March 15

Exodus 26; John 5

Daily Catechism

QUESTION 49: WHAT IS THE PREFACE TO THE TEN COMMANDMENTS?
Answer: The preface to the Ten Commandments is, “I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.”
Scripture: Exodus 20:2.

Exodus 26

Ready:
In the previous chapter God introduced the concept of the tabernacle to Moses and he described that this would be the place where he will dwell in their midst.  Instructions for the Ark of the covenant and the mercy seat were given as the core element to the temple.  The Ark would represent the presence of God and it would contain the law beneath what is called the mercy seat.

Seeing what’s there:
In this chapter Moses records the instructions he received from God regarding the construction of the main structure of the tabernacle (tent like).  The details are fine and there is a curtain that is a focal point as it will separate the holy place from the most holy place where the Ark will reside with the testimony of the Lord beneath the mercy seat.   

Key Verses:
Exodus 26:1, 31, 33-34

Theme:
Multiple degrees of separation in the design of the tabernacle expresses the holiness of God and his devotion to make a way for us to know him despite our uncleanness. 

Thinking about the message:
    v1-14.  The sides and top of the tent are described in detail here.  This will make the exterior limits of the tabernacle and define its size.  The word translated here tabernacle from the Hebrew is transliterated as Mishkan and comes from a root that means to settle down, abide, or dwell.  Clearly Exodus 25:8 establishes that this what God is describing to Moses is the very place where he will be in their midst and make himself known there in a special way.  This tabernacle is now a physical location where God and man dwell together as was the Garden of Eden before the fall (Gen 3:8-9).  The theme of a dwelling place on earth for God to be in the midst of his people strings throughout the Bible and it goes roughly like this…garden- tabernacle- temple- Jesus- church of Jesus (indwells believers)- The New Jerusalem (heaven).  These instructions represent God breaking into humanity not unlike what he did at the incarnation of Jesus but this is the delivery of the law (knowledge and truth) rather than Jesus’ arrival delivering the gospel (grace and truth).  Within the limits of this tent is an area that is to only be occupied by persons designated to work as priests and it signifies a separation from the world.  This is a special place where God communes with his people and gives direction and where he gives a means for atonement of their sin by exercising the obedience of faith through their observation of the rites that will take place here. 
    v15-30.  The frames and structural support for the tent is described in detail here.  There is a quite practical element here where the place simply must be held up using the provisions of God in acacia trees and so the creation itself it displayed in many forms within the tabernacle.  It will come to be seen in the NT times that this tabernacle represents, or foreshadows, the body of Christ who was wholly man (structure and elements of the tabernacle) and wholly God (presence of God in the most holy place).  Jesus dwelled (Mishkan), or tabernacled, among us and in him the fullness of God dwelled (Col 1:19).  The tabernacle is a holy and mysterious place of communion with God but it is also built by mens hands (Heb 9:11) and is quite practical or even ordinary (though majestic). 
    v31-37.  The main separations at the entrance and at the most holy place are described here as curtains made of blue and purple and scarlet yarns with fine twined linens.  The same design and appearance of the main veil separating the holy from the Most Holy place is copied at the entrance to the tent itself indicating these two primary separations where God is stipulating his holiness there will be requirements for coming closer into his presence at these places.  This same style curtain will also be at the gate of the courtyard surrounding the tabernacle in the next chapter.  The first is called a curtain and the second two are called screens. 

Meaning, Implications, and Significance
    In general I take this whole chapter to be an establishing of how God will dwell with his people during this age before Christ comes to serve as Emmanuel (God with us).  The Lord lays out specific instructions and there will be much yet to come with regard to the rites and practices in this tabernacle that will become an important feature of the Israelite history and tradition as they walk according to the statutes of God.  Great care and detail goes into this place where God dwells and there is a sense of holiness and separation from the world that hates God and does not acknowledge or honor God (Rom 1:21, 8:7).  So the implication for today is that since each individual member of the church is part of the body of Christ and bears the indwelling Spirit of God, there is to be a holiness about us as his tabernacle on earth (1 Pet 2:5, 1:16; Eph 1:4, 5:27).  The significance for my life is that I ought to be a visible place where people can meet God.  I ought to be like this tabernacle to the people around me who are outside of the family of God.  I ought to open the curtain and give a view of God to those around me who do not know him.  My life should be about this mission.  The tabernacle is built for only one purpose…that God may dwell in the midst of his people and reveal himself to them. 

Valuing the message:
This message is valuable to me because I can easily see my body and my life as just my own.  I can see here that I am more than that and I am a representation of God among his people.  I , as a member of the body of Christ, am the only message that the people around me are going to know.  How I live and what people know of me will be what they know of God and his people.

Reflecting on the message:
I need to consider the message that my life is to those around me and whether I am using the tabernacle for ill purposes or for God’s mission on earth.

Questions to ask:

1. Do I have a curtain at the gate or do I let anything and everything into the courtyard of the tabernacle?
2. Is God honored in my body?
3. Is there a place deep within me that holds onto the statutes and revelation of God and seeks to hallow his name?
4. At my core do I rely on the mercy of God (mercy seat) as my only hope and merit before a holy and righteous God (testimony within the ark)?

Responding to God & Reacting to His Lesson:
Tell God about your observations and your thoughts and your struggles with the chapter and determine how it will change or impact your thinking and your decisions.  Be sure to react in some way to the truth rather than remain silent.

