WHY NOW?

Such a “Sabbath” emphasis in Leviticus?

I mean especially after chapter 24 … with its heavy focus on God’s shining (the Tabernacle’s Golden Candlestick) on/toward/upon that Table of Bread with its 12 Loaves (Shewbread, literally “the Bread of His Face”) … implying God delighting in fellowship with mankind, His Creation! And equally implying man’s delight in such glorious communion with Almighty God!

Because the Sabbath to ancient Israel was the “temporal” expression of that “spatial” dimension Leviticus 24 just pictured!

WHEN particularly did God “shine” upon man and man in turn “bask” in such Light?

The answer … the Sabbath!

Hence, logically, as per the Holy Spirit’s Omniscient Design … comes Leviticus 25, the “Sabbath” Chapter!

Here’s an overview of the next couple of Lessons, centered on that amazing chapter …

Leviticus 25 has 55 verses! Making it the third longest chapter in the whole Book!

And it talks about the Sabbath Principle in detail!

The TIMES when God has proclaimed special Periods (days or weeks or even years) of fellowship! Rest and Communion … God with man and Man with God!

So Leviticus 25 initially talks about the Sabbatical Year!Then about the Jubilee Year, the culmination of seven “Sabbatical Years.” Then about the Kinsman Redeemer, a Type of Jesus communing with His people!

So the next few Lessons will center on these Sabbath ideas. Time for God! Enjoyable time!

Leviticus 23 was all about TIME … the seven Feasts of God, the very Israelite Calendar, God-ordained!

And now Leviticus 25 is about TIME, Sabbath years and Jubilees! Time for God and man … for man and his God! “”Knowing” God time!)

And these two chapters form an “inclusio” … bracketing/wrapping the TIME idea around the FELLOWSHIP WITH GOD idea, as set forth in Leviticus 24. That is, the Golden Lampstand shining upon the Table of 12 Loaves of Bread! God enlightening His people … and them reciprocally basking in the Light of His Glory/Love/Person!

Hallelujah!

Leviticus as a Book (the central Book of Moses) is actually built on this idea of “sevens.” As is another Bible Book, the last one, Revelation!

And both Books also long for (and predict) this pristine (Edenic) Goal of perfect harmony/fellowship/communion … God with man! And man with God!

Wow!

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

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Be reminded that the Book of Leviticus only contains 27 chapters. So we are nearing the end of our literary and spiritual journey. (Having just completed chapter 24.)

Yet the Book too has been subtly “building” a major Thesis, Principle, Pattern with Almighty God at the Center.

And this Thrust centers around two terms. Two Hebrew expressions, one just a word (“shakan”) and the other a phrase (“ohel moed”). Let me explain, translate. “Shakan” is a verb meaning “to dwell.” While “ohel” means “tent” (as in the “Tabernacle” itself) … and is so often linked with the noun “moed” meaning “assembly, feast, congregation.” Thus “ohel moed” suggests a “place of meeting!” If you will allow me, “a place of fellowship, communion, harmony, intimacy!”

Remember this too, basically how the Book of Exodus ends: “Then a cloud covered the tent of the congregation, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle. And Moses was not able to enter into the tent of the congregation, because the cloud abode thereon, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle.” Exodus 40:34-35

God is in the Tabernacle!

But Moses is not!

God is there … “shakan.” (This is the very root of the ineffable “Shekinah Glory” Ideal!

But Moses is not yet there … the Place not yet being the “ohel moed,” the Place where God and man can “meet and fellowship” ever so sweetly!

Wow!

This difference/distinction/shade of meaning holds true in the Book of Exodus too. As the Tabernacle is under construction it is generally characterized as God’s “dwelling” place, or at least that’s the goal. “Shakan,” in summary.

But once it is in use, with the priesthood functioning for example, the Place becomes the “Tent of Meeting!” Again in sum, “ohel moed.”

Wow again!

GOD BUILT THAT HOLY STRUCTURE TO COME DOWN TO EARTH (“shakan”) AND THEN SUBSEQUENTLY “TO RESIDE WITH HIS PEOPLE”, WITH ISRAEL (“ohel moed)!

“Moed” is actually translated “feasts” or “seasons” three dozen times in the King James Version of Scripture. That’s the main emphasis of Leviticus 23, those seven Feasts! God inviting His people to come fellowship with Him!

That’s the meaning of Leviticus 24 too! The LIGHT of the Candlestick shining over against (upon) the Table of Bread with its twelve loaves! A Picture of GOD shining/fellowshipping/communion with His people (all twelve tribes of them) in sweet peace and harmony!

And this is also the function of Leviticus 25 … with its renewed emphasis on the Sabbath principle, God longing for (even demanding) His people to honor and adore (worship) Him one day out of every seven! Still basically, God and man in fellowship!

