexual union. It is to be understood literally as the Lord's guide to love between the man and the woman in marriage. Written from the perspective of lovemaking in ancient literature, it is a detailed story and guide to marital love.

 

THE PROPHETS 
There are seventeen prophetic books. Five are considered major prophets because of the length of their writings and twelve are considered minor prophets because of the relative shortness of their writings. 

Prophets were sent out to the people as they wandered away from the Lord and chose not to come before Him at the place of worship. They would bear the message of the Lord with its judgment and blessing fearlessly before a people that were in rebellion to God. 

The concept of prophet and prophecy is primarily to preach forth a message with the secondary idea of predictions for the future. The Old Testament prophets can be divided into those who preached before the judgment of God's people, during this judgment, and then afterwards. The chart below shows where the 17 prophets fit.

 

Isaiah 
Isaiah lived and preached during the days when the northern kingdom of Israel would be judged by the Lord and carried off captive to Assyria. During this time, he saw how the Lord protected the southern kingdom of Judah. He would preach to warn Judah of their own coming judgment by the Babylonians if they continued in their sins and failed to walk with the Lord. Isaiah would also look forward to the promise of the Savior and the future millennial glories of the world under the reigning Messiah. 

Jeremiah 
Jeremiah lived in the southern kingdom of Judah and preached during the days leading up to God's judgment. The people had wondered far from the Lord. They were worshiping idols and involving themselves in some of the most degenerate types of sin. The message of Jeremiah would span some 40 years until the judgment came that he both predicted and personally survived. He is called the weeping prophet because he foresaw and empathized with the sufferings soon to come upon the nation. Like all the prophets, he would also hold forth the hope of a future restoration and blessing. 

Lamentations 
Lamentations is the lamenting or crying aloud of Jeremiah as he lived through the judgment of his nation and reported its devastating effects. It would not have had to happen if God's people had turned back to the Lord. 

Ezekiel 
The judgment of God's people occurred in several stages or waves. As the Babylonians captured and enslaved Judah, Ezekiel was taken along with them. He was to minister to the captives preaching a message that they did not want to hear. Their nation was not coming to rescue them, but would themselves be carried away captive. They would not return to their land until they returned to the Lord. 

Daniel 
Daniel was also among the first group of captives taken to Babylon under the judgment of God. His ministry was as a captive more towards the Gentiles of Babylon and later, the Medes and Persians. Through faithfulness to the Lord, Daniel would rise to powerful positions in these nations. He would represent the Lord God among these nations and be given great prophetic insight into the future blessings and restoration of Israel. 

Hosea 
The Lord would supply a real life object lesson in Hosea and his married life. The messages preached by Hosea to the 10 tribes of the northern kingdom would be illustrated by what God had asked him to do. He was to marry an unfaithful wife. She would leave Hosea to run around with others and gradually sink lower and lower. At her lowest point, if she repented, Hosea was to take her back. The visual was used by Hosea to preach how Israel had deserted the Lord and gone after other god's. If Israel would repent and return, the Lord would take her back in His grace. 

Joel 
Joel is the story of a devastating locust plague that God used to judge His people for their sins. The picture of the devastation is then used as a visual to preach about the greatest judgment devastation to take place at the end time judgment of the Day of the Lord. Many of the end time prophecies in the book of Revelation are briefly introduced by Joel. God's people can avoid all of this by remaining faithful to the Lord. 

Amos 
Amos was a sheep breeder that was called by the Lord to preach to the northern kingdom of Israel. They were prosperous, affluent, and in a time of peace, but they had forgotten God. They had turned towards the idols of their neighbors and wandered from the laws of God. Justice was beginning to be lost in the midst of much greed and the poor were being mistreated. Amos was there to warn of coming judgment if the nation did not return to the Lord. 

Obadiah 
Obadiah is a short message of judgment written to the Edomites living southeast of the Dead Sea. They were distant cousins of Israel through Esau. When the Israelites, their distant cousins, were judged of the Lord, the Edomites helped the invading Babylonian armies to loot the cities after the defeat. For their celebration at the judgment of their cousins, God would judge the Edomites. 

