Clean and Unclean - Leviticus 11

 

Leviticus 11 -Clean and Unclean

 

God draws a strict line between light and darkness, night, and day, black and white, right, and wrong, clean, and unclean.  God wants man to love the good and hate the evil. He draws the distinctions to drive man to the altar and the shed blood of Christ for cleansing and forgiveness.

The choice of edible animals, fish, and fowl follow the pattern of civilized man through the centuries to the present day.  That is no accident.  God made the distinction and there are certain animals you want and some you don’t want to eat.  Today we have no command concerning clean and unclean animals for food.  When Peter saw the sheet come down with all kinds of animals and birds in it, he didn’t want to eat when God told him to eat.  God then told him, “Don’t call unclean what God has called clean.” Acts 10:11-15. God makes the rules, and man must make the decisions according to God’s rules. 

For Israel, the distinction between the clean and unclean animals was part of God’s plan to keep them separate from all nations.  The Bible-studying believer, who puts into practice the teaching of the Word of God, identifies himself as a child of God by his work and his walk.

The list of animals that chew the cud, eliminated the carnivorous animals. The Israelite was forbidden to even have contact with the dead carcasses of these animals.  The fish must have fins and scales to be clean, Crawling creatures in the water were forbidden.  Fish played a prominent part in the diet of the nation. The lesson for us today is that we must make decisions about our conduct and our professions.  We must make decisions about whether we accept Christ or not, whether to walk in a way pleasing to God or not. A Christian cannot mingle with the world and play with sin without being contaminated.  God taught his people cleanliness in the preparation of food.  Every vessel was holy to God, and it was all to remain clean.

Dry seed that was to be sown could not be contaminated by contact with a carcass of the unclean. If the seed was wet, then its shell or armor had been penetrated and it was unclean.  We are told “put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.” The acid test of any of God’s people is this, God says, “I am your Lord. I am holy.  Be ye holy.”

 

If you have missed any lessons, you can go to: God Plans For You at https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com.

 

Study from J. Vernon McGee commentary

Nadab and Abihu -Leviticus 10

 

Leviticus 10 – Nadab and Abihu

 

Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron took their censer, and put fire and incense there in and offered strange fire before the Lord, which He did not command them to do.  And there went out fire from the Lord, and devoured them, and they died before the Lord. This was willful and deliberate disobedience to the command of God.  The ritual they followed was contrary to God’s way.  Their timing was out of step with the God-given ritual, and they intruded beyond the veil which was forbidden.  God had commanded them as to the manner, the time, and the place.  They were wrong in all three. 

It is still true today that “to obey is better than sacrifice.” God will not accept worship in our own will, no matter how sincere. We are to come with a true heart in full assurance of faith.

Aaron’s attitude and conduct are noticeable.  He maintains a demeaner of silence.  There is no cry of disappointment, grief, or resentment toward God.  He bows in heartbroken submission to the will of God. They called cousins of the slain men to remove the dead bodies from the sanctuary.  As the people looked in awe, they were carried out of the camp. 

Some say, it appeared that Nadab and Abihu had acted under the influence of alcohol.  The priest is to serve the Lord with a clear, steady, and sober mind.  The believer is to draw his dynamic and his zeal from the Spirit of the Lord and not from earthly props.  True values are distorted and there is a breakdown in morals because of the use and abuse of alcohol.  The priest must keep the statutes of the Lord so that he can teach them to the people.

Aaron’s remaining two sons, also failed in the sin offering which was to be eaten in the holy place and that had not been done. Although the blood had been offered, the portion that belonged to the priests had not been eaten.  They had omitted doing this, possibly not realizing the importance of it.  Aaron assumed responsibility for his sons. And Moses was satisfied with the explanation. 

God is dealing in mercy today, giving time for repentance and for men o come to the knowledge of the truth.  Otherwise, many people would be struck dead.  We are not making the rules.  God is the One who saves, and He is the One who says how we shall be saved.

 

If you have missed any lessons, you can go to: God Plans For You at https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com.

 

Study from J. Vernon McGee commentary

Aaron Begins His Service Leviticus 9

 

Leviticus 9 Aaron Begins His Service

 

They had carried out the details of the seven days and now, on the eighth day, Aaron was to begin his service as the high priest.  As Aaron entered his office as high priest on the first day of the week, his four sons were there as witnesses.  We have four Gospels which bear witness to the fact of the death and resurrection of Christ.  We today have a perfect and complete Priest. Aaron was commanded to have the people bring all the offerings to God except the trespass offering.  They offered the regular kid of the goats for the sin offering; a double offering of a calf and a lamb for the burnt offering; a double offering of a bullock and a ram for the peace offering; and the regular meal offering.  The glory of the Lord was to appear to them that day.  This was to show that through the death of Christ, on to the resurrected High Priest as God’s right hand, is the way to approach God.

The sin offering was made first.  The sin question must be answered first.  The burnt offering followed in meticulous detail.  First Aaron offered for himself.  The meal offering followed the regular ritual.  The same is true for the peace offering.  Aaron, as representative for the nation, presents the sacrifices before the Lord through the shedding of the blood.  The people are accepted.  Blessings will follow. Then Moses and Aaron retired into the tabernacle and then the glory of the Lord appeared.  The people shout and fall on their faces in adoration and praise. 

