Christian Churches of God

Law and the First Commandment (No. 253)

(Edition 1.1 19981005-20050522)

The first element of the First Great Commandment is what we understand as the First Commandment of the Ten Commandments. This law is developed by an entire body of legislation which goes to make up the Law of God.

 


Christian Churches of God

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(Copyright ã 1998, 2005 Wade Cox)

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Law and the First Commandment

The First Commandment in legislation

We see that the First Great Commandment is predicated on the First Commandment. The entire faith is predicated on the fear and worship of the One True God. He revealed Himself in His law at Sinai through the Angel of Yahovah, who was the elohim at the head of Israel (Zech. 12:8).

Exodus 20:18-21 And all the people saw the thunderings, and the lightnings, and the noise of the trumpet, and the mountain smoking: and when the people saw it, they removed, and stood afar off. 19 And they said unto Moses, Speak thou with us, and we will hear: but let not God speak with us, lest we die. 20 And Moses said unto the people, Fear not: for God is come to prove you, and that his fear may be before your faces, that ye sin not. 21 And the people stood afar off, and Moses drew near unto the thick darkness where God was. (KJV)

Thus the power of God was set before them as an example because they did not have the Holy Spirit and could not, as a people, walk by faith alone.

The undivided word

God’s word is undivided going to just measure and rightly determined truth (Lev. 19:36, 37). We are to keep all His statutes, for He is the Lord which hallows us, for He has chosen us to be His people (Lev. 20:8; 22:31-33; Deut. 7:6-8; 8:1-18; 10:14-17; 11:1-8; 13:18; 26:16-19).

The Lord our God is a consuming fire and He goes before us to save and protect us. Israel went into Egypt as 70 people and now we are a multitude in the earth (Deut. 9:1-6; 10:21, 22).

Laws of covenant membership

The laws of covenant membership are contained, or addressed, in the following Scriptures.

[Ex. 20:1-3; Gen. 17:1, 9, 14; 18:17-19; Rom. 4:9-12; Col. 2:11-13; Lev. 12:3; Ex. 12:48-49; Lk. 1:59; 2:21, 24; Phil. 3:5; Gal. 2:3; Deut. 10:16; Jer. 4:4; 6:10; Rom. 2:28-29; Col. 2:11; Lev. ch. 12; Ex. 40:12; Lev. ch. 15; 16:26, 28; 17:15; 22:4, 6; Num. 19:8; Ezek. 36:25, 26; Jer. 31:31-34; Ex. ch. 12; 13:1-10, 11-16; Num. 9:1-14; Deut. 16:3, 4; Ex. 23:18; 1Cor. 5:7, 8; Gen. 15:1-21; Jn. 15:13; Rom. 6:23; Ps. 49:7, 8; Lev. 17:11; Mk. 10:45; Acts 20:28; Jn. 10:17-18; Lk. 22:37; Isa. 53:12; 1Cor. 11:27-30; Gen. 9:5, 6; Ex. 13:1, 2; Deut. 15:19-20; Rom. 11:16; Ex. 4:22, 23; Deut. 14:23; 15:19-22; 23:8; Lev. 23:10, 17; Deut. 26:1-11; Rom. 8:13; 11:16; Rom. 8:23; Rev. 14:4; Ex. 9:29; Deut. 10:14; Ps. 24:1; 1Cor. 10:26; Ex. 36:3-7; Lev. 22:21]; (cf. the paper The Covenant of God (No. 152)).

Perfection

God said to Abraham that he was the Almighty God and ordered him to walk before Him and to be perfect (Gen. 17:1).

He is to be known by His name as Yahovah (Ex. 6:3). All beings are subject to the higher powers and we are determined as His people (cf. Rom. 13:1-6).

The First Commandment and the Shema Israel

Hear O Israel Yahovah Elohenu (is) Yahovah Echad (Deut. 6:4). Yahovah Elohenu is Yahovah United; as the first or ordinal one, the Prime Yahovah (cf. Strong’s Hebrew Dictionary SHD 259).

In order to partake of the covenant, we are required to separate ourselves in worship as Abraham was required to do (Gen. 12:1). We are required to worship and serve Him (Deut. 10:12, 13; Mat. 22:37; Mk. 12:30; Lk. 10:27). God is our king, but we are bound to His law and we are not to do what is right in our own eyes (Jgs. 17:6; 21:25; Deut. 12:8).

The Service of God through the Son is determined from Scripture (Ps. 2:11, 12).

The Lord is constant and changes not (Mal. 3:6).

We wear blue ribbons as a reminder of the Law and as a sign of our faithfulness to God (Num. 15:37-41) (cf. the paper Blue Ribbons (No. 273)).

The Law of God is to be bound on our heart, as frontlets between our eyes and on our hands (Deut. 11:18-20). This takes constant study. They are not physical symbols.

The Lord is slow to anger but will not acquit the wicked, and He is a jealous God (Nah. 1:1-3; Rom. 13:4)

You shall not tempt the Lord thy God (Deut. 6:16; Mat. 4:7, 10). You shall fear God, Him shall you serve and you shall cleave to Him (Deut 10:20). He feeds us with manna (Deut. 8:3) and the word of His mouth, in all our journeys (Mat. 4:4; Ex. 17:1-7).

The law provides that no person who worships other deities and worships them in the practice of witchcraft is to be permitted to live.

Exodus 22:18 Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live. (KJV)

Witchcraft was communion with the spirits of the dead and manifested itself also as the pagan system of worship.

Exodus 22:20 He that sacrificeth unto any god, save unto the LORD only, he shall be utterly destroyed. (KJV)

The object of worship was Yahovah of Hosts as Eloah. All spiritual beings acting for Him carried that name of Yahovah. He, and not they, was the one central object of worship. The beings both spiritual and physical, who acted for Him, were all elohim as an extension of the One True God, Eloah, THE ELOHIM. No one was to rebel against them or revile them.

Exodus 22:28-31 Thou shalt not revile the gods, nor curse the ruler of thy people. 29 Thou shalt not delay to offer the first of thy ripe fruits, and of thy liquors: the firstborn of thy sons shalt thou give unto me. 30 Likewise shalt thou do with thine oxen, and with thy sheep: seven days it shall be with his dam; on the eighth day thou shalt give it me. 31 And ye shall be holy men unto me: neither shall ye eat any flesh that is torn of beasts in the field; ye shall cast it to the dogs. (KJV)

In like manner the firstfruits were to be promptly given, as they belonged to God. In this way extension into the other commandments is seen as coming from the first commandment

In the same way the feasts and the entire system extended from the worship of the One True God.

Exodus 23:17 Three times in the year all thy males shall appear before the Lord GOD. (KJV)

Exodus 23:20-33 Behold, I send an Angel before thee, to keep thee in the way, and to bring thee into the place which I have prepared. 21 Beware of him, and obey his voice, provoke him not; for he will not pardon your transgressions: for my name is in him. 22 But if thou shalt indeed obey his voice, and do all that I speak; then I will be an enemy unto thine enemies, and an adversary unto thine adversaries. 23 For mine Angel shall go before thee, and bring thee in unto the Amorites, and the Hittites, and the Perizzites, and the Canaanites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites: and I will cut them off. 24 Thou shalt not bow down to their gods, nor serve them, nor do after their works: but thou shalt utterly overthrow them, and quite break down their images. 25 And ye shall serve the LORD your God, and he shall bless thy bread, and thy water; and I will take sickness away from the midst of thee. 26 There shall nothing cast their young, nor be barren, in thy land: the number of thy days I will fulfil. 27 I will send my fear before thee, and will destroy all the people to whom thou shalt come, and I will make all thine enemies turn their backs unto thee. 28 And I will send hornets before thee, which shall drive out the Hivite, the Canaanite, and the Hittite, from before thee. 29 I will not drive them out from before thee in one year; lest the land become desolate, and the beast of the field multiply against thee. 30 By little and little I will drive them out from before thee, until thou be increased, and inherit the land. 31 And I will set thy bounds from the Red sea even unto the sea of the Philistines, and from the desert unto the river: for I will deliver the inhabitants of the land into your hand; and thou shalt drive them out before thee. 32 Thou shalt make no covenant with them, nor with their gods. 33 They shall not dwell in thy land, lest they make thee sin against me: for if thou serve their gods, it will surely be a snare unto thee. (KJV)

God set the Angel of Yahovah before them and he was to be obeyed. If they obeyed him and worshipped the One True God and Him alone, He would protect and bless them and He promised here, that He would give them the land from the Red Sea to the Euphrates and from the Mediterranean to the Desert. They would also become as elohim, as this angel at their head (Zech. 12:8).

The Angel of the Lord

The Angel of the Lord is dealt with in the following Scriptures (Gen 16:10, 13; 18:2-4, 13, 14, 33; 22:11, 12, 15, 16; 31:11, 13; 32:30; Josh. 5:13-15; 6:2; Isa. 63:9; Zech. 1:10-13; 3:1-2).

(New Testament references: Acts 5:19; 12:7-11; 1Cor. 10:9; Rev. 22:18-19)

The basic underlying battle is concerned with two systems of worship. The worship of God versus the system of Moloch is reflected in the Christmas and Easter system.

God v Moloch

The Scriptures concerning this battle are contained in the following Scriptures:

[Deut. 18:9-22; 13:1-4; Lev. 18:21; 19:26, 31; Deut. 12:29-32; 1Kgs. 11:7, 33; Zeph. 1:4, 5; Jer. 32:35; 49:1, 3; 1Kgs. 6:5, 33; 11:7, 8; 1Sam. 8:7-9, 11-18; 28:1-25; 15:10-35; Isa. 47:10-14; Deut. 12:23; Acts 15:20; Gen. 9:6; Lev. 17:10-14; Deut. 12:15, 16; 1Cor. 10:16; Ephes. 2:13; Heb. 9:14, 22; 10:19, 20; 1Pet. 1:2, 29; 1Jn. 1:7; Rev. 7:14; 12:11; Lev. 19:2; 11:44; 20:26; 1Thes. 4:7; 1Pet. 1:15, 16; Ex. 20:8; Zech. 14:21; 2Cor. 7:1; Deut. 13:1-18; 18:13-22; Isa. 8:18, 19].

Tithing

God set His system of tithing in its entirety as a sign of our return and faithfulness to Him (cf. Mal. 3:7-12) (cf. the paper Tithing (No. 161)).

The children of Judah entered not in because of unbelief (Heb. 4:6). Even so God (elohim) was tested and accepted by the patriarchs (Gen. 28:20-22).

The tithe system extended to tribute and spoils of war (Num. 31:25-54). The tithe system was established to enable the system of worship to be observed (Deut. 14:22-29) and to protect the poor (Deut. 26:12-15). The tribes are required to set a place aside for the observance of the feasts and the feasts may not be eaten within our gates (Deut. 12:6,7,17,18; cf. Deut. 16:2,7). The feasts are three in number as God’s feasts (Deut. 15:3, 10-16). His system is tied into, or based on the Jubilee system (Lev. 25:1-7; Ex. 23:11)

All that is done for God is according to a readiness of will and mind and according to ability. There must be performance on the part of any within His system, to justify the calling (2Cor. 8:12; cf. Mal. 3:7-12).

