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24HoursThroughtheBible**Primarilysourcedfrom‘LearntheBiblein24Hours’,byDr.ChuckMissler,ThomasNelson

Hour5:BirthoftheNation:Exodus,Leviticus,Numbers,DeuteronomyFinishingHour4 GENESIS37-50JOSEPHTheCareerofJoseph:Genesis37-50-Joseph,favored:firstbornofRachel,thewifeJacobloved.-Coata‘seamlessrobe’not“ofmanycolors.”ThatisfromtheLatinVulgate,nottheHebrew-IndicatingthatHewaschosentobethefirstborn,thoughtheeleventhson.-Buthisbrothersareenraged.Atwhom?FatherJacob..ButJosephbecomesalegitimatesubstitutefor theirrage.PropheticDreamsofAscendancy.-Twodreamstoestablishthetruth-Similarbutdifferent-Firstdream,wheatsheavesbowdowntoJoseph.-Seconddream,Sun,Moon,12stars,11starsboweddowntoJoseph.ButtheBestWayUpforJosephisbyGoingDownFirst...-Soldintoslaverybyhisbrothers.-WronglyaccusedofsexualassaultandImprisonedbyPotiphar.-Interpretsdreams(ButlerandBaker)andisforgotten...TheAscendancyofJosephPharaoh’sDreams.-7FatCowsthen7LeanCows.-7PlumpHeadsofGrainthen7ThinHeads.-Josephcalledtointerpret.-JosephappointedPrimeMinister(secondincommand)ofEgypt.FamineBringsHisBrotherstoBuyFood.-KeepsSimeonasahostageforBenjamin.-2ndVisit:Benjaminwiththem.-Josephrevealshimselfaftertestinghisbrotherstoseeiftheyhadchanged!-JacobandthefamilymigratetoEgypt,70inall.

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TheProphesiesofJacobOvertheTribesofIsraelGenesis48-JosephistoldthathisfatherisdyingsohebringshissonsManassehandEphraimtoJosephtoreceive Jacob’sblessing-JacobblessesEphraimasthefirstbornthoughManassehwasolder-Josephthinkshemadeamistakebecauseheisoldandcannotseewell-ButJacobknowswhatheisdoing,Heb.11:21says 21ByfaithJacob,whenhewasdying,blessedeachofthesonsofJoseph,andworshiped, leaningonthetopofhisstaff.-TheLorddeclaresEphraimhisfirstborntocorroborateJacob’sblessingEphraimfirst-Jer.31:9bForIamaFathertoIsrael, AndEphraimisMyfirstborn.-ItissignificantthatEphraimovertimebecamethemostdominanttribeinthenorthafterthesplitofthe tentribesfromJudahunderRehoboam.-JacobdeclaresthatJoseph’stwosonswerenowhisandwouldbecometribal-landpossessors-AfterJacob’spropheticblessingoverJoseph’swecometoJacob’sothersonsGenesis4949:1AndJacobcalledhissonsandsaid,“Gathertogether,thatImaytellyouwhatshallbefallyouinthe lastdays....tothelastverse...49:28Allthesearethetwelvetribes(notsons)ofIsrael,andthisiswhattheirfatherspoketothem.And heblessedthem;heblessedeachoneaccordingtohisownblessing.-Thisverseendshispropheticblessings-Thefutureviewofchapter49isnotabouthisimmediatesonsbutwhattheywillbelikeasTribes-Itisinterestingthatwegetanactualpictureofhowthesesonswilllookwhentheyaretribesinthe promisedland. Hour5:BirthoftheNation:Exodus,Leviticus,Numbers,DeuteronomyTheTorahGENESIS TheBookofBeginningsEXODUS TheBirthoftheNationLEVITICUS TheFellowshipLawoftheNationNUMBERS TheWildernessWanderingsDEUTERONOMY TheLawsReviewedTheBookofEXODUS:(The“Outgoing”)ThreeMainSubjectsTheExodus(Chapters1-18)TheLaw(Chapters19-24)TheTabernacle(Chapters25-40)TheExodusFromBondage(Chapters1-18)-Exodusisacontinuationwithoutafinish-ItcontinuesGenesisandisfinishedinNumbers

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TheExodus-BackgroundFirstNecessitated-Israel’sexpansioninEgypt.-Israel’soppressioninEgypt.ExodusSpeaks-ofJudgment Plagues-ofGrace TheBloodcovering-ofMight RedSeacrossing-ofGuidance Shekinah-ofProvision Manna,water,etc.-ofFaithfulness AbrahamicCovenant-ofCondescension TheTabernacleTheSatelliteOptics-TheyenteredEgyptasafamily;theyemergedfromEgyptasanation-Entireracesheddingtheshacklesofgenerations,aweanedandraisedlongservitude.-Migratingtoanewcountry,emerginginanewcorporatelife-Isthereanymoreamazingnationalspectacleinallofhistory?-From70peopletomillionsinjustover400yearsACloserLookatTheYearsofOppression-Israel’sExpansioninEgypt.-ProsperedinGoshen.-ThePharaoh“whoknewnotJoseph.”-AnAssyrian,notEgyptian(Acts7:18;Isa52:4).-InsecureduetotherapidincreaseofHebrews.-Oppressedandenslavedthem...-TheHyksosmayhaveplacedtheAssyrianonthethroneandmayhavebuilttheGreatPyramid(which isnot“Egyptian”).-400+30yearsaffliction=430yearsofGalatians(Gal3:17).Our“Exodus”inChrist-EmancipationfromBondage-Spiritual,notjustphysical-Deliveredbythesheddingofblood-IntheFullnessofTime,His,notanimalsubstituteblood,wasshed-Itwillbeauniversalsacrifice,notjustnationalEgyptasa“Type”oftheWorld-Materialwealthandpower.-Ruledbyadespoticprince:Pharaoh=typeofSatan.-Fleshlywisdomandfalsereligion.-Organizedonforce,ambition,pleasure.-PersecutedthepeopleofGod.-OverthrownbyDivinejudgment.Moseswasschooledinallof“TheWisdomoftheEgyptians”-Thestandardofmeasure,see1Kings4:30,Acts7:22

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-Whatdidthatlearningandwisdomlooklike?-ThePapyrusEbers,1332B.C.,statesthefollowingremedies:Embeddedsplinter?Applyworm’sblood& donkey’sdung.LosingHair?Applysixfats(horse,hippopotamus,crocodile,cat,snake,ibex). TurningGray?Anointwithbloodofablackcalfwhichhasbeenboiledinoilorfatofrattlesnake.-Thewell-stockedmedicinecabinetincluded:lizard’sblood,swine’steeth,putridmeat,moisturefrom pig’sears,milkgoosegrease,asses’hooves,animalfats,excretafromanimals(human,donkeys, antelopes,dogs,cats,andflies).-Mosesstandsoutinthepre-Christianworld.-Bornduring,butdeliveredfrom,governmentordainedgenocide.-Hetookaraceofslavesandmoldedthemintoapowerfulnationthatalteredtheentirecourseofhistory.TheBurningBush-Leviticalsymbolism:-Acacia:Thornbushofthedesert-Fire:Judgement-Judged,notconsumed:Mercy/Grace-“IAMthatIAM”:-Jesus’claiminJohn8:58 58Jesussaidtothem,“Mostassuredly,Isaytoyou,beforeAbrahamwas,IAM.”TheTenPlagues“...againstallthegodsofEgyptIwillexecutejudgment...”Plagues godsjudgedWaterturnedtoblood Osiris,Isis,Horus,Hapimon,Tauret,NuFrogs HektLice(SandFlies?) GebScarabs(“Swarms”) Amon-RaMurraininanimals Apis,Hathor,BubastisBoils(Ashes) Thoth,Apis,Serapis,ImhotepHail,Fire Shu,Nut,HorusLocusts Nepri,Ermutet,Anupis,OsirisDarkness(thatwasfelt) Ra,Aten,Horus,Tem,ShuFirstborn(Passover) Pharaoh’sowndynastyThePassover-Life:“Thismonthshallbethebeginningofmonths.”-Liberty:Deliveredfrombondage.-Deliverance:Coveredbytheblood,notnationality.-Fellowship:Memorializedasafeasttothisday.-Prophetic:“BeholdtheLambofGodthattakesawaythesinoftheworld”(John1:29&34).CrossingtheRedSea-IsraelwascorneredagainsttheSea-Shekinah,asafierypillar,blockedtheEgyptianarmyastheSeapartedtoallowIsraeltocross;-AstheEgyptiansfollowed,theyaredrowned.AMeasurementStandardMicah7:15AccordingtothedaysofyourcomingoutofthelandofEgyptwillIshowuntohimmarvelousthings...

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-SeealsoPs.136:13,15TheLawCodified(Chapters19-24)-RememberofAbrahamtheLORDsaidthistoIsaacinGen.26:4-5 4AndIwillmakeyourdescendantsmultiplyasthestarsofheaven;Iwillgivetoyour descendantsalltheselands;andinyourseedallthenationsoftheearthshallbeblessed; 5becauseAbrahamobeyedMyvoiceandkeptMycharge,Mycommandments,Mystatutes,and Mylaws.”-AretheywhatMosescodified? TheMosaicCovenant.-Commandments(Moral)Chapters19-20-TheTerms.-TheParties.-TheAltar.-The“Judgments”(Social)Chapters21-22-Rightsandpractices.-TheOrdinances(Religious)Chapters23-24 –SabbathsandFeasts.TheTenCommandments1)Youshallhavenoothergodsbeforeme.2)Youshallnotworshipanygravenimage.3)YoushallnottakethenameoftheLordyourGodinvain.4)RemembertheSabbathDaytokeepitholy.5)Honoryourfatherandyourmother.6)Youshallnotmurder.(Abortion:JohntheBaptistbeganhisministryat9inlong,1.5lbs...)7)Youshallnotcommitadultery.8)Youshallnotsteal.(Privateownershipordained...)9)Youshallnotbearfalsewitness.10)Youshallnotcovet._________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________WhyWastheLawGivenFromaPostCrossPerspective?(Romans7-8:4)-Lawwasgiventoexposeoursinnature(7:7).-Itincitesthesinnaturetosinmore!(Sinnaturecannotbereformed).(7:8-23)-Todriveustodespairinself-effort(7:24,25).-TodriveustodependenceupontheHolySpiritalone(8:1-4).Romans8:3,4Forwhatthelawcouldnotdo,inthatitwasweakthroughtheflesh,GodsendinghisownSoninthelikenessofsinfulflesh,andforsin,condemnedsinintheflesh:Thattherighteousnessofthe lawmightbefulfilledinus,whowalknotaftertheflesh,butaftertheSpirit. -OutwardCommandvs.InwardPower.-ObjectiveCodevs.Subjectivechange.-CondemningEthicvs.TransformingDynamic.-“WalknotafterthefleshbutaftertheSpirit.”GospelSupersedestheLaw-CommandmentsfulfilledbyChrist:Romans10:4ForChrististheendofthelawforrighteousnessto everyonethatbelieves.-TheLaw’sOrdinances,Feasts,Sabbaths:Shadowswhicharenowsuperseded: Col.2:16Soletnoonejudgeyouinfoodorindrink,orregardingafestivaloranewmoonor sabbaths,17whichareashadowofthingstocome,butthesubstanceisofChrist.

