Commentary on "Worship and Dedication"

PHIL HARRIS

 

Day 1: Sabbath Afternoon, October 10, 2009

 

Overview

The memory text for this week is:

Each one must give as he has made up his mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. (II Cor. 9:7 ESV)

The topic for this week centers of the dedication of the tabernacle. The author makes a point of directing our attention to the vast differences between the Hebrews in the wilderness and our modern culture. But then, makes the following statement:

"Indeed, the basic truths taught to them through their rites and rituals are, in principle, the same ones we are to learn today."

 

Problems

While each element related to the tabernacle and the tabernacle service portrays some aspect of the ministry of Jesus Christ, this was not clearly understood during the time of Moses or even during the time Jesus walked here on our earth. For example, read John Chapter Three and you will learn of the lack of understanding that Nicodemus had, who was "a ruler of the Jews". When told by Jesus that you must be "born again" before you could become a part of the Kingdom of God, he had no understanding of what Jesus was teaching.

Nicodemus said to him, "How can these things be?" Jesus answered him, "Are you the teacher of Israel and yet you do not understand these things? (John 3:9,10 ESV)

Furthermore, in Galatians, we learn that there are two covenants. One is of the "slave woman" and the other is of the "free woman".

For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by a slave woman and one by a free woman. But the son of the slave was born according to the flesh, while the son of the free woman was born through promise. Now this may be interpreted allegorically: these women are two covenants. One is from Mount Sinai, bearing children for slavery; she is Hagar. Now Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia; she corresponds to the present Jerusalem, for she is in slavery with her children. But the Jerusalem above is free, and she is our mother. (Gal. 4:22-26 ESV)

Notice that Mount Sinai, in other words, all those under the law given at Mount Sinai are sons of "the slave woman". Now, let us focus on how Paul concludes this chapter in Galatians:

But what does the Scripture say? "Cast out the slave woman and her son, for the son of the slave woman shall not inherit with the son of the free woman." So, brothers, we are not children of the slave but of the free woman. (Gal. 4:30,31 ESV)

The one overriding problem with anyone attempting to live under the law, the law given at Mount Sinai, is the need for it to be kept totally and perfectly.

For all who rely on works of the law are under a curse; for it is written, "Cursed be everyone who does not abide by all things written in the Book of the Law, and do them." (Gal. 3:10 ESV)

 

Summary

1. To understand the prophetic meaning and application of the tabernacle and the service related to it, one must read and understand the words of Jesus Christ as recorded in the New Testament. The New Testament explains the Old Testament and not the other way around.
2. The chronic apostasy on the part of the Hebrew people throughout their history displays a lack of 'the faith of Abraham' in their approach to God.
3. The Mosaic Law given at Mount Sinai, and all the practices related to it, are best understood as slavery under 'the bond woman'. It is a curse to be 'under the law' unless you can perfectly keep all of the law. The point is that only Jesus Christ could do this.
4. The Christian faith is allegorically centered on Sarah, the 'free woman', through whom the promises of God given to Abraham, are fulfilled only by Jesus Christ.
5. Each person is encouraged to read and understand the whole book of Galatians. The heart of this message will set you free.

 

GO TO DAY 2

 

Copyright 2009 BibleStudiesForAdventists.com. All rights reserved. Revised September 29, 2009. This website is published by Life Assurance Ministries, Glendale, Arizona, USA, the publisher of Proclamation! Magazine. Contact email: BibleStudiesForAdventists@gmail.com.

The Sabbath School Bible Study Guide and the corresponding E.G. White Notes are published by Pacific Press Publishing Association, which is owned and operated by the Seventh-day Adventist church. The current quarter's editions are pictured above.

 

Official Adventist Resources

Standard Edition Study Guide Week 3

Teacher's Edition Study Guide Week 3

Easy Reading Edition Study Guide Week 3

Search the Complete Published Ellen G. White Writings