Mime-Version: 1.0
Date:         Tue, 13 Feb 1996 14:55:03 +-100
Reply-To: Christian explanation of the Scriptures to Israel
              
Sender: Christian explanation of the Scriptures to Israel
              
From: Teus Benschop 
Subject:      ChrExp, The Scriptures opened, 70
To: Multiple recipients of list CHR-EXP 

Contents
----------------------------------------------------------------------
1. Exodus 24:17     - The LORD's glory
2. Psalm 38:3,4     - Unbearable sin
3. Hebrews 10:14-18 - Christ's perfect and only offering


1.  Exodus 24:17 - The LORD's glory
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Weekly reading: Mishpatim, Exodus 21 - 24

Exodus 24:17

And  the sight of the glory of the LORD was like devouring fire on the
top of the mount in the eyes of the children of Israel.

The LORD said unto Moses: "Come up to Me into the mount, and be there.
I  will give you tables of stone, and a law, and commandments which  I
have written, in order that you may teach them". He commanded Moses to
come  up  to  Him into the mount. Moses obeyed, and rose up,  together
with  Joshua  his  minister. Before he left  the  congregation,  Moses
commanded the elders of the people to tarry there until he came  back.
When  they  had some matters, then Aaron and Hur were with them,  that
they  might ask them. Then they went up into the mount of God. A cloud
covered  the mount. The children of Israel tarried beneath. When  they
looked at the mountain, they saw that the glory of the LORD abode upon
it.  They  also saw that the cloud covered the mount. Looking  at  the
mount,  and at the glory of the LORD upon it, it was a terrible  sight
for  the people. As our text has: "And the sight of the glory  of  the
LORD  was like devouring fire on the top of the mount in the  eyes  of
the children of Israel."

Why  was  it, that the glory of the LORD was like a devouring fire  in
the sight of the people? Wasn't it the -glory- of the LORD? Why should
God's glory be like a devouring fire? Shouldn't the people delight  in
seeing God's glory? The answer to this is easy. Yes, we should rejoice
at  seeing God's glory. But carnal man are haters of God. They  cannot
rejoice at God's glory, but it is like a devouring fire in their eyes.
The  glory of God is like a devouring fire. Yes, but for what  reason?
It was to frighten the transgressors of the law. They should know, and
see that God has nothing to do with transgressors. God's holiness will
kindle  the sinners. They cannot go together. God and we, carnal  man,
are  eternally  separated, unless reconciliation is  made  in  Christ.
God's  glory was terrifying to the carnal Israelites. God's glory  was
for  them  like  a  devouring fire, as is  written:  "Take  heed  unto
yourselves, lest ye forget the covenant of the LORD your God, which he
made  with  you ... for the LORD thy God is a consuming fire,  even  a
jealous God", Deut. 4:23,24.

Note the difference between Moses and the people. Moses, without fear,
entered  into the mount, drawing nigh to God's glory. He didn't  fear.
Note  the difference between him and the people. The people saw  God's
glory as if it was a devouring fire. Moses gladly went up to God,  but
the  people  feared. This difference, what is the cause of  that?  Why
didn't  Moses fear, and why did the people see a devouring  fire?  Why
was  God's glory hid from their eyes, but Moses rejoiced in it? It  is
because  Moses was spiritual, and they were carnal. The  Lord  appears
like  a  devouring fire to carnal men, but to them that He draws  with
His  Spirit,  He  is  like a pleasant Father. This is  the  difference
between  the  regenerated and the unregenerated. When one  isn't  born
again,  he will always fear God's glory, lest he be devoured. But  the
man  that  is born again, sees all from the other side. What  formerly
terrified  him, will now rejoice him. While he in the past thought  of
God  as  a  terrible Being, now he experiences that God is a  friendly
Father.  In his unregenerated days, he exceedingly dreaded God because
of  his  sins, but now, having his sins forgiven and washed  away,  he
loves God.

The  glory of God is most terrible to the wicked, but to Moses it  was
most  pleasant. From that are examples even in our days. I remember  a
young  woman. She experienced God's glory, while unregenerated.  Since
that,  she  no  longer dared to enter the Church. She so much  dreaded
God,  that  she  dared not attend the service, for she  feared  to  be
consumed.  This  continued for several weeks, until, one  Sunday,  all
fear vanished. She experienced God's favour in her heart, and all fear
was away.

In  the  letter  to the Hebrews, Paul wrote: "Our God is  a  consuming
fire"  (12:29). And that is the truth. To every sinner, God is like  a
consuming  fire. Therefore, people, take heed lest you  are  consumed.
Sinner, convert! Keep always in mind what sort of God we have. We have
not such a God as you imagine, sinner. You flatter yourself with God's
favour.  But  it is not for you, as long as you continue in  your  own
ways.  Be then converted. See that ye refuse not God that speaks.  For
if  they  escaped  not who refused him that spake on earth,  at  mount
Sinai,  much more shall not we escape, if we turn away from  him  that
speaketh from heaven, namely Jesus Christ. The glory of God was like a
consuming  fire  for  the unconverted people.  But  we  expect  a  new
revelation. God's appearance then only shook the mount, but when Jesus
comes  back,  not only the mount will shake, but much more.  Not  only
Sinai  will smoke, but the complete heaven and the earth will  vanish.
They  will  pass away with a great noise. So, if the glory of  God  at
Sinai  was  terrifying and consuming in the people's  eyes,  how  will
Christ's return be? It will kill the ungodly. So, reader, what do  you
need?  Only  regeneration  will save you. Then  you  will  rejoice  in
Christ's return to judge the whole earth.