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_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________TheTabernacleandThePriesthood“TheHouseofBlood”(Chapters25-40)-InadditiontothefamedTwoTabletsoftheLaw,-Mosesalsoreceivedasetofengineeringspecificationsforaportablesanctuary.-TheScripturesdevotemorespacetothedescriptionoftheTabernaclethananyothersinglesubject.-TheStructure,Furniture,andPriesthooddescribedinExodus.-TheOfferingsdescribedinLeviticusTheTabernacle

Note:WhentheTempleistobebuiltGodwilladdseveralarchitecturalelements(wewillexploretheimplicationswhenwegettotheBooksofKings).TheCoverings(fromoutsidetoinside)-PorpoiseorBadgerSkins(drabgrey,nobeautythatweshoulddesireHim);-Ram’sSkins,(dyedred);-Goat’sHair(SinBearer);-EmbroideredLinen:Cherubim(gold,purple,blue,scarlet,oftheHeavenlies).MaterialSymbolismBrass Fire,JudgmentGold DeitySilver Blood(SilverRedemptionShekel;30piecesofbetrayalsilver.)

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______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________V.THEDISPENSATIONOFLAW—FROMEXODUS19:1TOACTS1:26A.TheNameThefifthdispensationisalengthyone,anditiscalledtheDispensationoftheLaw.-ItgetsthisnamefromthefactthatGod’seconomywasbeingdispensedthroughtheLawofMoseswhich containedatotalof613specificcommandments.-TheDispensationofLawcoveredtheentirespanoftimefromExodus19:1throughouttherestofthe OldTestament,-Plusthe400yearintertestamentperiod,andthroughgospelhistoryuntilActs1:26,whenthe dispensationfinallychanged.B.TheChiefPersonThekeypersoninthefifthdispensationwasMoses.-ItwasMosestowhomGodgavethefoundationalrevelationsonwhichthisdispensationwasbased.C.Man’sResponsibilityInthisdispensation,manwasresponsibletotheMosaicCovenant.-Thecovenantinvolvedtwomajorareas:-First:theywereresponsibletoobeythe613commandmentsoftheLawofMoses.-Second:theyweretoobeytheprophetswhomGodwouldsendtofurtherelaborateontheLaw,define theLaw,givemeaningandapplicationtotheLaw,andexplainit.D.Man’sSpecificTestThespecifictestofthisdispensationinvolvedtwomajorthings.First:TheywereresponsibletokeeptheentireLaw,withallofits613commandments.-Thebreakingofonlyoneofthesecommandmentsmeanttoincurguiltforbreakingthemall(Jas.2:10).Second:TheyweretoacceptandbelievetheProphetwhowouldarise,theOnewhowouldbelikeunto Moses(Deut.18:15–18).-Inotherwords,theyweretoaccepttheMessiahonceHecame,becauseHewasgoingtobetheProphetlikeuntoMoses.E.Man’sFailureManfailedinbothaspectsofthetest.1-TheyfailedtokeeptheLawinitsentirety(Rom.10:1–3).-Infact,notonlydidtheyfailtokeeptheLaw,theytriedtogetaroundtheLawbyestablishingtheirown righteousness.-Byputtingintheirownlawsandsayingthatbecausetheyobeyedtheirlaws,therefore,theydidnothave toobeythelawsoftheLord.2-theyalsofailedtoaccepttheMessiah(Mat.23:1–39).-JesusdenouncedtheScribesandPharisees,theleadershipofIsraelofthatday,notonlybecausethey rejectedHismessianicclaims,-Andalsobecausetheywereleadingthenationtotherejectthosesamemessianicclaims.F.Man’sJudgmentThejudgmentofthisdispensationcameinA.D.70andinvolvedtwothings:1-thedestructionofJerusalemandtheTemple;and2-theworldwidedispersionoftheJewishpeopleastheywereexiledfromtheLand.

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G.God’sDisplayofGrace-ThefacetofgracewasseenthroughouttheDispensationofLawintwoways.First-ThesacrificialsystemwasprovidedbecausetheJewwasnotabletokeepall613commandments.-WhenevertheindividualJewfailed,thiscouldbecoveredbythesacrificialsystemasameansfor restoringthesinner.-Thesacrificialsystemwouldnottakeawaytheirsin,andnoJewwaseversavedbecausehemerely broughtasacrificetotheTabernacleortheTemple.-Asineveryage,theJewwassavedbygracethroughfaithinGod.-Hisfaithwastheelementthatsavedhim,buthisfaithhadtohavecontent.-Inthiscase,thecontentofhisfaithwasthesacrificialsystem.-WhenhebroughtthatsacrificetotheTabernacleorTemple,hehadthefaiththatbythemeansofthe sheddingofblood,hissinswouldbecovered,andfellowshipwouldberestored.Second-ThewaygracewasdisplayedduringthisdispensationwasbyGod’sprovisionsofjudges,kings, andprophets.-JudgesweregiventodelivertheJewsfromsubjugationtovariousoutsidepeoples.-Righteouskingswereprovidedtogivethemakingdomofrighteousnessandjustice.-ProphetsweresentinordertoexpoundtheLaw,tocallthepeoplebacktoobedience,toremindthemof wheretheyhadfailed,andtocallthemtorepentance._________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Leviticus:TheLawsofFellowship-RequirementsforFellowship:Holiness:Separatedfrom_________________(fillintheblank)untotheLORD!-Tobestudiedratherthanjustread-Hebrewtitleisinthefirstphrase,’yiqra’,‘Hecalled’-Morgan:Themorallaw(Exodus)hadbeengivenfromamidthesplendorsofthemountain.-Thelawsregulatingfellowshipandworshipwerespokenfromthetentofmeeting.-Thus,thecontentofthebookislinkedtothesubjectsdealtwithinExodus,andisindirectcontinuation thereof.LeviticusFallsintoFivePartsFirst:ThesettingforthoftheGroundforFellowship:Sacrifice(1-7).Second:TheInstitutionofthePriesthoodthroughwhichfellowshipismaintained(8-10).Third:TheLifeofSeparation(Sanctification),whichisnecessaryforappropriatinglife’sneeds(11-22).Fourth:TheFeasts,whichportraytheBenefitsofApproachingGodintrueFellowship(23-24).Fifth:ActionswhichsafeguardtheRelationshipandFellowshipwhentheycomeintotheland(25-27)LeviticalOfferings(Chapters1-7)Voluntary–“SweetSavor”(toGod)-BurntOffering.-MealOffering.-PeaceOffering.Compulsory,“Non-SweetSavor”(forus)-SinOffering.-TrespassOffering.TheAppointedTimes:TheFeastsofIsrael(Chapter23)

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ThenGodsaid,“Lettherebelightsinthefirmamentoftheheavenstodividethedayfromthenight; andletthembeforsignsandseasons,andfordaysandyears;Gen.1:14-theWord‘seasons’=‘theappointedtimes’,hereinLev.23,thefeastsAppointedTimes-‘TheJew’scatechismishiscalendar’ Samson Raphael Hirsch TheHeptadic(sevenfoldorbysevens)Calendar-TheWeekofDays Shabbat(weeklysabbathday)-TheWeekofWeeks Shavuot(akainNTPentecost)-TheWeekofMonths TheReligiousYear(lunarbased,monthlyNewMooncelebration)-TheWeekofYears TheSabbaticalYear(everyseventhyear)-SevenWeeks+1 TheJubileeYear(every50years) -Alllandrevertstoitsowners; -Allslavesgofree; -Alldebtsforgiven; -“Thetimeoftherestitutionofallthings”(Acts3:21). TheSpringFeasts(1stMonth:Nisan)-Passover-FeastofUnleavenedBread-FeastofFirstFruitsPassover-Examinedonthe10thofNisan.-Offered“betweentheevenings”:14th.-Notabonetobebroken...-JesusisourPassover:John1:29,36;1Corinthians5:7.FeastofUnleavenedBread-HaghaMatzah:Leavenasymbolforsin.-Threematzahs:onebroken,hidden.-Joseph:Thebakerandthewinesteward.-Thefourcups:“BringingOut,”“Delivering,”“Blessing,”and“TakingOut.”FeastofFirstFruit-“ThemorrowafterthesabbaththatisafterPassover...”(Leviticus23:11)-Themorningoftheultimate“FirstFruits.”FeastofShavuot,FeastofWeeks-“CountingtheOmer”(49days).-Missler: theFeastofFirstfruits,istobecelebratedon“themorrowafterShabbat”aftertheFeastofUnleavenedBread—thatis,ontheSundaywhichwewouldcallEasterSunday.TheJewswerethentobegin“countingtheomer”forsevenweeks—49days—andthefollowingdaywastobecelebratedasthe FeastofWeeks.This50thdayledtotheGreeklabel“Pentecost,”whichsimplymeans“fifty.”-OnlyuseofLeavenedBread.-Prophetic:TheBirthoftheChurch(Acts2:FeastofPentecost.)TheFallFeasts(7thMonth:Tishri)

