Session #2.Encountering The Law

(Exodus – Deuteronomy)

Sacred places – Tabernacle & Land

Sacred times – Sabbath (weekly) Passover &…Festivals

(annually) Sabbath year (7th year)

Year of Jubilee (50th year)

Sacred actions – Circumcision (set apart/ holy)

Observing the Law (lifestyle & obedience)

Sacrifice/ offerings (worship & forgiveness)

OUTLINE:

shemot (Heb) = names exodus (Gk) = departure

1.Preparation of the deliverer (Moses)

2.Ten plagues of Egypt (God vs. the gods of Egypt)3.Establishment of the Passover4.The Exodus (& crossing of the Sea of Reeds Yam

Suph)5.Journey to Mount Sinai (& giving of the Law)

6.Directions for & Construction of the Tabernacle

I don’t want you to forget, dear brothers and sisters, about our ancestors in the wilderness long ago. All of them were guided by a cloud that moved ahead of them, and all of them walked through the sea on dry ground…all of them were baptized as followers of Moses. All of them ate the same spiritual food and drank the same spiritual water…and that was Christ. Yet God was not pleased with most of them, and their bodies were scattered in the wilderness.

These things happened as examples to warn us, so that we would not crave evil things as they did, or worship idols as some of them did. As the Scriptures say, “The people celebrated with feasting and drinking, and they indulged in pagan revelry.” And we must not engage in sexual immorality as some of them did, causing 23,000 of them to die in one day.

Nor should we put Christ to the test, as some of them did and then died...And don’t grumble as some of them did, and then were destroyed by the angel of death. These things happened to them as examples for us. They were written down as warnings to us who live at the end of the age. (1 Corinthians 10:1-11)

“The friend of God” (Ex. 33:11; Num. 12:3)

40 years in Egypt (as an Egyptian prince)

40 years in the desert (as a Nomadic shepherd)

40 years leading the people (as a Hebrew deliverer)

Yahweh (LORD) - “I am who I am” (Ex. 3-4)

Moses’ 5 excuses:

Inadequacy (3:11ff.) “Who am I?” Ignorance (3:13ff.) “Who are you?” Incredibility (4:1ff.) “What if they don’t believe

me?” Inarticulate (4:10ff.) “What if I can’t

communicate?” Insubordinate (4:13ff.) “Here am I Lord - send

Aaron!”

1. Water to blood

2. Frogs

3. Gnats

4. Flies

5. Livestock diseased

6. Boils

7. Thunder and Hail

8. Locusts

9. Darkness

10. Death of the Firstborn

September

Sept/ October

Oct/ November

November

Nov/ December

Dec/ January

February

Feb/ March

March

March/ April

The gods of Egypt (Ex. 12:12):

Hapi

Hek/ Qet

Geb/ Seb

Khephera

Hathor & Apis

Typhon

Nut & Shu

Serapia

Ra/ Re

Ptah & Taurt

Centred around the Passover lamb (sacrifice)(Is. 53:7; John 1:29; 1 Pet. 1:19; Rev. 5:6)

Application of the blood (to each household)

Eat it (quickly)/ get ready to leave Egypt

Judgment on the firstborn

Consecration of the firstborn (man & animal)

Regulations (who can do this & how often?)

Feast of Unleavened Bread

A new start (“the first month of the first year”)

“The Israelites set out from Rameses on the fifteenth day of the first month, the day after the Passover. They marched out boldly in full view of all the Egyptians, who were burying all their firstborn, whom the LORD had struck down among them; for the LORD had brought judgment on their gods.” (Numbers 33:3-4)

Unconstituted group of up to 2 million people *

(cf. Numb. 1:46)

…who have left their country of birth …who are largely bi-lingual …and are about to enter a new land(populated by various groups of indigenous

peoples)

* Heb. elep also means a clan or military unit

1. Deliverance from captivity in Egypt & crossing of the Sea of Reeds (Exodus)

2. Wilderness journey (& early military victory)

3. Provision (manna, quail & water)

4. TORAH (instructions): Ten Commandments Tabernacle (“tent of

meeting”) - Priesthood, sacrifice &

offerings The Holiness Code

The Lord our redeemer

The Lord our warrior

The Lord our provider

“I am the truth…”

“I am the way…”

“I am the life…”

“You yourselves have seen what I did to Egypt, and how I carried you on eagles' wings and brought you to myself. Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession. Although the whole earth is mine, you will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.”

These are the words you are to speak to the Israelites.

