Tag: Exodus

The Freedom to Give

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Essay By Dan

It was my observation while making a survey of Leviticus that Elohim set up a series of rules for the application of sacrifice to address the commission of sin. What I found interesting was the list of problems that require a sacrifice served as a roadmap for Lucifer’s sphere of operations. God chose to define the areas Lucifer uses to draw us into a state of rebellion. God then conveniently provides a path back from each operational area used by Lucifer. The more we understand about Lucifer’s sphere of operation the less effective Lucifer is trying to dismantle our relationship with the one true living God.

Consider the implication of the sacrificial guidelines (see Leviticus 16). The animal being offered had to be perfect. There needed to be a connection between the animal and the person offering the animal for sacrifice. The person offering the animal had to be part of the death process (direct kill or a sanctioned kill by a priest). The person offering the animal knows the sacrifice is only a temporary cover for sin. I think this lays the framework for the death, burial, and resurrection of our perfect ransom — Jesus.

Once per year, the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur) provides full forgiveness and sin removal at the national level for the Israelites. The high priest presented two male goats; one for a sin offering and the other was released into the wilderness as a scapegoat. The sin offering incurred God’s forgiveness; the released goat provided removal of sin. Humm… Sound a bit familiar?

Jesus functioned as the sin offering (similar to the Yom Kippur). The Yom Kippur scapegoat carried the sins of the people into the desert to be lost for all time. The impact? Our sin is forgotten. I think it is reasonable to view the sacrifice of Jesus as a perfect version of the Yom Kippur. Peter tells us that Jesus carried our sin in his body (implied in 1 Peter 2:24); the author of Hebrews tells us the sacrifice of Jesus caused the permanent removal of our sin (implied in Hebrews 9:8-14).

Let us dig a little more. When I read Exodus, Leviticus, or Numbers; I note a plethora of verses on sacrificial operations. We cannot help but notice the group of people selected to be priests (Hebrew term — Kohanim) during the exodus from Egypt. They were the only ones who were allowed to accomplish the sacrifices and bring the nation closer to God. Aaron was the first priest (Hebrew term — Kohen), gradually his male children became the group of priests (Kohanim) who managed the temple. The Kohanim (priests) were required to clear their own sin first, then they were able to address the sin of individuals, or even the entire nation (Yom Kippur).

The sacrifices offered by the Kohanim (priests) were called Korban (Hebrew term for sacrifice). The Korban was presented in the temple at least three times a day. The Korban (often translated sacrifice) means ‘draws close.’ There were three types of korbans – animal sacrifice, grain offering, and money donations. The desired effect of the Korban was to prepare a path for God to dwell amongst us on a daily basis (Exodus 25:8). The Korban was a constant reminder to us of the areas where Lucifer would attack — his modus operandi. If we want to know how he will move against us (sphere of operation) then we should get familiar with the law. Lucifer’s battle plan is very clearly presented in the law.

The deeper truth – the Korban, in its purest form, brings us closer to God. Jesus chose to offer himself for us as the ultimate Korban. Unlike the animals who do not have a say in their role as the Korban, Jesus offered himself with no pressure from Elohim. Jesus said — Just as the Father knows me, and I know the Father— I LAY DOWN MY LIFE FOR THE SHEEP (John 10:15 paraphrased). He chose to be the sacrifice. Jesus freely gave his life for us. His offering was far better than the Old Testament Korban. His ransom payment was a permanent response for our sin.

I choose Jesus.

Writing Love in Our Heart

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Essay By Dan

It was my observation while learning about the mediator function held by Jesus that I was not very knowledgeable about the origins of sacrifice as defined by scripture. I followed this tangent and started learning. In the book of Leviticus, the Israelites were instructed by God on the topic of sacrifice. In my view, the notion of sacrifice is a God directed process where blessings are appropriated through the offering of a specified element for a specified sin. But I must be clear – the sacrifice begins and ends with God. In His kindness, He provides this avenue to his people so that they, by faith, might receive grace.

