OLD TESTAMENT 2

Old Testament Survey : 2
[3rd Edition – May 2008]
Page
Lesson 1 Exodus – The way out 1
Lesson 2 Exodus, continued 8
Lesson 3 Leviticus: How to come near to God 20
Lesson 4 Numbers: The Book of Israel’s wanderings 28
Lesson 5 Deuteronomy: The Book of Remembrance 35
Author:
Eileen Crowhurst
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Exodus – The way out
Lesson 1
Exodus is the book of deliverance and redemption.
Note: 400 years have passed between the end of Genesis and the beginning of Exodus.
EXODUS The word "exodus" means – the departure, going out, the way out
AUTHOR Moses
BACKGROUND Between the end of Genesis and the beginning of Exodus, the family of
God had become a nation of between two and three million people. In
Genesis 15:13, God told Abraham that at least 400 years would pass
before the promise of Canaan, would become the possession of his
descendants.
KEY VERSES Read Exodus 3:8 and Exodus 19:3-6
KEY CHAPTERS Exodus 12 – 14: The climax (which means the most important point),
of the Old Testament is recorded in chapters 12 – 14 – the salvation of
each person in Israel through the blood of a lamb (Passover) and God's
power (by parting the Red Sea).
The exodus of Israel from Egypt is the central event of the Old
Testament and is mirrored in the Cross of Christ in the New Testament
Old Testament JESUS New Testament
Deliverance of Israel as slaves The Lamb Deliverance of mankind as
of Pharaoh through the blood slaves to sin, through the
of a lamb, and God's power to blood of The Lamb and His
deliver, separating them by the power, delivering us from the
Red Sea from Pharaoh's kingdom devil and his kingdom of
of Egypt. darkness.
Moses A type or shadow of our Redeemer/Deliverer
Egypt An illustration of the world
Pharaoh An illustration of the ruler of the world, the devil
Israel Unsaved mankind, in bondage and unable to deliver himself from sin, needing
redemption
PURPOSE Remember, the "purpose" of a book is the reason that it was written. It is
like asking, "Why did Moses write this book?"
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1. Exodus shows the beginning of the fulfilment of the Abrahamic covenant.
2. It also tells us of the rapid growth of Israel and the events which led up to
their exodus, or departure from Egypt.
a) There were negative events:
Hard bondage (slavery); created a longing for deliverance
b) And positive events:
Miracles gave the Israelites faith in the Lord God, the Covenant-Maker,
the Redeemer and God of all power … and in Moses, His servant.
3. Exodus also introduces the Mosaic Covenant, with its Moral Law (laws about
our relationship with God), Civil Law (laws about our relationship with each
other) and Ceremonial Law (laws for the priesthood).
OUTLINE Exodus can easily be divided into two sections:
1. Redemption from Egypt Chapters 1 – 19
2. Revelation from God Chapters 20 – 40
EVENTS:
REDEMPTION FROM EGYPT – Chapters 1 – 19
Note: 70 Hebrews settled in Egypt (Exodus 1:5) – Jacob, his sons, their wives and children
plus Joseph, his wife and two sons.
Now, after 400 years, this family of 70 has grown into a nation of millions.
1. Israel's bondage.
Read Exodus 1:5-12
The Egyptians were alarmed at the great number of Israelites and they were also fearful,
distrusting their loyalty should another nation declare war on Egypt.
Now read 1:15-17 then 20-22
a) Their oppression.
i) Hard taskmasters (verse 11).
ii) Their labours were intensified (verses 13-14).
iii) The midwives were commanded to destroy all male children (verses 15-16).
iv) All the people were commanded to destroy the male children (verse 22).
b) Their deliverer.
Read Exodus 2:1-3 and 5-8
It must have been very difficult for Moses' mother to trust God to keep her son. We
see though that God not only kept him, but gave him back to her.
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Read Exodus 2:11-15
Read Hebrews 11:24-25
It is interesting to note that despite his royal, luxurious upbringing as the son of
Pharaoh's daughter, Moses is an Israelite both by birth and by choice. ("brothers"
verse 11.)
It was Moses' mother, his nurse, who taught him his Hebrew heritage and
encouraged him in his relationship with God. Egypt had many, many gods – yet
Moses knew the one and only God.
Read Exodus 2:16-22
2. Israel's deliverance.
Read Exodus 2:23-25
a) The Deliverer – Moses.
A man named Mr. D.L. Moody once said that Moses spent:
Forty years thinking he was somebody (a prince)
Forty years learning he was nobody (a shepherd)
And forty years discovering what God can do with a nobody!
b) The Commission.
Read Exodus 3:1-6
Mount "Horeb" is another name for Mount "Sinai".
Read verses 7-8
Note: God did not say He was going to come down and kill all the Egyptians …
He said He would deliver His people from the power of the Egyptians and
bring them out of that land and into the land He had promised Abraham.
Read verses 10-15
Note verse 12: God gave Moses a sign – when Moses had brought the people out
… not all signs are given before we do what God asks. This sign
would only be given after Moses had done what God was asking.
3. God's plan.
Read Exodus 3:18-22
a) They were asking to go to worship God. Worship is a vital part of our relationship
with God … without it, we are in danger of drifting away from Him, and if we did
that, we would "die".
b) God knew beforehand that Pharaoh would not let them go, "except under
compulsion".
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Compulsion – force, pressure, strong inducement, urging.
c) God's plan was that the Hebrews would not leave Egypt empty-handed. Remember
this … because later we will see why He planned for much of the wealth of Egypt
to go with them.
4. Moses' response.
Read Exodus 4:10 Moses was not "quick" or "eloquent", but he spoke well and his
words carried the authority of God.
Read Acts 7:22
Read Exodus 4:20-23
5. Moses' carelessness.
Read Exodus 4:24-26. What did circumcision represent? Do you remember?
Yes, circumcision was the external sign that a man was in covenant relationship with
God. Moses was going to bring his sons into the "enemy camp" without God's protection.
Zipporah quickly performed what was necessary.
6. Moses meets Pharaoh.
Read Exodus 5:1-4
Moses asked only that they be allowed to go "three days journey to worship God".
Pharaoh's response shows his contempt – "I don't know your God, so why should I let
you go? Get back to work!"
Read verses 7-8 … and then verses 19-21
Old Testament New Testament
Demand from Pharaoh to maintain Today we have to look after our
the production of bricks – but families – to feed, clothe and educate
without what they needed to make them … as well as maintaining our
what he was asking for – namely, commitment to the church.
straw. Everything costs more and more and
we don't have what is necessary –
namely, money!
This made the lives of the Israelites This makes our lives very difficult too.
very unpleasant – instead of life getting
easier, it was getting much harder.
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The result was that they turned We must be careful not to turn
against the very one who was going against God … or blame our
to deliver them! They blamed Moses church leaders.
and Aaron, and Moses blamed God.
Read Exodus 6:1-8 verse 7 – "You shall know that I am the Lord your
God".
Then read Exodus 7:1-5 verse 5 – "The Egyptians shall know that I am the
Lord".
7. God displays His power.
At this time, Egypt was the most powerful nation on earth.
Israel could not deliver themselves.
They were slaves – a bondage that could only end when they died. If God did not act,
they would never be free of Pharaoh's power.
Old Testament Jesus New Testament
Israel, slaves of Pharaoh. You and I, slaves to sin.
Unable to free themselves from Unable to free ourselves from the
the power of Egypt's ruler. power of this world's ruler, the devil.
