BOOK SUMMARY: THE CHRIST KEY - CHAPTER 6A - THE SANCTUARY GARDEN OF GOD, PAGES 109-116

INTRO: The architecture, furnishings and layout of the temple revealed God’s character and will for Israel.  The Lord’s OT homes look backward (creation) as well as forward (re-creation). There is a Christological Architecture in God’s house. The layout of God’s homes in Scripture is as follows

(1).       Genesis and the Creation Account

(2).       The Tabernacle as the New Eden

(3).       The Temple as the Tabernacle/Eden Expanded

(4).       The Work of the Messiah and His Church

(5).       The New Heavens and New Earth

The tabernacle was fashioned after the garden of Eden. In the garden, Adam and Eve served as priests in God’s temple-garden.

WORLD-CREATING AND TABERNACLE-MAKING

The creation account bears the marks of priestly literature. It’s presented in an orderly fashion. Divine acts are formal, systematic, and repetitive like sections of Leviticus. Creation week ends with the Sabbath which was crucial to Israel’s worship calendar. To read the creation account is like reading about a cosmic liturgy overseen by a Divine Priest. Genesis contains priestly language. 

• BADAL - The Hebrew word badal means to separate or make a distinction. God separated light and darkness, waters above and waters below and heavenly lights. In the rest of the OT the same word is used primarily in ritual contexts. The Most Holy Place was separated from the Holy Place (Exodus 26:33) and the priests had to make a distinction between holy and unholy things (Leviticus 10:10).

• MO’ED – It means a place of meeting or appointed time. The tent of meeting (mo’ed) is spoken of in Leviticus 1:1, 3. The same word is used in Genesis 1:14 in regard to seasons or appointed times. Heavenly lights are for appointed times connected with sanctuary worship.

• A SEVEN-FOLD PATTERN – Seven times God said creation was good or very good. God gave Moses blueprints for the tabernacle in seven speeches that started with “The Lord spoke.” See Exodus 25:1, 30:11, 30:17, 30:22, 30:34, 31:1, 31:12. The creation week ends with the Sabbath and the tabernacle instructions end with a speech about the Sabbath (Exodus 31:12-17).

• RA’AH / ASAH – Ra’ah means see. Asah means do/make. Both words are used at the completion of creation week and the tabernacle (Genesis1:31, Exodus 39:43).

• KALAH / M’LAKAH – Kalah means finished. M’lakah means work. God finished his work (Genesis 2:2). Moses finished the work (Exodus 40:33). The completion of the tabernacle is linguistically being linked to creation week.

• BARAK / KOL M’LAKAH – Barak means blessed. Kol M’lakah means all the work. Both are used in Genesis 2:3 and Exodus39:43.  Blessing or benediction followed the completed work.

• BEGINNING OF TIME / BEGINNING OF THE MONTH – Creation started time. The tabernacle was erected on the first day of the month (Exodus 40:2).

• THE SPIRIT OF GOD – The Spirit of God hovered over the face of the waters (Genesis 1:2). The Spirit of God was upon Bezalel to fill him with all knowledge and abilities to build the tabernacle (Exodus 31:3-5). 

The connections between creation and the tabernacle are undeniable. Creation was meant to be a cosmic tabernacle/temple where God dwells with humanity.  God had priests in His creation-temple (Adam and Eve). Sin ruined this ideal plan. The later Jewish tabernacle and temple were not God’s final plan. God would need a perfect priest to come and restore things and bring in a final new creation temple.

