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Sermon #2422 — Miscellaneous Sermons

 

Title:                           ÒThe LORD whose Name

      is JealousÓ

 

Text:                            Exodus 34:10-28

Subject:                     Worship and Divine Jealousy

Date:                          Tuesday Evening — July 3, 2018

                                                San Diego Sovereign Grace Fellowship

                                                San Diego, California

Reading:       Exodus 34:1-35

 

JehovahÕs Glory

 

(1) And the LORD said unto Moses, Hew thee two tables of stone like unto the first: and I will write upon these tables the words that were in the first tables, which thou brakest.

(2) And be ready in the morning, and come up in the morning unto mount Sinai, and present thyself there to me in the top of the mount.

(3) And no man shall come up with thee, neither let any man be seen throughout all the mount; neither let the flocks nor herds feed before that mount.

 

(4) And he hewed two tables of stone like unto the first; and Moses rose up early in the morning, and went up unto mount Sinai, as the LORD had commanded him, and took in his hand the two tables of stone.

(5) And the LORD descended in the cloud, and stood with him there, and proclaimed the name of the LORD.

(6) And the LORD passed by before him, and proclaimed, The LORD, The LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth, (7) Keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, and that will by no means clear the guilty; visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, and upon the childrenÕs children, unto the third and to the fourth generation.

 

Moses Inercedes for Israel

 

(8) And Moses made haste, and bowed his head toward the earth, and worshipped.

(9) And he said, If now I have found grace in thy sight, O Lord, let my Lord, I pray thee, go among us; for it is a stiffnecked people; and pardon our iniquity and our sin, and take us for thine inheritance.

 

God Promises to Keep His Chosen

 

(10) And he said, Behold, I make a covenant: before all thy people I will do marvels, such as have not been done in all the earth, nor in any nation: and all the people among which thou art shall see the work of the LORD: for it is a terrible thing that I will do with thee.

(11) Observe thou that which I command thee this day: behold, I drive out before thee the Amorite, and the Canaanite, and the Hittite, and the Perizzite, and the Hivite, and the Jebusite.

(12) Take heed to thyself, lest thou make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land whither thou goest, lest it be for a snare in the midst of thee:

(13) But ye shall destroy their altars, break their images, and cut down their groves:

(14) For thou shalt worship no other god: for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God:

(15) Lest thou make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land, and they go a whoring after their gods, and do sacrifice unto their gods, and one call thee, and thou eat of his sacrifice;

(16) And thou take of their daughters unto thy sons, and their daughters go a whoring after their gods, and make thy sons go a whoring after their gods.

(17) Thou shalt make thee no molten gods.

 

God Claims the Firstborn

 

(18) The feast of unleavened bread shalt thou keep. Seven days thou shalt eat unleavened bread, as I commanded thee, in the time of the month Abib: for in the month Abib thou camest out from Egypt.

(19) All that openeth the matrix is mine; and every firstling among thy cattle, whether ox or sheep, that is male.

(20) But the firstling of an ass thou shalt redeem with a lamb: and if thou redeem him not, then shalt thou break his neck. All the firstborn of thy sons thou shalt redeem. And none shall appear before me empty.

 

Typical Sabbath Rest

 

(21) Six days thou shalt work, but on the seventh day thou shalt rest: in earing time and in harvest thou shalt rest.

 

Protection Promised

to Obedience

 

(22) And thou shalt observe the feast of weeks, of the firstfruits of wheat harvest, and the feast of ingathering at the yearÕs end.

 

(23) Thrice in the year shall all your men children appear before the Lord GOD, the God of Israel.

(24) For I will cast out the nations before thee, and enlarge thy borders: neither shall any man desire thy land, when thou shalt go up to appear before the LORD thy God thrice in the year.

(25) Thou shalt not offer the blood of my sacrifice with leaven; neither shall the sacrifice of the feast of the passover be left unto the morning.

