This week, in our class presentation, we are looking at the inconsistent nature of the Israelite Nation towards God after they entered the wilderness. They are now at the point of God’s direction for building the Tabernacle and the garments to be worn by the priests, particularly Aaron’s, and we will see how the people so quickly forget God’s promise and direction as they again grumble and complain, resulting in a plunge into idolatry. We will do this by reviewing answers for Exodus chapters 21-40 from the homework with a focus on the all important foreshadowing of Jesus.

We continue to recommend watching Timothy Mahony’s “Patterns of Evidence” documentary series, which will help us understand the debate and skepticism in academia today over the dating and events of this time period.

Each week’s class includes prayer, an “apologetics” presentation, a review of last week’s Bible study, and a homework assignment. You will also find the presentation notes, Bible study questions and additional resources below and on this website.

Watch this week’s class presentation on this topic:

Overview Notes from the Presentation

Joseph to Moses: The Law, the Tabernacle and the Priests – Exodus Chapter 21-40

Prayer and Reflection

Write out your prayer cards and exchange them at the end of the class.

Bible Knowledge Practice (answers can be found in the introduction session of this class):

1.  What are the five categories of the Old Testament books in the Christian Bible and what are the 39 books of the Old Testament in each of those five categories? (Hint 5-12-5-5-12)

2.  What are the “Major Historical Events” – the “Major Players” involved in those events – and the “Major Covenants” found in Genesis and Exodus?

3.  What is the “Big Picture” of the Bible (12 points to remember)?

4.  What are the (8) most important focus points to watch for when studying the Old Testament?

Read, or recite, the memory verses out loud with your group:

• The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction. Proverbs 1:7 (NASB)
• Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.  Proverbs 3:5-6 (NASB)

Review of last week’s Bible Study with Basic Answers: Exodus Chapters 21 – 40

Always remember to pray before you study and ask the Holy Spirit to teach you and lead you into the truth found in God’s Word – pray for protection from the evil one who will try to discourage, distract and deceive us when we commit to growing closer to the LORD.

Note: Questions are taken directly from the chapters, and answers should be found and cited from the Scripture text in order to be Biblically accurate (unless asked to summarize in your own words). Study Bibles, commentaries and your own thoughts can be used for Discussion or Going Deeper questions. If you use these kinds of sources share them with your group.

1.  Review of Class Topic: Before getting into the Bible study questions, discuss today’s class presentation by summarizing what you learned, commenting or asking any questions.

Answers will vary…

• Timothy Mahony’s Patterns of Evidence, The Red Sea Miracle
• Evidence for three main views:
  • Egyptian view: Natural occurrence – shallow water crossing
  • Hybrid view: Natural occurrence – upper part of Gulf of Aquaba, shallow water crossing
  • Hebrew view: Supernatural occurrence – mid to lower part of Gulf of Aquaba, deep sea crossing
• Strong evidence for the Hebrew view, again, it is the Egyptian timeline and Egyptian history that contradicts the Biblical accounts – Egyptian vs. Hebrew

Read Exodus Chapters 21 through 40, then answer the following questions:

The second half of this book focuses on laws pertaining to the people, the Tabernacle and the Priests – given by God, through Moses, to the people of Israel

2.  In chapters 21 through 24 there are some specific ordinances for the people to follow. These laws were given because the actions of the people would have consequences as they wandered in the wilderness, and on into the Promised Land. 

Discuss: Why do you think it was important for God to have Moses institute such detailed laws? Do we need such detailed laws for people in today’s modern society?

Going Deeper: Are Christians under this Old Testament “Law,” why or why not?

The Importance of detail in the giving of the Law to Moses

1. Order vs. chaos: YHWH is a God of order, and the specific details provided clear and logical direction for the people, even giving possible scenarios for judging fairly and consistently.
2. Distinction: The Law was to keep the people separate and pure—distinct from other cultures, as God’s representatives for the blessing—for all the nations.
3. God’s Holiness: The Law was to show the people God’s holy character and His righteous expectations for His people.
4. Memorial: The people were to remember (through ceremonies and festivals) so that they would not forget what God had done for them – bringing them out of slavery and through the Red Sea
5. Sacrifice: Temporary animal sacrifice ultimately demonstrated that the people could not achieve God’s holiness on their own merit, but that they needed God, and His promise of a Messiah, for eternal salvation.
6. Remembrance: The people were to remember God’s Covenant promise to Abraham in this expanded Covenant (that now had an obedience clause for protection)…
7. Government: The Law served as civil, moral, health and safety regulations…