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-FeastofTrumpets-YomKippur-FeastofTabernacles FeastofTrumpets-CoincidentwithRoshHaShanna.-Teki’ahGedolah,TheGreatBlowing.“LastTrump?”versusthe“SeventhTrumpetJudgment?”-TheLastTrumpet=TheTrumpetofGathering-Numbers10:1AndtheLORDspoketoMoses,saying: 2“Maketwosilvertrumpetsforyourself;youshallmakethemofhammeredwork;youshall usethemforcallingthecongregationandfordirectingthemovementofthecamps. 3Whentheyblowbothofthem,allthecongregationshallgatherbeforeyouatthedoorofthe tabernacleofmeeting.-1Thes.4:16FortheLordHimselfwilldescendfromheavenwithashout,withthevoiceofan archangel,andwiththetrumpetofGod.AndthedeadinChristwillrise(togather)first.-1Cor.15:52...Forthetrumpetwillsound,andthedeadwillberaisedincorruptible,andweshallbe changed...andgatheredtogether.VersusTheSeventhTrumpetofJudgment-Rev.10:7butinthedaysofthesoundingoftheseventhangel,whenheisabouttosound,themysteryof Godwouldbefinished,asHedeclaredtoHisservantstheprophets.....-FollowedbyYomimNoraim,DaysofAffliction. .....16:1ThenIheardaloudvoicefromthetemplesayingtothesevenangels(comeforthfromthe seventhtrumpetangel),“GoandpouroutthebowlsofthewrathofGodontheearth.”-AKA:ThegreattribulationYomKippur:DayofAtonement-Dayofnationalrepentance-HighPriestenterstheHolyofHolies-TheScapegoatSukkot:FeastofBooths-FeastofTabernacles.cf.Transfiguration?-Leavetheirtemporarydwellingsfortheirpermanentones(2Cor.5:1-2)TheBookofNumbers:TheWildernessWanderings-Hebrew:Be-midbar,“IntheWilderness”(Greek:Arithmoi,henceNumbers)-ResumeswhereExodusleftoff.-InExodus,wesawtheemergenceandconsolidationofthenationwhichGodhadchosentobethe channelofcommunicationbetweenHimselfandtheworldatlarge.-InLeviticus,weconsideredthelawsofitsfellowshipandworship.-InNumbersthemovementtowardactualpossessionofthelandcommences.-Itisabookaboutarrestedprogress:Ittookonly40hourstogetIsraeloutofEgypt;ittook40yearsto getEgyptoutofIsrael.NumbersFallsintoThreePartsChapters1-10ThePreparationforEntranceintothePromisedLandChapters11-25ThestoryofExclusionandWanderings

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-ItisthefailureoftheFirstGeneration.-Whydidtheyfail?InawordUNBELIEF-Theresultsoftheirunbeliefwere:Discontent>Disaster>Discipline/Discipleshipforthebenefitofthe 2nd&3rdGenerationsChapters26-36givestheaccountofhow,afterthelongdiscipline,theywerebroughtbackandprepared fortheactualPossession-Thismarkedbyasecondnumberingofthemenovertwenty-ExceptforJoshuaandCalebthisnumberingonlyincludesthesecondandthirdgenerations.-Itisprincipallythestoryofalongdisciplineduetocontinualdisobedience.TheCampofIsrael:Numbers2-TheOrderoftheCamp.-EverydetailbyDesign.-WhatmightbehiddenbehindthedetailsoftheCampofIsrael?-“ThevolumeoftheBookiswrittenofMe”(Ps40:7;Heb.10:7).Judah74,600 Ephraim40,500Issachar54,400 Manasseh32,200Zebulun57,400=186,400 Benjamin35,400=108,100Reuben46,500 Dan62,700Simeon59,300 Asher 41,500 Gad 45,650=151,450 Naphtali53,400=157,600 RabbinicalPrecision-TheCampofJudah:EastofLevites-TheCampofReuben:SouthofLevites-StrictobediencedeniesareaSoutheast-Thus,onlycardinaldirectionsordained-OnlywidthofLevite’scampallowed-Lengthproportionaltopopulation

Kadesh-Barnea-After40daysMosessentout12spies(Num.13:1-2).

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-10Camebackterrified:Numbers13:33:“AndtherewesawtheNephilim...andwewereinourown sightasgrasshoppers,andsowewereintheirsight.”-JoshuaandCaleb:“Letusgoupatonce,andpossessit;forwearewellabletoovercomeit.”Num.13:30TheLostOpportunityNum.14:2AndallthechildrenofIsraelmurmuredagainstMosesandagainstAaron:andthewholecongregationsaiduntothem,wouldGodthatwehaddiedinthelandofEgypt!orwouldGodwehaddied inthiswilderness!-WillGodanswerthisprayerrequest?-Godthreatensawipethemout,butMosesintercedes...-Num.14:13AndMosessaidtotheLORD:“ThentheEgyptianswillhearit,forbyYourmightYou broughtthesepeopleupfromamongthem, 14andtheywilltellittotheinhabitantsofthisland.TheyhaveheardthatYou,LORD,areamong thesepeople;thatYou,LORD,areseenfacetofaceandYourcloudstandsabovethem,andYougo beforetheminapillarofcloudbydayandinapillaroffirebynight. 15NowifYoukillthesepeopleasoneman,thenthenationswhichhaveheardofYourfame willspeak,saying, 16‘BecausetheLORDwasnotabletobringthispeopletothelandwhichHesworetogivethem, thereforeHekilledtheminthewilderness.’ 17Andnow,Ipray,letthepowerofmyLORDbegreat,justasYouhavespoken,saying, 18‘TheLORDislongsufferingandabundantinmercy,forgivinginiquityandtransgression;but Hebynomeansclearstheguilty,visitingtheiniquityofthefathersonthechildrentothethirdand fourthgeneration.’ 19Pardontheiniquityofthispeople,Ipray,accordingtothegreatnessofYourmercy,justas Youhaveforgiventhispeople,fromEgyptevenuntilnow.” 20ThentheLORDsaid:“Ihavepardoned,accordingtoyourword; 21buttruly,asIlive,alltheearthshallbefilledwiththegloryoftheLORD—-Moses’intercessionisariot:ThinkofwhattheEgyptianswillthink....-Missler:Prayer=God’smethodofinvolvingyouinwhatHeisdoing.-....andtheycontinuedtorebelandnotrepent.....-AndyesHewillanswertheirprayer!-Num.14:30Yourcarcassesshallfallinthiswilderness;andallthatwerenumberedofyou,accordingto yourwholenumber,fromtwentyyearsoldandupward,whichhavemurmuredagainstme...”-OnlyJoshuaandCaleb—andthechildrenofthemurmurers—enteredtheLand.40YearsintheWilderness-GodhadpreparedMosesforthe40yearsofwanderings;-HehadmarriedZipporah,daughterofJethro,priestofMidian(EastshoreofGulfofAqaba);-MidianitesdescendedfromKeturah,Abraham’ssecondwifeSignificantTypesinNumbersWhywasthisembarrassinghistoryrecorded?1Cor10:11Nowallthesethingshappeneduntothemforexamples:andtheyarewrittenforour admonition,uponwhomtheendsoftheagearecome.-“examples”=tupos:Afigure,image,pattern,aprefiguring;atype(cf.a“prototype”)TheBrazenSerpent-BrazenSerpent(Num.21:4-9):ananticipatorysymbolofChrist!(cf.Jn.3:14-16.)-Inresponsetomurmuring,Godsentfieryserpentswhichbitthepeopleandtheydied.

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-Mosesintercededandwasinstructedtoplaceabrassserpentonapoleonahighhill;allthatwouldlook towarditwouldbespared.-Whythisstrangeremedy?“AndasMoseslifteduptheserpentinthewildernessJohn3:14-16evensomusttheSonofmanbeliftedup:Thatwhoeverbelievesinhimshouldnotperish,buthaveeternallife.ForGodsolovedtheworld,thathegavehisonlybegottenSon,thatwhoever believesinHimshouldnotperish,buthaveeverlastinglife.”-Hezekiahinpiecesthe“Nehushtan”,thebronzeserpent(2Kings18:4).-Missler:LaterthebronzeserpentfindsitswayintothefolkloreoftheGreeksregardingAesculapius, GodofHealing.-ButthedoubleserpentonacrosswasthesymbolforHermes,theGodofCommerce!RodofHermes RodofAesculapius

MannaIntheWilderness-Inneedoffood,GodprovidedadailyprovisionofManna-‘Manna’,miraclebreadfromHeaven(theoriginalWonderBread!...)-Itwasprovidedonlyon6days,withadoubleportiononthe6th,topreventgatheringontheSabbath.

Top Ten Principles for Studying the Old Testament Principle#4TheOTwasWrittenforOurExampleandAdmonition1-whatnottofollowornottodo,versuswhattodo,1Cor.10:1-11);2-Writtenforourlearningandourhope(Rom.15:4).NoteverythingwritteninScriptureis condonedbyGod,justbecauseitiswritten.-Becausesomethinghappensorpeopleactinacertainwayandthereisnocondemnation recordeddoesnotmeanGodcondonesorapprovesofthebehaviororaction.-‘TheLaw’governingman’sbehaviorineachdispensationisthedeterminingfactorforjudging behavior,notGod’sforbearance.-PropheticApplicationwaspracticedbyJesus.AttimeswhenquotingtheOldTestamentandapplyingittothepeopleofHisday.Jesuswouldsay:welldidIsaiahprophesyofyou….thoughthe prophesytothemwassecondaryandnotprimary.-BeingofthesamenatureandunderthesamedispensationasthoseinIsaiah’sdaythedirect propheticapplicationwasveryrealindeed.SeeMatt.15:7-9