Only God can free them. Only God can free us.
a) The Plagues.
Each plague demonstrated the power of God over the false gods of Egypt.
Both Israel and Egypt would be convinced that there was only One True God.
Plague False gods of Egypt
1. Water to blood Egypt believed man lived by water, especially the water
(Exodus 7:19- of the Nile River. They worshipped the Nile, which they
20) associated with "Hopi", the giver of life and "Osiris" the
god of fertility..
2. Frogs This was "Heqt" their god of childbirth, but everywhere
(Exodus 8:5) they walked, or drove their chariots and wherever their
animals walked, this "god" was being stepped on and
killed!
3. Gnats "Gnats" are tiny little flies. Egypt worshipped the air, as
(Exodus 8:16) well as water, land and fire. Now the air was
full of these tiny flies.
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4. Flies Again, the air did not bring a blessing, but a problem for the
(Exodus 9:1-4) Egyptians.
Note: Exodus 8:22 "I will deal differently with the land of
Goshen, where my people live. No swarms of flies will be
there … I make a distinction between My people and your
people". God is able to keep His people while judging
others.
5. Death of Egyptians worshipped many animal gods, including bull-
Livestock gods called Apis and Mnevis and the cow-god – Khnum.
(Exodus 9:1-4) All these gods were dying!
6. Boils As part of their worship of Ra, the sun god, Egyptians used
(Exodus 9:8-10) to throw ashes into the air so that Ra would bless them but
now, instead of blessing, there was disease!
7. Hail Even the weather obeyed God. However, in case anyone
(Exodus 9:17) thought this might be just a coincidence, the hailstorm was
not like any other in Egypt's history.
Note: Exodus 9:20-21. Some Egyptians realized these
plagues were from the real God and they began to do what
the Israelites did. The slaves who worked farms and their
livestock were kept safe.
8. Locusts The absolute devastation caused by locusts is hard to
(Exodus 10:4-6) imagine. Not only do they devour crops, they often invade
houses, even eating the woodwork. When a swarm of
locusts is very large, even sunlight cannot penetrate, so they
convert day into night.
Note: Read Exodus 9:31. The flax and barley were
destroyed by the hail, but the spelt and wheat had not yet
begun to grow …
Now read verses 5 and 6
9. Darkness "Ra" was what the Egyptians called the sun-god. "Ra" was
(Exodus 10:21) believed to be the most powerful of the gods … second
only to Pharaoh himself. However, even "Ra" was inferior
to God, and a darkness so heavy it could be felt, covered the
land.
10. Death of the Egypt believed in reincarnation – that is, they believed that
Firstborn when a person died, they would be born all over again in a
(Exodus 11:1- new body. The Egyptians also believed that Pharaoh was a
10) powerful god – and that his divine spirit would be passed on
to his son. The ultimate disaster for Pharaoh was the death
of his son … for that meant the death of his supposed
divinity.
Every plague was directed at an Egyptian deity. Everything Egypt put its trust in
was shown to be false.
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b) The result: All Egypt was shaken!
The plagues did not only last for a moment or two, but most likely took many
months. In that time, the land was afflicted with blood, flies, locusts, etc. Crops
were wiped out, cattle and other animals destroyed, trees and shrubs – in fact
everything that grew, was completely devastated.
The once glorious, powerful Egypt lay in ruins.
Memory Verse
Romans 8:28, “And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who
love Him and are called according to His purpose”.
Teacher's Notes
1. Read Romans 9:17. Note that God "raised up" Pharaoh for this purpose – that God
would show His might and power through him.
Read Exodus 7:4-5, 9:14-16 and 10:1-2
This does not mean God created Pharaoh to be destroyed. Pharaoh's heart was hard from
the start.
Pharaoh hardened his own heart in: Exodus 7:13-14, 22; 8:15, 19, 32; 9:7, 34-35.
The Lord hardened his heart in: Exodus 9:12; 10:20, 27.
2. Read Exodus 2:16. Jethro, Moses' father-in-law, was a "priest of Midian". This does not
mean he was a priest of Jehovah God … for the Midianites were Arabs, and did not
worship God.
Read Exodus 18:1-12. After hearing how God had delivered the Israelites from the
power of Egypt, Jethro says in verse 11, "Now I know that the Lord is greater than all the
gods". Before, he had worshipped false gods, but upon hearing of what God had done, he
realized who the true God was … and said "Now I know…"
Jethro is also called Reuel in Exodus 2:18 and Raguel in Numbers 10:29.
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Exodus, continued
Lesson 2
A. God redeems His people
Chapter 12, central to the message of the Old Testament, is a picture of our redemption
by the blood of the Passover Lamb.
1. Passover.
Read Exodus 12:1-14
"This month is …. ______________________________________"
The instruction of this month as Israel's New Year marked a new beginning – and a
new calendar.
Do you understand the meaning of that new calendar?
Old Testament JESUS New Testament
1 Corinthians 5:7
Redemption by the blood Redemption by the blood
of a lamb of "The Lamb"
No longer slaves in Egypt No longer slaves to sin
Everything changed Everything changes
A new year A new life
This marked a new beginning This marks a new beginning
2. Passover – "This shall be a sign for you".
Read Exodus 12:13
The blood was a sign – and God would "pass over" all who had this sign on
their door posts.
a) It was a sign of God's judgment on Pharaoh and his people.
b) And it was a sign of God's mercy and protection of His people.
3. The same for everyone.
Notice that everyone had to keep this Passover exactly the way God required.
("Passover" because the angel of death would "pass over" them.)
Everyone must take a lamb – not a goat, or a pig! Even if Mrs. Mkize would really
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rather have had a nice chicken, she had to roast a lamb. Mrs. Mkize had to roast
the lamb – even if Mr. Mkize preferred it in a curry.
The blood had to go on the door posts. It was not enough that the lamb died; its
blood had to be applied. It was not what they thought about it … it was what they
did with it that saved them.
Hyssop was a very common weed – easily obtained by everyone – typical of the
faith necessary for salvation – for it is a gift from God to everyone.
It was really a very strange way to be saved. Yet their salvation depended on doing
exactly as God had instructed.
It is the same today: "And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other
name under heaven that has been given among men, by which we must be saved".
Acts 4:12.
There is no salvation in the name of Buddha, even if the person is a "good
Buddhist", or in Mohammed … only in the name of Jesus.
Read Exodus 12:29-30
Can you imagine that night in Egypt?
In the land of Goshen, the air was full of the delicious smell of thousands and
thousands and thousands of roasting lambs; but over Egypt, the air was full of
the cries of people mourning the death of first-born sons.
And remember, it was not just young children who died – from the youngest
to the oldest – babies to grandfathers … every first-born male died that night.
Many houses mourned not just the death of their son, but of their father as
well. Even the first-born cattle died. (Exodus 11:5)
The next morning, approximately three million Israelites set out on their
journey … leaving behind the ashes of their fires and the sorrow of thousands
and thousands of Egyptian families.
And they did not leave empty-handed. They "plundered the Egyptians" just
as God had said. Remember this, for later we will see what the reason was for
taking the wealth of Egypt with them.
Some Egyptians and others also left with the Israelites (Exodus 12:38) …
everyone who recognized that Israel's God was the true God.
So there were a great many people as well as livestock, flocks and herds.
B. The Feast of Unleavened Bread
Read Exodus 12:15-20
"Leaven" is yeast, a substance used to make bread rise.