Jonah 
Jonah was a prophet of the northern kingdom and sent to bring the gospel to the Assyrians. The Assyrians were such a wicked nation that Jonah did not want to go. He ran away from the commission of the Lord, boarded a ship, and was caught in a storm. As the one believed to be the cause of the storm, Jonah was thrown overboard, swallowed, and ultimately delivered by a huge fish. He went on to preach to the Assyrians in Ninevah who responded to the message. 

Micah 
Micah was a prophet to the southern kingdom of Judah. He preached at the time that the northern kingdom of Israel would be judged by being carried away captive by the Assyrians. His message of judgment was to Judah using the kingdom of Israel as his example. They were listening to false prophets, ungodly priests, and being ruled by dishonest leaders. Judah was heading down the same road and would also face judgment if things did not change. Intertwined with his message of judgment was a message of hope as God's great plan involving the Messiah, Jesus Christ, would unfold. 

Nahum 
After Jonah had delivered God's message to Assyria's capital city of Ninevah, he saw great repentance. Now, 150 years later, the people had returned to their wicked ways. They would assault the northern kingdom of Israel carrying out God's judgment and carrying them away captive. They had returned to their former evils and cruelty. Nahum would proclaim the judgment of God upon Ninevah and provide some comfort to Judah in knowing that the wicked acts of the Assyrians had not gone unnoticed and would be judged. 

Habakkuk 
Habakkuk is called the prophet with a question. He was concerned over the growing evils of Judah and why God was seemingly indifferent to the growing sinfulness of his times. God answered him with a startling answer. He was aware and he was going to bring the more wicked nation of Babylon against Judah for judgment. This answer startled Habakkuk who was told by the Lord to "live by his faith." In the future, the Babylonians would also be judged for the evil they had done. 

Zephaniah 
Zephaniah prophesied during the reign of young King Josiah of Judah. Zephaniah would be used of the Lord to bring about the national revival that occurred under Josiah. The early message of Zephaniah, in light of the sinfulness of Judah, was one of judgment, gloom, and doom. However, as revival sweeps the land, the message would change to hope and singing. 

Haggai 
Haggai prophesied to the remnant of God's people who returned to Jerusalem after the 70 year captivity. The rebuilding of the temple had ceased and the people were beginning to use the materials on their own houses. His message was one of warning them that their lack of vigor and prosperity was due to their failure to put the Lord and this temple first. God's blessing would come if the people completed what they had begun in building the temple. 

Zechariah 
Zechariah is companion to Haggai in preaching to the returning captives. He too was proclaiming the need to stop being sidetracked and resume the building of the temple. Zechariah would also prophesy to the returned remnant the future glories of the coming of Messiah. His prophesies encompass both the first and the second comings of Messiah together with the glorious future temple to be built at that time. 

Malachi 
Even the returning remnant after the captivity had problems with falling back into sin. Malachi would proclaim the love of God for His people, but also the Lord's complaints against His people. If they continued to move towards idol worship and intermarriages with the heathen, judgment would certainly follow. He also prophesied the hope of the future and the coming of the Savior, Jesus Christ. 

The Old Testament and the New Testament Overviewed 
A "Testament" is in its most basic meaning, a contract. The Lord God had one type of contract with mankind prior to the coming of His Son, Jesus Christ and a second new contract once the sins of humanity were paid for by the Cross of Jesus Christ. This New Contract would be the New Testament. Prior to Jesus' payment for sin, man's sins stood between man and God being unresolved. Therefore, man languished under the best that God would do, a hard system of external law to protect man and keep him close to God. Once the sin problem was handled by the death and payment of Jesus Christ, a new contract (New Testament) applied this great victory over sin enabling man to have a very personal relationship with God. This personal relationship through Jesus Christ provided direct contact with God through Jesus Christ and the indwelling Holy Spirit. Furthermore, the external laws of God under the Old Contract are no longer external, but are now being internalized. They are being inscribed within the believer to mold the believer from the inside out under the New Contract. 

The Old Testament set forth the foundation and example for relationship with God while the New Testament sets forth God's provision for that relationship with Him and the ultimate goals of such a wonderful relationship.

Thank you so much Rev. Schmidtbleicher – God bless you

 

* Reader - Now that we have a clear picture of God’s purpose with the Old Testament let’s move on to the exciting next Part – How Christ is revealed in the Old Testament

Compiled by: Deon Gerber
God's Word

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