Christ entered the Holy Place, which is in heaven, to appear there for you and me today.

 

 

If you have missed any lessons, you can go to: God Plans For You at https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com.

 

Study from J. Vernon McGee commentary

 

 

Consecration of the Priests - Leviticus 8

 

Leviticus 8 Consecration of the Priests

 

Moses is commanded to bring Aaron and his sons, with all the articles which are to be used in the consecration of the priests, to the door of the tabernacle. Then he is to gather the congregation together to witness the ritual of consecrating the priests. He brings Aaron and his sons to the laver for washing.  This signifies that they are to be holy, pure, and clean if they are to serve the Lord.  We must be cleansed to be used!  “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” I John 1:9. The cleansing agent is the Word of God.  We need the Word of God today, and we need the leading of God to determine the will of God in our lives. 

The tabernacle and all the vessels of the ministry had been sprinkled with blood and is anointed with oil which symbolizes the Holy Spirit.  He is free to move and work in the worship and the service of the tabernacle.  The act of sprinkling the oil speaks of sanctification.  Aaron was not sprinkled but anointed with oil.  Just so the Holy Spirit was poured out upon Christ at His baptism without measure. 

The bullock was the sin offering for the high priest. The four sons of Aaron could claim it as their offering too.  Their sins are transferred to the bullock. Even the altar which is used for the bloody sacrifices must be dedicated with blood.  This is to remind us that there is no merit in the wood of the cross.  The merit is in the One who shed His blood for us there. 

The blood-tipped ear symbolizes the ear that will hear the voice of God. The hand was essential for service and the foot was essential for the walk before God.   

They took parts from all the offerings and put them together and placed them in the hands of Aaron and his sons.  They then waved them before the Lord.  This was total commitment to God based on the value of one offering. They were to eat the food that is left.  Believers are to feed upon the finished work of Christ. Nothing is to be left.  All must be consumed or burned with fire.  There were to be seven days of consecration and meditation.  They were to remain continually on duty at the door of the tabernacle.  All this was done at the commandment of God.

 

If you have missed any lessons, you can go to: God Plans For You at https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com.

 

J. Vernon McGee Commentary

 

God Sums it up Leviticus 7

 

Leviticus 7 – God Sums It up

 

The trespass offering is for acts of sin. There was one part of the animal that was not burned.  It was the skin, and that went to the priest. For the meal offering, everything was baked in the oven or dressed in the frying pan and was to be for the priests in its entirety.  The Peace offering must be a freewill offering for thanksgiving. The cakes and wafers were to be unleavened because it is showing Christ as our peace offering and He is without sin, without leaven.  The bread was to be leavened because it is the offeror who gives thanks for his participation in the peace.  His sins have been forgiven and he has peace with God but there is still evil in him; leaven is still present.  Peace with God does not depend on the believer attaining sinless perfection. The leaven bread was a heave offering.  It was to be elevated toward heaven.  Our hearts are to be opened to God for Him to search us and know us and to lead us in the way everlasting.  The peace offering was to be eaten at once.  We are to stay close to Christ for peace of conscience and for power over temptation.  When you find that Christ is adequate and wonderful, then the peace of God that passes understanding will enter your heart. The unclean person who ate of the peace offering was excommunicated.  They were also forbidden to eat the fat because the fat belonged to the Lord.

Aaron and his sons, and the priests received as their portion of the fat offering the breast and the shoulder.  The breast speaks of the love of Christ for us. The shoulder speaks of the power and strength of Christ. He loves His own with an everlasting love and He can save to the uttermost.  This is our portion in Christ. God was pleased when the sacrifices were brought in faith and thanksgiving.  God was displeased when the sacrifices were brought as a dull routine and were polluted.

 

 

 

If you have missed any lessons, you can go to: God Plans For You at https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com.

 

J. Vernon McGee Commentary

 

 

Leviticus 6

 

Leviticus 6 - The Trespass Offering cont.

 

A sin against a neighbor is a sin against God.  Restitution had to be made with an additional penalty of one-fifth added..  A fifth would be a double tithe.  God is no respecter of persons. The fire on the altar was to burn continually.  The burnt offering was left on the altar all night and the fire was kept burning so that the whole offering would be consumed.  This speaks of the fact that we are to offer ourselves a living sacrifice to God.  There is a challenge to every believer today because God delights in the continual obedience of His children.  Today we need to offer our hearts and lives to Him, if we are to be saved.

God gave instructions of the garment of the priest.  He was to put on a long robe, and a linen breech.  The flesh must be covered totally.  God is teaching that He cannot accept the works of the flesh.  Galatians 5:19-21. It is only the fruit of the Holy Spirit which is acceptable to Him.  Galatians 5:22-23. The priest removed the garments he wore when he removed the ashes, and he put on a fresh suit.  The ashes of the altar spoke primarily of the judgment of sin and even the ashes were contaminated.  They must be taken out and put in a clean place. A fresh supply of wood was to be made in the morning and a burnt offering made for the whole camp. The continual burning on the altar should remind us that the fire of God burns continually.

The offeror is a worshiper who stands before the altar rejoicing before God.  The priest performs for him.  The priests were not only eat, but also they were to offer a tithe meal offering.  The priest who received a tenth was in turn to offer a tenth. We are all to have a part in the giving.