In the Bible "leaven" is symbolically associated with sin.
Think for a
moment
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Remember, it is symbolically associated with sin. That does not mean that yeast, or bread,
is sinful.
It shows us that, as Christians, we need to remove all sin from our lives.
Old Testament New Testament
Read Psalm 139:23-24 Read 1 Corinthians 5:7
Leaven, or yeast The "leaven" of Herod. Mark 8:15.
Love of the world and position.
Leaven of Sadducees. Matthew 16:6-12.
An arrogant attitude; intellectual religion
centred on man, not on God.
Leaven of Pharisees. Matthew 16:12; Luke 12:1.
Hypocrisy; pride; joyless observance of detailed
rules; legalism.
Leaven of the Galatians. Galatians 5:9.
Salvation by law and works. Heavy emphasis
on law and nothing of grace.
Leaven of Corinthians. 1 Corinthians 5:1-13.
Sins of the flesh – lust, coveting, etc.
C. Separation from the past
1. Complete separation.
Read Exodus 12:41 and then read Genesis 15:13-14
In Genesis God said that Israel would be enslaved for 400 years. Exodus states that
"the time the sons of Israel lived in Egypt was 430 years".
Read Exodus 13:17-18
Remember, these people had been slaves for 400 years. They were not prepared
physically or mentally to withstand warlike opposition … although they went out
in formation, like an army.
Read verses 21-22
God supernaturally led them, and provided shade in the desert during the heat of
the day as well as light and warmth from the severe cold at night.
But God was not finished in dealing with Egypt.
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Read Exodus 14:1-15
Read verses 19-28 … and then verse 31
Not only did Israel experience God's miraculous power to deliver and protect, but
also His holy judgment of the ungodly, and this increased their faith in God and in
Moses' leadership.
Old Testament New Testament
Read 1 Corinthians 10:2 Read Romans 6:3-8
God made a way for His people Paul is dealing with what happens
to be totally cut free from their past. within the person who trusts Jesus.
They were separated from That person is supernaturally united
their old life of slavery, and were to Christ in His death, burial and
immersed with Moses in a resurrection. This is what frees
relationship marked by sharing them from their old life, and frees
common experiences of God them from the enemy.
supernaturally acting on their behalf.
The passage through the Red Baptism testifies to the devil and the
Sea removed the power of whole kingdom of darkness, that the
the enemy to follow Israel. person who once lived in their
power has now "died with Christ",
and risen to a new life … where they
have no place. Baptism is what cuts
us free from the enemy.
2. The joy of victory.
a) The song of Moses. Exodus 15:1-18.
"The Lord is a warrior … Who is like You? … majestic in holiness, awesome
in praises, working wonders? … in Your loving kindness You led the people
You redeemed … and You will bring them and plant them in the mountain of
Your inheritance … and You shall reign forever and ever".
b) The song of Miriam, the prophetess. Exodus 15:20-21.
"Sing to the Lord, for He is highly exalted; the horse and his rider He has
hurled into the sea"; and all the women danced and sang.
A "timbrel" is a tambourine – like a small drum.
Have you
been
baptized?
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3. Israel's training begins.
No sooner was Israel released from bondage in Egypt than they began to complain.
Murmuring and complaining was to become their automatic reaction to any and
every difficulty they would face … and it has been the reaction of multitudes of
God's people ever since!
a) No water. Exodus 15:23-27.
"Marah" means "bitter". The water was brackish, or salty.
b) No food. Exodus 16:2-8, 14-15, 35.
God provides manna. "Manna" is Hebrew for "what is it?"
Verse 8: “Your grumblings are ___________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________”
c) No water, again. Exodus 17:1-6.
Verse 6: What was Moses to do? _________________________________
d) Victory over Amalek. Exodus 17:8-16.
Read Exodus 17:13-14
Who was the young man commanding Israel's army? ___________________
D. God covenants with Moses
Read Exodus 19:1-6
Read 1 Peter 2:9 "a special treasure … a kingdom of priests"
Read Revelation 1:6; 5:10
God has not changed His plan. From the beginning, His desire has been for a kingdom of
priests, not a tribe of priests or a group of priests, but a priesthood made up of all
believers.
1. The Law – The Holiness of God. Exodus chapter 20 to chapter 24.
The law came after their salvation or deliverance from Egypt. God did not give
Israel the Law and wait to see if they would keep it for two weeks before He saved
them.
That is, the Law was not given as a means of salvation. It was given to a people
already saved in order to teach them God's will so that they would be able to fulfil
His purpose for them as a "kingdom of priests and a holy nation".
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"Holy" – Not like any other. Separate, or apart from, in the sense of being unique
or one of a kind; totally distanced from all that is impure, sinful or morally
imperfect. Entire freedom from moral evil or wickedness
It was given in three parts:
i) The Moral Law
ii) The Civil, or Social, Law "The Law"
iii) The Ceremonial, or Religious, Law
The Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:3-17) are a part of "The Law".
2. The purpose of the Law.
The Law demands that man is perfect. However, only one man has been able to
keep it perfectly from the time it was given – and that man was Jesus.
Jesus Christ not only kept the Law perfectly, He paid the complete penalty for all
the times it had been broken, or would be broken in the future.
If no one (other than Jesus) could keep it, why was it given?
a) To show us our exceeding sinfulness, to expose sin, to identify sin.
Read Romans 3:20 And Romans 5:20 And Romans 7:7
Now read 1 Corinthians 15:56
The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law.
The Law points out our inability to keep what we know is good.
b) To show us the fearful, blazing, dazzling holiness of God.
c) To provide us with a standard for righteousness.
The Law gives us a picture of God's righteousness and holiness … and acts as
a mirror so that we are able to see our sinfulness.
d) To show us our total inability to meet the standard of holiness God
requires. We cannot keep the Law, even though we know it is good.
Read Romans 7:14-23
e) To point us to Christ.
Read Romans 7:24-25 and Galatians 3:23-24
3. How much Law does the Church need today?
Read Romans 3:20-24
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Read Romans 10:4
We cannot make ourselves more righteous, no matter what we do.
If "the end" is really "the end", how much is left to do?
But … if we take away the Law, won't we sin?
No, because everything we do is a result of our love for God … isn't it?
Read Romans 14:23
And James 4:17
4. Still under Law? Still under a curse!
Read Galatians 3:10-14
"All who rely on observing the law are under a _______________
for it is written: “____________ is everyone who does not continue to do
______________________ written in the Book of the Law.
Clearly _____________ is justified before God by the law, because 'The
righteous will live by __________________”. (Verses 10-11)
5. Our righteousness.
a) Came from God. We have Christ's righteousness, not our own. Romans 10:4.
b) Our righteousness is a gift – a "free gift" – from God.
Read Romans 5:17
c) Therefore we can have a wonderful relationship with God.
Read Romans 5:1-2 and Galatians 5:1
No law will ever make anyone worship God. Worship is a thing of the heart.
Read Colossians 2:13-14
That should make all of us worship from hearts overflowing with gratitude.
6. Does the Law replace the Abrahamic Covenant?
Read Galatians 3:19 – it was added – therefore the Law does not do away with
faith.
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Old Testament New Testament
Pentecost Pentecost
50 days after leaving Egypt 50 days after Jesus' death
thunder, lightning, wind a noise, rushing wind
fire tongues of fire
God spoke from heaven people spoke in a heavenly language
people afraid and ran away people came to hear
later they sinned and 3000 died Peter preached and 3000 saved
E. The Tabernacle
Read Exodus chapters 25 – 40
"Tabernacle" – means to dwell or to abide, live, stay, reside.
