INTERVARSITY PRESS DAILY BIBLE STUDY Lesson 18

INTERVARSITY PRESS DAILY BIBLE STUDY—Lesson 18

Exodus 29:38-31:18: God's Revelation in People and Things "Back to the drawing board" is often said after a failed experiment or project. Sometimes Christians behave as though the worship of God is a do-it-yourself project. Some lack a sense of responding to God himself. Church leaders experiment and fiddle with changes in the order of worship. But God is a God of economy and order. No wasted, botched plans or experiments with him. Moses and the Israelites received a specific plan, precise in every detail and dimension. Each part of the plan said something about God. Careful study of the plan pays off in new insights about God and about worship. Warming Up to God As you sit before the Bible allow yourself to sit spiritually before the Lord. Rest silently for a few minutes and allow yourself to become relaxed and focused before you begin your study. Discovering the Word 1. How does God summarize the purposes of worship (29:42-46)?

2. Incense speaks of the prayers of God's people (Rev 5:8). Why would Israel need such a reminder (30:1-10)?

3. What aspect of worship would be inspired by paying atonement money (30:11-16)?

4. Why do you think it was important that rich and poor gave the same small amount (30:15)?

5. The shepherds of Israel had neither artistic skills nor craftsmanship. What does God's plan to remedy this reveal about his concern for beauty (31:1-11)?

6. Exodus 31:12-18 is the third instruction and warning regarding the Sabbath (see 20:8-11; 23:10-13). What new emphasis is added here regarding the purpose of the Sabbath and the punishment of those who disregard it?

Applying the Word 1. The Bible speaks of the cleansing effect of Scripture (Ps 119:9; Jn 15:3). Why is it important to be washed daily by God's Word?

2. From these forty days' instructions (Ex 25—31) from God, what major impressions do you receive about him and about worshiping him?

Responding in Prayer Spend time worshiping the Lord. Choose your own way to express yourself and ascribe worth to God. 2016-2017 Tulsa Bible Church Men’s Bible Study – tulsabible.org For further consideration: ID: Inductive Questions (Asking the text questions like who, what, where, when, why, & how?”) CR: Cross References (Comparing Scripture to Scripture, understanding the vague by the clear.) WS: Word Study (Understanding definition, theological meaning, and usages in other passages.) 1b CR (29:38-39) How does Christ’s ministry differ from the ministry of Aaron and his sons? (Hebrews 10:11-14)

2b. CR (30:1-10, 34-37) What did the incense burnt on the Altar of Incense represent? (Revelation 5:8; 8:3-4) What was unauthorized (lit. strange) incense? (Leviticus 10:1) What Jewish holy day is alluded to in verse 10? (Leviticus 16 esp. vv. 29-34; Hebrews 9:7 and following)

4b ID/CR (30:17-21) What did the priests do with the Bronze Laver? What did the laver likely represent? (John 13:8, 10)

6b WS/CR (31:13) Of what was the Sabbath observance to remind Israel? What was the meaning or significance of the name (or expression) “I the LORD, sanctifies you” or “I am The LORD who Sanctifies you” (NKJV) (Leviticus 20:7-8; 21:1, 6, 8; Ezekiel 37:28; 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24)

6c ID Where do you see Christ in these chapters?

The Sanctifying Provision of the Laver The laver was used only by the priests for purification. We who have put our faith in Jesus Christ are called believer-priests. We are also called “a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a people of his own”(1 Pet. 2:9); therefore, we can offer spiritual sacrifices and praise that are “acceptable to God by Jesus Christ”(1 Pet. 2:5; cp. 1 Pet. 2:9). As Aaron and his sons were born into the priesthood (Ex. 28:1), so each of us enters the priesthood by means of the new birth through the “washing [i.e., bath] of regeneration”(Ti. 3:5) in the blood of Jesus Christ. We who have been washed from our sins in the blood of Jesus have been made a “kingdom of priests”(Rev. 1:5-6). The ministry of the laver is of great spiritual significance in our Christian experience. In the brazen altar we see our justification. In the brazen laver we see our sanctification. The water in the laver typified our cleansing through the Word of God. When Jesus left the upper room and headed toward the Garden of Gethsemane just before His betrayal, He stopped in the vineyard of the Kidron Valley and gave the parable of the vine and branches. He said every branch that bears fruit must be purged so that it might bring forth more fruit. Then He told His disciples, “Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you”(Jn. 5:3). The Holy Spirit sanctifies and cleanses us, preparing us for service in Christ. The word sanctified means to be set apart. First, we are set apart from sin, both spiritually (2 Chr. 29:5, 15-18) and physically (1 Th. 4:3). Second, we are set apart for divine service through Christ our high priest (1 Cor. 1:2; 6:11). Sanctification is described in three ways. First, we are positionally sanctified. We were eternally sanctified to God the moment we accept the atoning work of Jesus Christ for our justification (Heb. 10:10, 14; 13:12). Instantaneously we are separated from sin unto salvation. It is called positional sanctification because it signifies a position or standing before God that does not depend on our daily walk for its maintenance, although this position should lead us to holy living. Second, we are progressively being sanctified, a process whereby we are daily sanctified as we walk in obedience before God, separating ourselves from sin and allowing the Holy Spirit to cleanse us through the truth of the Word of God (Jn. 17:17). Believers progress in sanctification as they appropriate and apply the Word of God to their lives (2 Tim. 2:19-21; 2 Pet. 3:18). Third, we will be perfected in sanctification. Believers are promised an ultimate (complete) sanctification. We will be perfected when we receive our resurrected bodies at the Second Coming of the Lord (Eph. 5:27). At that time, we will be conformed to the image of Jesus Christ (Rom. 8:29), for we shall be like Him (1 Jn. 3:2). Four agents are involved in our sanctification. The Father chastens us for sin (Heb. 12:10); the Son provides the means for our sanctification through His shed blood (Heb. 13:12); the Holy Spirit applies the truth of God’s Word to our lives (2 Th. 2:13; 1 Pet. 1:2); and we are to separate ourselves voluntarily from sin (2 Cor. 7:1)1

1 David M. Levy, The Tabernacle: Shadows of the Messiah: Its Sacrifices, Services, and Priesthood (Bellmawr, NJ: Friends of Israel Gospel Ministry, 1993).