 

 

Part II

The covenant as becoming God in the Temple of God

Exodus 24:1-18 And he said unto Moses, Come up unto the LORD, thou, and Aaron, Nadab, and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel; and worship ye afar off. 2 And Moses alone shall come near the LORD: but they shall not come nigh; neither shall the people go up with him. 3 And Moses came and told the people all the words of the LORD, and all the judgments: and all the people answered with one voice, and said, All the words which the LORD hath said will we do.

Here an intermediary was established between God and His people and Moses represented in physical terms that spiritual intermediary. And the twelve pillars of the twelve tribes were representative of the twelve pillars of the Temple of God. The twelve judges were precursor to those twelve pillars, who were the apostles of the Messiah.

4 And Moses wrote all the words of the LORD, and rose up early in the morning, and builded an altar under the hill, and twelve pillars, according to the twelve tribes of Israel. 5 And he sent young men of the children of Israel, which offered burnt offerings, and sacrificed peace offerings of oxen unto the LORD. 6 And Moses took half of the blood, and put it in basons; and half of the blood he sprinkled on the altar. 7 And he took the book of the covenant, and read in the audience of the people: and they said, All that the LORD hath said will we do, and be obedient. 8 And Moses took the blood, and sprinkled it on the people, and said, Behold the blood of the covenant, which the LORD hath made with you concerning all these words.

This covenant pointed towards the covenant of blood, which was the blood of Messiah, and thus a new covenant was set up from the establishment of the first (cf. the paper The Covenant of God (No. 152)).

9 Then went up Moses, and Aaron, Nadab, and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel: 10 And they saw the God of Israel: and there was under his feet as it were a paved work of a sapphire stone, and as it were the body of heaven in his clearness. 11 And upon the nobles of the children of Israel he laid not his hand: also they saw God, and did eat and drink. 12 And the LORD said unto Moses, Come up to me into the mount, and be there: and I will give thee tables of stone, and a law, and commandments which I have written; that thou mayest teach them. 13 And Moses rose up, and his minister Joshua: and Moses went up into the mount of God. 14 And he said unto the elders, Tarry ye here for us, until we come again unto you: and, behold, Aaron and Hur are with you: if any man have any matters to do, let him come unto them. 15 And Moses went up into the mount, and a cloud covered the mount. 16 And the glory of the LORD abode upon mount Sinai, and the cloud covered it six days: and the seventh day he called unto Moses out of the midst of the cloud. 17 And the sight of the glory of the LORD was like devouring fire on the top of the mount in the eyes of the children of Israel. 18 And Moses went into the midst of the cloud, and gat him up into the mount: and Moses was in the mount forty days and forty nights. (KJV)

The Tabernacle or Temple of God was to be built from willing offerings, given by those who wished to participate in the construction. This was to point towards the willing self sacrifice of the individual, who would become part of the Temple of God; which Temple we are (1Cor. 3:17).

Exodus 25:1-40 [TO BE READ IN FULL]

Exodus 25:1-40 deals with the building of the Tabernacle. The offerings to be given were specific for the needs of the building, but were to be given willingly. The instructions for building the tabernacle were clear and included the furnishings. These instructions were to be followed exactly.

The structure of the ten curtains was reflected in the ten candlesticks of Solomon’s Temple. The ten curtains had to be gone through to arrive at the final kingdom of God. This sequence pointed towards Messiah, the Seven Churches and the two Witnesses, each of which has a candlestick. The eleventh is of the ten, and points towards the return of the Messiah and the establishment of the millennial kingdom of God.

Exodus 26:1-37 [TO BE READ IN FULL]

Again, here specific instructions are given in relation to the curtains and fittings of the Tabernacle. Numbers and colours are detailed and exact measurements and specific decorations are given, as well as instructions on how they were to be fastened, and the materials that were to be used. Even the left over remnant of curtain was to be used. Every single thing that was freely given for the construction of the tabernacle was used in its construction such that the material was all used. This fact pointed towards the construction of the spiritual edifice. Nothing was discarded, lost or left unused.

The dimensions relating to the Cherubim also concern their responsibilities in the four divisions of the universe. The four living creatures of Revelation chapters 4 and 5 are the Cherubim in their divisions (cf. Ezek. 1:1 ff.).

Exodus 27:1-21 [TO BE READ IN FULL]

The divisions of the tabernacle and the pillars represent pillars of the Temple of God in their numbers. The total numbers represent the government of God.

The priestly attire has significance also to the entry of the Holy Spirit, which is in the breast of the priesthood as the Urimm, and Thummin is in the pouch of the High Priest.

Exodus 28:1-43 [TO BE READ IN FULL]

Exodus 28 describes the attire of Aaron and his sons. Each item is described, with explanations as to how it is to be worn. The garments are holy and must be made by those who are wise- hearted and filled with the Holy Spirit.

The twelve stones represent the twelve tribes and the unity of the nation. The priesthood of the elect in the Holy Spirit are the end result of the temple. The priesthood of the Temple themselves point towards the priesthood of the elect, as the spiritual Temple of the kingdom of God. It is built in the dispersion from living stones and rules the world in the Holy Spirit during God’s rule, under Jesus Christ in the Millennium.

Exodus 29:1-46 [TO BE READ IN FULL]

Exodus 29 deals with the consecration of Aaron and his sons. The sacrifices involved are described and the ceremony detailed.

Messiah sanctified all of the elect by the blood of his sacrifice on his ear from the crown of thorns and the toe from the nails. He who sanctifies and they who are sanctified are of one origin. All are paid for in the sacrifice of Messiah and this is what the half-shekel tax pointed towards. Only Messiah could pay this tax. It could only be paid for by Messiah.

Exodus 30:1-38 [TO BE READ IN FULL]

In Exodus 30 Aaron is instructed in the making of the altar. It is to be used to burn sweet incense perpetually. It must not be used for any strange incense or burnt sacrifice or meat or drink offering. Aaron as High Priest was to make atonement there once a year.

The elect as the royal priesthood were to be anointed as Holy, with the oil of the Holy Spirit.

God calls all of the elect by name and sets them apart for the work of the Lord in the construction of His Temple.

Exodus 31:1-11 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, see I have called by name Bezaleel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah: 3 And I have filled him with the spirit of God, in wisdom, and in understanding, and in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship, 4 To devise cunning works, to work in gold, and in silver, and in brass, 5 And in cutting of stones, to set them, and in carving of timber, to work in all manner of workmanship. 6 And I, behold, I have given with him Aholiab, the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan: and in the hearts of all that are wise hearted I have put wisdom, that they may make all that I have commanded thee; 7 The tabernacle of the congregation, and the ark of the testimony, and the mercy seat that is thereupon, and all the furniture of the tabernacle, 8 And the table and his furniture, and the pure candlestick with all his furniture, and the altar of incense, 9 And the altar of burnt offering with all his furniture, and the laver and his foot, 10 And the cloths of service, and the holy garments for Aaron the priest, and the garments of his sons, to minister in the priest's office, 11 And the anointing oil, and sweet incense for the holy place: according to all that I have commanded thee shall they do. (KJV)

The faithfulness of Israel is fickle and the people wavered because God delayed His anointed one Moses, as He delayed His anointed Messiah, and the people lapsed into idolatry then as they do now.

Exodus 32:1-35 [TO BE READ IN FULL]

The gods of the pre-Exodus system were represented by the earrings that formed symbolic representations of the deities by shape. They were used to form the gold for the Golden Calf, so that they would be removed from Israel.

The Golden Calf was the focus of the ancient religious system, relating to the worship of the Moon God Sin, in its variant manifestations. This system related also to the worship of the oak and the Christmas and Easter system of the Pagans (cf. the papers The Golden Calf (No. 222) and The Origins of Christmas and Easter (No. 235)).

Exodus 33:1-23 [TO BE READ IN FULL]

The Lord tells Moses to depart and go to the Promised Land. An angel will go before them; and their enemies will be driven out. Moses pitched the Tabernacle outside the camp and here that Moses spoke to the Lord. He asked that God’s Presence go with them. Moses is told that no one could see His face and live. However, Moses is allowed to see His glory. and his hind parts.

The Messiah is the glory of the Lord. No man has seen God ever, neither have they beheld His form nor have they heard His voice ever (Jn. 1:18; 5:37; 1Tim. 6:16; 1Jn. 5:20).

Exodus 34:1-35 [TO BE READ IN FULL]

The two stones of the law are replaced. Moses prays for forgiveness for the people. God will drive out their enemies but they must not make any covenant with the inhabitants of the land where they go. They are to destroy their altars, break their images, and cut down their groves (Deut. 16:21-22). They are to worship no other god. They are not to marry into other races, as they will be attracted to their gods. They are not to make any idols.

The feast of Unleavened Bread is to be kept. All the male firstborn are to be God’s, except the firstling of an ass, which is redeemed with a lamb, or its neck is to be broken. All the firstborn sons are to be redeemed. No one shall appear before God empty. The Sabbaths, the Feast of Weeks and the Feast of Ingathering are to be observed. Three times a year all males are to appear before the Lord God of Israel. Then God will cast out the nations and enlarge our borders, and protect our land. The covenant between God and the people is made from this point. Moses fasted 40 days and nights, as he wrote the Ten Commandments and the covenant (Deut. 10:1-5, 10-11).

The text here is to show that God’s willing self-revelation is by progressive extension to those whom He calls and establishes in authority. The structure pointed towards Messiah and his activities in the Incarnation.

Exodus 35:1-35 [TO BE READ IN FULL]

Moses instructed the people in the law. The Lord commands an offering from those who are of a willing heart. The willing brought all that which was required for the work of God. Those with the gifts of the Holy Spirit, do the skilled work from all that is provided by the willing participants, in the building of the Temple.

The Tabernacle is established from the First day of the First month. This timing points towards the sanctification of the elect according to the Holy Calendar, beginning with the sanctification of the Temple in the First month. Judah placing the New Year in the Seventh and sometimes the Eight month strikes at this establishment and procedure. The practice of Rosh Hashanah is a late post-temple rabbinical custom, introduced from Babylon and established in the third century of the current era. It was never observed in the Temple period up to its destruction in 70 CE (cf. the paper Sanctification of the Temple of God (No. 241)) and also R. Samuel. Kohn, The Sabbatarians in Transylvania, ed. Cox tr. McElwain and Rook, CCG Publishing, 1998, cf. Foreword p. v).

Exodus 40:1-38 [TO BE READ IN FULL]

When the temple is constructed, the Glory of the Lord will fill the tabernacle. The Holy Spirit under Messiah, in the Pillar of Fire and Cloud, will guide the children of Israel into all action.

Sacrifices and offerings

These following texts deal with the concept of offerings to God as worship, within the structure of the First Commandment (cf. Ex. 20:24-26).

Leviticus 1:1-17 [TO BE READ IN FULL]

In this text, offerings are to be from the herd or flock. It is to be a male without blemish, willingly offered before the Lord. The burnt offering can also be of fowls, i.e. turtledoves, or of young pigeons.

Leviticus 2:1-16 [TO BE READ IN FULL]

This section deals with the instructions for the meat offerings.