(26) The first of the firstfruits of thy land thou shalt bring unto the house of the LORD thy God. Thou shalt not seethe a kid in his motherÕs milk.

(27) And the LORD said unto Moses, Write thou these words: for after the tenor of these words I have made a covenant with thee and with Israel.

(28) And he was there with the LORD forty days and forty nights; he did neither eat bread, nor drink water. And he wrote upon the tables the words of the covenant, the ten commandments.

 

MosesÕ Face Veiled

 

(29) And it came to pass, when Moses came down from mount Sinai with the two tables of testimony in MosesÕ hand, when he came down from the mount, that Moses wist not that the skin of his face shone while he talked with him.

(30) And when Aaron and all the children of Israel saw Moses, behold, the skin of his face shone; and they were afraid to come nigh him.

(31) And Moses called unto them; and Aaron and all the rulers of the congregation returned unto him: and Moses talked with them.

(32) And afterward all the children of Israel came nigh: and he gave them in commandment all that the LORD had spoken with him in mount Sinai.

(33) And till Moses had done speaking with them, he put a vail on his face.

(34) But when Moses went in before the LORD to speak with him, he took the vail off, until he came out. And he came out, and spake unto the children of Israel that which he was commanded.

(35) And the children of Israel saw the face of Moses, that the skin of MosesÕ face shone: and Moses put the vail upon his face again, until he went in to speak with him.

 

Introduction

 

The Lord God reveals himself by many names in the Old Testament.

á      ÒElohimÓ — The One Worshipped (Genesis 1:1)

á      ÒElÓ — The Mighty God (Genesis 12:7-8)

á      ÒEliomÓ — The Most High God (Genesis 14:18-22)

á      ÒEl-ShaddaiÓ — God All-sufficient (Genesis 17:1)

á      ÒThe Lord of Sabaoth,Ó — ÒThe Lord of HostsÓ — Expressing Absolute Sovereignty (1 Samuel 1:9-11)

á      ÒAdonaiÓ — The Cause, The Support (Genesis 15:2)

á      ÒEjehÓ — I AM — The Immutable Jehovah (Exodus 3:13-14; Malachi 3:6)

 

Tonight, we are going to look at another of our GodÕs great names, a name by which our blessed God and Savior often identifies himself and distinguishes himself from the imaginary gods of manÕs making. Turn with me to Exodus 34. I want to talk to you about —— ÒThe Lord Whose Name is Jealous.Ó

 

In verses 1-9 the Lord God showed Moses his glory by proclaiming his name. He showed Moses that he is both unbendingly just and gloriously merciful, punishing sin and forgiving sin by the sacrifice of his dear Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. — The salvation of sinners by the substitutionary accomplishments of Christ is the very glory of God!

 

Proposition: In Exodus 34:10-28 the Lord God gives us explicit instructions about worshipping him in spirit and in truth, inspiring us by his great jealousy to adhere to him alone as God our Savior. — GodÕs jealousy is our security

 

A Covenant Admired

 

1stIn verses 10-11, the Lord God calls for us to admire his great covenant and all the works he performs on our behalf, by which he fulfils it.

 

Verse 10 — ÒAnd he said, Behold.Ó — Stop. Look at this. Pause awhile. DonÕt read this hurriedly. Read slowly, with thoughtfulness and deliberation. Admire and wonder at this. — ÒI make a covenant.Ó — The covenant was made before the world began; but every time it is revealed it is as though it were just made! — ÒBefore all thy people I will do marvels, such as have not been done in all the earth, nor in any nation.Ó — Behold the wonders performed by our God in fulfilment of his covenant, and sing (Psalm 72:18).

