The book of Numbers has developed a bad reputation over the years (second only to Leviticus) as being comprised of pure boredom (and affectionately called "The Sleep Aid") but it's actually a very interesting book once you get below the surface. And so I really hope that this book comes alive to you (It has for me!). In my efforts to revive your appreciation for Numbers, let me take you on a journey to the depths of the book.
At its most basic level, the book of Numbers provides a prequel to the military blitz in the book of Joshua that ultimately secures the promised land for Israel. But there's more to the book than this. Think about this. Why is this book even needed? Why not just get to the action? SIMPLE. The people needed modern day reassurances that God would NOT leave them (even despite their proclivity toward rebellion). They simply needed to be reminded that the promises of the Abrahamic Covenant (Genesis 12:1-3) were still in effect for them and that God would battle on their behalf. So how does the author accomplish this? He patterns His book after the book of Genesis to communicate, "If God did not abandon His promises back THEN, He will not abandon His promises NOW." And so the depths of Numbers are found in the structural relationship it has with the book of Genesis.
THE THREE CYCLES OF REBELLION
With this in mind, the structure of the book of Numbers is the key to properly understanding its message. So how is the book structured? While there has been lots of disagreement, the presence of two censuses (Numbers 1 & 26) makes it fairly obvious that the book of Numbers divides into at least two parts. Most scholars agree that the first half of the book (chapters 1-21) alternates between the giving of laws (which help create and maintain God's order) and the telling of Israel's rebellious behavior. This happens in three cycles making the pattern of chapters 1-21 look like this:
1-10 Laws of order ("they did as the Lord commanded Moses")
11-14 Stories of rebellion (complaining; questioning; lack of faith)
15 Laws of order (instructions for various sacrifice)
16-17 Stories of rebellion (questioning of Aaron's priesthood)
18-19 Laws of order (duties of priests and levites; purification water)
20-21 Stories of rebellion (lack of faith; complaining)
But where's the excitement in this? Well, this pattern matches the structure of Genesis 1-11. How do I know this? Just like Numbers 1-21, Genesis 1-11 consists of three cycles of rebellion. In Genesis 1-2, God creates a harmonious world but then Genesis 3-4 records how humanity's rebellion brings chaos to God's creation order (CYCLE 1). God then reestablishes order by replacing Abel (who had died at the hands of his brother Cain) with the godly line of Seth (Genesis 5). However, we see in Genesis 6-8 that even Seth's line spirals out of control through its rebellious behavior (CYCLE 2). In Genesis 9, God steps in once again to restore order by sending a flood that wipes out all of humanity (with the exception of Noah and his family). But right on cue, Genesis 10-11 shows that Noah and his descendants are no different than anybody else from the past (CYCLE 3).
STRUCTURAL PARALLELS
With Leviticus
So what does all of this tells us? God has always given Israel laws with the purpose to create and maintain order (He didn't just pull the laws out of a hat!) BUT humans have an instinct to rebel against God's harmonious order. And so, when Israel rebels, God is forced to give further laws to reestablish order so that humanity's relationship with Him can continue. We have already seen the law play this type of role before in the book of Leviticus when God gave the ceremonial laws (for the sacrificial system). And in fact, the book of Numbers is in many ways the rewriting of Leviticus but in story form. Check out these comparisons:
Numbers 15 & Leviticus 1-7 (sacrifices)
Numbers 18 & Leviticus 8-9 (the priests)
Numbers 19 & Leviticus 10-16 (purity laws)
Numbers 28-29 & Leviticus 23 (festivals)
Numbers 30 & Leviticus 27 (vows)
With the Flood
Even despite these parallels, the book of Numbers still shows a closer relationship with the book of Genesis than with Leviticus. In fact, the three cycles of rebellion are not all that the books of Numbers and Genesis have in common. Just like in Genesis 9 when God cleansed the earth of evil by sending a flood, in Numbers 14 we see that God plans to cleanse His people by killing off the current, corrupt generation through wars and plagues before He lets Israel enter the promised land. In Genesis, the flood lasted 40 days and in Numbers, the process of killing off the older generation lasted 40 years. It is the census taken in Numbers 26 which confirms the completion of the cleansing process.
With the Abrahamic Covenant
But one other parallel between the books of Genesis and Numbers needs to be noted. The story about Balaam (Numbers 22-25) stands directly in-between the two censuses and therefore many agree that this narrative serves as the CENTERPIECE of the entire book of Numbers. It is also commonly recognized that this narrative brings to mind the covenant made with Abraham in Genesis 12-17 (which also serves as the CENTERPIECE of Genesis). Why is this? Well, the major feature of the Abrahamic covenant is that "God will bless those who bless Abraham and curse those who curse Abraham." This also seems to be the central feature of the story of Balaam in that Balak is making a request (to curse God's people) that would violate the Abrahamic Covenant. And as we see, Balaam is unable to honor such a request because God will not breach His promise with Abraham.
Now if the Balaam story parallels the Abraham narratives (Genesis 12-17) as suggested this further elucidates the similarities between the books of Numbers and Genesis in that not only do both books begin with three cycles of rebellion but they both resolve these cycles with reaffirmations regarding God's commitment to His people and creation (the Abrahamic covenant on the one hand and the Balaam story on the other). This is not by accident. God wants us to know that He will always stand true to His promises.
THE BOTTOM LINE
This is precisely where the book of Numbers intersects with our lives. God stays true to His words. He has promised to completely restore His creation and He will not abandon His plan. BUT we can choose to either join Him in His plan or rebel against His plan. As we see in the book of Numbers, those who rebel against God do not experience the benefits of His promises. This is true of us as well. If we choose to live in rebellion then we should expect to experience God's discipline NOT His promises. So may you live faithfully for God and join Him in the goodness of His plan and promises.
Saturday, October 27, 2012
Monday, October 22, 2012
Leviticus 19
I love reading Leviticus 19. Why? It cracks me up! In one breath you're totally tracking with the author. "Do not steal." AMEN. "Do not lie." PREACH IT! "Do not deceive one another." CAN I GET A WITNESS? "Do not wear clothing woven of two kinds of fabric." SAY WHAT? DID I HEAR YOU CORRECTLY? This last 'breath' was probably pretty confusing to you. Am I correct?
So how do we address this craziness? One of the solutions is to divide the law into three categories: CIVIL (laws that govern disputes between individuals), CEREMONIAL (laws pertaining to religious rituals), and MORAL (laws pertaining to ethical behavior). What conclusion has been reached from these categories? SIMPLE. The moral laws still apply to us today (because they're easy to apply) but the ceremonial and civil laws are obsolete (because they are foreign to us).
While there is some truth to this, the Bible doesn't make these distinctions! And in fact, there is overlap between civil laws and moral laws (For instance, "Do not steal" is both civil and moral). On top of this, it would be difficult to determine into which category the prohibition against blending fabrics should be placed. So this leaves us with unanswered questions. Are people today sinning if they wear a cotton/polyester blend t-shirt? And why on earth would God give such a strange law in the first place? Let's find out!
