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Bible Study-26 (Leviticus 9-11)

In order to grasp the significance of the events leading to the death of Aaron’s sons, Nadab and Abihu, we must consider the entire setting for this event. The Tabernacle had been erected and the Glory of the Lord had filled it. All the congregation of Israel witnessed this awesome heavenly event. Afterward, the Lord called Moses and commanded him concerning the offerings (Korban or approaches) which outlined how Israel was to approach the Lord. Next came the distinguishing of the priest from the common people (ordination). Moses dressed Aaron and his sons in their priestly attire and made sin, peace, gift and burnt offerings for them. He sprinkled them with the blood of the offerings and with the anointing oil. Aaron and his sons were not permitted to leave the tent of meeting for seven days, the days of consecration.

On the eight day, after being instructed by Moses, Aaron and his sons prepared to make offering for the sons of Israel. This was the first time Aaron and his sons acted in this capacity. When the “olah” was prepared and placed on the altar, fire came out from the Lord and consumed the offering. All the people saw this. They shouted and fell down on their faces. A “holy fire” had been kindled on the altar.

Evidently, following the seven days that Aaron and his sons were separated from the sons of Israel and from their families, they must have left the tent of meeting and returned to their families. They must have been in a celebratory mood from completing the days of consecration and having been greatly exalted before the congregation. From the comments made after the death of Nadab and Abihu, they must have gotten into the toddy at bit too much (Leviticus 10:9).

A part of their priestly duty was to place fire in their firepans and burn incense before the Lord. Later, we see the incense as representing the “prayer of God’s people” symbolically being placed in the presence of the Lord (Revelation 5:8). The fire that should have been used was from the supernatural burning on the altar which occurred when fire from the Lord had devoured the “olah” (burnt offering) which had just been made. We conclude that due to their intoxication, Nadab and Abihu must have placed something like burning coals from their home fire and carried it into the Holy Place. The fire of the Lord came out and consumed them. They died there. Their bodies were carried out by Levites who were chosen for that duty and they were buried outside the camp.

We learn an awesome lesson from this event. The Lord declared to Moses:

“By those who come near Me I will be treated as holy, and before all the people I will be honored” (Leviticus 10:2).

The Lord declares:

“Be holy, for I am holy” (Leviticus 11:44b)

As a follower of Messiah Jesus, I believe that we should take this message very seriously. We, as believers, confess that in Messiah Jesus we have been called to come near to the Lord, to know Him and to serve Him. I have no tolerance for false humility or fake honor, but I believe that when we come before the Lord in prayer or worship, we should do so exhibiting the deepest respect and honor to the Lord. I don’t believe in wearing such things as exalted religious robes, but I don’t believe we should be too casual either. Certainly, God is moved more by a loving, humble spirit than by our outward attire. I always think in these terms: if I were invited to attend an important function to honor some individual who had attained great fame or honor, would I come in jeans, t-shirt and shower shoes. No, I would dress appropriately for the occasion. In prayer and worship, we confess that we are appearing before the King of Kings, and the Lord of the Universe. Don’t come drunk and bring a coat and tie.

By Ken Garrison, B.S., M.S., Th.M.

Bible Study-25 (Leviticus 5-8)

To Approach God

One question that is repeatedly asked is,”How do I approach God”? There is always a new experience being set forth as the answer to this quest. Sometimes it is a new “baptism”. At another time it may be experiences with angelic beings. Others maintain that it is accomplished by fasting. However, we are gradually realizing that God has outlined a specific plan of “approach” to His presence. This plan has been set before us in the Scriptures; yet, we have not recognized it. We will outline God’s plan for our approach to Him.

Adam and Eve walked in the presence of God in the garden; approach to God was not a problem. After the transgression, they were sent out of the garden and the approach to God was prevented by the Cherubim. From this time forward, man has sought the answer to the question of how to approach God. One Bible teacher, several years ago proclaimed that we can never understand just how far Adam fell until we begin the return to the presence of God.

Korban

We ought to refer to Levitical offerings and sacrifices as “Levitical Korban”. Each “Korban” ought to be understood as an essential step to be walked out in our approach to God. We must embrace the concept that the steps of “Korban” are based on an orderly, surrendered, consecrated faith-walk rather than a ritual offering which magically confers upon us special position or experience. So rather than appeasing God with some “offering or sacrifice”, these steps of “Korban” represent the Godly empowerment for maturation in salvation that we must experience in order to draw near to God.

