We shall continue the study of Exodus, the second book of the Old Testament.
Vv. 28-31 Relationship with God – Elaboration of the 1st-4th Commandments
(1) Of the four commands given in these verses, three of them are negative commands. What are they?
(2) What constitutes “blasphemy”?
(3) Why would God’s people blaspheme their God? (See the example in Lev. 24:10-16.) How is the curse of a ruler related to blasphemy of God?
(4) We will be looking at the command to offer firstfruits in chapter 23, but here the emphasis appears to be about “bumper crops and vintage wine” (Durham, 330). So why would someone hold back bringing offerings from their best harvest to God?
(5) Is “tokenism” a common sin among today’s believers? What about you?
(6) Why is it unholy to eat animal meat torn by wild beasts? (See Lev. 7:22-27; Deut. 12:27.)
(7) Why would God’s people eat such meat?
(8) If any of God’s people commit any of the three negative sins, what does this say about this person’s relationship with God?
(9) How can you apply the spiritual principle behind these negative commands?
(10) What is the one positive command in these verses?
(11) What is the basis of this command (See Exod. 13:1, 11-16.)?
(12) How important is this command?
(13) With what attitude should God’s people obey this command?
(14) How can you apply the spiritual principle behind this command?
(15) What have you learned today and how may you apply it in your life?
“Do not hold back offerings from your granaries or your vats.” (Exod. 22:29)
In this initial elaboration of the Ten Commandments, when God talks about offerings from their harvest, He uses terms that are quite different from those in later passages (such as in Lev. 23:9ff; Deut. 26:1ff). Durham points out that the emphasis here is on giving to the Lord out of their fullness and best, and is a warning against tokenism. Presumably, one can still give a tenth of their harvest, except they might not give from their choice wine and their bumper crops.
As I reflect on how the believers give these days, I can categorize them into three kinds:
(1) The reluctant: Many, and unfortunately, I do mean many, do not even give a tenth of their income to the Lord. Some simply do not see that as an obligation, and are oblivious to the warning by Jesus: “for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matt. 6:21). Some will even say that we are not under the law, and so there is no need to tithe accordingly. The truth of the matter is, if our righteousness is to surpass that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law (Matt. 5:20), we will not even count in terms of percentage, and will give generously and cheerfully (II Cor. 9:7), which will automatically far exceed that of a tenth.
(2) The dutiful: Many, and fortunately I do mean many, do tithe dutifully. As a result, their offerings become the source of the bulk of the income of a church that “sustains” (not necessarily expands) the ministries of the church. By so doing, they have a peaceful conscience. But does it mean that they give generously and hilariously? I am afraid not. Does their tithing reflect their love for the Lord? I have to say yes, except that it does reflect exactly how much they love the Lord—no more and no less! I am afraid, they are the ones who might have held back their offerings from their “granaries” (i.e. bumper crop) and their "vats" (i.e. the choice wine).
(3) The sacrificial: And they are the few who, like the widow in Luke 21, put in her two mites. They give of the best out of faith, trust, thanksgiving and love. I have come across quite a few who are like the widow in Luke, who would not wait till they die and give out of their estate, but give sacrificially, generously and cheerfully while they are alive.
However, Exodus 22:29 reminds me most of those who use the church as their garage in disposing of their used furniture (more commonly their used computer). If they are really giving to the Lord and out of love, should they not give the Lord their best—their new furniture, their new computer instead?
(1) Read the 9th Commandment again (Exod. 20:16).
(2) In this section which elaborates on the 9th Commandment, can you find out what might be the reasons for giving false testimonies in a trial?
(3) To spread false reports is one thing, to be a false witness is quite another. What does it take for one to testify truthfully against a friend or someone one loves, especially when the consequence might be serious or even death?
(4) Can Peter’s denial of Jesus be attributed to the crowd’s pressure?
(5) What does it take for someone to withstand the pressure of crowd when it comes to be a witness?
(6) Why does God warn us against showing favoritism to the poor in giving testimony and yet He also warns us against denying justice to the poor?
(7) Why does God warn us against oppressing the foreigner within the context of the 9th Commandment?
(8) What is the most common reason for people testifying falsely or judging unjustly?