LEVITICUS 18
People's confusion with God's laws in Leviticus 17-26 (the Holiness Code) often begins with a misunderstanding of Leviticus 18. Most people think that chapter 18 exists to prohibit incestual relationships (that is, relationships between blood relatives) for genetic and scientific reasons. While there is truth in this, this rationale does not explain why this passage also prohibits intimate relationships between in-laws (people who are not genetically related). So then why would God give these laws? The best reason (in my opinion) is that intimacy between family members (including in-laws) pollutes God's creation design by threatening the sanctity of the family structure and confusing the inheritance process. In short, it perverts God's order in creation (by mixing what God did not intend to mix).
LEVITICUS 19
This understanding of Leviticus 18 sheds light on Leviticus 19. But how? The chapter begins with very understandable laws that provide specific ways we can love and honor both God and others. But then things get interesting in verse 19. "Do not mate different kinds of animals." "Do not plant your fields with two kinds of seed." "Do not wear clothing woven of two kinds of material." What's wrong with mixing these things? Well, I guess if God had wanted these types of mixtures He could have created them that way in the first place. Isn't that a possibility? If so then the author's point is simple: "Don't mess with God's creation order." Or more specifically, "Keep separate what God originally separated."
Now something interesting seems to be going on here. Think about this. From where do these laws seem to originate? How about the creation account in GENESIS 1-3? In Genesis 1, God brought order on the earth by SEPARATING things (light/darkness, water above/water below, land/sea). But then in Genesis 3 Adam and Eve contaminated God's 'good' creation by MIXING bad/evil with God's good creation when they ate from the forbidden tree. Now, it appears that God wants to remind us not to make the same mistake.
But blends were not completely banned by God. Interestingly, the curtains in the tabernacle were made of blended fabrics (Exodus 26:1). So is this a double standard by God? NOPE. Rather it provides further clarity behind the rationale for the 'mixing' laws. How so? In the sacred domain, mixtures and blends are allowed BUT in the secular (human) domain, mixtures and blends are prohibited. This signals that these laws have more of a symbolic significance and serve to remind people to live holy (distinct) lives. God wants His people to distinguish between the sacred and the secular as they go about their everyday lives. When knitting a shirt...Remember you are called to be holy. When seeding a field...Remember you are called to be holy. When mating animals...Remember you are called to be holy.
This reminder was important because God's people would be confronted time and time again with other worldviews on their journey to the promised land (and even in the promised land). In fact, verses 26-31 instruct God's people to avoid the pagan religious practices of other people groups (Lev. 18:3). No seeking out spiritists (vs. 31). No participating in pagan death rituals (vs. 26-28). No participating in pagan fertility rituals (vs. 29).
In fact, these practices had desecrated (made impure) the promised land during its occupancy by the pagan nations (Lev. 18:24-25). This probably explains why eating fruit from any kind of fruit tree was forbidden (lit. uncircumcised) for three years after entering the land (Lev. 19:23-25). In the fourth year, the fruit was dedicated to God and considered holy. And then in the fifth year, the fruit could be eaten. But why was the fruit forbidden (uncircumcised) for three years (and not for two or four or seven years)? One interesting possibility draws from the original creation of fruit-bearing trees on day three in Genesis 1. After God created them, these trees remained untouched for three days and then on the fourth day (after the trees were created) God rested and declared that day 'holy'. This creation pattern fits the pattern in Leviticus 19 (3 years = forbidden fruit; 4th year = holy fruit).
So what's the point? The promised land was to be a holy (distinct) place governed by God's original creation design and completely free from any pagan influences and contamination. In other words, God wanted His land and people to be PURE and attractive for the success of His rescue mission.
THE BOTTOM LINE
So what is the takeaway for us? God's laws reflect His design for a harmonious world. What does this type of world look like? Respect your parents. Help those in need. Do not lie. Do not steal. Do not pervert justice. Do not seek revenge. Do not spread slander. All of these laws provide for a well functioning world. But God doesn't want us to make the same mistake as Adam and Eve and contaminate His PURE world by MIXING good with bad. And so God placed these 'mixing' laws into the lives of His people to remind them to live holy (distinct) lives.
So how can we live UNMIXED lives? SIMPLE. Don't taint love by mixing it with actions and attitudes such as slander, arrogance, greed, drunkenness, violence, and sexual promiscuity. A lifestyle of PURE love is how God desires us to distinguish between the secular and sacred in our everyday lives. This is how God defines a PURE life. And so may this be true of your life!
QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION
How does Leviticus 19 relate to James 3:6-12 and James 4:8?
Are you ever tempted to be double-minded (that is, have mixed loyalties)?
How are you doing at taming your tongue?
Would you consider yourself to be more of an encourager or a discourager?
What changes do you need to make to avoid IMPURE speech in your life?
So how do we address this craziness? One of the solutions is to divide the law into three categories: CIVIL (laws that govern disputes between individuals), CEREMONIAL (laws pertaining to religious rituals), and MORAL (laws pertaining to ethical behavior). What conclusion has been reached from these categories? SIMPLE. The moral laws still apply to us today (because they're easy to apply) but the ceremonial and civil laws are obsolete (because they are foreign to us).
While there is some truth to this, the Bible doesn't make these distinctions! And in fact, there is overlap between civil laws and moral laws (For instance, "Do not steal" is both civil and moral). On top of this, it would be difficult to determine into which category the prohibition against blending fabrics should be placed. So this leaves us with unanswered questions. Are people today sinning if they wear a cotton/polyester blend t-shirt? And why on earth would God give such a strange law in the first place? Let's find out!
LEVITICUS 18
People's confusion with God's laws in Leviticus 17-26 (the Holiness Code) often begins with a misunderstanding of Leviticus 18. Most people think that chapter 18 exists to prohibit incestual relationships (that is, relationships between blood relatives) for genetic and scientific reasons. While there is truth in this, this rationale does not explain why this passage also prohibits intimate relationships between in-laws (people who are not genetically related). So then why would God give these laws? The best reason (in my opinion) is that intimacy between family members (including in-laws) pollutes God's creation design by threatening the sanctity of the family structure and confusing the inheritance process. In short, it perverts God's order in creation (by mixing what God did not intend to mix).
LEVITICUS 19
This understanding of Leviticus 18 sheds light on Leviticus 19. But how? The chapter begins with very understandable laws that provide specific ways we can love and honor both God and others. But then things get interesting in verse 19. "Do not mate different kinds of animals." "Do not plant your fields with two kinds of seed." "Do not wear clothing woven of two kinds of material." What's wrong with mixing these things? Well, I guess if God had wanted these types of mixtures He could have created them that way in the first place. Isn't that a possibility? If so then the author's point is simple: "Don't mess with God's creation order." Or more specifically, "Keep separate what God originally separated."
Now something interesting seems to be going on here. Think about this. From where do these laws seem to originate? How about the creation account in GENESIS 1-3? In Genesis 1, God brought order on the earth by SEPARATING things (light/darkness, water above/water below, land/sea). But then in Genesis 3 Adam and Eve contaminated God's 'good' creation by MIXING bad/evil with God's good creation when they ate from the forbidden tree. Now, it appears that God wants to remind us not to make the same mistake.