 

(Psalms 72:14) ÒHe shall redeem their soul from deceit and violence: and precious shall their blood be in his sight.Ó

 

(Psalms 72:17-19) ÒHis name shall endure forever: his name shall be continued as long as the sun: and men shall be blessed in him: all nations shall call him blessed. (18) Blessed be the LORD God, the God of Israel, who only doeth wondrous things. (19) And blessed be his glorious name forever: and let the whole earth be filled with his glory; Amen, and Amen.Ó

 

ÒAnd all the people among which thou art shall see the work of the LORD.Ó — When God gets done, everybody in heaven, earth, and hell will see his wonders toward us and upon us (Ephesians 2:7). — ÒFor it is a terrible thing that I will do with thee.Ó — The word ÒterribleÓ means that which startles and frightens men because it is unexpected, wondrous, and unexplainable!

 

Verse 11 — ÒObserve thou that which I command thee this day.Ó — That which God commands God performs. Read on, and youÕll see. — ÒBehold, I drive out before thee the Amorite, and the Canaanite, and the Hittite, and the Perizzite, and the Hivite, and the Jebusite.Ó — The Lord our God, our mighty Savior, he and he alone has taken away all our sins. He and he alone will destroy all our enemies!

 

A Jealous God

 

2ndIn verses 12-17, the Lord God uses his jealousy to inspire our heartsÕ devotion to him.

 

á      He forbids us to mingle in any way with idolatry. — ÒTake heed to thyself, lest thou make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land whither thou goest, lest it be for a snare in the midst of theeÓ (v. 12). Clearly, he does not forbid, as religion does, association with wicked men. That is both impossible and evil. He is here talking about mixing with the heathen in the exercise of religion, mingling the religion of idolaters with the worship of God (Deuteronomy 12:30; Philippians 3:3).

 

(Deuteronomy 12:30) ÒTake heed to thyself that thou be not snared by following them, after that they be destroyed from before thee; and that thou enquire not after their gods, saying, How did these nations serve their gods? Even so will I do likewise.Ó

 

(Philippians 3:3) ÒFor we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.Ó

 

á      ÒBut ye shall destroy their altars, break their images, and cut down their groves: (13) For thou shalt worship no other godÓ (v. 14). — It is our responsibility, not by law or by sword, not by physical force, but by the preaching of the gospel, to destroy every refuge of lies men build, to destroy their altars, smash their gods, and demolish their religion.

 

á      HereÕs the motivation God gives for this devotion to him. — ÒFor the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God

 

ÒThus saith the LORD of hosts; I was jealous for Zion with great jealousy, and I was jealous for her with great furyÓ (Zechariah 8:2). — The word translated ÒjealousÓ is the same as the word Òzealous.Ó Jealousy is zealousness. Where there is no jealousy, no burning zeal, there is no love. I do not love a person, if I do not zealously do my utmost for him. So it is with our God and Savior, who Òis a consuming fireHe declares that he is jealous for his church, Òwith great furyÓ against those who would pull her away from him. He will not allow it! Yet, he declares to the object of his love, for whom he is jealous, ÒFury is not in meÓ (Isaiah 27:4).

 

Solomon wrote, ÒJealousy is the rage of a manÓ (Proverbs 6:34), the rage of a man against any and all who would steal the heart of the wife he loves (2 Corinthians 11:2-3).

 

(2 Corinthians 11:2-3) ÒFor I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ. (3) But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtlety, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.Ó

 

As at first our Savior loved us simply because he loved us (Deuteronomy 7:7-8), he will bestow upon his chosen all good things simply because he loves us with an everlasting love. ÒThe zealÓ (that is, the tender love and free grace, the burning jealousy) Òof the LORD of hosts shall do thisÓ (Isaiah 9:7). For his wordÕs sake (that is to say Òfor ChristÕs sakeÓ), and according to his own heart, the Lord God has done and will do great things for the salvation of his people (2 Samuel 7:21).