The Mosaic Covenant (the Law) is the expansion of the Abrahamic Covenant with the addition of a protection clause:

“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: You yourselves have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles’ wings, and brought you to Myself. 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; 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.” So Moses came and called the elders of the people, and set before them all these words which the Lord had commanded him. All the people answered together and said, “All that the Lord has spoken we will do!” And Moses brought back the words of the people to the Lord.”  Exodus 19:3-8 (NASB)

Categories of the Law

1. Civil and criminal conduct—rules for living together as a nation
2. Moral, health and safety conduct—rules for right living, proper diet and germ avoidance
3. Ceremonial and ritual conduct—worship rules that included sacrifices for praise; sacrifices for wrongs committed; offerings to honor God; festivals and priestly duties.

Note:  These laws continue on through the book of Leviticus and are repeated in the book of Deuteronomy for the new generation.

Do we need such detailed laws for people in today’s modern society?

Answers in discussion here may vary, but…

• Human nature has not changed, therefore detailed laws help govern a society and avoid anarchy
• The Law of the Torah, particularly the Ten Commandments, has been a successful model for many governments, even in modern times today

Application for today

Does the Old Testament “Law” apply to us (Christians) today?

Short Answer: No

Proper use of hermeneutics shows us:

• The author Moses had a particular mission from God for the people of Israel who were carriers of the Covenant and the “Seed Promise”
• The audience was specifically the Nation of Israel
• The “big picture” context of Scripture shows us that Jesus, as the New Covenant, fulfilled all of the requirements of the Old Covenant, therefore making it possible for us all to come directly before the throne of God

The Old Testament principle is applied in the New Testament

• Jesus says in Matthew 5:17, “Do not think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish but to fulfill.”
• Jesus says in John 14:21, “Those who accept my commandments and obey them are the ones who love me. And because they love me, my Father will love them. And I will love them and reveal myself to each of them.”

The New Covenant replaces the Old Covenant

Jesus is the New Covenant in fulfillment of God’s Old Covenant (and Law) and the hundreds of prophecies made about Him centuries before (Luke 22:20; 2 Corinthians 3:6; Hebrews 8:7-13; 9:1-15)

“Behold, days are coming,” declares the Lord, “when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah, not like the covenant which I made with their fathers in the day I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt, My covenant which they broke, although I was a husband to them,” declares the Lord. “But this is the covenant which I will make with the house of Israel after those days,” declares the Lord, “I will put My law within them and on their heart I will write it; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people. They will not teach again, each man his neighbor and each man his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’ for they will all know Me, from the least of them to the greatest of them,” declares the Lord, “for I will forgive their iniquity, and their sin I will remember no more.”  Jeremiah 31:31 (NASB)

“In the same way He took the cup also after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood; do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.””  1 Corinthian 11:25 (NASB)

3.  In chapters 25 through 27, 31, and again in 35 through 38 and 40, we are introduced to the Tabernacle. What was the purpose of the Tabernacle? Make a list of the furniture and important pieces in the Tabernacle, and include what their purpose was. 

Going Deeper: Do we see anything that foreshadows Jesus in the Tabernacle and/or its furniture?

The Purpose of the Tabernacle
from gotquestions.org

• “The tabernacle of Moses was the temporary place of worship that the Israelites built according to God’s specifications while wandering the desert and used until King Solomon built a temple. The word tabernacleis a translation of the Hebrew mishkan, which means “dwelling-place.” The Feast of Tabernacles commemorates this time of wandering before the Israelites entered the land of Canaan.
• The purpose of the tabernacle of Moses was to provide a place where the people could properly worship God. Priests sacrificed animals on the altar in the outer court. The bread of the presence, the continually burning lampstand, and the offering of incense were all in the Holy Place. And once a year, the high priest would enter the Holy of Holies as part of the ceremony of the Day of Atonement (Leviticus 16). At no other time was anyone to enter the Holy of Holies, as the presence of God dwelt with the Ark of the Covenant. When Jesus was crucified, the veilbetween the Holy Place and the Holy of Holies in the temple ripped from top to bottom (Matthew 27:51). Just as He fulfilled for all time the sacrificial requirements, He ushered us into the presence of God.”

