FEBRUARY 6
Exodus 23:14-25:40
Exodus 23:14-13
Vs. 14-19 These feasts were a great idea by God to have the
entire nation, and the men in particular, always focused on God’s salvation, redemption
and selection of Israel. The feasts made the people think of God’s provision
and His cleansing of their sin. There is actually much more to this, but it is
amazing to think of what is built into these three festivals. More than
anything, in a heart of faith, these feasts would have made Israel strong in
knowing that the promise of God to redeem all mankind was being worked out
through them. They were the chosen people through whom the promise to Adam and
Eve and the promise to Abraham would be fulfilled and proclaimed in the world.
As a footnote to these feasts and the presentation of
sacrifices and firstfruits, three stipulations are given. Looking at them, it
seems to me that each applies to each feast in that order.
V. 18 This has to do with the Passover feast where yeast or
“leaven” was not allowed.
V. 19 They should offer only the best as firstfruits. This
was the feast at Pentecost, 50 days after the Passover.
The young goat and its mother's milk - this has to do with
the feast in October, the Day of Atonement and the Feast of Tabernacles. Men
smarter and godlier than I have broken their heads trying to understand and
explain the prohibition here, but it makes sense to me that it’s just out of
line, so if God said not to do it, don’t do it. It could be that there was a
pagan ritual involving this. It could also be that since a goat plays a
significant part in the Day of Atonement, any goats offered were to be roasted.
In a practical sense, for all the men to come to Jerusalem
three times a year would have made Israel very unique in the eyes of all its
neighbors. They would have been unique not just religiously, but in terms of
sanity, leaving the country unguarded for weeks, in fact, the same weeks every
year. For Israel itself, it would have demonstrated great love, faith and
dependence on God their Savior.
As disciples, we live with reminders of our salvation and
the grace given to us. That God would choose us to love, forgive, and call to
His service is incredible. The Word reminds us of God’s plan to redeem and
bring salvation through Jesus. Communion reminds us of the price that was paid
to redeem us. The very fact that the Church exists should be a reminder of our
Savior, our place in God’s kingdom and our mission to reach a lost world, making
disciples. God has built all this, and more, into our lives as disciples; but
they only stay vital and meaningful if we are in love with Christ and are
following Him in the harvest.
Vs. 20-22 This is a promise to the people that God will give
them the land. They have seen His power, so there should be no doubt that God
will do this. They see the mountain smoking, burning at the top, lightning,
thunder, a blaring trumpet…all indications that what Moses is telling them from
God is a pretty good bet.
One question I have is regarding the angel. Is this just an
angel or is it Christ? I say this because of what Paul/Spirit says in 1
Corinthians 10:1-4, For I do not want you
to be unaware, brothers, that our fathers were all under the cloud, and all
passed through the sea, and all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in
the sea, and all ate the same spiritual food, and all drank the same spiritual
drink. For they drank from the spiritual Rock that followed them, and the Rock
was Christ.
In the verses above it says Christ was represented in the “Rock”
or provision of water; but since there is the aspect of following or
accompanying them, I would guess that Jesus was that angel who led them. God's
presence was with the people, not by proxy, but He was actually there in the
person of Christ, the angel of the Lord. Now, in the promise of the Holy
Spirit, God is not only "with us," He dwells within us. Amazing.
Vs. 23-33 There is a lot to observe here.
Notice that God says He will bless them and give them
victory, but it is repeated that they dare not worship the gods of these
people. That sounds like the warning about the tree of good and evil.
Notice that God says He will not drive the people out
immediately and why. Also, God says He will drive the people out of the land.
This means that, in a sense, Israel never had to fight against anyone. There
never had to be any bloodshed. The people of the land knew that God was giving
the land to Israel and they could have responded to God and left. That is an
interesting wrinkle on what we'll be reading in Joshua, especially when we see
what Rahab says.
Exodus 24
Vs. 1-8 This is the “Mosaic Covenant,” that is, the covenant
that God made with Israel through Moses. It is a conditional covenant, in that
the people have to agree to obey in order to see the blessings. This obedience
was to have been driven by their love of God for their salvation from Egypt. It
would be saving faith by believing that God was fulfilling the promise to
Abraham through them. Even here, the focus was not on them, but on God, who
would show them love as a witness to draw the nations.
Moses had already been writing, since he mentions a Book of the Covenant. The Ten
Commandments actually signified other commands God had given and those He would
still give. This is why in the New Testament we'll see statements that loving
God and one's neighbor actually fulfill the law. Just as loving God and one's
neighbor fulfilled the Ten Commandments (Romans 13:9), the Ten Commandments
summarized all of the laws of the Old Testament.
The people agreed to the covenant and in the only time this
happens in the OT, they are sprinkled (somehow) with the blood of the covenant. Those words, the blood of the covenant, will be repeated when Jesus institutes
the Lord’s Supper, in making a new covenant.