 

If you have missed any lessons, you can go to: God Plans For You at https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com.

 

J. Vernon McGee Commentary

The Trespass Offering Leviticus 5

 

Leviticus 5 – The Trespass Offering

 

The trespass offering is sins of the individuals.  The emphasis is upon the type of offering and not the character of the offeror, as it was in the sin offering. If a witness has seen or knows something, but he withholds the truth to the detriment of some individual, then that is a sin of omission.  If a person told only part of a truth, they did not tell the whole situation.  They were willing to let people believe that they had told the whole truth.  That is a trespass.  When Jesus went to trial, he was quiet. But when He was under oath He did not hold His peace, but spoke out in witness, He told the whole truth.

The law of uncleanness – We cannot be out in the world without becoming unclean by seeing things and hearing things and thinking things.  We are unclean.  We should pray for forgiveness of sins that we may be unaware of.  Sometimes we are unclean, and we do not realize it. God makes a distinction between and unclean animal and an unclean human.

If we promise to do something, we need to keep that promise.  In our songs we promise to give all to Him, to follow Him, to die for Him.  We sing them so glibly that we do not even know what we are singing.  On the same token it is presumptuous to demand of God an answer to our prayers.  We need always to remember that our prayers are to be in accordance with His will.

In the trespass offering, confession must come first, then the offering. It is the offering of guilt. Two turtledoves were required, as one was for a sin offering and one for the burnt offering.  This was the sacrifice of the poor.  Christ preached glad tidings to the poor. Blood must be shed but the head was not removed from the body. The sinner has complete forgiveness even with the little bird. The poorest were not left out.  If he could not bring a bird, he could bring a piece of bread as a substitute for him.  The trespass offerings state that there has been an invasion of the rights of both God and man. The chief wrong committed through ignorance seems to apply to robbing God in connection with tithes and offerings. For this kind of neglect, the offering must be valuable.  It must be a ram.  Through this offering there was forgiveness for the sinner who committed the trespass in ignorance. Ignorance of the law is no excuse.  This is also true in civil law.  Despite the lack of knowledge of the commandment, the offender was guilty and was held liable.  The ram is given as the only animal for the trespass offering unless you were poor.

 

J. Vernon McGee Commentary

 

The Law of the Sin Offering - Leviticus 4

 

Leviticus 4 – The Law of the Sin Offering

 

The sin offering speaks of sin as a nature.  It became the most important and significant offering.  It was the Law which revealed to him that he was a sinner.  “In the place where the burnt offering is killed shall the sin offering be killed before the Lord:  it is most holy.” The sin offering tells what Christ did. This offering was commanded while the others before this were voluntary.  The emphasis here is upon a sin committed in ignorance.  Sins of ignorance reveal the truth that man is a sinner by nature. It gave a profound conviction of sin. A great many people with a guilt complex go to a psychiatrist today.  The Word of God contains the remedy for man today.  The sins of ignorance were acts committed by a person at the time they did not know they were in sin.  If a man sinned through ignorance, rashness, or accident, God made provision for his deliverance.  He established the cities of refuge.  Jesus is our refuge today.

Paul explains the reason he was the chief of sinners and why he obtained mercy.  He was a blasphemer and a persecutor and injurious, but he obtained mercy because he did it ignorantly in unbelief.  “And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and Love which is in Jesus Christ.” (I Tim. 1:14-15).  Christ died for me; so, I can go and tell Him about it.  He forgives me because He took care of all my sin at the cross.

The sin offering teaches us that we must see ourselves as God sees us. It brings before us the consciousness of sin and our own unworthiness, but also God’s provision.  It lifts the guilt complex. We can come to Him in boldness because Jesus is our sin offering, even for these sins in ignorance.

The sin of the priest is considered first with a young bullock as his offering. He had to sprinkle the blood seven times before the veil secured God’s relationship with the offender. To put some of the blood on the horns of the altar of incense, the place of prayer, was to restore the privilege of worship to the offender.  Our acceptance by God and our worship of Him are dependent on the blood of Christ. The remainder of the blood was poured out at the bottom of the brazen altar.  This satisfied the conscience of the sinner and removed the guilt complex. The remainder of the bullock was taken outside the camp and burned there.  The death of Christ on the cross as our sin-bearer is the only solution there is to sin.  That is the meaning of that part of the animal which had to be burned outside the camp. God judges nations, and many people who didn’t participate in the sin of the nation are judged along with it. God also judges churches. If we identify our self with a church which does not teach the truth from the Word of God, God will judge us right along with the church.

the Law of the Peace Offering Leviticus 3

 

Leviticus 3 – The Law of the Peace Offering

 

This offering speaks of the communion and fellowship of believers with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.   Just as we need four Gospels in the New Testament to set forth His earthly life, we also need the five offerings of Leviticus to set forth His person and work. The emphasis is not upon the peace that He made by the blood of the cross, but upon the peace He is because of the blood of the cross. It is chiefly on the communion.  God is satisfied with what Jesus did for you and now we can come to God. 

