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charlesj
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When Christ spoke to the Jewish high priest, Nicodemus, He told him that he must be “born againâ€Â(Jn 3:3,5) and then, in the same breath, Yahshua said, “what is born of flesh is flesh and that which is born of Spirit is Spirit.â€Â
FLESH VERSES SPIRIT
The New Covenant speaks of a new birth. All who will enter into the terms of the new covenant through Christ will experience the new birth; they will be “born again.†They will change “fathers,†from the first Adam, to the second Adam, Yahshua the Christ. That is, from a physical father who has brought death upon the whole human race, the first Adam, to a spiritual Father, the second Adam, Yahshua.
The New Covenant child of God will start to recognize spiritual things verses "worldly" things. He/she is seated with Christ to do heavenly things: Ephesians 2:6 6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:
For example: worship, prayer... we worship Him in Spirit & truth, we pray differently through the Name of Messiah, etc. etc.
Paul tells us in Galatians 3:26 that all those who have been baptized into Christ have “put Him on.†And then he says:
Galatians 3:29
29 And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.
When one “puts on Christ†they then become the “seed†of Abraham (spiritual seed) and heirs to the promise. What promise?
Let’s go back and look at a very important promise.
God made a promise to Abraham in Genesis 12. Abraham was told his seed would be the savior of the world. God would raise up Abraham’s seed to bless the entire world.
The Apostle Paul looks back at this scripture and quotes it in Galatians 3:16 and tells us that this “seed†is Yahshua.
First, let’s look at the promise:
To Abram: (later called Abraham)
Gen 12:1 Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father’s house, unto a land that I will shew thee: (KJV)
Gen 12:2 And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing:
Gen 12:3 And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.
Gen 12:7 And the LORD appeared unto Abram, and said, Unto thy seed will I give this land: and there builded he an altar unto the LORD, who appeared unto him. (KJV)
God repeats the promise several times in Genesis, to Abraham in Genesis 22, to Isaac in Genesis 26 and to Jacob in Genesis 28. But note what
God says “...in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed.â€Â
To Abraham God says:
Gen 22:18 And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed;
because thou hast obeyed my voice.
To Isaac God repeats the promise:
Gen 26:4 And I will make thy seed to multiply as the stars of heaven, and will give unto thy seed all these countries; and in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; (KJV)
And, to Jacob God repeats the promise:
Gen 28:14 And thy seed shall be as the dust of the earth, and thou shalt
spread abroad to the west, and to the east, and to the north,
and to the south: and in thee and in thy seed shall all the
families of the earth be blessed. (KJV)
Paul tells us that this word “seed†which seems to be collective and plural is really singular, a seed, that is Christ. Hear Paul:
Gal 3:16 Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ. (KJV)
Some think that “seed†here is the nation of Israel, but Paul rules that out in the fact he says, through the Holy Spirit, “He says NOT and to seeds (Israel), as of many, but as of ONE, and to thy seed, WHICH IS CHRIST.†Wow!!
God could have just as well said in the Genesis promise “...in Christ shall all the nations of the earth be blessed.â€Â
In Peter’s sermon to a group of Jews, Peter tells them:
Acts 3:25 Ye are the children of the prophets, and of the covenant which God made with our fathers, saying unto Abraham, And in thy seed shall
all the kindreds of the earth be blessed.
Acts 3:26 Unto you first God, having raised up his Son Jesus, sent him to bless you, in turning away every one of you from his iniquities. KJV
And, to the Jew Paul says:
Ro 11:26 And so all Israel will be saved, as it is written: “The deliverer
will come from Zion; he will turn godlessness away from Jacob.
(A quote from Isaiah 59)
Is this “all of Israel†as some teach, or is it those who repent? Let’s look at
Isaiah 59:20 that Paul quotes in Romans 11:26:
Is 59:20 “The Redeemer will come to Zion, to those in Jacob who repent of their sins,†declares the LORD. (NIV)
1. God sent Yahshua to the Jew first.
2. Yahshua was to bless the Jew. How?
a. By turning them from their wicked ways.
b. Peter told a group of Jews in Acts to “turn from their
wicked waysâ€Â... (“repent†means to turn from your wicked ways)
Acts 2:38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.(KJV)
1. Peter told them to repent.
2. After repenting, they were to be buried with Christ in the
watery grave for the pardon of sins,
3. After the burial, and pardon of sins, they would receive the
gift of the Holy Spirit.
Gal 3:8 The Scripture foresaw that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, and announced the gospel in advance to Abraham: “All nations will be blessed through you.â€Â
1. Brother Abraham had the Gospel preached to him.
2. He knew that the Gentiles would be justified by faith.
3. He also knew that through his seed, Yahshua, the would earth
would be blessed.
The Gentiles would be justified by faith through the gospel; they would become the “seed†of Abraham and inherit the promise of eternal life through Abraham’s seed (Yahshua). They become the sons and daughters of Abraham, Praise God!
FLESH -Brother Abraham, in the flesh, received circumcision as a “seal†of the covenant that God made with him. Abraham believed God, by faith, and God made him righteous. Abraham is described as the “father of the faithful†in the New Testament.
James 2:23
23 And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.
It was Abraham’s faith that was counted for righteousness. Search as you will, there is no mention in the story of Abraham of a seventh day Sabbath. Abraham believed in the finished work of God:
Genesis 17:4-5
4 As for me, behold, my covenant is with thee, and thou shalt be a father of many nations. 5 Neither shall thy name any more be called Abram, but thy name shall be Abraham; for a father of many nations have I made thee.
The New Covenant child of God, the Christian, is asked to believe in the finished work of Christ on the cross:
John 19:30
30 When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.
Hebrews 12:2
2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
The Christian becomes the seed of Abraham and heir of the promise through Christ, not through the law, by keeping certain days, hours, months, but through faith:
Romans 4:13
13 For the promise, that he should be the heir of the world, was not to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law, but through the righteousness of faith.
The Christian receives the promise of the Spirit of God through faith, not law:
Galatians 3:7 & 14
7 Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham. . . .
14 That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Yahshua; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.
Abraham received circumcision (Gen 17:11) as a sign of the covenant between him and God. This was a “fleshly†seal.
The Christian receives a SIGN as did Abraham, but this sign or seal is not made with hands, it is a work of God. The Christian receives“circumcision of the heart.â€Â
Romans 2:28-29
28 For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh: 29 But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God.
Colossians 2:10-13
10 And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power: 11 In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ: 12 Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.
13 And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;
Abraham had a fleshly circumcision; the New Covenant child has a “spiritual†circumcision, made without hands.
During the period from “Eden to Sinai,†there is no mention of the seventh day Sabbath. Abraham did not mention the Sabbath. The Patriarchs did not mention the Sabbath. Not one time is the Sabbath mentioned from Eden to Sinai! The “sign†of circumcision was a “seal†of the righteousness that Abraham already had before circumcision. Circumcision did not make him righteous; it was his belief in God, his faith.
Romans 4:11
11 And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had yet being uncircumcised: that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be not circumcised; that righteousness might be imputed unto them also:
Today, we would be told that you must keep the Sabbath or do something in order to be made righteous.
Some even claim the Sabbath as a “seal†of the New Covenant child of God.
God entered into a covenant with Abraham, an “unconditional†covenant with him promising him that his “seed†would be as the stars of heaven(Gen 15:5). Abraham’s “spiritual seedâ€Â, all those, by faith in Jehovah’s plan, would be “as the stars in heaven. The sign of that covenant with Abraham was circumcision, not the seventh day Sabbath! This sign, circumcision, was the SEAL!
Today, we are SEALED by circumcision, made without hands, of the heart by Jehovah through His Son, Yahshua. Our SEAL is the Holy Spirit. Just as circumcision was the seal of the Old Covenant, we are sealed at baptism after belief and repentance.
By faith in the Lord Yahshua we become the spiritual seed of Abraham. The Christian is “sealed†unto the day of redemption:
Ephesians 4:30
30 And grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.
We have just looked at FLESH VERSES SPIRIT! A fleshly circumcision, a spiritual circumcision.
BEFORE THE OLD COVENANT WAS MADE AT SINAI, GOD MADE A PROMISE TO ABRAHAM. WE HAVE JUST LOOKED AT THAT PROMISE.
Four hundred and thirty years after this promise in Genesis 12, God added the law. This law did not affect the promise to Abraham to bless all nations through his seed. As a matter of fact, this added law would only remain in effect FOR A CERTAIN PERIOD OF TIME, until Yahshua came.
Paul confirms this in Galatians:
Gal 3:17 What I mean is this: The law, introduced 430 years later, does not set aside the covenant previously established by God and thus do away with the promise.
Gal 3:19 What, then, was the purpose of the law? It was added because of transgressions until the Seed to whom the promise referred had come. The law was put into effect through angels by a mediator.
Or, as the New Jerusalem Bible says:
Gal 3:19 “Then what is the purpose of the Law? It was added to deal with crimes until the progeny to whom the promise had been made should come...â€Â
What law is Paul talking about in Galatians 3? In Romans 7, Paul, the same person, that wrote the verses in Galatians 3, uses the word law again,
Ro 7:7 What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet. (KJV)
So, Paul is speaking of the same law in Galatians 3 as he speaks of
in Romans 7.
There are some who are confused on this point and believe and teach that the “added law†four hundred and thirty years after the promise is the sacrificial system. They call this added law “Moses’ law.â€Â
It is this “added law†that has caused a lot of confusion in the religious
world today.
Even back in the time of Christ, some were confused on the scriptures. Let’s look at a verse of scripture.
John 4:20 Our fathers worshipped on this mountain, but you Jews claim that the place where we must worship is in Jerusalem.â€Â
In the above verse of scripture, a Samaritan woman is questioning Yahshua as to the correct place of worship. Is it in this mountain, Mt. Gerizum, or is it in Jerusalem?
Notice Yahshua’s’ answer:
John 4:21 Jesus declared, “Believe me, woman, a time is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem.
John 4:22 You Samaritans worship what you do not know; we worship what we do know, for salvation is from the Jews.
John 4:23 Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. (NIV)
Just as we have many questions about worship today, this woman also had a question about the place of worship. Is it in our mountain, or is it in Jerusalem? Surely she thought, worship should come from their mountain, as this was the mountain where her fathers stood and shouted the blessings while Mt. Ebal was the mountain where the cursing came from.
Christ says that the physical place of worship will change, not only would
it not be in her mountain, for it never was, but it wouldn’t even be in
the proper place for that time, Jerusalem.
Something “new†is going to take place, those who worship the Father will worship Him from anyplace in the world.
Those who worship Him will worship Him in Spirit and Truth.
We have the same type of situation today. We have those who say we must worship on the 7th day of the week (Saturday) instead of the 1st day, Sunday.
Some come to Yahshua and say, “we worship on the 7th day, but some claim to worship on the ‘Lord’s Day,’ the first day of the week.†Yahshua would probably answer and say, “...the time is now when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth... There was a time, under the Old Covenant, when worshippers worshipped on the Sabbath (and other days) in Jerusalem, but the time has come when all those who want to worship the Father will worship from anyplace in the world at anytime.â€Â
Many in the religious world believe that the fourth commandment, “...remember the Sabbath day...†is still in force today. These people don’t realize that the “added law†was in effect until the one to whom the promise was made came. That was Yahshua. Since that time,
Yahshua, from the tribe of Judah, with a new priesthood, after the order of Melchisedec, changed the law. (Heb 7:12ff)
Are there laws in the New Covenant? Of course there are. We don’t kill, nor commit adultery etc. because there are New Covenant laws against it.
Where in the New Covenant (New Testament) does it tell us to keep the Sabbath? Better yet, if you break it, where does it give the penalty? (You must go back to the Old Covenant to find the penalty!)