There seems to be two accounts of the Tabernacle in Exodus. However, in the first
(Chapters 25 – 31), God gives Moses instructions on how to build the Tabernacle – and
in the second, (Chapters 35 – 40), Moses describes what they have built.
It was completed one year after leaving Egypt. (Exodus 40:17)
Read Exodus 25:1-9
Israel did not have to plead with God to come and dwell with them. God wanted to be
right in the middle of everything His people were (and are) doing.
Moses was not to build the way he wanted to.
God carefully instructed him to "build according to the pattern I show you". These
instructions are repeated over and over again in the chapters that follow … "make sure
you build according to the pattern I showed you".
Those instructions are also for us today. Individually and corporately, we are the "temple
of God", and God has given us His instructions on how we are to build both our lives and
His church.
Read 1 Peter 2:3-5
Now read Ephesians 2:8
In the Old Testament, salvation came through faith in the Law. That is, faith that what the
Law asked for, and therefore what the person did, would make them acceptable to God.
Today we have faith in Jesus Christ – salvation by grace.
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Holy of
Holies Ark and
Mercy Seat
Second Veil
Altar of Incense
Golden Table of
Candlestick Shewbread
Holy
Place
First Veil
Laver
A closer look at the Tabernacle: Outer
Court Altar
1. There is only one way in,
only one door. Gate
Way to God
Read John 10:9
2. The huge altar is the first thing seen on entering.
Read John 14:6
Read Romans 12:1
Read Matthew 10:38-39
3. What is "my life"?
It is my personal hopes, dreams, ambitions, desires, my possessions, finances, etc.
In fact everything!
It is my "old nature" before I was saved.
And there is only one thing God wants me to do with it – lay it on the altar. If I don't lay
it down, and keep laying it down every day, then my old nature rises up again – my
jealousies, anger, my ambitions, what I want, etc.
4. The next item is the Laver.
Read Exodus 30:17-21
1 Peter 2:9 – who are
the priests today?
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Now read Ephesians 5:26
The laver today is the Word of God. We need to look into it every day, to see where we
need cleaning up … not where our wife needs to change, or our husband needs to change.
We need to see where we need to change; where we need cleansing.
Old Testament JESUS New Testament
Outer Court "Outer Court" Christians
Light is from the sun and they Live by the "natural man" – that is, by
are guided by their physical what makes sense to them.
senses. Read Romans 8:5-7
The Holy Place "Holy Place" Christians
Here it is dark. The only light is These are led by the Holy Spirit, and they
the light given by the Golden live by what the Word of God says … not
Candlestick. by what makes sense to them.
Table of Shewbread "Man does not live by bread ... but by the
Made of finely ground flour. Word of God". My will, that is my
One for every tribe. decision-maker, has to come under the
Lordship of Christ. Only when my will,
(my "want to"), is set aside and His will
reigns in my heart can I have fellowship
with Him.
Altar of Incense "Altar of Incense" in my life is when my
This altar was a perfect square. mind, will and emotions are in balance.
Everything perfectly in balance. I can now offer up worship that is
Sweet incense was offered here. acceptable to Him.
Holy of Holies "Holy of Holies" is God's presence.
Total darkness except for the When I want what He wants, think like He
glory of God. The ark, thinks, feel His compassion, etc, we have
representing His presence was fellowship and He speaks to me. He wants
the only thing in the Holy of Holies. to speak to me … every day.
The Ark of Covenant God is in covenant with me.
Inside is the jar of manna God's supernatural provision, His
Aaron's rod authority because I am His priest. Now I
Tablets of Law live, not by Law, but by the Spirit, being
led by the Spirit as His Son.
F. The Priests were consecrated
"Consecrate" – setting apart a thing or a person to the worship or service of God.
18
Read Exodus 29:19-21
Ears – what they hear, what they listen to Read Mark 4:24
Thumbs – what they do, what they work at Read 1 Corinthians 10:31
Toes – where and how they walked Read James 1:22; Ephesians 5:15-17
Clothing – their appearance Read Romans 13:14; Revelation 7:13-14
G. Israel sinned
1. The Golden Calf.
Read Exodus 32:1-6
Note: The gold rings in their ears were not evil, it was what they did with the gold
that was sinful – they made an idol and worshipped it.
Read Exodus 32:7 – then verse 10, then 12 and 13
Here we see the character of Moses. He could have chosen to let God make a great
nation from him … but he reminded God of His covenant promises … and His
reputation among the nations.
Read Exodus 32:21-24
Here we see the character of Aaron. "I threw it in the fire and out came this calf".
However, verse 4 tells us that he took it and carved it with a tool, making it into a
calf and then offering it to the people as their god.
2. The result of their sin.
Read Exodus 32:25-29
The tribe of Levi was the first to respond.
How many people died? _____________________
H. The Mosaic Covenant
The sign of the covenant – the Sabbath (Exodus 31:13; 35:2)
The tabernacle was built "just as the Lord commanded", and His glory filled it.
Read Exodus 40:34
CONCLUSION:
In Exodus, we see the transition (change) of Israel from one family of 12 sons, to ONE
NATION of 12 tribes. God saved His people out of the bondage of slavery; freed them and
separated them. Not all the experiences were pleasant, but all were necessary in order to
bring them to a mature faith and trust in Him.
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The Book of Exodus ends with a description of the glory of God filling the Tabernacle.
Despite the failures of a redeemed people, God in His grace cannot be stopped from
fulfilling His ultimate purposes in redemption.
Memory Verse
1 Peter 2:9, "But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God's
own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of
darkness into His marvelous light".
Teacher's Notes
1. If we consider Genesis 15:13, and Exodus 1:8-11, the Israelites lived for 30 years in
peace with Egypt until their numbers increased and then years later a king arose who "did
not know Joseph". In other words, felt no obligation to continue giving the Israelites a
special position. This king enslaved them – forcing them to build at least two cities (verse
11) which was a task not easily completed. Israel spent 400 years in Egypt.
2. The qualification for not being under the Law is found in Galatians 5:18 … if you are led
by the Spirit, you are not under law. Therefore the reverse is also true – that is, if you are
not led by the Spirit then you are still under the Law. Obviously a person, who has not
made Jesus Christ Saviour and Lord of their lives, cannot be "led by the Spirit".
Therefore, the unsaved person is still under the Law and will be judged by it.
3. If we consider the tabernacle for us today, then how do we set aside "our mind, will and
emotions"? By living according to what the Word of God says, not by what we think.
For example: Let us say that I find a certain man at church really irritating. In fact, I do
not like him at all. My natural behaviour would be to avoid him, but what does the Bible
say I should do? Yes, it says I should "love" him! How do I do that? By doing what 1
Corinthians 13 says: by being patient with him, by being kind, not jealous, not arrogant,
not easily provoked, etc.
Or another example: I am short of money, so I tell myself that this month it does not
make sense to tithe – but the Bible says, "Seek first the Kingdom of God and all these
things will be added to you". "It is more blessed to give than to receive". "Give and it will
be given to you", etc.
4. In the Outer Court I can read the Bible and get all kinds of revelation because I am
working in my senses but, in the Holy Place, I have to yield and put myself and what I
think aside to hear what God is saying.