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-Note:ThiswasbeforetheLawwasgiven-Jn.6:32-33,35Jesussaidthis:“32....Mostassuredly,Isaytoyou,Mosesdidnotgiveyouthebreadfrom heaven,butMyFathergivesyouthetruebreadfromheaven. 33ForthebreadofGodisHewhocomesdownfromheavenandgiveslifetotheworld.”... 35 “Iam thebreadoflife.WaterintheWilderness-InneedofWaterfromtheRockrecordedtwice(Ex.17:6,cf.Num.20:8)-WouldhavemodeledthetwocomingsofChristifMoseshadfollowedveryspecificinstructions!(1Cor 10:4)-AtRephidim,watercamefromstrikingtheRock(Ex17:6);-AtMirabah,waterwasfortheasking(cf.Num.20:8andLuke11:13).-ButMosesstrucktheRockinsteadofspeakingtoit,thusmisrepresentingGodtothepeople.-Type:“TheRockwasChrist”(1Cor.10:4).-MosesdeniedentryintotheLand,forhisdisobedienceandthusmisrepresentationofGodtothepeople!-WhyspendtimeonMannaandWaterintheWilderness?AllSee1Cor.10:1-5Deuteronomy:TheLawsReviewed-ThebridgebetweenthefirstfourBooks(justoutsideTheLand)andthenextsevenBooks(insideThe Land).-TheBookofDeuteronomyisinstructive,interpretive,applicableratherthanhistoricornew.-ItconsistsofacollectionofthelastmessagesofMosesandisaBookofreviewand...-PossiblePropheticPreviews:Ifyouseek:thiswillhappen;ifyouforsake:thiswillhappen.-Itsactualhistorycoversaverybriefperiod,probablyseveraldays-HavingsurveyedthehistoryfromHorebtoBeth-Peor,heexhortedthemtoobedience.-Atthecloseofthefirstdiscoursewehaveabriefaccountofhisappointmentofthreecitiesofrefuge.-Chapters1to4:43CommenceswithadiscourseinwhichMosesreviewedthefortyyears.-Chapters4:44-27:10HisResumeofLaws-Continuingtheintroductorypartofthegreatdiscourse,Mosescalled onallIsraeltoattendto"statutesandjudgment,"andthe"testimonies."-Thethreewordsoccurtogether(6:20). "Testimonies"aretheactualwordsofthelawgiven. "Statutes"aretheprovisionsforworshipandtheconductthatharmonizesworship. "Judgments"dealwiththearrangementsfortheadministrationofjustice.-Chapters27:11-28:68Warnings:CursingsandBlessings-Chapters29-31:13TheMosaicCovenant-Chapters31:14-32:47TheSongofMoses-Chapters32:48-34:14TheBlessingandtheHistoricalConclusionShema:TheGreatCommandment.Deut.6:4“Hear(Shema),OIsrael:TheLORDourGod,theLORDisone! 5YoushalllovetheLORDyourGodwithallyourheart,withallyoursoul,andwithallyour strength. 6“AndthesewordswhichIcommandyoutodayshallbeinyourheart. 7Youshallteachthemdiligentlytoyourchildren,andshalltalkofthemwhenyousitinyour house,whenyouwalkbytheway,whenyouliedown,andwhenyouriseup. 8Youshallbindthemasasignonyourhand,andtheyshallbeasfrontletsbetweenyoureyes.

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9Youshallwritethemonthedoorpostsofyourhouseandonyourgates.-LORD=YHWH(Yahweh,“LORD”)appearsthreetimesintheShema.-“One”=echad:compoundunity;collectivesense;componentsinunity(“oneclusterofgrapes”).-Themanandthewomanshallbe‘one’flesh-echadversusyacheed,whichequalsabsoluteunity,nocomponents(neverusedofYHWH).DeathofMoses,34:1-12MosesAfterHisDeath-MichaelfightswithSatanoverMoses’body,Jude1:9.-Transfigurationappearance,Matt.17:3.-IsheoneofthetwowitnessesinRevelation11?NextTime:Hour6-Joshua(TheMilitaryConquestofCanaan);-Judges(350yearsofdoing“whatwasrightintheirowneyes”),and-Ruth(TheKinsman-Redeemer).Focusing……________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Morgan:Exodus,Leviticus,andNumbersExodusTHEbookofExodusisacontinuationofthestorytoldinthelatterpartofthebookofGenesis.InExodusnothingiscommencedandnothingisfinished.ItisalinkinthechainofthestoryofGod’sdealingswiththehumanrace.Forthesakeoflinkingthesubjecttothatwhichhasgonebefore,letitberememberedthatthebookofGenesiswasdividedintothreeparts:first,Generation;secondly,Degeneration;thirdly,Regeneration.InconsideringRegenerationwesawtheworkproceedingwithregardtotheindividual,thefamily,andsociety.ThelastnoteinGenesisindicatedthelineoftheregenerationofthenation.WenowturntoExodus.Theword“Now,”withwhichthefirstchaptercommences,maywithperfectaccuracybetranslated“And.”Itisawordmarkingcontinuity.IfwetakethebookofGenesisaway,thebookofExodusbecomesmeaningless.AllthehistoryinExodusdependsuponthatinGenesis.WeleftthechildrenofIsraelapeoplewithoutanationalconsciousness,ororganisation.Wearenowtostudytheaccountoftheemergenceofthenation.Therearethreeclearlydefineddivisionsinthebook:Bondage,Deliverance,andOrganization.A.BONDAGESegregatedfromthecorruptinginfluencesofthelandofCanaan,thechildrenofIsraelrapidlymultipliedinthelandofGoshen.ThisverygrowthbecameamenacetoEgypt,andfromthestandpointofpoliticalexpediencyPharaohwasjustifiedinresortingtoextrememeasurestocheckit.HighenthronedoverPharaoh,JehovahpermittedHispeopletopassthroughthelongperiodofoppressionandsuffering,andsostiffenedthenationalfiber,andtherebymadethepeoplestrongforthecampaignsofthefuture.Astheappointedtimefordeliveranceapproached,theinstrumentofGodwasfoundandprepared.ThestoryofMosesoccupiesthenextsection.Hispreservationpresentsawonderfullyhumanpictureasit

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manifeststhesweetartofmother-love.Theinspirationoflove’sactivitywas,aswelearnfromtheNewTestament,thatoffaith.Jehovah’soverrulingofcircumstancestowardtheaccomplishmentofHispurposeisseeninthecomingofPharaoh’sdaughter.Thehistoryofthehumanracehasbeenaffectedbythefactthatonagivendayababycriedintothefaceofawoman.Thebabyfounditswayintothewoman’sheart,andthewomancarriedthebabyintotheheartofEgypt’spower.TherethefutureleaderofIsraelreceivedhiseducation,andthefirstpartofthepreparationnecessaryfortheworkthatlaybeforehim.Fortyyearspassedaway,andthechild,havingbecomeaman,turnedhisbackuponthecourtofEgypt,anduponallitssplendors.HisflightwasalsounderthegovernmentofGod.IfhehadattemptedtodeliverIsraelatfortyyearsofage,hewouldhavefailed.Theman,culturedandrefined,withallthelearningofhistime,passedtothenextperiodofhispreparationinthemajesticlonelinessoftheSinaiticpeninsula.Itwaschangefromlessertogreatergrandeur.Thesolitudeofthemountains,underthegoldenlightofsunbydayandthestatelysolemnityofstarsbynight,ismorefullofmajestythanalltheglitterofanearthlycourt.ThereMoseswasashepherd,andsoreceivedthenextpartofhispreparationforleadership.Thenfollowstheaccountofhisdirectcallandcommission.InitJehovahhadtomeetanddealwiththedifficultiesofMoses’fear.ThevictorywaswithGod,andMosesturnedhisbackthistimeuponthelonelinessofthewilderness,andsethisfacetowardthecourtofPharaoh.B.DELIVERANCEInthisdivisionJehovahemergesfromtheshadowsintoclearlight,andbecomesthecenterofsupremeinterest.HeisseendealingwithMosesbywayofpreparation,withPharaohinjudgment,andwithHispeopleindeliveranceandguidance.InthefirstsectionwehavetheaccountoftheanswerwhichJehovahgavetothecomplaintofHisservantwhenhewasdiscouragedathisfirstreceptionbothbyPharaohandhisownpeople.ThisanswerconsistedinthefirstplaceofagreatSelf-declaration.Inthecourseofitthewords“IamJehovah”areusedfourtimes,andsurroundingthesedeclarationsareaffirmationsconcerningtheDivineactivity.“Iappeared…Iwasnotknown…Ihaveestablishedmycovenant…Ihaveheardthegroaning…IhaverememberedMyCovenant…Iwillbringyouout…Iwillridyouout…Iwillredeemyou…IwilltakeyoutoMe…IwillbetoyouaGod…Iwillbringyouin…Iwillgiveityou.”ThevalueofthisdeclarationmaybegatheredbyarecognitionofthedifficultyofthepositionwhichMosesoccupied.ThemanwhohadbeenbroughtupinthecourtofEgypthadreturnedtodeclaretheauthorityofanotherPotentate,anunseenKing.HehadbeentreatedwithcontemptbyPharaoh.Theverypeoplehehadcometodeliverhadrefusedtohearhim.HehadreturnedtoGodwithhiscomplaint,andthemethodoftheDivinedealingwithhimwasthatofunveilingbeforeHimHisownglory.Moseswasneverafraidagain.Therewereotherfailures,butnodreadofGodwasmanifestfromthatmomenttotheend.HehadseenanewvisionofHim,anddoubtedHispowernomore.Andyetfearwasimmediatelymanifest,butitwasfearofhimself.ItwasdifficulttobelievethathecouldbetheinstrumentofsuchaGod.ThisnewfearJehovahansweredbyassuringHisservantthathisstrengthbeforePharaohwouldnotbethatofhisowneloquenceorpower,butratherthatofDivinepreparationandequipment.Thenfaithtriumphedoverfear,andMoseswentforwardtotheworkappointedhim.ThenextsectionrevealsJehovahdealingwithPharaohinjudgment.Thatjudgmentmovesinthreecycles,ineachofwhichthreeplaguesdemonstratethepowerofGod.TheseallfailingtobringtheheartofPharaohintowillingsubmission,afourthandfinaljudgmentfelluponhim.