 

Jealousy causes a man to be watchful and quick sighted. Even the slightest glance of one who desires his wifeÕs heart enrages the loving, jealous husband. So it is with our loving Savior, who is jealous for our hearts. The slightest indignity done to his beloved spouse, his Hephzibah, seeking to take her heart from him, will be met with his utmost fury. If Edom jeers at his prophet, ÒWatchman, what of the night? Watchman, what of the night?Ó — If Ammon but claps his hands at GodÕs Israel, if he stomps his feet, or if he merely rejoices in his heart, when ChristÕs bride is hurt, he will suffer for his daring insolence (Ezekiel 25:6-7; Joel 2:18).

 

(Ezekiel 25:6-7) ÒFor thus saith the Lord GOD; Because thou hast clapped thine hands, and stamped with the feet, and rejoiced in heart with all thy despite against the land of Israel; (7) Behold, therefore I will stretch out mine hand upon thee, and will deliver thee for a spoil to the heathen; and I will cut thee off from the people, and I will cause thee to perish out of the countries: I will destroy thee; and thou shalt know that I am the LORD.Ó

 

(Joel 2:18) ÒThen will the LORD be jealous for his land, and pity his people.Ó

 

Jealousy is merciless, violent, and cruel as the grave, burning as fire in a manÕs heart (Song of Solomon 8:6). In fact, the word translated ÒjealousÓ in Exodus 34 is elsewhere translated Òfiery thunderboltsÓ (Psalm 78:48) and Òburning feverÓ (Deuteronomy 32:24). Jealousy puts a man into a feverish fit of outrage and makes him burn for revenge. While those things are all evil in fallen man, they are gloriously just and righteous in our blessed Husband, the Lord Jesus. He will spit in the face of any Miriam who dares but to mutter against his Moses (Numbers 12:14). What, then, will he not do to those who would steal the heart of his bride?

 

And jealousy is implacable. It cannot be reconciled (Proverbs 6:34-35).

 

(Proverbs 6:34-35) ÒFor jealousy is the rage of a man: therefore he will not spare in the day of vengeance. (35) He will not regard any ransom; neither will he rest content, though thou givest many gifts.Ó

 

Balak was willing to give anything to have his way with Israel. Haman was willing pay ten thousand talents of silver to have the Jews destroyed. Ahasuerus was willing to comply with Haman. Esther said, ÒWe are sold, I and my people, to be destroyed, to be slain and to perishÓ (Esther 3:9; 7:4). But God was jealous for Israel and had Haman hanged upon his own gallows.

 

ÒFor thus saith the LORD of hosts; After the glory hath he sent me unto the nations which spoiled you: for he that toucheth you toucheth the apple of his eyeÓ (Zechariah 2:8). — Our mighty Phineas, the Lord Jesus Christ, will gird his sword upon his thigh and execute the great fury of his wrath upon any who dare oppose his beloved. The gates of hell shall not prevail against his church (Matthew 16:18). He will smite his enemies in the hinder parts and put them to a perpetual shame and reproach forever (Psalm 78:66).

 

Go back to Exodus 34. In verses 15-17 the Lord God, our Jealous Husband, who Òhateth putting awayÓ (Malachi 2:16), shows us that his concern is as much for us as it is for himself. He will not share his glory with another; and his glory and the everlasting salvation of our souls cannot be separated. Therefore, he calls us here, as he does throughout Holy Scripture, to flee from every form of treachery, to flee the enticing arms of the great whore Babylon (freewill, works religion) and the wine of her fornications with which the whole world is intoxicated (2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1; Revelation 18:4).

 

(Exodus 34:15-17) ÒLest thou make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land, and they go a whoring after their gods, and do sacrifice unto their gods, and one call thee, and thou eat of his sacrifice; (16) And thou take of their daughters unto thy sons, and their daughters go a whoring after their gods, and make thy sons go a whoring after their gods. (17) Thou shalt make thee no molten gods.Ó

 

(2 Corinthians 6:14-18) ÒBe ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? (15) And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? (16) And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. (17) Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, (18) And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.Ó

 

(2 Corinthians 7:1) ÒHaving therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.Ó

 

(Revelation 18:4) ÒAnd I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.Ó

 

DonÕt even inquire after their ways!