Real Life Experiential Approach to God

We will describe the approach to God in the sequence that we experience it. The Book of Leviticus lists each of the five steps of Korban from the perspective of God, i.e. from God out to man. Our experience is just the opposite. We start our approach to God from the position of sin and trespass and proceed through the steps of “Korban” to the “Olah” (unfortunately called the burnt offering).

The first step is the “Ahsham Korban” (also called the guilt or trespass offering). The real life experience associated with this step of approach is becoming aware of, admitting to, dealing with the consequences of, and repenting from sin which has resulted in damage or harm to others. We make repentance toward God and seek His forgiveness. We seek forgiveness of the people hurt, and we make restitution for damages that they have experienced.

The second step of our approach to God is called the “Chatah Korban” (also called the sin offering) and this consists of becoming conscious of and admitting to sin patterns against God. This is accomplished by our repenting from the activity and seeking forgiveness from the Lord. Both the “Ahsham Korban” and the “Chatah Korban” require a blood covering. To accomplish the purpose of this “Korban” we must believe that our sins and transgressions are thoroughly covered and that we are accepted in spite of our record of transgressions. We must believe that even our sorry record of sin can no longer hinder us from approaching God.

The third step of our approach is the “Shelamim Korban” (also called the peace offering) which deals with our communion with God. We surrender ourselves in praise and worship as we glorify His name. We experience His presence and, therefore, His peace. We come to the point that experiencing the presence of God is not an exceptional experience, i.e. we are “at home” in His presence.

The fourth step is the “Menchah Korban” (also called the meal or grain offering) which consists of making a “gift” of our time, talents and possessions to God. This step constitutes dedicated service unto the Lord. Jesus confessed, “My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to accomplish His work” (John 4:34b). This reflects the “Menchah or Gift Korban”. Paul likewise exhorted the Roman church to “…present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice (Korban), acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship” (Romans 12:1b).

The final step is the “Olah Korban” (also called the burnt offering) which signifies utter and complete dedication to the Lord. In this state of approach we “go up” (as Olah implies). We think of Elijah the prophet during the era of the Kings and Enoch in the pre-flood era in association with this “Korban”. They literally “went up” to God.

In the next study I will relate how true Christian worship and real discipleship serve a believer in the steps of “Korban”. These steps are not accomplished in a week-end seminar but rather in a disciplined walk throughout the lifetime of the believer. Since the “rapture teaching” is very popular with Christians, the “Olah Korban” ought to be of particular interest.

May the peace of the Holy One be upon you and may you experience a fruitful week. Shalom.

By Fellowship Church

New Book: The Counterfeit Kingdom

ON SALE NOW

We are excited to announce and help promote Larry Dorcik’s new book The Counterfeit Kingdom. The release date was January 31,2022. This book takes the reader on a whirlwind tour through biblical and world [Read more…]

By Ken Garrison, B.S., M.S., Th.M.

Bible Study-22 (Exodus 30-34)

In this section of the Bible we will consider three different themes: Shabbat, the Golden Calf incident and what I will call the “test of Messiah”. The first subject is the Shabbat. God declared:

“But as for you, speak to the sons of Israel, saying “You shall surely observe My Sabbaths; for this is a sign between Me and you throughout your generations, that you may know that I am the Lord who sanctifies you.” (Exodus 31:13), and,

So the sons of Israel shall observe the Sabbath, to celebrate the Sabbath throughout their generations as a perpetual covenant. It is a sign between Me and the sons of Israel forever, for in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, but on the seventh day He ceased from labor, and was refreshed.” (Exodus 31:16-17)

So the Shabbat is a special sign signifying not only the God of the Bible but also His covenanted people among the human community. Note that the seven day period ending with rest on the seventh day follows the pattern God set in the creation event. So by observing Shabbat, God’s people declare that they serve the God responsible for creation.

In the 1^st Century (AD/CE), the Church was seen as a part of Israel as Paul declared, “included in the commonwealth of Israel” (Ephesians 2:11-12). In the 2^nd and 3^rd centuries (AD/CE) Church leaders did not want to be identified with the Jewish People. In order to distinguish themselves as a separate people they began to set aside the first day of the week for worship. Sunday became the Christian Shabbat. I don’t know if they realized that by making this decision they were choosing not to identify with the God of creation. In the process, they did define another god. Later Moslems followed the same pattern in choosing a different Shabbat and another god for themselves. Christians moved the Shabbat forward one day while Moslems moved it back one day. Shouldn’t serious Christians correct this mistake (sin) and honor the God of creation on the day that He specified. One simple reason to do so is that the “false prophet” of Revelation has two horns (authorities) and looks like a lamb but speaks with the voice of Satan. The most likely identity of the two horns is institutional Christianity and Islam. Some Christian leaders are now proposing the institution of a new religious manifestation called Chrislam, a union of Christianity and Islam. This looks very much like the “false prophet” of the book of Revelation.