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InthestoryofthisprocessofjudgmentitisnecessarytodrawamostcarefuldistinctionbetweenPharaoh’shardeningofhisownheartandGod’shardeningofhisheart.ThisisoneofthegreatpassagesinScriptureinwhichtheAuthorizedVersionisapttomislead.There,throughouttheaccount,itisdeclaredthattheLordhardenedtheheartofPharaoh.TheHebrewtextdoesnotwarrantanysuchtranslation.Asamatteroffact,itisneverstatedthatJehovahhardenedPharaoh’sheartuntiltheendofthesecondcycleofplagues.Moreover,twodifferentwordsaremadeuseof,althoughbotharetranslated“hardened.”Oneofthesemeanstomakestrongorcourageous.Theothermeanstomakestubborn.ItisdeclaredfromthebeginningthatGodmadehisheartstrongorcourageous,thussettinghimabsolutelyfreefortheunfearingexerciseofhisownwill.ItisneverdeclaredthatGodmadehisheartstubbornuntilithadbeenfivetimesaffirmedthathehardenedhisownheart.ThereisamomentwhenGoddoesthatwithaman.ThereisnoBiblewarrantforteachingthatamanwillbeable,wheneverhechooses,throughouttheages,toturnbacktoGod.Everymanhashisownprobation,andhisownopportunity,andtheJudgeofalltheearthholdsthebalanceswithinfiniteprecision.WhosoeverstubbornlyrefusestosubmithimselftoGodinthedayofopportunity,andthatrepeatedly,findsatlastthathisowndecisionhasbecomehisdestiny.BytheoutworkingoflawGodsealsthechoiceofthehumanwill.InthiswholeprocessofjudgmentthepatienceofGodisasclearlymanifestasisHispower.InspiteofpersistentlyinganddeceitbyPharaohinthepromisesmadetoMoses,Godpatientlywaited.ItwasnotuntilhehadrepeatedopportunitiesofyieldinghimselftothePowerWhowasmanifestingHimselfthat,bythewillanddecisionandactofGod,thestubbornnesshehadcultivatedbecamesuchthathecouldnotescapetherefrom.Thefinalsectioninthisdivisionisoccupiedwiththeaccountoftheactualdeliveranceofthesepeople,andthecommencementofthatwonderfulguidancewhichincludedprovisionforalltheirneed,andpowerforalltheirweakness.Judgmentisseeninitspurposeasitmergesintodeliverance.Astheymovedontowardtherealizationoftheirnationality,theverycalendarwasaltered,andtheredawnedforthemanewyear,andaneworderbegan.BeforethemarchtolibertytheyobservedthereligiousriteofPassover.Thisritewascalledanordinance,afeast,asacrifice.Itwaswhollyanordinancetobeobserved.Itwasessentiallyafeastofrejoicingordeliverance.Itwasfundamentallyasacrificeperpetuatingthememoryofvitalandessentialtruths.Thenightoftheexoduswasindeed,asthehistoriandeclares,“anighttobemuchobserved.”Thepeoplepassedfromslaverytoliberty,fromthelashofoppressiontotheplaceofpower,fromdegradationtotherealizationofnationallife.Immediatelythenation,deliveredandconsecrated,isseenunderthedirectgovernmentandguidanceofGod.“GodledthemnotbythewayofthelandofthePhilistines,althoughthatwasnear.”“Godledthepeopleabout.”ThefirstmarchafterthatfromEgyptwasbackintoaplaceofdanger.ThedefinitemeaningofthatmarchwasdeclaredtoMoses.ThejustjudgmentofthesinofPharaohmustbecarriedouttoitslastdegree,butitmustalsobecarriedoutinsuchawayastomakeevidentitsjustice.Waseverthemadnessandblindnessofsinpersistedin,moremanifestthanintheproudpreparationofchariotsandarmiestooverthrowanddestroyapeopleforwhomGodhadsowondrouslywrought?

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Nocommentisnecessaryonastorysofulloflifeandcoloranddramaticpowerasthatofthecrossingofthesea.Inthesilenthushofthemarchthroughthesolemnnighttherewasrevealedtothepeoplethefactthat,underDivinegovernment,therearenoobstacleswhichcannotbeovercome.InfatuousrebellionPharaohandhishostattemptedtowalkbythepathwayspeciallypreparedforthemenoffaith.WiththemorningwatchGodmanifestedHimselfinsomewaytotheEgyptians.He“lookedforthuponthehoststhroughthepillaroffireandofcloud.”Therethendawneduponthemtheconsciousnessoftheirfolly,andtheyattemptedflight.Itwastoolate.Theirdoomwassealed,andwiththehandofMosesoutstretchedbyDivineauthority,theseabrokeovertheminrushingwavesofdestruction,andthepowerofthemightypeoplethathadoppressedGod’snationinspiteofeveryopportunityforrepentancewasbrokenforever.Itwasagreatandglorioussongthatroseuponthemorningaironthefarsideofthesea.TherenowcommencesthemoredirectstoryoftheguidanceofthepeoplebyJehovah.MarahaffordedanopportunityforthediscoveryoftheresourcesofGod.ElimwasanevidenceofHistendercareforthem.Astheypassedintothewildernesstheybegantobeconsciousofthescarcityofsomeofthethingswhichtheyhadpossessed,eveninthemidstofEgyptianslavery.AgaintheresourcesoftheirGodwereprovedasHesuppliedthemwithmannaandwithmeat.Againtheirfaithwastriedbylackofwater,andnotwithstandingtheirmurmuringagainstMoses,GodwasprovedtobetheGodofpatience.ThemarchofthepeoplebroughtdownuponthemthearmyofAmalek.PerfectvictorywasgainedbyIsrael,andinthefirstbattlestheprinciplesoftheirperpetualconflictwererevealed.Theywonbyacombinationoffightingandfaith,aunionofpracticewithprayer.ThisdivisionendswiththestoryofJethro.HisadvicetoMoseswasreverentinitsrecognitionoftheDivineauthority,“Ifthoushaltdothisthing,andGodcommandtheeso.”ThefactthatMosesactedonhisadviceisalmostcertainevidencethatherecognizedthatGodwasspeakingtohimthroughthisman.C.ORGANIZATIONThepeopleofIsrael,deliveredfrombondage,werestillapromiscuousmultituderatherthananorganizednation.Inthisdivisionwehaveanaccountofthegivingoftheconstitution,andofthegreatworkoforganization.Itisdividedintothreesections,dealingwithmatterspreliminaryandfundamental,themoralcode,andtheestablishedsystemofworship.TheDivinepurposeofgracewasfirstdeclared.ThepeopleweretobeHis“peculiarpossession…akingdomofpriests…aholynation.”Theywerenotyetpreparedforthefulfilmentofsogreatanintention,andtheirunpreparednesswasmanifestintheirreadydeclarationthattheywouldkeepallthewordsofJehovah.Immediatelythenewmethod,necessaryinviewoftheirconditionofmind,wascommenced.TheywerebroughtfacetofacewiththesupremefactofthemajestyofGod.Thelawwasgivenamidtheaccompanimentsofthunders,voices,fire,andsmoke.AllofthiswassymbolicofthemajestyandholinessofGod.ByspecialcovenantHehadbroughtthepeopleneartoHimself.Itwasanearnesscharacterizedbyuntoldblessing.YettheymustberemindedofthemajestyoftheirKing,andsobefilledwithreverenceforHim.ThetenwordsofthemorallawwereprecededbyaproclamationofGodconcerningHimself,firstastoHisname,“IamJehovah”;secondly,astoHisrelationtothem,“thyGod”;and,thirdly,astoHisdeliveranceofthemfrombondage.TheDecalogueconsistedoftwoparts.Thefirstfourcommandmentsconstitutedthefirst,andgovernedtherelationshipexistingbetweenGodandman.Thelastsixconstitutedthesecond,andconditionedhumaninter-relationships.Thesetenwordsrevealedaphilosophyoflifeaswellasalaw.Thetruemoralitywastobelearnedfromthisphilosophy.Man’sfirstbusinessiswithGod.Hiseveryotherrelationdependsuponthat,andwillbecreatedbyit.

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Theeffectproduceduponthepeoplebytheutteringofthesewordswasthattheywerefilledwithfear.ThenearnessofGodbecameaterriblethingastheyunderstoodHisholinessthroughthespokenwords.Theirfearwasduetoignoranceassurelyaswastheirpresumption.TheDivineanswerwasfullofgrace.TheywerechargedtohavenootherGod,andawayofapproachtoGodwasatonceprovided.Itwasthewayofthealtar,andofsacrifice.Theseearliestinstructionsconcerningthealtarweredeeplysignificant.Itwastobeconstructedofsimpleandunmadethings,devoidofanyworkmanshipinwhichtheheartofmanmightmakeitsboast.Thenfollowedthelawswhichweretogovernthenewnationasastate.Thesehadfirsttodowiththeperson.Therelationofslavestotheirmasterswasdealtwith,andtheywereofsuchanaturethatwherevertheywereobeyedtheyledultimatelytoemancipation.Thesacrednessoflifewassafeguardedbytheenactmentthatanymantakingthelifeofanotherwastoforfeithisown.Iftheactwaspremeditatedtherewastobenoescape.Injuryordeathwroughtbycattleonmenandwomen,andalsooncattle,wastobepunishedandcompensated.ThelawsofpropertyweresuchastomakeitpatentthatnomanwastoimaginethatwhenhehadfulfilledcertaindirectobligationstoGodhemightlivehislifewithoutreferencetohisneighbor.WronginflictedbyneighboronneighborinthematerialrealmwasaccountedsinagainstGodinthemoralrealm.Theserequirementswerecharacterizedbythemostcarefuladjustmentofrelationbetweenmanandman,andrevealedtheintimaterelationofGodtoall,andHisremarkableinterestineveryphaseanddepartmentofhumanlife.Therefollowedagroupoflawspromiscuouslystated,yetallhavingtodowiththebondswhichstrengthenedthestate.Intwoofthemsinsofunchastityweredealtwith.Passionwaspenalized,inthemorenaturalexpressionbysternsocialrequirement,andinthemoreunnaturalbydeath.Ablunt,sternword,“Thoushaltnotsufferasorceresstolive,”revealedhowharmful,accordingtothemindofGod,wereallattemptstotrafficinsecretandhiddenthings.Lawsaffectingthelendingofmoneyandthereceivingofpledgesfollowed,andfinallysuchasconditionedtheadministrationofjustice.InthisconnectionthefeastsoftheLordwereplacedintheirtruerelationtothesociallifeofthepeople.Thesabbaticyearwasarrangedinorderthatthepoormighteat.TherestoftheSabbathwasrevealedtobeaprovisionoftendercareforcattleandservantsalso,whowereincludedinitsintention.ThissectionendswithagraciouspromisewhichJehovahmadetoHispeopleofthatPresencewhichshouldleadandguidetheminallthedaystocome.AstudyofthesubjectofthisPresencewillshowthatthePersonreferredtowastheAngel-Jehovah.ThethirdsectiondealsatlengthandindetailwiththepreparationforthetrueworshipwhichfolloweduponthepromiseoftheAngelPresence,andthewarningagainstfalseworship.TherewasapreliminarysolemnassemblyoftheeldersofIsraelinthepresenceofGod.Perhapsthereisnothingmoreaugustinthewholebookthanthisaccountoftheapproachoftheelders.Wearetold“theysawtheGodofIsrael.”Nodescriptionisgivenofwhattheysaw.ItmaybethatJehovahmanifestedHimselftotheminthatAngelPresencewhichHehadpromised.Itisbetter,however,toleavethestatementasitstands,rememberingthatitcanonlybeinterpretedbythefactswhichfollowed,namelythatMoseswentintoyetclosercommunionwithGodalmostimmediatelyafterwards.Thevisionwascharacterizedfortheeldersbyimmunityfromjudgment,foruponthem“HelaidnotHishand”;and,moreover,byasacredactofcommunioninwhichthey“dideatanddrink.”Finally,Moseswascalledbeyondthepeopleinthevalley,andbeyondthatmoreselectcircleoftheelders,intotheverymidstofthemount,wherehereceivedinyetfullerdetailthelawwhichwastogovernthem,andsawtheheavenlythings,andsolearnedthepatternoftheearthlyworship.