And you know what this is? It is a reestablishing of the Goal our great God had for mankind way back in the Garden of Eden! The Lord coming down (“shakan”) in the cool of the day … and “walking” (as in “ohel moed”) with Adam and Eve! Genesis 3:8, for example.

This discussion could get a lot more technical and include a lot more statistics and information … but the Theorem I have outlined above holds true, Biblically.

First God has come down and now dwells (“shakan”) in that Holy Place, Most Holy Place!

Next God has invited us to come and congregate (“moed”) around Him in that Tabernacle (“ohel)!

Hallelujah!

Tomorrow morning, the Lord willing, we go into chapter 25 with its strongly suggestive Sabbatical emphasis.

Leviticus, what a spiritually inviting Book!

And no wonder, God Himself has been the Major Speaker … I mean from its very first verse (“And the LORD called unto Moses, and spake unto him out of the tabernacle of the congregation, saying …”) to its very last chapter (“And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying …”). A thrilling thought indeed!

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

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A chapter about worship, about the Tabernacle, and specifically about the golden Lampstand/Candlestick and the Table (also overlaid with gold) then loaded with fresh Bread … ending in such a “sad” way!

A man has “blasphemed the Name of the Lord!” While in a fight, in a moment of anger, but still he “slighted, belittled, dishonored” God’s Very name! Leviticus 24:11 … “And the Israelitish woman’s son blasphemed the name of the LORD, and cursed. And they brought him unto Moses: and his mother’s name was Shelomith, the daughter of Dibri, of the tribe of Dan.”

We learned in verse 10 that the man’s “father was an Egyptian,” likely a half-hearted follower of God anyway. (Part of the “mixt multitude” maybe … as in Numbers 11:4?)

Parents have great influence on their sons, their children. For good or (sorrowfully) for evil.

But Moses did not know what to do with this blasphemous offender! So … “They put him in ward (jail, confinement), that the mind of the LORD might be shewed them.” Verse 12

Then shortly, the heavenly Answer came! “The LORD spake unto Moses, saying, Bring forth him that hath cursed without the camp; and let all that heard him lay their hands upon his head, and let all the congregation STONE HIM. And thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel, saying, Whosoever CURSETH HIS GOD shall bear his sin. And he that BLASPHEMETH the name of the LORD, HE SHALL SURELY BE PUT TO DEATH, and all the congregation shall certainly STONE HIM: as well the stranger, as he that is born in the land, when he BLASPHEMETH the name of the LORD, SHALL BE PUT TO DEATH.” Verses 13-16, conclusive!

Serious to God, THE HONOR DUE HIS NAME!

So … “Moses spake to the children of Israel, that they should bring forth him that had cursed out of the camp, and stone him with stones. And the children of Israel DID as the LORD commanded Moses.” Leviticus 24, last verse.

Surely this “Word/Instruction from God” has nexus to the Third Commandment. “Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.” Exodus 20:7

I’ve related this whole Story in order to share a “quote” this morning, something I read in preparation for this Lesson.

“In the Bible GOD’S DIVINE NAME takes the place which in other religions was occupied by their graven image.”

Wow!

Of course we worship God and God alone (the Godhead) … but the only conception we have of our precious God is … HIS NAME!

His Name becomes His Character, His Person, His Essence!

Think of the nearly countless times in the Bible GOD’S NAME is uplifted, and rightly so!

Exodus 20 continues to teach us along this same line: “Ye shall not make with me gods of silver, neither shall ye make unto you gods of gold. An altar of earth thou shalt make unto me, and shalt sacrifice thereon thy burnt offerings, and thy peace offerings, thy sheep, and thine oxen: in all places where I record MY NAME I will come unto thee, and I will bless thee.” Verses 23-24!

Did you get that Last Clause, God speaking … “IN ALL PLACES WHERE I RECORD MY NAME I WILL COME UNTO THEE, AND I WILL BLESS THEE.” 

God’s Name … need I say more?

No wonder then His Name is never to be denigrated, cursed, blasphemed!

Psalm 72:19 … “And blessed be HIS GLORIOUS NAME for ever.”

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

“Hallowed be THY NAME,” Jesus taught us to pray! (Matthew 6:9, sometimes called “The Lord’s Prayer.” But for sure, “The Model Prayer!”

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Unusual for Leviticus, a bit of narrative now enters the picture. Read it please. “And the son of an Israelitish woman, whose father was an Egyptian, went out among the children of Israel: and this son of the Israelitish woman and a man of Israel strove together in the camp; and the Israelitish woman’s son blasphemed the name of the LORD, and cursed.” Leviticus 24:10-11 (The man will ultimately be put to death for this major Violation.)

WHY is this shocking event reported immediately after that lovely Section on the Candlestick and Table of Bread? On God shining the sweet Light of His Presence upon His people?