When I looked for the first sacrifice, I noted that God covered Adam and Eve with animal skins. These animals were used (sacrificed) to address Adam and Eve’s rebellion (Genesis 3:21). This event was not specifically called a sacrifice, but the metaphor is clear. Their sin (rebellion) was covered (literally with skins) by the death (shed blood) of another being. Their anxiety was relieved, and they were willing to talk with God once the coverings were in place. The next sacrifice occurs when Abel offers a sacrificial animal (firstling) as gratitude for a good year of crops (Genesis 4:3-5). I should mention — Abel’s attitude was correct, the sacrifice was effective; Cain’s attitude was incorrect, his sacrifice was not accepted.

The Lord said to Moses in Leviticus 17:3-7 (paraphrased) — Any Israelite who offers a sacrifice in the camp or outside of it instead of bringing it to the tabernacle of the Lord—that person shall be considered guilty of bloodshed. This is so the Israelites will bring to the Lord the sacrifices they are now making in the open fields. They must bring them to the Lord and sacrifice them as fellowship offerings. The priest is to splash the blood against the altar of the Lord and burn the fat as an aroma pleasing to the Lord. They must no longer offer any sacrifices to their idols. (NIV).

Then we read in Leviticus 17:11 why the sacrifice and more specifically why the blood is important. We read — For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it for you on the altar to make atonement for your souls, for it is the blood that makes atonement by the life (ESV).

In this verse, I noted the life of the flesh is in the blood. The essential life of all beings is contained in their blood. To touch the blood is to touch life. Blood moves us from the abstract idea of life to a visual, tactile presentation of life. If there is no blood in the sacrifice, then sin remains. A life un-ransomed is no life. Not only do we need blood to live, but God also conveys eternal life to us through sacrificial blood. Let us take a deeper look by examining two key phrases in the verse.

On the Altar. The altar starts with death (the sacrifice) but quickly transitions to life. Blood is placed on the altar; when they connect (the blood and altar) then the offering becomes holy (see Exodus 29:37) and imparts life (forgiveness) to the offeror (the person bringing a sacrifice to the altar).

To make atonement for your souls. We have established that blood imparts life to sinners. Blood on the altar eradicates sin, reverses death sentences, and brings us closer to God. This begins with the death of the offering but is made complete when the blood is placed on the altar.

The deeper truth — The blood offering was much more substantial than the rest of the offering. No part of the offering was transported into the holy of holies except for the blood. Without the blood, there was no forgiveness (Hebrews 9:22). In the old covenant, blood covered our sin in much the same way that the skins covered Adam and Eve – yet their heart remained corrupted. In the new covenant the blood of Jesus paid our ransom completely – our heart is changed. His life was in that blood – His life changed us. His blood was offered in our stead – we are transformed. The Spirit writes love in our heart.

I choose Jesus.

The Ransom Death

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Essay by Dan

It has been my observation while pouring through the Book of Hebrews there is an interesting linkage between the mediator role and the ransom payment. For example, we read – He is the Mediator of the new covenant, by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions under the first covenant, that those who are called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance –now that he has died as a ransom to set them free from the sins committed under the first covenant (Hebrews 9:15).

The central purpose of Jesus as our mediator for sin is found in the interesting phrase “by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions under the first covenant.” This phrase defines the basis and expression of Christ’s mediatorship in the new covenant as His unwarranted (Jesus had no sin) sacrificial death (Jesus stepped into our place with a ransom for our sin). Therefore, His sinless payment of the ransom and the promises of the new covenant emerge with unmistakable power and victory.

God has been nurturing and growing the Israelites for eons. He was passionately protective of them. Furthermore, we note — Jesus bought (purchased with his ransom) all the sins committed (by Israel, God’s chosen people) under the first covenant. He bought every sin committed by each individual son and daughter of Abraham with his sacrifice. We are wise to notice a key element of the pro bono new covenant implemented by a gracious God that extended this ransom over the gentiles. Jesus explained His death just before His crucifixion; both Matthew and Mark documented Jesus citing a phrase from Exodus 24;”this is the blood of the covenant.” Selah!

Contrasting the Old Testament rituals with the work of Jesus leads us to understand the old ways will never impart everlasting life with the one true living God. In Hebrews 6:1 we find clear affirmation; the old school rituals lead to death. The new covenant (replacement for the old rituals) sets us perfectly free from any need to engage in such things. I think the extensive discussion about the blood of Christ in the Book of Hebrews is designed to calm the Jewish conscience and leave them ready to embrace the eternal inheritance provided by the new covenant (see Hebrews 6:12).

