The
Exodus
(NIV)
By
Syd Cleveland
(©
1990, 1995, 2000, 2005, 2006)
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Exo 1:15
SHIPHRAH = Personal name meaning "beauty."
PUAH = Personal name meaning "girl."
Exo 2:21
ZIPPORAH = The name means "small bird, sparrow."
Exo 2:22
GERSHOM = The name means "sojourner, expelled one."
Exo 2:24
REMEMBERED HIS COVENANT = Not that God had forgotten His covenant,
for God is not absent-minded. Rather, at
this time, God decided to act in accordance with His covenant(s).
WITH ABRAHAM = The covenant with Abraham is found in Genesis
15:17-18 and Genesis 17:17.
WITH ISAAC = The covenant with Isaac is
found in Genesis
WITH JACOB = The covenant with Jacob is found in Genesis 35:11-12.
Exo 3:2
THE ANGEL OF THE LORD = The New Testament makes a distinction
between "the angel of the Lord," (Matthew 1:24) which could mean a
specific angel, or even God Himself; and "an angel of the Lord" (see
Matthew 1:20; 2:13, 19; 28:2; Luke 1:11; 2:9; 5:19; Acts 8:26; 12:7; 12:23)
which simply means an angel sent from the Lord -- the Lord's angelic
messenger. See note on Exodus 14:19.
"Those books
which narrate the great acts of God (Genesis, Exodus, Numbers, Judges, 1
Samuel, 2 Samuel, 1 Kings and 2 Kings) contain numerous references to angels.
In these books, especially at key points, God reveals Himself and acts on
behalf of His people. Sometimes He does
this directly, sometimes in the person of an angel. Often the distinction between God's action
and the angel's is blurred to the point that they seem synonymous (Genesis
This does not lend
support to the idea that the Archangel Michael is Jesus Christ, as Seventh-day
Adventists and Jehovah's Witnesses teach (see note on Jude 1:9).
APPEARED = "Ra'ah" (Strongs
#H7200) is the common Hebrew word for seeing with the eyes, thus this was not a
vision, but an actual event. The Hebrew
words for "vision" ("mahazeh"
[Strongs #H4236) or the root word "hazah"
[Strongs #H2372]) is used in Genesis 15:1.
Exo 3:13
WHAT IS HIS NAME = God answers this question in Exodus
Exo 3:14
GOD = The Hebrew "Elohiym"
(Strongs #H430) is the plural form of the name of God: "Gods."
I AM WHO I AM = God did not say "I was," which would have
meant He existed in the past, but not in the present. Neither did He say "I will be,"
which would have meant He does not exit in the present, but will exist in the
future. By using the words "I
AM," God communicated His timeless, eternal existence (Psalm 90:2). Thus "I AM" is both God's name and
His claim to eternity.
"I AM"
is the name God called Himself in response to Moses' question in Exodus
3:13. God goes on to say that "this
is my name for ever" in Exodus 3:15, thus negating the idea that one may
only refer to God by the name "Yahweh" or "Jehovah" (see
note on Exodus 3:15). Other specific
names for God are: "Jealous" (Exodus 34:14); "Lord
Almighty" (Jeremiah 32:18); and "God Almighty" (Amos
In the NWT the
Jehovah's Witnesses have changed "I AM" in Exodus
For further
information on the deity of Christ see Genesis 18:1-2; Exodus 3:14; Psalm
110:1; Isaiah 9:6; Isaiah 43:10-11; Isaiah 44:8; Daniel 10:13, 21; John 1:1;
John 8:57-58; John 20:28; and Hebrews 1:6.
Exo 3:15
THE LORD = Specifically in Hebrew: "YHWH." Jehovah's Witnesses admit that
"Jehovah" is an anglicized misreading and not the correct
pronunciation "Yahweh." They
continue to use "Jehovah" instead of "Yahweh" because it is
their tradition (see The Kingdom Interlinear Translation of the Scriptures,
page 12)! However it is a fact that the
Hebrew language does not have the sound “Je”
as in “Jehovah” or “Jesus” – thus
“Jehovah” cannot be the correct pronunciation of the tetragrammaton.
Neither does the Hebrew language have a “Ya”
sound, and thus “Yahweh” also cannot be the correct pronunciation
of the tetragrammaton!
God speaks all
languages, and created all languages (see Genesis 11:5-9) not just Hebrew. Jesus made it clear that there is no merit in
using the "right" name for God ("Lord, Lord," Matthew
THIS IS MY NAME FOREVER = Refers back to Exodus
SAY, 'THE LORD DID NOT APPEAR TO YOU' -- Moses' concern was very
legitimate. The challenge every
"prophet" faces is to prove that he/she is speaking on behalf of God
and is accurately communicating God's message to the intended recipients at the correct time.
Jesus and His
disciples warned the Christian church against false prophets: Matthew 24:5, 11,
23-25; 2 Peter 2:1; 1 John 3:7; 1 John 4:1-3.
Scripture
indicates each claim to the prophetic gift is to be seriously challenged and
evaluated by Scripture. Basic
"tests" include:
1. What the
prophet prophesied must take place and come true: Deuteronomy 18:21-22;
Jeremiah 28:9.
2. What the prophet
says must never contradict nor go beyond Scripture: Isaiah 8:20; Proverbs
30:5-6; 1 Corinthians 4:6.
3. The prophet's
message must not be self-induced or the result of their own will: 2 Peter 1:21.
4. The prophet's
dreams and visions must not be the result of their own delusions or
imagination: Jeremiah 23:25-28; Ezekiel 13:2-3.
5. The source of
prophet's words, message, writings, must be received directly from God -- they
cannot be plagiarized or stolen from others: Jeremiah 23:30-32.
6. The prophet may
not explain his/her own prediction nor provide his/her own personal solution or
interpretation: 2 Peter 1:20.
God clearly states
that His wrath will be poured out upon false prophets and they will not be
counted among His people: Ezekiel 13:6-9.
Exo 4:10
ELOQUENT = Hebrew "dabar"
(Strongs #H1697) meaning "speech, words."
SLOW OF SPEECH = Hebrew "peh"
(Strongs #H6310) meaning "blowing, mouth."
TONGUE = Hebrew "lashown"
(Strongs #H3956) meaning "the tongue as the organ of communication."
Exo 4:12
SPEAK = Hebrew "peh" (Strongs
#H6310) meaning "blowing, mouth."
SAY = Hebrew "dabar" (Strongs
#H1696) meaning "speech, words."
Exo 4:14
YOUR BROTHER AARON = God did not give Moses any supernatural gift
of language or ability to speak in a "tongue." Instead God provided Moses with Aaron to
interpret his message into the Egyptian language. Thus the modern teaching of Pentecostals,
that speaking in “tongues” is the sign of the baptism of the Holy
Spirit, would preclude both Moses and Jesus from having received the Holy
Spirit.
SPEAK WELL = Hebrew "dabar"
(Strongs #H1696) meaning "speech, words."
Exo 4:15
SPEAK TO HIM = Hebrew "dabar"
(Strongs #H1696) meaning "speech, words."
WORDS = Hebrew "dabar" (Strongs
#H1697) meaning "speech, words."
MOUTH = Hebrew "peh" Strongs
#H6310) meaning "blowing, mouth."
Exo 4:16
SPEAK = Hebrew "dabar" (Strongs
#H1696) meaning "speech, words."
MOUTH = Hebrew "peh" (Strongs
#H6310) meaning "blowing,
mouth."
Exo 4:19
WANTED TO KILL YOU ARE DEAD = Apparently Egyptian law was similar
to Hebrew law: a murderer was subject to prosecution and execution as long as
relatives of the deceased victim were alive (Deuteronomy
Exo 4:21
I WILL HARDEN HIS HEART = Many understand this to mean that God
overrode Pharaoh's free will and forced him to hold the Israelites in slavery
so God could display Him awesome power.
On the other hand
this same statement could mean that Pharaoh had already decided to keep the
Israelites in slavery, and so God simply reinforced ("hardened")
Pharaoh's decision. This concept is best
understood through the following illustration: if we place a stick of butter and
a stick of modeling clay in an oven and heat them to 150 degrees, the heat will
melt the butter but it will harden the clay.
Both items reacted in opposite ways to the same heat. One cannot blame the oven for the characteristics
that occur naturally in the butter or the clay.
In the same way, Pharaoh's decision, like the clay, became hardened when
subjected to the "heat" of God's ten plagues. In those plagues God did not overrule
Pharaoh's decision, God simply "hardened" the decision Pharaoh had
already made.
We see Christ
teaching a similar concept in His parable of the sower
-- the sower sows the same seed, but the results are
all different depending upon the type of soil on which the seed falls. The sower and the
seed remain consistent, it is the characteristics of the soil that determines
whether the seed sprouts and grows or withers and dies (see Matthew 13:3-9;
18-23).
Scripture teaches
us that God treats all alike: Psalms 145:9; Matthew 5:45; Acts 10:34, thus it
would be against God's character for Him to deliberately overrule Pharaoh's
will in order to harm him. Rather, as
Paul teaches in Romans 2:4-5, God's tolerance, patience and kindness towards us
turns to wrath only when we respond by stubbornly refusing to repent.
Nine times
Scripture attributes the "hardening" of Pharaoh's heart to God:
Exodus 4:21; 7:3;
Exo 4:30
PERFORMED THE SIGNS = These were the signs of his staff becoming a
snake, his hand becoming leprous, and water turning to blood (see Exodus 4:1-9).
Exo 5:22
WHY HAVE YOU BROUGHT TROUBLE = Because we humans are short-sighted
we tend to blame God for our troubles rather than recognizing His omnipotent
hand is guiding events for our best good.
Exo 6:2
THE LORD = The Hebrew "Yahweh" (Strongs #H3068) means
"the Self-existent One, the Eternal One."
Exo 6:3
THE LORD = The Hebrew "Yahweh" (Strongs #H3068) means
"the Self-existent One, the Eternal One."
GOD ALMIGHTY = The Hebrew "El Shadday"
(Strongs #H410 and #H7706) means "the Almighty, God Almighty."
Exo 6:29
PHARAOH KING OF
LIKE GOD TO PHARAOH = God made Moses His representative, or
ambassador, to Pharaoh. Moses spoke
God's Words and gave God's commands to Pharaoh.
Whatever Pharaoh said or did to Moses in response, was just as surely
said or done to God.
Exo 7:3
I WILL HARDEN HIS HEART = Many understand this to mean that God
overrode Pharaoh's free will and forced him to hold the Israelites in slavery
so God could display Him awesome power.