(Ex. 19:4-6; cf. 1 Peter 2:9)

“The LORD will provide” (Gen. 22:14)

1. Salvation–crossing the Sea of Reeds. “The LORD is a warrior”

2. Bread, meat & water (Ex. 15-17)3. Rephidim: A taste of victory (Ex. 17)4. Organization, leadership structure & delegation (Ex. 18)5. Covenant (10 commandments) & Law (Ex. 19-24)6. Festivals & the Sabbath (Ex. 23)7. Instructions for the Tabernacle (“Tent of meeting”) Ex.25-

31Golden calf & New tablets of Law (Ex. 32-34)Construction of the Tabernacle (Ex. 35-40)

Key to understanding the OT!

1. Promised to Abraham (12:2-3)

2. Established - or “cut” (15:18)

3. Confirmed/ sealed by circumcision (17)

4. Re-stated (22:15-18)

5. Confirmed to Isaac (26:2-6, 23-25)

6. Transmitted to Jacob (27:27-29; 28:1-4)

7. Confirmed to Jacob (28:13-15; 35:9-12; 46:3-4)

Transmitted to Judah, not Joseph! (49:10)

“I am the God of Abraham, Isaac & Jacob”

1 The LORD had said to Abram, "Leave your country, your people and your father's household and go to the land I will show you.

2 "I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you;

I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing.

3 I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse;

and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you."

1 After this, the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision:

"Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield,

your very great reward."

…5 He took him outside and said, "Look up at the heavens and count the stars—if indeed you can count them." Then he said, "So shall your offspring be."

… 7 He also said to him, "I am the LORD, who brought you out of Ur of the Chaldeans to give you this land to take possession of it."

… 13Then the LORD said to him, "Know for certain that your descendants will be strangers in a country not their own, and they will be enslaved and mistreated four hundred years. 14 But I will punish the nation they serve as slaves, and afterward they will come out with great possessions. 15 You, however, will go to your fathers in peace and be buried at a good old age. 16 In the fourth generation your descendants will come back here…”

….18 On that day the LORD made (cut) a covenant with Abram and said, "To your descendants I give this land, from the river of Egypt to the great river, the Euphrates – the land of (ten nations)…”

Personal relationship (blessing)

1. A seed/ offspring (son)

2. A nation

3. A land

All nations

“The faith of Abraham”(Rom. 4; Gal. 3)

“The seed…is Christ… you are Abraham’s seed(Gal. 3:16, 29; 4:28)

“The Israel of God” (Gal. 6:16)

“They will inherit the earth” (Matt. 5:5, Rev. 5:10)

“Make disciples of all nations”(Matt. 28:19; Rev. 15:4)

The covenant ceremony (with the nation)The terms of the covenant Ex. 19-20The covenant is sealed (by blood) Ex. 24The covenant is confirmed Ex. 34

(two tablets stored in the Ark of the Covenant)

The covenant is renewed Deut. 29-31

Blessing Land Life Curse Captivity Death

“The Mosaic period rests squarely on a covenantal rather than a legal relationship. While law plays an extremely significant role…in this era, covenant always supersedes law.”

(O. Palmer Robertson)

“God heard their groaning and he remembered his covenant with Abraham, with Isaac and with Jacob.”

(Ex. 2:24)“I am the Lord your God who brought you out of

the land of slavery - you shall be…” (Ex. 20:2)

SALVATION

“God is love” In a covenant

relationship

SecurityBlessing (giving

freely) Life

JUDGEMENT

“God is holy”Outside the covenant

relationship…or broken covenant relationship

InsecurityCurse (withholding)Death

Relating to God:

1. Only one God2. No idols3. Respect God’s

name4. Keep the

Sabbath

Relating to others: “our neighbour”

5. Honour your parents6. Do not murder7. Do not commit

adultery8. Do not steal9. Do not lie10.Do not covet

** God: “I will…” ** People: “We will..”

Then (God) said to Moses, "Come up to the LORD, you and Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel…  When Moses went and told the people all the LORD's words and laws, they responded with one voice, "Everything the LORD has said we will do." Moses then wrote down everything the LORD had said.

He got up early the next morning and built an altar at the foot of the mountain and set up twelve stone pillars representing the twelve tribes of Israel. Then he sent young Israelite men, and they offered burnt offerings and sacrificed young bulls as fellowship offerings to the LORD. Moses took half of the blood and put it in bowls, and the other half he sprinkled on the altar. Then he took the Book of the Covenant and read it to the people. They responded, "We will do everything the LORD has said; we will obey."