Just for clarification, the covenant that Jesus makes with
us for redemption and righteousness before God is unconditional. In the Mosaic
Covenant (MC) obedience was a mandate. The MC was an “If/Then” arrangement, not
for salvation, but for national blessing. I think that the “faith that saved”
was in the God of Israel, who redeemed Israel according to His promise to
Abraham. No one could ever be saved by obeying the law. Paul says that
salvation is, and always has been, through faith.
Vs. 9-11 A meal usually followed the making of a covenant.
It says they see God. Jesus, John and Paul all say that no one has ever seen
God. So what is happening here? Again, I think that they are seeing the angel
of the Lord, the pre-incarnate Son of God. Seeing Jesus is the only time
mankind has ever seen God.
Another thing worth mentioning has to do with the men at
this meal, two of whom are Aaron’s sons. We need to keep in mind that through
these 40 years, God is going to be teaching the people His holiness and the
deadliness of sin. These two men are given a great privilege. How many people
have eaten with God? Surely they’ve gotta be like “buds” with God, and if they
mess up, He’ll cut them some slack. Right? Wrong.
Vs. 12-18 Joshua went further up the mountain with Moses,
but didn’t go up to the place where Moses met God. This does mean that Joshua
is being given great privilege. I find it interesting that Moses’ successor is
already shown to us.
Aaron and the guys went down to the people to take care of
stuff. I doubt that Joshua or Moses had food for 40 days. God must have somehow
been providing for them too.
Exodus 25
Vs. 1-9 It is interesting that the first thing God does
after the covenant is to begin forming the nation around their worship of Him.
Notice that the materials for the tabernacle and everything in it were to come
from their free offerings as their hearts led them.
God either gave Moses detailed plans or He gave Moses a
supernatural memory.
Also, some of these materials for building the tabernacle
were probably what the people brought out of Egypt. But in the forty years they
were living in the wilderness, I'll bet this community of 2-3 million people
became a stop on the caravan routes.
Vs. 10-22 Beginning from the very innermost room, the Most
Holy Place, God describes the ark of the covenant and the mercy seat. It was
here every year on the Day of Atonement that the sins of the nation would be
provisionally forgiven as a symbol of the forgiveness that would come through
Jesus.
Vs. 23-30 Now God describes the furniture in the Holy Place,
the room right before the veil that covered the entrance to the Most Holy Place.
It is interesting that the next thing God talks about is the table for the
bread of the Presence. The twelve loaves (Lev. 24:5) represent the people of
Israel always being before God. That this symbol was bread probably signified
that the life and provision of Israel came from Him.
Vs. 31-40 The lampstand signified God's light and life to
the people. The talent of gold in v. 39 was about 75 pounds.
As you think of these pieces of furniture, remember that in
all God is doing here, He is setting the visual aids to what redemption in
Jesus would look like. The three pieces mentioned symbolize the light God
gives, the care and provision He gives, and most importantly, the forgiveness
and grace we receive from Him. The mercy seat was set atop of the ark of the covenant
which held the Word. The forgiveness is given to us based, not on the law, but
upon the promise of the living Word. These three pieces represent what God
gives to His people.
The only piece missing from the Holy Place is the altar of
incense representing the prayers of God's people rising up before Him. This is
our part. Of course, there is still the veil, but in a couple of days in
Matthew, Jesus will take that away.
There is deep symbolism in these pieces of furniture, and
blessings for those who take the time to consider and meditate on them.
Matthew 24:29-51
It is good to keep in mind that all of this prophetic
information will have a very helpful and specific meaning to the people going
through the Tribulation. They will understand these words better than we do.
The Lord is giving them a basic outline of what will happen. It is OK if we
don't understand everything fully. They will.
Vs. 29-31 I’ve always thought this was comical. In v. 15
from yesterday, the antichrist goes into the temple with an attitude and
declares himself to be god. Then he walks out on the temple steps, and
basically the earth and the universe go kaput. Cool, he has just pronounced
himself captain of the Titanic.
This is not the rapture of the church before the
Tribulation. This gathering refers to all believers on earth at the end of the
Tribulation. Because of the persecution, they will be driven into all nations. The
believing on earth will be supernaturally gathered, but not be “changed” as
Paul says the raptured church will be “changed” in 1 Corinthians 15:51-53.
These believers will enter the Millennial Kingdom as normal humans with normal
and untransformed bodies. It is at this time, too, that the Lord will resurrect
all the OT believers and they will enter, enjoy, and serve in the Millennial
Kingdom of Christ.
Vs. 32-51 The fig tree illustration is a reference to the
“birth pangs” that are not the coming of Christ, but give the sign that His
“day” is coming. This coming “day” will be all seven years of the Tribulation.
For those disciples who are watching, there will be a sense of alertness when
they see times of great distress hit the nations and the earth.