The episode of the “Golden Calf” reveals something almost amusing about human nature. How difficult it is for us to face our sin? After Moses was delayed on the mountain, the people decided that he had been consumed. They felt free to ignore the commandments recently received and requested that Aaron make an image of God. Aaron did so. The people worshipped the Golden Calf. When Moses confronted Aaron concerning this sin, Aaron responded in a most human way.

“And Aaron said, “Do not let the anger of my lord burn; you know the people yourself, that they are prone to evil. “For they said to me, Make a god for us who will go before us; for this Moses, the man who brought us up from the land of Egypt, we do not know what had become of him. And I said to them, Whoever has any gold, let them tear if off. So they gave it to me, and I threw it into the fire, and out came this calf.” (Exodus 32:22-24)

Earlier we are told that Aaron “fashioned it with a graving tool, and made it into a molten calf”. So Aaron’s explanation was – we threw the gold into the fire and out came this calf. This sounds like something a four-year old child would say, but, I’m afraid, it is typical of the response of most people when caught in sin.

Finally, I would like to consider the “test of Messiah”. When God saw that the people had rebelled by worshipping the Golden Calf, He decided to destroy the people and raise up another people to serve Him. He said to Moses,

“Now then let Me alone, that My anger may burn against them, and that I may destroy them; and I will make of you a great nation.” (Exodus 32:10)

This must have been flattering to Moses. God would make him the patriarch of a people through whom God would fulfill His promises to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. However, Moses crucified any personal pride and ambition. He appealed to God on the basis of the only Bible that He had in that day. Moses said,

“Remember Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, Thy servants to whom Thou didst swear by Thyself, and didst say to them, “I will multiply your descendants as the stars of the heavens, and all this land of which I have spoken I will give to your descendants, and they shall inherit it forever.” (Exodus 32:13)

Moses appealed to God on the basis of the revealed revelation of that day. He asked God to be faithful to the promises which He had previously made to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. This is the test of Messiah.

Consider how much different history would be if the early church had passed the “test of Messiah”. Six hundred years before the time of Jesus at the time of the dispersion God declared through Jeremiah,

“Thus says the Lord, who gives the sun for light by day and the fixed order of the moon and the stars for light by night, who stirs up the sea so that its waves roar; The Lord of hosts is His name: If this fixed order departs from before Me, declares the Lord, then the offspring of Israel also will cease from being a nation before Me forever. Thus says the Lord, If the heavens above can be measured and the foundations of the earth searched out below, then I will also cast off all the offspring of Israel for all that they have done, declares the Lord.” (Jeremiah 31:35-37)

Two hundred years after the time of Jesus, Origin, who is considered one of the “Fathers of the Church”, wrote concerning the Jewish people,

“One fact, then that proves that Jesus was something divine and sacred, is this, that

Jews should have suffered on His account now for a lengthened time calamities of such severity. And we say with confidence that they will never be restored to their former condition. For they committed a crime of most unhallowed kind, in conspiring against the Saviour of the human race in that city where they offered up to God a worship containing the symbols of mighty mysteries. It accordingly behooved that city where Jesus under went these sufferings to perish utterly, and the Jewish nation to be overthrown and the invitation to happiness offered them by God to pass to others,–the Christians”. (See Hebraic Roots, pg. 50)

Instead of maintaining what the Bible clearly said, they declared that God had rejected His people and started over with them. By doing so they initiated an entity which would forever be in conflict with the people of Israel. It is a sobering thing for a Christian to learn that the Jewish People consider Christians their most ancient and ardent foe. In these last days real spirit-filled believers must repent from this ancient historical sin and humbly identity with God’s people, Israel. (For a full discussion of these subjects, please get my book “Hebraic Roots”. Contact the office at Fellowship Church at 407.699.1011)

By Fellowship Church

Weekly Webcasts for A Voice to the Gentile Church

A Voice to the Gentile Church is a program discussing current events with audience questions from a Biblical perspective. We produce a video webcast most Wednesdays and it is posted on buildupzion.org by Wednesday evening. It is also regularly available on our Vimeo and YouTube channels. If you enjoy what you experience, please subscribe to our channels on either or both locations to ensure weekly access to our posts. [Read more…]

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