1954 Bible Studies - page 3

BIBLE STUDIES "Now these were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, examining the Scriptures daily, whether these things should be so" (Acts 17. 11).

VOLUME 22.

JANUARY, 1954.

THE TABERNACLE.

(a) THE PEOPLE, (b) THE LEVITES, (c) THE PRIESTS.

(a) Exodus 3. 10; 5. 1; 19. 3-17.

(b) Exodus 32. 25-28; Numbers 1. 47-54; 3.

(c) Exodus 28. 1; 29.

F r o m Sydney. --The children of Israel in Egypt could never, while they continued there, be to God a holy nation.  It was necessary that they should be redeemed, baptized and obedient in separation unto the LORD.

Not only was there to be readiness of heart, but also the liberty to serve; hence God’s word through Moses was: " Let My people go. "

In submitting to God’s Law outside the influence of Egypt, unity, organisation and cleanliness prevailed. Exodus 19. 5, 8 shows the foundation truth of holy-nationhood, namely: " If ye will o b e y . . . and k e e p , . . . "

and the answer, " All that the LORD hath spoken we will do. " Israel were to be to God a kingdom of priests. We understand that this would have been carried out representatively through the firstborn male of every family (Numbers 3. 12, 40, 45). [1], This purpose of God was annulled through Israel’s failure to carry out the above promise. [2]. They turned from God, and at Moses’ call, " Whoso is on the LORD’S side, let him come unto me, " the Levites alone responded.

We understand that for this the Levites were given "the place of the first-born. It would appear that the Levites’ stand was taken through faith-fulness and a desire to observe God’s word, and not merely because of tribal relationship (Deuteronomy 33. 9).

The Levites were to assist the priests (Numbers 18. 6, 7). Aaron and his sons had the priesthood by statute.  We felt that Moses could not meet the requirements necessary to fulfil Hebrews 5. 2, for he had not been in Egypt to suffer with the people as had Aaron. The principles of Exodus 29. relate to Christ as High Priest, but in that Aaron needed cleansing, the type falls short.

J. G., G. K., J. I.

From Toronto, Ontario. --The choosing of Aaron, the brother of Moses, for the priest’s office was a divine choice, and not because of his relationship to Moses, the leader, who was also a prophet (Deuteronomy 34. 10). Aaron, we read, "shall be thy prophet" (Exodus 7), but the word here carries the thought of spokesman. [3]. We suggest that Aaron was chosen as high priest, as one who had known and shared the afflictions of the taskmasters in Egypt, and could " bear gently with the ignorant and erring " (Hebrews 5. 2).  How far the type falls short of the One who not only shared the experiences of men (the Carpenter of Nazareth) and was subject to every temptation (Luke 4. 1-13), but was without sin, and who, because of His sinless life and His sacrifice of Himself, has become the Author of eternal salvation I (Hebrews 5. 9).