THE PRIESTLY COUPLE AND THE GARDEN TABERNACLE

Adam and Eve were placed in the garden and told to work (avad) and keep (shamar) it (Genesis 2:15). These two words are used together in regard to priestly duties. Avad is usually translated at serve. Shamar is translated as guard. Priests were to guard the tabernacle and serve the Lord (Numbers 3:7-8). Later priests were modeled after what Adam and Eve did. Adam was to serve in the garden and guard it, which he failed to do. Adam was to be careful to guard the command of God to not eat of the forbidden tree. A threat of death followed. The same is true of the OT priests. A threat of death came after the priests were given specific commands regarding their service (Exodus 28:35, 28:43, 30:20-21). Adam and Eve were to guard the garden from the serpent and his lies just as later guards and gatekeepers were to make sure that no one unclean should enter the temple (2 Chronicles 23:19). Adam and Eve failed at their priestly duties. They were exiled from the garden-temple and placed cherubim with flaming swords at the entrance of the garden-temple to guard it and the way to the tree of life (Genesis 3:24). Another priest was promised who would defeat Satan (Genesis 3:15) and eventually remove Him from God’s eternal dwelling place with humanity.

The later tabernacle and temple were laden with images from the garden of Eden. There was the menorah which was a lampstand that was a flowering tree just like the tree of life (Exodus 25:33, 1 Kings 7:49). On the tabernacle curtains were images of cherubim (Exodus 26:1).  The two doors leading into the Holy of Holies were covered with images of cherubim, palm trees and open flowers (1 Kings 6:32). Floral life, animal life and cherubim where everywhere in the temple remind us of the garden-temple of Eden. Israel was given a new mobile Eden—a home where God would dwell among them.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

(1).  Why is it necessary to see this massive theme of God’s home in Scripture?

(2).  Consider Jesus’s name Emmanuel. How is that connected to what we’re learning about?

(3).  If humanity was created to be priests of God, what do you think is required of us?

(4).  How does the notion of you being a royal priest shape your understanding of your life (1 Peter 2:9)?

(5).  If you were to glance at the layout of God’s homes on earth, what sort of forward movement do you see?

BOOK SUMMARY: WHEN SINNERS SAY I DO - CHAPTER 1 - WHAT REALLY MATTERS IN MARRIAGE

GOOD QUESTION, GREAT ANSWER

What we believe about God determines the quality of our marriage. Everyday things we say in our marriage relationship reveal assumptions we have adopted about who we are, what we need, what’s really important and how God figures all into it.  The strength of your entire life, which includes your marriage, is wrapped up in your knowing of God--theology.

What theology is revealed in a statement like, “You’ll never change!”?

 

FIRST THINGS FIRST: LINING UP THE BUTTONS

If you get your theology right, all other areas of life begin to, or at least have a chance to, line up correctly.

• The Foundation of Your Marriage: The Bible - We get our understanding of God and reality from Scripture. In Scripture we encounter Jesus from Genesis to Revelation. He is Truth. Truth-based marriages are centered on the Christ of Scripture. God’s Word concerning Christ will fill our marriages with eternal significance. This is where the strength and durability of our marriages comes from.

• The Foundation of Your Marriage: The Gospel - Humanity was created to live and rule with God as image bearers (Genesis). Sin ruined that. Scripture shows this image and relationship restored with God in a new creation (Revelation). Everything between the first couple chapters of Genesis as the last couple chapters or Revelation is in preparation for the gospel, presentation of the gospel or participation in the gospel. Scripture explains our most basic problem: sin has separated us from God and it has ruined relationships with each other. Scripture explains our only hope: the gospel of Christ. The gospel isn’t just for evangelism and getting saved. The gospel provides power to resist sin and hope that we can be transformed daily into better image bearers until we attain complete perfection when Christ comes again. Without the gospel, you cannot see God, yourself, or your marriage for what they truly are.