Moses then took the blood, sprinkled it on the people and said, "This is the blood of the covenant that the LORD has made with you in accordance with all these words." (vv. 1-8)

Circumcision (personal)

“You are to undergo circumcision, and it will be the sign of the covenant between me and you.” (Ex. 17:11)

Sabbath (corporate)

“The Israelites are to observe the Sabbath, celebrating it for the generations to come as a lasting covenant. It will be a sign between me and the Israelites.”

(Ex. 31:16-17)

Three annual Festivals

1. Passover (1st month 14th)Unleavened bread (15th)

2. FirstfruitsWeeks (50 days after

Passover)

3. Trumpets (7th month) Day of Atonement (10th) Tabernacles (15th)

+ The weekly Sabbath

The SanctuaryThe Sanctuary

Tabernacle/ TempleTabernacle/ Temple1.1.AltarAltar (Burnt offering) (Burnt offering)

2.2.Laver Laver (Ceremonial (Ceremonial washing)washing)

3.3.Holy PlaceHoly Placea. Table of the a. Table of the

presencepresenceb. Seven branch b. Seven branch

lampstandlampstandc. Altar of incensec. Altar of incense

4.4.Most holy placeMost holy placeMercy seatMercy seatArk of the Ark of the

covenantcovenant a. Tables of the a. Tables of the

LawLaw b. Aaron’s rodb. Aaron’s rod c. Pot of mannac. Pot of manna

Book of worship

The 5 offerings (Lev. 1-7)

1. Burnt offering2. Grain offering3. Peace (fellowship)

offering4. Sin offering5. Guilt offering

The (613) laws

Practice of worship

The PriesthoodSacrifice/ offeringsFestivals (& days)The Holiness codeLifestyle & healthEthics & moralitySocial justice

“Be holy, for I am holy” (11:44-45; 19:2; 20:7, 26)

Confession (our part) Covering (God’s part)

agreement atonement

1. Burnt offering * (mandatory, complete, continual)2. Peace offering (voluntary, fellowship)3. Sin offering (sins of omission)4. Trespass/ Guilt offering

(sins of commission, restitution)

5. Grain offering (thanksgiving, no blood sacrifice)

* lit. “holocaust”

1. Individual brings an offering (for himself/ his family)

2. Lay hands on substitute & confess sins3. Priest slaughters animal (humanely)4. Blood poured out, collected & scattered on altar5. Sacrifice burnt (partially or wholly)6. Remaining portions eaten (ie… a fellowship meal)

“The scapegoat…sent away” (Lev. 16/ Day of Atonement)

Holiness of God & complexity of sin

1. God made us for a relationship2. We rebel & break the relationship3. God is holy & can’t overlook sin4. God has intervened to provide a way back

Sin (little word/ big concept)

Breaking a law (abar) “transgression” guilty

Missing a target (chattah) “fall short” lost/ wayward

Become twisted (awan) “perversion” tainted

Morally confused (rasha) “wicked”unrighteous

POWERPOWER

WorldWorld

Born in Born in sphere of sphere of sinsin

PENALTPENALTYY

UniversalUniversal

Born into Born into a state of a state of sinsin

PRINCIPLEPRINCIPLE

HeartHeart

Born with Born with propensity to sin propensity to sin (transferred (transferred down)down)

SIN… spoils spreads enslaves separates

The anointed one (Jesus) will…

“finish transgression (abar)”“put an end to sin (chattah)”“atone for wickedness (awan)”“bring in everlasting righteousness (opp. to rasha)”

** see Hebrews 7-10 for more details **

"Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!" (John 1:29)

"He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world." (1 John. 2:2)

At Sinai (1-9)Census - Arrangement of the camp - Passover

From Sinai to Kadesh Barnea (10-19)The report of the spies (13) – Turning back (14:25)

Heb. 3:12/1 Cor. 10:1-13

From Kadesh to the Plains of Moab/Jordan (20-36)On the move again – Victories - 2nd census

One year later (after the exodus & giving of the law) Take a census & arrange the tribes (Num. 1-8) Celebrate Passover (Num. 9) Set off (from Sinai) – Num. 10 Exploration (of the land) – Num. 13 The great rebellion (Num. 14/Heb. 3:12/1 Cor. 10)Sentence: 40 years for 40 days of crime! (Numb. 14:34)

On the move again (the 40th year) – Num. 20-36 Miriam dies (1st month), Aaron dies (5th month), 40th yr. Journey to Moab (Defeat of Og & Sihon) Encounter with Balaam (& Balak) – Num. 22-24 Second census, restructuring (Joshua to succeed

Moses)

** A potential 11 day journey, takes 40 years! (cf. Deut. 1:2)

 On the twentieth day of the second month of the second year, the cloud lifted from above the tabernacle of the Testimony. Then the Israelites set out from the Desert of Sinai and traveled from place to place until the cloud came to rest in the Desert of Paran. They set out, this first time, at the LORD's command…(vv.11-13)  

So they set out from the mountain of the LORD & traveled for three days. The ark of the covenant of the LORD went before them during those three days to find them a place to rest. The cloud of the LORD was over them by day when they set out from the camp.

