Author: Moses (date of writing: c 1440-1400 BC).

Period: c 1440-1400 BC.

Title: “Leviticus” is the Latin form of the Greek word meaning “pertaining to the Levites.” The Hebrew title is taken from the first word of the book: “vayyiqra’ ” (“And he [the LORD] called . . .”).

Having brought His people out of bondage in Egypt, God gave them laws which had two functions: (1) to provide a code of behavior which would enable them to worship Him, and indeed, be His holy people (Lev 20:26), and (2) to enable them to have a practical law to assist in their daily living.

The Hebrew title (“and He called”) may be said to apply to the whole of Israel: as a nation called by God for a special purpose (Exo 19:6). The words also apply to the specific priests, the sons of Levi, whose task it was to oversee the spiritual (and secular) life of the people.

Summary: The third book of the Pentateuch takes its name from one of the twelve sons of Jacob, Levi, whose family was ordained by God to minister to Him as priests. The book covers the laws of the Israelites regarding worship and religious activities, both personal and national, including the Day of Atonement and sacrificial offerings. It contains laws regarding cleanliness, morality, ethics and hygiene that pertained to the people of Israel on a day-to-day basis. Animal sacrifice was introduced as an atonement for the individual and national sins of the people.

In modern terms Leviticus is significant in that it shows the way in which followers of Christ should endeavor to live their lives. Leviticus contains details of the sacrifices and offerings, required to be made by the people in recognizing their complete dependence on God and the necessity always to honor Him. Lev describes sacrifices and offerings to be made for a wide variety of reasons: some as a recognition of sin; some as “free- will” offerings, of voluntary devotion.

The most important offering was made to honor the day of Atonement (Lev 16:1-34), when a lamb without any blemish was offered as a sacrifice to “atone” for the sins of the nation. This pointed forward to Jesus who, as the lamb without blemish, offered himself as a sacrifice once and for all, an atonement for the sins of many (Heb 9:28). Through identifying with Jesus we can obtain the forgiveness which is promised (Mat 26:28).

We are not required, under the new covenant, to offer sacrifices in the way the children of Israel were required. We do need to offer ourselves as a “living sacrifice” (Rom 12:1) to the service of God. Our whole life should the of continual service to Him.

OUTLINE

Lev 1:1 – 7:38 Sacrifices and offerings * Lev 1:1-17 Burnt offering * Lev 2:1-16 Meal and fruit offerings * Lev 3:1-17 Peace offering * Lev 4:1-35 Sin offering * Lev 5:1-19 Trespass offering * Lev 6:1 – 7:38 Further explanations of the law concerning offerings.

Lev 8:1 — 10:20 Consecration of priests

Lev 11:1 — 15:33 Laws discerning cleanness and uncleanness

Lev 16:1-34 The Day of Atonement

Lev 17:1 — 20:27 Miscellaneous laws

Lev 21:1 — 22:33 Responsibilities of the priests

Lev 23:1-44 The Feasts * Lev 23:4-8 Passover and Feast of Unleavened Bread

* Lev 23:9-14 The Firstfruits * Lev 23:15-22 The Feast of Pentecost * Lev 23:23-32 The Feast of Trumpets * Lev 23:33-44 The Feast of Tabernacles

Lev 24:1 — 27:34 Further miscellaneous laws including reference to:

Lev 25:1-55 The year of the Sabbath and the year of Jubilee

Lev 26:1-13 Promise of blessing

Lev 26:14-46 Promise of punishment

Lev 27:1-34 Vows and tithes

Exo 38:1

Exo 38: “The two altars (Exo 37:25; 38:1) typify the two advents of the Lord, as well as the two principles of salvation. The brazen altar was outside the tabernacle; the golden altar inside at the veil of the tabernacle. The former was made of wood overladen with brass; the latter was made of wood overladen with gold. Thus both were related to human nature: the first with flesh purified; the latter with faith developed. The first altar had no crown; the second did have a crown. The first represented Christ in his humiliation as a sacrifice for sin; the second represented him in glory (at the right hand of the Father). The brazen altar was the place of suffering and typified Christ as Saviour. The golden altar was the place of glory and typified him as Mediator. Sinners come to the first to be made saints; saints made their way into the second seeking for glory” (GEM).