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InexaminingthestructureoftheTabernacle,itwillbewelltoendeavortounderstandwhatitmeanttothepeopleforwhomitwasprovided.Thatdetailedstudyisnotwithinthecompassofourpresentwork.Wenoticenowmerelythegeneralmethodofprocedure.Thefirstinstructionswerenotconcerningthebuildingitself,butconcerningitscontents.Theybeganattheverycenterwiththeark,whichsymbolizedthefactofthepresenceofGod,andtherightofthepeopletoapproachHimastheirKing.Nextinorderthetableofshewbreadwasdescribed.Twoideasweresuggestedbythistable.TotheEasternmindatablewasalwaysasymboloffellowshipandofhospitality.ThusthenationwasremindedoftheprivilegeoffellowshipwithGod,andofthefactofafriendshipwhichexpresseditselfinhospitality.Thegoldenlampstandwasthesymbolandthefigureofthetestimonywhichthesepeopleweretobeartotheoutsideworld.ThecurtainsandcoveringsoftabernacleandtentweremadeofmaterialswhichsuggestedtheconditionsamongwhichGodcouldmakeHisdwelling-place.Theboardsandbars,setupinsocketsofsilver,spoke,inthesymbolismofthetime,ofthestandingofthesepeopleasaredeemednationbeforeGod.Theveilandthescreenindicatedatoncetheexclusionofthepeoplefromnearness,andyetthewayoftheirapproachthroughmediation.Theveiloftheoutercourt,thebrazenaltar,andallitsfittings,remindedthemofthelifeofdevotion,basedonsacrifice,whichtheywerecalledtolive.Thegorgeousrobesofthepriestareseentobeincommonwitheverythingelse,fullofsymbolicteaching.Theceremonyofthepriests’consecrationisdescribed,asisalsothealtarofincense,andthearrangementsforplacingthewholeofthefurniturewithinthesacredenclosure.Instructionsfollowedastothegatheringofthehalf-shekelsfromthepeople,whichweretobeusedintheconstructionofthefoundationsockets;andalsoastothepreparationoftheholyoiltobeusedinanointing.Thefinalwordsofinstructionwerethoseofapromise,fullofgraceandtenderness,thatequipmentshouldbegrantedtocertainmenwhichwouldenablethemtodotheworknecessaryfortheconstructionofthetabernacle.Whilethelawgiverwasyetinthemountreceivingthispatternofheavenlythingsinordertoearthlyworship,thepeopleinthevalleyhadfallenintogrievoussin.Thismakingofthegoldencalfconsistedofapositiveviolationofthepromisetheyhadmadetokeepthewordsofthelaw.Whentheysaid,“Up,makeusElohim,”itwasnotthattheydesiredtosubstituteothergodsfortheOneGod,butrathertheysoughtasimilitudeofGod.Theirchoiceofacalfwasinitselfsignificant.InEasternsymbolismtheoxwaseverthetypeofsacrificeandservice,andtheyhadatleastsomeglimmeringofthetruthconcerningtheDivineattitude.Itisalsotobeobservedthat,thedayafterthecalfwaserected,theyobservedafeasttoJehovah.Theeviloftheiractionwasseenintheattitudeofmindproducedinthembytheircreationofasymbol.They“satdowntoeatandtodrink,androseuptoplay.”Worshipatoncebecamematerializedandsensual.Mosesismanifestedinallthegrandeurofhischaracterinthisconnection.HispleadingwithGodwasnotsomuchonbehalfofthepeopleasonbehalfofGod.Hewasswayedbyaninfinitepityforthem,butatthebackofthepity,andburningthroughitlikeafire,wasapassionforthehonourofGod.HavingstoodbeforeGodforthepeople,hecametostandbeforethepeopleforGod.Inhotangerhebrokethetablesofstone,andseizingthecalf,groundittopowder,andcompelledthemenwhomadeittodrinkofthewaterintowhichitwasflung.Hethenproceededtotheceremonyofmediationandrestoration,andpassedbackintothemount.Wehavenodetailedaccountofthehappeningsofthesecondperiodsavethatthetablesofthelawwerewrittenanew.DuringthissecondabsencethepeoplewaitedpatientlyuntilMosesreturned,hisfaceshiningwiththegloryoftheawfulandsolemnfellowshipofthemount.ThefinalmovementofthebooktellsthestoryoftheconstructionandconsecrationoftheTabernacle.Awillingpeopleofferedoftheirsubstanceuntiltherewas“muchmore”thanenough.Then,bythehandsof

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speciallyequippedworkmen,theworkwentspeedilyforwarduntilallwascompletedaccordingtotheDivinepattern.Thisisdeclaredinthegeneralstatement“thusdidMoses;accordingtoallthattheLordcommandedhim,sodidhe.”Finallyitisrecorded,“soMosesfinishedthework.”EverythingwascompletedaccordingtotheDivinepattern,andintheDivineorder.EverythingsymbolizedtherealpresenceofJehovah,andthatfactwasmadelivingintheconsciousnessofthepeoplewhenthegloryofJehovahfilledthecompletedplaceofworship.SogreatwastheglorythatMoseswasnotabletoentertheTentofmeeting.ThusthenationwasorganizedaroundthepresenceandpowerofJehovah,andthechroniclecloseswiththesimplestatementthattheywentonwardintheirjourneyingsguidedeverbythepresenceofGodmanifestedinconnectionwiththiscenteroftheirlifeandworship.LeviticusTHISisabookoflaws.Ithasbeenaptlycalledthehandbookofthepriests.ItsHebrewtitle,Vayyikra,whichmeans“AndHecalled,”isthefirstphraseofthebookitself.Thefirstverseindicatesthecharacterofwhatfollows.Themorallawhadbeengivenfromamidthesplendorsofthemountain.Thelawsregulatingworshipwerespokenfromthetent.ThusthecontentofthebookislinkedtothesubjectsdealtwithinExodus,andisindirectcontinuationthereof.Thenationhadbeenbroughtoutofbondageandorganized.AttheverycenterofitslifewasaprovisionforworshipintheTabernacle.ThewholeoutlookofExodusteachesthesupremeplaceofworshipinthelifeofthenation.It,moreover,revealsthefactthattherecanonlybeworshipthroughpropitiation,becausemanisasinner.Thefactofsinthusunderliesallnowtobeconsidered.ThefactofredemptioninthepurposeandeconomyofGodisseenovershadowingthefactofsinandmakingworshippossible.Thelawsenunciatedherehavetodowiththesemattersofsupremeimportance.Thebookfallsintofiveparts.First,thesetting,forthoftheProvisionforApproach(1–7).Secondly,theInstitutionofthePriesthoodthroughwhichtheProvisionmightbeappropriated(8–10).Thirdly,theLifeofSeparation,whichistheconditionofAppropriation(11–22).Fourthly,theFeasts,whichportrayedtheBenefitsofApproach(23–24).Lastly,SymbolsofRelationwhichsafeguardedthemaintenanceoftherightofApproach(25–27).A.DEDICATION:THEOFFERINGSInthisdivisionthereisrevealedtheprovisionofGodfortheapproachofHispeopletoHimselfinworship.Theofferingsarefirstdescribed,andthentheirlawsareenunciated.Astotheofferings,fivewereneededtoperfectlyunfoldthemeaningandmethodofpersonaldedication.Thefirstwastheburntoffering,whichsuggestedtheneedforperfectdedication.Thelambwithoutblemishconsumedbyfireindicatedthenecessityofadedicationperfectinqualityandquantity.Themealofferingwastheworkofmen’shands,ofthefruitsoftheground,theresultofcultivation,manufacture,andpreparation,suggestingthatdedicationnecessitatedtheofferingofaperfectserviceaswellasaperfectlife.Ofthepeaceoffering,partwasburnedbyfireandpartconsumedbytheworshipper.Itwasthesymbolofcommunion.InthewhitelightoftheDivineholiness,sinissin,whetheritbewillfulornot;andthesinofferingwasprovidedtoteachthatthefailureofthosededicatedtoGodmustyetbedealtwithonthebasisofsacrifice.Thetrespassofferingwasprovidedfordefiniteactsofwrong-doing.Trespassinthisconnectionismorethanameremissingofthemark.Itincludesthethoughtofpositiveandwillfulwrongdoing.