Sabbath Keepers. (Two Types)
A Sabbath keeper is one who worships on the 7th day of the week. We call this day Saturday. There are many “brands†of Sabbath-keepers such as the 7th Day Baptist, Church of God 7th Day, World Wide Church of God, 7th Day Adventist, Davidians, etc. etc. Their names are legion.(There is a directory of Sabbath-keeping groups called “Sabbath-Observing Groups,†published by The Bible Sabbath Association, Fairview, Oklahoma 73737. My copy published in 1974 has 258 pages showing many groups, probably over 300)
A good majority of Sabbath-keepers have “grown up†in that environment, that is, their parents and their parents were Sabbath-keepers. They have known nothing else. Most consist of small groups. I’ve seen the dying type of spirit in some of the meetings, they aren’t growing, they are fighting among themselves, and they are splitting over different doctrines.
Although the Sabbath-keepers have many “brands,†they can be broken down into two groups:
(1). Some worship on the “DAY†part of the Sabbath, that is, they only worship twelve hours.
(2). The majority of Sabbath keepers worship for twenty-four hours, from sunset Friday to sunset Saturday.
These people take the Sabbath instructions from the Old Covenant that which was given to the Jews only, strip it of some of its penalties, and apply it to everyone, even the Gentiles who never had the Sabbath. Some go as far as making the Sabbath a “seal of God†to identify the “his children,†that is, Christians.
In other words, some Old Testament Sabbath keepers tell us that if we (Christians) don’t keep the Sabbath then we will also take the “mark of the beast†because we are not “sealed†as God’s children.
TWENTY-FOUR HOUR SABBATH KEEPER.
The twenty-four hour Sabbath keeper uses some of the following scriptures to prove their position:
Lev 23:32 It is a Sabbath of rest for you, and you must deny yourselves. From the evening of the ninth day of the month until the following evening you are to observe your Sabbath.â€Â
(Of course no one points out that this was a special Sabbath in Lev 23:32, the “day of atonementâ€Â.)
The next scripture they point out shows that there is a preparation day to the Sabbath, that is, Friday.
Luke 23:54 It was Preparation Day, and the Sabbath was about to begin.
Neh 13:19 When evening shadows fell on the gates of Jerusalem before the Sabbath, I ordered the doors to be shut and not opened until the Sabbath was over. I stationed some of my own men at the gates so that no load could be brought in on the Sabbath day.
TWELVE HOUR SABBATH-KEEPER.
The twelve-hour Sabbath keeper looks out his window about six o’clock Saturday morning and watches the “Sabbath DAY†begin. He uses the following scriptures for his position:
Ex 20:8 “Remember the Sabbath DAY by keeping it holy.
Ex 20:9 Six days you shall labor and do all your work,
Ex 20:10 but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the LORD your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your manservant or maidservant, nor your animals, nor the alien within your gates. (NIV)
1. The 12 hour Sabbath keeper points out Exodus 20:8, “remember the
Sabbath DAYâ€Â
2. In case his 24 hour Sabbath brother doesn’t understand what a
“day†is, then he will explain to him from Genesis:
THE “DAY†EXPLAINED: (By the 12 hour Sabbath keeper)
Gen 1:3 And God said, “Let there be light,†and there was light.
Gen 1:4 God saw that the light was good, and he separated the light from the darkness.
Gen 1:5 God called the light “day,†and the darkness he called “night.†And there was evening, and there was morning-- the first day.
3. The ol’ 12 hour Sabbath keeper will show that darkness is
called “night†and the light part is called “day.†(Genesis 1:5)
a. light = day.
b. darkness = night.
c. The first day consisted of an evening and a morning, two light parts of a day. That is, an evening(light part) and a morning(light part).
4. Then, he will point to Yahshua who will define the period of
a day:
John 11:9 Jesus answered, Are there not twelve hours in the day? If any man walk in the day, he stumbleth not, because he seeth the light of this world. (KJV)
Also, there is a parable of which a farmer goes out and hires laborers. On the first hour of the day, he hires a man. He hires men to work throughout the day. At the last hour, the eleventh hour, the end of the day, he hires a laborer. The others complain that the man hired on the 11th hour received the same wages as the one hired the first hour.
Matt 20:9 And when they came that were hired about the eleventh hour, they received every man a penny. (KJV)
The main point of this parable is not how long a day is, but you can see that a day is twelve hours long according to the story.
Some other scriptures that split the day and night:
Job 2:13 So they sat down with him upon the ground seven days and seven nights, and none spake a word unto him: for they saw that his grief was very great. (KJV)
Jonah 1:17 Now the LORD had prepared a great fish to swallow up Jonah. And Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights.
Matt 12:40 For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale’s belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. (KJV)
John 20:19 Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you. (KJV)
The 12 hour Sabbath-keeper points out John 20:19. Even though it was
evening, it was still the “same day.†Therefore, they say, an evening to
evening Sabbath couldn’t be correct.
So, should we worship on the Sabbath day, twelve hours or twenty-four hours?
Or, should we be observing the Sabbath at all? Or, do the ones worshipping on Sunday, the Lord’s day, the first day of the week, worship on the Sabbath too?
The Greek phrase for the first day of the week, “mia ton Sabbatonâ€Â
(mention eight times in the New Testament) means “first of the Sabbaths.†(Or, as we know it, the “First day of the weekâ€Â)
COVENANT
Yahshua’s sacrificial death served as the oath, or pledge, which God made to us to seal this new covenant. He is determined to give us eternal life and fellowship with Him, in spite of our unworthiness. As the Book of Hebrews declares, “The word of the oath, which came after the law, appoints the Son who has been perfected forever†<Heb. 7:28>. This is still God’s promise to any person who turns to Him in repentance and faith. (from Nelson’s Illustrated Bible Dictionary)
(Copyright (C) 1986, Thomas Nelson Publishers)
B. The Hebrew word for covenant, beriyth, is defined:
Strong’s # 1285 beriyth (ber-eeth’);
from 1262 (in the sense of cutting [like 1254]); a compact
(because made by passing between pieces of flesh):
-confederacy, [con-] feder [-ate], covenant, league.
(DIC)
1. Means to “cut or divide.â€Â
2. Expresses a “two fold†relationship.
(a). God.
(b). His people.
C. The Greek word for covenant, diatheke, is defined:
Strong’s # 1242 diatheke (dee-ath-ay’-kay);
from 1303; properly, a disposition, i.e. (specially) a
contract (especially a devisory will):
KJV-- covenant, testament. (DIC)
II. Old Covenant.
A. Made between God and a nation of people called Israel.
Deut 5:1 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.
5:2 The LORD our God made a covenant with us in Horeb.
5:3 The LORD made not this covenant with our fathers, but with us, even
us, who are all of us here alive this day. (KJV)
2. Who did God make a Covenant with? With Gentile nations?
God made a covenant with ONLY Moses and those with
him.
3. Not only did God NOT make this covenant with the Gentile
nations (any nation other than Israel) AND He did not even
make this covenant with the Fathers of the Jews, -- so says Moses(Deut 5:3)
4. Who where their “fathers?†(See Deut. 1:8)
Deut 1:8 Behold, I have set the land before you: go in and possess the land which the LORD sware unto your fathers, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, to give unto them and to their seed after them. (KJV)
B. Covenant made with Israel:
1. See Exodus 19 and following.
2. Exodus 24:1-8:
Ex 24:4 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.
Ex 24:6 And Moses took half of the blood, and put it in basons; and half of the blood he sprinkled on the altar.
Ex 24:7 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. (KJV)
Ex 24:8 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. (KJV)
1. Covenant was made with Israel.
2. Israel responded and said, “...all that the Lord hath said will
we do, and be obedient...â€Â
3. It does not say, all the world will follow these rules,
nor does it say that anyone from any Gentile nation said to
God, “all you say, we will do and be obedient!â€Â
It is an agreement between God and Israel. Not only is it
an agreement between God and Israel, but it was NOT made with their
fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
Notice the explicitness of whom the covenant is made with:
Ex 31:12 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,
Ex 31:13 Speak thou also unto the children of Israel, saying, Verily my
Sabbaths ye shall keep: for it is a sign between me and you
throughout your generations; that ye may know that I am the LORD that doth sanctify you. (KJV)
Ex 31:16 Wherefore the children of Israel shall keep the Sabbath, to observe the Sabbath throughout their generations, for a perpetual
covenant. (KJV)
5. Note again, it is the “children of Israel†that are addressed to
obey God’s Covenant.
6. The Sabbaths (not just the 7th day Sabbath) were a sign between God
and every Gentile believer? No, no, a thousand times no, it was sign
between God and Israel throughout their generations.
7. We(Gentiles) were never expected to observe any of the Sabbath feast
days or the seventh-day Sabbath. We were never delivered from Egypt,
we were never taken through the desert for forty years.
8. The Old Covenant was given to a special people, Israel. It
It was not given to any other nation on earth. It made them
different. It made them stand out from any other nation on
earth. Hear the Lord, Yahweh, the God of Israel:
Deut 4:8 And what other nation is so great as to have such righteous decrees and laws as this body of laws I am setting before you today? (NIV)
1. God Himself tells us that only this nation, Israel, had some
laws that no other nation had.
2. These laws were to be obeyed in “THE LAND.†(Canaan).
Deut 4:13 He declared to you his covenant, the Ten Commandments, which he commanded you to follow and then wrote them on two stone tablets.
Deut 4:14 And the LORD directed me at that time to teach you the decrees and laws you are to follow IN THE LAND that you are crossing the Jordan to possess. (NIV)
Nehemiah chapter 9 speaks of the promise to Abraham, verses 6 through 8, recaps the time the children of Israel was in bondage in Egypt goes over a period of time of 430 years and speaks of the added law, verses 13 and 14.
For those still not convinced that the added law contained the Sabbath, then read the whole chapter of Nehemiah 9.
Nehemiah 9:13-14 13 Thou camest down also upon mount Sinai, and spakest with them from heaven, and gavest them right judgments, and true laws, good statutes and commandments: 14 And madest known unto them thy holy Sabbath, and commandedst them precepts, statutes, and laws, by the hand of Moses thy servant:
The Book of Deuteronomy is like a recap of the exodus of the children of Israel from Egypt under the leadership of God through Moses to the skirts of the promise land. In this book, God tells why He gave certain laws to be obeyed.
For example:
1. Concerning slaves:
Deut 15:12 If a fellow Hebrew, a man or a woman, sells himself to you and serves you six years, in the seventh year you must let him go free.
Deut 15:13 And when you release him, do not send him away empty- handed.
Deut 15:14 Supply him liberally from your flock, your threshing floor and
Deut 15:15 Remember that you were slaves in Egypt and the LORD your God redeemed you. That is why I give you this command today.
a. According to verse 15, God gave them this law because it
was a reminder of Israel’s own slavery in Egypt.
2. Month of Abib chosen to celebrate Passover.
Deut 16:1 Observe the month of Abib and celebrate the Passover of the LORD your God, because in the month of Abib he brought you out of Egypt by night. (NIV)
a. It was in the month of Abib(our April) that God brought
Israel out of Egypt.
(1) God tells Israel to celebrate in Abib, the month
they were brought out,
(2) Then He tells them how to eat the Passover because
“...you left Egypt in haste...â€Â
(3) And, then He tells them when to celebrate the
Passover, and why, “...in the evening, when the sun goes down, on the anniversary of your departure from Egypt.â€Â
Deut 16:3 Do not eat it with bread made with yeast, but for seven days eat unleavened bread, the bread of affliction, because you left Egypt in haste-- so that all the days of your life you may remember the time of your departure from Egypt. (NIV)
Deut 16:6 except in the place he will choose as a dwelling for his Name. There you must sacrifice the Passover in the evening, when the sun goes down, on the anniversary of your departure from Egypt.
(This is WHY Leviticus 23:32 speaks of the Passover event and says the Sabbath, a “high day Sabbath†is to be when the “sun goes down.†That is, from sunset to sunset. Lev 23:32:
32It shall be unto you a Sabbath of rest, and ye shall afflict your souls: in the ninth day of the month at even, from even unto even, shall ye celebrate your Sabbath.)
Notice that God wants these people (Israel) to remember
their deliverance from Egypt, therefore He gave them
certain events to observe.
3. Laws concerning justice and pledges.
Deut 24:17 Do not deprive the alien or the fatherless of justice, or take the cloak of the widow as a pledge. (NIV)
Deut 24:18 Remember that you were slaves in Egypt and the LORD your God redeemed you from there. That is why I command you to do this.
a. Again, these laws were a reminder of slavery in Egypt.