Exo 38:8

THE BRONZE BASIN: “After the altar of burnt offering, there is a laver or large vessel, filled with water, at which the priests have to wash (or lave) before entering into the tabernacle to perform its services. As the Lord Jesus and the saints are the antitypical Aaron and his sons, the significance bears on them; and bearing on them, bears also on all who will finally be reconciled to God… After sacrifice, washing — purification, making clean. This is no accidental order of events. In the popular conception of things, sacrifice would be enough, for the whole burden of their preaching is that the blood of Christ is the only essential for a sinner’s salvation…

“This is not an enlightened statement of the case. The blood is only an element in the process of reconciliation: after reconciliation must come reformation, if the reconciliation is to continue in force. The sinner must ‘walk worthy of the vocation wherewith he is called’ (Eph 4:1), and, if he do not, he will be rejected: so Paul says (Heb 6:8), and in preaching thus, he only re-echoes the plain teaching of Christ, who says, ‘Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away’ (Joh 15:2). ‘If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love’ (Joh 15:10). The unprofitable servant is to be cast out (Mat 25:30). We must walk as children of light (Eph 5:8) otherwise ‘we shall die’ (Rom 8:13)…

“Life after introduction to Christ is, therefore, a probation. This is the lesson of the laver. It is not enough to have God’s righteousness declared in sacrifice, and endorsed in our baptism into the death of Christ: we must wash in the laver. We must conform to the exhortation, ‘Wash you, make you clean: put away the evil of your doings’ (Isa 1:16). Literally this is done by subjecting the mind to the influence of the word of God. The word of God is always spoken of as the cleansing power (Joh 15:3; Psa 119:9; Eph 5:26), and, in actual experience, it is found to be so. Kept clean by the word, we shall be qualified for admission into the holiest, in the change to the incorruptible” (LM 151,152).

MIRRORS: By looking into “laver” of God’s Word, we examine ourselves (cp Jam 1:23-25). God’s word reveals us for what we are (cp 2Co 3:18; 1Co 13:12).

THE TENT OF MEETING: The earlier tabernacle (Exo 33:7).

Exo 38:25

Vv 25,26: “These verses are an inventory of the tabernacle materials. Vv 25,26 give an insight into the population of Israel at this time. There are 3,000 shekels to a talent; therefore 3,000 x 100 = 300,000, plus 1,775 = 301,775. Since each man (from twenty years and older) was valued at a half shekel, the total number of men able to bear arms was over 600,000 (301,775 x 2 = 603,550), a number very much like a later count of Num 1:46 (603,550) or Num 26:51 (601,730). Such a tally for the army would more than justify estimates of 2 million for the total population” (EBC).

Exo 39:34

SEA COWS: Heb “tachashim”. Translated, variously, “sea cows” (NIV; WEB); “dugongs” (mg); “porpoises” (NASB); “seals” (JPS); or “badgers” (KJV; Roth). The general scholarly consensus on the word is that it is Egyptian in origin. The Arabic word “duhas” refers to a dolphin. They are common in the Red Sea; their skins are used for clothing by the Bedouin. The word has also been connected to an Egyptian word for “leather” (BDB). This is followed by NRSV and NET (“fine leather”).

Exo 39:36

THE BREAD OF THE PRESENCE: “The bread of the face(s)” or “shewbread” (AV). Called also “perpetual bread” (Num 4:7).

Exo 39:37

Setting “in order” is a significant thing in the service of God: Gen 22:9; Exo 26:17; 39:37; 40:4,23; Lev 1:7,8,12; 6:12; 24:8; 1Ki 18:33; 2Ki 20:1; 2Ch 13:11; 29:35; Eze 41:6; Acts 18:23; 1Co 11:34; 14:40; Tit 1:5.

Exo 39:43

MOSES INSPECTED THE WORK: Moses inspected the finished work, and saw that it was all very good — it had been completed just as the LORD had commanded. This language echoes Gen 1:31: “God saw all that he had made, and it was very good.” In this correspondence of language, it may be seen that the building and furnishing of the tabernacle parallels the creation and peopling of the earth… because this was a “recreation” of God’s world.