(9) Within the community of believers, what is the best way to stop someone from spreading rumors?
(10) What have you learned today and how may you apply it in your life?
“Do not spread false reports…” (Exodus 23:1)
One of the most disheartening moments as a pastor is to hear people spread rumors in the church in times of conflict. Worse, they do so under the pretense that they care and love the church. Perhaps, that’s what they really think, but they inadvertently help spread false reports, even though what they share might have some truth in it. They also contribute to arousing doubt, distrust and division instead of contributing to peace, repentance and reconciliation.
I have often been asked what we should do if someone approaches us (either in person or through the phone) spreading potentially false reports or passing on rumors that potentially hurt someone’s reputation. I think the best way to deal with such a situation is still to listen. Without judging the person’s intent, the least we can do is to show respect by listening. But after listening, we should gently point out to them that what is being shared is most likely second or even third-handed information and therefore should not be spread anymore. However, the most important thing to do after the conversation is to invite the person to pray together right away, especially for the person or persons at the center of the rumor. Often, praying together will help the person calm down, and in prayer, the harsh words being said earlier will change into more moderate criticisms or even sympathetic petitions.
In bringing these immediate elaborations of the Ten Commandments to a close, the Book of Covenant fittingly ends with the reiteration of Sabbath and the introduction of the three annual festivals of celebration for the covenant community.
Vv. 10-13 (Sabbath)
(1) While the previous stipulations of the Sabbath are on spiritual and historical grounds, v. 12 introduces and focuses on a new ground. What is it?
(2) How important is this emphasis? How does it reflect the character and the heart of God?
(3) How may you apply this principle to today’s corporate world, with oxen, donkeys, slaves and foreigners (and their modern-day equivalent) in mind?
(4) The Sabbath day is now extended to the Sabbath year in v.10. Again, it has nothing to do with spiritual or historical ground, but on a humanitarian ground which extends to the poor and even wild animals. How does it reflect the character and the heart of God?
(5) What is its modern-day implication?
(6) Not all commands like the keeping of the Sabbath day appear to have any penalty attached to them (the Sabbath Year is a case in point). Are they therefore of lesser importance? (See v. 13)
Vv. 14-19 (Annual Festivals)
(7) The stipulation to come before the Lord three times a year (basically for all males 20 and up) turned into a time of pilgrimage in later years for Israel. What might be the significance of having them come all the way before the Lord three times a year? How does it reflect the character of the Lord and His heart?
(8) What is the special meaning of each of these festivals?
a. The Unleavened Bread (tied with the Passover) would be in April.
b. The Harvest of firstfruits would be in late May or early June.
c. The Ingathering of harvest of “later crops” would be in late September or early October.
(9) In
reminding them of these gatherings before Him, why would God emphasize the following?
a. No one is to appear before Him empty-handed (in fact, one is to bring the best of first fruits; this probably refers only to the Festival of Harvest).
b. No yeast is to be offered along with any sacrifice.
c. No fat is to be kept until morning (but to be burnt totally at the time of sacrifice).
(10) One last rule given is that they should not cook a young goat in its mother’s milk. No research by any scholar has produced any concrete Ancient Near East precedents concerning such a practice, meaning your guess is as good as theirs. What do you think is the reason for such a stipulation and how does it reflect the character and heart of God?
(11) What have you learned today and how may you apply it in your life?
“For six years you are to sow your fields and harvest the crops, but during the seventh year let the land lie unplowed and unused. Then the poor may get food from it and the wild animals may eat what is left. Do the same with your vineyard and your olive grove.” (Exod. 23:10-11)
I still remember back in the early 70’s, I had the chance of traveling by train from Kuala Lumpur to North Malaysia. The scenery along the way was absolutely beautiful. But one thing I noticed was that many fields were left unplowed and overgrown. As I enquired about the reason, I was told it was because the year before they had an abundant harvest, so they did not have to work this year. My immediate thought was how lazy these people were. But unbeknown to me at the time, how ignorant I was about biblical ecology.
In those early years of my career, even as a Christian, I only believed in hard work and did not believe in Sabbath. Yes, I did observe my day of worship on Sunday morning, but my Sunday was so packed with meetings and church activities that almost every Monday I suffered from daytime fatigue that prevented me from putting 100% of my effort at work.