Deut 24:19 When you are harvesting in your field and you overlook a sheaf, do not go back to get it. Leave it for the alien, the fatherless and the widow, so that the LORD your God may bless you in all the work of your hands. (NIV)
Deut 24:20 When you beat the olives from your trees, do not go over the
branches a second time. Leave what remains for the alien, the
fatherless and the widow. (NIV)
Deut 24:21 When you harvest the grapes in your vineyard, do not go over the vines again. Leave what remains for the alien, the fatherless and the widow. (NIV)
Deut 24:22 Remember that you were slaves in Egypt. That is why I command you to do this. (NIV)
b. Still, some more reminders of slavery in Egypt.
Deut 5:12 “Observe the Sabbath day by keeping it holy, as the LORD your God has commanded you. (NIV)
Deut 5:13 Six days you shall labor and do all your work,
Deut 5:14 but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the LORD your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your manservant or maidservant, nor your ox, your donkey or any of your animals, nor the alien within your gates, so that your manservant and maidservant may rest, as you do.
Deut 5:15 Remember that you were slaves in Egypt and that the LORD your God brought you out of there with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm. Therefore the LORD your God has commanded you to observe the Sabbath day. (NIV)
c. And again, the Sabbath is another reminder of Israel’s
deliverance from slavery in Egypt. This law is no different
than the other “remembrances of slavery in Egypt.â€Â
Deut 5:16 “Honor your father and your mother, as the LORD your God has commanded you, so that you may live long and that it may go well with you in the land the LORD your God is giving you.
d. Here is a promise for the Israelite that guarantees a long
life in “THE LAND.†(Later, in the New Covenant, this idea is
changed from “the Land†to the earth.)
III. What is the Old Covenant?
A. From Scripture, the Old Covenant is defined:
Ex 34:27 And the LORD said unto Moses, Write thou these words: for after the tenor of these words I have made a covenant with thee and with Israel. (KJV)
Ex 34:28 And he was there with the LORD forty days and forty nights; he did neither eat bread, nor drink water. And he wrote upon the tables the words of the covenant, the Ten Commandments. (KJV)
1. God speaks to Moses and tells him to write,
2. WHAT DOES HE WRITE?? THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT!!
“...and he wrote upon the tables...†What did he
write on? “The tablesâ€Â
What does he write? “...the words of the covenant...â€Â
What Words? “...the ten commandments.â€Â
What can you conclude from this?? The covenant that
was written on the tables of stone is the ten
commandments.
3. Moses wrote upon the tables the “words of the covenantâ€Â
and then God spells it out what these words are “...the
ten commandments.â€Â
4. Even if God did not add the words “the ten commandments†to
this verse, you would still know without a shadow of doubt
that it was a covenant he was writing and it was written on
tables.
5. There will always be some “die-hards†who will not even believe this clear passage of scripture, therefore, God gives
more proof of what the Old Covenant was:
Deut 4:12 Then the LORD spoke to you out of the fire. You heard the sound of words but saw no form; there was only a voice.
Deut 4:13 He declared to you his covenant, the Ten Commandments, which he commanded you to follow and then wrote them on two stone tablets.
Deut 4:14 And the LORD directed me at that time to teach you the decrees and laws you are to follow in the land that you are crossing the Jordan to possess. (NIV)
1. Again, the covenant, the ten commandments are written on
two tables of stone.
2. Also, these laws were written to be obeyed “in the LAND.â€Â
There is no Jew on earth that can not tell you where “THE
LAND†is located, Canaan. This covenant was designed not
for the U.S., Canada, Mexico or any other Gentile nation, only
for “the Landâ€Â, Canaan.
1 King 8:9 There was nothing in the ark save the two tables of stone, which Moses put there at Horeb, when the LORD made a covenant with the children of Israel, when they came out of the and of Egypt. (KJV)
1 King 8:21 And I have set there a place for the ark, wherein is the covenant of the LORD, which he made with our fathers, when he brought them out of the land of Egypt. (KJV)
1. 1 Kings 8:9 tells us that there was nothing in the ark except
the “two tables of stone†which Moses put there at Mt. Horeb.
2. 1 Kings 8:21 tells us that there was nothing in the ark except
for the “covenant.â€Â
3. Therefore, the two tables of stone and the covenant are one and the same.
The Hebrew writer sheds more light on the Old Covenant:
Heb 9:1 Then verily the first covenant had also ordinances of divine service, and a worldly sanctuary. (KJV)
Heb 9:2 For there was a tabernacle made; the first, wherein was the
candlestick, and the table, and the shewbread; which is called the
sanctuary. (KJV)
Heb 9:3 And after the second veil, the tabernacle which is called the Holiest of all; (KJV)
Heb 9:8 The Holy Ghost this signifying, that the way into the holiest of all
was not yet made manifest, while as the first tabernacle was yet
standing: (KJV)
(Read Hebrews 9:1-8)
1. The Hebrew writer tells us that the first covenant also had
laws governing worship and its sanctuary, a sanctuary on this
earth.
2. He also tells us that as long as the first covenant was in
force, that is, as long as that tabernacle was still standing
and the priest, Levites etc. were still observing the old laws
such as the burnt offerings, meal offering, sin offerings,
Sabbaths, etc. etc. then the way into the true holiest is not
ready yet.
3. Jeremiah speaks and clears the way for a New Covenant.
Jer 31:31 Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will make a new
covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah:
Jer 31:32 Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they brake, although I was an husband unto them, saith the LORD: (KJV)
Jer 31:33 But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people. (KJV)
Jer 31:34 And they shall teach no more every man his neighbor, and every man his brother, saying, Know the LORD: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the LORD: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more. (KJV)
4. The Hebrew writer quotes the Jeremiah in Hebrews 8:8-11.
Heb 8:8 For finding fault with them, he saith, Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah: (KJV)
Heb 8:9 Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; because they continued not in my covenant, and I regarded them not, saith the Lord. (KJV)
Heb 8:10 For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel
after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind,
and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people: (KJV)
Heb 8:11 And they shall not teach every man his neighbor, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for all shall know me, from the least to the greatest. (KJV)
5. Now look at this next verse:
Heb 8:13 In that he saith, A new covenant, he hath made the first old. Now that which decayeth and waxeth old is ready to vanish away. KJV
-The Hebrew writer says the very fact that he uses the term
“new covenant†means that the first is old and is ready to
vanish away, that is, to fade away!
Only for those who want to hold on to the old covenant, it has
not vanished, or faded away, but their hearts are blinded and they
are in bondage. Brother Paul speaks to those who wish to place
themselves under this bondage:
2 Cor 3:11 And if what was fading away came with glory, how much greater is the glory of that which lasts! (NIV)
2 Cor 3:12 Therefore, since we have such a hope, we are very bold.
2 Cor 3:13 We are not like Moses, who would put a veil over his face to keep the Israelites from gazing at it while the radiance was fading away. (NIV)
2 Cor 3:14 But their minds were made dull, for to this day the same veil
remains when the old covenant is read. It has not been removed,
because only in Christ is it taken away.
2 Cor 3:15 Even to this day when Moses is read, a veil covers their hearts.
2 Cor 3:17 Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is,
there is freedom. (NIV)
1. The Old Covenant was great and glorious, but we now have
a New Covenant, which is greater.
2. Those in bondage need to let go of the Old Covenant, turn
to Christ for freedom!
3. Christ came:
a. He died for all men’s sins.
b. He ministers to all for all time.
c. He will never die as in the old levitical priesthood,
He is a priest “FOREVER!â€Â
d. He came, He changed the methods and laws of the levitical
priesthood as predicted:
Psalms 110:1 The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool.
Psalms 110:2 The LORD shall send the rod of thy strength out of Zion: rule thou in the midst of thine enemies.
Psalms 110:3 Thy people shall be willing in the day of thy power, in the
beauties of holiness from the womb of the morning: thou hast the dew of thy youth. (KJV)
Psalms 110:4 The LORD hath sworn, and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek.
4. Psalm 110 prophesied of Christ, and the Hebrew writer
quotes Psalm 110 in Hebrews 1:13.
Heb 1:13 But to which of the angels said he at any time, Sit on my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool? (KJV)
5. The Hebrew writer builds an argument based on Psalms 110:4 why the law changed. Let’s look at the Hebrew writers argument:
Heb 7:11 If therefore perfection were by the Levitical priesthood, (for under it the people received the law,) what further need was there that another priest should rise after the order of Melchisedec, and not be called after the order of Aaron? (KJV)
Heb 7:12 For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law. (KJV)
Heb 7:13 For he of whom these things are spoken pertaineth to another tribe, of which no man gave attendance at the altar.
Heb 7:14 For it is evident that our Lord sprang out of Juda; of which tribe
Moses spake nothing concerning priesthood.
Heb 7:15 And it is yet far more evident: for that after the similitude of
Melchisedec there ariseth another priest,
Heb 7:16 Who is made, not after the law of a carnal commandment, but after the power of an endless life. (KJV)
Heb 7:17 For he testifieth, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of
Melchisedec. (KJV)
Heb 7:19 For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did; by the which we draw nigh unto God.
1. The Levitical priesthood wasn’t perfect.
2. Yahshua was from the tribe of Judah, Moses never mentioned anything about the priesthood coming from the tribe of Judah.
3. Yahshua was after the order of the Melchisedec priesthood,
not Levitical priesthood, since the priesthood changed, then
it is also necessary to change the law.
4. Yahshua did not die on the cross to change the law, His death
was a sacrificial one to save the world from their sins,
but, since Yahshua was from another priesthood, the law
had to change according to Hebrews 7:12.
5. Why does Yahshua have a better priesthood than the
Levitical priesthood?
Heb 7:15 And what we have said is even more clear if another priest like
Melchizedek appears, (NIV)
Heb 7:16 one who has become a priest not on the basis of a regulation as to his ancestry but on the basis of the power of an indestructible life.
Heb 7:17 For it is declared: “You are a priest forever, in the order of
Melchizedek.†(NIV)
Heb 7:18 The former regulation is set aside because it was weak and useless
Heb 7:19 (for the law made nothing perfect), and a better hope is introduced, by which we draw near to God. (NIV)
Heb 7:20 And it was not without an oath! Others became priests without any oath, (NIV)
Heb 7:21 but he became a priest with an oath when God said to him: “The Lord has sworn and will not change his mind: `You are a priest forever.’â€Â
Heb 7:22 Because of this oath, Jesus has become the guarantee of a better covenant. (NIV)
Heb 7:23 Now there have been many of those priests, since death prevented them from continuing in office; (NIV)
Heb 7:24 but because Jesus lives forever, he has a permanent priesthood.
Heb 7:25 Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them.
Heb 7:26 Such a high priest meets our need-- one who is holy, blameless, pure, set apart from sinners, exalted above the heavens.
Heb 7:27 Unlike the other high priests, he does not need to offer sacrifices day after day, first for his own sins, and then for the sins of the people. He sacrificed for their sins once for all when he offered himself. (NIV)
Heb 7:28 For the law appoints as high priests men who are weak; but the oath, which came after the law, appointed the Son, who has been made perfect forever. (NIV)
1. The Lord, Yahweh, has sworn with an oath, that Yahshua would
be a priest forever.
a. This fact that God has sworn with an oath makes this
covenant one with a better guarantee.
b. Under the Levitical priesthood, none were sworn with an
oath, therefore, like other men, they died.
c. Because of death, there were many priests under the
Levitical priesthood.
d. Yahshua, our highpriest, lives forever!
e. Yahshua, because He lives forever, and is our priest
can save those who come to Him to the uttermost. How?
He lives forever to intercede for them.
2. Yahshua is sinless.
a. He sat down at the right hand of God.
(1) A highpriest under the levitical priesthood, never
sat down. He always had work to do.
(2) The levitical priest was either offering sacrifices
to cover his own sins or the sins of the people.
(3) Therefore, he always stood, indicating the sin
question was never completed.
(4) He even had to offer the same sacrifices year after
year for the same sins, for himself and the people.
b. Yahshua sat down, indicating the sin question was answered.
