The Scriptures —Study 24 — Exodus 33

Study 24 From The Book of Exodus Is: Exodus 33

There follows a period of suspense, during which the people mourned, and Moses set up a tent outside the cam.  Here God came in the pillar of cloud to speak with him.

1.      What was God’s attitude at this time (a) towards the people, and (b) towards Moses?  What were Moses three petitions? What answers did God give?

2.      How do the prayers and answers of this chapter show (a) the growth of Moses’ desire and faith, and (b) the richness of God’s grace?

Notes

1.      Verses 1-3. The cause of mourning seems to be that God threatens to revoke the promise of 25: 8; 29:45, 46 and to return to the earlier method of guidance by His angels (cf. 14:19; 18:20-23).

2.      Verse 7. This tent of meeting cannot be the Tabernacle (although it was sometimes called by that name: 29: 42-44; 35:21), because it was not yet built. It was apparently an ordinary tent pitched outside the camp during the period of suspense.

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The Scriptures —Study 23— Exodus 32

Study 23 From The Book of Exodus Is: Exodus 32

1.      How does Aaron illustrate the dangers of compromise when essentials are at stake?  What did compromise lead to? Why was God’s anger kindled against the people?

2.      What features of Moses’ character stand out in this chapter? What may we learn from this example?

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The Scriptures —Study 22— Exodus 30 and 31

Study 22 From The Book of Exodus Is: Exodus 30 and 31

1.      Chapter 30. The altar of incense and the bronze laver speak of the need for prayer and for daily cleansing.  Cf. Ps. 141: 2; Jn. 13:10; 1 Jn. 1:8, 9. What lessons can we learn from this chapter on these important subjects?

2.      Chapter 31. What was God’s part and what man’s in the designing and making of the Tabernacle? See verses 1-11 and cf. 25:2, 9.

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The Scriptures —Study 21— Exodus 29

Study 21 From The Book of Exodus Is: Exodus 29

1.    In this instruction concerning the consecration of the priest, distinguish the various parts of the ceremony: the cleansing, the robing, the anointing, and the sacrifices.  How does our High Priest stand out in marked contrast to Aaron?   Cf. Heb. 7:26-28.

2.   Verses 38-46. What was the significance of the daily burnt offering morning and evening? What are the counterparts to these activities which are possible for us to share in?

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The Scriptures —Study 20— Exodus 28

Study 20 From The Book of Exodus Is: Exodus 28

1. For the order in which the priest’s garments were p
   
   ut on, see Lv. 8: 7-9. Each has some significance: the cost of pure linen (verse 39) indicating the high priest as a righteous man; the blue robe (verses 31-35) as a heavenly man; the ephod with the names of the tribes (verse 3:29) as a representative man; the mitre with its golden plate (verses 36-38) as a holy man. Reflect how in all these ways the high priest of Israel in his priestly garments was a type of Christ.
2. What may we learn from this chapter convening the way in which to draw nigh to God on behalf of others? How must we be clad, and what ought we to be concerned to do?

Notes

1. The ephod was a shoulder garment, covering breast and back.
2. The breastplate was probably a bag or pouch fastened to the front of the ephod, and called ‘the breastplate of judgment’ because of contained the Urim and Thummin, which were used to ascertain the divine will. Cf. Nu. 27:21; Ezr. 2:63. Their exact form and use is not now known.
3. Aaron bore the names of the tribes upon his shoulders (the place of strength and upon his heart (the place of affection).

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The Scriptures —Study 19 — Exodus 26 and 27

Study 19 From The Book of Exodus Is: Exodus 26 and 27

1.      Chapter 26. What four layers of curtains covered the Tabernacle? What appearance would it have from without, and what from within? Cf. the contrast between Christ seen from without (Is. 53:2), and seen from within (Phil. 3:8).

Note. It will prove helpful to draw a ground plan of the Tabernacle so far as it has been described in these two chapters, with the court, the holy place, and the most holy place, and the altar, table of showbread, candlestick and ark in their proper positions.  

                                          

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The Scriptures —Study 18 — Exodus 25

Study 18 From The Book of Exodus Is: Exodus 25

1.      What was the twofold purpose of the Tabernacle? See verses 8, 22 in particular.

2.      Notice the three articles of furniture described in this chapter, but observe specially the ark and what is said of it in verses 20, 22. What is the significance of the fact that only above the mercy seat could God and man meet and commune together? Cf. 1. Jn.2:1, 2.

Note.  Verses 17-22.  The ‘mercy seat’ or proprietary covering was a slave of pure gold, with cherubim at either end. This acted as a lid on the ark, covering the tables of testimony inside. On it the high priest sprinkled blood to make atonement.  Cf. Lv. 16:15, 16.

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The Scriptures —Study 17— Exodus 23:20-24:18

Study 17 From The Book of Exodus Is: Exodus 23:20-24:18

1.      23:20 – 33. Consider the promises God makes to the people and the demands He makes of them.  Can you think of parallel spiritual promises made to Christian and demands made of them in the Christian life?

2.      24:1-18. Why was this a day of significance and importance in the history of Israel?  To what did the people commit themselves? Why is this covenant called (in 2 Cor. 3:7, 9) a ‘dispensation of condemnation’ and of ‘death’? What was God’s answer to the situation thus created? Cf. Lv. 17:11; Heb. 9:22.

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The Scriptures —Study 16— Exodus 21:33-23:19

Study 16 From The Book of Exodus Is: Exodus 21:33-23:19

The laws in 21: 33-22:15 relate mainly to questions of property, and the remainder of the portion contains miscellaneous precepts.

1.      What instances of careless neglect, leading to injury or loss for others, are given in 21:33-22:15?  And what does God demand of the offender in such cases? Can you think of modern parallels to the careless neglect described here? 

  

2.      Gather out from 22:16-23:19 illustrations of the truth of the claims God makes here concerning Himself.  For these claims see 23:27; 23:7. Against what sin does He say that His wrath will wax hot?       

            

Note. Some of these laws are similar to those found in the famous code of Hamurabi, but the provisions are much more merciful. Notice in 22:31 the reference to being ‘consecrated’ to God. Cf. Lv. 11:44, 45.

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The Scriptures —Study 15— Exodus 21:1-32

Study15 From The Book of Exodus Is: Exodus 21:1-32

The laws in this portion concern relations between people, particularly those between slaves and masters.  While slavery is tolerated, its severity is mitigated in various ways.

1.      What are the principles underlying the laws about persons? In particular, what kind of relationship between slave and master is contemplated in verses 2-6? Cf. also Dt. 15:12-18; Je. 34:12-17.

2.      For what kinds of transgression was the death penalty inflicted? See also 22:18-20; 31:15. Why is this? Cf. Mk. 9:43-48.

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