4 posts tagged “hebrews”
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 20
“All the people witnessed the thunder and lightning, the sound of the trumpet, and the mountain surrounded by smoke. When the people saw it they trembled and stood at a distance. ‘You speak to us and we will listen,’ they said to Moses, ‘but don’t let God speak to us or we will die.’ Moses responded to the people, ‘Don’t be afraid, for God has come to test you, so that you will fear him and will not sin,’” Exodus 20: 18-20
“My preacher says…”
I’m so glad that I attend a church that has good preachers! They simply love the bible and live to teach it. They encourage the congregants to bring their bibles, and they model biblical scholarship by preaching from their own open bible. I thank the Lord for the preaching & teaching staff at my church. They value the bible as “the source” of knowlege, as opposed to a “resource”.
I can think of only one thing in my Christian journey that beats good preaching: Personal bible study. That’s right. What’s more important than what someone teaches you after they studied the bible, is what God teaches you when you read it for yourself.
A major problem in our culture is that people don’t believe the bible. A major problem in our churches is that more & more preachers don’t teach the bible. A major problem in our families is that spouses and children don’t speak about the bible. A major problem with us is that we don’t read the bible.
“There is enough dust on the bibles of England to, with one’s finger, spell the word, ‘Damnation!’” Charles Spurgeon
Hopefully, you’re changing that trend. When we read the bible, we discuss it with those close to us. When we discuss it, a community of bible-mindedness grows. Preachers are raised-up in rhythm with those communities, and communities devoted to God steer their cultures.
Don’t be afraid of approaching the Lord. Be afraid of what happens when you don’t.
“Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of Grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” Hebrews 4: 16
Blessings.
Steve Wiggins
Exodus 13
“Moses took the bones of Joseph with him, because Joseph had made the Israelites swear a solemn oath, saying, ‘God will certainly come to your aid; then you must take my bones with you from this place.’” Exodus 13: 19
Do you remember the names of your grandparents’ parents? I don’t know the names of mine. I’ve definitely not heard of any agreements they made about their bones. I’m cursed if they did!
What if we compounded this scenario by 400 years? Do you know the names of your ancestors who lived 400 years ago? Imagine a solemn oath that endured twice as long as the United States has been a nation. This was the case with Joseph’s bones.
Attached to the folklore Joseph’s bones 400 years later, was the promise of hope. It was the hope of freedom by Divine intervention that sustained the Israelites all those years. For the Israelites, the tradition of, “what we’re going to do with Joseph’s bones”, had to be comforting, because it promised deliverance.
Sometimes, planning your response to blessing is all the hope you need to get through the day. In the past, when money was tight, I would make a mental list of the people I was going to give money to, as soon as I was financially free again.
But in the end, freedom is not about finances. Freedom is spiritual. Many wealthy people are miserable, and many poor folks are peaceful.
“Your life should be free of the love of money. Be satisfied with what you have, for He Himself has said, ‘I will never leave you or forsake you.’ Therefore, we may boldly say: The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?” Hebrews 13: 5-6
Jesus said, “I am going to prepare a place for you, and if I prepare a place, I surely return to take you there.” John 14:2-3
It is this hope of the resurrection, combined with Jesus’ promise to never leave or forsake us, which allows the believer to hopefully endure.
As was the case with Israel in Egypt, so will the Lord prove Himself faithful towards us.
Blessings.
Steve Wiggins
Exodus 2
“Then his sister said to Pharaoh’s daughter, ‘Should I go and call a woman from the Hebrews to nurse the boy for you?’ ‘Go.’ Pharaoh’s daughter told her. The girl went and called the boy’s mother. The Pharaoh’s daughter said to her, ‘Take this child and nurse him for me, and I will pay your wages.’ So the woman took the by and nursed him.” Ex 2: 7-9
At a time when Egyptian men were killing Hebrew babies, God used a force unstoppable by men to save Moses. God used women!
Several years ago, there was an extremely popular book titled, “Men Are From Mars, Women Are From Venus”. The bestseller swept through pop culture and enlightened both genders as to the differences between the sexes, by utilizing simple terms.
In a simple term, God used women to save Israel. He drew from their innate nurturing tendencies. Men could kill a baby out of duty, but women would have to betray their nature, their souls.
The rabbis say, “Pharaoh’s plans for the annihilation of the Israelite children are defeated by women-the human feelings of the midwives, the tender sympathy of a woman of royal birth, and a sister’s watchfulness and resource in extremity. It was to the merit of pious women that Israel owed its redemption in Egypt.” I would add, God directed the hearts of those women to respond in the way He created them to naturally.
Do you struggle beneath the weight of this world? Do you find it more and more difficult to honor God in your thoughts and actions, because of the “enemy’s” intimidation?
Remember the simple Proverb, taught to children: Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your understanding; think about Him in all your ways, and He will guide you on the right paths.” Prov 3: 5-6
Sometimes, when it seems the Lord has allowed you to drift into the enemy’s hands, it is there He provides deliverance. It is comforting to know we don’t have to save our own lives. We need only to trust and obey the Lord with all we have.
Blessings.
Steve Wiggins