The Tabernacle (Chapters 25-31)

“Then have them make a sanctuary for me, and I will dwell among them. Make this tabernacle and all its furnishings exactly like the pattern I will show you.” (Ex. 25:8-9)

Tabernacle Furniture and its Importance

Altar of burnt offering

Directly upon entering the tabernacle was the altar of burnt offering. On each corner of the altar was a horn that not only acted as an anchor point to hold the animal sacrifice in place but was also a sign of strength or assurance as to its efficacy (Ps. 18:1-2). This was there to symbolically take away people’s sin through a sacrifice of atonement just like the Lord Jesus has perfectly done for us (1 Pet. 2:24-25; Heb. 10:1-10).

Laver

The laver was a washbasin placed out in the courtyard of the tabernacle between the altar of burnt offering and the door of the tabernacle. This was where the priests had to wash themselves ceremonially so as to be consecrated or set apart for ministry. Jesus cleansed us from sin thus setting us apart for service to Him (see Titus 2:4-7; John 13:1-10).

Table of showbread

At the start of each week the priests placed 12 loaves of fresh bread on the table — one for each of the 12 tribes. This signifies how the Lord continually provided for His people as they travelled throughout the wilderness. In this way it acted as a continual reminder that God is Jehovah Jireh, the One who provides all our needs. In the same way, the Lord Jesus Christ is the bread of life who faithfully provides for all our needs (John 6:35, 48-51, 54-56).

Lampstand

The golden lampstand is a tree with a trunk and seven branches as well as leaves, flowers and fruit engraved into it. It acted as a memorial of the original “tree of life” that was located in the Garden of Eden. It was also placed on the opposite side of the room to the table of showbread and acted as a “spotlight” so that one’s attention was focused on it. Obviously Jesus is the true light of the world that brings life to all men (John 1:4-5) and He Himself promises, “Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life” (John 8:12; 9:5).

Altar of incense

Located in the outer room of the tabernacle. It was placed directly in front of the curtain, which led into the Holy of Holies. The incense used on the altar could not be used anywhere else on punishment of death. It represented the intercession the priest made on behalf of sinful humanity before the true and living God. Jesus is our High Priest and intercessor. Note how Hebrews 7:25 says: “Therefore He is able to save completely those who come to God through Him, because He always lives to intercede for them” (see John 17:1-26).

Ark of the Covenant

It contained the Ten Commandments, a jar of manna and Aaron’s rod that had budded. These three objects pointed to the very heart of what it meant to be in relationship with God. That He is holy — as reflected in His law. That He is generous — as represented in the jar of manna that had sustained the Israelites in their journey through the wilderness. And that He is powerful making a dead stick bear fruit like a living tree. The Lord Jesus fulfills and functions in exactly the same way.

Mercy seat

This was the lid with the two cherubim that was placed on top. Between the law of God and the LORD God Almighty Himself was His mercy. Once a year the High Priest would sprinkle the blood of a bull and a goat upon it to symbolize that the people’s sin had been taken away. With the coming of Jesus this has wonderfully been fulfilled once and for all (Rom. 3:25; 1 John 2:2).

Foreshadowing Jesus

From a teaching by Skip Heitzig: “There was only one door into the Tabernacle, just as there is only one way into heaven, through Jesus Christ (see John 14:6). The entrance was on the east side, which meant one had to pass through the camp of Judah to get in. (Jesus’ genealogy was from this tribe.) From the outside, the Tabernacle wasn’t particularly attractive, but the inside was adorned with ornate hangings and gold. Isaiah prophesied of Christ that “there was nothing beautiful or majestic about his appearance, nothing to attract us to him” (Isaiah 53:2). But Jesus’ life and nature are pure and divine and life-giving. The only light source in the Tabernacle, the golden lampstand, also pointed to Christ, who said, “I am the light of the world” (John 8:12). Across from the lampstand was a golden table holding the Bread of the Presence, which pointed to Jesus, who is the Bread of Life (See John 6:35).”