(1) Yahshua sat down showing His job was complete.
(2) Once for all time, He provided the supreme sacrifice.
The Hebrew writer warns the “household of God†to beware of a certain problem in Hebrews chapters 3 and 4. The Old Covenant Sabbath-keeper comes along and takes one verse “out of context†and makes one believe that the verse is teaching to keep the Sabbath. Let’s look at the “whole picture†and not just one verse out of context.â€Â
First, the verse “out of contextâ€Â(part of the picture):
Heb 4:9 There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God;(NIV)
Here in Hebrews 4:9 the Sabbath keeper has a field day with those who are weak in the scriptures. They use this as a proof text to support keeping of the Sabbath. Again, let’s examine the “whole picture.â€Â
Heb 3:7 So, as the Holy Spirit says: “Today, if you hear his voice,
3:8 do not harden your hearts as you did in the rebellion, during the time of testing in the desert,
3:9 where your fathers tested and tried me and for forty years saw what I did.
3:10 That is why I was angry with that generation, and I said, `Their
hearts are always going astray, and they have not known my ways.’
3:11 So I declared on oath in my anger, `They shall never enter my rest.’â€Â
1. What generation was God angry with? The ones Moses led out of Egypt.
2. After testing the Israelites in the desert for 40 years, God
was fed up with their unbelief and sinfulness.
3. Because of all this, God said to them, “...they shall NEVER enter my rest.â€Â
4. The next verse gives the “household of Godâ€Â, that is, the
Christians a warning. Verse 14 tells what will happen to those
who give up Christ and fall away from Him. We can share “in Him†if we will hold on to Him until the end. Otherwise, we will be no different than those God was angry with for forty years in the desert. They were an example.
Heb 3:12 See to it, brothers, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God.
3:13 But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.
3:14 We have come to share in Christ if we hold firmly till the end the
confidence we had at first.
3:15 As has just been said: “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as you did in the rebellion.â€Â
3:16 Who were they who heard and rebelled? Were they not all those Moses led out of Egypt?
3:17 And with whom was he angry for forty years? Was it not with those who sinned, whose bodies fell in the desert?
3:18 And to whom did God swear that they would never enter his rest if not to those who disobeyed?
3:19 So we see that they were not able to enter, because of their
unbelief.
4:1 Therefore, since the promise of entering his rest still stands, let us
be careful that none of you be found to have fallen short of it.
4:2 For we also have had the gospel preached to us, just as they did; but the message they heard was of no value to them, because those who heard did not combine it with faith.
1. LET’S LOOK AT THE ACCOUNT AND SEE WHY THEY DID NOT COMBINE IT WITH FAITH. LET’S SEE WHY GOD WAS UPSET AND SWORE THAT THEY WOULD NOT ENTER INTO HIS REST.
Num 13:1 The LORD said to Moses,
13:2 “Send some men to explore the land of Canaan, which I am giving to the Israelites. From each ancestral tribe send one of its leaders.â€Â
13:3 So at the LORD’s command Moses sent them out from the Desert of Paran. All of them were leaders of the Israelites.
13:17 When Moses sent them to explore Canaan, he said, “Go up through the Negev and on into the hill country.
13:18 See what the land is like and whether the people who live there are strong or weak, few or many. (NIV)
13:19 What kind of land do they live in? Is it good or bad? What kind of towns do they live in? Are they unwalled or fortified?
13:20 How is the soil? Is it fertile or poor? Are there trees on it or
not? Do your best to bring back some of the fruit of the land.†(It
was the season for the first ripe grapes.)
13:21 So they went up and explored the land from the Desert of Zin as far as Rehob, toward Lebo Hamath. (NIV)
13:22 They went up through the Negev and came to Hebron, where Ahiman, Sheshai and Talmai, the descendants of Anak, lived. (Hebron had been built seven years before Zoan in Egypt.)
13:23 When they reached the Valley of Eshcol, they cut off a branch
bearing a single cluster of grapes. Two of them carried it on a pole
between them, along with some pomegranates and figs.
13:24 That place was called the Valley of Eshcol because of the cluster of grapes the Israelites cut off there.
13:25 At the end of forty days they returned from exploring the land.
13:26 They came back to Moses and Aaron and the whole Israelite community at Kadesh in the Desert of Paran. There they reported to them and to the whole assembly and showed them the fruit of the land.
13:27 They gave Moses this account: “We went into the land to which you sent us, and it does flow with milk and honey! Here is its fruit.
13:28 But the people who live there are powerful, and the cities are
fortified and very large. We even saw descendants of Anak there.
13:29 The Amalekites live in the Negev; the Hittites, Jebusites and
Amorites live in the hill country; and the Canaanites live near the
sea and along the Jordan.†(NIV)
13:30 Then Caleb silenced the people before Moses and said, “We should go up and take possession of the land, for we can certainly do it.â€Â
13:31 But the men who had gone up with him said, “We can’t attack those people; they are stronger than we are.â€Â
13:32 And they spread among the Israelites a bad report about the land
they had explored. They said, “The land we explored devours those living in it. All the people we saw there are of great size.
13:33 We saw the Nephilim there (the descendants of Anak come from the Nephilim). We seemed like grasshoppers in our own eyes, and we looked the same to them.†(NIV)
14:1 That night all the people of the community raised their voices and wept aloud. (NIV)
14:2 All the Israelites grumbled against Moses and Aaron, and the whole assembly said to them, “If only we had died in Egypt! Or in this desert! (NIV)
14:3 Why is the LORD bringing us to this land only to let us fall by the
sword? Our wives and children will be taken as plunder. Wouldn’t it be better for us to go back to Egypt?â€Â
14:4 And they said to each other, “We should choose a leader and go back to Egypt.†(NIV)
14:5 Then Moses and Aaron fell facedown in front of the whole Israelite assembly gathered there. (NIV)
14:6 Joshua son of Nun and Caleb son of Jephunneh, who were among those who had explored the land, tore their clothes
14:7 and said to the entire Israelite assembly, “The land we passed
through and explored is exceedingly good.
14:8 If the LORD is pleased with us, he will lead us into that land, a
land flowing with milk and honey, and will give it to us.
14:9 Only do not rebel against the LORD. And do not be afraid of the
people of the land, because we will swallow them up. Their protection is gone, but the LORD is with us. Do not be afraid of them.â€Â
14:10 But the whole assembly talked about stoning them. Then the glory of the LORD appeared at the Tent of Meeting to all the Israelites.
14:11 The LORD said to Moses, “How long will these people treat me with contempt? How long will they refuse to believe in me, in spite of all the miraculous signs I have performed among them?
14:22 not one of the men who saw my glory and the miraculous signs I performed in Egypt and in the desert but who disobeyed me and tested me ten times-- (NIV)
14:23 not one of them will ever see the land I promised on oath to their forefathers. No one who has treated me with contempt will ever see it. (NIV)
14:24 But because my servant Caleb has a different spirit and follows me wholeheartedly, I will bring him into the land he went to, and his descendants will inherit it.
14:30 Not one of you will enter the land I swore with uplifted hand to
make your home, except Caleb son of Jephunneh and Joshua son of Nun.
14:31 As for your children that you said would be taken as plunder, I will bring them in to enjoy the land you have rejected.
14:32 But you-- your bodies will fall in this desert.
1. THIS IS WHY GOD SWORE WITH AN OATH THAT THEY WOULD NOT
ENTER INTO HIS REST.
2. THEY WOULD NOT ENTER INTO THE “PLACE OF RESTâ€Â, CANAAN.
3. THEY WOULD DIE IN THE DESERT.
Now, let’s continue with the book of Hebrews and see more about the “rest.â€Â
Heb 4:3 Now we who have believed enter that rest, just as God has said, “So I declared on oath in my anger, `They shall never enter my rest.’†And yet his work has been finished since the creation of the world.
4:4 For somewhere he has spoken about the seventh day in these words: “And on the seventh day God rested from all his work.â€Â
4:5 And again in the passage above he says, “They shall never enter my rest.â€Â
4:6 It still remains that some will enter that rest, and those who
formerly had the gospel preached to them did not go in, because of
their disobedience.
4:7 Therefore God again set a certain day, calling it Today, when a long time later he spoke through David, as was said before: “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts.â€Â
4:8 For if Joshua had given them rest, God would not have spoken later about another day.
4:9 There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God;
4:10 for anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from his own work, just as God did from his.
4:11 Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no
one will fall by following their example of disobedience.
Moses could not give the children of Israel REST,
David could not give the children of Israel REST,
Joshua, when he took Israel into the promised land, could not
give them REST, even though they were observing the
Sabbaths (You can see this in Hebrews 3 and 4.)
• but Yahshua, gives ALL WHO COME TO HIM REST, A SABBATH!
Yahshua invites Jews and all mankind to come to Him to find their Sabbath “rest†in Him!
Matthew 11:28-29
28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
God’s own Holiness and Righteousness is imputed to those who come to Yahshua through faith. It will not be the keeping of days, weeks, months, or years that produces holiness.
1. The promised land was a “type†of rest, but not the “real†rest in Christ.
2. Joshua could not have given them the “rest†God is speaking of
because Joshua was only taking the people into a “type.â€Â
**Joshua did not give them the rest.
b. If Joshua would have led them into the “place†of rest,
then God would not of spoke of another DAY, but
c. Even though the people of God were in the land of Canaan,
and to show them that they haven’t entered into the place
of rest, God spoke of another day. God said, “...there
remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God.â€Â
d. David, while in the Land, knew that God spoke of another
rest for the people of God. David knew he had not entered
that rest.
Psalms 95:7 For he is our God; and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand. To day if ye will hear his voice,
95:8 Harden not your heart, as in the provocation, and as in the day of temptation in the wilderness:
95:9 When your fathers tempted me, proved me, and saw my work.
95:10 Forty years long was I grieved with this generation, and said, It is a people that do err in their heart, and they have not known my ways:
95:11 Unto whom I sware in my wrath that they should not enter into my rest. (KJV)
2. The antitype is the heavenly blessedne
3. When a person obeys the terms of the New Covenant, he
enters into a rest with God.
A SHORT RECAP:
1. The Old Covenant was a covenant between God and Israel only. There was no covenant “law†given before Mt. Sinai(Deut 5:2ff).
Romans 5:12-14
12 Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all men, because all sinned 13 for before the law was given, sin was in the world. But sin is not taken into account when there is no law. 14 Nevertheless, death reigned from the time of Adam to the time of Moses, even over those who did not sin by breaking a command, as did Adam, who was a pattern of the one to come. NIV
2. The covenant made at Sinai was not made with Abraham, Isaac or Jacob.(Deut 5:2ff; Deut 1:8)
3. You will not see the sin or trespass offering mentioned before Mount Sinai. There were no appointed priests to carry out the offerings.
It has been said that the “sin offering†covers the first four commandments while the trespass offering covers sins against man which is commandments five through ten.
4. The Sabbath was a given to Israel as a “sign†between God and that nation. (Ex. 31:12-17)
5. God says that the covenant made at Sinai, the Old Covenant, is the ten commandments; (Ex 34:27,28; 1 Kings 8:9 & 21; Deut 4:13; 9:1,11) The writer of Hebrews says in Hebrews 9:1ff that the first covenant also had ordinances of divine services and an earthly sanctuary.
Therefore, it was a complete package.)
A typical objection from the Sabbath-keeper:
“If the ten commandments are done away with, then we can steal, kill, commit adultery, etc. etc. ...â€Â
Answer to the objection:
Under the New Covenant, we have laws and statues to obey, but, not one time is the Sabbath commandment contained in it, nor is there any instruction given in regard to the Sabbath.
To receive any instruction regarding the Sabbath, you must go back to the Old Covenant..
Where does one go to find the penalty for violation of the Sabbath? To the Old Covenant!