On the other hand
this same statement could mean that Pharaoh had already decided to keep the
Israelites in slavery, and so God simply reinforced ("hardened")
Pharaoh's decision. This concept is best
understood through the following illustration: if we place a stick of butter
and a stick of modeling clay in an oven and heat them to 150 degrees, the heat
will melt the butter but it will harden the clay. Both items reacted in opposite ways to the
same heat. One cannot blame the oven for
the characteristics that occur naturally in the butter or the clay. In the same way, Pharaoh's decision, like the
clay, became hardened when subjected to the "heat" of God's ten
plagues. In those plagues God did not
overrule Pharaoh's decision, God simply "hardened" the decision
Pharaoh had already made.
We see Christ
teaching a similar concept in His parable of the sower
-- the sower sows the same seed, but the results are
all different depending upon the type of soil on which the seed falls. The sower and the
seed remain consistent, it is the characteristics of the soil that determines
whether the seed sprouts and grows or withers and dies (see Matthew 13:3-9;
18-23).
Scripture teaches
us that God treats all alike: Psalms 145:9; Matthew 5:45; Acts 10:34, thus it
would be against God's character for Him to deliberately overrule Pharaoh's
will in order to harm him. Rather, as
Paul teaches in Romans 2:4-5, God's tolerance, patience and kindness towards us
turns to wrath only when we respond by stubbornly refusing to repent.
Nine times
Scripture attributes the "hardening" of Pharaoh's heart to God:
Exodus 4:21; 7:3;
Exo 7:7
WHEN THEY SPOKE TO PHARAOH = This was on Sunday, Adar 24, 1450 B.C.
Exo 7:13
PHARAOH'S HEART BECAME HARD = See note on Exodus
Exo 7:14
PHARAOH'S HEART IS UNYIELDING = See note on Exodus
Exo 7:20
DID JUST AS THE LORD HAD COMMANDED = This was on Monday, Adar 25,
1450 B.C.
Exo 7:22
PHARAOH'S HEART BECAME HARD = See note on Exodus
Exo 8:6
THE FROGS CAME UP = This was on Monday, Abib 3, 1450 B.C. (see Exodus
Exo 8:15
HE HARDENED HIS HEART = See note on Exodus
Exo 8:17
THEY DID THIS = This was on Tuesday, Abib
4, 1450 B.C.
Exo 8:19
PHARAOH'S HEART WAS HARD = See note on Exodus
Exo 8:20
IN THE MORNING = This was on Wednesday, Abib
5, 1450 B.C.
Exo 8:23
TOMORROW = That was Thursday, Abib 6,
1450 B.C.
Exo 8:29
TOMORROW THE FLIES WILL LEAVE = Friday, Abib
7, 1450 B.C.
Exo 8:32
PHARAOH HARDENED HIS HEART = See note on Exodus
Exo 9:7
HIS HEART WAS UNYIELDING = See note on Exodus
Exo 9:10
BOILS BROKE OUT = Saturday, Abib 8, 1450
B.C.
Exo 9:12
THE LORD HARDENED PHARAOH'S HEART = Many understand this to mean
that God overrode Pharaoh's free will and forced him to hold the Israelites in
slavery so God could display Him awesome power.
On the other hand
this same statement could mean that Pharaoh had already decided to keep the
Israelites in slavery, and so God simply reinforced ("hardened")
Pharaoh's decision. This concept is best
understood through the following illustration: if we place a stick of butter
and a stick of modeling clay in an oven and heat them to 150 degrees, the heat
will melt the butter but it will harden the clay. Both items reacted in opposite ways to the
same heat. One cannot blame the oven for
the characteristics that occur naturally in the butter or the clay. In the same way, Pharaoh's decision, like the
clay, became hardened when subjected to the "heat" of God's ten
plagues. In those plagues God did not
overrule Pharaoh's decision, God simply "hardened" the decision
Pharaoh had already made.
We see Christ
teaching a similar concept in His parable of the sower
-- the sower sows the same seed, but the results are
all different depending upon the type of soil on which the seed falls. The sower and the
seed remain consistent, it is the characteristics of the soil that determines
whether the seed sprouts and grows or withers and dies (see Matthew 13:3-9;
18-23).
Scripture teaches
us that God treats all alike: Psalms 145:9; Matthew 5:45; Acts 10:34, thus it
would be against God's character for Him to deliberately overrule Pharaoh's
will in order to harm him. Rather, as
Paul teaches in Romans 2:4-5, God's tolerance, patience and kindness towards us
turns to wrath only when we respond by stubbornly refusing to repent.
Nine times
Scripture attributes the "hardening" of Pharaoh's heart to God:
Exodus 4:21; 7:3;
Exo 9:13
EARLY IN THE MORNING = This was Sunday, Abib
9, 1450 B.C.
Exo 9:18
AT THIS TIME TOMORROW = That was Monday, Abib
10, 1450 B.C.
Exo 9:34
HE AND HIS OFFICIALS HARDENED THEIR HEARTS = See note on Exodus
Exo 9:35
PHARAOH'S HEART WAS HARD = See note on Exodus
I HAVE HARDENED HIS HEART = Many understand this to mean that God
overrode Pharaoh's free will and forced him to hold the Israelites in slavery
so God could display Him awesome power.
On the other hand
this same statement could mean that Pharaoh had already decided to keep the
Israelites in slavery, and so God simply reinforced ("hardened")
Pharaoh's decision. This concept is best
understood through the following illustration: if we place a stick of butter
and a stick of modeling clay in an oven and heat them to 150 degrees, the heat
will melt the butter but it will harden the clay. Both items reacted in opposite ways to the
same heat. One cannot blame the oven for
the characteristics that occur naturally in the butter or the clay. In the same way, Pharaoh's decision, like the
clay, became hardened when subjected to the "heat" of God's ten
plagues. In those plagues God did not
overrule Pharaoh's decision, God simply "hardened" the decision Pharaoh
had already made.
We see Christ
teaching a similar concept in His parable of the sower
-- the sower sows the same seed, but the results are
all different depending upon the type of soil on which the seed falls. The sower and the
seed remain consistent, it is the characteristics of the soil that determines
whether the seed sprouts and grows or withers and dies (see Matthew 13:3-9;
18-23).
Scripture teaches
us that God treats all alike: Psalms 145:9; Matthew 5:45; Acts 10:34, thus it
would be against God's character for Him to deliberately overrule Pharaoh's
will in order to harm him. Rather, as
Paul teaches in Romans 2:4-5, God's tolerance, patience and kindness towards us
turns to wrath only when we respond by stubbornly refusing to repent.
Nine times
Scripture attributes the "hardening" of Pharaoh's heart to God:
Exodus 4:21; 7:3;
Exo 10:3
WENT TO PHARAOH = This was on Monday, Abib
10, 1450 B.C.
Exo 10:13
BY MORNING = Tuesday, Abib 11, 1450 B.C.
Exo 10:20
THE LORD HARDENED PHARAOH'S HEART = Many understand this to mean
that God overrode Pharaoh's free will and forced him to hold the Israelites in
slavery so God could display Him awesome power.
On the other hand
this same statement could mean that Pharaoh had already decided to keep the
Israelites in slavery, and so God simply reinforced ("hardened")
Pharaoh's decision. This concept is best
understood through the following illustration: if we place a stick of butter
and a stick of modeling clay in an oven and heat them to 150 degrees, the heat
will melt the butter but it will harden the clay. Both items reacted in opposite ways to the
same heat. One cannot blame the oven for
the characteristics that occur naturally in the butter or the clay. In the same way, Pharaoh's decision, like the
clay, became hardened when subjected to the "heat" of God's ten
plagues. In those plagues God did not
overrule Pharaoh's decision, God simply "hardened" the decision
Pharaoh had already made.
We see Christ
teaching a similar concept in His parable of the sower
-- the sower sows the same seed, but the results are
all different depending upon the type of soil on which the seed falls. The sower and the
seed remain consistent, it is the characteristics of the soil that determines
whether the seed sprouts and grows or withers and dies (see Matthew 13:3-9;
18-23).
Scripture teaches
us that God treats all alike: Psalms 145:9; Matthew 5:45; Acts 10:34, thus it
would be against God's character for Him to deliberately overrule Pharaoh's
will in order to harm him. Rather, as
Paul teaches in Romans 2:4-5, God's tolerance, patience and kindness towards us
turns to wrath only when we respond by stubbornly refusing to repent.
Nine times
Scripture attributes the "hardening" of Pharaoh's heart to God:
Exodus 4:21; 7:3;
Exo 10:22
TOTAL DARKNESS COVERED ALL
Exo 10:27
THE LORD HARDENED PHARAOH'S HEART = Many understand this to mean
that God overrode Pharaoh's free will and forced him to hold the Israelites in
slavery so God could display Him awesome power.
On the other hand
this same statement could mean that Pharaoh had already decided to keep the
Israelites in slavery, and so God simply reinforced ("hardened")
Pharaoh's decision. This concept is best
understood through the following illustration: if we place a stick of butter
and a stick of modeling clay in an oven and heat them to 150 degrees, the heat
will melt the butter but it will harden the clay. Both items reacted in opposite ways to the
same heat. One cannot blame the oven for
the characteristics that occur naturally in the butter or the clay. In the same way, Pharaoh's decision, like the
clay, became hardened when subjected to the "heat" of God's ten
plagues. In those plagues God did not
overrule Pharaoh's decision, God simply "hardened" the decision
Pharaoh had already made.
We see Christ
teaching a similar concept in His parable of the sower
-- the sower sows the same seed, but the results are
all different depending upon the type of soil on which the seed falls. The sower and the
seed remain consistent, it is the characteristics of the soil that determines
whether the seed sprouts and grows or withers and dies (see Matthew 13:3-9;
18-23).
Scripture teaches
us that God treats all alike: Psalms 145:9; Matthew 5:45; Acts 10:34, thus it
would be against God's character for Him to deliberately overrule Pharaoh's
will in order to harm him. Rather, as
Paul teaches in Romans 2:4-5, God's tolerance, patience and kindness towards us
turns to wrath only when we respond by stubbornly refusing to repent.
Nine times
Scripture attributes the "hardening" of Pharaoh's heart to God:
Exodus 4:21; 7:3;
Exo 11:4
ABOUT
Exo 11:9
PHARAOH WILL REFUSE TO LISTEN TO YOU = See note on Exodus
Exo 11:10
THE LORD HARDENED PHARAOH'S HEART = Many understand this to mean
that God overrode Pharaoh's free will and forced him to hold the Israelites in
slavery so God could display Him awesome power.