4.  In chapters 28 through 30 and again in chapter 39, we learn about the importance of the Priests and their Priestly Garments. 

Discuss: Is there anything in the role of the Priest that foreshadows Jesus? 

Going Deeper: Make a list of what the Priestly Garment was made of and each item’s purpose and representation.

The Role of the Priest as a foreshadow of Jesus
from gotquestions.org

• “When Jesus is called our High Priest, it is with reference to both of the previous priesthoods (Melchizedek and the Levitical priests). Like Melchizedek, He is ordained as a priest apart from the Law given on Mount Sinai (Hebrews 5:6). Like the Levitical priests, Jesus offered a sacrifice to satisfy the Law of God when He offered Himself for our sins (Hebrews 7:26-27). Unlike the Levitical priests, who had to continually offer sacrifices, Jesus only had to offer His sacrifice once, gaining eternal redemption for all who come to God through Him (Hebrews 9:12).
• One other important point about Jesus’ priesthood—every priest is appointed from among men. Jesus, though God from eternity, became a man in order to suffer death and serve as our High Priest (Hebrews 2:9). As a man, He was subject to all the weaknesses and temptations that we are, so that He could personally relate to us in our struggles (Hebrews 4:15). Jesus is greater than any other priest, so He is called our “Great High Priest” in Hebrews 4:14, and that gives us the boldness to come “unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need”” (Hebrews 4:16 KJV).