The limitations of the law regarding the firstfruits have been continually broken by the fallen host and the enemies of the Laws of God.

Leviticus 3:1-17 [TO BE READ IN FULL]

These are the instructions for the peace offerings. They may be male or female from the herd or flock and must be without blemish. It is a perpetual statute that no blood or fat be eaten.

 

Leviticus 4:1-35 [TO BE READ IN FULL]

Here sin against the commandments through ignorance is dealt with. Atonement pointed towards Jesus Christ, but was continually seen as a responsibility of the rulers and the individual.

Leviticus 5:14-19 [TO BE READ IN FULL]

The text deals with the sacrifices for sins committed in ignorance, against the holy things of God. Here the offering is a ram without blemish. Also, amends must be made by adding a fifth part. Breach of the law unknowingly, is still a breach and requires redemption. Ignorance is no excuse and the nations stand condemned.

Leviticus 6:8-30 [TO BE READ IN FULL]

Further instructions regarding the burnt offerings are given. The fire shall ever be burning upon the altar; it shall never go out.

Leviticus 7:1-38 [TO BE READ IN FULL]

Continuing instruction in relation to the sacrifices and offerings is given here. The sanctification of the priesthood is directed by offering and anointing according to ritual, and points towards the elect. All of the sacrificial law pointed towards the Messiah and the new and greater structure of Israel, under an expanded priesthood.

Leviticus 8:1-36 [TO BE READ IN FULL]

This text deals with the consecration of Aaron and his sons.

The determination of the offering is made by God. He calls whom He will and He does not sanction unauthorised usage of His system and law.

Leviticus 10:1-20 [TO BE READ IN FULL]

Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron offered strange fire before the Lord, and died. The consumption of wine or strong drink, prior to service of the Lord in the Tabernacle, is also forbidden.

The sacrifices are to be eaten in the holy place, by Aaron and his sons and daughters. The specific parts they can have are explained. The entire system of sacrifice and killing is dedicated to God. Thus, the killing of animals without acknowledgment of God is of itself a sin.

Leviticus 17:7-9 And they shall no more offer their sacrifices unto devils, after whom they have gone a whoring. This shall be a statute for ever unto them throughout their generations. 8 And thou shalt say unto them, Whatsoever man there be of the house of Israel, or of the strangers which sojourn among you, that offereth a burnt offering or sacrifice, 9 And bringeth it not unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, to offer it unto the LORD; even that man shall be cut off from among his people. (KJV)

The consumption of meat not dedicated to God, is not a sin where the killing of the meat is not under the control of the individual (cf. the paper Vegetarianism and the Bible (No.183)).

Leviticus 19:5-8 And if ye offer a sacrifice of peace offerings unto the LORD, ye shall offer it at your own will. 6 It shall be eaten the same day ye offer it, and on the morrow: and if ought remain until the third day, it shall be burnt in the fire. 7 And if it be eaten at all on the third day, it is abominable; it shall not be accepted. 8 Therefore every one that eateth it shall bear his iniquity, because he hath profaned the hallowed thing of the LORD: and that soul shall be cut off from among his people. (KJV)

The restriction is subsumed in the general regulations of sacrifice taken over by the sacrifice of Messiah.

All aspects of the creation are to be pure and holy to the Lord. It is the responsibility of the elect to ensure that is carried out.

Leviticus 19:19 Ye shall keep my statutes. Thou shalt not let thy cattle gender with a diverse kind: thou shalt not sow thy field with mingled seed: neither shall a garment mingled of linen and woollen come upon thee. (KJV)

Leviticus 19:21-22 And he shall bring his trespass offering unto the LORD, unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, even a ram for a trespass offering. 22 And the priest shall make an atonement for him with the ram of the trespass offering before the LORD for his sin which he hath done: and the sin which he hath done shall be forgiven him. (KJV)

God controls the consumption of His creation and establishes laws that protect the environment and the long-term welfare of the individual.

Leviticus 19:23-25 And when ye shall come into the land, and shall have planted all manner of trees for food, then ye shall count the fruit thereof as uncircumcised: three years shall it be as uncircumcised unto you: it shall not be eaten of. 24 But in the fourth year all the fruit thereof shall be holy to praise the LORD withal. 25 And in the fifth year shall ye eat of the fruit thereof, that it may yield unto you the increase thereof: I am the LORD your God. (KJV)

Holiness among God’s people

The control of life and worship is directed to the One True God, within His calendar according to His law.

Leviticus 19:26 Ye shall not eat any thing with the blood: neither shall ye use enchantment, nor observe times. (KJV)

We are not to deal with the familiar spirits or enchanters and be defiled by them.

Leviticus 19:31 Regard not them that have familiar spirits, neither seek after wizards, to be defiled by them: I am the LORD your God. (KJV)

Leviticus 20:27 A man also or woman that hath a familiar spirit, or that is a wizard, shall surely be put to death: they shall stone them with stones: their blood shall be upon them. (KJV)

Deuteronomy 18:9-14 When thou art come into the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee, thou shalt not learn to do after the abominations of those nations. 10 There shall not be found among you any one that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, or that useth divination, or an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch, 11 Or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer. 12 For all that do these things are an abomination unto the LORD: and because of these abominations the LORD thy God doth drive them out from before thee. 13 Thou shalt be perfect with the LORD thy God. 14 For these nations, which thou shalt possess, hearkened unto observers of times, and unto diviners: but as for thee, the LORD thy God hath not suffered thee so to do. (KJV)

The direction is very clear. Divination by astrology and necromancy or familiar spirits, is forbidden, and the punishment is captivity or exile. No sign of their system of worship is to be on us, or among us.

Leviticus 19:27 Ye shall not round the corners of your heads, neither shalt thou mar the corners of thy beard. (KJV)

Leviticus 19:28 Ye shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor print any marks upon you: I am the LORD. (KJV)

We are not to sacrifice to them and their barbarous rites, which saw human sacrifice of children, and also their consumption in cannibalism (cf. the papers The Golden Calf (No. 222); The Origins of Christmas and Easter (No. 235) and The Messages of Revelation 14 (No. 270))

Leviticus 20:1-7 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, 2 Again, thou shalt say to the children of Israel, Whosoever he be of the children of Israel, or of the strangers that sojourn in Israel, that giveth any of his seed unto Molech; he shall surely be put to death: the people of the land shall stone him with stones. 3 And I will set my face against that man, and will cut him off from among his people; because he hath given of his seed unto Molech, to defile my sanctuary, and to profane my holy name. 4 And if the people of the land do any ways hide their eyes from the man, when he giveth of his seed unto Molech, and kill him not: 5 Then I will set my face against that man, and against his family, and will cut him off, and all that go a whoring after him, to commit whoredom with Molech, from among their people. 6 And the soul that turneth after such as have familiar spirits, and after wizards, to go a whoring after them, I will even set my face against that soul, and will cut him off from among his people. 7 Sanctify yourselves therefore, and be ye holy: for I am the LORD your God. (KJV)

Our people and the priesthood are to be holy.

Leviticus 21:1-24 And the LORD said unto Moses, Speak unto the priests the sons of Aaron, and say unto them, There shall none be defiled for the dead among his people: 2 But for his kin, that is near unto him, that is, for his mother, and for his father, and for his son, and for his daughter, and for his brother, 3 And for his sister a virgin, that is nigh unto him, which hath had no husband; for her may he be defiled. 4 But he shall not defile himself, being a chief man among his people, to profane himself. 5 They shall not make baldness upon their head, neither shall they shave off the corner of their beard, nor make any cuttings in their flesh. 6 They shall be holy unto their God, and not profane the name of their God: for the offerings of the LORD made by fire, and the bread of their God, they do offer: therefore they shall be holy. 7 They shall not take a wife that is a whore, or profane; neither shall they take a woman put away from her husband: for he is holy unto his God. 8 Thou shalt sanctify him therefore; for he offereth the bread of thy God: he shall be holy unto thee: for I the LORD, which sanctify you, am holy. 9 And the daughter of any priest, if she profane herself by playing the whore, she profaneth her father: she shall be burnt with fire. 10 And he that is the high priest among his brethren, upon whose head the anointing oil was poured, and that is consecrated to put on the garments, shall not uncover his head, nor rend his clothes; 11 Neither shall he go in to any dead body, nor defile himself for his father, or for his mother; 12 Neither shall he go out of the sanctuary, nor profane the sanctuary of his God; for the crown of the anointing oil of his God is upon him: I am the LORD. 13 And he shall take a wife in her virginity. 14 A widow, or a divorced woman, or profane, or an harlot, these shall he not take: but he shall take a virgin of his own people to wife. 15 Neither shall he profane his seed among his people: for I the LORD do sanctify him. 16 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, 17 Speak unto Aaron, saying, Whosoever he be of thy seed in their generations that hath any blemish, let him not approach to offer the bread of his God. 18 For whatsoever man he be that hath a blemish, he shall not approach: a blind man, or a lame, or he that hath a flat nose, or any thing superfluous, 19 Or a man that is brokenfooted, or brokenhanded, 20 Or crookbackt, or a dwarf, or that hath a blemish in his eye, or be scurvy, or scabbed, or hath his stones broken; 21 No man that hath a blemish of the seed of Aaron the priest shall come nigh to offer the offerings of the LORD made by fire: he hath a blemish; he shall not come nigh to offer the bread of his God. 22 He shall eat the bread of his God, both of the most holy, and of the holy. 23 Only he shall not go in unto the vail, nor come nigh unto the altar, because he hath a blemish; that he profane not my sanctuaries: for I the LORD do sanctify them. 24 And Moses told it unto Aaron, and to his sons, and unto all the children of Israel. (KJV)

Leviticus 21:1-6 And the LORD said unto Moses, Speak unto the priests the sons of Aaron, and say unto them, There shall none be defiled for the dead among his people: 2 But for his kin, that is near unto him, that is, for his mother, and for his father, and for his son, and for his daughter, and for his brother, 3 And for his sister a virgin, that is nigh unto him, which hath had no husband; for her may he be defiled. 4 But he shall not defile himself, being a chief man among his people, to profane himself. 5 They shall not make baldness upon their head, neither shall they shave off the corner of their beard, nor make any cuttings in their flesh. 6 They shall be holy unto their God, and not profane the name of their God: for the offerings of the LORD made by fire, and the bread of their God, they do offer: therefore they shall be holy. (KJV)

Leviticus 21:10-12 And he that is the high priest among his brethren, upon whose head the anointing oil was poured, and that is consecrated to put on the garments, shall not uncover his head, nor rend his clothes; 11 Neither shall he go in to any dead body, nor defile himself for his father, or for his mother; 12 Neither shall he go out of the sanctuary, nor profane the sanctuary of his God; for the crown of the anointing oil of his God is upon him: I am the LORD. (KJV)

The fact that the High Priest rent his garment in dealing with Jesus Christ was to demonstrate that the High Priesthood had been torn from Levi and given to Messiah and the elect, in the order of Melchisedek (cf. Mt. 26:65; Mk. 14:63).