 

A Singular Worship

 

3rdIn verses 18-26, the Lord God our Savior, whose name is Jealous, demands that we worship him alone. He will not share his glory with another; and he will not share his wife with another. That is what Malachi 2 is all about, — the treachery of false prophets, following the example of Balaam, sharing his bride with the gods of the world.

á      Profaning His Holiness — Making the Blood and Righteousness of Christ Meaningless

á      Feigned, Pretentious, Hypocritical Worship (Malachi 2:13)

 

God required his people to keep three distinct feasts, ÒHoly Convocations,Ó every year. Each of these feasts were typical of our Lord Jesus Christ and GodÕs great salvation in and by him. Only two are specifically mentioned in our text. These two feasts represent the great works of our God in redemption, grace, and salvation. These two feasts specifically represented and typified our experience of grace by the gift of God creating life and faith in us.

 

IsraelÕs first great feast, as given here, was the feast of unleavened bread (v. 18).

 

(Exodus 34:18) ÒThe feast of unleavened bread shalt thou keep. Seven days thou shalt eat unleavened bread, as I commanded thee, in the time of the month Abib: for in the month Abib thou camest out from Egypt.Ó

 

The feast of unleavened bread was really a continuation of the feast of passover, which portrayed Christ our Passover who was sacrificed for us. On the passover night the children of Israel ate the lamb with their coats on their backs, their shoes on their feet, and their staffs in their hand, ready to go out of Egypt. The passover sacrifice was the cause. The feast of unleavened bread represents the effects of redemption. The sacrifice of the paschal lamb (Christ — His Shed Blood!) is the effectual cause of pardon. The sweet fellowship of faith, represented in the feast of unleavened bread, is the effect, the sure and certain result, of ChristÕs death as our Substitute.

 

The feast of unleavened bread pictured faith in Christ (John 6:53-56).

 

(John 6:53-56) ÒThen Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you. (54) Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day. (55) For my flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed. (56) He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, dwelleth in me, and I in him.Ó

 

Be sure you do not miss the connection of the feast of unleavened bread with the feast of passover. The feast of unleavened bread began the next day after the passover was ended. So, too, the gift of life and faith in Christ follows the accomplishments of Christ at Calvary. All who were redeemed by blood shall be made to live and feed upon Christ at GodÕs appointed time.

á      Limited Atonement

á      Effectual Grace

 

(Galatians 3:13-14) ÒChrist hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree: (14) That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.Ó

 

As one great family the children of Israel kept this feast as a Òholy convocation.Ó The people were all joined together, united in one holy body of redeemed souls, remembering what God had done for them.

á      They were all bought with the same blood.

á      They were all saved by the same power.

á      They were all going to the same homeland.

á      They all ate the same bread.

 

So it is with all GodÕs elect. We are one people, one church, one body, the one bride of Christ, constantly under the care and protection of him who is Òthe Lord whose name is JealousÓ (Ephesians 3:18-19; 4:1-7).

 

(Ephesians 3:18-19) ÒMay be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; (19) And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.Ó

 

(Ephesians 4:1-7) ÒI therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, (2) With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; (3) Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. (4) There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; (5) One Lord, one faith, one baptism, (6) One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all. (7) But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.Ó

 

Next, in verses 19 and 20, we see that in all our worship our God and Savior demands and deserves singleness of heart, utter devotion.

 

(Exodus 34:19-20) ÒAll that openeth the matrix is mine; and every firstling among thy cattle, whether ox or sheep, that is male. (20) But the firstling of an ass thou shalt redeem with a lamb: and if thou redeem him not, then shalt thou break his neck. All the firstborn of thy sons thou shalt redeem. And none shall appear before me empty.Ó

 

ArenÕt you glad that our Lord includes the unclean ass among the things that might be redeemed to him with the blood of a lamb?