• The Focus Of Your Marriage: The Glory of God - Marriage was invented by God and belongs to God. It exists more for him than for us. If your goal isn’t to glorify God, you shouldn’t get marriage, yet.  Ephesians 5:22-33 provides a reference point for all our actions in marriage.  Marriage is meant to be a parable whereby we glorify God by displaying and acting out the eternal union between Christ and His church. This is why you should want to get married 

 

MARRIAGE IS STREET-LEVEL THEOLOGY

Christ came to save sinners. You have been saved (justification) but are still in need of saving. Marriage will reveal areas that need present salvation (sanctification) as we await final salvation (glorification). Problems within marriage are a result of our sinful hearts that need sanctifying.  You are committing your life to a sinner that needs sanctifying. You are a sinner that needs sanctifying. Are you committed to helping each other in sanctification through Scripture? Our root problem is not a lack of information, dedication or poor communication. Our root problem is the sin war within.

 

• Till Sin Be Bitter, Christ Will Not Be Sweet - If sin ruins our relationship with God and others, then a removal of it in any capacity will increase our relationship with God and others. The gospel is the remedy.

• Where Do We Go From Here? - God’s grace for living godly marriages comes through the Scriptural counsel, accountability and examples we receive from others in our church. This helps keep our knowledge of God correct which is worked out in our thoughts, actions and emotions. God wants your marriage thriving for His glory. He wants you to enjoy marriage.

BOOK SUMMARY: THE CHRIST KEY - CHAPTER 5B - PAGES 98-106 - EXODUSES: EXILE AND RETURN AS THE MESSIANIC MISSION

JEREMIAH 16 & 23 - Before Jeremiah starts the exodus (salvation) portion of his prophecy he reminds Israel why they are about to be judged and exiled into Babylon (Jeremiah 16:11-13). Exile is coming but it’s not the end of the story. As there was an exodus from Egypt, so there’ll be an exodus from the north country and from the entire world (Jeremiah 16:14-15). God will achieve this exodus through sending many fishermen and hunters (Jeremiah 16:16). Sending is the Hebrew word shalach. The Greek equivalent is apostello where we get our word apostle which means sent one.  Recall that Jesus called his disciples to be fishers of men (Matthew 4:19, Luke 5:10). The purpose of God sending many fishers and hunters in Jeremiah 16 is to bring God’s people home from exile. Thus, we can see that missions and evangelism are God’s means of bringing people out of captivity—THE EXODUS.  This is more than an Israelite exodus. This is a global exodus of the nations (Jeremiah 16:19). God’s promise to bless the nations through the seed of Abraham will be fulfilled (Genesis 12:3, 22:18).

Jeremiah 23 also shows us salvation in terms of exodus and re-creation. God is going to gather His flock out of all the countries and they will be fruitful and multiply. These are exodus and creation terms joined together.  What makes this possible? The righteous Branch of David (Jeremiah 23:3-8). This descendant of David will reign as king and Israel will dwell securely with Him. David’s last words in 2 Samuel 23 use the phrase branch. In speaking of the covenant God made with David, David says that it’s sure to succeed. David says it will prosper which is the Hebrew word tzemach which means to sprout, grow or branch. Jeremiah says that God will raise up for David a righteous Branch (tzemach) who will reign. Branch is a technical term for Messiah (Zechariah 3:8). This seed promised to David is the seed promised to Abraham (Genesis 12:3) and the seed promised to Eve (Genesis 3:15). This Branch was born of Mary (Luke 1:32-33). Jeremiah is teaching us that when the Son of David arrives, God’s people will rejoice in the worldwide exodus (Jeremiah 23:8). Jesus’ coming to us to die and rise again, is the beginning of the worldwide exodus which is still happening.
 
