Exodus 29:1-30:10
There is a lot of detail. It is fascinating at times to listen to someone, who really has a feel for all of this symbolism, describe what he thinks the symbols mean.
Generally speaking, as you read, look for major impressions and then look for some details that stand out to you.
Ex. 29:1-46
One thing that strikes me is the number of sacrifices. God sacrificed the first animal in Genesis to provide covering for Adam and Eve. Sacrifice is going to become a major part of Israel. It never truly covered sin. Only the future sacrifice of Christ could do that. What do you think was the purpose and lessons God was infusing in Israel?
I’ll add a couple of my thoughts:
The consecration of the priests shows the transference of their sin and then their cleansing through the blood of the animal. They also ate the sacrifices as holy feast. Their office cost a lot of animals their lives.
I find it interesting that their new clothes were sprinkled in blood. There must be some symbolism in the blood being put on the right ear, thumb and big toe. The blood of substitution (picturing the future forgiveness through Christ and this forgiveness as the way to a relationship with Him) was to symbolize all they were about: everything they thought, everything they did and every step they took. I think this is a good picture of the disciple of Jesus on this earth.
Just like us, they couldn’t represent God or help the people until their own sins were forgiven and they were walking before Him cleansed.
Verse 38 describes the institution of the morning and evening offering. This was to be done every day, forever. This would begin everyday with the forgiveness of sin and end the day with the forgiveness of sin. This is a major symbol for Israel. There were special occasions and sacrifices, but this would be the major ministry of the sons of Aaron. Their entire lives were focused on one thing, interceding for the people, covering their sins. In this way, God could and would dwell in their midst.
You’ve got to admit, all of this is pretty gory. I mean, what a serious, morose job the priests had. They were surrounded by, and focused on, death. On the other hand, they had the job that brought the people and God together. As disciples, to work in the harvest following Christ, means giving up some things that would be “fun” here. Having our focus on the Lord, His love and the harvest keeps us focused on the harvest and the need of the lost. We devote our lives on earth to serving Christ and helping others find Him, to know the grace and forgiveness we have found. Is it worth giving up stuff and devoting our earthly lives to this? Ask Jesus if it was worth it. That’s what He did. The disciple is not greater than his master.
Ex. 30:1-10
The altar of Incense was necessary, but why? It wasn’t because it stunk because of all the dead animals. It was the next symbol, that of prayer. Notice again, this was to be always burning. Just as we are supposed to be constantly praying, and not just for ourselves, but for the progress of the kingdom as the Gospel of Christ reaches into the lives of the lost.
So far, the Lord has given Israel a prophet (Moses), a priest (Aaron & Sons), and symbols of perpetual light (the Word), perpetual forgiveness (the daily sacrifices), and perpetual prayer (the incense). Then add to this that all the men were to appear before the Lord 3 times a year, personally bearing the testimony of redemption to their families, nation and neighbors. If Israel had truly followed God in faith and gratefulness, they would have been a blessed nation and a mighty witness for God. As disciples, this is an incredible picture of our lives in Jesus in the harvest. Instead of the temple and all the customs, we begin in the mornings (or whenever it works in the day) with our Bibles, in prayer, in faith and gratefulness, ready to follow Him into the harvest. We also have the church, a community of people to grow and work with in the harvest.
Matthew 26:14-46
Matt. 26:14-29
What is interesting is that Matt./Mark/Luke record the actual giving of the Lord’s Supper memorial. John gives the most comprehensive view, but doesn’t give the exact words. The events are as follows: the supper and institution of the Lord’s Supper came first. Then came the fight over who would be first. Jesus washed the disciples’ feet, then the finishing of the feast and identity of the betrayer, Satan enters Judas and he leaves, then the upper room discourse (Jn 14-17), and Jesus leaves with his disciples to go to the garden.
This means that Judas was at the Lord’s Supper and then had his feet washed. Jesus showed him love and gave him opportunity to change his mind, right up to the end. What blows me away is that Jesus’ behavior toward Judas never changed, so that the disciples had no clue it was him.
Matt. 26:30-46
The only thing I want to point out is that Jesus adds something to his prediction of being resurrected. In verse 32 He mentions that when he is risen, He’ll meet them in Galilee. The tone of this is the emphasis on Galilee. He passes over the “risen” part and emphasizes the meeting in Galilee. I wonder why.
Psalm 31:19-24
Jesus quoted a part of this Psalm on the cross and so we’ve been walking through it imagining Jesus’ experience. These last few verses are really good as sound advice from our Lord and brother.
Proverbs 8:14-26
It seems to me that God is saying we should really be seeing wisdom. What parent or spouse couldn’t use some more wisdom? James says that if anyone lacks wisdom they should ask God. Paul says we are to know what the will of the Lord is, like we should really be able to understand. I guess it’s all in the Word. All we need to add is time and desire to read what He says and do it.
If you’re reading along and don’t have a One Year Bible, click on this link Every Day in the Word. If that doesn't work, go to http://www.gnpcb.org/esv/devotions/ and click on “Every Day in the Word.”
I'm writing these comments to and for those at New Song who are following a One Year Bible and involved in a discipleship cell. We're meeting weekly and discussing the texts, not necessarily my comments. We're growing together, learning to become and make disciples who make disciples. We will all be leading others in this process and training them to do likewise.
The comments I'm writing are in no way exhaustive, but meant to give some leading thoughts on how the text applies to us as disciples and to encourage and stimulate our growth in reading the Bible, with the effect that we will grow as disciples and encourage the growth of others as disciples growing in the word. If you would like a more descriptive commentary that is still readable and concise, I'd recommend the Bible Knowledge Commentary. It's keyed to the NIV, so the result is, the commentators are constantly telling you what the Greek or Hebrew is. That never hurts.
I am not endorsing any particular One Year Bible, in fact, no one in our church reads the version I do, die revidierte Lutherbibel 1984.
Anyone reading along with us is welcome to do so and encouraged to take their own notes and make their own observations. If the comments made do not agree with your particular tradition or understanding, that's OK. Nothing I've written is meant to criticize any point of view, but only to express the truth of what God has written to us, as I understand it.
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