 

(Exodus 13:13) ÒAnd every firstling of an ass thou shalt redeem with a lamb; and if thou wilt not redeem it, then thou shalt break his neck: and all the firstborn of man among thy children shalt thou redeem.Ó

 

In verse 22 the Lord commands Israel to observe the feast of weeks.

 

(Exodus 34:22) ÒAnd thou shalt observe the feast of weeks, of the firstfruits of wheat harvest, and the feast of ingathering at the yearÕs end.Ó

 

The feast of weeks was held fifty days (seven weeks and a day — a sabbath) after the feast of firstfruits. It is commonly called ÒPentecostÓ because it was held on the 50th day. This is the harvest or ingathering feast. This great harvest feast speaks of the sure and certain ingathering of GodÕs elect by Christ, the ingathering of his redeemed.

 

The risen Christ gave us a delightful picture and foretaste of the ingathering of his redeemed in Acts 2. When the Day of Pentecost was fully come he poured out his Spirit upon all flesh and 3000 souls were gathered into the fold of his grace at one time. Just as the harvest followed the firstfruits, so the salvation of GodÕs elect follows the death and resurrection of Christ. Indeed, all the redeemed shall be gathered unto God.

 

(Isaiah 43:5-7) ÒFear not: for I am with thee: I will bring thy seed from the east, and gather thee from the west; (6) I will say to the north, Give up; and to the south, Keep not back: bring my sons from far, and my daughters from the ends of the earth; (7) Even every one that is called by my name: for I have created him for my glory, I have formed him; yea, I have made him.Ó

 

(John 10:15-18) ÒAs the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep. (16) And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd. (17) Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again. (18) No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.Ó

 

(Romans 11:26) ÒAnd so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob:Ó

 

The Holy Spirit tells us plainly that this feast also speaks of ChristÕs glorious resurrection and of our resurrection with him, in him, and by him. That shall be the glorious consummation of our salvation by Christ, our God and Savior, Òthe Lord whose name is JealousÓ (1 Corinthians 15:23; James 1:18; Revelation 14:4; Romans 11:16).

 

(1 Corinthians 15:23) ÒBut every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are ChristÕs at his coming.Ó

 

(James 1:18) ÒOf his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.Ó

 

(Revelation 14:4) ÒThese are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. These were redeemed from among men, being the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb.Ó

 

(Romans 11:16) ÒFor if the firstfruit be holy, the lump is also holy: and if the root be holy, so are the branches.Ó

 

The Lord God promises us that he will not allow us to suffer loss by whole-hearted devotion to him (vv. 23-24).

 

(Exodus 34:23-24) ÒThrice in the year shall all your menchildren appear before the Lord GOD, the God of Israel. (24) For I will cast out the nations before thee, and enlarge thy borders: neither shall any man desire thy land, when thou shalt go up to appear before the LORD thy God thrice in the year.Ó

 

Now, read the special, distinct instructions given by our God, whose name is Jealous (vv. 25-26).

 

Verse 25 — ÒThou shalt not offer the blood of my sacrifice with leaven.Ó — Nothing is to be mixed with the sacrifice of our blessed Savior. — ÒNeither shall the sacrifice of the feast of the passover be left unto the morning.Ó — Nothing is to be rejected, despised, and refused.

 

Verse 26 — ÒThe first of the firstfruits of thy land thou shalt bring unto the house of the LORD thy God.Ó — Bring God the first and the best, only the first and the best. — ÒThou shalt not seethe a kid in his motherÕs milk.Ó — There is to be no mixture of human invention, idolatry, and/or superstition, custom, and tradition!