HOSEA - Hosea’s family was mean to be symbolic of Israel’s relationship with God. God told Hoses to go and take a wife of whoredom and have children with her. It could be that God was saying that she was going to cheat on Hosea. It could be that God was asking Hosea to marry a promiscuous woman or a prostitute. In either case, God was asking Hosea to share his bed with someone who would not be faithful to him. This would illustrate that God had endured centuries of infidelity from Israel and that His bride, Israel, fornicated with Baal, Molech and other idols. See Hosea 1:2, Hosea 3:1-3. Hosea had three children with Gomer: Jezreel which means God sows; Lo-Ruchamah which means no Mercy; Lo-Ammi which means not my people.
            But there is good new in Hosea described in terms of exodus and re-creation.  See Hosea 2:14-23. God says that He’s going to allure Israel which carries the idea of seduction. God is using honeymoon type language to show that He intends to bring Israel back into loving relationship with Him. All is not lost. There is hope. God is going to bring her into a wilderness (like Egypt) and give her vineyards and make the Valley of Achor a door of hope just as God brought Israel into the wilderness in order to lead her into an Eden-like, garden-like land. In Hosea, God’s love for Israel will lead her to call God her husband. God’s love for her is covenantal and will also result in God’s restoration of creation. A people that God judged and showed no mercy will now have mercy. A people that were formerly called not my people will now be called My people. See 1 Peter2:10, Revelation 21:3 and Jeremiah 31:33.   
            In Hosea we see what are likely three plays on words in Hosea 2:15. (1). Vineyard  in Hebrew is kerem. Achan’s father was Carim which is derived from kerem. Achan was a guy who caused Israel serious sorrow after God allowed Israel to be defeated at Ai for Achan taking spoils from the battle of Jericho that he should not have. (2). Hope (tiqvah) in Hosea 2:15 and cord (tiqvah), used in Joshua 2:18 are the same word. Recall the story of Rahab who used a scarlet cord to identify her home so that she would be spared from God’s destruction of Jericho. (3). Valley of Achor reminds us of the place that Achan was stoned and burned for sinning against God and causing Israel trouble (Joshua 7:1-9). The use of these three phrases lead us back to Joshua who God is using to lead Israel in their exodus into the promised land so that they can live with God. It’s as if Hosea is flipping around what happened in Achan’s situation and saying, “The son of Carmi made Israel lament, but God will give her vineyards for wine of rejoicing (exodus). The Valley of Achor will be transformed into a door of hope whereby re-creation or restoration happen, return to Eden-like land. As Rahab had a cord of hope for salvation, so too, Israel can have hope in the Lord’s exodus redemption/salvation.” The subtle allusion to Rahab ties together with the genealogy of Christ (Matthew 1:5). This salvation results in Israels anah – response, singing or confession that the Lord is her husband (Hosea 2:16). Harmony with humanity and animals will be restored in a new Eden-like state (Hosea 2:18).  God will sow her for himself in the land, He’ll have mercy on No Mercy and God will be God to His people. When Messiah comes, He will take His “Gomer” off the street corner, away from the brothel of idolatry and charm her into following Him into the wilderness where He’ll further lead her into the new creation.
 
THE STAGE ON WHICH CHRIST ACTED OUT HIS LIFE – The Exodus of Egypt was not just Israel’s past but a paradigm for future exoduses which point us towards the ultimate and final exodus. The final exodus is superior in quality and extent. Jesus is seen as recapping Israel’s history through His own life in that He was led down to Egypt as a child and then later had an Exodus when He returned home with His family.  Jesus’ feeding of the 5000+ in the wilderness harkens back to God providing quail and manna in the wilderness after their exodus. Jesus’ crucifixion is compared to the salvation God brought to Israel from venomous snakes as the bronze serpent was lifted up in the wilderness. Jesus is the Passover Lamb that the Exodus Passover Lamb pointed to. Passover lambs were inspected before sacrifice. So too, Jesus was tried in court and found blameless. The continually remind Isreal of the Exodus, high priest would yearly offered up the Passover lamb to God, just as the high priest had Jesus killed. The salvation account of Christ must be read through the lens of the Exodus or you’ll not see all that God intends for us to see in the grandest exodus of all. The OT exodus set the stage for Exodus Christ would lead us through. The Exodus eventually led to the tabernacle being erected—God’s house on earth. We’ll tackle that in our next lesson.
 
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS – How do exile and exodus now inform your reading of all of Scripture?