If the speed limit is 50 mph in the city and I go 60mph and am caught by the police I will be given a ticket for excessive speed, under the law. If it’s 50mph and I go 60mph and there is no penalty what happens? If there is no penalty then I am free to do as I want. Where is the penalty in the New Covenant for the breaking of the Sabbath? How do I keep it, how do I end it? etc. etc. I must go back and look at the O
FLESH VERSES SPIRIT
The New Covenant speaks of a new birth. All who will enter into the terms of the new covenant through Christ will experience the new birth; they will be “born again.†They will change “fathers,†from the first Adam, to the second Adam, Yahshua the Christ. That is, from a physical father who has brought death upon the whole human race, the first Adam, to a spiritual Father, the second Adam, Yahshua.
The New Covenant child of God will start to recognize spiritual things verses "worldly" things. He/she is seated with Christ to do heavenly things: Ephesians 2:6 6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:
For example: worship, prayer... we worship Him in Spirit & truth, we pray differently through the Name of Messiah, etc. etc.
Paul tells us in Galatians 3:26 that all those who have been baptized into Christ have “put Him on.†And then he says:
Galatians 3:29
29 And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.
When one “puts on Christ†they then become the “seed†of Abraham (spiritual seed) and heirs to the promise. What promise?
Let’s go back and look at a very important promise.
God made a promise to Abraham in Genesis 12. Abraham was told his seed would be the savior of the world. God would raise up Abraham’s seed to bless the entire world.
The Apostle Paul looks back at this scripture and quotes it in Galatians 3:16 and tells us that this “seed†is Yahshua.
First, let’s look at the promise:
To Abram: (later called Abraham)
Gen 12:1 Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father’s house, unto a land that I will shew thee: (KJV)
Gen 12:2 And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing:
Gen 12:3 And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.
Gen 12:7 And the LORD appeared unto Abram, and said, Unto thy seed will I give this land: and there builded he an altar unto the LORD, who appeared unto him. (KJV)
God repeats the promise several times in Genesis, to Abraham in Genesis 22, to Isaac in Genesis 26 and to Jacob in Genesis 28. But note what
God says “...in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed.â€Â
To Abraham God says:
Gen 22:18 And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed;
because thou hast obeyed my voice.
To Isaac God repeats the promise:
Gen 26:4 And I will make thy seed to multiply as the stars of heaven, and will give unto thy seed all these countries; and in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; (KJV)
And, to Jacob God repeats the promise:
Gen 28:14 And thy seed shall be as the dust of the earth, and thou shalt
spread abroad to the west, and to the east, and to the north,
and to the south: and in thee and in thy seed shall all the
families of the earth be blessed. (KJV)
Paul tells us that this word “seed†which seems to be collective and plural is really singular, a seed, that is Christ. Hear Paul:
Gal 3:16 Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ. (KJV)
Some think that “seed†here is the nation of Israel, but Paul rules that out in the fact he says, through the Holy Spirit, “He says NOT and to seeds (Israel), as of many, but as of ONE, and to thy seed, WHICH IS CHRIST.†Wow!!
God could have just as well said in the Genesis promise “...in Christ shall all the nations of the earth be blessed.â€Â
In Peter’s sermon to a group of Jews, Peter tells them:
Acts 3:25 Ye are the children of the prophets, and of the covenant which God made with our fathers, saying unto Abraham, And in thy seed shall
all the kindreds of the earth be blessed.
Acts 3:26 Unto you first God, having raised up his Son Jesus, sent him to bless you, in turning away every one of you from his iniquities. KJV
And, to the Jew Paul says:
Ro 11:26 And so all Israel will be saved, as it is written: “The deliverer
will come from Zion; he will turn godlessness away from Jacob.
(A quote from Isaiah 59)
Is this “all of Israel†as some teach, or is it those who repent? Let’s look at
Isaiah 59:20 that Paul quotes in Romans 11:26:
Is 59:20 “The Redeemer will come to Zion, to those in Jacob who repent of their sins,†declares the LORD. (NIV)
1. God sent Yahshua to the Jew first.
2. Yahshua was to bless the Jew. How?
a. By turning them from their wicked ways.
b. Peter told a group of Jews in Acts to “turn from their
wicked waysâ€Â... (“repent†means to turn from your wicked ways)
Acts 2:38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.(KJV)
1. Peter told them to repent.
2. After repenting, they were to be buried with Christ in the
watery grave for the pardon of sins,
3. After the burial, and pardon of sins, they would receive the
gift of the Holy Spirit.
Gal 3:8 The Scripture foresaw that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, and announced the gospel in advance to Abraham: “All nations will be blessed through you.â€Â
1. Brother Abraham had the Gospel preached to him.
2. He knew that the Gentiles would be justified by faith.
3. He also knew that through his seed, Yahshua, the would earth
would be blessed.
The Gentiles would be justified by faith through the gospel; they would become the “seed†of Abraham and inherit the promise of eternal life through Abraham’s seed (Yahshua). They become the sons and daughters of Abraham, Praise God!
FLESH -Brother Abraham, in the flesh, received circumcision as a “seal†of the covenant that God made with him. Abraham believed God, by faith, and God made him righteous. Abraham is described as the “father of the faithful†in the New Testament.
James 2:23
23 And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.
It was Abraham’s faith that was counted for righteousness. Search as you will, there is no mention in the story of Abraham of a seventh day Sabbath. Abraham believed in the finished work of God:
Genesis 17:4-5
4 As for me, behold, my covenant is with thee, and thou shalt be a father of many nations. 5 Neither shall thy name any more be called Abram, but thy name shall be Abraham; for a father of many nations have I made thee.
The New Covenant child of God, the Christian, is asked to believe in the finished work of Christ on the cross:
John 19:30
30 When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.
Hebrews 12:2
2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
The Christian becomes the seed of Abraham and heir of the promise through Christ, not through the law, by keeping certain days, hours, months, but through faith:
Romans 4:13
13 For the promise, that he should be the heir of the world, was not to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law, but through the righteousness of faith.
The Christian receives the promise of the Spirit of God through faith, not law:
Galatians 3:7 & 14
7 Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham. . . .
14 That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Yahshua; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.
Abraham received circumcision (Gen 17:11) as a sign of the covenant between him and God. This was a “fleshly†seal.
The Christian receives a SIGN as did Abraham, but this sign or seal is not made with hands, it is a work of God. The Christian receives“circumcision of the heart.â€Â
Romans 2:28-29
28 For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh: 29 But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God.
Colossians 2:10-13
10 And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power: 11 In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ: 12 Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.
13 And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;
Abraham had a fleshly circumcision; the New Covenant child has a “spiritual†circumcision, made without hands.
During the period from “Eden to Sinai,†there is no mention of the seventh day Sabbath. Abraham did not mention the Sabbath. The Patriarchs did not mention the Sabbath. Not one time is the Sabbath mentioned from Eden to Sinai! The “sign†of circumcision was a “seal†of the righteousness that Abraham already had before circumcision. Circumcision did not make him righteous; it was his belief in God, his faith.
Romans 4:11
11 And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had yet being uncircumcised: that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be not circumcised; that righteousness might be imputed unto them also:
Today, we would be told that you must keep the Sabbath or do something in order to be made righteous.
Some even claim the Sabbath as a “seal†of the New Covenant child of God.
God entered into a covenant with Abraham, an “unconditional†covenant with him promising him that his “seed†would be as the stars of heaven(Gen 15:5). Abraham’s “spiritual seedâ€Â, all those, by faith in Jehovah’s plan, would be “as the stars in heaven. The sign of that covenant with Abraham was circumcision, not the seventh day Sabbath! This sign, circumcision, was the SEAL!
Today, we are SEALED by circumcision, made without hands, of the heart by Jehovah through His Son, Yahshua. Our SEAL is the Holy Spirit. Just as circumcision was the seal of the Old Covenant, we are sealed at baptism after belief and repentance.
By faith in the Lord Yahshua we become the spiritual seed of Abraham. The Christian is “sealed†unto the day of redemption:
Ephesians 4:30
30 And grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.
We have just looked at FLESH VERSES SPIRIT! A fleshly circumcision, a spiritual circumcision.
BEFORE THE OLD COVENANT WAS MADE AT SINAI, GOD MADE A PROMISE TO ABRAHAM. WE HAVE JUST LOOKED AT THAT PROMISE.
Four hundred and thirty years after this promise in Genesis 12, God added the law. This law did not affect the promise to Abraham to bless all nations through his seed. As a matter of fact, this added law would only remain in effect FOR A CERTAIN PERIOD OF TIME, until Yahshua came.
Paul confirms this in Galatians:
Gal 3:17 What I mean is this: The law, introduced 430 years later, does not set aside the covenant previously established by God and thus do away with the promise.
Gal 3:19 What, then, was the purpose of the law? It was added because of transgressions until the Seed to whom the promise referred had come. The law was put into effect through angels by a mediator.
Or, as the New Jerusalem Bible says:
Gal 3:19 “Then what is the purpose of the Law? It was added to deal with crimes until the progeny to whom the promise had been made should come...â€Â
What law is Paul talking about in Galatians 3? In Romans 7, Paul, the same person, that wrote the verses in Galatians 3, uses the word law again,
Ro 7:7 What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet. (KJV)
So, Paul is speaking of the same law in Galatians 3 as he speaks of
in Romans 7.
There are some who are confused on this point and believe and teach that the “added law†four hundred and thirty years after the promise is the sacrificial system. They call this added law “Moses’ law.â€Â
It is this “added law†that has caused a lot of confusion in the religious
world today.
Even back in the time of Christ, some were confused on the scriptures. Let’s look at a verse of scripture.
John 4:20 Our fathers worshipped on this mountain, but you Jews claim that the place where we must worship is in Jerusalem.â€Â
In the above verse of scripture, a Samaritan woman is questioning Yahshua as to the correct place of worship. Is it in this mountain, Mt. Gerizum, or is it in Jerusalem?
Notice Yahshua’s’ answer:
John 4:21 Jesus declared, “Believe me, woman, a time is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem.
John 4:22 You Samaritans worship what you do not know; we worship what we do know, for salvation is from the Jews.
John 4:23 Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. (NIV)
Just as we have many questions about worship today, this woman also had a question about the place of worship. Is it in our mountain, or is it in Jerusalem? Surely she thought, worship should come from their mountain, as this was the mountain where her fathers stood and shouted the blessings while Mt. Ebal was the mountain where the cursing came from.
Christ says that the physical place of worship will change, not only would
it not be in her mountain, for it never was, but it wouldn’t even be in
the proper place for that time, Jerusalem.
Something “new†is going to take place, those who worship the Father will worship Him from anyplace in the world.
Those who worship Him will worship Him in Spirit and Truth.
We have the same type of situation today. We have those who say we must worship on the 7th day of the week (Saturday) instead of the 1st day, Sunday.
Some come to Yahshua and say, “we worship on the 7th day, but some claim to worship on the ‘Lord’s Day,’ the first day of the week.†Yahshua would probably answer and say, “...the time is now when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth... There was a time, under the Old Covenant, when worshippers worshipped on the Sabbath (and other days) in Jerusalem, but the time has come when all those who want to worship the Father will worship from anyplace in the world at anytime.â€Â
Many in the religious world believe that the fourth commandment, “...remember the Sabbath day...†is still in force today. These people don’t realize that the “added law†was in effect until the one to whom the promise was made came. That was Yahshua. Since that time,
Yahshua, from the tribe of Judah, with a new priesthood, after the order of Melchisedec, changed the law. (Heb 7:12ff)
Are there laws in the New Covenant? Of course there are. We don’t kill, nor commit adultery etc. because there are New Covenant laws against it.
Where in the New Covenant (New Testament) does it tell us to keep the Sabbath? Better yet, if you break it, where does it give the penalty? (You must go back to the Old Covenant to find the penalty!)
Sabbath Keepers. (Two Types)
A Sabbath keeper is one who worships on the 7th day of the week. We call this day Saturday. There are many “brands†of Sabbath-keepers such as the 7th Day Baptist, Church of God 7th Day, World Wide Church of God, 7th Day Adventist, Davidians, etc. etc. Their names are legion.(There is a directory of Sabbath-keeping groups called “Sabbath-Observing Groups,†published by The Bible Sabbath Association, Fairview, Oklahoma 73737. My copy published in 1974 has 258 pages showing many groups, probably over 300)
A good majority of Sabbath-keepers have “grown up†in that environment, that is, their parents and their parents were Sabbath-keepers. They have known nothing else. Most consist of small groups. I’ve seen the dying type of spirit in some of the meetings, they aren’t growing, they are fighting among themselves, and they are splitting over different doctrines.