Garments of the Priests

“28 “Then bring near to yourself Aaron your brother, and his sons with him, from among the sons of Israel, to minister as priest to Me—Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar, Aaron’s sons. ² You shall make holy garments for Aaron your brother, for glory and for beauty. ³ You shall speak to all the skillful persons whom I have endowed with the spirit of wisdom, that they make Aaron’s garments to consecrate him, that he may minister as priest to Me. ⁴ These are the garments which they shall make: a breastpiece and an ephod and a robe and a tunic of checkered work, a turban and a sash, and they shall make holy garments for Aaron your brother and his sons, that he may minister as priest to Me. ⁵ They shall take the gold and the blue and the purple and the scarlet material and the fine linen. ⁶ “They shall also make the ephod of gold, of blue and purple and scarlet material and fine twisted linen, the work of the skillful workman. ⁷ It shall have two shoulder pieces joined to its two ends, that it may be joined. ⁸ The skillfully woven band, which is on it, shall be like its workmanship, of the same material: of gold, of blue and purple and scarlet material and fine twisted linen. ⁹ You shall take two onyx stones and engrave on them the names of the sons of Israel, ¹⁰ six of their names on the one stone and the names of the remaining six on the other stone, according to their birth. ¹¹As a jeweler engraves a signet, you shall engrave the two stones according to the names of the sons of Israel; you shall set them in filigree settings of gold. ¹² You shall put the two stones on the shoulder pieces of the ephod, as stones of memorial for the sons of Israel, and Aaron shall bear their names before the Lord on his two shoulders for a memorial. ¹³ You shall make filigree settings of gold, ¹⁴ and two chains of pure gold; you shall make them of twisted cordage work, and you shall put the corded chains on the filigree settings. ¹⁵ “You shall make a breastpiece of judgment, the work of a skillful workman; like the work of the ephod you shall make it: of gold, of blue and purple and scarlet material and fine twisted linen you shall make it. ¹⁶ It shall be square and folded double, a span in length and a span in width. ¹⁷ You shall mount on it four rows of stones; the first row shall be a row of ruby, topaz and emerald; ¹⁸ and the second row a turquoise, a sapphire and a diamond; ¹⁹ and the third row a jacinth, an agate and an amethyst; ²⁰ and the fourth row a beryl and an onyx and a jasper; they shall be set in gold filigree. ²¹ The stones shall be according to the names of the sons of Israel: twelve, according to their names; they shall be like the engravings of a seal, each according to his name for the twelve tribes. ²² You shall make on the breastpiece chains of twisted cordage work in pure gold. ²³ You shall make on the breastpiece two rings of gold, and shall put the two rings on the two ends of the breastpiece. ²⁴ You shall put the two cords of gold on the two rings at the ends of the breastpiece. ²⁵ You shall put the other two ends of the two cords on the two filigree settings, and put them on the shoulder pieces of the ephod, at the front of it. ²⁶ You shall make two rings of gold and shall place them on the two ends of the breastpiece, on the edge of it, which is toward the inner side of the ephod. ²⁷ You shall make two rings of gold and put them on the bottom of the two shoulder pieces of the ephod, on the front of it close to the place where it is joined, above the skillfully woven band of the ephod. ²⁸ They shall bind the breastpiece by its rings to the rings of the ephod with a blue cord, so that it will be on the skillfully woven band of the ephod, and that the breastpiece will not come loose from the ephod. ²⁹ Aaron shall carry the names of the sons of Israel in the breastpiece of judgment over his heart when he enters the holy place, for a memorial before the Lord continually. ³⁰ You shall put in the breastpiece of judgment the Urim and the Thummim, and they shall be over Aaron’s heart when he goes in before the Lord; and Aaron shall carry the judgment of the sons of Israel over his heart before the Lord continually. ³¹ “You shall make the robe of the ephod all of blue. ³² There shall be an opening at its top in the middle of it; around its opening there shall be a binding of woven work, like the opening of a coat of mail, so that it will not be torn. ³³ You shall make on its hem pomegranates of blue and purple and scarlet material, all around on its hem, and bells of gold between them all around: ³⁴ a golden bell and a pomegranate, a golden bell and a pomegranate, all around on the hem of the robe. ³⁵ It shall be on Aaron when he ministers; and its tinkling shall be heard when he enters and leaves the holy place before the Lord, so that he will not die. ³⁶ “You shall also make a plate of pure gold and shall engrave on it, like the engravings of a seal, ‘Holy to the Lord.’ ³⁷ You shall fasten it on a blue cord, and it shall be on the turban; it shall be at the front of the turban. ³⁸ It shall be on Aaron’s forehead, and Aaron shall take away the iniquity of the holy things which the sons of Israel consecrate, with regard to all their holy gifts; and it shall always be on his forehead, that they may be accepted before the Lord. ³⁹ “You shall weave the tunic of checkered work of fine linen, and shall make a turban of fine linen, and you shall make a sash, the work of a weaver. ⁴⁰ “For Aaron’s sons you shall make tunics; you shall also make sashes for them, and you shall make caps for them, for glory and for beauty. ⁴¹ You shall put them on Aaron your brother and on his sons with him; and you shall anoint them and ^[ad]ordain them and consecrate them, that they may serve Me as priests. ⁴² You shall make for them linen breeches to cover their bare flesh; they shall reach from the loins even to the thighs. ⁴³ They shall be on Aaron and on his sons when they enter the tent of meeting, or when they approach the altar to minister in the holy place, so that they do not incur guilt and die. It shall be a statute forever to him and to his descendants after him.”

Exodus 28:1-43 (NASB)

The Priestly Garment
from gotquestions.org

• Exodus 28contains a detailed description of the garments God commanded to be made and worn by the priests. These were “sacred garments” to bestow Aaron and his sons with “dignity and honor” (verse 2).
• God wanted Aaron to wear the “breastpiece of decision” to symbolize that the high priest represented the people before God: “Whenever Aaron enters the Holy Place, he will bear the names of the sons of Israel over his heart . . . as a continuing memorial before the Lord” (Exodus 28:29). It was called the “breastpiece of decision” because the Urim and Thummim, which were associated with the breastpiece, were used to determine God’s will in various matters.
• Some parts of the priestly garments were worn for safety. The high priest was required to have gold bells attached to the hem of his garment, so that “the sound of the bells will be heard when he enters the Holy Place before the Lord and when he comes out, so that he will not die” (Exodus 28:35).
• The turban was plain white, with a gold plate placed at the forehead. On the plate were inscribed the words “Holy to the Lord.” This gold plate “will be on Aaron’s forehead continually so that [the children of Israel] will be acceptable to the Lord” (Exodus 28:38). This reminder of consecration, placed so conspicuously on the outfit, symbolized the importance of approaching the Lord God in holiness.
• All the garments worn by the Old Testament priests were symbolic of being set apart for God’s work of atoning for sin. Compliance with the “dress code” was required. This is noted in verse 43: “Aaron and his sons must wear [the garments] whenever they enter the tent of meeting or approach the altar to minister in the Holy Place, so that they will not incur guilt and die.”
• While such elaborate garments may seem odd today, God used these distinctive garments to set His spiritual leaders apart from the other Israelites. Each piece of the priestly garments held significance related to the work the priests performed. The Israelites lived with a continual reminder of the importance of the priestly work. They also had a foreshadowing of Jesus, the “great high priest” (Hebrews 4:14), who would carry out God’s plan of atonement in true holiness and perfection.