It would take me years, in fact decades, to gradually understand not only the sacredness and importance of true rest on my Sabbath, but also to understand that everyone, including those Malaysian farmers, and even the land need rest from their labor. It is only when the land enjoys its Sabbath year that it can continue to produce its crops. It is only when the wild animals have enough to feed themselves that they will not venture into human residence.
It is amazing that the Law of Moses was so unlike any of the Ancient Near East code of law especially in providing for the rest of all creation. It serves to show not only the wisdom of God, but it demonstrates also the very fact that He is after all the Creator of all things. He knows what is best for His creation.
In the closing of the reading of the Book of Covenant, God ends with promised victory and blessings with a special emphasis on the angel (or messenger) whom He will send ahead of Him.
(1) Vv. 20-23 describes the angel whom God will send ahead of them. While it is hard to know exactly who He is (and commentators do vary greatly in their opinions), let’s consider what is said of Him:
a. His functions: To guard and bring (and go ahead of) them to the Promised Land
b. He is to be paid attention and listened to
c. He is not to be rebelled against
d. He has the power to forgive
e. The Lord’s name is “in” Him
Do you agree with Augustine that He is none other than the Lord Jesus? Why or why not? (See Note below)
(2) What are the Israelites to do once they enter into the Promised Land, according to v. 24, vv. 32-33?
(3) What is the spiritual principle behind these instructions? How may we emulate the Israelites in our lives?
(4) What are the promised blessings according to vv. 25-26? Does God really mean to honor these promises? Why did these promises never come to pass? Will they be a reality one day? (See Rev. 21:3-5 and Isa. 65:17-20)
(5) In His promise to defeat their enemies, the Lord points out that it will not be achieved overnight. Why?
(6) What important lesson(s) can we learn in our understanding of God’s promises (or answers to prayers) and miraculous deeds in our lives today?
(7) What have you learned today and how may you apply it in your life?
Note:
“Consider these words. Let the Jew, not to speak of the Manichaean, say what other angel he can find in Scripture to whom these words apply, but this leader who was to bring the people into the land of promise. Then let him inquire who it was that succeeded Moses and brought in the people. He will find that it was Jesus and that this was not his name at first but after his name was changed. It follows that he who said, 'My name is in him' is the true Jesus, the leader who brings his people into the inheritance of eternal life, according to the New Testament, of which the Old was a figure. No event or action could have a more distinctly prophetical character than this, where the very name is itself a prediction.” (By Augustine)
“But I will not drive them out in a single year, because the land would become desolate and the wild animals too numerous for you.” (Exod. 23:29)
From time to time, we have been told not to put God in a box, meaning that we should not confine the ways of the Lord in a certain way such that the deviation from which will cause us to doubt whether God is faithful or powerful as He claims to be. One of these “boxes” is our expectation to see God answer our prayers instantly or to see God change our circumstance immediately. If our prayers are not answered soon enough, or our difficult circumstance seems to change too slowly, we begin to doubt if God really cares, or if God really is that omnipotent.
And so, as we read that Jesus “needed” to make another effort to make the blind man see completely in Mark 8:22-26, we wonder if Jesus is that powerful after all.
God foresees that the Israelites will be just like us, not only impatient, but also doubtful that God is really that powerful and faithful. After all, they see that their occupation of the Promised Land is to be a long, long process. As a result, even before they left Mount Sinai, in the initial stage of their journey, God makes it very clear to them, “I will not drive them out in a single year, because the land would become desolate and the wild animals too numerous for you. Little by little I will drive them out before you, until you have increased enough to take possession of the land.” (Exod. 23:29-30)
Next time, when you get impatient with God, do understand that His apparent delay is for your good, and if He acts more quickly according to your desire, chances are you will not be able to handle it.
How wise is your God! How much He knows our weaknesses!
(1) After the giving of the instructions, which would become the Book of Covenant, directly to Moses, the Lord now invites Aaron, his two sons and the 70 elders to come near Him as well. Their experience is described in vv. 9-11:
a. What did they see? (See Exod. 33:20)
b. What was God like? Why did they only describe what’s under His feet?
c. In any case, how meaningful and important was this experience for them as leaders of the people, apart from Moses?