On the other hand
this same statement could mean that Pharaoh had already decided to keep the
Israelites in slavery, and so God simply reinforced ("hardened")
Pharaoh's decision. This concept is best
understood through the following illustration: if we place a stick of butter
and a stick of modeling clay in an oven and heat them to 150 degrees, the heat
will melt the butter but it will harden the clay. Both items reacted in opposite ways to the
same heat. One cannot blame the oven for
the characteristics that occur naturally in the butter or the clay. In the same way, Pharaoh's decision, like the
clay, became hardened when subjected to the "heat" of God's ten
plagues. In those plagues God did not
overrule Pharaoh's decision, God simply "hardened" the decision
Pharaoh had already made.
We see Christ
teaching a similar concept in His parable of the sower
-- the sower sows the same seed, but the results are
all different depending upon the type of soil on which the seed falls. The sower and the
seed remain consistent, it is the characteristics of the soil that determines
whether the seed sprouts and grows or withers and dies (see Matthew 13:3-9;
18-23).
Scripture teaches
us that God treats all alike: Psalms 145:9; Matthew 5:45; Acts 10:34, thus it
would be against God's character for Him to deliberately overrule Pharaoh's
will in order to harm him. Rather, as
Paul teaches in Romans 2:4-5, God's tolerance, patience and kindness towards us
turns to wrath only when we respond by stubbornly refusing to repent.
Nine times
Scripture attributes the "hardening" of Pharaoh's heart to God: Exodus
4:21; 7:3;
Exo 12:2
FIRST MONTH OF YOUR YEAR = The first month of the Hebrew calendar
was Abib (or Nisan), which roughly corresponds to our
March-April.
Exo 12:6
FOURTEENTH DAY OF THE MONTH = Fourteenth of Abib.
Exo 12:16
FIRST DAY ... SACRED ASSEMBLY = Even under the Old Covenant, God
commanded the Israelites to worship on various days of the week – including
what we call “Sunday.”
Because the Israelites followed a lunar calendar, the first day of a
month could fall on any day of the week.
Thus, under the Hebrew’s lunar calendar, there were many times
when specific worship celebrations fell on the first day of the week, Sunday
(Leviticus 23:7). Here a "sacred
assembly" is required on "the first day" as well as on "the
seventh day." If this text is
speaking about the first and seventh days of the week, there is no question
that God required the Israelites to worship on Sunday and Saturday during
Passover. However, if it is speaking
about the first and seventh days of the lunar month, than, over time, these
dates would fall on each day of the week due to the changing lunar cycle. In addition, God specifically instructed the
Israelites to always celebrate Pentecost on the first day of the week, Sunday
(Leviticus
Therefore, it is
contrary to Biblical fact for Seventh-day Adventists and other Sabbatarians to
teach that a congregation worshipping on Sunday has the Mark of the Beast and
is following Satan and his "counterfeit sabbath"
when God specifically commanded His people to keep the first day of the week
holy at times in addition to the seventh day.
See commentary on Acts
Exo 12:24
LASTING ORDINANCE = Both the rites of circumcision and Passover
were part of the Old Covenant. They were
suspended by God during 38 of the 40 years of wandering in the wilderness
(Deuteronomy 12:5-14), and reinstated upon entrance to the promised
land (Exodus
Exo 12:25
WHEN YOU ENTER THE LAND = The rites of the Passover and
circumcision were not to be performed as long as the Israelites were outside of
the promised land. The requirements of
the Feast of Weeks, Tabernacles, and First Fruits could not be fulfilled during
the 40 years of wandering in the wilderness.
This indicates that these Old Covenant rites, and the weekly Sabbath,
had no significance outside of the territorial boundaries of Israel (Deuteronomy
4:5; Deuteronomy 5:31; Deuteronomy 6:1; Leviticus 14:34; Exodus 20:12), and
specifically explains why God required the Old Covenant Israelites to go up to the temple in Jerusalem to
celebrate the Passover (Deuteronomy 16:2, 5, 6, 16; 2 Chronicles 7:16; 30:13;
John 2:13; 4:45).
Exo 12:31
DURING THE NIGHT = After Friday midnight in the early hours of
Saturday morning, which was Abib 15, 1450 B.C.
(compare with Exodus 11:4).
Exo 13:9
THIS OBSERVANCE = Refers to the celebration of the Passover.
A REMINDER = The Passover is a reminder for the Hebrews that
"the Lord brought you out of
SIGN ... HAND ... FOREHEAD = Similar in aspects to the mark of the
beast in Revelation 13:16.
Exo 13:10
YOU MUST KEEP = The Passover was specifically given to the Hebrews
as a reminder that God had delivered them from Egypt (Exodus 13:9). There is no reason for Christians to
celebrate the Passover. The Lord's
Supper replaces the Passover for Christians (see commentary note on Exodus 13:9
and Exodus
Exo 13:15
PHARAOH STUBBORNLY REFUSED = See note on Exodus 4:21.
Exo 13:16
HAND ... FOREHEAD = Similar in aspects to the mark of the beast of
Revelation
Exo 14:4
I WILL HARDEN HIS HEART = Many understand this to mean that God
overrode Pharaoh's free will and forced him to hold the Israelites in slavery
so God could display Him awesome power.
On the other hand
this same statement could mean that Pharaoh had already decided to keep the
Israelites in slavery, and so God simply reinforced ("hardened")
Pharaoh's decision. This concept is best
understood through the following illustration: if we place a stick of butter
and a stick of modeling clay in an oven and heat them to 150 degrees, the heat
will melt the butter but it will harden the clay. Both items reacted in opposite ways to the
same heat. One cannot blame the oven for
the characteristics that occur naturally in the butter or the clay. In the same way, Pharaoh's decision, like the
clay, became hardened when subjected to the "heat" of God's ten
plagues. In those plagues God did not
overrule Pharaoh's decision, God simply "hardened" the decision
Pharaoh had already made.
We see Christ
teaching a similar concept in His parable of the sower
-- the sower sows the same seed, but the results are
all different depending upon the type of soil on which the seed falls. The sower and the
seed remain consistent, it is the characteristics of the soil that determines
whether the seed sprouts and grows or withers and dies (see Matthew 13:3-9;
18-23).
Scripture teaches
us that God treats all alike: Psalms 145:9; Matthew 5:45; Acts 10:34, thus it
would be against God's character for Him to deliberately overrule Pharaoh's
will in order to harm him. Rather, as
Paul teaches in Romans 2:4-5, God's tolerance, patience and kindness towards us
turns to wrath only when we respond by stubbornly refusing to repent.
Nine times
Scripture attributes the "hardening" of Pharaoh's heart to God:
Exodus 4:21; 7:3; 9:12; 10:1; 10:20; 10:27; 11:10; 14:4 and 14:8. Six times Scripture simply states Pharaoh's
heart was "hardened": Exodus 7:13; 7:14; 7:22; 8:19; 9:7 and
9:35. And four times Scripture states
Pharaoh hardened his own heart: Exodus 8:15; 8:32; 9:34; and 13:15. This is
consistent with the concept that Pharaoh had already made his decision and God
simply "hardened" it by means of the plagues.
Exo 14:8
THE LORD HARDENED THE HEART OF PHARAOH = Many understand this to
mean that God overrode Pharaoh's free will and forced him to hold the
Israelites in slavery so God could display Him awesome power.
On the other hand
this same statement could mean that Pharaoh had already decided to keep the
Israelites in slavery, and so God simply reinforced ("hardened")
Pharaoh's decision. This concept is best
understood through the following illustration: if we place a stick of butter
and a stick of modeling clay in an oven and heat them to 150 degrees, the heat
will melt the butter but it will harden the clay. Both items reacted in opposite ways to the
same heat. One cannot blame the oven for
the characteristics that occur naturally in the butter or the clay. In the same way, Pharaoh's decision, like the
clay, became hardened when subjected to the "heat" of God's ten
plagues. In those plagues God did not
overrule Pharaoh's decision, God simply "hardened" the decision
Pharaoh had already made.
We see Christ
teaching a similar concept in His parable of the sower
-- the sower sows the same seed, but the results are
all different depending upon the type of soil on which the seed falls. The sower and the
seed remain consistent, it is the characteristics of the soil that determines
whether the seed sprouts and grows or withers and dies (see Matthew 13:3-9;
18-23).
Scripture teaches
us that God treats all alike: Psalms 145:9; Matthew 5:45; Acts 10:34, thus it
would be against God's character for Him to deliberately overrule Pharaoh's
will in order to harm him. Rather, as
Paul teaches in Romans 2:4-5, God's tolerance, patience and kindness towards us
turns to wrath only when we respond by stubbornly refusing to repent.
Nine times Scripture
attributes the "hardening" of Pharaoh's heart to God: Exodus 4:21;
7:3; 9:12; 10:1; 10:20; 10:27; 11:10; 14:4 and 14:8. Six times Scripture simply states Pharaoh's
heart was "hardened": Exodus 7:13; 7:14; 7:22; 8:19; 9:7 and
9:35. And four times Scripture states
Pharaoh hardened his own heart: Exodus 8:15; 8:32; 9:34; and 13:15. This is
consistent with the concept that Pharaoh had already made his decision and God
simply "hardened" it by means of the plagues.
Exo 14:19
THE ANGEL OF GOD = This name appears in
Genesis
"The pillar
of the cloud and fire was but another name for 'the angel of God,' for Genesis
14:19 and Genesis
22:20-22 equate the two. In fact, God's Name was 'in' this angel
who went before them to bring them into Canaan (Genesis 23:20-23). He was the
'angel of his presence (Isaiah 63:8-9). Malachi 3:1 calls him the 'messenger of
the covenant,' who is equated with the Lord, the owner of the temple.
Obviously, then, the Christ of the New Testament is the shekinah glory or the Lord of the Old Testament (see
note on John
Exo 14:24
LAST WATCH OF THE NIGHT = Between 3 and 6 a.m. This was the time warring armies usually
chose for surprise attacks.
Exo 14:28
ENTIRE ARMY OF PHARAOH = The Egyptian King Tutmose
III died in the Red sea on
Exo 15:23
MARAH = The name “Marah”
(Strongs #H4785) means "bitter."
Exo 16:4
FOLLOW MY INSTRUCTIONS = The Hebrew has "walk in my
law." The manna was a test to see
if the Israelites would keep God's fourth commandment.
Exo 16:29
THE LORD HAS GIVEN YOU THE SABBATH = There is no previous mention
of the Sabbath prior to this incident other than in the Creation account (see
commentary notes on Genesis 2:1-3). For
2,600 years God had not communicated the Sabbath rest to anyone (see commentary
notes on Exodus 20:8-11). Here God
specifically stated that the weekly Sabbath rest was given to Moses, and
through Moses to the Israelites (Exodus 16:31), as part of their Old Covenant
relationship with Him. There is no
command for New Testament Christians to observe the Sabbath, instead Christians
live under the New Covenant in Christ’s blood. The Old Covenant ended at the cross (see
commentary notes on Matthew 5:17-18 and John 19:30 and compare with Galatians
3:16-19; Hebrews 8:8-9, 13; Luke 22:20; 2 Corinthians 3:6-11; Hebrews 9:15;
Romans 7:6. Especially read commentary
on Acts chapter 15).
