25 posts tagged “exodus”

Numbers 16

"Just as he (Moses) finished speaking all these words, the ground beneath
them split open. The earth opened it mouth and swallowed them and their
households, all of Korah's people and their possessions. They went down
alive into Sheol with all that belonged to them. The earth closed over them
and they vanished from the assembly." Num 16: 31-33

There is much said about God's love. It is true that He is love, and that
He sent His Son Jesus, that sinners might be saved. Jn 3:16 But in no way
does God's love negate the fact that God is Just. He will by no means clear
the guilty. Num 14: 18, Exodus 34:7, Nahum 1:3

Often times, "love" is confused with "long suffering". That is, the fact
that God may be slow to wrath doesn't mean that He won't eventually display
His wrath.

In the Tanakh (Old Testament), there are two occasions when men entered
Heaven, alive. The first was Enoch, and the second, Elijah. Enoch and
Elijah are often thought of as examples of the church being raptured,
caught-up into Heaven, without having died.

"Now I say this, brothers, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom;
nor the perishable inherit the imperishable. Behold, I tell you a mystery;
We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the
twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet; for the trumpet will sound, and
the dead shall be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed." 1 Cor
15:50-52

Also, "The dead will be changed and rise, followed by those who are alive at
Messiah's coming." 1 Thes 4: 17

The resurrection of the dead is described in the Tanakh, but what of the
modern Jewish notion that Hell is not mentioned on the Torah?

I believe Hell is clearly indicated in Numbers 16. Notice the scripture
reads that Korah's and his allies' families went down ALIVE into Sheol. It
wasn't that they died and were committed to Sheol. They went down, alive.

There is urgency in the gospel, because there is a literal Heaven and Hell.
Neither is inherited by birth, but: Heaven by grace, through faith…or Hell
by judgment, through faithlessness.

Blessings.

Steve Wiggins

Exodus 40

“Moses did everything just as the Lord commanded him.  The Tabernacle was set up in the first month of the second year, on the first day of the month.  Moses set up the Tabernacle: he laid its bases, positioned its planks, inserted its crossbars, and set up its posts.  Then he spread the tent over the Tabernacle and put the covering of the tent on top of it, just as the Lord had commanded Moses.”  Exodus 40: 16-19

In most Christian circles, “tent making” is synonymous with not charging a fee for preaching the gospel.  The reason for this saying is because the apostle Paul chose to support himself by making tents.  Acts 18: 2.  He didn’t want anyone to accuse him of preaching for profit.

“So I refrained and will refrain from burdening you in any way . . . And what I do I will continue to do, in order to undermine the claim of those who would like to claim that in their boasted mission they work on the same terms as we do.’  2 Corinthians 11: 7-12

We also know that Paul was also a highly trained and qualified religious teacher.

"I am a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but brought up in this city, educated under Gamaliel, strictly according to the law of our fathers, being zealous for God just as you all are today.”  Acts 22: 3  “I am a Pharisee, the son of Pharisees…”  Acts 18: 2

Of all occupations to support his ministry, why would Paul choose “tent making”?  For that matter, why would God call a “tent maker” to expand His church by preaching to the Gentiles?  I don’t believe Paul’s occupation was an arbitrary coincidence.  In a similar way, God chose a shepherd to “shepherd” His people, Israel.

If you look at a map of Paul’s missionary journeys, you’ll notice that Paul was planting churches like tent panels, radiating around Jerusalem.  In the days of Moses, all of the tent panels came together to form a single unit, called the Tabernacle.  Today, millions of congregations, built on Paul’s foundational teaching of Jesus, fit together as a single unit called “the Church”.

Blessings.

Steve Wiggins

Exodus 39

“The Israelites had done everything the Lord had commanded Moses.  Moses inspected all the work they had accomplished.  They had done just as the Lord commanded.  Then Moses blessed them.”  Exodus 39: 42-43

My wife and I built our first house in Franklin Tennessee.  You learn a lot when you build a house!  Fortunately, we had a good experience.  When the work was completed,  we walked through and inspected everything.  Then, we said, “Well done!” and wrote them a final check.  