Are you saying that you don't "feel like" loving that person who you think has wronged
you? If you have laid yourself on the altar and have set aside your will and submitted to
God's will and His Word, your mind and your will make a majority … your emotions
will automatically come into line. Do you have a bad temper? Give your mind and will
over to the Holy Spirit, and you will be able to control your bad temper.
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Leviticus: How to come near to God
Lesson 3
The time of writing Leviticus:
Israel remained camped at Mount Sinai for one month. During this time, the events described
in the Book of Leviticus and the first 9 chapters of Numbers took place.
AUTHOR Moses
KEY VERSES Read Leviticus 17:11
Read Leviticus 20:7-8
PURPOSE
1. To tell Israel how to come near to God.
Remember, God is "holy" – not like any other – He is love; He is good, pure,
just, moral … etc.
But how can a holy God have a close relationship with sinful man? That is
the question answered in Leviticus, as God instructs the Levites and the
nation on how to approach Him.
2. To show that the way to God is through sacrifice – as the innocent sheds
its life blood for the guilty.
Leviticus instructs the priests concerning their ministry of presenting
sacrifices and offerings on behalf of themselves and the nation.
3. To explain the difference between the clean and the unclean.
In the Old Testament, "clean" and "unclean" describes the status of
something which relates to either of the following:
a) Something to do with a religious ceremony.
b) A person's moral purity – which is very important to an individual's
relationship with God.
OUTLINE
A. How to come near to God – Chapters 1 – 17
Note: God's attitude to man is that He wants fellowship.
He wants each person to have a close relationship with Him.
The Law was not given to keep mankind away from God.
It was given to protect man, not to punish him.
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1. The way to God is through sacrifice.
The sacrifice had to be perfect, not the person bringing it!
Jesus, our perfect Lamb of God, died for us. We are not yet perfect, but He is
perfect and therefore we are acceptable to God.
a) Two Sacrifices were required. [essential, necessary, compulsory]
Read Leviticus 4:2-4
i) The Sin offering.
Each individual was to atone for their sins even if the sins were
unintentional.
The person identified himself with the animal by placing his/her hands
on its head as the priest killed it.
Jesus fulfilled this offering by being an atonement for the guilt of our
sin.
Read 1 Peter 2:24
ii) The Trespass offering.
Read Leviticus 5:15-16
This offering was made for:
Mistakenly taking what belonged to God – this could be the first born
of your flocks, first fruits of harvest, or tithes, etc.,
and ….. for any harm done to a neighbour by mistake.
Example: Perhaps your neighbour claimed that one of his sheep had
strayed and was now with your sheep, but you are sure all the sheep in
your field belong to you. Later in the week, some of your family arrive
for a visit and you kill one of your sheep for a feast. Afterwards you
count your sheep and still have just as many as before your family
arrived! You made a mistake. The sheep you killed and ate must have
belonged to your neighbour!
Oh no! What do you do now?
Well, first of all, you must of course repay your neighbour …
But read Leviticus 6:1-7
Not only was the guilty person to restore what he had harmed, he was
to repay more!
Jesus fulfilled the Trespass Offering by atoning for the damage of sin.
(Psalm 51:4)
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The Trespass Offering symbolizes forgiveness, as God forgives us
and we forgive each other.
iii) Atonement in the Old Testament.
Read Leviticus 17:11 and verse 14
The Hebrew word “atonement” means “to cover or conceal” – a
covering which God gave to conceal sin, making it possible to come
near to Him.
The death of a sacrificial animal was required for atonement.
Israel was told not to eat blood because "its blood is identified with its
life" (verse 14). It is the blood that makes atonement for one's life.
b) Three sacrifices were voluntary.
i) The Burnt offering. (Leviticus 1)
This sacrifice was completely consumed by fire, which symbolizes
Jesus' complete surrender to God and our complete surrender to Him
also, as Jesus' disciples.
Read Romans 12:1-2
ii) The Meal and Drink offerings. (Leviticus 2)
This offering symbolized the graciousness of God in providing what is
necessary for life and godliness and is fulfilled in Jesus, God's grace in
Person.
iii) The Peace offering. (Leviticus 3)
This was a fellowship offering from an individual already in right
standing with God, having received forgiveness of sin, just to celebrate
and thank Him for the peace between them.
Jesus Christ is the one who made peace between man (you and me) and
God and who now is our Peace. (Thank You, Jesus!)
2. The way to God is through the Priesthood.
The priest's function was to represent God to the people, and to represent the
people to God.
a) The anointing of Aaron and his sons.
Read Leviticus 8:10-12
Read Leviticus 8:22-24
23
Old Testament Jesus, New Testament
our High Priest
Aaron's right ear What you hear – Mark 4:24
His right hand What you do – Psalm 24:4
His right foot Where you go and how you
live – Micah 6:8; Galatians
5:16; 2 Corinthians 4:2
Aaron and his sons Every Christian
1 John 2:20
“But you have an anointing from the Holy One
and you all know the truth”.
b) Qualifications for the Levites.
Read Leviticus 21:18-23
Remember, not all Israelites were priests – only the tribe of Levi.
Also – not all Levites were priests – only those who were free from any type
of physical defect. (Leviticus 21:18-23)
And, not all Levites, even if they were free of physical deformities, could be
High Priest – only someone descended from Aaron. (Exodus 28:1)
Note: All Levites, even those excluded from the priesthood because of a
physical defect, could come into the Tabernacle courts, just as the
rest of Israel, and they could share in the priests’ food, but they
could not serve as priests – that is, represent God to the people and
the people to God.
Physical Defects that Excluded Levites from the Priesthood
Old Testament New Testament
Natural or physical Spiritual and personal
Physical defects which Defects of character which
could not be healed can change with God's help
Important! The physical defects that excluded Old Testament Levites from the
priesthood, are today symbolized by character defects which can disqualify a
person from leadership.
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Remember, how you lead is the way people think God leads, therefore take
care that your leadership accurately represents Him. God loves His people
and guides them with tender care.
i) Blind: Lack of vision. How can someone lead if they do not know
where they are going? (Matthew 15:14; 23:24)
ii) Lame: Not able to "walk". This person understands what God is doing
and where He wants them to go, but there is something wrong with
their lifestyle and they refuse to put it right.
iii) Disfigured face: When someone looks at us, they are supposed to "see"
Jesus but what they see in this person is not like Jesus.
iv) Crippled Foot: Read Proverbs 15:21. A Christian who continually
strays off into sins that have become a habit – it could be getting drunk,
adultery or lying … any sin which is repeated so often that it has
become part of the person's way of life.
v) Crippled Hand: A deformed hand means the person has difficulty
with serving. It might be because they think they are too important to
serve. Whatever the reason, the person does not want to serve others.
vi) Hunchback: (A deformed or crooked back) Remember – for Christians
today, we are talking about character defects. This person cannot carry
a load or burden. They are unable to take responsibility. They cannot
be depended on and refuse to be accountable to others.
vii) Dwarf: This person is an adult, but they look like a child. In the New
Testament this means someone who is immature – they may have been
a Christian for many years, but have no maturity of character.
viii) Eye defect: Matthew 7:1 speaks of someone who has a huge log in
their own eye but is trying to take out a tiny speck from someone else's
eye – a continual "fault finder", usually someone who has been hurt and
is now critical and judgmental of others.
ix) Festering sores: A problem with the "flesh" – selfishness, greed,
gluttony, drunkenness, immorality, sexual sin, etc. It is interesting that
in the natural sense, skin problems are often caused by improper diet –
what a person is eating. In a similar sense, a person's character is
affected by what "spiritual food" he or she is feeding on.
x) Scabs: Wounds – past hurts which have still not healed.
xi) Damaged testicles: No ability to reproduce. Not able to produce life.