The tabernacle and the shewbread

The entire symbolism of the tabernacle, pointed towards the spiritual relationship of the Church towards God in the Holy Spirit, in the last days (cf. the paper The Day of the Lord and the Last Days (No. 192)). Judah was blind to the symbolism of this fact and thus failed to enter the conversion process for almost two millennia, except on an individual basis.

Leviticus 24:1-9 [TO BE READ IN FULL]

The lamps in the Temple are to burn continually. It is the priest’s responsibility. The shewbread is set on the table in two rows with frankincense. Every Sabbath it is to be set in order before the Lord. The Shewbread was set before the Lord each Sabbath and it stood as a memorial to the nation that was set in tribes under leaders for the kingdom of God. This ceremony looked forward to the evidence of the Holy Spirit in the elect, among the tribes of Israel, as the Temple of God.

God commanded loyalty and forbade sacrifice to idols (cf. Law and the Second Commandment (No. 255)). The word of the living God details the punishment for the breach of the covenant. Failure to observe God’s Law and failure to worship Him will be punished by pestilence, disease, plagues, war and captivity.

Leviticus 26:1-46 Ye shall make you no idols nor graven image, neither rear you up a standing image, neither shall ye set up any image of stone in your land, to bow down unto it: for I am the LORD your God. 2 Ye shall keep my sabbaths, and reverence my sanctuary: I am the LORD. 3 If ye walk in my statutes, and keep my commandments, and do them; 4 Then I will give you rain in due season, and the land shall yield her increase, and the trees of the field shall yield their fruit. 5 And your threshing shall reach unto the vintage, and the vintage shall reach unto the sowing time: and ye shall eat your bread to the full, and dwell in your land safely. 6 And I will give peace in the land, and ye shall lie down, and none shall make you afraid: and I will rid evil beasts out of the land, neither shall the sword go through your land. 7 And ye shall chase your enemies, and they shall fall before you by the sword. 8 And five of you shall chase an hundred, and an hundred of you shall put ten thousand to flight: and your enemies shall fall before you by the sword. 9 For I will have respect unto you, and make you fruitful, and multiply you, and establish my covenant with you. 10 And ye shall eat old store, and bring forth the old because of the new. 11 And I will set my tabernacle among you: and my soul shall not abhor you. 12 And I will walk among you, and will be your God, and ye shall be my people. 13 I am the LORD your God, which brought you forth out of the land of Egypt, that ye should not be their bondmen; and I have broken the bands of your yoke, and made you go upright. 14 But if ye will not hearken unto me, and will not do all these commandments; 15 And if ye shall despise my statutes, or if your soul abhor my judgments, so that ye will not do all my commandments, but that ye break my covenant: 16 I also will do this unto you; I will even appoint over you terror, consumption, and the burning ague, that shall consume the eyes, and cause sorrow of heart: and ye shall sow your seed in vain, for your enemies shall eat it. 17 And I will set my face against you, and ye shall be slain before your enemies: they that hate you shall reign over you; and ye shall flee when none pursueth you. 18 And if ye will not yet for all this hearken unto me, then I will punish you seven times more for your sins. 19 And I will break the pride of your power; and I will make your heaven as iron, and your earth as brass: 20 And your strength shall be spent in vain: for your land shall not yield her increase, neither shall the trees of the land yield their fruits. 21 And if ye walk contrary unto me, and will not hearken unto me; I will bring seven times more plagues upon you according to your sins. 22 I will also send wild beasts among you, which shall rob you of your children, and destroy your cattle, and make you few in number; and your high ways shall be desolate. 23 And if ye will not be reformed by me by these things, but will walk contrary unto me; 24 Then will I also walk contrary unto you, and will punish you yet seven times for your sins. 25 And I will bring a sword upon you, that shall avenge the quarrel of my covenant: and when ye are gathered together within your cities, I will send the pestilence among you; and ye shall be delivered into the hand of the enemy. 26 And when I have broken the staff of your bread, ten women shall bake your bread in one oven, and they shall deliver you your bread again by weight: and ye shall eat, and not be satisfied. 27 And if ye will not for all this hearken unto me, but walk contrary unto me; 28 Then I will walk contrary unto you also in fury; and I, even I, will chastise you seven times for your sins. 29 And ye shall eat the flesh of your sons, and the flesh of your daughters shall ye eat. 30 And I will destroy your high places, and cut down your images, and cast your carcases upon the carcases of your idols, and my soul shall abhor you. 31 And I will make your cities waste, and bring your sanctuaries unto desolation, and I will not smell the savour of your sweet odours. 32 And I will bring the land into desolation: and your enemies which dwell therein shall be astonished at it. 33 And I will scatter you among the heathen, and will draw out a sword after you: and your land shall be desolate, and your cities waste. 34 Then shall the land enjoy her sabbaths, as long as it lieth desolate, and ye be in your enemies' land; even then shall the land rest, and enjoy her sabbaths. 35 As long as it lieth desolate it shall rest; because it did not rest in your sabbaths, when ye dwelt upon it. 36 And upon them that are left alive of you I will send a faintness into their hearts in the lands of their enemies; and the sound of a shaken leaf shall chase them; and they shall flee, as fleeing from a sword; and they shall fall when none pursueth. 37 And they shall fall one upon another, as it were before a sword, when none pursueth: and ye shall have no power to stand before your enemies. 38 And ye shall perish among the heathen, and the land of your enemies shall eat you up. 39 And they that are left of you shall pine away in their iniquity in your enemies' lands; and also in the iniquities of their fathers shall they pine away with them. 40 If they shall confess their iniquity, and the iniquity of their fathers, with their trespass which they trespassed against me, and that also they have walked contrary unto me; 41 And that I also have walked contrary unto them, and have brought them into the land of their enemies; if then their uncircumcised hearts be humbled, and they then accept of the punishment of their iniquity: 42 Then will I remember my covenant with Jacob, and also my covenant with Isaac, and also my covenant with Abraham will I remember; and I will remember the land. 43 The land also shall be left of them, and shall enjoy her sabbaths, while she lieth desolate without them: and they shall accept of the punishment of their iniquity: because, even because they despised my judgments, and because their soul abhorred my statutes. 44 And yet for all that, when they be in the land of their enemies, I will not cast them away, neither will I abhor them, to destroy them utterly, and to break my covenant with them: for I am the LORD their God. 45 But I will for their sakes remember the covenant of their ancestors, whom I brought forth out of the land of Egypt in the sight of the heathen, that I might be their God: I am the LORD. 46 These are the statutes and judgments and laws, which the LORD made between him and the children of Israel in mount Sinai by the hand of Moses. (KJV)

God promised protection to Israel, and rain in due season if they were obedient to His law.

Redemption is according to age and ability in determining price. God enables all to enter the kingdom, in relation to the ability to work and serve. He who has much, has much demanded of him.

Leviticus 27:1-34 [TO BE READ IN FULL]

Leviticus 27:1-34 deals with the making of vows and the dedication of a person, animal or land into the service of God and the redemption of any such offering; the value being estimated by the priest. The laws of jubilee in relation to dedicated land are explained. Firstlings of the herd or flock are already God’s and so cannot be sanctified. A fifth of the value is added to the price for redemption.

Levi in the temple

The priesthood is responsible for the erection and movement of the Tabernacle. This responsibility carries over to the priesthood of the elect who are responsible, by their works, for the erection of the Temple of living stones.

Numbers 1:47-54 But the Levites after the tribe of their fathers were not numbered among them. 48For the LORD had spoken unto Moses, saying 49Only thou shalt take not number the tribe of Levi, neither take the sum of them among the children of Israel: 50But thou shalt appoint the Levites over the tabernacle of testimony, and over all the vessels thereof, and over all things that belong to it: they shall bear the tabernacle, and all the vessels thereof; and they shall minister unto it, and shall encamp round about the tabernacle. 51 And when the tabernacle setteth forward, the Levites shall take it down: and when the tabernacle is to be pitched, the Levites shall set it up: and the stranger that cometh nigh shall be put to death. 52 And the children of Israel shall pitch their tents, every man by his own camp, about the tabernacle of testimony, that there be no wrath upon the congregation of the children of Israel: and the Levites shall keep the charge of the tabernacle of testimony. 54 And the children of Israel did according to all that the LORD commanded Moses, so did they. (KJV)

The elect are separate from the nation by birth and now salvation is of the Gentiles, being brought into Israel as a part of the nation but as the Temple of God.

Numbers 2:33 But the Levites were not numbered among the children of Israel as the LORD commanded Moses. (KJV)

The divisions of the priesthood were placed around the sanctuary, in accordance with the symbolism of the tabernacle itself. Each of the functions related to the importance of the placement and the structure of the tabernacle.

Numbers 3:1-51 [TO BE READ IN FULL]

Numbers 3 deals with the generations of Aaron and Moses. The numbers of Levites, the families and the responsibilities and duties are set out. The firstborn of Israel was numbered and the redemption levy taken. The redemption of the firstborn represented the elect, who were redeemed and given to the priesthood under Messiah. Levi pointed towards, and formed the central cadre for the priesthood of the tribes. The Levites were the Lord’s (Deut. 10:8-9). The elect were called and nominated, from their purification from birth.

The system was established to enable a person to be set aside as a Nazarite, and this pointed also to the elect. This system of and by itself could not, and did not lead to salvation. The baptism of John was not acceptable for the conferring of the Holy Spirit even though he had been a Nazarite from birth, as a son of a High Priest.

Numbers 6:1-27 [TO BE READ IN FULL]

The laws of the Nazarite are explained in this text.

Numbers 4:1-49 [TO BE READ IN FULL]

The sons of Kohath, Gershon and Merari are numbered from thirty years old to fifty years old, and given their duties in the Tabernacle.

The priesthood of Melchisedek is without genealogy and without beginning of days or end of years. The priesthood of the elect under Messiah is without mother or father by lineage, and without beginning or end of days (Heb. 7:1-10). The priesthood continues on after death to the resurrection, whereas Levi ceases in terms of physical years (50 years within the temple system) and goes to the second resurrection, unless specifically isolated by the Holy Spirit in the prophets to the first resurrection.

Numbers 7:1-89 [TO BE READ IN FULL]

Numbers chapter 7 deals with the offerings from the tribes of Israel, on the dedication of the Tabernacle, in the worship of the One True God. The totals of the sacrifices are drawn from the tribes, in accordance with the numbers of the Heavenly Host and the significance of the items relates also to the Host. Each sacrifice points to the structure, as do the annual monthly and weekly sacrifices point to the elect as the 144,000, with the Great Multitude being represented by the evening sacrifice.

So also the lamps have significance to the structure.

Numbers 8:1-4 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, 2 Speak unto Aaron, and say unto him, When thou lightest the lamps, the seven lamps shall give light over against the candlestick. 3 And Aaron did so; he lighted the lamps thereof over against the candlestick, as the LORD commanded Moses. 4 And this work of the candlestick was of beaten gold, unto the shaft thereof, unto the flowers thereof, was beaten work: according unto the pattern which the LORD had shewed Moses, so he made the candlestick.

Numbers 8:5-26 [TO BE READ IN FULL]

The cleansing and sanctification of the Levites is dealt with in this text. The service of God in the Temple was by hard work, from twenty-five years to fifty years of age, and then by teaching only from fifty onwards. Teaching in the temple was affected from thirty. The period from twenty-five to thirty years of age was in service and learning to become a teacher.