 

A Blessed Command

 

4th — Look at verse 21. Here the Lord God gives us a blessed command. His sweet and blessed command is — ÒRest!Ó

 

(Exodus 34:21) ÒSix days thou shalt work, but on the seventh day thou shalt rest: in earing time and in harvest thou shalt rest.Ó

 

It is very obvious that the sabbath occupied a very prominent and independent place in Old Testament worship. In fact, each of IsraelÕs feasts was specifically associated with sabbath observance. Whenever Moses gives instruction about keeping the feasts, he gives specific instruction from God about keeping the sabbath. It is as if the Lord is saying, —— ÒThese feasts which I give are typical of my great salvation which shall give you everlasting rest in me and of my everlasting rest in you.Ó

 

The sabbath was to be kept every week. It was a constant reminder to Israel of that sweet rest which Adam lost in the Garden and of that blessed rest that could and would be recovered only in and by Christ. The sabbath was entirely and only intended to typify salvation in Christ, the blessed rest of life, and faith, and reconciliation to God in him.

 

ÒNo workÓ whatsoever was to be done on the sabbath, because salvation is altogether a matter of grace, a work of grace alone, enjoyed by faith in Christ, without our works of any kind. Now, watch this — No other Old Testament ordinance had such a strict injunction put on it, except the Day of Atonement.

 

Do you see the significance of that? The rest of faith is the rest of complete, perfect atonement, and the rest of complete, perfect reconciliation to God. This is what was typified in the beginning, when the Lord God rested from all his works on the seventh day.

 

Is it so with your soul? Do you have such rest in Christ with God as if you had never sinned? Do you have you no more conscience of sin? This is the rest Christ has won for all who trust him. Oh, come now to the Lord Jesus Christ and rest! Cease from all work and labor and rest in him.

 

(Matthew 11:28-30) ÒCome unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. (29) Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. (30) For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.Ó

 

(Hebrews 4:3) ÒFor we which have believed do enter into rest, as he said, As I have sworn in my wrath, if they shall enter into my rest: although the works were finished from the foundation of the world.Ó

 

(Hebrews 4:7) ÒAgain, he limiteth a certain day, saying in David, To day, after so long a time; as it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts.Ó

 

The rest of faith is good, oh, how good! But the rest of heaven will be glorious!

 

(Hebrews 4:9) ÒThere remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God.Ó

 

á      We shall forever rest in his love.

á      And he, our God, the triune Jehovah, shall forever Òrest in his loveÓ (Zephaniah 3:17).

 

A Foreshadowed Savior

 

5th — Let me show you one more thing, and I will send you home rejoicing. This blessed sabbath rest can be had only through the doing and dying of that blessed Savior, our all-glorious Lord Jesus Christ, foreshadowed by Moses in verses 27 and 28.

 

(Exodus 34:27-28) ÒAnd the LORD said unto Moses, Write thou these words: for after the tenor of these words I have made a covenant with thee and with Israel. (28) And he was there with the LORD forty days and forty nights; he did neither eat bread, nor drink water. And he wrote upon the tables the words of the covenant, the ten commandments.Ó

 

As Moses, who gave the law, fasted forty days and forty nights, so our blessed Savior who fulfilled the law, satisfied the law, and ended the law fasted forty days and forty nights when he commenced his public ministry as our Savior (Matthew 4:2). Moses, who gave the law, could never give the children of Israel rest. But the Lord Jesus Christ, who alone is the end of the law does!

 

Sing it oÕer and oÕer again;

Christ receiveth sinful men;

Make the message clear and plain:

Christ receiveth sinful men.

 

Sinners Jesus will receive;

Sound this word of grace to all

Who the heavenly pathway leave,

All who linger, all who fall.

 

Come, and He will give you rest;

Trust Him, for His Word is plain;

He will take the sinfulest;

Christ receiveth sinful men.

 

Now my heart condemns me not,

Pure before the law I stand;

He who cleansed me from all spot,

Satisfied its last demand.

 

Christ receiveth sinful men,

Even me with all my sin;

Purged from every spot and stain,

Heaven with Him I enter in.

 

I am sure of it because who is God my Savior is Òthe Lord whose name is Jealous!Ó

 

Amen.

 

 

 

 

 

Don Fortner

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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