5.  In chapters 32 through 34 there is an incident of major disobedience on the part of the people, and even Aaron. What happened, how did God respond, and how did Moses respond?

Discuss: What can we say about God’s patience with His people at this point? Can we take comfort that He has this same patience with us?

Breaking the Law: The Golden Calf

• Yet again, the people rebelled and complained while Moses was back on the Mountain top with the LORD, and they wanted to go back to Egypt.
• To satisfy the people, and in defiance of God’s commandments, Aaron made a golden calf for them to worship from the gold of the their wives and children’s jewelry (note: these were things that should have gone to the building and maintenance of the Tabernacle).
• The people then worshipped this image and began to eat, drink and “play” thus corrupting themselves in the sight of the LORD, and He determined to destroy them.
• But Moses (foreshadowing Jesus) interceded with the LORD on behalf of the people, and in God’s mercy He relented.

^“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. ²⁰ He took the calf which they had made and burned it with fire, and ground it to powder, and scattered it over the surface of the water and made the sons of Israel drink it. ²¹ Then Moses said to Aaron, “What did this people do to you, that you have brought such great sin upon them?” ²² Aaron said, “Do not let the anger of my lord burn; you know the people yourself, that they are prone to evil. ²³ For they said to me, ‘Make a god for us who will go before us; for this Moses, the man who brought us up from the land of Egypt, we do not know what has become of him.’ ²⁴ I said to them, ‘Whoever has any gold, let them tear it off.’ So they gave it to me, and I threw it into the fire, and out came this calf.” ²⁵ Now when Moses saw that the people were out of control—for Aaron had let them get out of control to be a derision among their enemies— ²⁶ then Moses stood in the gate of the camp, and said, “Whoever is for the Lord, come to me!” And all the sons of Levi gathered together to him. ²⁷ He said to them, “Thus says the Lord, the God of Israel, ‘Every man of you put his sword upon his thigh, and go back and forth from gate to gate in the camp, and kill every man his brother, and every man his friend, and every man his neighbor.’” ²⁸ So the sons of Levi did as Moses instructed, and about three thousand men of the people fell that day. ²⁹ Then Moses said, “Dedicate yourselves today to the Lord—for every man has been against his son and against his brother—in order that He may bestow a blessing upon you today.” ³⁰ On the next day Moses said to the people, “You yourselves have committed a great sin; and now I am going up to the Lord, perhaps I can make atonement for your sin.” ³¹ Then Moses returned to the Lord, and said, “Alas, this people has committed a great sin, and they have made a god of gold for themselves. ³² But now, if You will, forgive their sin—and if not, please blot me out from Your book which You have written!” ³³ The Lord said to Moses, “Whoever has sinned against Me, I will blot him out of My book. ³⁴ But go now, lead the people where I told you. Behold, My angel shall go before you; nevertheless in the day when I punish, I will punish them for their sin.” ³⁵ Then the Lord smote the people, because of what they did with the calf which Aaron had made.”  Exodus 32:19-35 (NASB)

^“10 Then God said, “Behold, I am going to make a covenant. Before all your people I will perform miracles which have not been produced in all the earth nor among any of the nations; and all the people among whom you live will see the working of the Lord, for it is a fearful thing that I am going to perform with you. ¹¹ “Be sure to observe what I am commanding you this day: behold, I am going to drive out the Amorite before you, and the Canaanite, the Hittite, the Perizzite, the Hivite and the Jebusite. ¹² Watch yourself that you make no covenant with the inhabitants of the land into which you are going, or it will become a snare in your midst. ¹³ But rather, you are to tear down their altars and smash their sacred pillars and cut down their Asherim ¹⁴ —for you shall not worship any other god, for the Lord, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God— ¹⁵ otherwise you might make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land and they would play the harlot with their gods and sacrifice to their gods, and someone might invite you to eat of his sacrifice, ¹⁶ and you might take some of his daughters for your sons, and his daughters might play the harlot with their gods and cause your sons also to play the harlot with their gods.””  Exodus 34:1-16 (NASB)