SO MOSES BLESSED THEM: So Moses blessed the workmen in their work, just as God had blessed the man and woman in the beginning, as well as the seventh day (Gen 1:28; 2:2).

Exo 40:4

SET OUT: “Set in order” (AV). Setting “in order” is a significant thing in the service of God: Gen 22:9; Exo 26:17; 39:37; 40:4,23; Lev 1:7,8,12; 6:12; 24:8; 1Ki 18:33; 2Ki 20:1; 2Ch 13:11; 29:35; Eze 41:6; Acts 18:23; 1Co 11:34; 14:40; Tit 1:5.

Exo 40:23

SET OUT THE BREAD ON IT: “Set the bread in order” (AV). Setting “in order” is a significant thing in the service of God: Gen 22:9; Exo 26:17; 39:37; 40:4,23; Lev 1:7,8,12; 6:12; 24:8; 1Ki 18:33; 2Ki 20:1; 2Ch 13:11; 29:35; Eze 41:6; Acts 18:23; 1Co 11:34; 14:40; Tit 1:5.

Exo 40:33

AND SO MOSES FINISHED THE WORK: As God ended His work on the 7th day (Gen 2:2). The building of the Tabernacle was a first step in the “New Creation”!

Exo 35:1

Exo 35: “It would have been exciting to the nation when the tabernacle was completed. It represented the presence of the Deity in their midst, the assurance of ultimate salvation, and the redemption of the nation from the dry and howling wilderness of trial and probation to the joy of the Promised Land. Moses records: [1] The people are reminded of their spiritual obligations: vv 1-3. [2] Free gifts solicited for the tabernacle: vv 4-19. [3] The people willingly respond: vv 20-29. [4] The workmen called to their labour: vv 30-35.

“The people express their enthusiasm in generosity. They gave according to their ability to do so (v 24). Their hearts were stirred and their spirits made willing (v 21). Men were chosen for their special skills and were expected to use those gifts (vv 30-35). Thus these gifts were for God. They originated in a willing heart (vv 21, 22, 26). The gifts were supplied according to opportunity (vv 10, 24, 25, 35). They resulted in abundance supplied to Yahweh (Exo 36:5-7), and set forth a remarkable lesson for generosity in the work of the Truth. That generosity is seen in a willing offering, not in a self-satisfying labour” (GEM).

Exo 35:5

EVERYONE WHO IS WILLING: “Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver” (2Co 9:7).

Exo 35:7

SEA COWS: Heb “tachashim”. Translated, variously, “sea cows” (NIV; WEB); “dugongs” (mg); “porpoises” (NASB); “seals” (JPS); or “badgers” (KJV; Roth). The general scholarly consensus on the word is that it is Egyptian in origin. The Arabic word “duhas” refers to a dolphin. They are common in the Red Sea; their skins are used for clothing by the Bedouin. The word has also been connected to an Egyptian word for “leather” (BDB). This is followed by NRSV and NET (“fine leather”).

Exo 35:13

THE BREAD OF THE PRESENCE: “The bread of the face(s)”, or “shewbread” (AV). Called also “perpetual bread” (Num 4:7).

Exo 35:20

Vv 20-29: Without a willing mind, costly offerings would be abhorred. With it, the smallest will be accepted. Our hearts are willing, when we cheerfully assist in promoting the truth both by giving our money and our time and our labor. The women who spun the goats’ hair were wise-hearted, because they did it heartily to the Lord. Thus anyone who attends to his work in the faith and fear of God, may be as wise, for his place, as anyone else, and be equally accepted of the Lord. Our wisdom and duty consist in giving God the glory and use of our talents, be they many or few: “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God” (1Co 10:31).

Exo 35:22

As part of a (symbolic) “New Creation”, the Tabernacle was to have gold and jewels (cp Gen 2:11,12).