Godly leadership is seen in a "modelling" lifestyle. Paul spoke of this
when he said, "Follow me … as I follow Christ", meaning "Do what
you see me doing".
Not many people are able to encourage others in practical ways which
show them how to live close to God. It is much easier to tell someone,
than to do it yourself first.
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The character defect referred to here is also seen in a preacher who
speaks well but there is no life in what he is saying. Anyone can yell.
Anyone can shout "Hallelujah"! Not many can equip people in practical
ways that encourage them and confirm God's love for them.
B. How to stay near to God – Chapters 18 – 27
1. By your Lifestyle.
Read Leviticus 19:1-2
How to be "holy"
Now read Leviticus 18:1-2
Remember, Egypt is symbolic of the world we live in today. We are not to live like
the people around us who do not know Jesus.
Another word for "the world we live in today" is our "society" or culture.
What is the culture like where you live? Are there things people do in your culture
that are not Godly? What does that mean for you?
Read Romans 12:2
Your mind
Your way of thinking
What has to be "renewed"? What you value
What you believe is important
How you make decisions
2. By your Worship.
a) The "Sabbaths".
The word "sabbath" means "rest" – a time of relaxation and restoration of
strength.
In the Old Testament, there were several "sabbath" rests:
The Weekly Sabbath: This is the sign of the Mosaic Covenant. When Israel
kept the Sabbath it served as a reminder of their covenant relationship with
God.
The Sabbath for the Land: (Leviticus 25:4) Every 7th year no crops were
planted, the land was allowed to rest.
The Sabbath of "Jubilee" – every 50th year: (Leviticus 25:10) This was a
festival which only started once they were in the Promised Land. It is also
called the "year of liberty".
Every 49 years, the trumpet was to sound throughout the land and the next
year – the 50th year – was to be announced as a celebration.
During Jubilee, all land which an owner had sold because he was poor
reverted back to him again (or to his heirs) without payment.
We have included Chapter
21, in our study of the
priesthood as part of How
to come near to God.
26
Every Israelite who, because of poverty, had sold himself as a slave and had
not been able to pay the money back went free, as well as his whole family.
All debts were cancelled, all property freely returned. Jubilee became a year
of freedom and a year of grace; a year of release to the whole nation; a year
of refreshing and renewal.
The Sabbath Festivals: Seven "Feasts of the Lord" were also called
"Sabbaths".
b) The Seven Feasts.
Besides their own personal worship, Israel kept special festivals in
accordance with the Law. One Hebrew name for festival was from a word
meaning "to dance"; therefore these were occasions of joy and gladness.
i) Passover: There were three feasts in "Passover".
The first, called Passover, celebrated their deliverance from Egypt and
freedom from slavery.
For New Testament believers, it is celebrated at salvation.
Unleavened Bread: This was the second part of the Passover Feast.
We have already studied "leaven" as a symbol for sin.
For Christians, it is celebrated by a changed life.
First fruits: The beginning of the grain harvest. A sample was taken
from the field, brought to the tabernacle, and a priest waved it before
the Lord. It was a sample of the harvest to come.
Read 1 Corinthians 15:20-23 – Jesus the first of a harvest just like
Him.
ii) Pentecost: (Also called "The Feast of Weeks" because 7 weeks were
counted from Passover until this feast.)
Two loaves of bread were presented and waved before the Lord,
marking the completion of the harvest.
The Law was given on the 50th day after leaving Egypt and we see the
New Testament fulfilment of this feast in Acts 2.
iii) The Feast of Tabernacles: (This is also a three-part feast)
A long time passed between the Feast of Pentecost and this Feast.
The Feast of Tabernacles included:
The Feast of Trumpets: The trumpets represented Jehovah's call to
Israel to gather in preparation for the two great events to follow almost
immediately.
27
The Day of Atonement: This marked the most solemn, serious
occasion in the year.
It was called a "day of affliction", when the nation's sins were called to
remembrance and atoned for.
On this day only the High Priest (and no one else) was allowed by God
to enter the Holy of Holies.
Before he went into the Holy of Holies he had to make sure his own
personal sins were confessed and the appropriate sacrifices made.
Two goats were offered in sacrifice for the nation. One bore the sins of
the nation into the wilderness, while the other was killed and its blood
sprinkled on the Mercy Seat by the High Priest.
The Feast of Tabernacles: This was a time of great joy which lasted
for 8 days, as the people lived in temporary "booths" or tents. They
rejoiced at the goodness of God.
The first fruits of oil and wine were brought in and a final thanksgiving
was made for the year's harvest.
Note: Read Leviticus 25:23
Israel was taught that the land belonged to God, not to them.
Memory Verse
Hebrews 4:16, "Let us therefore draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, that we may
receive mercy and may find grace to help in time of need".
Teacher's Notes
1. Is anyone asking exactly how the life of all flesh is in its blood? The answer is because
God says it is.
2. Leviticus 17:11-12 – The instruction not to eat blood has been misunderstood by some to
refer to a medical situation when a person might need a blood transfusion. However,
what God is referring to is eating the blood of an animal.
3. Do you want a quick test to see if you are a leader? Well, turn around … is anyone
following you? What are they like and who are they like? If you are more and more like
Jesus, then they will be more and more like Him too.
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Numbers – The Book of Israel's Wanderings
Lesson 4
Israel was at Mount Sinai during the building of the tabernacle (Exodus 40:17). They camped
at Sinai and during the events described in the first 9 chapters of Numbers.
The generation numbered [counted] at the beginning of the Book of Numbers is not the same
as the generation numbered at the end of the Book.
A "generation" refers to the adults who were living at the time. In other words, the people who
were living at the beginning of the Book of Numbers all died. The people counted at the end of
the Book were a new generation.
Between chapters 19 and 20, thirty-seven and a half years passed – as Israel wandered outside
the Promised Land – a result of their disobedience and lack of faith in God.
AUTHOR Moses
KEY VERSES Read Numbers 14:20-24
Read Numbers 20:12
KEY CHAPTER Chapter 14
Israel rejected God by refusing to go into Canaan, the Promised Land.
God judged the unbelieving generation, "According to the number of
days which you spied out the land, forty days, for every day you shall
bear your guilt one year, even forty years, and you shall know My
opposition". (Numbers 14:34)
This meant that, instead of taking just over two years for Israel to enter
Canaan after leaving Egypt, it would take them forty years.
PURPOSE 1. To give an account of the years Israel wandered in the wilderness after
leaving Egypt, until they finally crossed the Jordan River and entered
the Promised Land.
2. To record the total number of the two generations.
MESSAGE 1. God's people are redeemed to serve Him.
2. Christians can miss out on God's promise of rest because of unbelief
and disobedience.
Read Hebrews 4:2
3. God will always find people who will believe and trust that He will
keep His word, and they will inherit His covenant promises.
29
OUTLINE
1. The first, unbelieving generation: Chapters 1 – 14.
During this time, the people were counted and given instructions about what to do when
they entered the Promised Land.
a) The Levites are set apart.
Read Numbers 1:2-3 … then verses 46-51
They were to look after the Tabernacle, to set it up and take it down, to carry it as
Israel moved, and to camp around it.
b) The Pillar of Cloud and Fire guided Israel.