But blends were not completely banned by God. Interestingly, the curtains in the tabernacle were made of blended fabrics (Exodus 26:1). So is this a double standard by God? NOPE. Rather it provides further clarity behind the rationale for the 'mixing' laws. How so? In the sacred domain, mixtures and blends are allowed BUT in the secular (human) domain, mixtures and blends are prohibited. This signals that these laws have more of a symbolic significance and serve to remind people to live holy (distinct) lives. God wants His people to distinguish between the sacred and the secular as they go about their everyday lives. When knitting a shirt...Remember you are called to be holy. When seeding a field...Remember you are called to be holy. When mating animals...Remember you are called to be holy.
This reminder was important because God's people would be confronted time and time again with other worldviews on their journey to the promised land (and even in the promised land). In fact, verses 26-31 instruct God's people to avoid the pagan religious practices of other people groups (Lev. 18:3). No seeking out spiritists (vs. 31). No participating in pagan death rituals (vs. 26-28). No participating in pagan fertility rituals (vs. 29).
In fact, these practices had desecrated (made impure) the promised land during its occupancy by the pagan nations (Lev. 18:24-25). This probably explains why eating fruit from any kind of fruit tree was forbidden (lit. uncircumcised) for three years after entering the land (Lev. 19:23-25). In the fourth year, the fruit was dedicated to God and considered holy. And then in the fifth year, the fruit could be eaten. But why was the fruit forbidden (uncircumcised) for three years (and not for two or four or seven years)? One interesting possibility draws from the original creation of fruit-bearing trees on day three in Genesis 1. After God created them, these trees remained untouched for three days and then on the fourth day (after the trees were created) God rested and declared that day 'holy'. This creation pattern fits the pattern in Leviticus 19 (3 years = forbidden fruit; 4th year = holy fruit).
So what's the point? The promised land was to be a holy (distinct) place governed by God's original creation design and completely free from any pagan influences and contamination. In other words, God wanted His land and people to be PURE and attractive for the success of His rescue mission.
THE BOTTOM LINE
So what is the takeaway for us? God's laws reflect His design for a harmonious world. What does this type of world look like? Respect your parents. Help those in need. Do not lie. Do not steal. Do not pervert justice. Do not seek revenge. Do not spread slander. All of these laws provide for a well functioning world. But God doesn't want us to make the same mistake as Adam and Eve and contaminate His PURE world by MIXING good with bad. And so God placed these 'mixing' laws into the lives of His people to remind them to live holy (distinct) lives.
So how can we live UNMIXED lives? SIMPLE. Don't taint love by mixing it with actions and attitudes such as slander, arrogance, greed, drunkenness, violence, and sexual promiscuity. A lifestyle of PURE love is how God desires us to distinguish between the secular and sacred in our everyday lives. This is how God defines a PURE life. And so may this be true of your life!
QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION
How does Leviticus 19 relate to James 3:6-12 and James 4:8?
Are you ever tempted to be double-minded (that is, have mixed loyalties)?
How are you doing at taming your tongue?
Would you consider yourself to be more of an encourager or a discourager?
What changes do you need to make to avoid IMPURE speech in your life?
Thursday, October 18, 2012
Leviticus 11-15
Did you know that in the Old Testament women were considered UNCLEAN after they had a baby? What's up with that? Was giving birth a sin in the Old Testament? Or what about this? Why were water creatures without fins and scales (such as seafood) DETESTABLE and unfit to eat but locusts and grasshoppers CLEAN and edible? I mean which would you rather eat? But God seems to want us to have an appetite for locusts and NOT seafood. Strange huh? But this is God's Law. I'm not making this stuff up!
So this begs the question, did God thoughtlessly conjure up these laws so He could have a good laugh or is there a rationale behind them? And can these laws (in any way) benefit God's people today? Many believe these laws are completely outdated and obsolete but I actually think they speak an important message to our lives today. I believe this because a very specific principle seems to stand at the CORE of these laws. Let me explain.
THE RATIONALE
If you look closely at Leviticus 11 you quickly notice that the passage is structured using the same categories of animals (but in reverse order) as Genesis 1 (sea animals, flying creatures, land animals, and "creatures that move along the ground"). This is a clue that Genesis might hold the key to unlocking the rationale behind these strange purity laws. And in fact, observations have been presented by scholars that support this.
For instance, the types and categories of uncleanness in Leviticus 11-15 seem to correspond to the storyline of Genesis 3. In Genesis 3, Adam and Eve EAT what is forbidden (Lev. 11: FOOD Laws; Gen. 3:6), the woman is cursed with pain in CHILDBEARING (Lev. 12: CHILDBIRTH Laws; Gen. 3:16), nakedness becomes a source of shame for the man and woman which God covers with a GARMENT of SKIN (Lev. 13-14: SKIN and CLOTHING Laws; Gen. 3:7, 10, 21, 23), and tension is infused into the relationship between the man and woman which interferes with their INTIMACY (Lev. 15: BED Laws; Gen. 3:16). So then, what does this rationale tell us about the purpose behind these purity laws?
THE PURITY PRINCIPLE
The purity laws served a symbolic function as daily reminders to God's people about the FALL and the fact that they were living in an IMPURE and DYING world in need of major renewal. Likewise, the purity laws reminded God's people of their LIFE-GIVING mission and the importance of living as a HOLY (distinct) people under God's rule to accomplish this mission. In this way, IMPURITY and DEATH, on the one hand, and HOLINESS and LIFE, on the other, stand at the center of these laws. This is confirmed in Leviticus 11:43-47. And so the general principle is that anything that defies God's HOLY design for life symbolizes DEATH and is therefore UNCLEAN while anything that conforms to God's HOLY design symbolizes LIFE and is CLEAN. So how does this work itself out in the specific purity laws in Leviticus 11-15? Let me show you.
THE DIRTY DETAILS (pardon the pun!)
Food Laws
Notice in the food laws (Lev. 11) that CLEAN animals BOTH chewed the cud and had a split hoof. On the surface this sounds both strange and random. But animals that chew the cud are by definition VEGETARIAN (they do not eat meat). And so this tells us that God's people were only allowed to eat animals NOT associated with DEATH. This is to say, animals that killed other animals for food were UNCLEAN (this includes the pig). This was also true for the birds of prey listed in Leviticus 11:13-19. So what practical purpose did this serve? This law reminded God's people every time they ate that God's original creation design did not include DEATH!
So then what was so special about animals with a split hoof? For starters, split hooves allow greater cushion for animals that graze in the field, such as cattle (no need for orthopedic shoes!). Also, animals with split hooves have an important distinction from animals with claws. Clawed animals are meat-eaters while split-hoofed animals graze and therefore don't eat meat. Additionally, the author helps us here by giving us three animals (that do not have a split hoof but chew the cud) as examples to draw out the rationale for this criterion: the camel, rabbit, and cony (rock badger). Let's begin with the camel. What function did the camel serve? Transportation. Right? The same holds true for the horse and donkey which also DO NOT have a split hoof (but DO chew the cud). And so eating a donkey, horse or a camel would defy God's original creation design for these animals. They were not created to be eaten! And doing so would symbolically bring DEATH to God's creation order.