Idolatry and immorality are often linked to such items of jewelry in the ancient Near East. The gold ornaments obtained from the Egyptians (Exo 3:22; 11:2; 12:35) were actually plunder (Exo 12:36). Possibly the gold ornaments had a direct association with the false worship of the Egyptians (cp Amo 5:26). And so the putting off of Israel’s ornaments and jewelry was an appropriate act of repentance, because these ornaments were similar to those which had been contributed to make the golden calf (Exo 32:2-4). These images seem to have had an idolatrous association with the past, with pagan gods. Thus, to put off these ornaments was to show Israel’s repentance over the golden calf incident.

It looks as though the Israelites never again put on these ornaments: “So the Israelites stripped off their ornaments at Mount Horeb” (Exo 33:6). Probably these ornaments, which the Israelites put off here, were later offered to God to be used for the furnishings of the Tabernacle (Exo 35:21,22). As implements of idolatry, these golden ornaments were fit only for destruction. But as tokens of Israel’s repentance, these ornaments were fit for use in the Tabernacle furnishings, in the very presence of God. In this way the “idols” of Egypt were still made to serve the One true God!

Exo 35:23

SEA COWS: Heb “tachashim”. Translated, variously, “sea cows” (NIV; WEB); “dugongs” (mg); “porpoises” (NASB); “seals” (JPS); or “badgers” (KJV; Roth). The general scholarly consensus on the word is that it is Egyptian in origin. The Arabic word “duhas” refers to a dolphin. They are common in the Red Sea; their skins are used for clothing by the Bedouin. The word has also been connected to an Egyptian word for “leather” (BDB). This is followed by NRSV and NET (“fine leather”).

Exo 35:30

Vv 30-35: See Lesson, Carpenter and tentmaker.

Exo 36:1

Exo 36 — Exo 39: These chs describe the manufacture of the tabernacle and its furniture — the pattern for which Moses had received when he was in the mount. Earlier, the order in which the elements of the tabernacle were described was from the center out, the construction begins at the outside and works inwards. Reason: when the instructions were given, it was from God’s point of view; when the work was done, it was from man’s point of view!

Vv 1,2: “We have here a double insight into what makes people give their time and work to the service of the LORD. On the one hand (v 1), it is God who put the wisdom into their hearts, and on the other (v 2) it was everyone whose heart stirred him up to come to the work. These two are synonymous because the man whose heart is right before the LORD will do His will as if it was his own. We do well to remember that we do nothing in our own strength and there is certainly no room for pride in ourselves if we work the works of God. All must be done in humility and reverence of His great creative power by which all things consist” (PC).

Exo 36:2

TO WHOM THE LORD HAS GIVEN SKILL AND ABILITY: Those who have received ability from the Lord are at the same time being called to the building of the LORD’s “tabernacle” — which is the house in which he dwells, the community of believers.

AND WHO WAS WILLING TO COME AND DO THE WORK: Ability and willingness, along with resolution, are the tools to be desired in the call of workers in the vineyard, of builders in God’s house. The talents we are entrusted with must not be tucked away in a napkin, but put to use. Why do we have our gifts, if not to do good with them?

Exo 36:3

The materials which the people had contributed were delivered by Moses to the workmen. They could not “create” a tabernacle — they could not make it out of nothing — they could not work, unless they had something to work with and upon. And so the people therefore brought the materials and Moses put them into the hands of the builders.

Exo 36:5

Morning after morning (v 3) the people brought more freewill offerings, until there was more than enough. What a testimonial to their loving service, and to their desire to forward the work of the building. Like the Macedonians at a much later date, “their overflowing joy… welled up in rich generosity… [and] they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own, they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the saints. And they did not do as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then to us in keeping with God’s will” (2Co 8:2-5).

Exo 36:6

“NO MAN OR WOMAN IS TO MAKE ANYTHING ELSE AS AN OFFERING FOR THE SANCTUARY.” AND SO THE PEOPLE WERE RESTRAINED FROM BRINGING MORE: The reason being given in the following verse: “because what they already had was more than enough to do all the work.” “I’m sure people haven’t changed that much. If this was one of our ecclesias, this superabundance would have been provided by those who are the regular workers, those who get stuck in to ecclesial activities right from the start. There would have been some, surely, who, when hearing the request from Moses to stop providing as there was enough, would be in the embarrassing position of not even having started. There has to be a lesson here for us. Consider Heb 3:7-15, with particular attention to the word ‘Today’ ” (PC).