Proclaiming the Truth to Others:
Decide who you can share what you have learned with and ask for God’s help in reaching out to love others.

John 5

Ready:
The previous chapter Jesus spoke of true worship and he spoke of giving living water and he told us that salvation is from the Jews.  He declared himself to be the Messiah and he began to heal.

Seeing what’s there:
In this chapter Jesus picks an invalid out of a crowd of them and chooses to heal him on the sabbath.  There is a dispute over the man’s actions and then Jesus’ actions in regard to the Sabbath and Jesus chooses to tackle the objection not by correcting an interpretation of the law but by placing himself over the law and establishing that he, just like the Father, do not stop working on the Sabbath.  Jesus simultaneously equates himself with the Father and then explains his subjection to the Father in subordinate reliance.  Jesus sets himself up as the very revelation of God and indicates that to reject him is to indeed reject the Father and leads into a devastating condemnation of the Jews in that they have ignored the truth of the scriptures and they do not believe Moses and they reject God the Father…all by rejecting Jesus.  Jesus further establishes that he himself bears the role of judge and of life giver and that he grants life to whom he will and his life comes to dead men by the power of his word.

Key Verses:
John 5:3, 6, 8-9, 10-11, 16-18, 19, 21-22, 24, 25, 28-29, 30, 39-40, 44-45, 45

Theme:
Jesus has all the authority of God to heal and grant life to whom he will in perfect harmony with the will of the Father and he does so to the glory of God.

Thinking about the message:
    v1-18.  A few things happen in this passage that are important.  First Jesus chooses from among the invalids whom he will heal and this correlates to the later verse John 5:21.  Jesus establishes with the man that he perceives his need for healing.  This correlates to John 5:39-40 in that it must be understood that the law teaches our need for a savior and that failure to recognize this need for healing is a denial of life.  Next Jesus makes it clear that there can be a tie between specific sin and illness or suffering in life.  Though Jesus elsewhere makes clear argument that this is not always the case (John 9:2-3), here he assumes that it is in the case of this man by his direct admonishment to quit sinning so that nothing worse will happen to him (possibly referring to judgement in eternity).  Next Jesus answers the objection of the Jews in the temple who accused him of “doing these things on the Sabbath”.  There may be more than just this healing in mind here but Jesus does not choose to correct their perception of the law here.  Rather, he declares the that he works at all times for the same reason that God the Father never ceases to work.  This was understood in the Jewish tradition that God sustains the universe and works hi mighty will on Sabbath days like any other days or else we were doomed.  Thus Jesus is contesting that he too works always.  This statement clearly put himself on par with God and was an outrage to the Jews, as made clear by the narrator.  There response was to desire to kill him.
    v19-29.  Jesus makes a few points in this passage about himself and his relationship to the Father.  What he establishes is an equality and union with the Father within which he has all authority but he also willingly subjects himself to the Father in a subordinate role or function in order to serve the glory and pleasure of his Father, whom he dearly loves.  Jesus declares that all that he says and does is in perfect harmony with the Father and that they never function in counter purposes or intentions.  This unity of purpose and action speaks volumes to the doctrine of definite atonement, which states that Jesus came to die for the church (believers) and not for those who ultimately remain under the wrath of God.  For Jesus to pay penalty for those whom the Father does not intend to save (the elect who are predestined according to Rom 8:29-30, 8:33, 9:11, 23-24, 11:17; Mark 13:27) would violate what Jesus describes here in this passage.  Presuming that the sins of those condemned to hell were paid for on the cross is to say that there is some opposing purposes or confused fulfillment within the trinity.  Jesus died for his bride only (who is among all the peoples of the world- Rev 7:9).  Those who do not receive new birth and faith in the Son remain under the wrath of God because it was indeed not absorbed by Jesus on the cross (John 3:36).  Specific wrath absorbed by the Son in someone’s place could surely not remain to be poured upon that person for all eternity.  Jesus declares that he gives life to the dead, whom he chooses, and they hear his voice and they live (Rom 4:17; John 10:3-4, 3:7-8; Rom 8:11; Col 2:13-14; Eph 2:4-5).  Jesus makes clear that those who have done good are resurrected unto life and evil are resurrected unto judgement (Rom 2:6-10)
    v30-47.  This section repeats some of the theme of unity with a focus on the testimony of Jesus not being in discord with the OT testimony through Moses but actually in fulfillment of it.  Jesus did not come to rebel against the Father and present a new message but he came to die for his bride just as they should have been expecting.  Jesus makes it plain that he is not arriving and testifying for himself anew but the whole of the OT has been testifying to him, concluding with John the Baptist.  Jesus is here to accomplish what was prophesied of the Messiah.  In verse 39 he gives a prelude to his sermon on the road to Emmaus (Luke 24:27).  The Pharisees seek recognition and glory from one another while the Lord expects us to seek his glory alone (Psalm 105:3; 1 Thess 2:6; Rom 2:7-8).  Christianity is not new and not a replacement of Judaism, but the fulfillment of it (Matt 5:17).  Jesus indicts the Jews with the clear statement that if they believed Moses, then they would receive Jesus.  Certainly there are some elect Jews who did receive Jesus…like the one who authored this gospel we are reading.

Soli Deo Gloria!