Discuss: God’s Patience and Hesed for His people

• Answers will vary in this discussion, but…
• We can see over and over again, God’s unconditional love that goes beyond all understanding (Hesed) and He will be faithful to His promise (Covenant) throughout all the OT story (although the people will again and again suffer the consequences of their disobedience).
• This Hesed will ultimately been seen in Jesus, as it is rooted in the sacrificial love He displayed on the Cross.

The Glory of the LORD and The Tabernacle

“Then the cloud covered the tent of meeting, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle. 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. Throughout all their journeys whenever the cloud was taken up from over the tabernacle, the sons of Israel would set out; but if the cloud was not taken up, then they did not set out until the day when it was taken up. 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.”  Exodus 40:34-38 (NASB)

• Moses continues his relationship with God, receiving new tablets and instructions on taking the people into the promised land.
• Moses also intercedes for the people as God is ready to destroy them for their wickedness and rebellion.
• They built the Tabernacle and the Glory of the LORD was with them.

Ch. 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.” This is also known as the “Shekinah Glory” of the LORD.

Bible Study

Always remember to pray before you study and ask the Holy Spirit to teach you and lead you into the truth found in God’s Word – pray for protection from the evil one who will try to discourage, distract and deceive us when we commit to growing closer to the LORD.

Rest of the Summer study:

Read through the rest of the Torah – Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy

with an eye on the following…

Focus Points for continued study in the Old Testament

1. God’s Kingdom and Sovereignty (His supreme power and authority over all things as Creator)
2. God’s Holiness (Displayed in His truth, perfection and righteous justice)
3. Humanity’s fallen nature and imperfect interaction with each other and with God (Thus the need for a Savior – Jesus, to return us to the original intended relationship)
4. God’s Hesed (His unconditional grace and love that passes all human understanding) and restorative power (The promise of forgiveness and a return to perfection through His redeeming power, ultimately in Jesus)
5. The Scarlet Thread of Jesus: Foreshadowed in the stories or events that picture Jesus – (Including Christophanies: Appearances of the pre-incarnate Jesus as the “Angel of the LORD”)
6. Satan’s attempt to crush the Righteous Seed (Throughout history Satan puts up road blocks in an attempt to thwart God’s Promise and Plan – see Genesis 3:15)
7. The importance of the Nation of Israel (Even though they made many mistakes God still uses them to fulfill His Promise and ultimate Plan)
8. God’s desire for Obedience Disobedience (When the people follow God they are blessed; when they disobey God the consequence is discipline through hardship and trials)

Some helpful notes

1. Make a commitment to read the Bible everyday (you set the time)
2. Remember the Hermeneutical method as you read, study and ask questions – get to know the big picture (see session 2 notes)
3. Don’t get hung up on secondary/tertiary questions you might have, get the big picture first and use the “shelf principle” (often the answers will come up later)
4. Remember descriptive versus prescriptive narratives (most of the Old Testament is descriptive in nature and written to a specific people at a specific time in history)
5. The Old Testament narratives and events foreshadow Jesus and picture God’s ultimate fulfillment of the Genesis 3:15 promise (we are under the New Testament/New Covenant and we can now stand on the blood of Jesus, He is our redeemer for eternity!)

Continue to join us each week as we make our “Case for Christianity!”

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You will not find this material in the public school curriculum even though it is based on solid evidence and grounded in research. It is ironic that following the evidence to where it leads stops at the door of our public schools as they will not let a “Divine footprint” in!  Join us as we examine evidence for Christianity and learn how to become a thoughtful defender and ambassador of your faith.

Click into the resource page of this website to view many of the top Christian thinkers and apologists along with some of their work; connecting to these types of resources is essential in your Christian growth.

Please let me know what you think: Give feedback, ask questions or send concerns in the comment section of the blog.

Teri Dugan

TeriDugan@truthfaithandreason.com

1 Peter 3:15