Exo 36:10

Vv 10-18: Notice the repeated use of the words for “join” and “together” in this section — an allusion to the unity of the Body of Christ.

Exo 36:19

SEA COWS: Heb “tachashim”. Translated, variously, “sea cows” (NIV; WEB); “dugongs” (mg); “porpoises” (NASB); “seals” (JPS); or “badgers” (KJV; Roth). The general scholarly consensus on the word is that it is Egyptian in origin. The Arabic word “duhas” refers to a dolphin. They are common in the Red Sea; their skins are used for clothing by the Bedouin. The word has also been connected to an Egyptian word for “leather” (BDB). This is followed by NRSV and NET (“fine leather”).

Exo 37:1

“[The] first and most characteristic feature [of the ark] is its capacity as a container. It was constructed to receive the tables of the law, inscribed by the finger of God: and afterwards were placed in it Aaron’s rod that budded, and a golden pot containing a sample of the manna with which God fed Israel in the wilderness for forty years. On the basis of which things concealed in the ark, rested the blood-sprinkled cover lid or mercy-seat, overshadowed by the cherubic figures bearing the glory of God.

“Taking these items separately, we shall see the most perfect correspondence between shadow and substance. The Christ-body [meaning ‘all of those believers joined together in Christ’] in the largest sense is a container and not a mere utensil of beauty. It is not a mere society of beautiful men and women ignorant of God and interested only in themselves. It is a society with internal contents to make it precious to God and advantageous to man.

“First of all, the law of God, as represented by the tables of stone, is enshrined in every heart. It is this that distinguishes them from the ordinary run of human beings. The ordinary run of human beings is fitly described in the words of Paul: ‘The natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God. They are foolishness unto him’ (1Co 2:14). Also, ‘The carnal mind is enmity against God. It is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be’ (Rom 8:7). What a dreadful picture. It is ugly and true. A man that is not subject to the law of God is an abortion even now: how much more if such a one were immortal. Such a one cannot become immortal. The ark with its tables of stone inside is a prophecy that excludes it. It is obedience to divine law that makes a man beautiful to man and well-pleasing to God, and fit for divine use in the age to come. The purpose is to give the earth into the hands of an order of men who have learnt obedience as the first law. Paul testifies that even Christ ‘learnt obedience by the things which he suffered’ (Heb 5:8), and Peter describes the accepted members of his body as ‘obedient children, not fashioning themselves according to the former lusts in their ignorance’ (1Pe 1:14). The Psalms are full of the enunciation of this principle: indeed we may say it shines everywhere in the Scriptures: ‘The mouth of the righteous speaketh wisdom, and his tongue talketh of judgment. The law of his God is in his heart: none of his steps shall slide’ (Psa 37:30). Christ affirmed of himself that it was his meat and his drink to do the will of Him that sent him” (LM 110,111).

Exo 37:29

THE SACRED ANOINTING OIL: This oil was not for use in the tabernacle, but for anointing the priests in order to sanctify them. It was made of 2 parts myrrh, 2 parts cassia and 1 part sweet calamus (Exo 30:23,24), and these were mixed “according to the work of the apothecary” (AV), or “perfumer”. The smell created symbolically a purity for the priests (Exo 30:25-38). Consider also Psa 23:5; 92:10; Isa 61:1-3; 2Co 1:21,22; 1Jo 2:27.

Exo 32:1

13 murmurings: Exo 5:21; 14:10; 15:24; 16:2; 17:2; 32:1; Num 11:1,4; 12:2; 14:2; 16:3; 20:2; 21:5. Cp Joh 6:41-43. Those who murmur without cause are soon given cause to murmur.

Exo 32: Parallel to Joh 3:31-36 (per WGos 100,101).

MOSES WAS SO LONG IN COMING DOWN: “My lord delayeth his coming” (Luk 12:45).

MAKE US GODS: “Make us a king” (1Sa 8:5).

WHO WILL GO BEFORE US: In place of the pillars of cloud and fire (Exo 13:21).