The peace offering can be either male or female- but without blemish.  It is the offeror who finds something in Christ.  He will never find as much in Christ as God finds in Him. The offering was placed on that altar.  In the peace offering, only a portion was offered.  It was to be the choice portion which included the fat and the inward parts.  These speak of the hidden riches, the precious qualities, the priceless value of the character of Christ that God alone knows. God sees more in Christ than you and I see in Him.  God sees the inward parts.  The offering was consumed by fire, and this speaks of the total dedication of Christ and his human testing and sufferings. It is His perfect life that is in view, not His death for sin.  This offering was put together with the burnt offering. 

The lamb is probably the most complete representation of Christ, the lamb of God, of all the sacrifices.  The fat was God’s portion.  It was considered the better part of the animal.  “All the fat that is upon the inwards and the two kidneys and the fat that is upon them” was to be for Him. The fat was totally consumed, but the priest received the breast and the shoulder.  The offeror ate the remainder, and he did it in God’s house.  God was the host and the offeror, the sinner, was the guest.  God provides the table.  It is the table of salvation.  First we accept God’s salvation by accepting Jesus Christ as our Savior, then we come to the table of fellowship.  God provides the table of fellowship.

The goat represents the complete identification of Christ.  He was made sin for us.  He totally paid the penalty for our sins. He can save to the uttermost.  This is our portion in Christ.

 

Please read the chapter listed so that you can understand God’s Word better.

If you have missed any lessons, you can go to: God Plans For You at https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com.

J. Vernon McGee Commentary and Nelson’s Quick Reference Commentary.

 

 

The Law of the Meal Offering - Leviticus 2

 

Leviticus 2 - The Law of the Meal Offering

 

The meal offering reveals the humanity of Jesus in all its perfection and loveliness.  It could be offered either baked or unbaked.  It was to be eaten by all the males in the family of Aaron. There are two important aspects of this offering: the ingredients which are included and those which are excluded.  The offering was to be made of fine flour, ground in a rock bowl with a pestle. They had to spend a great deal of time with it to make it fine.

“He shall pour oil on it.” Oil speaks of the Holy Spirit. The offering was drenched with oil. Jesus was born of the Spirit .. “Mingled with oil” Luke 1:35. If the Lord Jesus in His perfect humanity needed the Holy Spirit, you and I need Him even more. 

Frankincense was made from a secret ingredient.  It was made from some part of a plant or tree, perhaps the bark or leaves, and it exuded fragrance only when crushed, beaten, burned, or put under pressure.  This speaks of the life of the Lord Jesus as He manifested the fragrance of His life.  There should be a special fragrance in our lives since we belong to Him.  The offering was burnt upon the altar.  No blood was shed in this offering.

The ingredients excluded in this offering are as prominent as the ingredients included.  Leaven and honey.  Leaven in scripture is presented as a principal of evil. Evil teaching is leaven.  This speaks of the fact that there is no evil in Christ.  There is no sin in the life of Christ. Honey represents natural sweetness.  It will sour, just as leaven sours.  This offering was a sweet savor sacrifice, but it was not to get its sweetness from leaven or honey.

Salt was the final ingredient that was included in the meal offering. Leaven produces decay. Salt preserves from corruption.  Salt was the token of faithfulness between the offeror and God.  Christians are to be the salt in the world.  We do this by offering ourselves as a living sacrifice to God. (Romans 12:1-2)

 

 

Please read the chapter listed so that you can understand God’s Word better.

If you have missed any lessons, you can go to: God Plans For You at https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com.

J. Vernon McGee Commentary and Nelson’s Quick Reference Commentary.

 

 

God is Calling - Leviticus 1

 

Leviticus 1 – God is Calling                                                

 

God called to Moses out of the tabernacle.  No longer is He speaking from the top of Mount Sinai, as when He gave the commandments.  “Called” doesn’t mean those who only hear, it means those who have heard and responded.  None are excluded except those who exclude themselves.  Anyone can come to Christ if he chooses to come. There must be a need and a desire. 

Two types of animals were used for the Israelites burnt offering.  Cattle and Sheep.  The animal must be a clean animal and it must be domesticated, obedient to man.  Christ was the obedient servant.  He came to minister, and He was obedient unto death.  The burnt offering was the only offering that was made by those who wanted to approach God.  It was totally consumed on the altar; nothing remained but ashes. The sacrifice was to be male, which speaks of strength.  It was to be without blemish which means the animal was to be ideally perfect.  This speaks of the perfections of Christ.. “In Him is no sin.” It was to be offered willingly.  Because of the atoning death of the animal, the sinner was received by God. The animal had to be offered, not in life, but in death.  Only Christ’s death can save the sinner. The minute you and I come through the death of Christ, the way to God is open.  No one has to come to Christ, but if you want to be saved, then you will have to come to Christ.  God has no other way.   “…. No man comes to the Father, but by me.” John 14:6. 

At the door of the tabernacle the offering is sacrificed.  It could be done nowhere else.  We do not make the terms by which we come to God.  God makes the terms.  The only righteousness which God can accept is the righteousness of God which is through faith in Christ Jesus. 