I think this is part of the reason. Any blessing from God (including Communion, Fellowship, Intimacy) involves knowing God, honoring God, enjoying His Person, His Name and His Character. (His “Attributes,” the theologians say).

Here’s a prime Old Testament example. “And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, Speak unto Aaron and unto his sons, saying, On this wise ye shall bless the children of Israel, saying unto them, The LORD bless thee, and keep thee: The LORD make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee: The LORD lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace. And they shall put my name upon the children of Israel; and I will bless them.” Numbers 6:22-27, the famous God-commanded “Priestly Blessing.”

Note that God’s Name is reference three times in the Blessing proper. “The LORD bless thee, and keep thee: The LORD make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee: The LORD lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace.” Count them!

Light (think Candlestick) shining upon God’s united people (think the golden Table of Shewbread, twelve loaves) … is here illustrated as God’s NAME placed on His people!

In fact, notice the last verse (number 27) above … where God says: “And they (the priests) shall put MY NAME upon the children of Israel; and I will bless them.”

Wow!

NOW … I see what this man’s sin of blaspheming God’s Name is placed exactly here in the chapter!

There is a direct Link between honoring God’s NAME, enjoying God’s Light …. and receiving God’s Blessings!

More about this sin, this man … tomorrow, the Lord willing.

Meanwhile … honor the Lord, His Name all day long!

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

Just as the “Blessing” cited above uses God’s NAME three times … so does the full Account of this man’s blasphemy mention God’s NAME three times! The Holy Spirit is telling us something here!

Numbers 6 … how to do it, honor God’s Name! Leviticus 24 (verses 10 onward) … how NOT to do it, a man dishonoring God’s NAME!

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Both Pieces of Furniture (using that word reverently) are located in the Tabernacle proper, in the Holy Place. (Not the Most Holy Place, where the Ark of the Covenant is situated.) Yes, both the Lampstand and the Table of Bread.

And they faced each other, clearly. (The Tabernacle was always pitched eastward. With the Lampstand on the south side of the Holy Place and the Table of Shewbread on the north side.)

Then we learned that the Lampstand was to be “lit” (exactly as God commanded) so that the radiance from it would shine “toward, upon” the Table of Bread! With its twelve loaves, representing the people of God!

Citing Numbers 8:2-3, an Addendum to our chapter here, to Leviticus 24. “Speak unto Aaron, and say unto him, When thou lightest the lamps, the seven lamps shall give light OVER AGAINST (‘paniym’ in Hebrew, meaning ‘facing’) the candlestick. And Aaron did so; he lighted the lamps thereof OVER AGAINST (‘facing”) the candlestick, as the LORD commanded Moses.”

See it?

Don’t miss this.

This marvelous Light (Jesus and the Holy Spirit empowering Him) is to shed its glorious Splendor upon the twelve loaves, upon godly (saved) Israel!

This is a picture of God fellowshipping with man! God designing the very Tabernacle to reflect that longing of His Heart! And this is man basking in the Light of the Glory of God, of the Lord Jesus Christ!

Communion indeed, in the deepest sense of the word!

This was the goal (although it failed) in the Garden of Eden, God’s ultimate Desire! This is the final Result of the New Jerusalem and all eternity. Jesus (the Living Candlestick) shining all over us the people of God! (No sun needed there, the ineffable Aura of God the Son bespeaks His Presence and His Delight in His Body, His Church, His Kingdom! In all His precious redeemed ones!

Wow!

And just “when” (in ancient Israel) was this sublime Fellowship, this sweet Communion to occur?

Primarily and particularly for the Jew … on the Sabbath Day! (In fact, that Bread, all twelve loaves, was to be changed every Sabbath! Renewed, refreshed, recreated (in a way) … to further soak in the Light emanating from the Candlestick/Lampstand!

And just think of the quality of Light in that Room! A golden Candlestick, a golden Table, and gold overlaid walls! What reflectivity, what radiance, what brilliance! Then think of the Glory of Jesus we (in a limited sense) now enjoy … via the Word of God and the Holy Spirit!

What will it be when we see Jesus literally? The Mount of Transfiguration re-lived in front of our very eyes!

Wow!

Now tomorrow, the Lord willing … we shall look at the rest of Leviticus 24, which mentions (three times) “the Name of the Lord.” 

A man there would NOT honor “the Name of the Lord!” He blasphemed Almighty God, in reality! The Very Name we must have “shining” upon our lives, being diminished (in verses 10-16) by derogatory speech!

Yes, I am saying that Communion/Fellowship with God (the principle illustrated by the Candlestick and Shewbread) is dependent on one’s valuation of God’s Name! On one’s delighting in God’s Name!

But as I said … more tomorrow!

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

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