“Only 40 days earlier all Israel had gathered at the base of Mt Sinai, prepared and ready to hear the words God would speak to them. God spoke to them from on the mountain and he gave them the Ten Commandments. The first two of the Ten Commandments were, ‘You shall have no other gods before me’, and ‘You shall not make any idols.’ The experience of the voice of God was so awesome to Israel that they begged Moses to speak to the LORD alone because they couldn’t bear to hear him again. We would have thought that what they had heard would have been indelibly engraved on their memories after all they had experienced.

“But now, after only 40 days, it seems they had forgotten all that had happened to them. The people got Aaron to make them a god, a calf, which they worshipped as bringing them out of Egypt, breaking the first two to the ten commandments they had so recently heard.

“How long are our memories? Does the Word of God have a lasting effect on us? Will the lessons of a Bible School or a good Bible study stay with us for more than a month? Let us continually refresh our memories by constantly turning to God’s word so that we will not forget what we have heard” (RP).

Exo 32:2

The support of a false religion, demanding outlay of great wealth. (Cp temple with buying and selling and money-changing.)

Exo 32:3

EARRINGS: Sym betrothal (ie to God): Gen 24:47; Hos 2:13; Eze 16:12.

Exo 32:4

IN THE SHAPE OF A CALF… THESE ARE YOUR GODS: Was the calf a conscious imitation of one figure of the cherubim?

CALF: Joseph is associated with bull calf, with grain above head, because he saved Egypt (Gen 41:45n). Joseph promises Jews would eventually leave Egypt (Gen 50:24n). His bones were carried up out of Egypt (Exo 13:19). Joseph came to be worshiped by an ungodly, superstitious nation, who desired a greater hero than Moses.

Exo 32:7

HAVE BECOME CORRUPT: “Have corrupted themselves” (AV); or “me” (cp Deu 4:14-19).

Exo 32:18

NOT THE SOUND OF VICTORY.. .OF DEFEAT: But it was “war”, war against God!

THE SOUND OF SINGING: Moses recognizes the hollow, heated song of Egyptian idolatry.

Exo 32:19

HE THREW THE TABLETS OUT OF HIS HANDS, BREAKING THEM TO PIECES AT THE FOOT OF THE MOUNTAIN: “What we need today is not anger, but anguish, the kind of anguish that Moses displayed when he broke the two tablets of the law and then climbed the mountain to intercede for his people, or that Jesus displayed when He cleansed the temple and then wept over the city. The difference between anger and anguish is a broken heart. It’s easy to get angry, especially at somebody else’s sins; but it’s not easy to look at sin, our own included, and weep over it” (WW Wiersbe).

Exo 32:24

AND OUT CAME THIS CALF!: Such a great understatement! Note the weakness and futility of Aaronic priesthood: its dependence on external symbols.

Exo 32:30

Vv 30-33: Where the prophets of Israel witnessed against the spiritual abuses among their contemporaries they did so while still continuing full fellowship with those whom they denounced. More than this, the examples of Moses (Exo 32:30-33), Daniel (Dan 9:5-14), Nehemiah (Neh 1:6,7), Jeremiah (Jer 3:25; 9:1), and Ezra (Ezr 9:6,7,13) show these men intimately associated with the people whom they reprimanded, even so far as confessing the sins of the nation as though they were their own. Here is the spirit of true fellowship, or sharing, by which those most exercised against error bear the burdens of their brethren, and strive with them as partners — not outsiders — to defeat the enervating effects of sin.

Exo 32:32

Moses acts as intercessor for the whole nation. Cp Jesus (“Father, forgive them”); Rom 9:1-3; Jer 9:1; Joh 12:48.

PLEASE FORGIVE THEIR SIN: “If thou wilt forgive their sin” (AV). ‘If thou wilt forgive, then I will… (give something in return? But I can give nothing)…’ A better-than-Moses was needed to insure forgiveness of sins: the prophet like Moses (Deu 18:15-18).