Read Numbers 9:15-17
Read Numbers 10:11
And now read Numbers 10:33-36
c) The complaining begins.
Read Numbers 11:1-6 Israel complains
Read verses 10-15 Moses complains
Read verse 16-17 God raises up leadership to help Moses
d) Miriam and Aaron complain.
Read Numbers 12:1-2
"Cushite" – another name for the country of Midian. Remember, Moses' wife was
not Hebrew.
They accused Moses of arrogance and claimed that God had spoken through them
as well.
Was that true – had God spoken through them?
Yes. Example – Miriam prophesied after Israel had crossed the Sea.
The issue seemed to be about equality in leadership – but if we read verses 6-8,
God's choice of a leader is very clear.
e) Ten spies return with a bad report.
Read Numbers 13:1-3
Read verse 6 – Caleb
And verse 8 – Hoshea, another name for "Joshua" (See verse 16)
30
Read Numbers 13:27-33
f) Israel rebels against God.
Read Numbers 14:1-4
i) Take notice of what the people say:
"Would that we had died in this wilderness", verse 2.
"The Lord is bringing us into this land to die by the sword", verse 3.
"Our little ones will become plunder", verse 3.
Read verses 5-9
ii) Moses intercedes.
Read verses 10-19
Note the amazing humility of Moses as he declined God's offer to make a
covenant people from his descendants.
Notice how Moses reminded God of His covenant and was concerned about
God's reputation – that those who did not know Him would say it was
because God was unable to fulfil His promises.
iii) God's response.
Read verses 20-24
Read verses 28-30
Now read verses 31-32
And verses 35 and 43
g) Israel disobeys again.
Read Numbers 14:40-45
2. The years of wandering: Chapters 15 – 20.
The entire nation was prevented from entering Canaan.
But, beginning in chapter 15, God immediately began to train and instruct the new
generation who would inherit the land and His promises.
a) Korah rebels.
Read Numbers 16:1-3
Read verses 28-33
31
b) Israel rebels again.
Read Numbers 16:41
The next day the nation turns against Moses and Aaron!
God sends a plague on the people and 14,700 die. (Verse 49)
c) God confirms His choice.
Read Numbers 17:1-5 and verse 8
d) The red heifer. (Numbers 19:1-10)
In every respect the killing of the red heifer is unique, and this is the only time it
occurs in the Bible.
The animal is female (a cow) and it is slaughtered, not sacrificed.
It is killed outside the camp, not at the holy altar. The ashes are mixed with water
and used for the purification of those who had contact with a dead person.
(Remember, millions of Israel's people died in the wilderness.)
The usual pattern of sacrifice is given in Leviticus 1:3-9.
37 ½ years pass between chapter 19 and chapter 20
e) Miriam died. (Numbers 20:1)
f) The sin of Moses.
Read Numbers 20:2, and then verses 7-12
God told Moses to speak to the rock and it would yield water.
Moses misrepresented God in two ways:
i) In Exodus 17:6, the first time God told Moses to bring water from the rock,
God instructed Moses to hit the rock once.
This time God told Moses to speak to the rock but, instead, Moses did what
he had done before. Perhaps because this was the second time of bringing
water from a rock, he may also have hit the rock twice.
ii) Secondly, he struck it in anger, misrepresenting God's attitude towards the
people.
Remember that "rock" represented Jesus, who voluntarily gave His life for
you and me. (1 Corinthians 10:4)
g) Aaron died. (Numbers 20:28)
The end of Israel's wandering.
Important
!
32
3. The new, believing generation: Chapters 21 – 36.
a) The wandering is over – The wars begin!
It is important to realize that the land of Canaan, the "Promised Land", is not
symbolic of life in heaven.
Israel would obtain the land by driving the enemy out. If you think Canaan is
symbolic of heaven, then what enemies do you plan to drive out of heaven when
you get there?
Canaan is a shadow, or example, of the life that is available to every believer today;
a place of spiritual warfare where victory is assured.
Why did God allow anyone to come against His people?
Resistance produces strength – it is like building strong muscles by lifting or
pushing against weights.
b) Victory and Judgment. (Numbers 21:1-5)
Israel defeated the Canaanites but became weary and complained.
The Bronze Serpent – Read Numbers 21:8-9
They defeated the Amorites and Og, king of Bashan.
c) Balaam's prophecy.
Both the nations of Midian and Moab feared Israel and sent messengers to a man
named Balaam, requesting him to prophesy against Israel.
The Canaanites believed their gods could be manipulated or controlled. They
believed the God of the Hebrews was like their gods … but, God is "holy" – "Not
like any other".
Balaam knew that God is not subject to man, God is sovereign.
Read Numbers 23:8-9
Be encouraged!
And verses 19-20
d) Israel rejected God.
Read Numbers 25:1-5
Read verse 9
e) The second generation was counted.
Read Numbers 26:1-2
And verse 51
33
Read verses 64 and 65
f) Moses set aside – Joshua appointed.
Read Numbers 27:12-14
Read Numbers 27:18-20
And read verses 22-23
Here we see the precedent for "laying on of hands" and what it represents –
impartation and commissioning of leadership. (Hebrews 6:2)
Joshua had been in training for years. He was born a slave in Egypt. Joshua
overcame his past and became the commander of Israel's army, and finally, its
leader.
g) The tribes of Reuben and Gad.
Read Numbers 32:1
Read verse 5
Then verses 20-23
Moses warned both tribes that they were discouraging the rest of Israel, just as the
ten men who spied out the land had done.
He warned them that if they turned away from following God's instructions, they
would not only destroy the nation, they would know God's anger.
Both tribes were to enter the Promised Land fully armed and only when the
enemies were conquered were they allowed to return. Reuben and Gad agreed to
this.
h) Instructions for conquering Canaan.
Read Numbers 33:50-56
Old Testament New Testament
"When you cross over …" When you enter God's Kingdom
"then you shall drive out ..." you fight in spiritual warfare and
"and you shall take possession" you take possession
"of the land" of abundant life (John 10:10)
"but if you do not drive out the But, if you do not overcome
inhabitants of the land" bad habits, like your temper,
or laziness, cruelty, etc.
"they will become pricks in They will become problem areas,
your eyes and thorns in your and cause you grief, and trouble
34
sides, and they shall trouble you" in your daily life.
Who did the fighting? Israel. Who does the fighting? You do!
Battles are fought, but victory is assured – because God is fighting for us!
i) The land is divided – Chapter 34.
35
Deuteronomy – The Book of Remembrance
Lesson 5
Moses instructs the new generation – destined to possess God's promises – a new way of
living; a land of their own.
This book was written on the plains of Moab as Israel was about to cross into the Promised
Land. Moses warned the people about the dangers of repeating the same mistakes.
Therefore over and over again he says, "Remember", "Take care that you do not forget", "Pay
attention", "Do not repeat the mistakes they made".
Read 1 Corinthians 10:5-13
The nation had arrived at the same place they had been nearly 38 years before, this time they
must obey God and trust in Him.
IMPORTANT God wanted to take Israel into the Promised Land. They did not have to earn
the privilege of entering the Promised Land; they only needed to be obedient
and to trust Him.