We know from Luke and from Paul the importance of the Jeremiah 31 phrase; “this is the new covenant in my blood.” It was as if Jesus was saying — If you want to understand the covenant, you need to understand that My death and resurrection is the event that delivers the covenant promises prophesied hundreds of years earlier through Jeremiah, Isaiah, Ezekiel, and Moses. My death brings a resurrection through those promises. My death unlocks your heart. This is my gift as mediator of the new covenant.

As the mediator, He is paying for the penalty of sin and buying back those sins committed by all those who believe in Him as Savior and choose to walk with God. This begs the question — is there any possibility of someone saying, “Well, that is nice that Jesus has done that, but I am going to find my path to God – on my own.” Our response? “Huh?” How did you decide on your defense? How did you present your case to Elohim? What was his response? Have you appealed your case? To whom? How is that working out for you? There is only one path to the Father. Jesus said, of himself – “I am the way, the Truth, and the Life. No man comes unto the Father but by Me.” (John 14:6)

The deeper truth – The ransom death is intense, draconian, and brutal. Yet, the ransom is embedded in the message of our salvation. It is the cornerstone of God’s unconditional love for us. His ransom death paid the penalty for all sin; do you know of any other way for that ransom to be paid? I think not. Only the death of the Mediator can clear the debt. Only a perfect offering presented in the heavenly temple can adjudicate our sin. There is no other path possible. None. Nada.

I choose Jesus.

The Passover

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Essay by Dan

It has been my observation, while reading the Book of Exodus, the Hebrews were compelled to provide backbreaking labor in the brickyards of Egypt; but, despite the hardship, they prospered. They became a large nation with no way to loosen the shackles that held them – from that situation — our story begins.

The Book of Exodus opens with God looking upon the Hebrews. The Lord said to Moses– I have … seen the misery of my people in Egypt. I have heard them crying out because of their slave drivers, and I am concerned about their suffering. So, I have come down to rescue them from … the Egyptians and to bring them up out of that land into a good and spacious land, …. So now, go. I am sending you to Pharaoh to bring my people the Israelites out of Egypt (Exodus 3:7-10 paraphrased).

Then a battle ensued, a battle between idols and the one true living God. Our God pitted Himself against the idolatry of Egypt with plagues. Each plague originated from the one true living God. The plagues were directed against the idols of Egypt. First, the sacred Nile was turned to blood; then there were frogs, lice, then flies that swarmed over the land; the livestock sickened and died; boils broke out on both man and beast; hail and locusts devastated their crops; then darkness enveloped them for three days. God’s message was straight forward. The plagues demonstrated to the Hebrews their redemption and emancipation was in progress; not because of any merit within them, but solely by His sovereign grace and power. The demonstration culminated with the last plague — the death of the firstborn (implied from Exodus chapters 7-13).

God said it would be a night that they would never forget. Today if you go into the home of most Orthodox Jewish families, you will find the Passover on their calendar. After all these years, Passover is still remembered. This is the day that God delivered His own. The Hebrews in Egypt were asked to select a lamb; they were to slay it and eat it for dinner accompanied by unleavened bread and bitter herbs. The blood of that lamb was to be put outside on the doorposts of their home. On that night, the death angel arrived. He did not take time to determine if people on the inside of the house were praying. He did not ask if they had joined the right political group. He did not examine their walk with God. He did not inquire if they were Hebrews. The only thing he checked for was blood on the doorpost. When he saw the blood, he passed over the house. If the blood was not present on the doorpost, the firstborn in that unprotected house was killed (implied in Exodus 12:1-12).