THE BOOK YOU HAVE WRITTEN: “The figure of a book of remembrance runs through the Scripture. It is a figure, for the Eternal God neither changes nor forgets. But the thought is full of comfort for those who fear God. The earliest reference is in the words of Moses when with self-effacing love for the people for whom he was mediator, he pleaded that God should blot out their sin — and if not, that he should be blotted out of the book which God had written. In the Messianic Psalm (Psa 69) the persecutors are to be blotted out of the book of life, and not written with the righteous (Psa 69:28). Isaiah speaks of some ‘written among the living in Jerusalem’ (Isa 4:3). Daniel anticipates the use of the phrase in the Apocalypse when he speaks about the deliverance of ‘those found written in the book’ (Dan 12:1; Rev 3:5; 13:8; 21:27; 22:19). The Lord himself refers to men’s names written in heaven as the ground for their greatest joy (Luk 10:20); while Paul thinks of his fellow-labourers ‘whose names are in the book of life’ (Phi 4:3)” (PAE 206,207).

Exo 33:6

SO THE ISRAELITES STRIPPED OFF THEIR ORNAMENTS AT MOUNT HOREB: Idolatry and immorality are often linked to such items of jewelry in the ancient Near East. The gold ornaments obtained from the Egyptians (Exo 3:22; 11:2; 12:35) were actually plunder (Exo 12:36). Possibly the gold ornaments had a direct association with the false worship of the Egyptians (cp Amo 5:26). And so the putting off of Israel’s ornaments and jewelry was an appropriate act of repentance, because these ornaments were similar to those which had been contributed to make the golden calf (Exo 32:2-4). These images seem to have had an idolatrous association with the past, with pagan gods. Thus, to put off these ornaments was to show Israel’s repentance over the golden calf incident.

It looks as though the Israelites never again put on these ornaments: “So the Israelites stripped off their ornaments at Mount Horeb” (Exo 33:6). Probably these ornaments, which the Israelites put off here, were later offered to God to be used for the furnishings of the Tabernacle (Exo 35:21,22). As implements of idolatry, these golden ornaments were fit only for destruction. But as tokens of Israel’s repentance, these ornaments were fit for use in the Tabernacle furnishings, in the very presence of God, Here the “idols” of Egypt were still made to serve to One true God!

Exo 33:7

A TENT: “His own tent” (LXX). Moses dwelt separate from the nation, and for a time his tent was the center of divine revelation (cp Exo 18:7; Num 11:24; 12:4; WBS 167). “God would not dwell among them, though He would not forsake them” (GbS 85).

AND PITCH IT OUTSIDE THE CAMP SOME DISTANCE AWAY… ANYONE INQUIRING OF THE LORD WOULD GO TO THE TENT OF MEETING OUTSIDE THE CAMP: There are times when God is forced to stand aside from His people — it is not His choice, but rather His mercy that causes Him to do this. The cause, of course, is the sinfulness of the people. God felt an urge to consume them — to punish them (vv 3,5), and remained merciful only by distancing Himself from their evil practices, thus giving them a chance to repent. As a consequence of this, and to represent it in a real way to the people, Moses takes the tabernacle outside the camp, so that those who wish may make an effort to turn to God and be saved. Jesus, who was slain without the camp, is the same for us — he is distanced from man’s evil, yet still available for those who wish to go “outside the camp” to meet with him. Consider Psa 10:1; 35:22; Isa 59:2; Deu 4:29; Isa 55:6,7; Heb 13:11-13.

Exo 33:8

They were anxiously aware that something momentous might happen soon.

Exo 33:11

FACE TO FACE: Moses spoke with angelic messenger (Act 7:30,35,38,53) “face to face”.

Exo 33:16

Cp Exo 32:32: “Do not cast away your people Israel.”

Exo 33:18

SHOW ME YOUR GLORY: “This should be our constant prayer. This is the power of redemption and transformation. God is glorious to behold, glorious in fellowship and comfort and beauty and hope and joy. How dimly our dull flesh perceives His infinite gloriousness! But to perceive it, and to be drawn to it, and transformed by it, is Life Eternal. What has anything in this poor life to compare with the joy of that glory? Look up, and let it transform you” (GVG).

Exo 33:19

“No man has seen God at any time” (1Ti 1:17; 6:16). But Christ has “interpreted” him (Joh 1:18). Cp Num 12:8: “he sees the form of the LORD.”