Call it beginner’s luck, because almost every other home contracting experience has been nightmarish.  All I can say is, no matter how much a contractor begs…don’t pay them until all the work is done.  There is an old saying: If you want a friend to leave you alone, give him a loan!  Sadly, the same could be said for many contractors!

It is safe to say the Moses was God’s general contractor.  He was given a job, and given the task to bring-it-in on time, on budget, and with a zero-tolerance on craftsmanship.

I am amazed how our culture has lost its “work ethic”.  That is, we would rather play first and work later.  That attitude has led to our generation being the most indebted generation in history.  During the Great Depression, people were flat broke, but not indebt as we are today.  Consider these statistics.

* There are roughly 1.2 billion credit cards in use in the U.S.
* 1 of every 73 households filed for bankruptcy in 2003
* Average per household debt in the U.S. (not counting mortgage debt) is about $14,500

As the Egyptians sold themselves into slavery in the days of Joseph (Genesis 47: 19), so we have sold ourselves to credit companies.  In effect, we have rejected the Lord’s provision as inadequate, choosing rather, to indenture ourselves to obtain the objects of our idolatry.

Let’s take this verse as a challenge to: 1) Ask the Lord how He wants us to labor, 2) Work as unto the Lord, and 3) Rest in His blessing & provision.

Blessings.

Steve Wiggins

“Moses said to the Lord, ‘Look, You have told me, “Lead this people up”, but You have not let me know whom you will send with me.  You said, “ I know you by name, and you have found favor in My sight.”  Now if I have found favor in Your sight, please teach me Your ways, and I will know You and find favor on Your sight.  Now consider that this nation is your people.’”  (Exodus 33:  12-13)

“Mother Teresa says, ‘You’ll never know Jesus is all you need, until Jesus is all you have.  Moses understood the importance of going with God.  He had seen the destruction of Pharaoh’s army, and the judgment Israel when they denied the Lord.  Moses wanted to know God’s ways, but he never could have predicted God’s methods of instruction…bonding His people to Himself, and each other, by means of shared adversity.

For Moses & Israel, the next several decades would be a constant stream of faith-stretching trials.  Why would the Lord choose this method of character building, as opposed to lavishing abundance & prosperity upon His children?

Perhaps, the answer is found in Moses’ discussion with God.  Similar to their conversation at the burning bush, Moses seems to have a difficult time taking God at His word.  Even though God told Moses He would be with him, Moses still seeks signs.

It is said in business, “Speed of the leader, speed of the team.”  That is to say, if Moses had faith problems, there was no way Israel would be ready to follow.  Faith is muscle, that must be exercised.  It takes desire and discipline to grow.

A young man once came to the philosopher Socrates, searching for wisdom.  Socrates was sitting beside a river, so the young man sat down beside him.  ‘I want you to teach me to be wise,’ he said.  Without warning, Socrates grasped the young man by the neck and thrust his head under the water.  The man struggled and flailed until Socrates finally let him up.  As he gasped for air Socrates said, ‘When you seek wisdom as you sought air, you’ll have it.’”

God gives His Word and Spirit to reveal His nature & ways to His children.  Our life experience with both is what builds faith.

Blessings.

“So Moses returned to the Lord and said, ‘Oh, this people has committed a great sin; they have made for themselves a god of gold.  Now if You would only forgive their sin.  But if not, please erase me from the book You have written.” The Lord replied to Moses, ‘Whoever has sinned against Me I will erase from My book.  Now go, lead these people to the place I told you about; see, My angel will go before you.  But on the day that I settle accounts, I will hold them accountable for their sin.’ Exodus 32: 31-34

Just a few days ago, we observed Shavuot, or “Pentecost”.  Shavuot is the most important harvest festival on the Jewish calendar.  Since it coincides with the giving of the Law, Shavuot has become emblematic of God’s confirmation & consecration of Israel as His “first fruit” among the nations.

Israel’s consecration is shadowed by their worship of the calf.  On that day, Moses gave a “with me or against me” challenge to Israel, and the Levites gathered to him.  On the very day the Law was given, 3000 were killed.  That is to say, Israel, set against the Law’s standard, produced a crop of death.  When God settles accounts , solely by means of the Law, none can survive His judgment.