(2) While they had this unusual encounter with God, only Moses alone actually came close to the Lord. What is its significance?
(3) Do you think the people were sincere when they said, “Everything the Lord has said we will do”? Why did they stray away from the Lord and why did He say "so quickly" in Exodus 32:8??
In order to solemnize both the Laws and the people’s commitment, Moses did the following. Reflect on the significance of each:
(4) He built an altar at the foot of Mount Sinai. While only Moses and the leaders saw the Lord, what function did the altar serve?
(5) He erected 12 stone pillars. What did these 12 pillars represent? What kind of a precedent did it set? (See Jos. 4)
(6) He had young Israelite men make burnt offerings and fellowship offerings to God. What did this act of offering signify since the priesthood had yet to be set up?
(7) He used the blood of an animal to seal the covenant, splashing half against the altar and sprinkling half on the people: What message is being conveyed with the use of blood to seal this covenant? Why did blood have to be splashed or sprinkled on both the altar and on the people? In what way did it symbolize the eventual sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross?
(8) Read the now written down Book of Covenant and how the people responded again. What is the significance of having the words of God written down?
(9) What is the main message for you today and how may you apply it in your life?
“Then the Lord said to Moses, ‘Come up to the Lord, you and Aaron, Nadab and Abihu and seventy of the elders of Israel'.” (Exod. 24:1)
As
much as Moses was the undisputed leader, chosen by God to lead the Israelites
out of Egypt and into the Promised Land, and he alone was able to approach God
up close, whether it was on Mount Sinai or later in the Tent of Meeting, God’s
desire has always been for all to know Him, experience and draw close to
Him. This, we know, has now been
accomplished through the sacrifice of our Lord Jesus Christ, and all who would
believe in Him have direct access to the throne of grace of the Lord. Such a desire was made plain even in the early encounter
with God by the Israelites.
It is true that they were terrified by God’s presence, and they’d rather have Moses talk to God while they stayed at a distance (Exod. 20:19). However, knowing their fear, the Lord still invited their leaders to come up with Moses to the mountain and they included Aaron, his two sons, and the seventy elders (likely chosen at the advice of Jethro). It must have been the most wonderful experience for these leaders. I am sure they were just as afraid as the people, but this was God’s own invitation. So, with fear and trembling, but in the company of Moses, they ventured near the Lord. And what a sight they saw. While Brevard Childs assures us that the original Hebrew does say, “they saw God” (24:11), it is obvious they did not see the face of the Lord which would be covered with glory (for no one can see His face, according to 33:20). However, they experienced the very presence of God and saw (perhaps as they prostrated) at least what was under His feet. But this was sufficient for them to know and experience the very presence of the Lord. Now, their knowledge of God was no longer second-hand and this appears to be the most basic qualification of any leader of God’s people—a first-hand knowledge of God.
It was true then, it is still true today.
(1) Now God summoned Moses again to climb up the mountain and God intended to give him two tablets, likely containing the Ten Commandments. While Moses has already written down “everything the Lord had said” (24:4), what is the significance of having God himself write them on the stone tablets?
(2) Here, Joshua was introduced as Moses’ aide who eventually succeeded him in leading the people into the Promised Land. What lesson about succession can we learn here?
(3) Why does the Bible say that “To the Israelites the glory of the Lord looked like a consuming fire on top of the mountain”?
(4) Forty days and forty nights was a long time. Why would God choose to spend such a long time with one individual, Moses, apart from the need to impart instructions to the people in even greater detail?
(5) Could He not just have all these instructions and laws written down for Moses to simply read out to the people? (See Moses’ request in 33:17ff and how he looked after his time with God in 34:29.)
(6) Do you think God desires to spend an extended period of time alone with you? Do you have such a desire as well with God?
(7) What is the main message for you today and how may you apply it in your life?
“Then Moses entered the cloud as he went on up the mountain. And he stayed on the mountain forty days and forty nights.” (Exod. 24:18)
To the people, God was too awesome for them to even come close to the mountain. Their relationship with God was one dominated by fear. Yet, Moses did not only draw close to the mountain, he actually went into the presence of God for forty days and forty nights. And his relationship with the Lord was never the same after this.