THE SEVENTH DAY = The seventh day of the week is Saturday.
Exo 16:30
THE SEVENTH DAY = This corresponds to
Saturday, the "Sabbath" of the Old Covenant (Exodus
Exo 16:34
IN FRONT OF THE TESTIMONY = The Hebrew "eduwth"
(Strongs #H5715) means "testimony, reminder, warning." The manna was placed inside the ark in the
most holy place of the Tabernacle (Hebrews 9:4).
"This word is
always used in reference to the testimony of God. It is most frequently connected with the
tabernacle (Exodus 38:21; Numbers 1:50, 53), resulting in the expression
'tabernacle of the testimony,' and with the ark (Exodus 25:22; 26:33-34; 30:6,
26), resulting in the phrase 'ark of the testimony.'" - Theological
Wordbook of the Old Testament, by Harris, Archer, Waltke,
page 649.
As regards the
Ark, the "testimony" referred specifically to the two tablets of
stone on which were written God's Ten Commandments (Exodus 24:12; 31:18; 32:15;
34:29) and were specifically the Old Covenant (Exodus 34:28; Deuteronomy 4:8,
13; Hebrews 9:4). The Old Covenant in
Ten Commandments expired at the cross when Jesus instituted the New Covenant
(see commentary notes on Hebrews 8:8-9, 13; 2 Corinthians 3:6-11; Romans 7:6;
Hebrews 9:15).
Exo 17:7
MASSAH AND MERIBAH = See note on Deuteronomy 16:6.
Exo 17:8
THE AMALEKITES = "A nomadic tribe of formidable people that first
attacked the Israelites after the Exodus at Rephidim.
Descendants of Amalek, the grandson of Esau (Genesis 36:12), they inhabited the
desolate wasteland of the northeast
Exo 17:11
HELD UP HIS HANDS = Raising one's hands to heaven has long been a
symbol of reaching out to God. This
symbolic gesture taught the Israelites that as long as they reached out to God
(Exodus 17:16) they would prosper. But
when, for whatever reason, they broke the "pipeline" to God's
blessings (lowered their hands or turned away from God), they would suffer
disaster.
Exo 18:12
BURNT OFFERING = See note on Leviticus 1:9.
Exo 18:21
THOUSANDS = The Hebrew word translated "thousand" is
"eleph" (Strongs #505, TWOT #109a). This word is used in the Old Testament to
indicate a basic unit of one thousand, but it is also often used in a
figurative sense. Thus, in Hebrew,
"eleph" can be used to mean several things:
1. the largest unit of an army or political entity (Exodus 18:21; Amos 5:3); 2.
used figuratively when contrasting a small group with
a large group to express extreme contrast indicating the large group was
extremely overpowering (Deuteronomy 32:30; Joshua
Exo 19:5
IF ... THEN = Israel's special position as God's treasured
possession depended upon fully obeying Him and fully keeping His covenant with
them. When Israel failed, they lost
their privileged position (see notes on Matthew 21:43).
AND GOD SPOKE = The context indicates verbal inspiration. See Deuteronomy 5:5; 18:18-19; 1 Samuel
15:10; 2 Samuel 7:4; 2 Samuel 22:31; 1 Kings 13:9; 2 Kings 7:1; 1 Chronicles
22:8; 28:19; 2 Chronicles 11:2-4; 12:7; Psalm 18:30; Proverbs 30:5-6; Jeremiah
1:11, 13; 19:3; 36:27, 28; Ezekiel 20:47; Zechariah 4:6. Regardless of whether the inspiration came
verbally (2 Chronicles 11:2-4), or was the result of a vision (Micah 1:1), or
written by God's own finger (Exodus 20:1-17; 31:18), or was the result of
inspired thoughts (1 Corinthians 7:12),
the entire Bible is inspired by the Holy Spirit (2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter
1:21), and, according to Jesus, is absolute "truth" (John
17:17). The Bible further affirms it's
inerrancy through the following texts: 2 Samuel 22:31; Psalm 19:7; Psalm
119:160; Proverbs 30:5; Psalm 12:6; Psalm 19:7; Deuteronomy 32:4; Proverbs
30:5; Titus 1:2.
ALL THESE WORDS = These "words" are the Ten Commandments
specifically addressed to the Israelites of the Old Testament (Exodus 19:3;
Exodus 20:2, 22).
"'Words.' A technical term for '(covenant)
stipulations' in the ancient Near East (e.g., among the Hittites; see also
Exodus 24:3, 8; 34:28). The basic code
in Israel's divine law is found in verses 2-17, elsewhere called the 'Ten
Commandments' (Exodus 34:28; Deuteronomy 4:13; 10:4), the Hebrew words for
which mean literally 'Ten Words.'
'Decalogue,' a term of Greek origin often used as a synonym for the Ten
Commandments, also means literally 'Ten Words.'" -- Zondervan's NIV Study
Bible Note on Exodus 20:2.
There are those
who teach that God's Ten Commandments are eternally binding upon all mankind,
however there is no Scripture to support that conclusion. Examples of that non-Biblical teaching are as
follows:
"The Ten
Commandments are eternal principles stemming from God's nature and His creation
to which all men are obligated and according to which God will judge in justice
or, beyond that, will show love, mercy and kindness" -- Theological Wordbook
of the Old Testament, by Harris, Archer, Waltke, p.
305.
"The Ten
Commandments were not given only for the Hebrew people but are abiding laws for
all people." -- Holman Bible Dictionary.
“The Ten Commandments are just as valid today as when God
gave them to Moses over 3,000 years ago.” – Quoted from “My
Answer by Billy Graham”
These unfortunate statements
play into the hands of Seventh-day Adventists and other Sabbatarian cults. And if they were true, would require all
Christians to rest from their work on the seventh day of the week (Saturday) as
specified in the fourth commandments (Exodus 20:8-11).
We disagree with
the statements quoted above because their authors do not take into account the
context: who God was speaking to. For
example, Scripture is clear that God was speaking to the Israelites, and not to
Christians, when He spoke the Ten Commandments at Sinai:
Exodus 19:3 "This is what you are to say to the
house of Jacob and what you are to tell the
people of
Exodus 20:2 "I am the Lord your God, who brought
you (Israelites) out of
Exodus
from heaven."
In addition, at
the dawn of the new world, when God communicated His will to Noah after leaving
the ark, God neither gave Noah the Ten Commandments, nor commanded him to keep the
Sabbath. If the Ten Commandments are the
“transcript of God’s character” as Seventh-day Adventists
teach, and if they are “eternal principles,” and “abiding
laws for all people,” it is strange God did not start the new world off “on
the right foot” by communicating the Ten Commandments to the eight
inhabitants of the ark, instead of only communicating them to the Israelites a
thousand years later.
Furthermore,
Scripture specifically states that the Ten Commandments are the Old Covenant
that God only made with the Israelites (Deuteronomy 4:8, 13; Deuteronomy 5:2-4)
and with no one else before or since.
This Old Covenant passed away at the cross when Christ instituted the
New Covenant with Christians (see Hosea 2:11; Galatians 3:16-19; Hebrews 8:8-9,
13; Luke 22:20; 2 Corinthians 3:6-11; Hebrews 9:15; Romans 7:6). Therefore, those who teach that the Ten
Commandments are "abiding laws for all people,” including
Christians, are under the condemnation of Scripture (see Galatians 5:1-4; Acts
While the Ten
Commandments were God's basic definition of sin for the Israelites, and do
contain some basic moral principles – general principles, not specific
laws -- which are universal, Christ communicated a much higher law for both
Israelites and Christians in the New Testament era: Mark 12:28-31. Never does the New Testament specifically
command nor commend the Ten Commandments to Christians, but rather speaks
against the Ten Commandments (Galatians
5:1-4; Acts 15:10-11, et cetera).
The Ten
Commandments appear in Exodus 20:2-17 and Deuteronomy 5:6-21. See additional notes on Deuteronomy 4:13.
Exo 20:2
WHO BROUGHT YOU OUT OF EGYPT = The Ten Commandments are
specifically address to the Israelites as part of God's Old Covenant with
them. The Bible specifically states that
the Ten Commandments are the Old Covenant (Exodus 34:28; Deuteronomy 4:8, 13;
Hebrews 9:4); that the Old Covenant in Ten Commandments expired at the cross
(Hebrews 8:8-9, 13; 2 Corinthians 3:6-11; Romans 7:6; Hebrews 9:15) and were
replaced with the New Covenant in Christ’s blood. For many decades after the cross,
Sabbatarians waged a running battle in Christian churches trying to convince
the Apostles to require Christians to be circumcised and “keep” the
Ten Commandments. The Council at
Jerusalem soundly defeated the Sabbatarian position and established once and
for all that Christians are not under the Old Covenant (see commentary notes on
Acts chapter 15).
Exo 20:3
NO OTHER GODS = Anything that keeps us from doing our duty to God,
prevents us from growing in Christ, takes us away from Christ, or comes between
us and Christ, is a "god" (see Matthew 19:16-26).
Exo 20:4
IDOL = Idolatry is also defined as "greed" in Colossians
3:5. Arrogance is considered to be like
idolatry in 1 Samuel 15:23. A basic definition
of idolatry is: the act of worshipping a thing instead of worshipping the
Creator of all things.
Exo 20:5
JEALOUS = Under the Old Covenant God was a "jealous"
God. Under the New Covenant He continues
to exercise loving care for His New Covenant people because He "gave
himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a
people that are his very own, eager to do what is good" – Titus 2:14
PUNISHING THE CHILDREN FOR THE SIN OF THE FATHERS = The qualifying
phrase is "of those who hate me."
Thus whatever this text is speaking about applies only to those who
"hate" God, and has no application to those who "love" God
(Exodus 20:6). The Hebrew is literally:
"visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children." Consider the following key words:
"Punishing"
(Hebrew "paqad" [Strong's #6485, TWOT
#1802]) meaning "to number, reckon, visit, punish, appoint. ... The basic
meaning is to exercise oversight over a subordinate, either in the form of
inspecting or of taking action to cause a considerable change in the
circumstances of the subordinate, either for the better or for the worse"
-- Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament, by Harris, Archer, Jr, Waltke.
