Commentary on "Worship and Dedication"

PHIL HARRIS

 

Day 3: Monday, October 12, 2009

 

Overview

With the tabernacle in mind, today's lesson focuses on how Moses had the privilege of direct communication with God who spoke to him from above the mercy seat.

The introduction then ends with the statement:

"The law provided the worshipers an insight into the character of God, in addition to stipulating His righteous requirements."

 

Problems

Much of the lesson is pretty straight forward. However, there are several important points that have been overlooked or avoided. Moses had direct communion with God prior to the tabernacle, mercy seat or ark of the covenant being in existence. Therefore, it can be concluded that the law, contained below the mercy seat, had nothing to do with the privilege Moses had in his approach and communication with God. Moses talked with God in many other situations. When Moses went to the top of Mount Nebo and God showed him the Promise Land, he certainly was no where near the mercy seat or any part of the tabernacle.

And the Lord said to him, "This is the land of which I swore to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, 'I will give it to your offspring.' I have let you see it with your eyes, but you shall not go over there." (Deut. 34:4 ESV)

The "Ten Commandments", written in stone as a symbol of the covenant with Israel, had nothing to do with God's desire to have direct communication with Moses.

Since the veil was torn from top to bottom at the death of Jesus Christ on the cross, there has been no separation of the holy from the holy of holies. This means that we have had direct access to God for the better part of the past two thousand years.

And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice and yielded up his spirit. And behold, the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. And the earth shook, and the rocks were split. (Matt. 27:50,51 ESV)

But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. (I Peter 2:9 ESV)

As Christians, those who are part of the Kingdom of God, we are members of a royal priesthood. This means that each person who is a Christian has direct access to the throne of God and have had this privilege at least as long as Jesus sat down at the right hand of the Father almost two thousand years ago.

But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God, (Heb. 10:12 ESV)

 

Summary

1. Moses' approach to God at the mercy seat was not the basis upon which God initiated communication with him. If you recall, God originally confronted Moses at the 'burning bush', which had nothing to do with the law that was yet to be given.
2. Our approach and communication with God is based solely upon the salvation provided by Jesus Christ. We are covered by the blood of Jesus Christ. There is no other requirement.
3. It should not be overlooked that this did not take place in 1844. That is, to be sitting at the right hand of the Father means Jesus has been in the holiest place possible for nearly two thousand years. Once Jesus sat down at his Father's side, there was no place holier that he could be located.

 

GO TO DAY 4

 

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