Now personally I would love to see someone ride a rabbit but it hasn't happened yet in my lifetime. And so if not for functional reasons, why are non-split hoofed rabbits and rock badgers (cony) off limits for eating? Regarding rabbits, you're probably thinking, "They have the 'cute factor' going for them." But not so with the rock badger! Believe it or not, the rabbit and the rock badger (cony) were most likely considered UNCLEAN because they were often confused as being rodents (which are classified as UNCLEAN for reasons we'll later discuss). And so vegetarian animals that can easily be confused with UNCLEAN animals are UNCLEAN (Remember...back then they didn't have Siri to verify information). But the confusion doesn't end here.
Why were sea creatures without fins or scales such as lobsters and crabs considered UNCLEAN? The likely explanation is that these creatures were BOTH land and sea creatures and did not fit neatly into ONE of God's original creation categories (land, sea, or sky). In this way, these animals defy God's original creation design and remind us that in Genesis 3 disorder and DEATH were brought into the world.
Finally, why are insects and animals that "move about on the ground" UNCLEAN? This criterion points us back to Genesis 3 when the serpent was sentenced to "crawl on his belly and eat dust." As a result, since the time of Genesis 3 anything associated with the ground is considered UNCLEAN. This includes insects and rodents that move by hovering over the ground whether on their bellies or on four legs. Conversely, insects like grasshoppers and locusts that moved by hopping over the ground were considered CLEAN because they didn't bring to mind the serpent (and the DEATH he introduced to God's creation order).
Other Purity Laws
Regarding the other purity laws (Lev. 12-15), they were linked with everyday occurrences that brought to mind Genesis 3 and the DEATH that resulted from Adam and Eve's sin. For instance, childbirth brought to mind the curse of PAIN. Also, many believe childbirth was associated with DEATH because of the loss of blood during delivery (and the risk of death that this presented). Likewise, skin diseases and molds were associated with SHAME and the process of DEATH which weren't a part of God's original creation order.
THE BOTTOM LINE
So what message do these purity laws have for us today? Notice that God used these laws to plant symbols into the everyday lives of His people to remind them of their life-giving mission. And so when people ate a meal, welcomed a new child into the world, or contracted an illness, they were reminded that they live in an impure and dying world and that God has called them to be a life-giving force through the way they represent Him to the world. We are called to do the same. Our actions are to reflect God to the world. May you bring God into your everyday life and be a life-giving force for the honor of God and for the sake of others.
QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION
When do you think about God the most? Why then?
What steps can you take to make God more a part of your everyday life?
THE RATIONALE
If you look closely at Leviticus 11 you quickly notice that the passage is structured using the same categories of animals (but in reverse order) as Genesis 1 (sea animals, flying creatures, land animals, and "creatures that move along the ground"). This is a clue that Genesis might hold the key to unlocking the rationale behind these strange purity laws. And in fact, observations have been presented by scholars that support this.
For instance, the types and categories of uncleanness in Leviticus 11-15 seem to correspond to the storyline of Genesis 3. In Genesis 3, Adam and Eve EAT what is forbidden (Lev. 11: FOOD Laws; Gen. 3:6), the woman is cursed with pain in CHILDBEARING (Lev. 12: CHILDBIRTH Laws; Gen. 3:16), nakedness becomes a source of shame for the man and woman which God covers with a GARMENT of SKIN (Lev. 13-14: SKIN and CLOTHING Laws; Gen. 3:7, 10, 21, 23), and tension is infused into the relationship between the man and woman which interferes with their INTIMACY (Lev. 15: BED Laws; Gen. 3:16). So then, what does this rationale tell us about the purpose behind these purity laws?
THE PURITY PRINCIPLE
The purity laws served a symbolic function as daily reminders to God's people about the FALL and the fact that they were living in an IMPURE and DYING world in need of major renewal. Likewise, the purity laws reminded God's people of their LIFE-GIVING mission and the importance of living as a HOLY (distinct) people under God's rule to accomplish this mission. In this way, IMPURITY and DEATH, on the one hand, and HOLINESS and LIFE, on the other, stand at the center of these laws. This is confirmed in Leviticus 11:43-47. And so the general principle is that anything that defies God's HOLY design for life symbolizes DEATH and is therefore UNCLEAN while anything that conforms to God's HOLY design symbolizes LIFE and is CLEAN. So how does this work itself out in the specific purity laws in Leviticus 11-15? Let me show you.
THE DIRTY DETAILS (pardon the pun!)
Food Laws
Notice in the food laws (Lev. 11) that CLEAN animals BOTH chewed the cud and had a split hoof. On the surface this sounds both strange and random. But animals that chew the cud are by definition VEGETARIAN (they do not eat meat). And so this tells us that God's people were only allowed to eat animals NOT associated with DEATH. This is to say, animals that killed other animals for food were UNCLEAN (this includes the pig). This was also true for the birds of prey listed in Leviticus 11:13-19. So what practical purpose did this serve? This law reminded God's people every time they ate that God's original creation design did not include DEATH!
So then what was so special about animals with a split hoof? For starters, split hooves allow greater cushion for animals that graze in the field, such as cattle (no need for orthopedic shoes!). Also, animals with split hooves have an important distinction from animals with claws. Clawed animals are meat-eaters while split-hoofed animals graze and therefore don't eat meat. Additionally, the author helps us here by giving us three animals (that do not have a split hoof but chew the cud) as examples to draw out the rationale for this criterion: the camel, rabbit, and cony (rock badger). Let's begin with the camel. What function did the camel serve? Transportation. Right? The same holds true for the horse and donkey which also DO NOT have a split hoof (but DO chew the cud). And so eating a donkey, horse or a camel would defy God's original creation design for these animals. They were not created to be eaten! And doing so would symbolically bring DEATH to God's creation order.
Now personally I would love to see someone ride a rabbit but it hasn't happened yet in my lifetime. And so if not for functional reasons, why are non-split hoofed rabbits and rock badgers (cony) off limits for eating? Regarding rabbits, you're probably thinking, "They have the 'cute factor' going for them." But not so with the rock badger! Believe it or not, the rabbit and the rock badger (cony) were most likely considered UNCLEAN because they were often confused as being rodents (which are classified as UNCLEAN for reasons we'll later discuss). And so vegetarian animals that can easily be confused with UNCLEAN animals are UNCLEAN (Remember...back then they didn't have Siri to verify information). But the confusion doesn't end here.
Why were sea creatures without fins or scales such as lobsters and crabs considered UNCLEAN? The likely explanation is that these creatures were BOTH land and sea creatures and did not fit neatly into ONE of God's original creation categories (land, sea, or sky). In this way, these animals defy God's original creation design and remind us that in Genesis 3 disorder and DEATH were brought into the world.
Finally, why are insects and animals that "move about on the ground" UNCLEAN? This criterion points us back to Genesis 3 when the serpent was sentenced to "crawl on his belly and eat dust." As a result, since the time of Genesis 3 anything associated with the ground is considered UNCLEAN. This includes insects and rodents that move by hovering over the ground whether on their bellies or on four legs. Conversely, insects like grasshoppers and locusts that moved by hopping over the ground were considered CLEAN because they didn't bring to mind the serpent (and the DEATH he introduced to God's creation order).