God ensures the welfare of His people. Complaint is offensive

Numbers 11:1-35 [TO BE READ IN FULL]

The people complained of lack of meat in the Exodus. They were provided with manna. This looked forward to the period of the forty jubilees in the wilderness and the bread and water of the elect would be sure. Moses prayed to God that the burden of governing Israel was too great for him. Moses was then ordered to choose seventy elders. The Seventy Elders of Israel became the Sanhedrin. The establishment of the seventy with the spirit that rested on Moses, pointed towards the Messiah and the seventy of the elect that became the new elders of Israel, sent out two by two as were the twelve grouped above (cf. Lk. 10:1, 17).

The children of Israel were given quail when they complained they had no meat, but the meat was too strong for them when they were given it, as they were greedy, and many died. This has a spiritual connotation. The point is that God fed Israel as they were able to be fed, and those who were unfit died. The concept here, points also to the power of the Holy Spirit, and the understanding of the mysteries of God (cf. the paper The Mysteries of God (No. 131)).

God also gave Israel the opportunity to enter the Promised Land at the beginning and they rejected the opportunity. They were also to do this at the time of Messiah, when they were given the opportunity, but Judah and Levi rejected it even after his resurrection.

Numbers 13:1-33 [TO BE READ IN FULL]

Twelve men were sent out to see the Promised Land and bring back a report. Their report shows a complete lack of faith in God.

Numbers 14:1-45 [TO BE READ IN FULL]

The lack of faith of Israel counted against them. The congregation was afraid and complained against Moses and Aaron. Joshua and Caleb, who were the only ones with faith, were unable to convince the people that they should and could take their inheritance by faith. God was angry with them and it was only through the prayers of Moses that they were not destroyed then. The people were then condemned to wander in the wilderness for forty years for their lack of faith. Only Caleb and Joshua were allowed to go into the Promised Land.

Moses was tested and did not fail. God had established His system and His priesthood and His people and He was dealing with them, so that we might understand in the last days, what was to come to pass. Judah was given forty years to repent after the death of Messiah and they did not repent and so were destroyed and were sent into captivity (cf. The Sign of Jonah and the History of the Reconstruction of the Temple (No. 13)).

The entire structure of worship and offering is to be uniform, both for Gentile and for native-born Israelite.

Numbers 15:1-41 [TO BE READ IN FULL]

Numbers 15 reiterates the offerings and sacrifices, which are to be performed on entering the Promised Land. The punishment for breaking the Sabbath is death. Blue ribbons are to be worn on the edges of clothing as reminders of the commandments.

The command of the Lord is that Israel is to wear a symbol of the Ten Commandments that are to be written in their hearts.

Deuteronomy 22:12 Thou shalt make thee fringes upon the four quarters of thy vesture, wherewith thou coverest thyself. (KJV)

Judah has perverted this legislation, making it white fringes on an undergarment.

Numbers 16:1-50 [TO BE READ IN FULL]

The rebellion of Korah is dealt with in Numbers 16. All involved in the rebellion died. The plague was stopped when Aaron stood between the dead and the living. This act symbolised the intercession of the priesthood for the nation, and pointed towards the church and its roles and functions. The rebellion of the sons of Israel actually commenced with the priesthood and the rulers of Israel. This apostasy was to re-occur among the tribes on a repetitive basis, both in Israel and among the church after the dispersion, right through to the twentieth century.

Numbers 17:1-13 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, 2 Speak unto the children of Israel, and take of every one of them a rod according to the house of their fathers, of all their princes according to the house of their fathers twelve rods: write thou every man's name upon his rod. 3 And thou shalt write Aaron's name upon the rod of Levi: for one rod shall be for the head of the house of their fathers. 4 And thou shalt lay them up in the tabernacle of the congregation before the testimony, where I will meet with you. 5 And it shall come to pass, that the man's rod, whom I shall choose, shall blossom: and I will make to cease from me the murmurings of the children of Israel, whereby they murmur against you. 6 And Moses spake unto the children of Israel, and every one of their princes gave him a rod apiece, for each prince one, according to their fathers' houses, even twelve rods: and the rod of Aaron was among their rods. 7 And Moses laid up the rods before the LORD in the tabernacle of witness.

The twelve rods under the rod of Aaron, related to the twelve divisions of the tribes under the judges, and then the apostles. The foundation of the City of God rests on these twelve apostles and their works (cf. Rev. 21:10-14).

8 And it came to pass, that on the morrow Moses went into the tabernacle of witness; and, behold, the rod of Aaron for the house of Levi was budded, and brought forth buds, and bloomed blossoms, and yielded almonds. 9 And Moses brought out all the rods from before the LORD unto all the children of Israel: and they looked, and took every man his rod. 10 And the LORD said unto Moses, Bring Aaron's rod again before the testimony, to be kept for a token against the rebels; and thou shalt quite take away their murmurings from me, that they die not. 11 And Moses did so: as the LORD commanded him, so did he. 12 And the children of Israel spake unto Moses, saying, Behold, we die, we perish, we all perish. 13 Whosoever cometh any thing near unto the tabernacle of the LORD shall die: shall we be consumed with dying? (KJV)

The iniquity of the sanctuary is borne by its leadership and this is true of the living temple.

Numbers 18:1-32 [TO BE READ IN FULL]

The elect are sent out among the world as sheep amongst wolves, and this process of inheritance amongst Levi applies in like measure to the elect. The elect are a chosen generation, a Royal Priesthood and a holy nation (1Pet. 2:9).

Moses was prevented from entering the land because he smote the rock. He and Aaron died outside of Israel (Deut. 10:6-7; 34:5-6) to remind us that we were to be of the first resurrection and would go into Israel with Moses as spirit beings. If Moses had died in Israel, they would have made idols and fetishes of his remains. For this reason the archangel Michael struggled with Satan for the body of Moses (Jude 9).

Numbers 20:1-14 [TO BE READ IN FULL]

We see from this text that obstruction of the Lord’s people brings with it a punishment.

Numbers 20:14-29 [TO BE READ IN FULL]

As the Canaanites judged, so were they judged.

Numbers 21:1-35 [TO BE READ IN FULL]

Israel defeated the Canaanites but later become discouraged and complained against God again. Then God sent fiery serpents as a punishment. Moses prayed to God and made the so-called serpent of brass for their healing. This object was actually a Seraph. The Seraph was a supernatural being with six wings, and the supernatural aspect of this activity is lost in the translations.

God protected Israel and brought them into their inheritance. The removal of the tribes that threatened Israel was done systematically. The inheritance of Israel was expanded beyond the Jordan in this process, and not all of Israel was in Israel, within the Jordan. This pointed towards the last days and the activities of the elect also. Israel was however, led astray in idolatry by false priests, who sought their undoing.

Balaam’s prophecy

Numbers 22:1-41 [TO BE READ IN FULL]

In Numbers 22 we see Israel camped in the plains of Moab on this side Jordan by Jericho. Moab is afraid of the people, as they are so many. The Moabites sent for Balaam the son of Beor to curse the Israelites. The offerings of Balaam were designed to undermine Israel, which was to be protected through the seven spirits of God which we see again in the Angels of the Seven Churches.

Numbers 23:1-30 [TO BE READ IN FULL]

This prophecy is of enduring significance because it relates to God’s direction to the prophets, in the protection and blessings of Israel. It relates also to the doctrines of teaching for hire, and misusing biblical law for monetary gain, which was to become virtually a genetic disease in Israel’s priesthood, as it was of the nations.

Numbers 24:1-25 And when Balaam saw that it pleased the LORD to bless Israel, he went not, as at other times, to seek for enchantments, but he set his face toward the wilderness. 2 And Balaam lifted up his eyes, and he saw Israel abiding in his tents according to their tribes; and the spirit of God came upon him. 3 And he took up his parable, and said, Balaam the son of Beor hath said, and the man whose eyes are open hath said: 4 He hath said, which heard the words of God, which saw the vision of the Almighty, falling into a trance, but having his eyes open: 5 How goodly are thy tents, O Jacob, and thy tabernacles, O Israel! 6 As the valleys are they spread forth, as gardens by the river's side, as the trees of lign aloes which the LORD hath planted, and as cedar trees beside the waters. 7 He shall pour the water out of his buckets, and his seed shall be in many waters, and his king shall be higher than Agag, and his kingdom shall be exalted. 8 God brought him forth out of Egypt; he hath as it were the strength of an unicorn: he shall eat up the nations his enemies, and shall break their bones, and pierce them through with his arrows. 9 He couched, he lay down as a lion, and as a great lion: who shall stir him up? Blessed is he that blesseth thee, and cursed is he that curseth thee. 10 And Balak's anger was kindled against Balaam, and he smote his hands together: and Balak said unto Balaam, I called thee to curse mine enemies, and, behold, thou hast altogether blessed them these three times. 11 Therefore now flee thou to thy place: I thought to promote thee unto great honour; but, lo, the LORD hath kept thee back from honour. 12 And Balaam said unto Balak, Spake I not also to thy messengers which thou sentest unto me, saying, 13 If Balak would give me his house full of silver and gold, I cannot go beyond the commandment of the LORD, to do either good or bad of mine own mind; but what the LORD saith, that will I speak? 14 And now, behold, I go unto my people: come therefore, and I will advertise thee what this people shall do to thy people in the latter days. 15 And he took up his parable, and said, Balaam the son of Beor hath said, and the man whose eyes are open hath said: 16 He hath said, which heard the words of God, and knew the knowledge of the most High, which saw the vision of the Almighty, falling into a trance, but having his eyes open: 17 I shall see him, but not now: I shall behold him, but not nigh: there shall come a Star out of Jacob, and a Sceptre shall rise out of Israel, and shall smite the corners of Moab, and destroy all the children of Sheth. 18 And Edom shall be a possession, Seir also shall be a possession for his enemies; and Israel shall do valiantly. 19 Out of Jacob shall come he that shall have dominion, and shall destroy him that remaineth of the city. 20 And when he looked on Amalek, he took up his parable, and said, Amalek was the first of the nations; but his latter end shall be that he perish for ever. 21 And he looked on the Kenites, and took up his parable, and said, Strong is thy dwellingplace, and thou puttest thy nest in a rock. 22 Nevertheless the Kenite shall be wasted, until Asshur shall carry thee away captive. 23 And he took up his parable, and said, Alas, who shall live when God doeth this! 24 And ships shall come from the coast of Chittim, and shall afflict Asshur, and shall afflict Eber, and he also shall perish for ever. 25 And Balaam rose up, and went and returned to his place: and Balak also went his way. (KJV)

The prophecy related to the captivity of Israel by Assyria and also to the annihilation of Eber. The destruction of the last days and the wars of the end, are also outlined in this simple sequence (cf. The Doctrine of Balaam and Balaam’s Prophecy (No. 204)). The results are clear.