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TheDivineprovisionforworshiphavingbeenrevealedintheofferings,therefollowedinstructionsconcerningthemethodofoffering,whichrevealedthetrueattitudeoftheworshipper.Inconnectionwitheachthereweredetailedinstructionswhicharefullofsuggestiveness.TheceremonialwasDivinelyarranged,andnothingwasfrivolousorunnecessary.Everydetailhadsignification,andwasintendedtoimpressuponthemindoftheworshippertruthswhichwereofvitalimportance,inorderthatheshouldrecognizethesolemnnatureofhisdedicationasamemberofthenationwhosegreatnessconsistedinitsintimaterelationtoJehovah.B.MEDIATION:THEPRIESTSTheseconddivisionofthebookdealswiththelawsofmediation.Itconsistsofabriefhistoricalportion,whichgivesanaccountoftheactualceremonyoftheconsecrationofthepriestsandthetabernacle,andthecommencementofworship;andsosetsforthGod’sprovisionfortheapproachofHispeopletoHimselfthroughmediationonthebasisofsacrifice.Inthemidstofasolemnassemblythepriestswerewashed,andAaronwasarrayedinthegarmentsofhissacredoffice.Theholyritesofconsecrationthenmovedforward.Theceremonieswererepeateddailyforsevendays.Thisaccountoftheconsecrationofthepriestsisimmediatelyfollowedbythatofthecommencementoftheirwork.Thepeoplewerefirstgatheredtogether,bringingwiththemofferingsaccordingtotheinstructionsgiven.WhiletheystoodinsolemnstillnessinthepresenceofJehovah,Aaron,infullofficialcapacity,commencedhiswork.Hisfirstactwasthatofpresentingthesinofferingandtheburntofferingforhimself.Thenfollowedimmediatelyhisfirstactsonbehalfofthepeople.Firstthesinoffering,indicatingthenecessityforexpiationofsin;nexttheburntoffering,indicatingthedevotionofthewholelifetoGod;followingthatthemealoffering,speakingofthedevotionofworkandservice;finallythepeaceoffering,thesymbolofcommunion.Thusthevaluesoftheofferingsofapproachcouldonlybeappropriatedthroughthemediationofthepriests.Atthecommencementofthehistoryoftheofficialworkofthepriesthoodtherewereevidencesoffailure.NadabandAbihu,twosonsofAaron,offeredstrangefirebeforetheLord,andwereswiftlyslainbyfire.Strangelysolemnwerethewords:“Aaronheldhispeace.”Theywerehisownsons,buthisrelationtoGodwassuperiortohisrelationtothem,andtheonlyattitudebecomingtohimwasthatofsubmissivesilence.Theotherpriestsweresolemnlychargedtoshownosignsofmourning,andtoabideattheirposts.C.SEPARATION:THEPEOPLEWhileprovisionforapproachwasmade,andthemethodofappropriationwasprovided,therewerestillverydefiniteconditionswhichmustbefulfilledinorderthatthepeoplemightavailthemselvesoftheprovisionmade.TheseconditionsmaybesummarizedasthoseofentireseparationtoGod.TheyweretobeapeopleGod-governedandGod-manifesting.TheDivinegovernmentmustberecognizedandobeyedinthematterofhealth.Minuteregulationsweregivenastofood,astochildbirth,astoleprosy,andastoalluncleanness.InthemidstofthissectioninstructionsweregivenfortheobservanceofthegreatDayofAtonement,whichwasperhapsthemostimportantreligiousriteofthewholeyearintheHebreweconomy.Itwasthedayonwhichthehighpriestenteredintotheholyplace,allthearrangementsforwhichentryweregivenindetail.Intheceremonialofthisdayprovisionwasmadefordealingwiththewholequestionofsin,knownandunknown.Mostparticularinstructionsweregivenastotheattitudeofthepeopleonthegreatday.Theyweretorestandafflicttheirsouls.Itwastobeadayofsolemnfastingandhumiliationinwhichtheyremindedthemselvesofthefactoftheirsin,oftheprovisionmadefortheircleansing,andoftheirconsequentrightofapproachtoGodinworship.Strictinstructionswerenextgivenconcerningsacrifices.

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Thelawsofseparationthenassumedaslightlyalteredcharacter.SofartheprincipalnotehadbeenthatofthefundamentalmattersofrelationshiptoGod.Thehabitsofthelifeofseparationaremoreparticularlydealtwith.ThepeopleweredistinctlyforbiddentoconformtothedoingseitherofEgyptorCanaan.Thenfollowedarepetitionoflawsalreadygiven,withonereiteratedemphasis:“Yeshallbeholy,forI,theLordyourGodamholy.”Nolessthanfourteentimesinthecourseofonechapter(19)doesthesolemndeclaration“IamJehovah”occur.Yetfurtherlawsconcerningunchastityanduncleanlinesswererepeated,andthedeathpenaltywasassociatedwithcertainformsofdisobedience.Thefinalsectioninthisdivisiondealswiththeresponsibilitiesofthepriest.Standing,asheeverdid,inaplaceofspecialnearnesstoGodastheappointedmediatorofthepeople,hemustofallmenmanifestintheexternalsoflifeandconductthatholinesswithoutwhichnomancanseetheLord.D.CONSECRATION:THEFEASTSThefeastsofJehovahwerethenationalsignsandsymbolsofthefactthatthepeople,dedicatedtoGodastheofferingswitnessed,permittedtoapproachthroughthemediationofthepriestlyservice,separatedinallthedetailsoflife,werebyGodconsecratedtoHimself.TheforemostplacewasgiventotheSabbath.Itwasaperpetuallyrecurringfeast,tobeobservedthroughoutalltheyear,oneveryseventhday.Followingthiswehavetheappointmentofthesetfeastsintheirrelationtotimesandseasonsandthepassingoftheyear.Thusalltime-measurementswererelatedtoeternaltruth.ThefirstfeastwasthePassover,whichmergedintothatofunleavenedbread.Withthesetheyearcommenced.TheFeastofFirst-fruitswasappointedforthelandintowhichGodwouldbringthem.Markingthebeginningofpossession,itservedasaconstantreminderofthetruththatalltheyhadwastheresultofHisgivingratherthanoftheirgetting.Afteralapseofsevenfullweeks,duringwhichthewholeharvestwasgathered,theFeastofHarvestwasobserved,andPentecostremindedthemthatalltheyneededwasprovidedbyJehovah.Theseventhmonthwasthemostsacredofall.Thereintwogreatordinanceswereobserved:theDayofAtonement,andtheFeastofTabernacles.Precedingthese,andpreparingforthem,cametheFeastofTrumpets.Thiswasheldonthefirstdayofthemonth.Itscharacteristicnoteswererest,andproclamationofthewillofGod.ThetenthdayofthemonthwasthegreatDayofAtonement,whichhasalreadybeendescribed.ThelastFeastoftheyearwasthatofTabernacles.Itwasobservedafteralltheworkwascompleted,andtheresultsthereofgathered.Forsevendaysthepeopledweltinbooths,andheardthereadingofthelaw.Thesectionendswithinstructionsconcerningthesymbolsofconsecration,thosenamelyoftheoilandtheshewbread.E.RATIFICATION:THESIGNSThelawsofratificationconsistedoftheoutwardsignsoftheprincipleofpossessiontobeobservedintheland,togetherwithsolemnpromisesandwarnings.ThefirstsignwasoftheSabbathoftheland.IntheseventhyearofresttheoriginalOwnershipofGodwasrecognized.Thesecondsignwasthatofthejubilee,whereingreathumaninter-relationships,dependentuponthefactofDivinepossesson,wereinsistedupon.

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Thelawsoftheyearofjubileeaffectedtheland,dwelling-houses,andpersons.Inthesethefoundationsofthesocialorderwerefirmlylaid.Allinter-humanrelationships,bothofpersonandproperty,wereconditionedinthefundamentalrelationshipofthepeopletoGod.Thebookendswithasectiondealingwithvows.Theprinciplelaiddownisthatitisnotnecessarythatvowsshouldbemade,butthatiftheyaremadetheymustbereligiouslyobserved.NumbersTHEbookofNumbersdealswiththewilderness.Itisprincipallythestoryofalongdisciplineduetodisobedience.Thenationalideamovesforward,forGodeverprotectsHisownpurposesagainstthefailureofHischoseninstruments.InthebookofExoduswesawtheemergenceandconsolidationofthenationwhichGodhadchosentobethechannelofcommunicationbetweenHimselfandtheworldatlarge.InLeviticusweconsideredthelawsofitsworship.InNumbersthemovementtowardactualpossessionofthelandcommences.Thismovement,however,washinderedfornearlyfortyyears,andthebookisprincipallyoccupiedwithmattersrelatingtothatperiod.Itcloseswiththeaccountofthereturnofthepeopletothebordersoftheland.Thusitnaturallyfallsintothreeparts,thefirstdealingwiththePreparationforEntrance(1–10);thesecondgivingthestoryoftheExclusionandWandering(11–25);whilethelastgivestheaccountofhow,afterthelongdiscipline,theywerebroughtbackandpreparedforactualPossession(26–36).A.ONTHEMARGINOFTHELANDInthisdivisionwewatchthefinalmovementofthechosenpeopleinpreparationforcomingintotheland,andindoingsoobservetheorderofthecamp,thepurityofthecamp,theworshipofthecamp,themovementofthecamp.BythecommandofJehovahthemenfromtwentyyearsandupwardswerenumbered.Thiswasthefirstmovementinpreparationnotmerelyfortheirentrancetotheland,butfortheircarryingoutoftheDivinepurpose.Thatpurposewasfirstpunitive.Intheinterestsofpuritycorruptpeoplesweretobesweptout.Definiteinstructionsweregivenconcerningtherelativepositionstobeoccupiedbythetribes,bothinthetimeofencampmentandonthemarch.AtthecenterofeverythingwastheTabernacle.TheLeviteswereencampedroundthetwosidesandatthebackthereof.Mosesandthepriestsoccupiedthefourthside,closetothecourtsofworship.OutsidetheenclosurethetribesofthenationweregroupedundertheirstandardsaccordingtotheDivinecommand.TheserviceoftheLeviteswasdescribedindetail.Theirsacredworkwascarefullyapportionedbothforthemarchandforplacesofencampment.Alltheseprovisionssolemnlyimpresseduponthepeoplethesupremeimportanceofworship,andrevealedtothemtheorderlinessofJehovah.Ontheeveofthecomingofthepeopleintotheland,thenecessityforthepurityofthecampwasemphasized.Allwhowereuncleanwereputoutside.This,ofcourse,doesnotmeanthattheywerelefttoperish,butthattheywerenotallowedtomarchintheirproperplacewiththetribesofthepeople.Forthetimebeingtheywerecamp-followersonly.Moreover,thenecessityformoralrectitudewasinsistedupon,andsuchashadinanywaysinnedagainstothersmaderestitution.Havingprovidedforthepurityofthecampbytheexclusionoftheunclean,specialinstructionsweregivenconcerningcasesofpeculiarandspecialdevotiontoalifeofseparationtoGod.Thereisabsolutely