Whenever the ark set out, Moses said,        "Rise up, O LORD!        May your enemies be scattered;        may your foes flee before you."

Whenever it came to rest, he said,        "Return, O LORD,        to the countless thousands of Israel.“ (vv. 33-36)

Deuteronomy (Covenant)

Understand the lessons of history

Understand the message of the

prophets

Speech #1. Looking backward…to the faithfulness of God Chs. 1-4

Speech #2. Looking upward …to our basic calling to Love God Chs.

5-11 Speech #3. Looking outward

…to our mission to be the people of God Chs. 12-26

Speech #4. Looking inward…to a life of obedience or disobedience Chs.

27-30 Speech #5. Looking forward

…to a new start Chs. 31-34

“Soon you will cross the River, and if you obey the laws and teachings I'm giving you today, you will be strong enough to conquer the land that the LORD promised your ancestors and their descendants. It's rich with milk and honey, and you will live there and enjoy it for a long time.” (Deut.11:8-9 CEV)

Walk in all the way that the LORD your God has commanded you, so that you may live and prosper and prolong your days in the land that you will possess. (5:33)

And now, O Israel, what does the LORD your God ask of you but to fear the LORD your God, to walk in all his ways, to love him, to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul…(10:12)

Observe the commands of the LORD your God, walking in his ways and revering him. (8:6)

For I command you today to love the LORD your God, to walk in his ways, and to keep his commands, decrees and laws; then you will live and increase, and the LORD your God will bless you in the land you are entering to possess. (30:16)

You have declared this day that the LORD is your God and that you will walk in his ways, that you will keep his decrees, commands and laws, and that you will obey him. (26:17)

Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. (11:19)

Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. (6:7)

“Remember the day you stood before the LORD your God at Horeb… You came near and stood at the foot of the mountain while it blazed with fire… Then the LORD spoke to you... He declared to you his covenant, the Ten Commandments, which he commanded you to follow and then wrote them on two stone tablets. And the LORD directed me at that time to teach you the decrees and laws you are to follow in the land that you are crossing the Jordan to possess.” (Deut. 4:10-14; see 5:2-3)

Speech #1

Looking backward…to the faithfulness of God

Chapters. 1-4

Remembering the foundation

The salvation of God

The covenant of God

The promise of God

Remembering the leaders (who went before us)

Bold leaders (ie. Moses) Numb. 12:3Organized leaders (ie. Jethro) Deut. 1:9-18 Faithful leaders (ie Caleb) 1:36Courageous leaders (ie. Joshua) 1:38

Remembering the failures & mistakes (of the past)

You were unwilling (to go up) 1:26 You grumbled (in your tents) 1:27 You did not trust 1:32 You sinned (& were disciplined by God)

3:3-4

Remembering the victories

Amalekites 1:29-31 Sihon (King of Heshbon) 2:24ff. Og (King of Bashan) 3:1ff. Summary 3:18-

20

Speech #2

Looking upward…to our calling (to love

God)

Chapters. 5-11

Remember the covenant

Who their God isWhat he said (to them)Who they are (& how they should

live)

This is who I This is who I amam

& what I’ve & what I’ve donedone

This is who you areThis is who you are& how you should & how you should

respondrespond

I am (your husband)

“I will…”

Isaiah 54:5-7Hosea 2:16-20, 7Ezekiel 16:32 Jeremiah 3:14 Jeremiah 31:31ff.

We are (your people)

“We will…”

Deuteronomy 4:1Hear now, O Israel, the decrees and laws I am about to teach you. Follow them so that you may live and may go in and take possession of the land that the LORD, the God of your fathers, is giving you.Deuteronomy 5:1Moses summoned all Israel and said: Hear, O Israel, the decrees and laws I declare in your hearing today. Learn them and be sure to follow them.Deuteronomy 6:3Hear, O Israel, and be careful to obey so that it may go well with you and that you may increase greatly in a land flowing with milk and honey, just as the LORD, the God of your fathers, promised you. Deuteronomy 9:1Hear, O Israel. You are now about to cross the Jordan to go in and dispossess nations greater and stronger than you, with large cities that have walls up to the sky.Deuteronomy 20:3He shall say: "Hear, O Israel, today you are going into battle against your enemies. Do not be fainthearted or afraid; do not be terrified or give way to panic before them.”

