I never realized how “compact, organized” the Books of the Pentateuch (Genesis through Deuteronomy) really are! How they “link” so ingeniously to each other! How they develop one single overarching Plot!

With the Book of Leviticus sitting right in the middle of the Five! With its great Emphasis on “Fellowshipping” with God!

Today let me show you an “inclusio” regarding the beginning of Genesis and the ending of Exodus. It is thrilling, this very thought … this Holy Spirit inspired style of writing!

Genesis begins with the Garden of Eden. Where God apparently went down daily and “walked” with Adam and Eve for a while! (Genesis 3:8) A Garden specifically built for such Communion, God with man!

But, you know what subsequently happened in Genesis! Sin, sin, sin! Beginning with what is still called the “Fall” of man. Spiritual death passed upon us all!

Things don’t get a lot better in Exodus either, for a while. The Book begins with Israel in bondage in Egypt! Under the “control” of a Pharaoh, who knows not God!

But … and here’s the point of today’s Lesson … look how Exodus ends! With God having given instructions to Moses on building a structure called a “Tabernacle!” And the main purpose of that Holy Tent? The same as that of the Garden of Eden!

Communion with the Lord God Almighty!

Fellowship then, by the end of Exodus, has been restored! Mankind’s true purpose again having been realized! At God’s Initiative, I might add.

HE HUNGERS TO “WALK” WITH HIS PEOPLE!

Preacher Bagwell, what does this have to do with Leviticus? (I can hear someone asking.) And rightly so …

Leviticus takes up the Story where Exodus leaves off … detailed Instructions on HOW to maintain that Fellowship, Harmony, Interaction, Adoration, Worship between man and God!

“Inclusio” means that a Body of Literature (here the Genesis-Exodus Continuum) both begins and ends with the same Theme or Words or Idea! And, as I have tried to show you … that “inclusio” involves the God-man Nexus!

Jesus said it this way, when talking to a woman at a well near Sycar … “But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: FOR THE FATHER SEEKETH SUCH TO WORSHIP HIM.” John 4:23, where “seeketh” (in Greek “zeteo”) means to strongly desire!”

That’s why Eden!

That’s why the Tabernacle!

That’s why Calvary!

That’s why Heaven!

“O come, let us adore Him!”

Our great God!

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

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