From this we can
conclude that God did not "punish" the children for the sins of their
fathers, for that would be contrary to several scriptures. For example, Ezekiel 14:17-20; Ezekiel
18:4-22; Ezekiel 33:18-20, all state that neither personal righteousness nor
personal guilt can be passed on from one person to another, or from one
generation to another. Therefore, to be
in harmony with clear Scriptures, we understand this to mean God works mightily
to inspect and oversee the succeeding generations of children of wicked
fathers, in order to effect a change in their dispositions -- in order to
change their natural inclination to commit the same sins their fathers
committed. In this is seen God's redemptive work extending to the third and
fourth generations of those who "hate" Him, rather than an arbitrary
and unreasonable "punishing."
God works to repair and overcome the wickedness these fathers have
instilled in their children, in the hope the children will return to the paths
of righteousness.
"Sin"
(Hebrew "awone" [Strongs #5771, TWOT
#1577a]) comes from root "awa" meaning to
"bend, twist, distort" (as in our English proverb regarding the
training of children: "as the twig is bent, so the tree grows.") From this we conclude the negative effects of
a wicked father's life are passed on to his children through genetics, through
example, through teaching, and through environment down to the third and fourth
generations "of those who hate Me."
In light of the previous key word ("punishing/visiting") we
see God "inspecting" and "overseeing" the evil
"bending/twisting" of the children of wicked fathers, wooing them
away from their sinful inclinations through the sweet influences of Jesus
Christ. Through Christ there is
forgiveness and eradication of "awone." Mankind's part in this is:
a. To recognize
and confess personal sin ("awone"): Genesis
44:16; Exodus 9:27; Leviticus 16:21; 1 Samuel 15:24; Matthew 27:4
b. To ask God for
forgiveness: Psalm 25:11; Psalm 79:9; Daniel 9:19-20
c. To change our way
of life by turning away from sin: 2 Kings 17:22-23; Ezekiel 18:30; Ezekiel
36:31
d. To receive
Jesus Christ as our substitute in the punishment for sin: Leviticus 16:22;
Isaiah 53:5-6; 1 John 2:2
e. To believe that
God has forgiven and taken away our sin: Numbers 14:19-20; 2 Samuel 2:13; Psalm
65:3; Isaiah 6:7; Zechariah 3:4.
THE THIRD AND FOURTH GENERATIONS = This is similar to Exodus
34:7. We must bear in mind that the "generational" punishment of sin is
confined to only those who are guilty of "hating" God. In Deuteronomy 24:16 and Ezekiel 18:20 God
nullified all "generational" punishment of those who return to God
and become His people. The New Testament
also teaches that New Covenant Christians have been freed from sin’s
dominion (Romans 6:17-18, 20).
Exo 20:6
A THOUSAND GENERATIONS = The Hebrew word translated
"thousand" is "eleph" (Strongs
#505, TWOT #109a). This word is used in
the Old Testament to indicate a basic unit of one thousand, but it is also
often used in a figurative sense. Thus,
in Hebrew, "eleph" can be used to mean
several things:
1. the largest unit of an army or political entity (Exodus
18:21; Amos 5:3);
2. used figuratively when contrasting a small group with a
large group to express extreme contrast indicating the large group was
extremely overpowering (Deuteronomy 32:30; Joshua 23:10; Job 9:3; Isaiah
30:17);
3. used
figuratively to mean something is excessive (Micah 6:7); 4. used figuratively
in reference to God to mean "indefinite" or "innumerable"
(Exodus 20:6; Deuteronomy 7:9; Jeremiah 32:18; Psalms 50:10; Psalms 90:4).
LOVE ME AND KEEP = The "keeping"
of God's commandments was to always spring from a heart filled with love for
God -- any other "keeping" is legalism (see commentary notes on John
14:15).
MY COMMANDMENTS = God's moral righteousness existed long before
Cain killed Abel, thus God could condemn Cain for depression, anger, and murder
even though the Ten Commandments did not exist for another 2,600 years. God's Ten Commandments were the Old Covenant
made only with the Israelites in 1450 B.C. (Exodus 34:28; Deuteronomy 4:8, 13;
Hebrews 9:4). The Ten Commandments were
temporary, and only designed to be in effect until Christ’s earthly
ministry (Galatians 3:16-19). The Ten
Commandments expired at the cross when Jesus instituted the New Covenant for
Christians (Hebrews 8:8-9, 13; 2 Corinthians 3:6-11; Romans 7:6; Hebrews
9:15). While the general moral
principles of the Ten Commandments are generally applicable universally, they
are neither commended nor commanded to Christians living under the New
Covenant. New Covenant Christians are
judged not by outward deeds (i.e. the Ten Commandments), but by what is in our
heart and mind (Matthew 5:27-28; Matthew 15:19; Acts 8:22; 2 Corinthians 10:5;
Hebrews 4:12; )
Exo 20:7
MISUSE THE NAME OF THE LORD YOUR GOD = In it's primary sense the
third commandment prohibited blasphemy, which included using God's name in a
curse (Leviticus 24:11-14). The penalty
for blasphemy was death: Leviticus 24:10-16.
In a secondary
sense the third commandment prohibits hypocrisy: people calling themselves
God’s covenant people and then living contrary to God's will.
The third
commandment does not prohibit anyone from taking judicial oaths or pledges of
allegiance in God's name, for believers are commanded to swear in the name of
God (Deuteronomy 6:13).
Exo 20:8
REMEMBER = This command, as all of God's Ten Commandments, was
specifically given the Israelites as part of the Old Covenant God made with
them (Exodus 19:3; 20:2). This is the
only one of the Ten Commandments which begins with the word
"remember." Seventh-day
Adventists and other Sabbatarians argue rightly that “one can only
remember something that one has known previously.” However, they wrongly conclude that
“remember” means everyone from Adam and Eve onward
“kept” the Sabbath. They are
wrong because Scripture states that the Sabbath rest (and the Ten Commandments
in general) was never communicated to, or commanded to, anyone between Creation
and the giving of the manna in 1450 B.C. (Deuteronomy 5:2-4; Deuteronomy 4:8,
13). The Ten Commandments (including the
fourth commandment) were the Old Covenant which God only gave to the Israelites
and no one else before or since (Exodus 34:28; Deuteronomy 4:8, 13; Hebrews 9:4). The Ten Commandments were a temporary
provision only given to the Israelites and designed to last only until the time
of Christ (Galatians 3:16-19). The Ten
Commandments were the Old Covenant (Exodus 34:28; Deuteronomy 4:8, 13; Hebrews
9:4), and expired at the cross (Hebrews 8:8-9, 13; 2 Corinthians 3:6-11; Romans
7:6; Hebrews 9:15).
When God told the
Israelites to “remember” to keep the Sabbath, He is referring back
to His giving of the manna just one month previously. God had taught the Israelites to rest on the
seventh day through the six-day cycle of manna (Exodus 16:26-30), and therefore
now told them to “remember” that teaching.
Remember,
Seventh-day Adventists and other Sabbatarians wrongly believe God was referring
back to Creation when He said “remember.” However, while God did rest on the seventh day of Creation week (see
notes on Genesis 2:1-3), He did not communicate or command any human to rest on
the seventh day for the next 2,600 years until Exodus 16:23-27 and Exodus
20:8-11. Thus a careful Bible student cannot look at Genesis 2:1-3 and claim
God set an example for all mankind by "resting" on the seventh day.
On the 15th day of
the second month after the Exodus from Egypt God began miraculously feeding the
Israelites with manna (Exodus 16:1-5).
Through the miracle of the manna God commanded the Israelites to rest
from their work on the weekly Sabbath (Exodus 16:22-30, 35). One month after the manna commenced, God
gathered the Israelites around Mt. Sinai and through the words of the fourth
commandment reminded the Israelites to “remember” to continue their
observance of the weekly Sabbath rest (Exodus 20:8-11). The careful Bible student will observe that
God's Ten Commandments were specifically given to the Israelites as part of
their Old Covenant (old contract) with God.
The Old Covenant ended at the cross (see notes on Matthew 5:17-18 and
John 19:30 and compare with Galatians 3:16-19; Hebrews 8:8-9, 13; Luke 22:20; 2
Corinthians 3:6-11; Hebrews 9:15; Romans 7:6).
Christians live under the New Covenant in Christ’s blood, not the
Old Covenant written on tablets of stone.
THE SABBATH DAY = The Greek Septuagint reads: "tnv haymeran (all singular) ton sabbaton (plural)" meaning "the day of the
Sabbaths." The text then goes on to
specify the seventh day of the week. However, because the Septuagint has
"hay sabbaton (plural)" meaning "the
Sabbaths," some wrongly conclude that since this plural phrase is also
used in Colossians 2:16 it must also be specifying the seventh day of the week
there. However, their conclusion is in
error. In Colossians 2:16 the Greek phrase is all in
the plural, without reference to the seventh day of the week. Thus the Greek clearly distinguishes between
the recurring weekly Sabbaths in Exodus 20:8, and the recurring yearly Sabbaths
in Colossians 2:16. Therefore they are
not speaking about the same things.
However, under the
New Covenant in Christ’s blood, Romans 14:1-6 makes it clear that a
mature Christian would utilize every day of the week as an opportunity to
worship and glorify God.
KEEPING IT HOLY = The Hebrew word "qadhash"
(Strongs #H6942) means "to make something morally or ceremonially clean,
to dedicate, to consecrate, to make holy."
The Sabbath rest
was a sign that the Lord made His Old Testament (Old Covenant) people, the
Israelites, holy (Ezekiel 20:12). The
intellectual act of "remembering the Sabbath" was to be evidenced by
physically "keeping it holy."
Here the fourth commandment defines the act of "keeping it
holy" as ceasing/resting from the normal daily work routine, or occupation
(Exodus 20:9-10) and remembering God's creative acts (Exodus 20:11). In the Old Testament, God pronounced a
blessing upon people who, under the Old Covenant, chose to "keep" the
Sabbath holy: Isaiah 56:2. In the New
Testament, God did not pronounce any blessing upon Christians for
“keeping” the Sabbath under the New Covenant.
"As it stands
this commandment (Exodus 20:8-11) is primarily a great piece of social and
humanitarian legislation. It is not
primarily a religious regulation at all.
What is laid down is a day of rest on which even the serving men and
women lay aside their tasks and on which even the toiling beasts are not
forgotten, and when even the stranger and foreigner share in this rest. The Sabbath is not listed as one of the basic
things which Gentile Christians must accept and observe (Acts 15:20, 29). Ought we (Christians) to observe and keep any
special day at all? It was clearly
Paul's point of view that the really strong Christian would observe all days
alike (Romans 14:1-6). But he also knew
human nature well enough to know that to observe all days alike would in all
probability mean to observe none at all.
In theory we can argue that no special day is necessary and all days are
God's days, but in practice we need a special day on which to focus our
thoughts on God and on our risen Lord." - The Ten Commandments, William
Barclay, pages 14-16.