“Hear, O Israel”:

The LORD our God, the LORD is one.

Love the LORD your God with all your heart

and with all your soul and with all your strength.

What hinders & prevents us from loving God?

Compromise – ch. 7Neglect (Forget) – ch. 8Pride – ch. 9Idolatry – ch. 9Commitment – ch. 10Decision (blessing or curse) – ch. 11

Speech #3

Looking outward…to our mission

(to be the people of God)

Chapters 12-26

Establishing the worship of the one (true) God

Engaging in war (against the worship of false gods)

“the place the LORD your God will choose” (x 21)

“to put his name there (for his dwelling)” x3“(a place…) as a dwelling for his name” x6

Affirmation of ownership (taking possession)Erection of a victory monument (in charge)Inscribing of foundation stone (who is being

worshipped?)

(Gordon Wenham)

You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me. Ex. 20:5/ Deut. 5:9

Do not worship any other god, for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God. Ex. 34:14

For the LORD your God is a consuming fire, a jealous God. Deut. 4:24

For the LORD your God, who is among you, is a jealous God and his anger will burn against you, and he will destroy you from the face of the land. Deut. 6:15

Joshua said to the people, "You are not able to serve the LORD. He is a holy God; he is a jealous God. He will not forgive your rebellion and your sins. Joshua 24:19

Moses replied, “…I will spread out my hands in prayer to the LORD. The thunder will stop and there will be no more hail, so you may know that the earth is the LORD's.” Exodus 9:29

The earth is the LORD's, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it. (Psalm 24:1)

One God (Yahweh – only one name)One way to him (by sacrifice)

John 14:6Acts 4:121 Timothy 2:5Ephesians 1:10Habakkuk 2:14 (Isaiah 11:9)

Passover (Unleavened bread) Atonement

Firstfruits Resurrection

Weeks (Pentecost) Coming of Spirit

Trumpets God is coming

Tabernacles Life together (now)

Holiness code:

Justice & righteousness

Love & mercy

Grace & generousity

Wisdom & godliness

Do not be afraid! Role of the priest:

Get ready for battle (& know when not to)

Do not fear (by focusing on yourselves)

Trust in the LORD (to fight for you) Select your officers (team) Know your army Make the enemy an offer of peace

(If accepted) Enslave(If rejected) Attack

Be prepared for exceptional cases Be wise

Speech #4

Looking inward…to a life of obedience

or disobedience

Chapters. 27-30

You have declared:

To love God & as his people, you will…

observefollowwalkkeep

…to obey him

He has declared:

That you are his treasured possession & holy people

he will praise youhe will make you famoushe will hold you in high honour

…to bless you

Instructions for the (ultimate) visual aid

Pick out some large stonesCoat them with plaster Write the words of the Law on themSet them upon Mount Ebal Build an altar to God

Curses from Mount Ebal

Disfavour of God Mental/ physically

sick Barren & unfruitful Poverty Defeat Oppression Failure Humiliation

Blessings from Mt. Gerezim

Favour of GodHealthyReproductiveProsperousVictoriousExaltation

You’ve seen!

God’s miraculous salvation

God’s miraculous provision

God’s miraculous victories

But do you understand?

This is a binding agreement

This is for the sake of future generations

There really is no turning back now

The consequences of dis-obedience will be disastrous

It’s really not that hard!

It’s a matter of life & death!

It’s all about obedience!

Do you want experience blessing?

“Now choose life, so that you and your children may live and that you may love the LORD your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him. For the LORD is your life, and he will give you many years in the land he swore to give to your fathers.” (19-20)

Speech #5

Looking forward …to a new start

Chapters. 31-34

Qualities of a good leader:

Selection by GodTrust in the promise of GodStrength & courage from GodKnowledge of the word (Torah) of

GodFilled with the Spirit of God

So the LORD said to Moses, "Take Joshua son of Nun, a man in whom is the Spirit, and lay your hand on him.” (Numb. 27:18)

Now Joshua son of Nun was filled with the Spirit of wisdom because Moses had laid his hands on him. So the Israelites listened to him and did what the LORD had commanded Moses. (Deut. 34:9)

“Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their forefathers to give them. Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go." (Josh. 1:6-9)