When the man went in and put his hand on the head of the animal that was to be slain, he was selecting the animal to take his place. That is what Christ did for us.  When you accept Christ, you select Him as your Savior.  Every sacrifice had to be slain.  Either the sinner, or the priest acting for the nation, killed the animal.  There was no forgiveness apart from the shed blood of the animal.  Only the blood of Christ can cleanse us from all sin.  The blood represented life and the sprinkling presented it to God. The offering was to be cut in pieces so that it would be exposed and burn quickly.  Poverty was no excuse for not bringing an offering to God.  A bird could be brought in place of an animal. When our Lord was born, His parents offered turtledoves.  His parents were poor, and He was born in poverty. No matter how poor we may feel, or how little we think we have to give to Him, He will receive what we have and bless it. 

The Shekinah Glory! Exodus 40

 

Exodus 40 -The Shekinah Glory 

 

 

When Moses had the tabernacle set up in the camp of Israel, an amazing thing happened.  One was the shekinah glory.  The Israelites were the only people to ever have the glory of God, the visible presence of God. That is what led them through the great and terrible wilderness.  The cloud would lift in the morning if they were to journey that day.  If it did not lift, the children of Israel stayed in the camp.  Moses did not make the decision – the cloud did.  God did!  Wise is the leader that gets his orders from God!

There is a pillar of cloud today although most people do not see it.  It is the Holy Spirit of God.

God’s glorious presence filled the tabernacle when He came to dwell with His people.  What a gracious God that He should consent to dwell with such a rebellious people!

The Book of Exodus opened in the gloom of the brickyards of Egypt, and it closed in the glorious presence of the Lord in the tabernacle.  It was His presence that led them through the wilderness.  God wants to deliver you from the gloom of the slavery of sin and to bring you into the glory of His presence and into the very center of His will where He can lead and guide you.

 

 

 

Please read the chapter listed so that you can understand God’s Word better.

If you have missed any lessons, you can go to: God Plans For You at https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com.

J. Vernon McGee Commentary and Nelson’s Quick Reference Commentary.

 

 

 

The High Priests Garments Exodus 39

 

Exodus 39 The High Priest Garments

 

There were eight articles of clothing worn by the high priest.  Four were the same or like those worn by all the priests.  Four were only for him and separated him from the other priest; they were “garments for glory and for beauty”.  This is a picture of our great High Priest, The Lord Jesus Christ, in all His graces and glory.

On the great Day of Atonement when Aaron took the blood into the Holy of Holies, he laid aside all his garments of beauty and glory and wore only the simple linen garments that the other priests wore.  He must be unadorned but pure. 

When the Lord Jesus came to earth, He did not lay aside His deity, but He did lay aside the garments of glory and beauty.  He laid aside His prerogatives as God.  He came to earth as a human being, a baby.  Then later He offered Himself as a sacrifice for sin.  He died in His humanity.  God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto Himself. (2 Cor. 5:19).

The ephod, which speaks of the strength and ability of our Lord, the great Shepherd of the sheep.  Thank God we have a shepherd who can put us on His shoulders and bring us safely back to the fold. 

The beautiful stones on the breastplate speak of the fact that Christ carries us on His heart today.  These stones depict His great love for us.  The pomegranates speak of the fruitful life of the believer.  The bells speak of the testimony of that life. The mitre on his head said, “Holiness unto The Lord.” It means the high priest is wholly given to the work of the ministry.  Holy means anything that is set aside for the use of God.  Preachers ought to wear the mitre. Without it, our ministry for the Lord will not be effective.

 

 

Please read the chapter listed so that you can understand God’s Word better.

If you have missed any lessons, you can go to: God Plans For You at https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com.

J. Vernon McGee Commentary and Nelson’s Quick Reference Commentary.

 

 

 

 

We Are Redeemed Exodus 38

 

Exodus 38 We are Redeemed

 

On the brazen altar the victim was offered, and sin was judged.  This was the approach to God and any other alter built anywhere else would have been blasphemy.  The horns on the altar speak of strength – the ability of Jesus Christ to save.  The laver was made from mirrors.  The mirror represents the Word of God.  It is the Bible that shows the believer his need for cleansing. The fine twined linen speaks of the humanity of Christ, and it separated man from God.

The life of Christ does not save us; it condemns us!  It is the death of Christ that saves us.  That is the reason the brazen altar was there. Man cannot come into God’s presence until the sin question is settled.  He had to come in through the gate.  Christ has said that He is the way, the truth, and the life.  Christ also said that if you are going to worship God, you will have to worship Him in spirit and in truth.  Man entered the Holy of Holies through the veil which speaks of the life Christ gave up on the cross.  When He die, that veil was torn in two from the top to the bottom, signifying that the way to God was now open.  The Jews brought silver because it was the metal of redemption.  Every Israelite had to be redeemed to be acceptable.  We have been redeemed by the precious blood of Christ which is more precious than silver or gold. 

Every individual will have to personally accept the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.  You must pay the redemption price.  The only condition is that you must be thirsty.  It is free.  Salvation is free.  It cost God everything.  He gave His Son to die on the cross and to pay the price of our redemption.  We are redeemed by His blood.  It enables us to come to God and to be accepted by Him through Christ.

 

 

Please read the chapter listed so that you can understand God’s Word better.

If you have missed any lessons, you can go to: God Plans For You at https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com.