Although the Sabbath-keepers have many “brands,†they can be broken down into two groups:
(1). Some worship on the “DAY†part of the Sabbath, that is, they only worship twelve hours.
(2). The majority of Sabbath keepers worship for twenty-four hours, from sunset Friday to sunset Saturday.
These people take the Sabbath instructions from the Old Covenant that which was given to the Jews only, strip it of some of its penalties, and apply it to everyone, even the Gentiles who never had the Sabbath. Some go as far as making the Sabbath a “seal of God†to identify the “his children,†that is, Christians.
In other words, some Old Testament Sabbath keepers tell us that if we (Christians) don’t keep the Sabbath then we will also take the “mark of the beast†because we are not “sealed†as God’s children.
TWENTY-FOUR HOUR SABBATH KEEPER.
The twenty-four hour Sabbath keeper uses some of the following scriptures to prove their position:
Lev 23:32 It is a Sabbath of rest for you, and you must deny yourselves. From the evening of the ninth day of the month until the following evening you are to observe your Sabbath.â€Â
(Of course no one points out that this was a special Sabbath in Lev 23:32, the “day of atonementâ€Â.)
The next scripture they point out shows that there is a preparation day to the Sabbath, that is, Friday.
Luke 23:54 It was Preparation Day, and the Sabbath was about to begin.
Neh 13:19 When evening shadows fell on the gates of Jerusalem before the Sabbath, I ordered the doors to be shut and not opened until the Sabbath was over. I stationed some of my own men at the gates so that no load could be brought in on the Sabbath day.
TWELVE HOUR SABBATH-KEEPER.
The twelve-hour Sabbath keeper looks out his window about six o’clock Saturday morning and watches the “Sabbath DAY†begin. He uses the following scriptures for his position:
Ex 20:8 “Remember the Sabbath DAY by keeping it holy.
Ex 20:9 Six days you shall labor and do all your work,
Ex 20:10 but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the LORD your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your manservant or maidservant, nor your animals, nor the alien within your gates. (NIV)
1. The 12 hour Sabbath keeper points out Exodus 20:8, “remember the
Sabbath DAYâ€Â
2. In case his 24 hour Sabbath brother doesn’t understand what a
“day†is, then he will explain to him from Genesis:
THE “DAY†EXPLAINED: (By the 12 hour Sabbath keeper)
Gen 1:3 And God said, “Let there be light,†and there was light.
Gen 1:4 God saw that the light was good, and he separated the light from the darkness.
Gen 1:5 God called the light “day,†and the darkness he called “night.†And there was evening, and there was morning-- the first day.
3. The ol’ 12 hour Sabbath keeper will show that darkness is
called “night†and the light part is called “day.†(Genesis 1:5)
a. light = day.
b. darkness = night.
c. The first day consisted of an evening and a morning, two light parts of a day. That is, an evening(light part) and a morning(light part).
4. Then, he will point to Yahshua who will define the period of
a day:
John 11:9 Jesus answered, Are there not twelve hours in the day? If any man walk in the day, he stumbleth not, because he seeth the light of this world. (KJV)
Also, there is a parable of which a farmer goes out and hires laborers. On the first hour of the day, he hires a man. He hires men to work throughout the day. At the last hour, the eleventh hour, the end of the day, he hires a laborer. The others complain that the man hired on the 11th hour received the same wages as the one hired the first hour.
Matt 20:9 And when they came that were hired about the eleventh hour, they received every man a penny. (KJV)
The main point of this parable is not how long a day is, but you can see that a day is twelve hours long according to the story.
Some other scriptures that split the day and night:
Job 2:13 So they sat down with him upon the ground seven days and seven nights, and none spake a word unto him: for they saw that his grief was very great. (KJV)
Jonah 1:17 Now the LORD had prepared a great fish to swallow up Jonah. And Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights.
Matt 12:40 For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale’s belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. (KJV)
John 20:19 Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you. (KJV)
The 12 hour Sabbath-keeper points out John 20:19. Even though it was
evening, it was still the “same day.†Therefore, they say, an evening to
evening Sabbath couldn’t be correct.
So, should we worship on the Sabbath day, twelve hours or twenty-four hours?
Or, should we be observing the Sabbath at all? Or, do the ones worshipping on Sunday, the Lord’s day, the first day of the week, worship on the Sabbath too?
The Greek phrase for the first day of the week, “mia ton Sabbatonâ€Â
(mention eight times in the New Testament) means “first of the Sabbaths.†(Or, as we know it, the “First day of the weekâ€Â)
COVENANT
Yahshua’s sacrificial death served as the oath, or pledge, which God made to us to seal this new covenant. He is determined to give us eternal life and fellowship with Him, in spite of our unworthiness. As the Book of Hebrews declares, “The word of the oath, which came after the law, appoints the Son who has been perfected forever†<Heb. 7:28>. This is still God’s promise to any person who turns to Him in repentance and faith. (from Nelson’s Illustrated Bible Dictionary)
(Copyright (C) 1986, Thomas Nelson Publishers)
B. The Hebrew word for covenant, beriyth, is defined:
Strong’s # 1285 beriyth (ber-eeth’);
from 1262 (in the sense of cutting [like 1254]); a compact
(because made by passing between pieces of flesh):
-confederacy, [con-] feder [-ate], covenant, league.
(DIC)
1. Means to “cut or divide.â€Â
2. Expresses a “two fold†relationship.
(a). God.
(b). His people.
C. The Greek word for covenant, diatheke, is defined:
Strong’s # 1242 diatheke (dee-ath-ay’-kay);
from 1303; properly, a disposition, i.e. (specially) a
contract (especially a devisory will):
KJV-- covenant, testament. (DIC)
II. Old Covenant.
A. Made between God and a nation of people called Israel.
Deut 5:1 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.
5:2 The LORD our God made a covenant with us in Horeb.
5:3 The LORD made not this covenant with our fathers, but with us, even
us, who are all of us here alive this day. (KJV)
2. Who did God make a Covenant with? With Gentile nations?
God made a covenant with ONLY Moses and those with
him.
3. Not only did God NOT make this covenant with the Gentile
nations (any nation other than Israel) AND He did not even
make this covenant with the Fathers of the Jews, -- so says Moses(Deut 5:3)
4. Who where their “fathers?†(See Deut. 1:8)
Deut 1:8 Behold, I have set the land before you: go in and possess the land which the LORD sware unto your fathers, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, to give unto them and to their seed after them. (KJV)
B. Covenant made with Israel:
1. See Exodus 19 and following.
2. Exodus 24:1-8:
Ex 24:4 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.
Ex 24:6 And Moses took half of the blood, and put it in basons; and half of the blood he sprinkled on the altar.
Ex 24:7 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. (KJV)
Ex 24:8 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. (KJV)
1. Covenant was made with Israel.
2. Israel responded and said, “...all that the Lord hath said will
we do, and be obedient...â€Â
3. It does not say, all the world will follow these rules,
nor does it say that anyone from any Gentile nation said to
God, “all you say, we will do and be obedient!â€Â
It is an agreement between God and Israel. Not only is it
an agreement between God and Israel, but it was NOT made with their
fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
Notice the explicitness of whom the covenant is made with:
Ex 31:12 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,
Ex 31:13 Speak thou also unto the children of Israel, saying, Verily my
Sabbaths ye shall keep: for it is a sign between me and you
throughout your generations; that ye may know that I am the LORD that doth sanctify you. (KJV)
Ex 31:16 Wherefore the children of Israel shall keep the Sabbath, to observe the Sabbath throughout their generations, for a perpetual
covenant. (KJV)
5. Note again, it is the “children of Israel†that are addressed to
obey God’s Covenant.
6. The Sabbaths (not just the 7th day Sabbath) were a sign between God
and every Gentile believer? No, no, a thousand times no, it was sign
between God and Israel throughout their generations.
7. We(Gentiles) were never expected to observe any of the Sabbath feast
days or the seventh-day Sabbath. We were never delivered from Egypt,
we were never taken through the desert for forty years.
8. The Old Covenant was given to a special people, Israel. It
It was not given to any other nation on earth. It made them
different. It made them stand out from any other nation on
earth. Hear the Lord, Yahweh, the God of Israel:
Deut 4:8 And what other nation is so great as to have such righteous decrees and laws as this body of laws I am setting before you today? (NIV)
1. God Himself tells us that only this nation, Israel, had some
laws that no other nation had.
2. These laws were to be obeyed in “THE LAND.†(Canaan).
Deut 4:13 He declared to you his covenant, the Ten Commandments, which he commanded you to follow and then wrote them on two stone tablets.
Deut 4:14 And the LORD directed me at that time to teach you the decrees and laws you are to follow IN THE LAND that you are crossing the Jordan to possess. (NIV)
Nehemiah chapter 9 speaks of the promise to Abraham, verses 6 through 8, recaps the time the children of Israel was in bondage in Egypt goes over a period of time of 430 years and speaks of the added law, verses 13 and 14.
For those still not convinced that the added law contained the Sabbath, then read the whole chapter of Nehemiah 9.
Nehemiah 9:13-14 13 Thou camest down also upon mount Sinai, and spakest with them from heaven, and gavest them right judgments, and true laws, good statutes and commandments: 14 And madest known unto them thy holy Sabbath, and commandedst them precepts, statutes, and laws, by the hand of Moses thy servant:
The Book of Deuteronomy is like a recap of the exodus of the children of Israel from Egypt under the leadership of God through Moses to the skirts of the promise land. In this book, God tells why He gave certain laws to be obeyed.
For example:
1. Concerning slaves:
Deut 15:12 If a fellow Hebrew, a man or a woman, sells himself to you and serves you six years, in the seventh year you must let him go free.
Deut 15:13 And when you release him, do not send him away empty- handed.
Deut 15:14 Supply him liberally from your flock, your threshing floor and
Deut 15:15 Remember that you were slaves in Egypt and the LORD your God redeemed you. That is why I give you this command today.
a. According to verse 15, God gave them this law because it
was a reminder of Israel’s own slavery in Egypt.
2. Month of Abib chosen to celebrate Passover.
Deut 16:1 Observe the month of Abib and celebrate the Passover of the LORD your God, because in the month of Abib he brought you out of Egypt by night. (NIV)
a. It was in the month of Abib(our April) that God brought
Israel out of Egypt.
(1) God tells Israel to celebrate in Abib, the month
they were brought out,
(2) Then He tells them how to eat the Passover because
“...you left Egypt in haste...â€Â
(3) And, then He tells them when to celebrate the
Passover, and why, “...in the evening, when the sun goes down, on the anniversary of your departure from Egypt.â€Â
Deut 16:3 Do not eat it with bread made with yeast, but for seven days eat unleavened bread, the bread of affliction, because you left Egypt in haste-- so that all the days of your life you may remember the time of your departure from Egypt. (NIV)
Deut 16:6 except in the place he will choose as a dwelling for his Name. There you must sacrifice the Passover in the evening, when the sun goes down, on the anniversary of your departure from Egypt.
(This is WHY Leviticus 23:32 speaks of the Passover event and says the Sabbath, a “high day Sabbath†is to be when the “sun goes down.†That is, from sunset to sunset. Lev 23:32:
32It shall be unto you a Sabbath of rest, and ye shall afflict your souls: in the ninth day of the month at even, from even unto even, shall ye celebrate your Sabbath.)
Notice that God wants these people (Israel) to remember
their deliverance from Egypt, therefore He gave them
certain events to observe.
3. Laws concerning justice and pledges.
Deut 24:17 Do not deprive the alien or the fatherless of justice, or take the cloak of the widow as a pledge. (NIV)
Deut 24:18 Remember that you were slaves in Egypt and the LORD your God redeemed you from there. That is why I command you to do this.
a. Again, these laws were a reminder of slavery in Egypt.
