One of the most important themes in the Bible is the creation by God of a nation he called his own. God made a covenant with Abraham, a promise that his descendants would be the people of God, occupy the land of Canaan, and become a blessing to all the world. The promise continued through…
Read MoreSeries: Lessons from the Wilderness
The story of Israel from the Exodus to the Promised Land
Holiness and the Old Testament Law
As Christians, are we expected to keep the Old Testament rules? Are the Old Testament laws binding on us today? Some people believe the answer is yes. Their churches meet on Saturdays, they don’t eat pork. Of course, they don’t stone their sons for being rebellious (Leviticus 20:9), but that’s another story. Then some say…
Read MoreLiving in God’s Presence
After God freed the people of Israel from Egyptian slavery, he had them gather at the foot of Mt. Sinai. There the people agreed to keep the covenant that God offered them, and God gave them the Ten Commandments and various other laws. Then God called Moses to come up Mt. Sinai to get more…
Read MoreThe Tabernacle: The Sign of God’s Presence
After God led the people of Israel out of slavery in Egypt, he called them to be holy, just as he is holy (Leviticus 11:44a). But for the people to pursue holiness, God had to teach them what was right and wrong. So he gave them the Old Testament law, which we looked at here. …
Read MoreDrawing Near to the Throne of Grace
On Israel’s long journey to the land of promise, God gave the people his law, which included instructions on the tabernacle, which represented the presence of God with the people. Why were such detailed instructions given? For starters, the tabernacle was a copy of what’s in heaven (Hebrews 8:5). If you want to know what…
Read MoreLet Us Draw Near, The Curtain is Torn
On the long journey of Israel through the wilderness, God provided the nation with instructions for the tabernacle, which we looked at here and here. The tabernacle itself had two rooms, the Holy Place and the Most Holy Place. The Most Holy Place was considered the very throne room of God the King and was…
Read MoreAre You Frozen by Fear or Following God?
As the nation of Israel approached the promised land, Moses sent twelve spies to gather intel about the land and its people. After forty days, the spies returned and gave their report: And they told him, “We came to the land to which you sent us. It flows with milk and honey, and this is…
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