J. Vernon McGee Commentary and Nelson’s Quick Reference Commentary.

 

 

 

There is a Mercy Seat For Us Exodus 37

 

Exodus 37 There is a Mercy Seat for Us

 

There were three entrances to the tabernacle.  1. There was a gate through the linen fence that surrounded the tabernacle. 2. There was an entrance which led into the Holy Place. 3. The third entrance led into the Holy of Holies, where only the High Priest went once a year on the great Day of Atonement and sprinkled blood on the mercy seat- which is what made it a mercy seat. When believers went to worship God, they come into the Holy Place.  Confession, praise, thanksgiving, intercession, making requests – these are the things that have to do with worship.  To serve Christ, you cannot walk by the wisdom of the world but by the light of the Word of God.

 

The tabernacle in the wilderness was always horizonal with the earth.  It was set up on the flat surface of the ground, with its pillars and boards fitting into the sockets they put down.  But when Christ came to pay the price for our sin, He made the tabernacle perpendicular.  The cross was the brazen altar where the Lamb of God was offered for our sins.  He died down here to save us.  But He returned to heaven where He lives to keep us saved.  We do not go horizontally to God by going to a building or to a man, but we look to heaven and go directly to Him -through Jesus Christ.

Do you need to stand at the brazen altar and be saved? Are you a soiled Christian who needs to confess your sins at the laver and be cleansed? Perhaps you are in trouble, and you need mercy, grace, and help.  Well, there is a mercy seat for you today.  Go there and accept the help that is waiting for you.  God wants to bless and guide you.

 

 

 

Please read the chapter listed so that you can understand God’s Word better.

If you have missed any lessons, you can go to: God Plans For You at https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com.

J. Vernon McGee Commentary and Nelson’s Quick Reference Commentary.

 

Working for the Lord Willingly Exodus 36

 

Exodus 36 –Working for the Lord Willingly

 

Every member of the crew, which was probably many people was engaged in the building of the tabernacle with the wisdom and understanding God had given him.  The man in charge was Bezaleel. 

If you are serving the Lord grudgingly, do not do it.  God cannot use this kind of attitude.  These people have been slaves in the past and here they are slaving again, but this time because they want to.  Their hearts are in their work.  That is the way you are to do God’s work.  God’s work is to be done with joy and happiness.  We are to serve Him with gladness.  We are to be fully persuaded that we are serving Him because we want to and because we are eager to please Him.

This is the only place on record, where the people had to be asked to stop giving.  They brought a great deal more than was needed to build and furnish the tabernacle.  They gave liberally, joyfully, and enthusiastically to their God.  That is the way God wants it done.  Our worship of God should be with joy, and so should our giving.

The covering of the tabernacle was fine twined Egyptian linen which speaks of the righteousness of Christ.  It speaks of His character and His work.  Christ is adequate to meet our needs. He can save us.  He can deliver us.  He can keep us. Everything in the tabernacle pictured some part of the person or work of the Lord Jesus Christ.

 

Please read the chapter listed so that you can understand God’s Word better.

If you have missed any lessons, you can go to: God Plans For You at https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com.

J. Vernon McGee Commentary and Nelson’s Quick Reference Commentary.

 

 

The Sabbath Exodus 35

 

Exodus 35 – The Sabbath

 

The Lord insists that the first reason for the Sabbath is that it belongs to the first creation.  God rested on the Sabbath.  There came the day when mankind, no longer recognized God but began to worship the creature.  And man gave up keeping the Sabbath.  If anyone did work on the Sabbath Day, he was stoned to death.  God’s laws were made to suit the land in which Israel lived. 

The Making of the Tabernacle

The gifts for the making of the tabernacle was to be voluntary.  In that day there was no such thing as legal tinder.  The method of barter was the exchange of goods; so, the Israelites were giving things rather than money to the Lord’s work. Even in our day, the Lord can be served when you donate things to His service.

The tabernacle was a beautiful object.  It was a jewel in the desert.  It was a small building.  It was a picture of His Son, Jesus Christ.

Each aspect of the making of the tabernacle is mentioned in detail because each part was important to God.  The smallest wooden peg had to conform to the pattern God gave Moses on the Mount.  If we expect God to be concerned about the details of our lives, we must pay attention to the details of His instructions. God gave the plan, and He also gave the workers the wisdom needed to do the job right.  There is nothing wrong with dedicated artistry, for God built beauty into His tabernacle.  God wants skillful hands as well as dedicated hearts.

God gives us the plan and the wisdom needed to do the job right.  Read His Word to get to know what His plans are for you.

 

Please read the chapter listed so that you can understand God’s Word better.

If you have missed any lessons, you can go to: God Plans For You at https://sherrysouthard@blogspot.com.

J. Vernon McGee Commentary and Nelson’s Quick Reference Commentary.

 

 

The Ten Commandments Renewed Exodus 34

 

Exodus 34 – The Ten Commandments Renewed

 

The first tables were broken by Moses when he descended Mount Sinai and found that the children of Israel had made a golden calf and were worshiping it.  He now comes back to the mount with blank tables of stone. God proclaimed His name to Moses, and He wants the Israelites to remember their experiences with Him since they left the land of Egypt.

God does not extend mercy by shutting His eyes to the guilty.  God by no means clears the guilty.  The sacrifices Israel made in that day did not take away sin, but they pointed to that “Perfect sacrifice”, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, when He did come, put away sin by His death on the Cross. If we only turn to Him, we will find mercy.