Deut 24:19 When you are harvesting in your field and you overlook a sheaf, do not go back to get it. Leave it for the alien, the fatherless and the widow, so that the LORD your God may bless you in all the work of your hands. (NIV)
Deut 24:20 When you beat the olives from your trees, do not go over the
branches a second time. Leave what remains for the alien, the
fatherless and the widow. (NIV)
Deut 24:21 When you harvest the grapes in your vineyard, do not go over the vines again. Leave what remains for the alien, the fatherless and the widow. (NIV)
Deut 24:22 Remember that you were slaves in Egypt. That is why I command you to do this. (NIV)
b. Still, some more reminders of slavery in Egypt.
Deut 5:12 “Observe the Sabbath day by keeping it holy, as the LORD your God has commanded you. (NIV)
Deut 5:13 Six days you shall labor and do all your work,
Deut 5:14 but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the LORD your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your manservant or maidservant, nor your ox, your donkey or any of your animals, nor the alien within your gates, so that your manservant and maidservant may rest, as you do.
Deut 5:15 Remember that you were slaves in Egypt and that the LORD your God brought you out of there with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm. Therefore the LORD your God has commanded you to observe the Sabbath day. (NIV)
c. And again, the Sabbath is another reminder of Israel’s
deliverance from slavery in Egypt. This law is no different
than the other “remembrances of slavery in Egypt.â€Â
Deut 5:16 “Honor your father and your mother, as the LORD your God has commanded you, so that you may live long and that it may go well with you in the land the LORD your God is giving you.
d. Here is a promise for the Israelite that guarantees a long
life in “THE LAND.†(Later, in the New Covenant, this idea is
changed from “the Land†to the earth.)
III. What is the Old Covenant?
A. From Scripture, the Old Covenant is defined:
Ex 34:27 And the LORD said unto Moses, Write thou these words: for after the tenor of these words I have made a covenant with thee and with Israel. (KJV)
Ex 34:28 And he was there with the LORD forty days and forty nights; he did neither eat bread, nor drink water. And he wrote upon the tables the words of the covenant, the Ten Commandments. (KJV)
1. God speaks to Moses and tells him to write,
2. WHAT DOES HE WRITE?? THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT!!
“...and he wrote upon the tables...†What did he
write on? “The tablesâ€Â
What does he write? “...the words of the covenant...â€Â
What Words? “...the ten commandments.â€Â
What can you conclude from this?? The covenant that
was written on the tables of stone is the ten
commandments.
3. Moses wrote upon the tables the “words of the covenantâ€Â
and then God spells it out what these words are “...the
ten commandments.â€Â
4. Even if God did not add the words “the ten commandments†to
this verse, you would still know without a shadow of doubt
that it was a covenant he was writing and it was written on
tables.
5. There will always be some “die-hards†who will not even believe this clear passage of scripture, therefore, God gives
more proof of what the Old Covenant was:
Deut 4:12 Then the LORD spoke to you out of the fire. You heard the sound of words but saw no form; there was only a voice.
Deut 4:13 He declared to you his covenant, the Ten Commandments, which he commanded you to follow and then wrote them on two stone tablets.
Deut 4:14 And the LORD directed me at that time to teach you the decrees and laws you are to follow in the land that you are crossing the Jordan to possess. (NIV)
1. Again, the covenant, the ten commandments are written on
two tables of stone.
2. Also, these laws were written to be obeyed “in the LAND.â€Â
There is no Jew on earth that can not tell you where “THE
LAND†is located, Canaan. This covenant was designed not
for the U.S., Canada, Mexico or any other Gentile nation, only
for “the Landâ€Â, Canaan.
1 King 8:9 There was nothing in the ark save the two tables of stone, which Moses put there at Horeb, when the LORD made a covenant with the children of Israel, when they came out of the and of Egypt. (KJV)
1 King 8:21 And I have set there a place for the ark, wherein is the covenant of the LORD, which he made with our fathers, when he brought them out of the land of Egypt. (KJV)
1. 1 Kings 8:9 tells us that there was nothing in the ark except
the “two tables of stone†which Moses put there at Mt. Horeb.
2. 1 Kings 8:21 tells us that there was nothing in the ark except
for the “covenant.â€Â
3. Therefore, the two tables of stone and the covenant are one and the same.
The Hebrew writer sheds more light on the Old Covenant:
Heb 9:1 Then verily the first covenant had also ordinances of divine service, and a worldly sanctuary. (KJV)
Heb 9:2 For there was a tabernacle made; the first, wherein was the
candlestick, and the table, and the shewbread; which is called the
sanctuary. (KJV)
Heb 9:3 And after the second veil, the tabernacle which is called the Holiest of all; (KJV)
Heb 9:8 The Holy Ghost this signifying, that the way into the holiest of all
was not yet made manifest, while as the first tabernacle was yet
standing: (KJV)
(Read Hebrews 9:1-8)
1. The Hebrew writer tells us that the first covenant also had
laws governing worship and its sanctuary, a sanctuary on this
earth.
2. He also tells us that as long as the first covenant was in
force, that is, as long as that tabernacle was still standing
and the priest, Levites etc. were still observing the old laws
such as the burnt offerings, meal offering, sin offerings,
Sabbaths, etc. etc. then the way into the true holiest is not
ready yet.
3. Jeremiah speaks and clears the way for a New Covenant.
Jer 31:31 Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will make a new
covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah:
Jer 31:32 Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they brake, although I was an husband unto them, saith the LORD: (KJV)
Jer 31:33 But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people. (KJV)
Jer 31:34 And they shall teach no more every man his neighbor, and every man his brother, saying, Know the LORD: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the LORD: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more. (KJV)
4. The Hebrew writer quotes the Jeremiah in Hebrews 8:8-11.
Heb 8:8 For finding fault with them, he saith, Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah: (KJV)
Heb 8:9 Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; because they continued not in my covenant, and I regarded them not, saith the Lord. (KJV)
Heb 8:10 For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel
after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind,
and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people: (KJV)
Heb 8:11 And they shall not teach every man his neighbor, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for all shall know me, from the least to the greatest. (KJV)
5. Now look at this next verse:
Heb 8:13 In that he saith, A new covenant, he hath made the first old. Now that which decayeth and waxeth old is ready to vanish away. KJV
-The Hebrew writer says the very fact that he uses the term
“new covenant†means that the first is old and is ready to
vanish away, that is, to fade away!
Only for those who want to hold on to the old covenant, it has
not vanished, or faded away, but their hearts are blinded and they
are in bondage. Brother Paul speaks to those who wish to place
themselves under this bondage:
2 Cor 3:11 And if what was fading away came with glory, how much greater is the glory of that which lasts! (NIV)
2 Cor 3:12 Therefore, since we have such a hope, we are very bold.
2 Cor 3:13 We are not like Moses, who would put a veil over his face to keep the Israelites from gazing at it while the radiance was fading away. (NIV)
2 Cor 3:14 But their minds were made dull, for to this day the same veil
remains when the old covenant is read. It has not been removed,
because only in Christ is it taken away.
2 Cor 3:15 Even to this day when Moses is read, a veil covers their hearts.
2 Cor 3:17 Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is,
there is freedom. (NIV)
1. The Old Covenant was great and glorious, but we now have
a New Covenant, which is greater.
2. Those in bondage need to let go of the Old Covenant, turn
to Christ for freedom!
3. Christ came:
a. He died for all men’s sins.
b. He ministers to all for all time.
c. He will never die as in the old levitical priesthood,
He is a priest “FOREVER!â€Â
d. He came, He changed the methods and laws of the levitical
priesthood as predicted:
Psalms 110:1 The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool.
Psalms 110:2 The LORD shall send the rod of thy strength out of Zion: rule thou in the midst of thine enemies.
Psalms 110:3 Thy people shall be willing in the day of thy power, in the
beauties of holiness from the womb of the morning: thou hast the dew of thy youth. (KJV)
Psalms 110:4 The LORD hath sworn, and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek.
4. Psalm 110 prophesied of Christ, and the Hebrew writer
quotes Psalm 110 in Hebrews 1:13.
Heb 1:13 But to which of the angels said he at any time, Sit on my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool? (KJV)
5. The Hebrew writer builds an argument based on Psalms 110:4 why the law changed. Let’s look at the Hebrew writers argument:
Heb 7:11 If therefore perfection were by the Levitical priesthood, (for under it the people received the law,) what further need was there that another priest should rise after the order of Melchisedec, and not be called after the order of Aaron? (KJV)
Heb 7:12 For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law. (KJV)
Heb 7:13 For he of whom these things are spoken pertaineth to another tribe, of which no man gave attendance at the altar.
Heb 7:14 For it is evident that our Lord sprang out of Juda; of which tribe
Moses spake nothing concerning priesthood.
Heb 7:15 And it is yet far more evident: for that after the similitude of
Melchisedec there ariseth another priest,
Heb 7:16 Who is made, not after the law of a carnal commandment, but after the power of an endless life. (KJV)
Heb 7:17 For he testifieth, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of
Melchisedec. (KJV)
Heb 7:19 For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did; by the which we draw nigh unto God.
1. The Levitical priesthood wasn’t perfect.
2. Yahshua was from the tribe of Judah, Moses never mentioned anything about the priesthood coming from the tribe of Judah.
3. Yahshua was after the order of the Melchisedec priesthood,
not Levitical priesthood, since the priesthood changed, then
it is also necessary to change the law.
4. Yahshua did not die on the cross to change the law, His death
was a sacrificial one to save the world from their sins,
but, since Yahshua was from another priesthood, the law
had to change according to Hebrews 7:12.
5. Why does Yahshua have a better priesthood than the
Levitical priesthood?
Heb 7:15 And what we have said is even more clear if another priest like
Melchizedek appears, (NIV)
Heb 7:16 one who has become a priest not on the basis of a regulation as to his ancestry but on the basis of the power of an indestructible life.
Heb 7:17 For it is declared: “You are a priest forever, in the order of
Melchizedek.†(NIV)
Heb 7:18 The former regulation is set aside because it was weak and useless
Heb 7:19 (for the law made nothing perfect), and a better hope is introduced, by which we draw near to God. (NIV)
Heb 7:20 And it was not without an oath! Others became priests without any oath, (NIV)
Heb 7:21 but he became a priest with an oath when God said to him: “The Lord has sworn and will not change his mind: `You are a priest forever.’â€Â
Heb 7:22 Because of this oath, Jesus has become the guarantee of a better covenant. (NIV)
Heb 7:23 Now there have been many of those priests, since death prevented them from continuing in office; (NIV)
Heb 7:24 but because Jesus lives forever, he has a permanent priesthood.
Heb 7:25 Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them.
Heb 7:26 Such a high priest meets our need-- one who is holy, blameless, pure, set apart from sinners, exalted above the heavens.
Heb 7:27 Unlike the other high priests, he does not need to offer sacrifices day after day, first for his own sins, and then for the sins of the people. He sacrificed for their sins once for all when he offered himself. (NIV)
Heb 7:28 For the law appoints as high priests men who are weak; but the oath, which came after the law, appointed the Son, who has been made perfect forever. (NIV)
1. The Lord, Yahweh, has sworn with an oath, that Yahshua would
be a priest forever.
a. This fact that God has sworn with an oath makes this
covenant one with a better guarantee.
b. Under the Levitical priesthood, none were sworn with an
oath, therefore, like other men, they died.
c. Because of death, there were many priests under the
Levitical priesthood.
d. Yahshua, our highpriest, lives forever!
e. Yahshua, because He lives forever, and is our priest
can save those who come to Him to the uttermost. How?
He lives forever to intercede for them.
2. Yahshua is sinless.
a. He sat down at the right hand of God.
(1) A highpriest under the levitical priesthood, never
sat down. He always had work to do.
(2) The levitical priest was either offering sacrifices
to cover his own sins or the sins of the people.
(3) Therefore, he always stood, indicating the sin
question was never completed.
(4) He even had to offer the same sacrifices year after
year for the same sins, for himself and the people.
b. Yahshua sat down, indicating the sin question was answered.
(1) Yahshua sat down showing His job was complete.
(2) Once for all time, He provided the supreme sacrifice.
