Foundations Part II

Mosaic Law

   First there was the covenant, then there was the law. Two parts to man's salvation. Moses presented Israel with the law, a pattern and a copy of something greater that God had in mind. God laid His plan of redemption deeper than anyone could have fathomed, and He tells it through all the law and the prophets. This can be seen especially after Christ's death, and His opening up of the Scriptures on the Road to Emmaus. (Luke 24:27)

• The building of the tabernacle according to the pattern shown him on the mountain. (Exodus 25:9, 14) (Hebrews 8:5)

• The ten commandments written on stone. (Deuteronomy 4:13)  <  The new laws are written on our hearts. (Hebrews 8:10)

   Side note of interest:  When commandments were written on tablets of stone, both parties kept a copy. Moses came down with the mountain with both copies -- the two tablets. Why did God give Moses His copy as well? I'm not sure...

• The law was received through the Levites and was weak and unprofitable. (Hebrews 7:11)  <  Jesus gave a new law through the order of Melchizedek, according to the power of endless life. (Hebrews 7:12)

• The law doesn't save, it only reveals sin. (Romans 3:20)

   The law is like a stethoscope; it can be used to diagnose a problem, but you wouldn't perform surgery with it. Also consider a mirror -- you use a mirror to see your reflection and to discern what needs to be changed. But you don't wash your face with a mirror. The law is similar. We can't gain heaven by following the laws because the laws only show us what we are doing wrong- what we need to change. We can't attain by ourselves the standard that God holds up.

• Priests were appointed by law. (Hebrews 7:28)  <  Christ was made priest by an oath. (Hebrews 7:21)

• Priests were of the tribe of Levi. (Deuteronomy 10:8)  <  Christ is High Priest according to the order of Melchizedek. (Hebrews 6:20)

   The tribe of Levi was special. When the Promised Land was being divided amongst the tribes of Israel, the Levites were given no inheritance. Rather, they were given the responsibility of serving God in the temple. Thus the children of Israel were to pay tithes so that the tribe of Levi would be provided for. The Levites received tithes so that they wouldn't have to work in the fields or at a trade to earn their daily bread. They could then more fully focus on the Lord's work in the temple.

• Melchizedek was without parents or ancestors, without birth or death. (Hebrews 7:3)  <  Jesus Christ... you get the picture.

• The High Priest was chosen by God.

• The High Priest was always moving, his job was never complete. (Exodus 29:38)  <  Jesus sat down at the right hand of the Father, He made one sacrifice. (Hebrews 1:3)

   Our sins have been paid for, once and for all time. Not one was missed, and God, who is just, will not condemn us for something that was already paid for.

• The High Priest suffered every temptation, but with sin, so he offered sacrifices for himself as well. (Leviticus 6:16) (Hebrews 5:2-3)  <  Christ suffered every temptation, but without sin, so he was the sacrifice. (Hebrews 4:15)

   This is rather a two-fold truth. The first part is Christ's ability to sympathize/empathize with us, because He was once a man. He suffered every single trial and temptation that we face, so we know that we are not alone and not some special case that no one understands. Christ can offer true comfort, and He will not test us beyond what we are able to bear. The second wonderful part is that He triumphed over every sin! He was perfect, innocent and holy, thus He didn't need to offer sacrifices for Himself. He WAS the sacrifice. He is the High Priest, AND the lamb. Wow.

• The priest could not remain a priest forever, men die. And a priest only served as High Priest for one year. (Hebrews 7:23)  <  Jesus continues forever, and always lives to make intercession. (Hebrews 7:24)

  So this wonderful High Priest, who isn't just some holy dude who doesn't bother to understand what we go through, who really does know what is near and dear to our hearts and truly cares -- He lives forever! He will ALWAYS be speaking to the Father on our behalf. He knows what we need and He is able to provide it.

• Priests ministered in the sanctuary and tabernacle made by man. (Hebrews 9:1)  <  Christ ministers in the tabernacle which the Lord erected. (Hebrews 9:11)

• Animal sacrifices did not remove sin, they represented removal of sin and served as a reminder. (Hebrews 10:3-4)  <  Christ's sacrifice removed sin totally. (Hebrews 10:12)

• The once a year sacrifice (the Day of Atonement) removed the sins that the people committed in ignorance. (Hebrews 9:7)  <  On the cross, Christ said "Father forgive them for they do not know what they do." (Luke 23:24)

• The Holy of Holies, God's presence behind the veil where only the High Priest could go. (Leviticus 16:2)  <  Heaven, God's presence which we cannot see, where Christ is. We can approach by His blood, through the veil of His flesh. (Hebrews 10:19-20)

   There, in the Holy of Holies, in the presence of God was where the High Priest would speak on behalf of the people. When Christ died, the veil of the temple tore in two, signifying that the presence of God was with everyone. The Holy Spirit was later given to the Children of God. What that looked like before the Spirit and presence of God moved freely among men, I don't know. Another mystery to ponder.

   Anyway, Christ is now the High Priest in the very presence of God, interceding on our behalf... but we are in the presence of God too. Only on the earthly side of the veil. We too can speak intimately with the Father, and someday we shall be on the other side of the veil with Christ.

A Few Other Thoughts...

• The city of refuge. (Joshua 20:2-4)  <  We have fled to God for refuge. (Hebrews 6:18)

   A place where no one dare condemn or harm you.

• According to custom, an anchor was placed on another ship, and towed into harbor.  <  We have an anchor of hope, and Jesus is the forerunner; placing our anchor behind the veil, and towing us in. (Hebrews 6:20)

• The dove and the lamb represented Christ's holiness and innocence.

• The scapegoat bore the sins of the people and was seen no more. (Leviticus 16:10)  <  Christ has totally removed our sin, and it will be seen no more. He never brings it back up against us.

• Sacrificed animals were taken outside the gate.  <  Jesus was crucified outside the gate. We are also to be outside the gate bearing his reproach.

• The temple of Jerusalem.  <  Christ's body, the temple (John 2:19-22) and His Body the church. (Ephesians 1:22-23)

   I'm only just getting the possible manifold meaning of this concept, Christ's body... from what Ephesians says, the body is the Jews and Gentiles -- the seed of Abraham -- unified, no matter what past differences have existed.

• Circumcision of the flesh, descendant of Abraham. (Genesis 17:10-11)  <  Circumcision of the heart, seed of Abraham. (Romans 2:28-29)

• The serpent lifted up in the wilderness. (Numbers 21:8)  <  The Son of God lifted up. (John 3:14)

   The serpent wasn't what was believed in by those who looked upon it, it was the One who gave the promise.