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nothingmonasticintheorderoftheNazarites.Thesemendidnotseparatethemselvesfromtheirfellowmen,orfromtheirordinaryavocations,butremainedinthemidstoftheirfellows,andprosecutedtheirdailycalling,thoughyetmaintaininganattitudeofspecialconsecration.Atthecloseofthissectiondealingwiththepurityofthecamp,wefindthespecificforminwhichthepriestlyblessingwastobepronounceduponthepeople.Immediatelyfollowingarethearrangementsconcerningtheworshipofthecamp.Thissectionopenswithanaccountofthevoluntaryofferingsonthepartoftheprinces.Itisfirsttobenoticedthatthegivingwasvoluntary,andnextthatitwasequal,thusprecludingthepossibilityofaspiritofrivalry,andindicatingagreatunityofpurpose.Whileallthestorymighthavebeentoldinafewwords,itissetforthwithelaboratedetail.Everymanisnamed,andeverygiftischronicled.Inthefinalarrangementsconcerningworship,beforethemovingforwardofthepeople,theonesymbolreferredtoisthatofthelight,whichwasthetypeofthewitness-bearingofthenation.IntheconsecrationoftheLevites,noanointingoilorbloodwasused,neitherwasanyspecificdressprovided.Thesignoftheircleansingwasthesimpleoneofwater.Finally,thegreatPassoverfeastwasobserved.Amonthlateraspecialobservanceofthesamefeastwasarrangedforsuchas,throughdefilement,wereprecludedfromtakingpartinthefirst.Atlasteverythingwasreadyforthemarch,andthehostswaitedonlytheDivinewill.Thepeopleweretofollowthemovingofthecloud,andtoanswertheblastofthetrumpet.Carefulinstructionsweregivenconcerningtheuseofthesetrumpets.Differentnotessuggesteddifferentmeaningstothosewholistened.Onthetwentiethdayofthesecondmonththeactualmovementofthecampcommenced.ThedivisionendswiththesuggestivewordswhichMosesusedatthecommencementandcloseofeachsuccessivemovementofthehosts.Theyindicatedtheprofoundrecognitiononhispart,andonthatofthepeople,thateverythingcenteredaroundthepresenceandgovernmentofGod,bothinregardtothevictoryofIsraeloverherenemies,andherownsafetyandwell-being.B.EXCLUSIONANDWANDERINGInthisseconddivisionofthebookisrevealedthefailureofman.Itsgeneralmovementmaybeindicatedbythewords,Discontent,Disaster,Discipline.ThediscontentmanifesteditselffirstagainstGod.Atthebeginningtherewasnoopenrevoltagainstauthority.Thepeoplewere,however,inallprobability,consciousoftheirksomenessofrestraint.Theywerelearningthatlibertywasnotlicense,andsothroughoutthecamptheLordheardthetoneofmurmuringanddiscontent.Hisjudgmentwassuddenandswift.Mosesbecameanintercessor,andthefireabated.Asecondtimediscontentmanifesteditself,andthistimeitwasexpressedagainstcircumstances.Influencedbythemixedmultitudewhichhadaccompaniedthem,thepeoplehungeredafterthethingsofEgypt,apparentlyforgettingthecrueltyofitsbondage.Moseswasperplexedandperturbed,andhepouredouthiscomplaintintotheearofGod.IninfinitepatienceGodtalkedwithhim,andtothemurmuringpeopleHesentquails,andthroughthemthepunishingplague.Asthepsalmistafterwardssung,“Hegavethemtheirrequest;butsentleannessintotheirsouls.”Athirdtimetherewasamanifestationofrebellion.MiriamandAaron,inwhoseheartstherewasevidentlyanunder-currentofjealousy,madethemarriageofMosestoaCushitewomantheoccasionofprotestingagainsthisexerciseofauthority.Theywerepunishedimmediately,andpardonedinanswertotheearnestcryofMoses.

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Thehourhadnowarrivedwhenthepeopleshouldhavegoneforward.Thestoryofthesendingofthespies,astoldinNumbers,indicatesthatitwasdoneinobediencetoaDivinecommand.Thecomparisonofthis,however,withMoses’accountofitinDeuteronomywillshowthatthiscommandoftheLordwasthesequeltoadeterminationonthepartofthepeopletodoso.Thiswasinitselfanactofsuspicionandunbelief.Thespiesweresent,andinfortydaysreturned,bringingwiththemamajorityreportandaminorityreport.Allwereagreedastothedesirabilityoftheland.Themajority,however,hadseenthedifficultiesofpossessing,andbeyondthishadseennothing.TheminorityhadseenfirstJehovah,thentheexcellenciesoftheland,andfinallythedifficulties.TheessentialdifferencewasthatofthevisionofGod.Thepeoplewereinfluenced,as,alas!mentoooftenare,bythemajority,andinunutterablefollytheydeclaredthatitwaspreferabletoreturntoEgypt.OneofthemostmagnificentpicturesintheOldTestamentispresentedtousasMosesintercededwithGodonbehalfofthepeople.Hisplea,however,wasnotbaseduponpityinhisheartforthesinningpeople,butuponthatdeeperpassionforthehonorofthenameofGod.Thepeoplewerepardoned,buttheymustbeexcludedfromtheland.TheyhadthemselvesrejectedthelandtowardwhichGodhadbroughtthem,andtheirpunishmentwasthattheyshouldnotenterit.ThisdecreeofJehovahwasfollowedbyaninstanceoffalserepentance.Themencametotheconsciousnessoftheirunutterablefolly,andthenresolvedtogoupandpossessthelandintheirownstrength.Theresultwasdefeatanddisaster.Thenbeganthelongyearsofdiscipline.Itisastoryfullofsadness.Atfirstwefollowthepeoplethroughaperiodinwhichtheresultsoftheirfailureweremanifestintheirinternallife.TheSabbathwasviolated,andtheguiltyonewaspunished.Korah,Dathan,andAbiramledanorganizedoppositionagainstMoses,andweresummarilydealtwith.Afterthisnewarrangementsweremade,andoldlawsrepealed.Thenasthepeople,towardthecloseofthefortyyears,wereledbackintotheneighborhoodofKadesh-barnea,Miriamdied,andwasburied.Inthisneighborhood,moreover,MosesandAaronbothfailedinsimpleallegiancetoGod,andtheyalsowereexcludedfromtheland.Itwouldseemasthoughthepeopleweremoving,ontheirownpart,inanattempttofindtheirwayintotheland.Theirendeavortogoinonedirection,changedthroughtheoppositionofEdom,wouldseemtoindicatetheabsenceoftheguidingpillarofcloudandfire.DuringthistimeAarondied.Hisdeathwasasolemnandimpressiveceremony.Therobesofhisofficeweretransferredtohisson.Hethendied,andwasburiedamidstthelamentationsofthepeople.Thetransferenceoftheoutwardsymbolsofthepriestlyofficetaughtthetruththatthepriesthoodwasgreaterthantheman.InthesefinaldaysofexclusionBalaamwashiredtoprophesyagainstthepeopleofJehovah.C.ONTHEMARGINOFTHELANDThethirdandlastsectionofthebookofNumbersisdevotedtothesecondnumberingofthepeople,andtheirpreparationforcomingintopossessionofthelandfromwhichtheyhadbeenexcludedforfortyyears.Inastudyofthisdivisiontherearediscoverabletwomovements.Thefirstchronicleshistoricfactsintheirsequence,andtheotherisaninsistenceupontheDivinegovernmentbytherepetitionofcertainlawswithnewemphasisandapplications.Thereisamarkedcontinuityofpurpose,notwithstandingthechangeofpersons.Twomenonlyofthosewhohadcometothemarginwereallowedtopassintotheland.ThetimeforthepassingofMoseshadcome,andinallGod’sdealingswithhimthereismanifestagreattenderness.Thefinalaccountofhisdeathisreservedfortheendingofthenextbook.Inthis,however,wehavethestoryhowhepubliclyappointedhissuccessor.WhenthecallofGodcametohimtoascendthemountainandviewtheland,andtobegatheredtohispeople,thefinalpassionofhisheartwasthatwhichhadsolongsustainedhiminthemidstofallthetryingcircumstancesofhisworkas

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leader.HethoughtofthegreatcongregationasthecongregationofJehovah,andprayedfortheappointmentofasuccessor.ThustherewasgrantedtohimthesatisfactionofknowingthattheonewhosucceededhiminleadingthepeoplewasthemanofGod’sownchoice.Afterarepetitionofthelawsconcerningthegreatreligiousobservancesofthepeople,wehavetheaccountofawardirectlyconnectedwiththesinofthepeople,resultingfromtheinfluenceofBalaam.InthebattleBalaamwasslain.EvenheretheimperfectionofthepeoplewasmanifestinthedesireonthepartofReuben,Gad,andthehalf-tribeofManassehtosettleonthewrongsideoftheJordan.Mosesfailedinjudgmentinallowingthemtodoso,outofwhichfailuretroublearoseinafter-years.Thebookendswithalistofthejourneyingsofthepeopleduringtheperiodoftheirexclusion,andarepetitionoflawswithspecialreferencetosettlementintheland.Throughallthebookthereismanifesttheforwardmovement,notofmen,butofJehovah.ItisarevelationofthesureprocedureofGodtowardthefinalworkingoutintohumanhistoryofHispurposesfortheworld._________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________