Seventh-day
Adventists and other Sabbatarians incorrectly teach that the Sabbath was made
holy at Creation (Genesis 2:1-3), and thus is eternally holy for all
mankind. However, just as the ground
around the burning bush was "holy" to God and Moses, but not to all mankind
(Exodus 3:1-6); and the Annual Holy Days were "holy" to God and the
Israelites, but not to all mankind (Leviticus 23:1-44); so, under the Old
Covenant which ended at the cross, the weekly Sabbath was specifically
"holy" to God and the Israelites, but not to all mankind. Under the New Covenant ("New
Testament") all people are invited to enter into a saving relationship
with God by faith through grace and not by works: Romans 3:19-26. The New Testament records Christians entering
the Temple “every day” to learn God’s Word, pray, and worship
– in addition to praying and worshipping on all the other days of the
week (Acts 1:14; Acts 2:46; Acts 3:1; Acts 5:42; Acts 16:25; Acts 21:5; Acts
22:17; Romans 14:5; Ephesians 6:18; 1 Thessalonians 5:17). The New Testament is very clear: Christianity
is not focused on a “day;” it is focused on Jesus Christ. Christianity is not about the
“Sabbath;” it is about Jesus Christ, “Lord of all”
(Acts 10:36).
Exo 20:9
SIX DAYS YOU SHALL LABOR = The Hebrew "abad"
(Strongs #H5647) means "work, serve, service." This commandment, like all the Ten
Commandments, is addressed to “you” -- the Israelites. It was not addressed to the Greek, Romans,
Assyrians, Egyptians, Europeans, Americans, or anyone else. Scripture specifically states that the Ten
Commandments are God’s Old Covenant made exclusively with the Israelites
and not with anyone else in all history before or since (see note on Exodus
20:1).
Confusion
regarding whether God's rest on the seventh day of Creation was, or was not,
and example for all mankind can be seen in the following quotation:
"A definite
cycle of rest is provided also as a duty and a blessing on the seventh
day. By working six days Israel imitated
God who worked six days in creating the cosmos ... Man is to rest in imitation
of God, who rests from His work after creation (Exodus 20:11; Deuteronomy
5:14-15)." -- Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament, Harris, Archer, Waltke, vol. 2, page 640.
The careful Bible student has only to read Genesis
2:1-3 to observe that God did not commend or command the Sabbath day rest to
anyone for 2,600 years after Creation -- and then it was only given to the
Israelites under the Old Covenant, and not to humanity in general. Adam and Eve did not rest with God on the
seventh-day. None of the Old Testament
people rested on the seventh day before the giving of the manna in wilderness
at Sinai. Not only was the Sabbath rest
unknown before Sinai, it was never commanded nor commended to anyone. God carefully told Adam and Eve to refrain
from eating of the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil, but never said a
word to them about resting on the Sabbath.
God rebuked Cain’s depression and anger, but never commanded him
to rest on the Sabbath. God told Noah
all the minute details of building the ark, but never said a word about the
Sabbath. After the Flood, God told Noah
about the meaning of the rainbow, but nothing at all about the Sabbath.
There is nothing in Scripture stating that God's
"rest" was an example for anyone other than the Israelites –
especially not for Gentiles. Jewish
Rabbis are very certain that the Sabbath was not given to, nor required of
Gentiles – in fact Gentiles were prohibited from “keeping”
the Sabbath:
“That the observation of the seventh day, was
only designed for the children of Israel, seems manifest from Exodus 31:16,
‘wherefore the children of Israel shall keep the Sabbath, to observe the
Sabbath throughout their generations, for a perpetual covenant; it is a sign
between Me and the children of Israel’; and not between Him and the rest
of the world: and in Exodus 31:14, ‘ye shall keep the Sabbath, for it is
holy unto you’: on which the Jews make this remark, עממין לכם ולא
לשאר, ‘to you, and not to the
rest of the nations’ (Zohar in Exod. fol. 26.4.); nor did they ever think that the Gentiles
were obliged to observe their Sabbath, only such who became proselytes to their
religion; even those who were proselytes of righteousness: for a proselyte of
the gate, was not bound to observe it; for so says Maimonides,
‘those who take upon them the seven commandments of Noah only, lo! they
are as a proselyte of the gate, and they are free to do work on the Sabbath day
for themselves, openly, as an Israelite on a common day' (Hilchot
Sabbat, c. 20. sect. 14). Yes, they not only say, they were not obliged
to keep the Sabbath, but that it was not lawful for them to observe it; and
that it was even punishable with death for them to regard it; for so they say,
‘a Gentile that keeps the Sabbath before he is circumcised, is guilty of
death, because it is not commanded him' (Debarim Rabba, sect. 1. fol. 234.4). They judged them unworthy of having this
precept enjoined them, as being not men, but beasts, and worse than they, and
had not the privilege the ass has: hence one of their commentators says,
‘concerning the rest of an ass/donkey, thou (O Israelite!) art commanded
(see Exodus 20:8-11); but concerning the rest of a Gentile, thou art not
commanded’ (Bartenora in Misn.
Sabbat, c. 24. sect.
1).'’ – John Gill on Mark 2:27
YOU ... YOUR = The Ten Commandments were specifically given to the
Israelites as part of their Old Testament (“Old Covenant”) with God
(Exodus 19:3; 20:2). Except in general
principle, they do not apply to anyone else before or since God gave them to
the Israelites at Sinai.
DO ALL YOUR WORK = The Hebrew "melakah"
(Strongs #H4399) means "business, work (both skilled and
unskilled)." The first six days of
the week are designed as working days.
God gave his Old Covenant people (the Israelites) six days to accomplish
all that is required to earn a living.
He reserved one day, the seventh day (Exodus 20:10, 11), as a holy day
to rest from work, to assemble for worship (Leviticus 23:3), to remember that
their salvation/sanctification was not the result of their own works but the
result of God working in them (Exodus 31:13; Ezekiel 20:20), and as a sign to
demonstrate that the Israelites had accepted the Lord as their God (Ezekiel
20:20).
The order of the
days of the week has continued unbroken since Creation. The first day of Creation week corresponds to
our Sunday, the seventh day of Creation week corresponds to our Saturday. The question is not which day of the week is
the seventh day, but whether God commands New Covenant Christians to live by
the Old Covenant regulations. The Biblical
answer to that question is: No, the New Covenant is not a remake of the Old
Covenant. The Old Covenant has expired
and the New Covenant does not include any command to rest on any day of the
week.
Exo 20:10
THE SEVENTH DAY = This designates a specific unit of time
(twenty-four hours), a specific day: the seventh day of the week
(Saturday). The days of the week have
not changed since creation. Today's
seventh day (Saturday) is the same day of the week that God rested on back at
creation (Genesis 2:1-3), and required of the Israelites under the Old Covenant
given at Sinai.
Jesus arose from
the dead on the first day of the week, Sunday.
Therefore we know that Sunday is the first day of the week, and Saturday
is the seventh day of the week. Jews have
observed the Sabbath rest on the seventh day of the week, Saturday, from the
days of Moses (1450 B.C.) on through our day, therefore we know for certain
that weekly cycle has never been broken.
Also see notes on John 20:26.
Do not miss this
fact: the requirement to observe the Sabbath day rest was given to the
Israelites under the Old Covenant. The
Old Covenant has been superseded by the New Covenant in Christ's blood (Luke
22:20; 2 Corinthians 3:6-11; Hebrews 9:15; Romans 7:6). Nowhere in the New Testament are Christians
commanded to rest on the Sabbath, nor commended for resting on the
Sabbath. In fact, the Jews accused Jesus
and His disciples of not keeping the Sabbath (John 9:15). Over the six weekends that passed between
Christ’s resurrection and His ascension to heaven, He did not
“keep” the Sabbath. In fact,
Jesus specifically stated He would never return to worship at the temple in
Jerusalem (Luke 13:34-35). Sabbath
“keeping” is Old Covenant, Christians live
under the New Covenant.
TO THE LORD YOUR GOD = The Sabbath was a day of rest that belonged
to the Lord. It was to be consecrated to
Him through the fact that the Israelites were not to take it for themselves as
a day to do their own work. But it was
never wrong to do the Lord's work on the Sabbath, for even the Old Covenant
priests were exempt from the Sabbath laws (Matthew 12:5).
Those who teach
that the Sabbath is only "to the LORD your God" and thus not binding
upon the Israelites have overlooked Exodus 31:13-14 "Observe the Sabbath
because it is holy to you (Israelites)!"
And those who claim the Sabbath rest is now binding upon New Covenant
Christians overlook the context of Exodus 20:2 and the specific statements of Exodus
31:13, 16 "the Israelites are to observe the Sabbath." In all of history, the Sabbath was only given
to the Israelites. It was a central part
of the Old Covenant in Ten Commandments that God only made with the Israelites. The Old Covenant written on stone was in
effect from 1450 A.D. through 30 A.D. when it ended at the cross and was
superseded by the New Covenant in Christ’s blood (see Hebrews 8:8-9, 13;
2 Corinthians 3:6-11; Romans 7:6; Hebrews 9:15, et cetera).
NOT DO ANY WORK = A similar command was applied to the two annual
"Sabbaths" that occurred during the Feast of Unleavened Bread (Exodus
12:16). There the preparation of food
was excluded from the prohibition of "work," just as the work of the
priests in the temple on Sabbath was also excluded (Matthew 12:5). Specifically, the "work" that was
excluded is the "routine" daily occupation of an Israelite (Leviticus
23:7-8; Numbers 28:18).
NEITHER YOU, NOR = The Sabbath rest was to extend to the entire
household of the Old Covenant Israelite.
Not even their animals were to be excluded from the Sabbath rest.
MANSERVANT ... MAIDSERVANT = Employees under the direct control,
supervision, and remuneration of the Old Covenant Israelite were commanded to
rest on Saturday.
WITHIN YOUR GATES = The area/territory specifically controlled by
the Old Covenant Israelite living in the Promised Land. All the regulations of the Old Covenant,
including the Ten Commandments, were only applicable to Israelites living under
the Old Covenant in the Promised Land (Deuteronomy 4:5; Deuteronomy 5:31;
Deuteronomy 6:1; Deuteronomy 12:5-11).
Exo 20:11
FOR THE LORD MADE = The Sabbath rest given to the Israelites was
justified here by God's rest on the seventh day of Creation.
In the second giving of the Ten Commandments, the justification for the
Sabbath rest was that God had rescued the Israelites from their slavery in
Egypt (Deuteronomy 5:14-15), but in Exodus 23:12 the justification is so that
one’s animals and employees may rest.
RESTED = The Hebrew "nuwah"
(Strongs #H5117) means "to rest, to settle down." As the Israelites followed God's example of
resting on the Sabbath they were given a weekly respite from the curse God
pronounced upon the ground requiring them to earn their living by the sweat of
their brows (Genesis 3:17-19).