Other Purity Laws
Regarding the other purity laws (Lev. 12-15), they were linked with everyday occurrences that brought to mind Genesis 3 and the DEATH that resulted from Adam and Eve's sin. For instance, childbirth brought to mind the curse of PAIN. Also, many believe childbirth was associated with DEATH because of the loss of blood during delivery (and the risk of death that this presented). Likewise, skin diseases and molds were associated with SHAME and the process of DEATH which weren't a part of God's original creation order.
THE BOTTOM LINE
So what message do these purity laws have for us today? Notice that God used these laws to plant symbols into the everyday lives of His people to remind them of their life-giving mission. And so when people ate a meal, welcomed a new child into the world, or contracted an illness, they were reminded that they live in an impure and dying world and that God has called them to be a life-giving force through the way they represent Him to the world. We are called to do the same. Our actions are to reflect God to the world. May you bring God into your everyday life and be a life-giving force for the honor of God and for the sake of others.
QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION
When do you think about God the most? Why then?
What steps can you take to make God more a part of your everyday life?
Monday, October 15, 2012
Leviticus 1-7 (part 2)
REVIEW
Last time we learned that the sin and guilt offerings served as a type of checkpoint to make certain that the tabernacle and the people were ready and prepared for worship. Contamination was removed from the tabernacle by sprinkling the blood of the SIN offering on the furniture of the tabernacle. Likewise the SIN offering removed uncleanness from the people (although blood was not sprinkled on them BUT see Numbers 19 and the instructions for creating the water of purification). The GUILT offering on the other hand assured that people were truly repentant and desired to turn away from their sin. This was accomplished not only through the offering itself but also through the requirement that restitution be made (that is, damages be paid) for the harm caused to a person. Once everything was cleansed and true repentance was demonstrated, the worshipper was reconsecrated (that is, set apart for God's use) and allowed access to the three CORE sacrifices: the burnt, grain, and sin offerings.
____________________________________________________________
Try to picture in your mind what a dysfunctional relationship might look like. Got it in your head? Personally, I picture a couple that is always screaming at each other in public because neither of them thinks they are ever wrong. I think of a guy who starts obsessively dating a girl and then puts his other friends on hold and doesn't make any time for them. Or a friend who will only hang out with you when he doesn't have anything better to do. To me these are relationships on a crash course to destruction. But this is not the type of relationship God wants to have with us. In fact, He shows us what a healthy and vibrant relationship with Him looks like through the three CORE sacrifices in Leviticus 1-7.
Before we go any further, though, we need to ask ourselves this question: Why were animals even sacrificed in the Old Testament? After all, at face value it seems like a sick and twisted practice. But if we understand how covenants were made in the Old Testament, we might not be so judgmental. First, we need to understand that a covenant is a formal relationship between two people that is held together by promises and obligations. And so, for instance, a covenant might exist between a farmer and a landowner. The farmer promises to pay for the land and the landowner promises the farmer use of the land. It's that simple!
But in the ancient world, people took covenants very seriously. We see this in the way they were formalized. No simple handshakes or signatures on the dotted line. NOPE. Instead, the two parties would slice animals down the middle, place each part across from each other, and then walk between the two halves (Jeremiah 34:18). This communicated to each party that if they failed to keep the promises and obligations of the covenant they would face the same fate as the dead animals. And so people didn't "make" covenants, they literally "cut" (hb. karat) them. After the covenant was "cut", the two parties would usually share a meal together to celebrate the formation of their relationship.
So how does this apply to our covenant relationship with God? Well, God created us and therefore expects us to function by His design (Genesis 1-2). In this way, we have made an implicit covenant with God. But when we rebel against God's creation design, we break our covenant relationship with Him and the consequence is...death (Genesis 3). But God deeply desires a relationship with us. This is why He setup the sacrificial system in Leviticus 1-7. The sacrificial system allows an animal to die in our place and (vicariously) pay for our death penalty. Theologians call this a substitutionary atonement. I hope in all of this that you can see that 'relationship' stands at the center of animal sacrifice.
THE CORE SACRIFICES (RELATIONSHIP OFFERINGS)
In fact, the three CORE offerings of Leviticus 1-7 paint the picture of a covenant meal being prepared so that friends can hangout and spend some quality time together (Exodus 29:38-41; 32:6). In this way, the three CORE sacrifices show us the kind of relationship God desires to have with us. God wants to nurture a healthy, life-giving relationship with us. Here's how...
The Burnt Offering (Remission)
One key ingredient to any healthy relationship is forgiveness. When people refuse to forgive someone, they are in essence closing the door to that relationship. The burnt offering was God's way of saying, "I want to forgive you because I don't want the door to our friendship to be closed."
To make a burnt offering, a person would bring the prescribed animal to the alter based on what he or she could afford (a bull, sheep, goat, dove, or pigeon). Now this animal had to be of utmost value to the person offering the sacrifice. This is why the animal had to be from the herd or flock (It had to come from a person's own possessions), it had to be without blemish (You couldn't sacrifice something you were looking to get rid of anyway), and it had to be a male (A male was simply more expensive than a female.) The worshipper would then lay his hand on the head of the animal (to identify himself with the animal) and then kill the animal. Finally, the priest would burn the entire animal on the alter (except for the animal's skin). In this way, the burnt offering pleased God (Lev. 1:13, 17).
Neither the priest nor the worshipper were allowed to eat any of the meat from the sacrifice because the burnt offering provided God's portion of meat for the covenant meal. Also, because the primary significance of the burnt offering was that the animal was paying the death penalty on behalf of the worshipper who had broken his or her covenant relationship with God, the worshipper was not allowed to benefit from his own sin by eating the sacrifice.
The Grain Offering (Recommitment)
A second key ingredient to a healthy relationship is commitment. After all, commitment breeds both trust and longevity. And so the grain offering was God's way of saying, "I don't want one of those one-sided, flimsy relationships with you. I want a relationship that will last where we both bring solid commitment to the table."
At the most basic level, the grain offering provided the bread for the covenant meal. But that's not all. Notice that salt was an important element added to the grain offering (Lev. 2:13). Salt was used as a preservative for meat in the ancient world (because refrigerators didn't exist). And so salt was often included in a covenant meal to symbolically indicate the steadfast commitment of a relationship. This is why Leviticus calls the salt that is added to the grain offering, "the salt of the covenant." And so, the grain offering symbolically demonstrated the commitment of both parties to the covenant relationship. And if a person had broken her covenant with God, the grain offering was the way to recommit herself to God after she had offered the burnt offering.
The Fellowship Offering (Relational Time)
A third key ingredient to a healthy relationship is spending quality time together. If you don't spend any time together with a friend then technically you don't have a relationship. The fellowship (or the peace) offering was God's way of saying, "Now that we've restored our relationship with each other I want to spend some quality time with you and create some lasting memories."
The fellowship offering provided the worshipper's portion of meat for the covenant meal. This is the only offering where the worshipper was allowed to eat the meat of the sacrifice (Lev. 7:15). The reason for this is simple. The worshipper had restored his relationship with God and now he was allowed to eat with God and celebrate this relationship.