 God made a covenant before all the people; it was part of the shield of God that He was putting around His people.  They would have been devoured by the enemy if He had not done this.  God said that He will drive out all their enemies.  If they made a covenant with the Canaanites, it would become a snare to them and lead them back into idolatry. God is a jealous God and does not want to share His honor and glory with false gods. The land of Canaan was covered with idolatry.  Israel was to either destroy them or drive them out of the land.  The reason is because God was protecting His own from idolatry.  Israel disobeyed God and did not completely clear the land of these people and suffered the sad consequences.  Finally, God sent Israel, disobedient and corrupt, into Babylonian captivity.

Next God is preparing Israel to enter the land by reestablishing the feasts and sabbaths.  The Israelites were to put God first!  God works for us, but he expects us to walk with Him.  He will keep His covenant, but we must not compromise with evil.

 

 

Please read the chapter listed so that you can understand God’s Word better.

If you have missed any lessons, you can go to: God Plans For You at https://sherrysouthard@blogspot.com.

J. Vernon McGee Commentary and Nelson’s Quick Reference Commentary.

 

 

Israel's Journey continues Exodus 33

 

Exodus 33 – Israel’s Journey Continues

 

This is the third time God has called Israel a stiff-necked people.  God is making it clear to them that He had not come to redeem His people because they were superior. 

God asks them to remove the signs, (their earrings), that show they are heathen and pagan to take a stand for God.  That is the reason that baptism was so important in the early church.  It was evidence that a person had left the old and was taking a stand for the new.

The tabernacle, a tent, is being constructed outside of camp. This was a meeting place where Moses talked with God.  Just as friends speak to each other face to face, God and Moses talked.  But Moses did not see God.

Joshua is mentioned again in this chapter.  He is the man that God is preparing to succeed Moses. 

I believe every sincere child of God has a desire to know God.  Moses knew that he needed the presence of God with him.  He knew that he could not make it on his own.  Even as Moses was for God. We are to be a people for God.  We need His presence today to face the problems of everyday. 

Moses saw God’s glory. Many believers Pray, “show me your way,” but not many pray, “show me Your glory.”  No man can see God in His fullness and live, but God can reveal some of His glory.  He did that for Moses “In the secret place of the Most High.”

Our experience of glory today is explained in 2 Corinthians 3:18 “But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.”

 

 

 

 

 

Please read the chapter listed so that you can understand God’s Word better.

If you have missed any lessons, you can go to: God Plans For You at https://sherrysouthard@blogspot.com.

J. Vernon McGee Commentary and Nelson’s Quick Reference Commentary.

 

 

The Golden Calf Exodus 32

 Exodus 32 – The Golden Calf

 

The people thought Moses was gone, probably had been killed.  Since he was gone, they wanted to make idols (gods) to lead them on the wilderness march.  Right away they lapsed into idolatry.  You would think Aaron, who was the high priest, would try to stop them, but he did not. Aaron was supposed to be the spiritual leader in the absence of Moses, but instead he gave in and let the people have their way.  During that time earrings were a sign of idolatry.  Now they were bringing those earrings to Aaron. Gross immorality was involved here.  They have already departed from God after they had told Him that they would keep all His commandments. God told Moses “I knew you were a stiff-necked people.”  “Moses get thee down, for thy people that thou hast brought forth out of the land of Egypt have corrupted themselves.”  Moses told God, “You brought them out of Egypt, and You did it with a mighty hand. The Egyptians would say that you were able to lead them out of Egypt but not able to take them into the land.  They are Your people, Lord, you promised to bring them into the land.”  “Remember Abraham, Isaac, and Israel; You made a promise to them.”  When Moses prayed like that, it moved the arm of God.  If we were more honest in praying, we would see more answers – that is more visible answers to our prayers.

The children of Israel were having a good time.  They were worshiping the golden calf and living in sin.  When Aaron was confronted with his sin, Aaron blamed the people, Moses, and the furnace but he did not blame himself. On top of that he lied. Sin is an awful cancer, and God uses extreme surgery in this case by slaying those who were guilty.  God in His grace forgives the sinner, but in His government, He must punish the sin.  The judgment is serious and extreme.  It had to be that because there had been terrible sin. Once the guilty was slain, the camp was cleaned up.  If the men who had led Israel into idolatry had been allowed to live, the nation would never have entered the promised land.  Israel had to remain a separated people, or God could not work out His great purposes through them.

An atonement covered up sin. If you want to get along with God, you will have to agree with Him about sin.  Sin is sin and must be confessed.  Tell God exactly what it is.  Moses said “I take my place with the people.  If you do not intend to bring them into the land, then blot me out with them.”  Those who did not sin in the idolatry of the calf would be led by the Angel of God.  This should impress upon us the extreme importance of prayer.

 

J. Vernon McGee Commentary and Nelson’s Quick Reference Commentary

Special Gifts Exodus 31

 

Exodus 31 – Special Gifts

 

Moses spent a great deal of time on Mt. Sanai, receiving instructions on building the tabernacle.  Men and their helpers were given special gifts for craftsmanship.  They made the tabernacle furniture and the garments.  The Spirit of God equipped them for their work.  Bazaleel was given a special gift from God to do His work.  In one sense this man’s gift is more important than Aaron’s gift.  His gift was essential for the building of the tabernacle. God gives us talents, but He wants us to dedicate them to Him.  Whatever gift God has given you. He would like the Spirit of God to take it and use it for His service.