"The
soteriological use (of "nuwah") forms
around the theology of the Sabbath. In
Genesis 2:2-3 'shabat' (cessation from labor)
describes God's rest, but in Exodus 20:11 'nuwah' is
used. Hence, man is not only to cease
from his worldly pursuits (Exodus 31:12-17; cf. Isaiah 58:13-14), but he is to
enter into a state of victory/salvation rest (Joshua 1:13; cf. Deuteronomy
25:19). It is only the presence and
favor of God that makes this rest possible (Exodus 33:14; cf. Isaiah 14:3, 7)."
-- Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament, by Harris, Archer, Waltke, Moody Press, vol. 2, p. 562
BLESSED = The Hebrew "barak"
(Strongs #H1288) means "to bless, praise, be blessed, to kneel." There was a close association between
kneeling and receiving a blessing.
MADE IT HOLY = The Hebrew word "qadhash"
(Strongs #H6942) means "to make something morally or ceremonially clean,
to dedicate, to consecrate, to make holy."
At Sinai, God consecrated the seventh day of the week, Saturday, so it
would be "holy" for the Old
Covenant Israelites.
Seventh-day Adventists and other Sabbatarians teach
error when they claim Saturday was the day of worship for the Israelites even
in the New Testament era. Instead, the
temple at Jerusalem was open for worship on every day of the week, and even the
first Christians worshipped in the temple every day (Acts 2:46; Acts 3:1-2;
Acts 5:42). There is no command in
Scripture that Christians are to rest from their work on
Saturday, nor to worship in church on Saturday.
Neither is there any command in Scripture for Christians to worship on
Sunday, or any other day of the week.
Instead the New Covenant encourages Christians to gather together for
worship and encouragement without specifying any particular day of the week
(Hebrews 10:25). Thus, under the New
Covenant, any day a Christian sets aside to formally worship God is a matter of
personal choice rather than divine command.
Exo 20:12
HONOR YOUR FATHER AND YOUR MOTHER = Here God states that parents
are in a position of responsibility and authority. As such they deserve honor (Malachi
1:6). It is also true that a father and
mother understand that they are to live their lives in such a way as to be
deserving of honor. To demand honor, while
at the same time living dishonorably, is to encourage disobedience on the part
of children.
Showing
"honor" to parents includes providing for their financial well-being
(see notes on Mark 7:10-13 and 1 Timothy 5:8).
SO THAT YOU MAY LIVE LONG IN THE LAND THE YOUR GOD IS GIVING YOU =
All of the rules and regulations of the Old Covenant specifically applied only
to Israelites actually living in the geographical area called the
“Promised Land.” See
Deuteronomy 4:5; Deuteronomy 5:31; Deuteronomy 6:1; Deuteronomy 12:5-11.
Exo 20:13
MURDER = The penalty for murder was death: Leviticus 24:17.
Exo 20:15
STEAL = Scripture gives some consideration as to why a person
stole, for example: Proverbs 6:30-31. Generally the penalty for stealing was to
return double what was stolen: Exodus 22:4.
Exo 20:16
FALSE TESTIMONY = Some believe this only applies to testimony given
under oath in a court of law (Proverbs 14:5).
However, the companion text in Leviticus 19:11 makes it plain that all
lying and/or deceit is condemned by the ninth commandment.
"Deceit is
spiritually disastrous--a sin, whatever its supposed justification, that sours
every personal relationship. Where there is even the suspicion of conscious
misrepresentation and deception, trust is completely violated." -- NIV
Bible Commentary on Acts 5:3.
Witnesses who
bring frivolous or malicious accusations against an innocent person are to be
treated in the exact manner they hoped to have the innocent party treated
through their false testimony -- if they tried to have him fined, they are to
be fined; if they tried to have him put to death, they are to be put to
death (Deuteronomy 19:15-21).
Exo 20:17
COVET = The Hebrew "chamad"
(Strongs #H2530) means "desire, covet, lust after."
Exo 20:20
THE FEAR OF GOD WILL ... KEEP YOU FROM SINNING = While the use of
"fear" was justified at this stage of the Israelite's existence, it
did not keep them from sinning (see Exodus 32:4-8). From a Christian perspective, love exceeds
fear as a motive for obedience (1 John 4:18).
"The fear of
God is the one fear that removes all others.
Interestingly, in the Bible love for God and the fear of God are nearly
synonymous. They form no contrast, but
work in tandem. Those who fear Him
enough to take His Word seriously, find that this fear develops into mutual
love." -- "Fear," Jay E. Adams
Exo 21:16
KIDNAPS ... SELLS = Here God declares that slave-traders and
kidnapers are to be put to death.
Exo 22:8
JUDGES = The Hebrew "elohiym"
(Strongs #H430) meaning "judge, god, God (when in the plural combined with
the article "the")." This
is a difficult text to translate.
Whether the word "judges" or "god(s)" should be used
here is questionable. If the term
"god(s)" is correct, then every person is ultimately accountable to
God regardless of what judgment humans render.
"Judges" seems to fit the context best.
Exo 22:9
JUDGES = The Hebrew "elohiym"
(Strongs #H430) meaning "judge, god, God (when in the plural combined with
the article "the")." This
is a difficult text to translate.
Whether the word "judges" or "god(s)" should be used
here is questionable. If the term
"god(s)" is correct, then every person is ultimately accountable to
God regardless of what judgment humans render.
"Judges" seems to fit the context best.
Exo 22:10
SAFEKEEPING ... NO ONE IS LOOKING = This
is not a loan as in Exodus 22:14. The
animal/property is given to his neighbor for safekeeping. Liability is accessed upon the neighbor only
if he "lays hands" on the item causing the breakage or death to occur
(Exodus 22:11).
Exo 22:11
NO RESTITUTION IS REQUIRED = See comment on Exodus 22:10.
Exo 22:12
IF THE ANIMAL WAS STOLEN = According to Exodus 22:10-11, the
animal/property was placed in this neighbor's hands for safekeeping. By accepting this responsibility, the neighbor
is expected to take proper safeguards or make restitution.
Exo 22:13
BRING IN THE REMAINS = Even though the neighbor may diligently
carry out his responsibility to keep the animal safe, accidents do happen. Thus, in this case, presenting the torn animal
as evidence precludes any payment of restitution. See Exodus 22:10-12 for the context of this
law.
Exo 22:14
BORROWS = The key thought here is that the neighbor
"borrowed" the animal/property.
It was loaned to him and not given to him for safekeeping as in Exodus
22:10-13. The fact that restitution is
based upon the owner being present indicates that the owner's responsibility
supersedes the borrower's responsibility.
Exo 22:15
OWNER IS WITH THE ANIMAL = As soon as the owner arrives on the
scene he assumes all responsibility. See
comment on Exodus 22:14.
Exo 22:25
CHARGE HIM NO INTEREST = The consistent teaching of scripture is
that we are not to charge interest to our brothers and sisters in the
Lord. Interest may only be charged to
unbelievers, and even then the interest charged cannot be exorbitant. See Exodus 22:25; Leviticus 25:35-37;
Deuteronomy 23:19-20; Nehemiah 5:7, 10-11; Proverbs 28:8; Ezekiel 18:8, 13, 17;
22:12; Matthew 25:27 and Luke 19:23.
Exo 23:3
DO NOT SHOW FAVORITISM = A basic requirement of justice is that it
be even-handed and applied without exemption to all. Justice can not be dispensed on the basic of
feelings or personal preferences.
Exo 23:7
DO NOT PUT AN INNOCENT OR HONEST PERSON TO DEATH = This is in the context
of creating a false charge. A person
acting as a judge, sitting on a jury, presenting evidence as a prosecutor or
defense attorney, is required to be honest and not deal falsely. This does not mean that a juror cannot vote
for the death penalty, but that if the death penalty is imposed, it must be
imposed upon a guilty person. The
innocent have been put to death throughout history on false pretenses, but here
the Lord promises to punish those who dare to execute the innocent.
Exo 23:12
YOUR = In the context of Exodus 20:22,
these words are specifically addressed to the Israelites living under the Old
Covenant.
ON THE SEVENTH DAY DO NOT WORK = The origins of this command go
back to the Old Covenant written in stone, specifically the fourth commandment
of Exodus 20:8-11. Here the
justification for not working on the Sabbath day was so that one's animals,
slave and alien may be refreshed.
However, in Exodus 20:11, the justification for resting was because of
God's rest at Creation, and in Deuteronomy 5:15 the justification was because
God had led the Israelites out of Egyptian slavery.
Exo 23:16
FEAST OF HARVEST = This is another name
for Pentecost (c.f. Deuteronomy 16:8-9 with Leviticus 23:15-16).
Exo 23:20
ANGEL ... GUARD = This is the first time a "guardian
angel" is mentioned in Scripture.
One angel was sent by God to guard and guide all the Israelites during
the Exodus.
Exo 24:9
NADAB AND ABIHU = Exodus 24:10 tells us these two men, among
others, actually saw God up on Mt. Sinai. But even though they literally saw God, they
later sinned grievously and were destroyed by God (Leviticus 10:1-2).
Exo 24:12
COMMANDS = See note on Psalm 19:8.
Exo 25:10
CUBITS = These dimensions work out to approximately 45" long,
27" wide, and 27" high.
Exo 25:18
CHERUBIM = The Hebrew "keruwb"
("keruwbim" is plural) (Strongs #H3742)
means "Cherub." Cherubs were
angelic beings depicted as part human and part animal. It is thought the root of the Hebrew word
meant "to bless, praise, or adore."
Cherubim are first mentioned in the Bible in Genesis 3:24 where they
guarded to entrance to Eden.
Exo 27:2
ALTAR = This is a reference to the altar of burn offering which was
overlaid with bronze (Exodus 27:2) and located at the entrance to the
sanctuary. The altar of incense was
overlaid with gold (Exodus 37:25-26) and located either in the Holy Place or
the Most Holy Place.
Exo 28:43
MUST WEAR THEM = "Them" refers to the "linen
undergarments" of Exodus 28:42. It
is possible that this text is the origin of the “sacred” linen
undergarments that devout Mormons wear today.
Exo 29:9
LASTING ORDINANCE = Under the Old Covenant, God intended the
Aaronic priesthood to be perpetual (Exodus 40:15). However, Israel's sins caused to God to
withdraw this plan and substitute the Christian Church in it's
place (Deuteronomy 28:15-20 ff; Luke 13:34-35; Luke 14:15-24; Matthew 21:43-45;
Matthew 23:13-15; Ephesians 3:10-11; 1 Peter 2:7-10). Thus when Jesus established the New Covenant
at the cross, the Old Covenant written in stone expired and faded away (Hebrews
8:8-9, 13; 2 Corinthians 3:6-11; Romans 7:6; Hebrews 9:15).