To be realistic, God did not really have to ask Moses to spend time, not such a lengthy period of time, with Him in order to receive His commandments. Since God did write down, presumably the Ten Commandments on two stone tablets, He could have written the rest on more stone tablets or even scrolls, if He chose to. That would have spared Moses the time of going up to the mountain, and it would have given him much more time to teach the people, and would certainly have prevented the making of the golden calf which was done in his absence. It appears that more harm than good had been done because of his extended absence from the people.
However, just the opposite was true. We all know how rebellious these people were. Sooner or later, they would seize an opportunity to make their own gods and turn away from the Lord. On the other hand, these forty days and forty nights had meant a lot to Moses.
It was a time for Moses to know the Lord personally, and not just as His servant, not just as His tool, but as His friend. This is always the heart of God. He is the Almighty God. Irrespective of who we are, He will accomplish His plan, but His desire is always not to use us in spite of us, but because of us. His desire is always that His servants would come to know Him and His heart—as His friends. This was the result of Moses’ extended stay with the Lord. He has changed from a reluctant servant of the Lord to someone who would speak to the Lord face to face as “as a man speaks with his friend” (Exod. 33:11).
This would not have happened, if Moses simply continued to take orders from God and implemented them without spending an extended period of time with the Lord. Yes, quantity is vital to develop quality especially when it comes to relationship.
When was the last time you spent an extended period of time with the Lord?
These are the first instructions that Moses receives upon re-ascending Mount Sinai:
(1) Why did God command Moses to build Him a tabernacle?
(2) It is clear that even the highest heavens cannot contain God. Will God really dwell on earth with men? (2 Chr. 6:18)
(3) What purposes does the tabernacle serve?
(4) Read John 1:14. The literal translation is: “And the Word became flesh and tabernacled among us.” How does this literal translation deepen your understanding of God’s desire to dwell among us, even at the time of Moses?
(5) What were the materials needed for the building of the tabernacle?
(6) Where would they come from?
(7) Where did these former slaves get all these valuable stuff?
(8) Why didn’t God demand these offerings from them? Why did He leave it to their own choosing?
(9) What if not one heart was prompted to give?
(10) If you were one of the Israelites, would your heart be prompted to give? Why or why not?
(11) What is the main message for you today and how may you apply it in your life?
“Make this tabernacle and all its furnishings exactly like the pattern I will show you.” (Exod. 25:9)
There were quite a few surprises for Moses as he went up to Mount Sinai again, the greatest of which has to be God’s announcement of His desire to dwell among His people through the construction of a sanctuary in the form of a tabernacle.
Of course, the use of a tabernacle as God’s dwelling place among His people was very fitting at this point of human history because of the very nature of a tabernacle—a temporary structure that is not meant to be permanent. This is the symbol for the eventual miraculous act of “the Word became flesh” as God “tabernacled” among us (literal translation of Jn. 1:14).
For the readers, we might also be surprised by the detailed instructions God chose to give Moses as to the construction not only of the tabernacle itself, but of all its furnishings. The shape, the size and the materials—all are specified in no uncertain terms. One wonders why it is a must to follow “exactly the pattern” that the Lord had shown Moses (Num. 8:4). Why two cherubim, not four? Why ten cubits, not twelve? If scarlet is a must to reflect the blood of Christ, why purple, why blue for the rest? Why can’t there be any deviation?
I believe the
all-important message is God is the Most Holy God and the worship of Him
should only be dominated by a 100% God-centeredness. There is no
element of “self” allowed to
infiltrate into our worship. No, it does
not mean that we cannot be creative in our worship of the Lord, but not
creativity that distracts our focus on God and God alone, i.e. anything
that
takes our focus away from God and toward men is an abomination.
Therefore, even
creativity should be kept to a minimum as the Scripture reminds us:
“Guard your steps when you go to the house of God. Go near to listen rather than to offer the sacrifice of fools, who do not know that they do wrong. Do not be quick with your mouth; do not be hasty in your heart to utter anything before God. God is in heaven and you are on earth, so let your words be few.” (Eccl. 5:1-2)