To capture the entire significance of this offering, it is vital to understand the importance of table fellowship (that is, sharing a meal with someone) in the ancient world. Sharing a meal with another person made a social statement that directly impacted the reputations of both parties. As some have put it, "To share a meal was to share a life." And so you only ate with people with whom you wanted to be identified. By allowing the worshipper to eat with Him, God is expressing His desire to be identified with the worshipper (and vice versa). But table fellowship can only happen if the relationship has been restored. This is why the fellowship offering is always offered after the burnt and grain offerings (at least, on occasions when the burnt and grain offerings are required because of covenant failure).
THE BOTTOM LINE
Many people think that God is all rules and no grace in the Old Testament. But as we can see in Leviticus 1-7, while God desires for us to live by His rules, He setup a system where the Israelites could experience His forgiveness and grace when they made mistakes. The sacrificial system demonstrates to us that God truly desires to have a healthy relationship with us that is grounded in forgiveness, commitment, and time spent together. May these define your relationship with God!
QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION
Think about your relationship with God. Are there sins in your life that are hurting your connection to God?
What words would you use to describe your commitment to God?
Based on how God has wired you, what might spending time with God look like for you?
Thursday, October 11, 2012
Leviticus 1-7 (part 1)
GUILT. I'm sure you've felt it before. It seems to surface when we've failed to meet an expectation usually because of a mistake we made. Like forgetting someone's birthday. Not getting a school assignment done on time. Oversleeping. We all make mistakes and so we all have experienced GUILT.
Now some people are really good at reminding us of our past mistakes. And these reminders can cause us to live in the constant reality of our GUILT. And living in the shadow of our failures is no fun. But a life overshadowed with GUILT is not God's desire for humanity (despite what some might think). Sure God has high standards (He's perfect after all) but He wants to FREE people from the HURT and FAILURES of the past (not use them as ammunition to keep us down). How do I know this? Leviticus 1-7!
After the Law was given in Exodus and the people proved they could not meet God's expectations (Exodus 32-34), in Leviticus 1-7 God provides the people with a pathway to restore their relationship with Him when they make mistakes. Why? Not only does God NOT want our mistakes to keep us from a relationship with Him, He also doesn't want us to be held hostage by our past failures. And so Leviticus 1-7 describes five sacrifices that together pave the way back to God's presence.
PREPARATION OFFERINGS
The first two sacrifices (the sin and guilt offerings) served as a type of checkpoint to make certain that the tabernacle and the people were ready and prepared for worship. Once a person made it past this checkpoint, access to the other three sacrifices (the CORE sacrifices: burnt, grain, and fellowship) was allowed. Let me explain. Physical purity was very important to the tabernacle because this is where God physically dwelt. And just like a doctor would never enter an operating room without washing his hands after eating a bag of Doritos, so also people were expected to cleanse themselves of any contamination (or uncleanness) before entering God's perfectly pure presence.
The Sin Offering
Leviticus 11-15 provides a list of ways a person could become contaminated (that is, unclean and impure). It is important to realize that impurity did not always stem from moral or ethical sins. More generally, impurity stemmed from contact with anything associated with death (skin diseases, molds, the loss of blood in childbirth, eating foods associated with death etc.). When a person did become unclean, the SIN offering (also called the PURIFICATION offering) would purify them (Lev. 12:6-7; 14:19-20; see also Numbers 19 and instructions for creating the water of purification).
Now imagine that an unclean person accidentally entered the tabernacle. How do you get rid of the contamination? ANSWER: You decontaminate the furniture of the tabernacle with blood from the SIN offering. I know this sounds strange but here's the logic. In essence, this unclean person has brought "death" into the tabernacle and so blood from the SIN offering was applied to purge ("atone") the furniture and bring "life" back to the tabernacle (Lev. 8:15; 16:15-19). Pretty crazy eh?
The Guilt Offering
But physical purity wasn't the only requirement before a person could access the three CORE sacrifices of the tabernacle. True repentance (that is, turning away from sin) was also required. A person demonstrated true repentance through the giving of a guilt offering (also called the REPARATION offering). This offering was required when a person desecrated themselves by misusing any of God's holy things. The misuse of God's holy name in an oath was the most common violation that demanded this offering. So for instance, if someone claimed they didn't steal their neighbors donkey even though they actually had and made reassurances of their innocence by swearing an oath using God's name, they would need to return the donkey plus 20 percent of its value in addition to making the guilt offering (Leviticus 6:1-7).
The guilt offering demonstrates that people had to make right their wrongs before they could benefit from the tabernacle. They had to truly repent and turn away from their sin by reconciling with those they had harmed. They couldn't just go through the motions. This shows that the sacrificial system was neither heartless nor mechanical as some have claimed (although the Israelites corrupted the heart of the system by the time the book of Malachi was written). In fact, only unintentional sins were able to be dealt with in the tabernacle.
But what is an unintentional sin? The Hebrew word simply means "to commit an error or to go astray" and does not necessarily imply committing a sin without knowing (although the word certainly covers sins of ignorance). The meaning of the word is clearest in Numbers 15:22-30 where an unintentional sin is contrasted with an intentional sin. In vs. 30 it becomes clear that an intentional sin is one where a person is defiant and demonstrates a refusal to stop his or her rebellion.
And so defiant sinners were not able to access forgiveness through the tabernacle (unless they first repented). However, once a person expressed true repentance, they were reconsecrated (that is, set apart for God's use) through the guilt offering (and allowed access to the tabernacle). In extreme cases of uncleanness where people had been banished outside the camp, reconsecration was accomplished by having the blood of the guilt offering applied to the lobe of the right ear, on the thumb of the right hand, and on the big toe of the right foot of the unclean person (Lev. 14:14).
THE BOTTOM LINE
So what does all of this craziness have to do with us today? Matthew 5:23-24 provides some clues. It says,
QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION
Why is it so difficult to confess our sins to others? What are some practical ways you can become a better "confesser"?
What does true repentance look like? What does a life of defiance and rebellion look like?
Where would you place your life on the spectrum of repentance versus defiance/rebellion?
Now some people are really good at reminding us of our past mistakes. And these reminders can cause us to live in the constant reality of our GUILT. And living in the shadow of our failures is no fun. But a life overshadowed with GUILT is not God's desire for humanity (despite what some might think). Sure God has high standards (He's perfect after all) but He wants to FREE people from the HURT and FAILURES of the past (not use them as ammunition to keep us down). How do I know this? Leviticus 1-7!
After the Law was given in Exodus and the people proved they could not meet God's expectations (Exodus 32-34), in Leviticus 1-7 God provides the people with a pathway to restore their relationship with Him when they make mistakes. Why? Not only does God NOT want our mistakes to keep us from a relationship with Him, He also doesn't want us to be held hostage by our past failures. And so Leviticus 1-7 describes five sacrifices that together pave the way back to God's presence.
PREPARATION OFFERINGS
The first two sacrifices (the sin and guilt offerings) served as a type of checkpoint to make certain that the tabernacle and the people were ready and prepared for worship. Once a person made it past this checkpoint, access to the other three sacrifices (the CORE sacrifices: burnt, grain, and fellowship) was allowed. Let me explain. Physical purity was very important to the tabernacle because this is where God physically dwelt. And just like a doctor would never enter an operating room without washing his hands after eating a bag of Doritos, so also people were expected to cleanse themselves of any contamination (or uncleanness) before entering God's perfectly pure presence.
