PARALLELS TO JOURNEY OF FAITH. HEBREWS 6
REPENTANCE: MEANS TO TURN AROUND – TO CHANGE DIRECTION.
Involves the basic question of who is God. Adam and Eve – “You can be LIKE GODS”. Man’s basic sin is the desire to be his own God. Repentance says, “God You be MY God”
- Jesus is Lord
Ezekiel 36:22-36 PICTURED IN ISRAEL Gen. 15:13-14 Have been in Egypt for 400 years. God is now ready to deliver His people, keeping His promise to Abraham. He carefully chooses and prepares Moses to be the deliverer. Ex. 3:7-17 v. 7 God was concerned. v. 13 – Suppose they ask who You are?
- 400 years in paganism
- approximately 10 generations.
- Abraham was great, (x 6) grandfather.
v. 14 – I AM – Not I WAS the God of Abraham, not I WILL BE your God, but I AM
- God moves in my past and my future as THE EVER NOW!
Ex. 4:1-17 Suppose they won’t believe. Staff becomes snake
- (Pharaoh wore a crown with a snake engraved in it, his magicians used
Hand becomes leprous Nile becomes bloodied.
- God graciously reveals Himself.
FINALLY BRINGS MOSES TO EGYPT Ex. 4:29-31 Result – they receive cruelty. Slave drivers say they must have too much time on their hands and take away their straw. Work harder – get their minds off this God business. Ex. 6:1-12 v. 2 – I AM the Lord v. 3 – I appeared to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob as El-Shaddai (The great breasted one Mother), but now I am coming as Jehovah (the all sufficient one – the all inclusive name for God) v. 8 – I will bring you out as I swore with raised hand v. 9 – They wouldn’t receive because of cruel treatment.
- GOD PATIENTLY CONVINCES ISRAEL (WHILE ALSO PROVING HIMSELF TO EGYPT)
Ex. 7:1-5 v. 1 – To Moses – “I will make you LIKE GOD”
FIRST PASSOVER EXODUS 12
One lamb per one family (complete local expression in each church) Approximately 250M – 300 M lambs roasted over an open fire Egypt could “smell” the Passover Roasted not boiled Perfect lamb Watched for 3 days to be sure there was no defect Took hyssop and “painted” the blood over doorpost and sides Ate the lamb with bitter herbs Remembering the bitterness of their slavery Ate hastily – prepared to leave Anyone who believed the Word of the Lord could be saved through the Passover lamb. Many Egyptians also believed – Ex. 12:38 Mixed multitude (KJV)
- Many others went with them (NIV)
Not only did the Passover spare them from the “destroyer”, but it also brought healing Psalm says as they left there was not “one feeble” among them God released Israel through the sacrifice of Egypt’s Firstborn Required the consecration of all firstborn showing that all belong to God The History of the Firstborn is the history of all
PASSOVER BY JESUS’ TIME
Passover meal Required an acceptable lamb – temple lambs approved by Levites, etc. (Birth of Jesus announced to shepherds watching the temple flock) Jesus’ anger in Temple Bitter herbs Bag with 3 compartments each with a loaf of unleavened bread Took center loaf and broke it – Trinity At the head of the table would be set an extra place for “He who is coming” It was the Messiah’s (Elijah’s) chair
- When He comes He will sit in it and administrate the New Covenant
Imagine the reverberation at Jordan when John the Baptist announced “Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world” Early Passover day you would go to the temple and you “picked” out a lamb. At 12:00 noon, the fires on the altar would be lit in preparation of the lamb roasting At 3:00 the lambs were killed and placed on the altar to be roasted Last Supper Passover Took the bag with 3 loaves Broke the center one – “this is my body” After the meal He reached over to “the Messiah’s” cup and said this is my blood — the blood of the new covenant. Instituted New Covenant Meal Do in “remembrance” of me
- Not a vague recollection, but confrontation in my life
Jesus as the Passover Lamb
Early Passover day – Jesus was before High Priest – final examination At 12:00 noon He was on the cross Darkness covered the earth (last plague) The fire of God’s wrath burned in Him against sin Cried I thirst was given “wine vinegar” (bitter herbs) on hyssop (blood painted on the doorpost at first Passover with hyssop) At 3:00 cried “It is finished” All that Passover stood for was accomplished In the death of God’s firstborn all of the human race was freed from the bondage of Egypt Came to break His legs, He was already dead No broken bones
ISRAEL AT SINAI (19:3 – 40:38)
Establishing the Covenant (19:3 – 24:18) The purpose of God was to enter into covenant with them (19:3-6). This was establishing of Israel as a nation. As we read through the Old Testament, we see how this was referred to as the marriage ceremony between God and Israel. (Marriage covenant later broken). The people accept this (19:17-25). He gives laws applying the demands of the covenant (20:1-23:19). God gives a summary of His future dealings with Israel in covenant (23:20-33). The covenant is sealed with blood (24:1-8). The Tabernacle and Priesthood Instituted (25:1-31:18) Every article of furniture in the tabernacle as well as the garments of the high priest, speak of some aspect of the person and work of the Lord Jesus Christ. It is too vast a subject to enter into as this time. The Covenant Broken and Renewed (32:1-34:35). Construction and Erection of the Tabernacle (35:1-40:38). ###
DID YOU FIND YOURSELF IN EXODUS?
God has taken you out of this world system, placing you in Christ, making you part of His people. The Holy Spirit comes to show you the wonders of Christ, your meeting place with God, who is the Lord Jesus Christ pictured here in the tabernacle. You have been taken into the Holy of Holies to live your life in Him. Affirm this as you read these chapters. Live as if it is so because that is the way it is. The New Covenant says that God is our God and we are His people. The One who is uniquely ours reveals Himself in this book as the “I AM.” Think of it! The “I AM” is my shepherd, I shall not want. Of course not! David could not want and neither can you.