Fast-forward to Acts chapter 2.  At the time of the same festival of Shavuot, after Jesus’ resurrection, the Spirit was given to Israel.  The first fruits of God’s Spirit were also 3000 men, but this time, unto life!  When God settles our accounts based on Messiah’s blood atonement, applied upon our belief, and certified by the presence of His Spirit, His Judgment returns, “Not guilty!”

“But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Messiah, he does not belong to Him.  Now, if Messiah is in you, the body is dead because of sin, but the Spirit is life because of His righteousness.  And if the Spirit of Him who raised Messiah from the dead lives in you, then He who raised Messiah from the dead will also bring your mortal bodies to life through His Spirit who lives in you.”  Romans 8: 10-11

Blessings.

The Lord said to Moses, ‘Tell the Israelites: You must observe my Sabbaths, for it is a sign between Me and you throughout your generations so that you will know that I am the Lord who sets you apart.  Observe the Sabbath, for it is holy to you.  Whoever profanes it must be put to death.  If anyone does work on it, that person must be cut off from his people.’”  Exodus 31: 12-14

Several years ago, my wife and I went on a mission trip to Mexico.  On the Mexican border of Texas, many “squatters” had formed “colonias”, shantytowns.  Our mission was to build 9x12 houses for these severely impoverished people.  It was over 100 degrees and incredibly humid…no easy task!

One of the men on my team was a fireman.  Ever since we had met in Texas, this guy was talking about heat exhaustion, “Gotta stop every 15 minutes, and drink water…”  On & on he droned.  I had been a college athlete, a long distance runner.  I could run for miles, and nobody was there to give me a single drop of water.  This fireman obviously was talking to the “lightweights”.

1/2 way through our second day on the job, our construction wasn’t nearly as far along as we should have been.  Fireman called for a break, and I kept working.  Thirty minutes later, another break.  I kept working.  Two hours later, I started feeling dizzy.  You get the point.  The next thing I knew, the fireman was treating my heat exhaustion.  I should have trusted the expert.

The work of constructing the Tabernacle was of the highest importance, and was work in the service to God.  But it was not of greater importance than the Divinely-ordered rest.  Nothing was permitted to supercede it.

To profane the Sabbath resulted in death.  It was the equivalent of breaking the third commandment, “Do not receive the Lord’s name in vain”.  That is, you should not call yourself “God’s child”, yet deny God’s authority over your life.

To ignore the “rest” resulted in being cut-off from your people.

Try thinking of it this way: Kingdom work has a mandatory “union” break.

Blessings.

“The wealthy may not give more, and the poor may not give less, than half a shekel when giving the contribution to the Lord to atone for your lives.  Take the atonement money from the Israelites and use it for the service of the tent of meeting.  It will serve as a reminder for the Israelites before the Lord to atone for your lives.”  Exodus 30

The technical expression for “ransom” occurs three times in the Torah, and each time it refers to money paid by one who is guilty of taking human life in circumstances that do not constitute murder.  Such a ransom was forbidden in the case of deliberate murder.

This concept underlies the “half shekel atonement”.  The same phrase is used in connection with the offering of plunder after the Midianite battle, in Numbers 31: 52.  Those men registering in the census were those registering for military duty…all able-bodied men.  The soldier who was marching into battle is in the eyes of Heaven a potential taker of life, although not a deliberate murderer. 

The soldier is to be impressed with the fact that, high as the aims for which he goes into battle may be, war remains a necessary “evil”.  Therefore, ransom is to be paid at the time of mustering, long before the actual fighting occurs.

Whether rich or poor, the tax was the same.  All souls are of equal value in the eyes of God.  Hence, all are to give the same ransom. 

Concerning our guilt, Jesus paid our ransom.

“For there is one God and one mediator between God and man, am, Messiah Jesus, who gave Himself – a ransom for all, a testimony at the proper time.” 1 Tim 2: 5-6

Redemption of Messiah is for all people.

