Review: We left off in Exodus
with Israel traveling to the Promised Land. We were introduced to the 10 Commandments and we discussed how our inability to keep these commandments
points to our need of Christ. The next three chapters in the Bible (Leviticus,
Numbers, and Deuteronomy) cover the Israelite's journey to the Promised Land.
While looking at these chapters we will continue to focus on the pattern we
have so far seen in the Bible of human failure and God's faithfulness and love
for his people.
________________________________________________________________________
Leviticus-
The book of
Leviticus solves a problem that we were introduced to at the end of
Exodus. In Exodus 40:34-35 we
read that "the cloud covered the tent of meeting, and the glory of the
Lord filled the tabernacle. And Moses was not able to enter the tent of
meeting because the cloud settled on it, and the glory of the Lord
filled the tabernacle."
This is a problem because
as we remember from last week the priests were supposed to go into the temple
to meet with God.
Why was Moses not able
to enter the tent of meeting? The glory of the Lord
filled the tabernacle. When God's holy presence is in the tabernacle, sinful
human beings cannot enter, or they will be destroyed. God hates sin and cannot
allow it to be in His presence.
So, how will this
problem be solved? As we read through Leviticus, we see God’s plan to make
Israel holy, so they can be in His presence (Leviticus 11:45). This plan
includes rituals and purity laws. Today, we are going to focus on the rituals.
There are two main types
of ritual sacrifices found in Leviticus. First, we see instructions for grain offerings
(chapter 2) and peace offerings (chapter 3). These are both offerings that the
Israelites were to do to give thanks to God. Then we have burnt offerings
(chapter 1), sin offerings (chapter 4) and guilt offerings (chapter 5). All
these offerings were given to say sorry to God and atone for the people’s sin.
Leviticus also outlines yearly
sacred days that the Israelites were to keep including Passover (Leviticus 23:4-8), Pentecost (Leviticus 23:15-22) the feast of Tabernacles (Leviticus 23:33-43), etc. In chapter 16 we see another one of these sacred days which is
the Day of Atonement. On this day, the priest was to take two goats and confess
Israel’s sins while putting his hands on the goats to transfer the sins to them.
One of the goats (the sacrificial goat) was to be killed, taking the punishment
for the sins. The other goat (the scapegoat) was to be let out into the wilderness
in a remote area so that the sin would be completely removed from Israel.
How are these two goats like Jesus?
Read Galatians 3:13-15
When Jesus died for us he
paid the penalty for our sins just like the sacrificial goat died for Israel’s
sins.
Read 1 John 1:7
Jesus is also our
scapegoat because when he died we were cleansed from all our sins. They are
completely removed from us.
So, by following God’s
directions given to them in Leviticus, the people of Israel were able to become
temporarily pure. This meant that the priests would be able to enter the temple
where God was without dying. The problem we saw at the end of Exodus is solved.
Numbers-
The next book in the Bible
is Numbers. Throughout this book we continue to see Israel’s journey to the Promised
Land. Along the way, Israel continually complains and rebels against God. When
they rebel, God judges them, but He does not completely destroy Israel. Why do you think He doesn’t just wipe them
out?
God’s faithfulness and
love for His people, causes God to continually show mercy to Israel.
A great example of this
can be seen in Numbers 21:4-9. Read Numbers 21:4-9. The Israelites spoke against God so God judged this evil by sending
serpents. The people, however, repented, and looked toward the bronze serpent
which God provided to save them.
Another great example of
God’s mercy in this book is in chapters 23-25. In these chapters, the King of
Moab hires Balaam to curse Israel. Even though Israel has been continually
rebelling against God, God prevents Balaam from being able to curse Israel and
instead he blesses them.
Deuteronomy-
By the time we get to Deuteronomy,
it is time for Israel to enter the Promised Land. After wandering in the
wilderness for 40 years, the generation that was constantly disobedient to God
has dies off and their children can now go into the Promised Land. Before they
do, however, Moses takes time to call this next generation of Israel to be
faithful to God. He reminds them of the 10 Commandments and then delivers the
Shema which became a very important daily prayer in Judaism.
Read Deuteronomy 6: 4-5.
In this prayer “listen”
means more than just to hear. It also
means that Israel needs to respond and obey God’s words. The people of Israel were also to choose to
love God, giving Him their full devotion every day.
At the end of Deuteronomy,
Moses gives the people of Israel a warning.
Read Deuteronomy 30:15-18.
So, what will happen to Israel if they obey God? Israel
will be blessed
What will happen to them if they do not obey God? Israel
will be driven out of the Promised Land.
In Deuteronomy 30:4-6, Moses
believing that Israel will rebel, tells them that while they are in exile they
can turn back to God and He will circumcise (change) their hearts, so they can
love God and live.
The Israelites hearts
were hard and not able to love God completely. This is the condition of every
man's heart. Thankfully, through the death of Jesus Christ and the working of
the Holy Spirit in us, we are made able to love God fully. We no longer seek man’s
praise but desire above all else to please God.
Vocabulary
Atonement-
covering over of wrongdoing/sin bringing a restored relationship
Mercy- compassion
or forgiveness shown toward someone whom it is within one's power to punish or
harm.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Going Deeper
Read Psalm 103. Take time to thank God for His love and mercy.
Praise God in Song:
No comments:
Post a Comment