Exo 33:21

Vv 21-23: Typ death and resurrection of Christ, a “prophet like Moses” (Deu 18:15-18). Hidden in cleft of rock, waiting until God’s glory passes by to revive him, then appearing to his brethren second time to bring a new law.

THERE IS A PLACE NEAR ME: “To him who overcomes, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I overcame and sat down with my Father on his throne” (Rev 3:21).

Exo 33:22

“Rock of ages, cleft for me…”

Exo 33:23

MY BACK: The “after part” or “after glow” of God’s glory. As we may see a glorious sunset after the sun is gone. Ct 2Co 4:6: the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

Exo 34:4

EARLY IN THE MORNING: Early prayers and devotions: Abraham got up very early to stand before the Lord (Gen 19:27). Jacob woke up with the first light of the morning to worship God after having seen a vision of angels in the night (Gen 28:18). Moses went early to meet the Lord at Sinai (Exo 34:4). Joshua got an early start when he prepared to capture Jericho (Jos 6:12). Gideon made his way at dawn to examine the fleece he had placed on the ground to discern Yahweh’s will (Jdg 6:38). Job left his bed at an early hour to offer sacrifices to the Lord in behalf of his children (Job 1:5).

Exo 34:9

Lord (twice): The orig “Yahweh” altered to “Adonai” by Sopherim (Com App 32).

Exo 34:14

Marriage with unbelievers causes many problems: Gen 27:46; Deu 7:1-4; Exo 34:14-16; 1Ki 11:1-4; 1Co 7:39; 2Co 6:14-17. See Lesson, Marriage “only in the Lord”.

Exo 34:20

NO ONE IS TO APPEAR BEFORE ME EMPTY-HANDED: “When the Israelites went to appear before the LORD at their feast days, on the Sabbaths or at personal times of dedication, we are told that ‘no one is to appear before me (the LORD) empty handed.’ At any and all of these times they were to bring an offering to God.

“Sometimes we think that the Law doesn’t apply to us anymore, but this is a principle we would be wise to follow. Just as the Israelites had to bring an offering to the LORD when they came before him, so we should also bring an offering when we meet with him. How often do we go to a Sunday Morning service completely unprepared? We go along, sit in our seats and expect to be fed, entertained or made to feel good. We haven’t given any thought to what might be said, what we can do to make the service more effective, how we can encourage someone else, or even prayed a prayer of thanksgiving, praise or asked God to bless the meeting. Are we presuming to appear before the LORD empty-handed?

“Instead, let us make sure that when we meet with the LORD we bring our offering — whatever it may be. It may be the sacrifice of praise, the incense of prayer, a gift of encouragement, the willingness to work or even just simply having prepared our minds. ‘No one is to appear before the LORD empty-handed’ ” (RP).

Exo 34:24

Although they deserted their land, etc to their enemies often, it was not taken. Proof of God’s protecting hand over the Jews.

Exo 34:26

DO NOT COOK A YOUNG GOAT IN ITS MOTHER’S MILK: Found in Exo 23:19; 34:26 and Deu 14:21. Five possibilities: (1) The mother would suffer from still producing milk, with no offspring to nurse. (2) The Canaanites worshiped milk as coming from certain goddesses (ie, keep away from worship of idols of land). (3) A prohibition against imitating the superstitious rites of the Egyptians, who, at the end of their harvest, cooked a kid in its mother’s milk and sprinkled the broth as a magical charm on their gardens and fields, to render them more productive the following season (JFB). (4) The suckling should not be killed so young, cut off in its prime. (Christ the sacrifice suffered in the midst of his own people.) (5) Do not “destroy” your child with the “milk” of excessive kindness/coddling!

Exo 34:33

Vv 33-35: Moses’ face reflected God’s glory. But the brightness faded, like the Mosaic Law itself. To hide this fading, Moses hid his face with the veil. Symbolically, the ordinary Jew never realized that the glory of the Law was only temporary. Cp 2Co 3:13-16; 4:4-6. Ct Jesus (Joh 3:34), to whom God gave not His Spirit by measure.