Numbers 25:1-18 And Israel abode in Shittim, and the people began to commit whoredom with the daughters of Moab. 2 And they called the people unto the sacrifices of their gods: and the people did eat, and bowed down to their gods. 3 And Israel joined himself unto Baalpeor: and the anger of the LORD was kindled against Israel. 4 And the LORD said unto Moses, Take all the heads of the people, and hang them up before the LORD against the sun, that the fierce anger of the LORD may be turned away from Israel. 5 And Moses said unto the judges of Israel, Slay ye every one his men that were joined unto Baalpeor. 6 And, behold, one of the children of Israel came and brought unto his brethren a Midianitish woman in the sight of Moses, and in the sight of all the congregation of the children of Israel, who were weeping before the door of the tabernacle of the congregation. 7 And when Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the priest, saw it, he rose up from among the congregation, and took a javelin in his hand; 8 And he went after the man of Israel into the tent, and thrust both of them through, the man of Israel, and the woman through her belly. So the plague was stayed from the children of Israel. 9 And those that died in the plague were twenty and four thousand. 10 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, 11 Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the priest, hath turned my wrath away from the children of Israel, while he was zealous for my sake among them, that I consumed not the children of Israel in my jealousy. 12 Wherefore say, Behold, I give unto him my covenant of peace: 13 And he shall have it, and his seed after him, even the covenant of an everlasting priesthood; because he was zealous for his God, and made an atonement for the children of Israel. 14 Now the name of the Israelite that was slain, even that was slain with the Midianitish woman, was Zimri, the son of Salu, a prince of a chief house among the Simeonites. 15 And the name of the Midianitish woman that was slain was Cozbi, the daughter of Zur; he was head over a people, and of a chief house in Midian. 16 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, 17 Vex the Midianites, and smite them: 18 For they vex you with their wiles, wherewith they have beguiled you in the matter of Peor, and in the matter of Cozbi, the daughter of a prince of Midian, their sister, which was slain in the day of the plague for Peor's sake. (KJV)

Midian also was to perish in this idolatrous deceit.

In the daily offerings, the lambs were sent and offered two by two, as with all the elect. Thus the Great Multitude of Revelation 7:9 ff. is related to the daily sacrifice.

Numbers 28:1-31 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, 2 Command the children of Israel, and say unto them, My offering, and my bread for my sacrifices made by fire, for a sweet savour unto me, shall ye observe to offer unto me in their due season. 3 And thou shalt say unto them, This is the offering made by fire which ye shall offer unto the LORD; two lambs of the first year without spot day by day, for a continual burnt offering. 4 The one lamb shalt thou offer in the morning, and the other lamb shalt thou offer at even; 5 And a tenth part of an ephah of flour for a meat offering, mingled with the fourth part of an hin of beaten oil. 6 It is a continual burnt offering, which was ordained in mount Sinai for a sweet savour, a sacrifice made by fire unto the LORD. 7 And the drink offering thereof shall be the fourth part of an hin for the one lamb: in the holy place shalt thou cause the strong wine to be poured unto the LORD for a drink offering. 8 And the other lamb shalt thou offer at even: as the meat offering of the morning, and as the drink offering thereof, thou shalt offer it, a sacrifice made by fire, of a sweet savour unto the LORD. 9 And on the sabbath day two lambs of the first year without spot, and two tenth deals of flour for a meat offering, mingled with oil, and the drink offering thereof: 10 This is the burnt offering of every sabbath, beside the continual burnt offering, and his drink offering. 11 And in the beginnings of your months ye shall offer a burnt offering unto the LORD; two young bullocks, and one ram, seven lambs of the first year without spot; 12 And three tenth deals of flour for a meat offering, mingled with oil, for one bullock; and two tenth deals of flour for a meat offering, mingled with oil, for one ram; 13 And a several tenth deal of flour mingled with oil for a meat offering unto one lamb; for a burnt offering of a sweet savour, a sacrifice made by fire unto the LORD. 14 And their drink offerings shall be half an hin of wine unto a bullock, and the third part of an hin unto a ram, and a fourth part of an hin unto a lamb: this is the burnt offering of every month throughout the months of the year. 15 And one kid of the goats for a sin offering unto the LORD shall be offered, beside the continual burnt offering, and his drink offering. 16 And in the fourteenth day of the first month is the passover of the LORD. 17 And in the fifteenth day of this month is the feast: seven days shall unleavened bread be eaten. 18 In the first day shall be an holy convocation; ye shall do no manner of servile work therein: 19 But ye shall offer a sacrifice made by fire for a burnt offering unto the LORD; two young bullocks, and one ram, and seven lambs of the first year: they shall be unto you without blemish: 20 And their meat offering shall be of flour mingled with oil: three tenth deals shall ye offer for a bullock, and two tenth deals for a ram; 21 A several tenth deal shalt thou offer for every lamb, throughout the seven lambs: 22 And one goat for a sin offering, to make an atonement for you. 23 Ye shall offer these beside the burnt offering in the morning, which is for a continual burnt offering. 24 After this manner ye shall offer daily, throughout the seven days, the meat of the sacrifice made by fire, of a sweet savour unto the LORD: it shall be offered beside the continual burnt offering, and his drink offering. 25 And on the seventh day ye shall have an holy convocation; ye shall do no servile work. 26 Also in the day of the firstfruits, when ye bring a new meat offering unto the LORD, after your weeks be out, ye shall have an holy convocation; ye shall do no servile work: 27 But ye shall offer the burnt offering for a sweet savour unto the LORD; two young bullocks, one ram, seven lambs of the first year; 28 And their meat offering of flour mingled with oil, three tenth deals unto one bullock, two tenth deals unto one ram, 29 A several tenth deal unto one lamb, throughout the seven lambs; 30 And one kid of the goats, to make an atonement for you. 31 Ye shall offer them beside the continual burnt offering, and his meat offering, (they shall be unto you without blemish) and their drink offerings. (KJV)

Thus the sequence runs to the days and hence from the 144,000 to the Great Multitude over forty Jubilees.

Law of the occupation

God gave the Law to Moses through Jesus Christ, and he began to write it in Moab across the Jordan, and so the legislation for the occupation was prepared before Israel’s entry. So too will it be in the latter days.

Deuteronomy 1:1-46 [TO BE READ IN FULL]

At the end of the forty years, Moses reiterated the events which occurred during the years in the wilderness. He reminded the people of their murmurings and told them that Joshua and Caleb would enter the Promised Land, but that their fathers would not, through their lack faith and disobedience to the living God.

So Moses was given to be succeeded by Joshua as war leader and Joshua took Israel into the Promised Land. This fact again pointed towards the succession of Moses to Messiah, as Yehoshua or Joshua, which was his given name in Judah. Jesus Christ is a derivative of the Greek form of the Aramaic, which is effectively Yoshua the Messiah. The Septuagint translates Yoshua with Ièsous.

Deuteronomy 2:1-37 [TO BE READ IN FULL]

In Deuteronomy 2:1-37 Moses continued to remind Israel of the history of their wanderings in the wilderness, their battles and their victories. Thus, all the nations were destined to be delivered into the hands of Israel, subjugated in their order, and according to the direction of God. This was a promise carried out in order to establish the commandments and God’s law in their national consciousness, and pointed towards the millennial system under Messiah.

Deuteronomy 3:1-29 [TO BE READ IN FULL]

The text concerned the battle against Og, King of Bashan. The victory saw the distribution of land outside of the Promised Land being allocated to the tribes there, and Joshua or Yoshua was formally charged with the leadership.

God was with Israel as it was obedient under its determined leadership. This sequence pointed towards the last days, and the establishment of Israel in its inheritance, and the placement of Israel under the captaincy of the armies of the Lord. The tribes in their inheritance were not excused duties in service, until the entire period of subjugation was complete and all tribes were in their inheritance.

Israel was to keep the commandments free of addition or deletion. Judah added to the commandments of the living God by oral tradition and was censured by Messiah because of this fact, and then sent into captivity.

Deuteronomy 4:1-40 [TO BE READ IN FULL]

In this text, Israel is warned to keep the covenant and the commandments and the statutes of God. Moses tells them here that they will not do so, and that they will be scattered amongst the nations. Moses himself was also not to cross the Jordan.

 

Deuteronomy 4:40-49 [TO BE READ IN FULL]

In Deuteronomy 4:40-49 we see that Moses established a judicial system outside of the Promised Land on the east of the Jordan. This also has relevance to the last days. The promises God extends to Israel have aspects of their inheritance tied to their duties (cf. Gen. 49:1-33).

The establishment of the legal system of the occupation was completed before Israel crossed over Jordan, and so will it be in the last days. The entire system was commenced from the Ten Commandments, which were repeated in Deuteronomy.

Deuteronomy 5:1-33 And Moses called all Israel, and said unto them, Hear, O Israel, the statutes and judgments which I speak in your ears this day, that ye may learn them, and keep, and do them. 2 The LORD our God made a covenant with us in Horeb. 3 The LORD made not this covenant with our fathers, but with us, even us, who are all of us here alive this day. 4 The LORD talked with you face to face in the mount out of the midst of the fire, 5 (I stood between the LORD and you at that time, to Shew you the word of the LORD: for ye were afraid by reason of the fire, and went not up into the mount;) saying, 6 I am the LORD thy God, which brought thee out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage. 7 Thou shalt have none other gods before me. 8 Thou shalt not make thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the waters beneath the earth: 9 Thou shalt not bow down thyself unto them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me, 10 And showing mercy unto thousands of them that love me and keep my commandments. 11 Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain: for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that tacet his name in vain. 12 Keep the Sabbath day to sanctify it, as the LORD thy God hath commanded thee. 13 Six days thou shalt labour, and do all thy work: 14 But the seventh day is the Sabbath of the LORD thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, nor thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thine ox, nor thine ass, nor any of thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates; that thy manservant and thy maidservant may rest as well as thou. 15 And remember that thou wast a servant in the land of Egypt, and that the LORD thy God brought thee out thence through a mighty hand and by a stretched out arm: therefore the LORD thy God commanded thee to keep the Sabbath day. 16 Honour thy father and thy mother, as the LORD thy God hath commanded thee; that thy days may be prolonged, and that it may go well with thee, in the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee. 17 Thou shalt not kill. 18 Neither shalt thou commit adultery. 19 Neither shalt thou steal. 20 Neither shalt thou bear false witness against thy neighbour. 21 Neither shalt thou desire thy neighbour's wife, neither shalt thou covet thy neighbour's house, his field, or his manservant, or his maidservant, his ox, or his ass, or any thing that is thy neighbour's. 22 These words the LORD spake unto all your assembly in the mount out of the midst of the fire, of the cloud, and of the thick darkness, with a great voice: and he added no more. And he wrote them in two tables of stone, and delivered them unto me. 23 And it came to pass, when ye heard the voice out of the midst of the darkness, (for the mountain did burn with fire,) that ye came near unto me, even all the heads of your tribes, and your elders; 24 And ye said, Behold, the LORD our God hath showed us his glory and his greatness, and we have heard his voice out of the midst of the fire: we have seen this day that God doth talk with man, and he liveth. 25 Now therefore why should we die? for this great fire will consume us: if we hear the voice of the LORD our God any more, then we shall die. 26 For who is there of all flesh, that hath heard the voice of the living God speaking out of the midst of the fire, as we have, and lived? 27 Go thou near, and hear all that the LORD our God shall say: and speak thou unto us all that the LORD our God shall speak unto thee; and we will hear it, and do it. 28 And the LORD heard the voice of your words, when ye spake unto me; and the LORD said unto me, I have heard the voice of the words of this people, which they have spoken unto thee: they have well said all that they have spoken. 29 O that there were such an heart in them, that they would fear me, and keep all my commandments always, that it might be well with them, and with their children for ever! 30 Go say to them, Get you into your tents again. 31 But as for thee, stand thou here by me, and I will speak unto thee all the commandments, and the statutes, and the judgments, which thou shalt teach them, that they may do them in the land which I give them to possess it. 32 Ye shall observe to do therefore as the LORD your God hath commanded you: ye shall not turn aside to the right hand or to the left. 33 Ye shall walk in all the ways which the LORD your God hath commanded you, that ye may live, and that it may be well with you, and that ye may prolong your days in the land which ye shall possess. (KJV)

These commandments were established to give life not only to the people of Israel, but also to the entire world in and through Israel, under Messiah in the worship of God.