The Wilderness was a place where:
1. There was no growth – the wilderness was a dry, fruitless place.
2. It was a place of confusion, disappointment and indecision.
The Promised Land was a place where:
1. There was new life.
2. Battles would be fought, but victory was assured.
In the wilderness Israel was humbled, tested and challenged, as God taught the new generation
what the consequences were of not trusting Him.
AUTHOR Moses
KEY VERSES Read Deuteronomy 10:12-13
Read Deuteronomy 30:19-20
PURPOSE 1. To remind Israel of the need to be faithful and obedient.
2. To prepare Israel for entering, conquering and possessing the land.
OUTLINE The Book of Deuteronomy can be divided into three parts, with each part
almost like a sermon, as Moses speaks to the new generation who are to cross
over and inherit the Promised Land.
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1. The history of Israel – looking back: Chapters 1 – 3.
Read Deuteronomy 1:8
2. The instruction of Israel – following God: Chapters 4 – 26.
Read Deuteronomy 4:31-38
a) "Be careful to listen and to do!"
Read Deuteronomy 6:4-9
The Israelites actually did what it says in verse 8 – bound God's word on their
hands, by writing some of Moses' instruction on very thin pieces of paper, then
enclosing it in a long folded strip of leather, which was wound around their right
arm and hand.
They also wrote some verses on paper and enclosed it in a small box which they
tied onto their foreheads with long pieces of leather. The box was called a
"phylactery".
In the New Testament, Jesus rebuked the Scribes and Pharisees for wearing large
phylacteries on their foreheads, containing lots of the Old Testament writings …
but they had not let any of it sink into their heads so that God's Word could be seen
in their day to day behaviour! (Matthew 23:5)
b) God's purpose.
Read Deuteronomy 6:23
"He brought us out … to bring us in …"
Salvation is not the end but the beginning of a new life.
c) The purpose of the wilderness.
Read Deuteronomy 8:2-3
Jesus quoted this passage in Deuteronomy – when He was tempted by the devil.
(Matthew 4:4)
d) A warning.
Read Deuteronomy 8: 9-10
Now read verses 11-20
The dangers of prosperity:
i) We can drift away from God. (Backslide)
ii) We can believe we prosper because we are so wise. (Verse 18)
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e) Blessings and Curses.
Read Deuteronomy 11:11-17
Now read verses 26-29
Remember, there were benefits for keeping the terms of a covenant agreement.
These were called the "promises".
However, there were also consequences for breaking the terms of a covenant –
these were the "curses".
f) What it means to "Be Holy".
God wants His people to live in a manner which shows they are part of His family.
The way to do this is by separating themselves from evil.
g) False prophecy.
Read Deuteronomy 13:1-5
And Deuteronomy 19:20-22
i) The prophecy does not come to pass.
ii) Or, the prophecy may come true, but it leads people away from God.
h) The Levites.
Read Deuteronomy 18:1-2
Old Testament New Testament
Read Deuteronomy 21:22-23 Galatians 3:10-14
Read 2 Corinthians 5:21
3. The preparation of Israel – looking ahead: Chapters 27 – 34.
a) Solemn warnings.
The results of obedience and the results of disobedience:
i) Behaviour that is totally unacceptable to God – Deuteronomy 27:14-26.
ii) Blessings for obedience – Deuteronomy 28:1-14.
iii) Curses for disobedience – Deuteronomy 28:15-48.
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b) The Palestinian Covenant.
Read Deuteronomy 29:10-14
Read Deuteronomy 30:11
And now read verses 17-20
The promise for keeping this covenant was that they would remain in the land
(verse16).
What would be the result if they did not obey God? It is found in verse 18.
The sign of the Palestinian Covenant is the early and late rains. Deuteronomy
11:13-14.
c) Moses commissions Joshua and Israel.
Read Deuteronomy 31:6-8
d) God's amazing grace.
Read Deuteronomy 31:16-21
God knew Israel would not keep this covenant – "this people will … forsake Me
and break My covenant" (verse 16).
Israel would refuse to defeat all nations in the land of Canaan. In the days ahead,
they would even worship the Canaanite false gods, especially the gods of fertility
and sexual perversion.
Their physical sexual fornication and adultery were symbolic of their spiritual
adultery, as they were unfaithful to God.
e) Moses blessed the tribes: Chapters 32 – 33.
Read Deuteronomy 32:46-47
Read Deuteronomy 33:29
f) Moses died and Joshua leads: Chapter 34 was written by Joshua.
Read Deuteronomy 34:5-9
Memory Verse
Numbers 6:24-26, "The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make His face shine on you,
and be gracious unto you; The Lord lift up His countenance upon you and give you peace".
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Teacher's Notes
1. Numbers 1:6-7, and 10 – God's promise to Abraham has come to pass.
2. Read Numbers 3:2-4. Nadab and Abihu offered "strange fire" – that is, they did not
follow God's instructions regarding offerings.
3. The Nazarite vow – Numbers 6:1-21. A man or woman made a particular promise to
God to be set apart for His service for a certain period of time, or for life. During this
time the person had to give up wine, grapes, cutting their hair, or going near anyone who
had died. When the period of time was over, the person had to bring a lamb for a sin
offering and a ram for a peace offering to the temple, where the priest would offer this to
God. Also, their hair was cut off and offered.
What about the Nazarite vow today? Should anyone keep it? Well, how could they?
Where would they take their offerings? According to the Nazarite vow, these had to be
taken to the Tabernacle, or Temple in Jerusalem. Even if the person managed to get their
offerings to Jerusalem, how could they get to the temple – it was destroyed in 70 AD and
has never been rebuilt. And, where would they find a Levite? However, all of us as
Christians have already fulfilled the Nazarite vow – we have already promised God to be
set aside for His service. The Nazarite vow is no longer necessary.
4. Numbers 22 – 24. King Barak asked Balaam to curse Israel, but Balaam knew God could
not be manipulated or controlled by man. He knew God was sovereign. That is why he
said, God has blessed these people and I cannot now curse them. (Numbers 23:8)
Sometimes we need to remember the same thing. Especially when fasting!
The natural man is ruled by his body – "I'm hungry, feed me", "I'm tired and don't want
to get out of bed", "It's cold, I don't feel like going to a meeting". The spiritual man,
however, is ruled by his spirit – the spirit controls his body – "I want to pray, so get out
of bed, body!" "I don't care how cold it is, move your feet!"
The purpose of fasting is for our benefit – for us to draw closer to God. As we refuse to
listen to the demands of our bodies, the cries of "I'm hungry, feed me" or "I don't want
to" fade away and God's voice becomes clearer.
Unfortunately some Christians have a difficult time knowing the difference between
fasting and a "hunger strike!" No one can force God to do anything. Make sure you
understand that the purpose of fasting is not to make God do something you think He
doesn't want to do.
5. Deuteronomy 23:19. No lending and charging interest between brothers. Who is your
brother? (See Matthew 23:8; Romans 13:8-10)
6. Numbers 12:1. The criticism of Moses' wife – what is the meaning for us today? We
should be careful not to criticize a leader's spouse. ("Spouse" = wife or husband)
7. During His temptation, in Matthew 4, Jesus quoted three times:
Deuteronomy 6:13; "You shall fear the Lord, your God, and shall worship Him only".
Deuteronomy 6:16, "You shall not put the Lord, your God, to the test".
Deuteronomy 8:3-5, "man does not live by bread alone".
8. Deuteronomy 34:10-12, "no prophet like Moses" but Deuteronomy 18:18 says – "God
will raise up another just like Moses". That was the Messiah, Jesus.