The Sin Offering
Leviticus 11-15 provides a list of ways a person could become contaminated (that is, unclean and impure). It is important to realize that impurity did not always stem from moral or ethical sins. More generally, impurity stemmed from contact with anything associated with death (skin diseases, molds, the loss of blood in childbirth, eating foods associated with death etc.). When a person did become unclean, the SIN offering (also called the PURIFICATION offering) would purify them (Lev. 12:6-7; 14:19-20; see also Numbers 19 and instructions for creating the water of purification).
Now imagine that an unclean person accidentally entered the tabernacle. How do you get rid of the contamination? ANSWER: You decontaminate the furniture of the tabernacle with blood from the SIN offering. I know this sounds strange but here's the logic. In essence, this unclean person has brought "death" into the tabernacle and so blood from the SIN offering was applied to purge ("atone") the furniture and bring "life" back to the tabernacle (Lev. 8:15; 16:15-19). Pretty crazy eh?
The Guilt Offering
But physical purity wasn't the only requirement before a person could access the three CORE sacrifices of the tabernacle. True repentance (that is, turning away from sin) was also required. A person demonstrated true repentance through the giving of a guilt offering (also called the REPARATION offering). This offering was required when a person desecrated themselves by misusing any of God's holy things. The misuse of God's holy name in an oath was the most common violation that demanded this offering. So for instance, if someone claimed they didn't steal their neighbors donkey even though they actually had and made reassurances of their innocence by swearing an oath using God's name, they would need to return the donkey plus 20 percent of its value in addition to making the guilt offering (Leviticus 6:1-7).
The guilt offering demonstrates that people had to make right their wrongs before they could benefit from the tabernacle. They had to truly repent and turn away from their sin by reconciling with those they had harmed. They couldn't just go through the motions. This shows that the sacrificial system was neither heartless nor mechanical as some have claimed (although the Israelites corrupted the heart of the system by the time the book of Malachi was written). In fact, only unintentional sins were able to be dealt with in the tabernacle.
But what is an unintentional sin? The Hebrew word simply means "to commit an error or to go astray" and does not necessarily imply committing a sin without knowing (although the word certainly covers sins of ignorance). The meaning of the word is clearest in Numbers 15:22-30 where an unintentional sin is contrasted with an intentional sin. In vs. 30 it becomes clear that an intentional sin is one where a person is defiant and demonstrates a refusal to stop his or her rebellion.
And so defiant sinners were not able to access forgiveness through the tabernacle (unless they first repented). However, once a person expressed true repentance, they were reconsecrated (that is, set apart for God's use) through the guilt offering (and allowed access to the tabernacle). In extreme cases of uncleanness where people had been banished outside the camp, reconsecration was accomplished by having the blood of the guilt offering applied to the lobe of the right ear, on the thumb of the right hand, and on the big toe of the right foot of the unclean person (Lev. 14:14).
THE BOTTOM LINE
So what does all of this craziness have to do with us today? Matthew 5:23-24 provides some clues. It says,
"If you are offering your gift at the alter and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the alter. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift."The sin and guilt offerings remind us that there are standards (and prerequisites) that must be met before we can truly worship God. True worship is not possible if we have not reconciled with those we have harmed! In fact, the tabernacle is off limits to us if we demonstrate this kind of defiance. Why? Authentic worship requires authentic repentance. This is further emphasized in James 4:7-11,
"Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded...Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up. Brother and sisters, do not slander one another."God requires pure hearts from His people. Now because we are so prone to sin, this can be a constant source of discouragement if we're not careful. But God wants us to know that when we make mistakes we DO NOT have to live in the shadow of GUILT because as 1 John 1:9 explains,
"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness."God desires to have a relationship with us. We know this because He has given us a way to be purified from our sin so that we can live in the goodness of His presence. My prayer is that you choose to live in the reality of God's presence and not in the shadow of your GUILT. And please remember life in God's presence is ALWAYS available to you (and everyone for that matter!).
QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION
Why is it so difficult to confess our sins to others? What are some practical ways you can become a better "confesser"?
What does true repentance look like? What does a life of defiance and rebellion look like?
Where would you place your life on the spectrum of repentance versus defiance/rebellion?
Sunday, October 7, 2012
Exodus 25-40
If someone offered you straight 'A' grades without having to study is that something you would want? What about a fit body without exercise or without having to carve fast food out of your diet? Does becoming wealthy without having to work appeal to you? I bet I would have a 100% acceptance rate if I made an infomercial and offered these FREE to people (with maybe the exception of the Capital One baby). Why? We live in a world where people want blessing without sacrifice (This is what keeps the Wisconsin lottery and casinos going!). People appreciate final outcomes more than the journey itself. And this is nothing new. This is part of the human condition.
But if not treated this can be a disease that infects (and ultimately kills) our relationship with God. Why? Well, many people want God's presence in their lives without offering much commitment. They want blessing without sacrifice. And so for many, if they don't get God's blessing on their own timetable and with the level of commitment they are willing to bring to the table then they quickly look elsewhere for satisfaction (and abandon God). This is true of us and it was true of the Israelites in the book of Exodus.
THE TABERNACLE AND CREATION (EXODUS 25-34)
In Exodus 32, while Moses is up on the mountain receiving God's instruction, the people grow increasingly impatient due to his prolonged absence (32:1). This delay is a big deal because Moses is their only connection to God and His blessings. And his unknown whereabouts has gotten them thinking that maybe Moses is actually dead. As a result, the people pool together a bunch of their gold earrings to fashion an image of Yahweh (God) in the form of a golden calf 'who brought them up out of Egypt' (32:4) and who would 'go before them' (32:1). You see, without Moses the people need a new way to connect with God and tap into His power and blessings. The golden calf is the convenient solution (after all, a statue is much easier to control than Moses!). But by doing this, the people break the agreement they had just made with God in Exodus 20-24. Obviously the people want God's blessing without much obedience or commitment.
But this is not all Exodus is teaching us here. Just prior to this golden calf fiasco, Moses receives a description of the tabernacle. One thing that is immediately noticeable (if you're paying attention to detail) is the parallels between the tabernacle and the Garden of Eden in Genesis 1-3. For instance, both contain pure gold (Gen. 2:12; Exod. 25:3) and the same precious onyx jewels (Gen. 2:12; Exod. 25:7). The description of the lampstand in Exodus 25:31-36 as a small flowering tree brings to mind the tree of life in the Garden of Eden (Gen. 2:9). Images of the cherubim (angels) are woven into the curtains between the various divisions of the tabernacle (Exod. 26:1-6, 31-35) recalling the fact that after the Fall two cherubim were positioned to guard the entrance to the garden (Gen. 3:24). Simply put, the tabernacle is portrayed as God's reconstructed creation. This communicates God's intention and desire to restore His complete presence among His creation (and with this His complete blessing).
