Preparing to Leave Mt. Sinai

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Preparing to Leave Mt. Sinai

Sermon by  Thomas Thornhill Jr

Passage: Leviticus - Numbers


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JOURNEY THROUGH THE BIBLE (28)

Israel at Mt. Sinai (5)

 

As we continue our study of Israel at Mt. Sinai, in this lesson we want to notice some things that happened while there.  In previous lessons we have noted YHWH uttering the 10 commandments followed by Moses going up on the mountain 40 days (twice), the covenant that the people made with YHWH and they broke it while Moses was on the mountain the first time (the golden calf incident), the building of the tabernacle and the establishment of the priesthood and the various sacrifices they were to offer.

So much more happened while they were at Mt. Sinai, we could devote numerous more lessons.  But, in this lesson I want to notice a few of these events.

 

  1. More events at Mt. Sinai
    1. The tabernacle erected and priestly service begins – we have addressed the instructions for building the tabernacle.  Exodus 40 records the tabernacle being erected.  Exodus 40:17 tells us this was the first day of their 2nd year (1 year after their exodus), then 40:34-38 describes the LORD filling the tabernacle demonstrating His approval.
    2. Leviticus 8 records the consecration process of Aaron and his 4 sons.
      1. The process involved several sacrifices and they remained at the tabernacle for 7 days. These sacrifices included sin offerings for themselves.
      2. Of note: Exodus 40 records the instructions about the tabernacle. Exodus 40:12-16 gives instructions about Aaron after it is erected.  The tabernacle is erected, then we read of sacrifices.  It is only after these instructions that we find Aaron and his sons consecrated.
      3. Leviticus 9 records a sacrifice made by Aaron and their priestly service begins.  Moses consecrated Aaron and his sons.  In this chapter, Aaron and his sons begin their work and they offer the sacrifices.   Again, the first offerings were sin offerings for themselves – Lev. 9:8-14, THEN for the people.
    3. Nadab & Abihu – Leviticus 10 records a tragic account that happens almost immediately after the priestly consecration.
      1. Nadab & Abihu offer strange (profane) fire and burned to death on the spot.
      2. Vs. 3 gives us a powerful declaration by YHWH, And Moses said to Aaron, “This is what the Lord spoke, saying: ‘By those who come near Me I must be regarded as holy; And before all the people I must be glorified.’ ”
      3. Why was God so severe in this punishment? Several alternatives are plausible.
        1. The most common – the used fire from an unauthorized source. But there is no instructions about this prior to this event.  In fact, we do not read about the source of fire until Leviticus 16:1 & 12 with instructions about the day of atonement.  However, it can be implied that they had been given instructions which Nadab and Abihu did not follow.
        2. It is also possible that with the occasion, they acted without authority doing something they THOUGHT would be okay. g., ASSUMING that God would accept what they were doing.  THINK about appealing to silence for what you do.
        3. 10:9-11 gives instructions about how the priests needed to be COMPLETELY sober as they made their offerings. They needed to be able to distinguish between holy and unholy.
        4. NOTE: Clearly, they did something wrong and we can rightly assume that God’s punishment was just and deserved. We do NOT read of God doing this to other priests after this fact (though it is certainly possible He did).  This could have been a FIRST act of rebellion, and the strong punishment was intended to teach the people that it was not acceptable.  We read of other such instances.
          1. Leviticus 24:10-23 where a son of an Israelite woman (whose father was Egyptian) fought with another Israelite and blasphemed – likely YHWH. He was taken out and stoned to death.
          2. Number 15:32-36 finds a man gathering sticks on the Sabbath. The LORD commanded he be stoned to death and he was.
          3. 2 Samuel 6:1-8, Uzzah, (whom we are more familiar with) was struck dead for reaching out to steady the Ark that was falling off of a cart, INSTEAD of following God’s instructions for transporting it.
          4. Acts 5:1-11 – Ananias and Sapphira are struck dead for lying to God and the Holy Spirit.
          5. ALL of these are examples where God is sending a message that He is serious about what we do and how we do it.