Vs. 36-39 Jesus says that the day will come totally
unexpected. There will be enough peace on earth to allow the normal flow of
life. The reference has to be to the beginning of the Tribulation. This “day of
the Lord” will bring such severe judgment that all normal life on earth will
end. Once the Tribulation begins, people who are wise can begin marking X's on
their calendars.
I understand vs. 40-41 to refer to the rapture, that is, God
removing the church from earth before the Tribulation, thus introducing the
Tribulation. Just as God made a choice between belief and unbelief in the
plagues of Egypt, He will do that also as He begins the Tribulation. The result
will be turmoil on the earth and many in Israel will be awakened to belief in
the gospel and their Messiah.
Vs. 42-51 This is the second time Jesus has used this
example with His disciples. Now all of this information will have a great
meaning to the people going through the Tribulation, but Jesus expects all of
His disciples in all ages to be awake and alert. I know the final thing Jesus
says about the lazy servant can be taken to mean that this servant wasn’t a
believer. I think that defeats the purpose of the warning; but then, you don’t
want a believer thrown into hell. What are we to do?
My take on this is that the servant is a believer, like
millions we have today who live for themselves as good Christians but do not
follow Christ into the harvest. When they are judged…and we all will stand
before the judgment seat of Christ…their lives and works built on the
foundation will be looked at. I think this is another view of 1 Corinthians
3:12-15. To cut him in pieces is a
figure of speech like, “the fir will fly,” or “tear him a new one.” These
hypocrites will suffer. I think those who live a lukewarm life for Christ will
feel deep distress and remorse in that moment when they see their life’s work
burned away and realize, in the presence of their Savior, what a waste it was.
I know the weeping and gnashing of teeth
is usually reserved for those who end up in hell, but I think the anguish can
be applied in this case to those who, though believing, treat the love and
grace and mission of Christ with contempt.
Psalm 30
The note here that this was at the dedication of the temple
probably means the tabernacle when David brought the ark of the covenant into
Jerusalem. David must have had times he wondered if he would ever see this day.
David's deep despair is felt here, but out of that despair and crying out came
this amazing testimony of God's care. Verses 11 and 12 came out of that
suffering.
Vs. 1-3 Look at all the things David mentions in these
verses. These are the things God would also do for those who came to the tabernacle
and sought God's help and mercy. Notice the connection between crying out to
God and being healed.
Vs. 4-5 After all of the civil war and the oppression of
enemies, this nation was now united under God, under David. The waiting was
worth it. The morning had come.
Vs. 6-7 David had to experience betrayal and persecution to
become humble. That oppression was a blessing.
Vs. 8-10 In persecution is where David learned to cry out to
the Lord.
Vs. 11-12 And look what David learned and how finding God as
his help changed him.
As we read these psalms, they should give us hope as we are crying
out and waiting on the Lord. The joy that God gave David will be given to us
also, if we wait on the Lord.
Proverbs 7:24-27
There she is again. In my book, Looking Out For Number
One, I used these verses of warning for Andreas when Angela came to get
him. I intentionally made Angela look “normal” and “moral,” because most men
are smart enough not to go after a wild looking prostitute; but the woman next
door, or at church, or in the next office who they see at lunch, comes right
through their radar. But it all leads to the same place.
If you’re reading along and don’t have a One Year
Bible, click on this link http://www.esvbible.org/devotions/every-day-in-the-word/. If that doesn't work, go to http://www.esvbible.org/devotions/ and click on “Every Day in the Word.”
I'm writing these comments to and for those who are
following a One Year Bible and interested in growing deeper as a disciple,
following Jesus in the harvest. My hope is to see the growth of a discipleship
culture in the church. Groups of 3-4 disciples, meeting weekly, encouraging
each other to follow Christ and work to reach out and make disciples who make
disciples. The Bible itself is the most universal manual we have and key to our
growth and service in Christ. Nothing keeps us more focused on why we are here
or what we are to be doing. My comments are only meant to provide some
explanation of the events or to show the flow of God's plan of redemption. My
comments are in no way exhaustive, but are designed to keep us focused on
Christ and our role in His harvest. My hope is that the people in these groups
will grow in Christ and be willing, after a year, to find 3 others to meet with
and encourage in their growth as disciples, disciples making disciples in the
harvest.
If you would like a complete description of this model
of being and making disciples you can find it in my book: Simply
Disciples*Making Disciples. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B011WJIDQA?*Version*=1&*entries*=0
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, I read something you don't, die revidierte Lutherbibel 1984.
Anyone reading along with us is welcome to do so and is
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.
Send comments or feedback to dgkachikis@gmail.com.
If you would like documents containing an entire month
of the Reading Notes, go to https://sites.google.com/site/dlkachikis/reading-notes. You can download these to use on your computer or to
print.
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