Exo 29:12
ALTAR = This is a reference to the altar of burnt offering which
was overlaid with bronze (Exodus 27:2) and located at the entrance to the
sanctuary. The altar of incense was
overlaid with gold (Exodus 37:25-26) and located either in the Holy Place or
the Most Holy Place.
Exo 29:18
BURNT OFFERING = See note on Leviticus 1:9.
Exo 29:20
TAKE SOME OF ITS BLOOD AND PUT IT ON THE ... EARS ... THUMBS ...
TOES = New Covenant Christians understand the Scriptures tell us the blood of
Christ washes away our sins (Psalm 51:2-3; 1 John 1:9). The blood of Christ cleanses us, it sanctifies
us, it sets us apart for the service of God (Leviticus 20:8; Hebrews
13:12). Therefore, in the same way, back
in the days of Moses, the blood of that sacrificial ram symbolized the blood of
Jesus Christ. It pointed forward to what
Jesus would do for us when His blood was shed for us on the cross. That's why God in effect said "Moses,
take some of this sacrificial blood, and put it on the priest's right ear lobe
so that his ear will be sanctified, will be set apart to hear the Word of
God. And put some of the blood on his
right thumb so that his hand will be sanctified, set apart to do the work of
the Lord by ministering to My people! -- And then
apply the blood to the big toe of his right foot so that his foot, his walk,
his life will be sanctified, set apart and lived according to God's Word, and
so he will be an example for My people!"
Exo 29:25
BURNT OFFERING = See note on Leviticus 1:9.
Exo 29:42
BURNT OFFERING = See note on Leviticus 1:9.
Exo 30:9
BURNT OFFERING = See note on Leviticus 1:9.
Exo 30:18
FOR WASHING = A symbol of Christian baptism (Acts 22:16).
Exo 30:28
BURNT OFFERING = See note on Leviticus 1:9.
Exo 31:9
BURNT OFFERING = See note on Leviticus 1:9.
Exo 31:13
SAY TO THE ISRAELITES = By looking at the context, the careful
Bible student will understand the Old Testament command regarding the Sabbath
was given to the Israelites under the Old Covenant and not to New Covenant
Christians.
SABBATHS = In context, this is specifically the weekly Sabbath
(seventh day) of rest (see Exodus 31:14-17).
Exo 31:14
IT IS HOLY TO YOU = This Old Testament phrase makes it certain that
God intended the Sabbath to be observed by the Israelites (see Exodus 31:13,
16) and not by Christians.
Exo 31:15
HOLY TO THE LORD = The Sabbath was the one recurring day of the
week that God set apart as holy under the Old Covenant (Genesis 2:1-3). The
Israelites (see Exodus 31:13, 16) were to keep the Sabbath day "holy"
by resting from their work (Exodus 20:8-11).
God required only the Israelites to keep the Sabbath day holy (compare
Exodus 20:8-11 with Exodus 31:13-16 and Exodus 35:1-2). There is no Biblical command for New Covenant
Christians to observe the Sabbath. In
fact the religious leaders of Christ's time accused Jesus of not observing the
Sabbath (John 9:16).
Exo 31:16
THE ISRAELITES = Notice the Sabbath was specifically given to
"the Israelites" under the Old Covenant. God commands that "the Israelites are to
observe the Sabbath." There is no
Biblical command that New Covenant Christians are to "observe the
Sabbath." The religious leaders of
Christ's time accused Jesus of not observing the Sabbath (John 9:16).
Exo 31:17
A SIGN BETWEEN ME AND THE ISRAELITES = Sabbath observance was a
sign of the Old Covenant between God and the Israelites. It is not a "sign" between God and
New Covenant Christians.
Exo 31:18
SPEAKING = Context indicates verbal inspiration. See Deuteronomy 5:5; 18:18-19; 1 Samuel
15:10; 2 Samuel 7:4; 2 Samuel 22:31; 1 Kings 13:9; 2 Kings 7:1; 1 Chronicles
22:8; 28:19; 2 Chronicles 11:2-4; 12:7; Psalm 18:30; Proverbs 30:5-6; Jeremiah
1:11, 13; 19:3; 36:27, 28; Ezekiel 20:47; Zechariah 4:6.
Regardless of
whether the inspiration came verbally (2 Chronicles 11:2-4), or was the result
of a vision (Micah 1:1), or written by God's own finger (Exodus 20:1-17;
31:18), or was the result of inspired thoughts (1 Corinthians 7:12), the entire Bible is inspired by the Holy
Spirit (2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:21), and, according to Jesus, is absolute
"truth" (John 17:17). The
Bible further affirms it's inerrancy through the following texts: 2 Samuel
22:31; Psalm 19:7; Psalm 119:160; Proverbs 30:5; Psalm 12:6; Psalm 19:7;
Deuteronomy 32:4; Proverbs 30:5; Titus 1:2.
INSCRIBED BY THE FINGER OF GOD = Seventh-day Adventists and other
Sabbatarians believe that because the Ten Commandments were written on stone by
God's "finger," the Ten Commandments are eternally binding upon all
people, including New Covenant Christians.
The careful Bible student must distinguish between human reasoning and
the specific statements of the Word of God.
Scripture specifically states that the Ten Commandments are the Old
Covenant which God only made with the Israelites (Deuteronomy 4:8, 13;
Deuteronomy 5:2-4). This Old Covenant
passed away at the cross when Christ instituted the New Covenant with
Christians (see Hosea 2:11; Galatians 3:16-19; Hebrews 8:8-9, 13; Luke 22:20; 2
Corinthians 3:6-11; Hebrews 9:15; Romans 7:6).
Therefore, those
who teach that the Ten Commandments are "eternal laws" which are
binding upon all people, including Christians, are under the condemnation of
God (see Galatians 5:1-4; Acts 15:10-11).
Exo 32:2
GOLD EARRINGS = The golden calf was made from golden earrings. Perhaps if they had refused to remove their
jewelry their apostasy would not have degenerated into idolatry!
Exo 32:32
OUT OF THE BOOK = This is a reference to God's "book of
life." Also see Exodus 32:33; Psalm
69:28; Daniel 12:1; Luke 10:20; Philippians 4:3; Hebrews 12:23; Revelation 3:5.
Exo 32:33
OUT OF MY BOOK = This is a reference to God's "book of
life." Also see Exodus 32:32; Psalm
69:28; Daniel 12:1; Luke 10:20; Philippians 4:3; Hebrews 12:23; Revelation 3:5.
Exo 32:34
WHEN THE TIME COMES FOR ME TO PUNISH = God's punishments are always
certain, however they do not always come at the time we anticipate.
Exo 34:6
COMPASSIONATE … GRACIOUS … SLOW TO ANGER …
FORGIVING = See notes on Joel 2:13-14.
Exo 34:7
TO THE THIRD AND FOURTH GENERATION = This is similar to Exodus
20:5. We must bear in mind that the "generational" punishment of sin is
confined to only those who are guilty of "hating" God. In Deuteronomy 24:16 and Ezekiel 18:20 God
nullified all "generational" punishment of those who return to God
and become His people. The New Testament
also teaches that believers have been freed from sin's dominion (Romans
6:17-18, 20).
Exo 34:14
WHOSE NAME IS JEALOUS = Other specific names for God are:
"I AM WHO I AM" (Exodus 3:14); "Lord Almighty" (Jeremiah
32:18); "God Almighty" (Amos 5:27), et cetera.
Exo 34:28
TEN COMMANDMENTS = God specifically gave the Ten Commandments to
the Israelites as the Old Covenant (see Exodus 19:3; Exodus 20:2; Exodus 34:28;
Deuteronomy 4:8, 13; Hebrews 9:4).
Seventh-day Adventists, and others teach that
God's Ten Commandments are eternally binding upon all mankind, however there is
no Scripture to support that conclusion.
Examples of that non-Biblical teaching are as follows:
"The Ten
Commandments are eternal principles stemming from God's nature and His creation
to which all men are obligated and according to which God will judge in justice
or, beyond that, will show love, mercy and kindness" -- Theological
Wordbook of the Old Testament, by Harris, Archer, Waltke,
p. 305.
"The Ten Commandments were not given
only for the Hebrew people but are abiding laws for all people." -- Holman
Bible Dictionary.
While the Ten
Commandments were God's basic definition of sin for the Israelites under the
Old Covenant, and do contain general basic moral principles that are universal,
Christ communicated a higher law for both Israelites and Christians in the New
Testament era: Mark 12:28-31. Never does
the New Testament specifically commend or command the Ten Commandments to
Christians.
The Ten
Commandments appear in Exodus 20:2-17 and Deuteronomy 5:6-21.
Exo 35:16
BURNT OFFERING = See note on Leviticus 1:9.
Exo 37:25
ALTAR OF INCENSE = The altar of burnt offering was overlaid with
bronze (Exodus 27:2) and located at the entrance to the sanctuary. The altar of incense was overlaid with gold
(Exodus 37:25-26) and located either in the Holy Place or the Most Holy Place.
BURNT OFFERING = See note on Leviticus 1:9.
Exo 38:2
ALTAR = This is a reference to the altar of burnt offering which
was overlaid with bronze (Exodus 27:2) and located at the entrance to the
sanctuary. The altar of incense was
overlaid with gold (Exodus 37:25-26) and located either in the Holy Place or
the Most Holy Place.
Exo 38:21
THE TABERNACLE OF THE TESTIMONY = This
phrase appears seven times in Scripture: Exodus 38:21; Numbers 1:50, 53;
Numbers 10:11; Acts 7:44; Revelation 15:5.
Exo 40:6
BURNT OFFERING = See note on Leviticus 1:9.
Exo 40:10
BURNT OFFERING = See note on Leviticus 1:9.
Exo 40:15
FOR ALL GENERATIONS TO COME = Under the Old Covenant, the Aaronic priesthood
was designed to be perpetual (Exodus 29:9) but ceased during the Babylonian
captivity and had to be reinstituted in 432 B.C. under Nehemiah (Nehemiah
7:63-65). Following the destruction of
the Temple in 70 A.D., the Aaronic priesthood ceased permanently. Thus this "priesthood that will continue
for all generations to come" refers to God's initial plan in which God
intended the Aaronic priesthood to be perpetual (Exodus 40:15). However, Israel's sins caused to God to
withdraw this plan and substitute the Christian Church in it's
place (Deuteronomy 28:15-20 ff; Luke 13:34-35; Luke 14:15-24; Matthew 21:43-45;
Matthew 23:13-15; Ephesians 3:10-11; 1 Peter 2:7-10).
Exo 40:29
BURNT OFFERING = See note on Leviticus 1:9.
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