        5. The death of Nadab & Abihu interferes with Aaron and his other 2 sons, Eleazar and Ithamar, who were told to not publicly mourn. They were unable to finish eating the sin offering because of the events of that day (vs. 19-20).  We are told the reason they did not eat – they had offered their sin and burnt offerings as commanded, but they are unsure if they would have been accepted – perhaps they thought they were defiled because of Nadab & Abihu’s failure.  OR their mind was not in a place where they could reverently carry that part of the worship out.
    4. Be holy – laws enacted to ensure the people understood holiness
      1. The book of Leviticus is filled with numerous laws that God established for the children of Israel. Some of them we understand rationally and others perhaps not, but God was establishing what it means to be His holy people – set apart and DIFFERENT from the nations around the.
      2. Some of the instructions given included: Animals they could and could not eat (mostly sanitary), laws of isolation for leprosy and other bodily discharges, childbirth, etc.
      3. There were also laws given concerning moral conduct including laws that carried a capital punishment – included in this: offering children to a god, consulting mediums, cursing parents, adultery & incest, homosexuality and bestiality and intentional murder (Leviticus 20, 24:16-22).
      4. There were periods of time when one would be consider unclean – childbirth, a woman’s monthly time, touching a dead body, etc.
      5. Priests were restricted from serving if they had defects and they had restrictions as to whom they could marry and when they could serve (Leviticus 21).
      6. The various feasts and days they were to observe are recorded in Leviticus 23.
      7. Laws of redemption and liberty including the Sabbath years and Jubilee (Leviticus 25 & 27).
      8. WHY these laws about holiness? Leviticus a challenging book that could be described as “dry” and technical.  Many gloss over it because of its redundancy and detailed descriptions that seem to be mostly irrelevant to us today. BUT they are there for a purpose.
        1. It is said that the book of Leviticus is the first book that is taught to their children because it impresses what it means to be a Jew.
        2. In other word, it defines what makes them different and HOLY (set apart).
        3. The word “holy” is found 95 times in 78 verses of this book. “You shall be holy, for I am holy” is found in 11:44-45.  “I am the LORD” is found 45 times where YHWH is declaring Himself before them.
        4. An important point of distinction to be made. To be “unclean” did NOT necessarily mean one was sinful.  Many natural and unavoidable reasons are given that made one unclean – the time of women, after childbirth, contact with a dead body, a disease, etc.    But there was a degree of impurity associated with it.  They were NOT to touch anything holy for a prescribed period of time (a day, a week, or perhaps longer).
        5. Priests that had deformities could not serve in certain capacities. Why? It was not their fault.  BUT God was impressing upon the people what it means to approach Him.  It was simply a lesson in holiness, especially HIS holiness!
      9. NOTE: IF you keep these thoughts in mind, the book of Leviticus will have a much greater impact upon you as you read through it.
    5. Promise of blessing and retribution (cursing) – Leviticus 26
      1. 26:1-13 – YHWH made great promises if the people would remain faithful to Him – they would have rain in the land, and peace. They would be victorious over their enemies and continue to prosper.
      2. 26:14-39 – BUT if they did not obey Him they would have disease, famine, a poor economy, plagues and be overrun by their enemies. Eventually they would lose their land and be scattered.
      3. 26:40 -46 – but if they repent, He would remember them and restore them.
    6. The second Passover is observed (first was in Egypt) – provisions for the unclean.
      1. Numbers 9:1-3 records the 2nd Passover. The first was in Egypt.
      2. The tabernacle and Aaronic priesthood have now been established. The people have brought offerings to the tabernacle for its regular service (Numbers 7) – Each leader brought a specific amount on the first 12 days of this 2nd year.   Numbers 8 records the consecration of the Levites.   We are told in vs. 24-26 that Levites from the age of 25 to 50 could enter and do the service of the work of the tabernacle.  Others could help these brethren, but this was the time frame God established.
      3. Numbers 9 records this observance. It was certainly different with God’s instructions in place for what would become their annual observance.
      4. Num. 9:6-14 describes a situation where some men had become defiled and therefore were unclean on the day of Passover (14th day, 1st month). They inquired of YHWH about what to do.
        1. NOTE: They did not take this task upon themselves but inquired of the LORD what they needed to do (vs. 8).