 

The Sabbath – according to J. Vernon McGee, he declares the Sabbath was given specifically to Israel. The church from the very beginning met on the first day of the week.  When the church was born; the day of Pentecost was on the day after the Sabbath.  The Sabbath was first given to the entire human race, but man turned away from God, and gave the Sabbath exclusively to Israel.  If a man was found gathering sticks on the Sabbath Day, he was stoned to death in Israel. In verses 16-17 it expressly says that the children of Israel, not the church, were to keep the Sabbath.  The church is a new creation, and it was given a new day to observe which is the first day of the week.

Even today God wants us to be balanced:  work, rest, worship.

 

 

 

 

Please read the chapter listed so that you can understand God’s Word better.

If you have missed any lessons, you can go to: God Plans For You at https://sherrysouthard@blogspot.com.

J. Vernon McGee Commentary and Nelson’s Quick Reference Commentary.

 

 

Be Ye Cleansed Exodus 30

 

Exodus 30 Be Ye Cleansed

 

The Altar of Incense in the tabernacle was a small altar. It was placed right by the veil, and the ark and mercy seat were on the other side of the veil.  It stood in the Holy Place, the place of worship. This was not an altar of sacrifice. Only incense, and only a certain kind of incense, was to be placed upon this altar.  The priests would go in and burn incense every time they would light the lamps of the lampstand.  This altar speaks of prayer.  Incense, therefore, is a figure of the Lord Jesus Christ, our intercessor.  When we come to God in prayer, we must come through the Lord Jesus Christ.  It was wonderful for the children of Israel to know that their high priest was in the tabernacle, at the altar of incense, praying for them.  It is wonderful for us to know that Jesus Christ, our great High Priest, is praying for us. Christ does not pray for the world. Why? Because Jesus died for the world.  The Holy Spirit is here to make the offer of Christ real to those who will receive Him.  Christ is in heaven praying for those who have received Him as Savior.  In verse 8, it says “there is to be a perpetual incense before the Lord throughout your generations.”  There is to be continual praise in God. “To pray without ceasing” The incense was to be upon the altar in the morning and evening.  When the high priest went inside and offered incense, the incense stayed upon his garments and when he came outside, the people could smell him.  Let your prayers ascend before God as sweet incense, and it will permeate your garments. 

There will be no plague among the Israelites because they are going to be redeemed.  Silver is the metal of redemption and a type of redemption.  Everyone that worshipped had to be redeemed. Not only that, but they must also be cleansed.  The laver is in the outer court and is made of brass.  The brazen laver is where God deals with our sins as saints. The priest could not come into the tabernacle to serve unless he had first washed. If they were going to the brazen altar, they washed before and after. We cannot worship Him, serve Him, or be of use to Him unless we have been cleaned up. The laver of brass pictures our sanctification. The pure water is the Word of God. The women brought their highly polished brass mirrors to make the laver. They did not have mirrors then.  The mirrors revealed dirt and that was the purpose of the laver.  The laver cleansed the priest, and the laver pictures the Word of God.  The Bible is a mirror and when we read it, our sin is revealed.  We then need to confess that sin and be cleansed. The Holy Spirit is the one who can open our mind and heart when we go to work with God to understand His Word.

 

Consecrration Exodus 29

 

Exodus 29 - Consecration

 

Consecration for a believer is nothing that he does for himself.  It is something that God does for him.  It rests upon the finished work of Christ.

The washing mentioned in the passage has to do with regeneration. It, along with consecration is coming to God with empty hands, confessing our weakness and our inability to do anything, then letting God do the rest.

The high Priest and his family put their hands upon the bullock.  The laying on of hand on an animal speaks of identification.  When a sinner came up to the altar and put his hands on the head of the animal he had brought, it meant that the animal was taking his place.  The bullock took Aaron’s place.  It will die for him because he is a sinner.  This is the burnt offering. The main sacrifice, which was the burnt offering and the first one, sets forth the person of Christ – who He is.  The altar speaks of what He has done for us.

The breast of the ram was a wave offering, which was for Aaron, and his sons.  The Levites were not given any land for farming in the nation, and this is the way God provided for their support. 

The continual burnt offering was to be continually offered. This offering was a daily sacrifice; a lamb was offered in the morning and a lamb was offered in the evening, it speaks of the fact that the people needed a continual reminder that someone was needed to take their place and that their sin merited death.  There must be shedding of blood for sin.

The blood of Christ has cleansed us, and our past is gone. Sinful hearts are purified not by religious rites but by faith and baptism in Jesus Christ. We stand in the very righteousness of Christ.  We have been anointed with the Holy Spirit and lives within us.  He enables us to minister.

The continual burnt offering morning and evening reminded them of their complete and constant devotion to God.  We need not to forget our daily presentation of ourselves to God.

 

 

 

Please read the chapter listed so that you can understand God’s Word better.

If you have missed any lessons, you can go to: God Plans For You at https://sherrysouthard@blogspot.com.

J. Vernon McGee Commentary and Nelson’s Quick Reference Commentary.