This week we are wrapping up our study of the book of Exodus and the important history that all Christians should be familiar with. The big question many Christians ask: Are we still under the Old Testament Law? We will look at that question and a little more in this conclusion to our Case for the Old Testament! Next week we are starting a new series called, A Case for the New Testament, and a study in the book of Acts. Join us and use us for your own small group Bible study!

Overview notes from the final presentation on Exodus chapters 21 through 40

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

1. 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.

a. 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?

• Detailed laws help cover the possible scenarios, and guarantee fairness for all.
• With such a large group of people it would be important to have governance in order to avoid chaos – which are the only two directions humans ever go. We see this evidenced historically, as well as in modern times – humans will characteristically fall into selfishness resulting in lawlessness and ultimately chaos.
• Note: Upon careful examination, all of the laws given by God through Moses are to show that perfection is required – as we know from experience, perfection is something no human can attain, thus the reason for sacrifice to atone. No animal sacrifice could be permanent, therefore Jesus came to be our final, perfect fulfillment of obedience to the Law, and thus a permanent sacrifice – AVAILABLE TO ALL!

Categories of the Mosaic 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.

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

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 purpose for the writings and the Law itself included…

1. Remembrance: The people were to remember God’s Covenant promise to Abraham in this expanded Covenant (that now had an obedience clause for protection)
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 and memorialize (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. Government: The Law served as civil, moral, health and safety regulations
6. 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
7. Protection: The protection clause allowed the people to choose to trust in the LORD through trials and hardship, and ultimately to look forward to God’s promise of the Seed that would crush the serpent (Satan) and thus evil, permanently.

The Mosaic Covenant 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.” 19:3-8 (NASB)

Christians would do well to consider the “principles” behind the Mosaic Law as they can apply to many things we come across in modern life today, even though they were written directly to the people of Israel at that time. Jesus never said He came to get rid of the Law, only that He came to fulfill it. Jew and Gentile alike benefit from His fulfillment of the Law because it means that no one has to fall under the penalty of the Law. However, if we so choose to follow the Law instead of Jesus then we must follow it fully and perfectly, otherwise we are subject to its consequences without hope of the mercy and grace offered by God to those who follow His Son.

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 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)

2. In chapters 25 through 27, 31, and again in 35 through 38 and 40, we are introduced to the Tabernacle.

a. What was the purpose of the Tabernacle?

• The Tabernacle allowed the people to have a place to worship God
• The Tabernacle was a holy place where God’s Shekinah Glory could dwell
• The Tabernacle was a representation of Messiah to come

The “Shekinah 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)

b. 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?

1. 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 (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).

2. Laver: This was a washbasin placed out in the courtyard of the tabernacle between the altar of burnt offering and the door of the tabernacle 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 (Titus 2:4-7; John 13:1-10).

3. 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).

4. 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. 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).

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).

6. Ark of the Covenant:  It contained the Ten Commandments, a jar of manna and Aaron’s rod that had budded. These three objects point to God’s many characteristics: He is holy as reflected in His law. He is generous and sustains us as He had sustained the Israelites, as represented in the jar of manna. It also showed His power over creation by making a dead stick bear fruit. The Lord Jesus fulfills and functions in exactly the same way – Holy, Generous and All-Powerful (The Gospels).

7. Mercy seat:  This was the lid with the two cherubim that was placed on top of the Ark. 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 the mercy God had upon them and that the people’s sin had been taken away. With the coming of Jesus this has been fulfilled once and for all (Rom. 3:25; 1 John 2:2).

Note: When Jesus died on the cross the veil of the Temple (that represented the original Tabernacle) tore from top to bottom signifying Jesus’ fulfillment of all that was prophesied, and making it possible to now come to God, not through a Priest or Temple, but through His Son Jesus (see Matthew 27:51).

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

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

In the New Testament book of Hebrews we learn that Jesus is our great High Priest. He is the fulfillment of all that was taught in the Law of Moses concerning the Priests and their role. Ultimately we learn that He is the fulfillment, not of the tribe of Levi, but of the Priestly order of Melchizedek (see Hebrews chapters 5-7).

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

A great and detailed reference on this topic is from christianstudylibrary.org – click on this link for the topic: The High Priest: His Clothes. It references their meaning and significance as it foreshadows Jesus!

Also, from gotquestions.org:

“Exodus 28 contains 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.””

4. In chapters 32 through 34 there is an incident of major disobedience on the part of the people, and even Aaron.

a. Describe what happened.

When Moses had delayed coming down from the mountain with God, the people got anxious and began to grumble to Aaron saying: “We don’t what has happened to this Moses, make us a god who will go before us.” Aaron (without arguing against them) told them to take all of their gold and bring it to him so he could make a molten calf and an alter. They sacrificed to it, feasted and partied.

b. How did God respond, and how did Moses respond?

As Moses was on the mountain with the LORD, The LORD told Moses what was happening in the camp and that He was going to wipe these “obstinate” people out. But, Moses interceded for the people to the LORD, and the LORD let Moses go down. When Moses saw what was happening he threw the tablets of God, melted the molten calf and made the people drink the water it was melted in. Then Moses told the people to make a decision, whoever was for the LORD came to Moses, and all the tribe of Levi did. Moses told the men of Levi to take their sword and kill, and about 3000 men died that day. Then Moses had the people dedicate themselves to the LORD, and Moses went back up to the mountain to make atonement for the people.

Some notes:

• “God changed His mind” – Remember the author is using terminology that the common reader would understand. God allowed for Moses to intercede for the people – this gives us a picture of what Jesus, the Messiah, would do in the future. God knows all (His sovereignty), and does not forget or change His mind, but He allows for human actions and freewill, knowing the outcome.
• The 3000 who died were obviously the ones who were instigators of the crime against God.
• God is holy and we do not really comprehend what that means – no one can see God in His full glory and live (Moses got close), but the people themselves were so obstinate and disobedient that God could only communicate to them through Moses.

Summary of Exodus

Despite similarities to other cultures and religions of the times, the Hebrew practices remained distinct in several ways:

• The idea of direct divine revelation and Theophanies (appearances of the LORD)
• The concept of strict monotheism (Deuteronomy 6:4)
• The highly ethical and moral nature of Hebrew religion in contrast to the Canaanite fertility cult
• The holy righteous character of YAWH (God) in contrast to the capricious behavior of the pagan deities
• The prohibition of human sacrifice

Exodus teaches:

• God’s Covenant with His people was not a once-for-all event that had only historical significance but it inaugurated a relationship and promise that continues today.
• The pattern presented in the Books of Moses is the pattern that stands for all of Israel’s history, and the Covenant is the standard by which Israel’s history is evaluated in the rest of the Old Testament.
• Faithfulness to the Covenant, expressed through obedience to God’s commandments, results in the blessing of God, and unfaithfulness, expressed though disobedience, brings the judgment of God.
• Moses serves as another type, or foreshadow, of Jesus, the Messiah.

Note:  The story, and details of the Law, continues on through the books of Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy. Use the “7 Focus Points” from our Reflection time as a lens in which you view the rest of the Old Testament!

Reflection

You can click on the links to review these reflection points from previous posts:

1. Practice memorizing the twelve “Major Events” of the Old Testament (you can read them or recite them), then repeat by adding in the major players and covenants within the events
2. Practice memorizing and reciting the seven major “Focus Points” for studying the Old Testament

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.

Next week we will be starting a Bible study in the book of Acts. You can get a head start by overviewing the book and reading chapter 1.

Join us next week as we begin a new class called: “A Case for the New Testament” with a study in the book of Acts! 

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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