Deuteronomy 6:1-25 Now these are the commandments, the statutes, and the judgments, which the LORD your God commanded to teach you, that ye might do them in the land whither ye go to possess it: 2 That thou mightiest fear the LORD thy God, to keep all his statutes and his commandments, which I command thee, thou, and thy son, and thy son's son, all the days of thy life; and that thy days may be prolonged. 3 Hear therefore, O Israel, and observe to do it; that it may be well with thee, and that ye may increase mightily, as the LORD God of thy fathers hath promised thee, in the land that floweth with milk and honey. 4 Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD: 5 And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. 6 And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: 7 And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. 8 And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes. 9 And thou shalt write them upon the posts of thy house, and on thy gates. 10 And it shall be, when the LORD thy God shall have brought thee into the land which he sware unto thy fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give thee great and goodly cities, which thou buildedst not, 11 And houses full of all good things, which thou filledst not, and wells digged, which thou diggedst not, vineyards and olive trees, which thou plantedst not; when thou shalt have eaten and be full; 12 Then beware lest thou forget the LORD, which brought thee forth out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage. 13 Thou shalt fear the LORD thy God, and serve him, and shalt swear by his name. 14 Ye shall not go after other gods, of the gods of the people which are round about you; 15 (For the LORD thy God is a jealous God among you) lest the anger of the LORD thy God be kindled against thee, and destroy thee from off the face of the earth. 16 Ye shall not tempt the LORD your God, as ye tempted him in Massah. 17 Ye shall diligently keep the commandments of the LORD your God, and his testimonies, and his statutes, which he hath commanded thee. 18 And thou shalt do that which is right and good in the sight of the LORD: that it may be well with thee, and that thou mayest go in and possess the good land which the LORD sware unto thy fathers, 19 To cast out all thine enemies from before thee, as the LORD hath spoken. 20 And when thy son asketh thee in time to come, saying, What mean the testimonies, and the statutes, and the judgments, which the LORD our God hath commanded you? 21 Then thou shalt say unto thy son, We were Pharaoh's bondmen in Egypt; and the LORD brought us out of Egypt with a mighty hand: 22 And the LORD shewed signs and wonders, great and sore, upon Egypt, upon Pharaoh, and upon all his household, before our eyes: 23 And he brought us out from thence, that he might bring us in, to give us the land which he sware unto our fathers. 24 And the LORD commanded us to do all these statutes, to fear the LORD our God, for our good always, that he might preserve us alive, as it is at this day. 25 And it shall be our righteousness, if we observe to do all these commandments before the LORD our God, as he hath commanded us. (KJV)

Israel was continually sought to be undermined by the nations in their idolatry. The structure of idolatry and the worship of the host are forbidden in all their forms.

Deuteronomy 4:19 And lest thou lift up thine eyes unto heaven, and when thou seest the sun, and the moon, and the stars, even all the host of heaven, shouldest be driven to worship them, and serve them, which the LORD thy God hath divided unto all nations under the whole heaven. (KJV)

The law and the calendar stand intact in the worship of God

The commandments are accompanied by the statutes and the structure of the law stands intact.

Deuteronomy 4:40 Thou shalt keep therefore his statutes, and his commandments, which I command thee this day, that it may go well with thee, and with thy children after thee, and that thou mayest prolong thy days upon the earth, which the LORD thy God giveth thee, for ever. (KJV)

The structure of the covenant of Israel is extended into the Church under Messiah and on into the Gentiles.

Deuteronomy 5:1-7 And Moses called all Israel, and said unto them, Hear, O Israel, the statutes and judgments which I speak in your ears this day, that ye may learn them, and keep, and do them. 2 The LORD our God made a covenant with us in Horeb. 3 The LORD made not this covenant with our fathers, but with us, even us, who are all of us here alive this day. 4 The LORD talked with you face to face in the mount out of the midst of the fire, 5 (I stood between the LORD and you at that time, to shew you the word of the LORD: for ye were afraid by reason of the fire, and went not up into the mount;) saying, 6 I am the LORD thy God, which brought thee out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage. 7 Thou shalt have none other gods before me. (KJV)

The Sabbath and the sacred calendar represent the structure of the law of God and His system.

Deuteronomy 5:14 But the seventh day is the sabbath of the LORD thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, nor thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thine ox, nor thine ass, nor any of thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates; that thy manservant and thy maidservant may rest as well as thou. (KJV)

Israel is required to establish the words of the law on two great stones, as each household is also required to do with the Ten Commandments. This stone structure is to serve as the master copy of the law in the nation.

Deuteronomy 27:1-26 [TO BE READ IN FULL]

This text has further warning to keep the commandments. They are to build an altar and write the words of the law on the stones. Specific curses for not keeping the law are given in the texts.

Blessings and curses

Deuteronomy 28:1-68 [TO BE READ IN FULL]

The curses are followed by the blessings, which will ensue from obedience. Further warnings against disobedience are given. These are examined in the paper The Blessings and the Curses (No. 75).

Miracles in protection

Deuteronomy 29:1-29 [TO BE READ IN FULL]

The text in Deuteronomy 29:1-29 shows the people of Israel are reminded of the miracles which they had seen since the Red Sea. Their clothes and shoes did not wear out. They are told that the covenant between God and them is in force, and they are again warned of the effects of breaking that covenant. This example was to stand as part of the Law for all time.

Deuteronomy 30:1-20 1 And it shall come to pass, when all these things are come upon thee, the blessing and the curse, which I have set before thee, and thou shalt call them to mind among all the nations, whither the LORD thy God hath driven thee, 2 And shalt return unto the LORD thy God, and shalt obey his voice according to all that I command thee this day, thou and thy children, with all thine heart, and with all thy soul; 3 That then the LORD thy God will turn thy captivity, and have compassion upon thee, and will return and gather thee from all the nations, whither the LORD thy God hath scattered thee. 4 If any of thine be driven out unto the outmost parts of heaven, from thence will the LORD thy God gather thee, and from thence will he fetch thee: 5 And the LORD thy God will bring thee into the land which thy fathers possessed, and thou shalt possess it; and he will do thee good, and multiply thee above thy fathers. 6 And the LORD thy God will circumcise thine heart, and the heart of thy seed, to love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, that thou mayest live. 7 And the LORD thy God will put all these curses upon thine enemies, and on them that hate thee, which persecuted thee. 8 And thou shalt return and obey the voice of the LORD, and do all his commandments which I command thee this day. 9 And the LORD thy God will make thee plenteous in every work of thine hand, in the fruit of thy body, and in the fruit of thy cattle, and in the fruit of thy land, for good: for the LORD will again rejoice over thee for good, as he rejoiced over thy fathers: 10 If thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to keep his commandments and his statutes which are written in this book of the law, and if thou turn unto the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul. 11 For this commandment which I command thee this day, it is not hidden from thee, neither is it far off. 12 It is not in heaven, that thou shouldest say, Who shall go up for us to heaven, and bring it unto us, that we may hear it, and do it? 13 Neither is it beyond the sea, that thou shouldest say, Who shall go over the sea for us, and bring it unto us, that we may hear it, and do it? 14 But the word is very nigh unto thee, in thy mouth, and in thy heart, that thou mayest do it. 15 See, I have set before thee this day life and good, and death and evil; 16 In that I command thee this day to love the LORD thy God, to walk in his ways, and to keep his commandments and his statutes and his judgments, that thou mayest live and multiply: and the LORD thy God shall bless thee in the land whither thou goest to possess it. 17 But if thine heart turn away, so that thou wilt not hear, but shalt be drawn away, and worship other gods, and serve them; 18 I denounce unto you this day, that ye shall surely perish, and that ye shall not prolong your days upon the land, whither thou passest over Jordan to go to possess it. 19 I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live: 20 That thou mayest love the LORD thy God, and that thou mayest obey his voice, and that thou mayest cleave unto him: for he is thy life, and the length of thy days: that thou mayest dwell in the land which the LORD sware unto thy fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give them. (KJV)

Reading God’s Law

Deuteronomy 31:1-30 [TO BE READ IN FULL]

Moses came to be an hundred and twenty years old and his time is then finished. He encouraged the people, and he encouraged Joshua. Moses then proceeded to write the law and it was placed in the ark of the covenant of the LORD. Moses then gave commands from God that this law is to be read saying,

At the end of every seven years, in the solemnity of the year of release, in the feast of tabernacles, 11 When all Israel is come to appear before the LORD thy God in the place which he shall choose, thou shalt read this law before all Israel in their hearing. 12 Gather the people together, men, and women, and children, and thy stranger that is within thy gates, that they may hear, and that they may learn, and fear the LORD your God, and observe to do all the words of this law: 13 And that their children, which have not known any thing, may hear, and learn to fear the LORD your God, as long as ye live in the land whither ye go over Jordan to possess it.

The second song of Moses

God established His law and His system under a faithful servant. When he had done all that God had demanded of him, God then told Moses that it was time for him to die. Moses and Joshua presented themselves in the tabernacle of the congregation, and the Lord appeared to them. He told them that he knew the people would break the covenant that he would be angry and many evils would fall upon them. They were to learn and sing this song: This is the second song of glory known as the Song of Moses.