Passover was judgment from Almighty God upon a sinful nation and a sinful people. The firstborn who lived through that night knew that they were redeemed by the blood of a lamb. The single thing that enabled God’s redemption was blood. That night the Hebrews ate the Passover and were redeemed by the lamb’s blood. They consumed the lamb, and they consumed unleavened bread. Does this sound like a precursor to Communion? We have the body of Jesus (lamb, Bread) and blood of Jesus (lamb’s blood). Is Communion a reminder of Passover? I think it is (implied in Luke 22:14-19). There is more…

Do you remember my previous essay on eagle wings? “Ye have seen what I did unto the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles’ wings and brought you unto myself” (Exodus 19:4). Isaiah 40:31 says “Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary; they will walk and not be faint.”  Deuteronomy 32:11 says — “As an eagle stirs up her nest, flutters over her young, spreads abroad her wings, taketh them, bears them on her wings.” We are lifted-up high; we go where no ordinary man can go; we pass over trouble using a transport mode that no ordinary person can use. Eagle Wings.

I choose Jesus.

Under His Wing

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Essay by Dan

It was my observation — there was a young woman named Ruth; she left the land of Moab and traveled to the land of Israel because she trusted God. Boaz, a wealthy man in Israel said to her — “May the Lord repay you for what you have done. May you be richly rewarded by the Lord, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge” (Ruth 2:12). You may recall from Psalm 91:4 our journey is described as being “covered with His feathers” and “under His wings you will find refuge.” Deuteronomy 32:11 describes the protective wings as eagle wings. What a picture of God’s shelter.

Sometimes we are under the wings, sometimes we are on eagle wings. When God leads the Hebrews out of Egyptian darkness into the promised land, we find it described as an airlift, by eagles’ wings. God says to the Hebrews in Exodus – “You yourselves have seen what I did to Egypt, and how I carried you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself. Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession. Although the whole earth is mine, you will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation. These are the words you are to speak to the Israelites.” (Exodus 19:4-7). Moses went back and summoned the elders of the people and told them what God said. The Hebrews responded, “We will do everything the Lord has said.” Moses brought their answer back to the Lord. (Paraphrased from Exodus 19:8).

For a moment, consider using two utterly separate modes of travel through our life. Consider the difference between a rowboat and an aircraft. You cannot travel with one foot in a rowboat and the other foot in an aircraft — it is impossible. Yet today, as a matter of faith, people are trying to live by a blend of law and grace. I am not saying you are, but if you are not clear about the nature of your walk with God, accidentally trying to live by your good works, may I suggest to you there is a better way – an easier way that is much less stressful. There is a way that takes us to the ‘eagle wing’ and places us in the center of the one true living God’s world.

J Vernon Magee tells us – “The Law demands; grace gives. The Law extracts; grace bestows. The Law says do; grace says believe. The Law says work; grace says trust. The Law growls, pronouncing trouble; grace invites, announcing a respite. The Law decries all of us; grace pulls us into safety. The Law reveals the sovereignty of God then grace reaches out in power lifting man up on eagle wings.

Paul says – The things Moses and the prophets witnessed all those years has happened. The God-setting-things-right that we read about has become Jesus-setting-things-right for us. And not only for us, but for everyone who believes in him. For there is no difference between us and them in this. Since we have compiled this long and sorry record as sinners (both us and them) and proved that we are utterly incapable of living the glorious lives God wills for us, God did it for us. Out of sheer generosity he put us in right standing with himself. A pure gift. He got us out of the mess we were in and restored us to where he always wanted us to be. And he did it by Jesus Christ. (implied Romans 3:21-24 MSG)

Paul continues – God sacrificed Jesus on the altar of the world to clear that world of sin. Having faith in his resurrection places us in the clear. God decided on this course of action in full view of the public—to set the world in the clear with himself through the sacrifice and resurrection of Jesus, finally taking care of the sins he had so patiently endured. This is not only clear, but it is now—this is current history! God sets things as they belong. He makes it possible to live in his way. (implied Romans 3:25-26 MSG).

It is by His mercy, it is by eagles’ wings, it is by His grace. Embrace it! Let Easter happen to you.

I choose Jesus.

Bridging the Gap

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It was my observation while browsing Exodus, the Red Sea scenario was an early demonstration of the Grace of God. The Hebrews left the Pharaoh, meandered to the Red Sea, and found themself trapped. Behind them was an aggressive Egyptian force and in front of them the Red Sea. The Hebrews had no weapons, no training, and no strategy. Every person with Moses could have died, but God intervened. Continue reading “Bridging the Gap” →