“And they sang a new song: You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals; because you were slaughtered, and You redeemed us for God by Your blood from every tribe, and language, and people, and nation.”  Rev 5: 9

Those at Jesus’ trial cried, “May His blood be on us, and our children!”  Yet Jesus prayed,” Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.” Luke 23: 34   In essence, He was asking for their zealous murderous intent to be counted as “unintentional”.

Blessings.

Exodus 29

“Slaughter the ram, take some of its blood, and put it on Aaron’s right earlobe, on his son’s right earlobes, on the thumbs of their right hands, and on the big toes of their right feet.  Sprinkle the remaining blood on the sides of the altar.  Take some of the blood that is on the altar and some of the anointing oil, and sprinkle them on Aaron and his garments.  In this way, he and his garments will become holy, as well as his sons and their garments.”  Exodus 29: 19-21

Atoning for sin is bloody business.  It is ugly and it involves death.  Mankind has a way of excusing its own sin, rather than dealing with, head-on.  All people, in all cultures, feel guilt. 

The fact that men naturally feel guilty testifies that there is a moral law from which to judge right & wrong.  If there is a moral law, there must be a moral law giver…God.

The problem is not as much that men don’t know they sin.  It is that they overlook their own sin, while exposing the sin of others. 

The closer people come to God, the more they feel “convicted”.  Some respond by repenting, others respond in anger.

“If the world hates you, understand it hated me before it hated you.”  John 15: 18

From the giving of the law to Israel, God prepared a way to atone, or cover their sin.  Sin kills, so someone or something has to bear the punishment, leading to death.  The blood of the sacrifice reminds men of how heinous their sin is.  Today, sin is only atoned for by Jesus, and received by following Him.  Acts 4: 12 

For Aaron and his sons, the ear was touched with the blood, that it might be consecrated to hear the word of God; the hand, to perform the duties connected with the priesthood; and the foot, to walk in the path of righteousness.

All followers of Jesus are called to be “priests” (servants).  Messiah’s blood consecrates every part of us: ear, hand and foot, and is extended to every member of His kingdom.  Matthew 26: 28, Ephesians 1: 7, 2: 13

Blessings.

Steve Wiggins

Exodus 27

“You are to construct an altar of acacia wood.”  Exodus 27: 1

The Rabbis explain the symbolism of the altar by forming an anagram from each of the four letters spelling “Mizbe’ah”.  Since few of you read Hebrew and my computer doesn’t type Hebrew letters, you’ll just have to trust me!

FORGIVENESS: Sin separates us from God.  The altar was the channel whereby the Israelite could seek reconciliation with God. 

MERIT:  Gratitude, humility, and contrition found an outlet on the altar.  By exercising these virtues, life was ennobled and “merit” acquired.

BLESSING:  By remaining true to the teachings centered around the altar, man receives the Lord’s blessing and himself becomes a blessing to his fellow men.

LIFE: The altar points the way to the life everlasting.  It directs ones worship to things that abide forever, truth, righteousness, and holiness.

In order for men to perpetuate forgiveness, merit, blessing, and life, it was necessary for them to sacrifice prescribed things at prescribed times, in a prescribed manner.  Problem: Atonement diminished ever time.  You were only covered till the next sacrifice.

Interesting, today neither of the 2 tabernacle altars exists.  They have been missing since the Romans destroyed Jerusalem in 70 AD.  So how are one’s sins atoned today?

We receive forgiveness, merit, blessing, and life when we trust in Jesus.  His atoning sacrifice lasts forever.

“We have an altar from which those who serve the tabernacle do not have the right to eat.  For the bodies of those animals whose blood is brought into the holy of holies by the high priest as a sin offering are burned outside the camp.  Therefore Messiah also suffered outside the gate so that He may sanctify the people by His own blood.  Let us then go to Him outside the camp, bearing His disgrace.  For here we do not have an enduring city; instead, we seek the one to come.  Therefore through Him let us continually offer up to God a sacrifice of praise that is, the fruit of our lips that confess His name.  Don’t neglect to do good and to share, for God is pleased with such sacrifices.”  Hebrews 13: 10-16

Blessings.

Steve Wiggins

Exodus 26