The Hebrew writer warns the “household of God†to beware of a certain problem in Hebrews chapters 3 and 4. The Old Covenant Sabbath-keeper comes along and takes one verse “out of context†and makes one believe that the verse is teaching to keep the Sabbath. Let’s look at the “whole picture†and not just one verse out of context.â€Â
First, the verse “out of contextâ€Â(part of the picture):
Heb 4:9 There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God;(NIV)
Here in Hebrews 4:9 the Sabbath keeper has a field day with those who are weak in the scriptures. They use this as a proof text to support keeping of the Sabbath. Again, let’s examine the “whole picture.â€Â
Heb 3:7 So, as the Holy Spirit says: “Today, if you hear his voice,
3:8 do not harden your hearts as you did in the rebellion, during the time of testing in the desert,
3:9 where your fathers tested and tried me and for forty years saw what I did.
3:10 That is why I was angry with that generation, and I said, `Their
hearts are always going astray, and they have not known my ways.’
3:11 So I declared on oath in my anger, `They shall never enter my rest.’â€Â
1. What generation was God angry with? The ones Moses led out of Egypt.
2. After testing the Israelites in the desert for 40 years, God
was fed up with their unbelief and sinfulness.
3. Because of all this, God said to them, “...they shall NEVER enter my rest.â€Â
4. The next verse gives the “household of Godâ€Â, that is, the
Christians a warning. Verse 14 tells what will happen to those
who give up Christ and fall away from Him. We can share “in Him†if we will hold on to Him until the end. Otherwise, we will be no different than those God was angry with for forty years in the desert. They were an example.
Heb 3:12 See to it, brothers, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God.
3:13 But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.
3:14 We have come to share in Christ if we hold firmly till the end the
confidence we had at first.
3:15 As has just been said: “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as you did in the rebellion.â€Â
3:16 Who were they who heard and rebelled? Were they not all those Moses led out of Egypt?
3:17 And with whom was he angry for forty years? Was it not with those who sinned, whose bodies fell in the desert?
3:18 And to whom did God swear that they would never enter his rest if not to those who disobeyed?
3:19 So we see that they were not able to enter, because of their
unbelief.
4:1 Therefore, since the promise of entering his rest still stands, let us
be careful that none of you be found to have fallen short of it.
4:2 For we also have had the gospel preached to us, just as they did; but the message they heard was of no value to them, because those who heard did not combine it with faith.
1. LET’S LOOK AT THE ACCOUNT AND SEE WHY THEY DID NOT COMBINE IT WITH FAITH. LET’S SEE WHY GOD WAS UPSET AND SWORE THAT THEY WOULD NOT ENTER INTO HIS REST.
Num 13:1 The LORD said to Moses,
13:2 “Send some men to explore the land of Canaan, which I am giving to the Israelites. From each ancestral tribe send one of its leaders.â€Â
13:3 So at the LORD’s command Moses sent them out from the Desert of Paran. All of them were leaders of the Israelites.
13:17 When Moses sent them to explore Canaan, he said, “Go up through the Negev and on into the hill country.
13:18 See what the land is like and whether the people who live there are strong or weak, few or many. (NIV)
13:19 What kind of land do they live in? Is it good or bad? What kind of towns do they live in? Are they unwalled or fortified?
13:20 How is the soil? Is it fertile or poor? Are there trees on it or
not? Do your best to bring back some of the fruit of the land.†(It
was the season for the first ripe grapes.)
13:21 So they went up and explored the land from the Desert of Zin as far as Rehob, toward Lebo Hamath. (NIV)
13:22 They went up through the Negev and came to Hebron, where Ahiman, Sheshai and Talmai, the descendants of Anak, lived. (Hebron had been built seven years before Zoan in Egypt.)
13:23 When they reached the Valley of Eshcol, they cut off a branch
bearing a single cluster of grapes. Two of them carried it on a pole
between them, along with some pomegranates and figs.
13:24 That place was called the Valley of Eshcol because of the cluster of grapes the Israelites cut off there.
13:25 At the end of forty days they returned from exploring the land.
13:26 They came back to Moses and Aaron and the whole Israelite community at Kadesh in the Desert of Paran. There they reported to them and to the whole assembly and showed them the fruit of the land.
13:27 They gave Moses this account: “We went into the land to which you sent us, and it does flow with milk and honey! Here is its fruit.
13:28 But the people who live there are powerful, and the cities are
fortified and very large. We even saw descendants of Anak there.
13:29 The Amalekites live in the Negev; the Hittites, Jebusites and
Amorites live in the hill country; and the Canaanites live near the
sea and along the Jordan.†(NIV)
13:30 Then Caleb silenced the people before Moses and said, “We should go up and take possession of the land, for we can certainly do it.â€Â
13:31 But the men who had gone up with him said, “We can’t attack those people; they are stronger than we are.â€Â
13:32 And they spread among the Israelites a bad report about the land
they had explored. They said, “The land we explored devours those living in it. All the people we saw there are of great size.
13:33 We saw the Nephilim there (the descendants of Anak come from the Nephilim). We seemed like grasshoppers in our own eyes, and we looked the same to them.†(NIV)
14:1 That night all the people of the community raised their voices and wept aloud. (NIV)
14:2 All the Israelites grumbled against Moses and Aaron, and the whole assembly said to them, “If only we had died in Egypt! Or in this desert! (NIV)
14:3 Why is the LORD bringing us to this land only to let us fall by the
sword? Our wives and children will be taken as plunder. Wouldn’t it be better for us to go back to Egypt?â€Â
14:4 And they said to each other, “We should choose a leader and go back to Egypt.†(NIV)
14:5 Then Moses and Aaron fell facedown in front of the whole Israelite assembly gathered there. (NIV)
14:6 Joshua son of Nun and Caleb son of Jephunneh, who were among those who had explored the land, tore their clothes
14:7 and said to the entire Israelite assembly, “The land we passed
through and explored is exceedingly good.
14:8 If the LORD is pleased with us, he will lead us into that land, a
land flowing with milk and honey, and will give it to us.
14:9 Only do not rebel against the LORD. And do not be afraid of the
people of the land, because we will swallow them up. Their protection is gone, but the LORD is with us. Do not be afraid of them.â€Â
14:10 But the whole assembly talked about stoning them. Then the glory of the LORD appeared at the Tent of Meeting to all the Israelites.
14:11 The LORD said to Moses, “How long will these people treat me with contempt? How long will they refuse to believe in me, in spite of all the miraculous signs I have performed among them?
14:22 not one of the men who saw my glory and the miraculous signs I performed in Egypt and in the desert but who disobeyed me and tested me ten times-- (NIV)
14:23 not one of them will ever see the land I promised on oath to their forefathers. No one who has treated me with contempt will ever see it. (NIV)
14:24 But because my servant Caleb has a different spirit and follows me wholeheartedly, I will bring him into the land he went to, and his descendants will inherit it.
14:30 Not one of you will enter the land I swore with uplifted hand to
make your home, except Caleb son of Jephunneh and Joshua son of Nun.
14:31 As for your children that you said would be taken as plunder, I will bring them in to enjoy the land you have rejected.
14:32 But you-- your bodies will fall in this desert.
1. THIS IS WHY GOD SWORE WITH AN OATH THAT THEY WOULD NOT
ENTER INTO HIS REST.
2. THEY WOULD NOT ENTER INTO THE “PLACE OF RESTâ€Â, CANAAN.
3. THEY WOULD DIE IN THE DESERT.
Now, let’s continue with the book of Hebrews and see more about the “rest.â€Â
Heb 4:3 Now we who have believed enter that rest, just as God has said, “So I declared on oath in my anger, `They shall never enter my rest.’†And yet his work has been finished since the creation of the world.
4:4 For somewhere he has spoken about the seventh day in these words: “And on the seventh day God rested from all his work.â€Â
4:5 And again in the passage above he says, “They shall never enter my rest.â€Â
4:6 It still remains that some will enter that rest, and those who
formerly had the gospel preached to them did not go in, because of
their disobedience.
4:7 Therefore God again set a certain day, calling it Today, when a long time later he spoke through David, as was said before: “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts.â€Â
4:8 For if Joshua had given them rest, God would not have spoken later about another day.
4:9 There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God;
4:10 for anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from his own work, just as God did from his.
4:11 Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no
one will fall by following their example of disobedience.
Moses could not give the children of Israel REST,
David could not give the children of Israel REST,
Joshua, when he took Israel into the promised land, could not
give them REST, even though they were observing the
Sabbaths (You can see this in Hebrews 3 and 4.)
• but Yahshua, gives ALL WHO COME TO HIM REST, A SABBATH!
Yahshua invites Jews and all mankind to come to Him to find their Sabbath “rest†in Him!
Matthew 11:28-29
28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
God’s own Holiness and Righteousness is imputed to those who come to Yahshua through faith. It will not be the keeping of days, weeks, months, or years that produces holiness.
1. The promised land was a “type†of rest, but not the “real†rest in Christ.
2. Joshua could not have given them the “rest†God is speaking of
because Joshua was only taking the people into a “type.â€Â
**Joshua did not give them the rest.
b. If Joshua would have led them into the “place†of rest,
then God would not of spoke of another DAY, but
c. Even though the people of God were in the land of Canaan,
and to show them that they haven’t entered into the place
of rest, God spoke of another day. God said, “...there
remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God.â€Â
d. David, while in the Land, knew that God spoke of another
rest for the people of God. David knew he had not entered
that rest.
Psalms 95:7 For he is our God; and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand. To day if ye will hear his voice,
95:8 Harden not your heart, as in the provocation, and as in the day of temptation in the wilderness:
95:9 When your fathers tempted me, proved me, and saw my work.
95:10 Forty years long was I grieved with this generation, and said, It is a people that do err in their heart, and they have not known my ways:
95:11 Unto whom I sware in my wrath that they should not enter into my rest. (KJV)
2. The antitype is the heavenly blessedne
3. When a person obeys the terms of the New Covenant, he
enters into a rest with God.
A SHORT RECAP:
1. The Old Covenant was a covenant between God and Israel only. There was no covenant “law†given before Mt. Sinai(Deut 5:2ff).
Romans 5:12-14
12 Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all men, because all sinned 13 for before the law was given, sin was in the world. But sin is not taken into account when there is no law. 14 Nevertheless, death reigned from the time of Adam to the time of Moses, even over those who did not sin by breaking a command, as did Adam, who was a pattern of the one to come. NIV
2. The covenant made at Sinai was not made with Abraham, Isaac or Jacob.(Deut 5:2ff; Deut 1:8)
3. You will not see the sin or trespass offering mentioned before Mount Sinai. There were no appointed priests to carry out the offerings.
It has been said that the “sin offering†covers the first four commandments while the trespass offering covers sins against man which is commandments five through ten.
4. The Sabbath was a given to Israel as a “sign†between God and that nation. (Ex. 31:12-17)
5. God says that the covenant made at Sinai, the Old Covenant, is the ten commandments; (Ex 34:27,28; 1 Kings 8:9 & 21; Deut 4:13; 9:1,11) The writer of Hebrews says in Hebrews 9:1ff that the first covenant also had ordinances of divine services and an earthly sanctuary.
Therefore, it was a complete package.)
A typical objection from the Sabbath-keeper:
“If the ten commandments are done away with, then we can steal, kill, commit adultery, etc. etc. ...â€Â
Answer to the objection:
Under the New Covenant, we have laws and statues to obey, but, not one time is the Sabbath commandment contained in it, nor is there any instruction given in regard to the Sabbath.
To receive any instruction regarding the Sabbath, you must go back to the Old Covenant..
Where does one go to find the penalty for violation of the Sabbath? To the Old Covenant!
If the speed limit is 50 mph in the city and I go 60mph and am caught by the police I will be given a ticket for excessive speed, under the law. If it’s 50mph and I go 60mph and there is no penalty what happens? If there is no penalty then I am free to do as I want. Where is the penalty in the New Covenant for the breaking of the Sabbath? How do I keep it, how do I end it? etc. etc. I must go back and look at the O
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Something IS NOW 'NOTHING NEW UNDER THE SUN'? Ecclesiastes 1:9-10.