This is further reinforced through the unique structure of Exodus 25-32. Let me explain. Beginning in Exodus 25, God gives Moses instructions for CREATING a tabernacle so that He can dwell among His people. Between Exodus 25 & 31, seven creative acts (pertaining to the construction of the tabernacle) are given as signaled by the phrase "Then the Lord SAID to Moses" (25:1; 30:11, 17, 22, 34; 31:1, 12). The fact that there are seven creative acts brings to mind God's original creation in Genesis 1-2 (When "God SAID"). And just like God rested on the seventh day of creation (Genesis 2:2-3), the seventh creative act provides God's instruction to the Israelites to rest on the sabbath (Exod. 31:12). And then right on cue immediately after the instructions are given for the creation of the tabernacle, we find the people rebelling against God's commands given earlier in Exodus 20-24. Guess what? We have Genesis 3 all over again! I don't know what you think but it certainly seems to me like we have an allusion to Genesis 1-3 here.
So what's the point of all of this? Simple. The people want God but they want Him on their own terms. They want His blessings without much commitment. But God will have none of this! Why? God created a design for life that will bring blessing to all of humanity. But to experience and spread this blessing, we need to be committed to living within and maintaining God's creation design! Put simply, if we live on God's terms then His presence will be with us. If we don't then we're on our own.
This is made clear in Exodus 35-40. This passage is essentially a restatement of Exodus 25-31 and so many people wonder why its even here? But this passage makes a very important point. What is it? When the people build the tabernacle, they follow God's instructions down to the 't.' This is reinforced in Exodus 39:42-43 when Moses inspects the work. And because the people built the tabernacle "just as the Lord had commanded," God comes to dwell among them in Exodus 40:34-38.
THE BOTTOM LINE
If we want God's presence in our lives, we've got to live HIS way! God's blessing isn't available to us without commitment. The author of Exodus has created a literary portrait to make this point. But does this mean that we need to be perfect? NO. Jesus died to account for our imperfections! But does this mean that we need to turn back to God (and repent) when we realize we are not doing life God's way? YES. And we should want to come back to God. He didn't just randomly come up with a design for life. He knows what will TRULY bring you LIFE. And so He wants YOU to do life HIS WAY! The choice is yours though.
BIG IDEA
If we want to experience God's complete presence then we need to give Him our complete commitment.
QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION
Many people think that God's way isn't the best way to do life. Why do you think this is?
Why do you think people desire to do life their own way?
God's blessing doesn't always mean comfort and success. So what are God's blessings? Why would doing life God's way lead to blessing?
What are your greatest fears and doubts about doing life God's way? How can you overcome these?
But if not treated this can be a disease that infects (and ultimately kills) our relationship with God. Why? Well, many people want God's presence in their lives without offering much commitment. They want blessing without sacrifice. And so for many, if they don't get God's blessing on their own timetable and with the level of commitment they are willing to bring to the table then they quickly look elsewhere for satisfaction (and abandon God). This is true of us and it was true of the Israelites in the book of Exodus.
THE TABERNACLE AND CREATION (EXODUS 25-34)
In Exodus 32, while Moses is up on the mountain receiving God's instruction, the people grow increasingly impatient due to his prolonged absence (32:1). This delay is a big deal because Moses is their only connection to God and His blessings. And his unknown whereabouts has gotten them thinking that maybe Moses is actually dead. As a result, the people pool together a bunch of their gold earrings to fashion an image of Yahweh (God) in the form of a golden calf 'who brought them up out of Egypt' (32:4) and who would 'go before them' (32:1). You see, without Moses the people need a new way to connect with God and tap into His power and blessings. The golden calf is the convenient solution (after all, a statue is much easier to control than Moses!). But by doing this, the people break the agreement they had just made with God in Exodus 20-24. Obviously the people want God's blessing without much obedience or commitment.
But this is not all Exodus is teaching us here. Just prior to this golden calf fiasco, Moses receives a description of the tabernacle. One thing that is immediately noticeable (if you're paying attention to detail) is the parallels between the tabernacle and the Garden of Eden in Genesis 1-3. For instance, both contain pure gold (Gen. 2:12; Exod. 25:3) and the same precious onyx jewels (Gen. 2:12; Exod. 25:7). The description of the lampstand in Exodus 25:31-36 as a small flowering tree brings to mind the tree of life in the Garden of Eden (Gen. 2:9). Images of the cherubim (angels) are woven into the curtains between the various divisions of the tabernacle (Exod. 26:1-6, 31-35) recalling the fact that after the Fall two cherubim were positioned to guard the entrance to the garden (Gen. 3:24). Simply put, the tabernacle is portrayed as God's reconstructed creation. This communicates God's intention and desire to restore His complete presence among His creation (and with this His complete blessing).
This is further reinforced through the unique structure of Exodus 25-32. Let me explain. Beginning in Exodus 25, God gives Moses instructions for CREATING a tabernacle so that He can dwell among His people. Between Exodus 25 & 31, seven creative acts (pertaining to the construction of the tabernacle) are given as signaled by the phrase "Then the Lord SAID to Moses" (25:1; 30:11, 17, 22, 34; 31:1, 12). The fact that there are seven creative acts brings to mind God's original creation in Genesis 1-2 (When "God SAID"). And just like God rested on the seventh day of creation (Genesis 2:2-3), the seventh creative act provides God's instruction to the Israelites to rest on the sabbath (Exod. 31:12). And then right on cue immediately after the instructions are given for the creation of the tabernacle, we find the people rebelling against God's commands given earlier in Exodus 20-24. Guess what? We have Genesis 3 all over again! I don't know what you think but it certainly seems to me like we have an allusion to Genesis 1-3 here.
So what's the point of all of this? Simple. The people want God but they want Him on their own terms. They want His blessings without much commitment. But God will have none of this! Why? God created a design for life that will bring blessing to all of humanity. But to experience and spread this blessing, we need to be committed to living within and maintaining God's creation design! Put simply, if we live on God's terms then His presence will be with us. If we don't then we're on our own.
This is made clear in Exodus 35-40. This passage is essentially a restatement of Exodus 25-31 and so many people wonder why its even here? But this passage makes a very important point. What is it? When the people build the tabernacle, they follow God's instructions down to the 't.' This is reinforced in Exodus 39:42-43 when Moses inspects the work. And because the people built the tabernacle "just as the Lord had commanded," God comes to dwell among them in Exodus 40:34-38.
THE BOTTOM LINE
If we want God's presence in our lives, we've got to live HIS way! God's blessing isn't available to us without commitment. The author of Exodus has created a literary portrait to make this point. But does this mean that we need to be perfect? NO. Jesus died to account for our imperfections! But does this mean that we need to turn back to God (and repent) when we realize we are not doing life God's way? YES. And we should want to come back to God. He didn't just randomly come up with a design for life. He knows what will TRULY bring you LIFE. And so He wants YOU to do life HIS WAY! The choice is yours though.
BIG IDEA
If we want to experience God's complete presence then we need to give Him our complete commitment.
QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION
Many people think that God's way isn't the best way to do life. Why do you think this is?
Why do you think people desire to do life their own way?
God's blessing doesn't always mean comfort and success. So what are God's blessings? Why would doing life God's way lead to blessing?
What are your greatest fears and doubts about doing life God's way? How can you overcome these?
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