        2. The LORD made provisions for those who unable to partake at the prescribed time to do so on the 14th day of the 2nd They were to keep it in the same manner as those who had done so a month earlier.
        3. NOTICE vs. 13-14, this exception was ONLY available to those defiled or on a journey. IF they were able to partake when originally planned and did not they were to be cut off.
        4. 14 also notes that strangers could partake, but they needed to do so following the prescribed instructions, “You shall have one ordinance, both for the stranger and the native of the land.”
    7. The people numbered – for consecration & war
      1. The book of numbers is so called because we find a handful of census’ that takes place. It begins the first day of the 2nd month of the second year after leaving Egypt (1:1).  NOTE: The books of Leviticus and Numbers are not in a strict chronological order..  That is seen here.  This event takes place 2 weeks after the 2nd Passover.
      2. 1:2, YHWH instructed Moses to take these census.
      3. 1 & 2 – we find a census of all men from 20 years old and above that were able to go to war.  The tribes were counted, MINUS Levi.  And the total of soldiers was 603,550.   Numbers 2 described leaders of each tribe and arranges where they are to camp in relation to the tabernacle which was in their midst.
      4. Numbers 3 records the Levites being given to Aaron and his sons to help in the work of the tabernacle & priesthood, etc. Vs. 14-39 notes they were to number EVERY male from  1 month old and above.   Numbers 3:39 records their number at 22,000 (an exact number).
      5. Numbers 3:40-51 – Moses is now told to number all the FIRSTBORN males from 1 month old and above. 3:43 tells us their total was 22,273.  The Levites were to take the place of ALL the firstborn of Israel (recall how the firstborn always belonged to YHWH).  Because there was a difference of 273, 5 shekels for each of these was to be collected and given to  Aaron and his sons for their redemption.  NOTE: this goes back to Exodus 13:1-2, 11-16 as they were leaving Egypt the “Law of the firstborn” was established.  Leviticus 27:6 notes that 5 shekels of silver was given as the redemption price for the male child from 1 month old to 5 years.
      6. Numbers 4:34-49 – after giving instructions to various groups of Levites concerning transporting the tabernacle and its furnishings and maintenance, we are given a census of the Levites in 3 groups, from 30 to 50 years of age. They would administer the work of the tabernacle of meeting.  Combined the 3 groups totaled 8580 (4:48).
    8. The priestly blessing – Numbers 6:22-27 records the way that Aaron and his sons were to bless the people.
    9. Preparing to leave Mt. Sinai
      1. While other events and instructions are given, we move ahead to Numbers 10:11ff where we find Israel moves out from the wilderness of Sinai.
      2. It was the 20th day of the 2nd month of the 2nd year. They have been at Mt. Sinai now for about 10 months (assuming 2 months to arrive at Mt. Sinai).  Moses was on the mountain for 80 days (a little less than 3 months), so they have had about 7-8 months to prepare everything God has instructed them to do.
    10. They are ready now to move out which is where we will resume our study next time.
  2. Lessons to consider
    1. We must appreciate the importance of holiness. We have in recent lesson emphasized what holiness means – we belong to God and need to act like it.  1 Corinthians 6:19-20.  Recall also 1 Peter 1:15-16 where Peter said, but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, “Be holy, for I am holy.”  Peter is quoting from our text for today.
    2. God gets to establish when and how we worship Him. This is an important consideration.  John 4:24 calls for us to worship God “in spirit and in truth.”  We have continually stressed the importance of respecting God’s pattern.
    3. WHEN God is silent – recall Numbers 9:8, where we find those who were unable to participate in the Passover feast for LEGITIMATE reasons. Before Moses could answer, he had to receive direction from the LORD.  We CANNOT act unilaterally in making decisions.  This is WHY silence is not a valid form of establishing authority (e.g., Well God did not say I could not do it this way).  1 Corinthians 4:6 challenges us to not think beyond what is written.

And thus we have examined Israel at Mt. Sinai.  There are many lessons for us to glean from this period of time in that nation’s history. They are now ready to move forward toward their next goal, inheriting the Promised Land.  Numbers records several events that occur during that time frame.  That will be the focus of our next lesson.

God has given us a law concerning how we are to serve Him.  Will we strive to follow the pattern He has given us?  Think about it!

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