Deuteronomy 32:1-52 Give ear, O ye heavens, and I will speak; and hear, O earth, the words of my mouth. 2 My doctrine shall drop as the rain, my speech shall distil as the dew, as the small rain upon the tender herb, and as the showers upon the grass: 3 Because I will publish the name of the LORD: ascribe ye greatness unto our God. 4 He is the Rock, his work is perfect: for all his ways are judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is he. 5 They have corrupted themselves, their spot is not the spot of his children: they are a perverse and crooked generation. 6 Do ye thus requite the LORD, O foolish people and unwise? is not he thy father that hath bought thee? hath he not made thee, and established thee? 7 Remember the days of old, consider the years of many generations: ask thy father, and he will shew thee; thy elders, and they will tell thee. 8 When the most High divided to the nations their inheritance, when he separated the sons of Adam, he set the bounds of the people according to the number of the children of Israel. 9 For the LORD'S portion is his people; Jacob is the lot of his inheritance. 10 He found him in a desert land, and in the waste howling wilderness; he led him about, he instructed him, he kept him as the apple of his eye. 11 As an eagle stirreth up her nest, fluttereth over her young, spreadeth abroad her wings, taketh them, beareth them on her wings: 12 So the LORD alone did lead him, and there was no strange god with him. 13 He made him ride on the high places of the earth, that he might eat the increase of the fields; and he made him to suck honey out of the rock, and oil out of the flinty rock; 14 Butter of kine, and milk of sheep, with fat of lambs, and rams of the breed of Bashan, and goats, with the fat of kidneys of wheat; and thou didst drink the pure blood of the grape. 15 But Jeshurun waxed fat, and kicked: thou art waxen fat, thou art grown thick, thou art covered with fatness; then he forsook God which made him, and lightly esteemed the Rock of his salvation. 16 They provoked him to jealousy with strange gods, with abominations provoked they him to anger. 17 They sacrificed unto devils, not to God; to gods whom they knew not, to new gods that came newly up, whom your fathers feared not. 18 Of the Rock that begat thee thou art unmindful, and hast forgotten God that formed thee. 19 And when the LORD saw it, he abhorred them, because of the provoking of his sons, and of his daughters. 20 And he said, I will hide my face from them, I will see what their end shall be: for they are a very froward generation, children in whom is no faith. 21 They have moved me to jealousy with that which is not God; they have provoked me to anger with their vanities: and I will move them to jealousy with those which are not a people; I will provoke them to anger with a foolish nation. 22 For a fire is kindled in mine anger, and shall burn unto the lowest hell, and shall consume the earth with her increase, and set on fire the foundations of the mountains. 23 I will heap mischiefs upon them; I will spend mine arrows upon them. 24 They shall be burnt with hunger, and devoured with burning heat, and with bitter destruction: I will also send the teeth of beasts upon them, with the poison of serpents of the dust. 25 The sword without, and terror within, shall destroy both the young man and the virgin, the suckling also with the man of gray hairs. 26 I said, I would scatter them into corners, I would make the remembrance of them to cease from among men: 27 Were it not that I feared the wrath of the enemy, lest their adversaries should behave themselves strangely, and lest they should say, Our hand is high, and the LORD hath not done all this. 28 For they are a nation void of counsel, neither is there any understanding in them. 29 O that they were wise, that they understood this, that they would consider their latter end! 30 How should one chase a thousand, and two put ten thousand to flight, except their Rock had sold them, and the LORD had shut them up? 31 For their rock is not as our Rock, even our enemies themselves being judges. 32 For their vine is of the vine of Sodom, and of the fields of Gomorrah: their grapes are grapes of gall, their clusters are bitter: 33 Their wine is the poison of dragons, and the cruel venom of asps. 34 Is not this laid up in store with me, and sealed up among my treasures? 35 To me belongeth vengeance, and recompence; their foot shall slide in due time: for the day of their calamity is at hand, and the things that shall come upon them make haste. 36 For the LORD shall judge his people, and repent himself for his servants, when he seeth that their power is gone, and there is none shut up, or left. 37 And he shall say, Where are their gods, their rock in whom they trusted, 38 Which did eat the fat of their sacrifices, and drank the wine of their drink offerings? let them rise up and help you, and be your protection. 39 See now that I, even I, am he, and there is no god with me: I kill, and I make alive; I wound, and I heal: neither is there any that can deliver out of my hand. 40 For I lift up my hand to heaven, and say, I live for ever. 41 If I whet my glittering sword, and mine hand take hold on judgment; I will render vengeance to mine enemies, and will reward them that hate me. 42 I will make mine arrows drunk with blood, and my sword shall devour flesh; and that with the blood of the slain and of the captives, from the beginning of revenges upon the enemy. 43 Rejoice, O ye nations, with his people: for he will avenge the blood of his servants, and will render vengeance to his adversaries, and will be merciful unto his land, and to his people. 44 And Moses came and spake all the words of this song in the ears of the people, he, and Hoshea the son of Nun. 45 And Moses made an end of speaking all these words to all Israel: 46 And he said unto them, Set your hearts unto all the words which I testify among you this day, which ye shall command your children to observe to do, all the words of this law. 47 For it is not a vain thing for you; because it is your life: and through this thing ye shall prolong your days in the land, whither ye go over Jordan to possess it. 48 And the LORD spake unto Moses that selfsame day, saying, 49 Get thee up into this mountain Abarim, unto mount Nebo, which is in the land of Moab, that is over against Jericho; and behold the land of Canaan, which I give unto the children of Israel for a possession: 50 And die in the mount whither thou goest up, and be gathered unto thy people; as Aaron thy brother died in mount Hor, and was gathered unto his people: 51 Because ye trespassed against me among the children of Israel at the waters of Meribah-Kadesh, in the wilderness of Zin; because ye sanctified me not in the midst of the children of Israel. 52 Yet thou shalt see the land before thee; but thou shalt not go thither unto the land which I give the children of Israel. (KJV)

Blessing the tribes

Moses then blessed the tribes of Israel.

Deuteronomy 33:1-29 And this is the blessing, wherewith Moses the man of God blessed the children of Israel before his death. 2 And he said, The LORD came from Sinai, and rose up from Seir unto them; he shined forth from mount Paran, and he came with ten thousands of saints: from his right hand went a fiery law for them. 3 Yea, he loved the people; all his saints are in thy hand: and they sat down at thy feet; every one shall receive of thy words. 4 Moses commanded us a law, even the inheritance of the congregation of Jacob. 5 And he was king in Jeshurun, when the heads of the people and the tribes of Israel were gathered together. 6 Let Reuben live, and not die; and let not his men be few. 7 And this is the blessing of Judah: and he said, Hear, LORD, the voice of Judah, and bring him unto his people: let his hands be sufficient for him; and be thou an help to him from his enemies. 8 And of Levi he said, Let thy Thummim and thy Urim be with thy holy one, whom thou didst prove at Massah, and with whom thou didst strive at the waters of Meribah; 9 Who said unto his father and to his mother, I have not seen him; neither did he acknowledge his brethren, nor knew his own children: for they have observed thy word, and kept thy covenant. 10 They shall teach Jacob thy judgments, and Israel thy law: they shall put incense before thee, and whole burnt sacrifice upon thine altar. 11 Bless, LORD, his substance, and accept the work of his hands: smite through the loins of them that rise against him, and of them that hate him, that they rise not again. 12 And of Benjamin he said, The beloved of the LORD shall dwell in safety by him; and the LORD shall cover him all the day long, and he shall dwell between his shoulders. 13 And of Joseph he said, Blessed of the LORD be his land, for the precious things of heaven, for the dew, and for the deep that coucheth beneath, 14 And for the precious fruits brought forth by the sun, and for the precious things put forth by the moon, 15 And for the chief things of the ancient mountains, and for the precious things of the lasting hills, 16 And for the precious things of the earth and fulness thereof, and for the good will of him that dwelt in the bush: let the blessing come upon the head of Joseph, and upon the top of the head of him that was separated from his brethren. 17 His glory is like the firstling of his bullock, and his horns are like the horns of unicorns: with them he shall push the people together to the ends of the earth: and they are the ten thousands of Ephraim, and they are the thousands of Manasseh. 18 And of Zebulun he said, Rejoice, Zebulun, in thy going out; and, Issachar, in thy tents. 19 They shall call the people unto the mountain; there they shall offer sacrifices of righteousness: for they shall suck of the abundance of the seas, and of treasures hid in the sand. 20 And of Gad he said, Blessed be he that enlargeth Gad: he dwelleth as a lion, and teareth the arm with the crown of the head. 21 And he provided the first part for himself, because there, in a portion of the lawgiver, was he seated; and he came with the heads of the people, he executed the justice of the LORD, and his judgments with Israel. 22 And of Dan he said, Dan is a lion's whelp: he shall leap from Bashan. 23 And of Naphtali he said, O Naphtali, satisfied with favour, and full with the blessing of the LORD: possess thou the west and the south. 24 And of Asher he said, Let Asher be blessed with children; let him be acceptable to his brethren, and let him dip his foot in oil. 25 Thy shoes shall be iron and brass; and as thy days, so shall thy strength be. 26 There is none like unto the God of Jeshurun, who rideth upon the heaven in thy help, and in his excellency on the sky. 27 The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms: and he shall thrust out the enemy from before thee; and shall say, Destroy them. 28 Israel then shall dwell in safety alone: the fountain of Jacob shall be upon a land of corn and wine; also his heavens shall drop down dew. 29 Happy art thou, O Israel: who is like unto thee, O people saved by the LORD, the shield of thy help, and who is the sword of thy excellency! and thine enemies shall be found liars unto thee; and thou shalt tread upon their high places. (KJV)

Moses and the elect

Moses was permitted to see the Promised Land, but was taken before the occupation, and that is the fact of the lives of the elect, for they will see Israel under Messiah as spirit beings.

Deuteronomy 34:1-12 And Moses went up from the plains of Moab unto the mountain of Nebo, to the top of Pisgah, that is over against Jericho. And the LORD shewed him all the land of Gilead, unto Dan, 2 And all Naphtali, and the land of Ephraim, and Manasseh, and all the land of Judah, unto the utmost sea, 3 And the south, and the plain of the valley of Jericho, the city of palm trees, unto Zoar. 4 And the LORD said unto him, This is the land which I sware unto Abraham, unto Isaac, and unto Jacob, saying, I will give it unto thy seed: I have caused thee to see it with thine eyes, but thou shalt not go over thither. 5 So Moses the servant of the LORD died there in the land of Moab, according to the word of the LORD. 6 And he buried him in a valley in the land of Moab, over against Bethpeor: but no man knoweth of his sepulchre unto this day. 7 And Moses was an hundred and twenty years old when he died: his eye was not dim, nor his natural force abated. 8 And the children of Israel wept for Moses in the plains of Moab thirty days: so the days of weeping and mourning for Moses were ended. 9 And Joshua the son of Nun was full of the spirit of wisdom; for Moses had laid his hands upon him: and the children of Israel hearkened unto him, and did as the LORD commanded Moses. 10 And there arose not a prophet since in Israel like unto Moses, whom the LORD knew face to face, 11 In all the signs and the wonders, which the LORD sent him to do in the land of Egypt to Pharaoh, and to all his servants, and to all his land, 12 And in all that mighty hand, and in all the great terror which Moses shewed in the sight of all Israel. (KJV)

God, as Yahovah of Hosts, set us apart to His service through and by the prophets under Yahovah. We are to have no other Gods but God. There is no Eloah but Eloah. Yahovah is our elohim and we shall have no other elohim before Him. The capacity to become elohim was extended by God to the Messenger of Yahovah through the Holy Spirit. He became High Priest and opened the way for us to become sons of God in power as elohim, like him, from the resurrection from the dead (cf. Rom. 1:4). He is made an elohim as the Angel of Yahovah at our head (Zech. 12:8). Through our obedience to the law unto death, we too are made sons of God, as gods and children of the Most High, all of us, and Scripture cannot be broken (Ps. 82:6; Jn. 10:34-35).

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