2.  Psalm 38:3,4 - Unbearable sin
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Psalm 38:3,4

3 There is no soundness in my flesh because of thine anger;
neither is there any rest in my bones because of my sin.
4 For mine iniquities are gone over mine head:
as an heavy burden they are too heavy for me.


This  is  a Psalm of David, to bring to remembrance. He remembers  the
great distress wherein he has been, and the deliverance of God.

"O  Lord", David says, "because of my sins, there is nothing sound  in
me.  Because I am always and ever transgressing your law, my flesh  is
weak. Because I am a sinner, Thine anger is burning against me. And  I
am  restless because of my sin. My sin has removed the rest I in  past
days had in Thou, O God. But now? There is no rest in my bones because
of  my  terrible behaviour. I have sinned against Thou. I have  sinned
against  knowledge and light. I knew that the result of sin  would  be
great  damage  of  conscience. In former  days,  I  experienced  Thine
favour, and there was nothing between us. But now? I have sinned,  and
all my peace is gone. Thine anger burns against me. For how long?"

"The  iniquities I have committed are so many, that they are gone over
mine  head.  They are innumerable; they are very great. They  go  over
mine  head.  For  innumerable  evils have  compassed  me  about:  mine
iniquities have taken hold upon me, so that I am not able to look  up;
they  are more than the hairs of mine head: therefore my heart faileth
me. (Psalm 40:12)"

"I  feel the burden of my sins on my back. Because I heaped sins  unto
sins,  the burden became greater and greater. Mine iniquities are  now
so  heavy, that I no longer can bear them. They are too heavy for  me.
Lord, come to my aid, because I will fail. My sins are to heavy to  be
borne."

"Lord,  why  should I always and ever sins against Thou?  Why  must  I
always be the greatest transgressor? Why isn't it possible for  me  to
live  godly?  Lord, I have sinned greatly, and provoked Thy  wrath.  I
feel  it  burning  within me, and I justify Thine  judgement.  Against
thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight:  that
thou  mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou
judgest.  (Psalm 51:4) It is right, O my Lord, that Thine wrath  burns
against me, lest I heedlessly continue in my sins. But Thine wrath  is
too heavy to be borne; save me from destruction, O my God."

"God, my sins are the cause of the present estrangement. Thou are  too
holy,  then that Thou can see iniquity. Cleanse my, that I may  return
to  Thou, O God. Wash me, and I will be clean. Purity my inner  parts,
that  I  again  may rejoice in Thine grace. Purge away  my  sins,  and
cleanse  me.  Why  should I always live without Thou?  Because  of  my
foolishness  I am bowed down. I am ashamed to appear in the  midst  of
the people, because my sins are spread on my face. I am ashamed, Lord,
cleanse  me.  I am troubled, and am bowed down greatly. I am  mourning
all the day long."

"Forgive  my sins, and make me to hear joy and gladness. Forgive  mine
iniquities,  that  my bones which Thou have broken may  rejoice.  Turn
away  Thine  face  from  my sins, and blot out  all  mine  iniquities.
Cleanse  me, O God. Give me a renewed heart, O God; and renew a  right
spirit within me. Turn Thy friendly face to me, but don't cast me away
from  Thine  presence. Do not take the Holy Spirit from me.  Pour  our
Thine   Spirit  upon  me,  that  I  may  be  cleansed  from  my  great
transgressions. Restore unto me the joy of salvation. Give me  a  free
access  to  the  throne  of Thy grace. Give me  the  spirit  of  Thine
children; the Spirit of adoption, whereby I may cry, Abba, Father."




3.  Hebrews 10:14-18 - Christ's perfect and only offering
----------------------------------------------------------------------


14  For  by  one  offering he hath perfected for ever  them  that  are
sanctified.
15  Whereof the Holy Ghost also is a witness to us: for after that  he
had said before,
16  This is the covenant that I will make with them after those  days,
saith  the  Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and  in  their
minds will I write them;
17 And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.
18 Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin.

The  Apostle  here  says that Christ has by His only offering  forever
perfected  them  that  are  sanctified. His  one  offering  is  enough
forever. It ought never to be repeated. "For by one offering  he  hath
perfected  for  ever them that are sanctified." Then  he  proves  from
Scripture  that it was foresaid that the offerings once  would  cease.
God  foresaid  in the Old Testament, that the offerings  would  cease.
When  offerings are brought, it is because there are sins. For, it  is
before  the  sins, that offerings are brought. So, offerings  remember
that  there  are  sins. God however said that this  remembrance  would
cease.  He would forgive. He says: "Their sins and iniquities  will  I
remember  no more." So, the remembrance would cease. If then the  sins
are  forgiven,  why  should we still offer? God  said  that  He  would
remember  sins  and  iniquities  no more.  This  means:  "The  perfect
offering  will be brought, and I will no more remember sins;  so,  the
daily offerings are superfluous".

This  is  what  we  read  in our text: "For by one  offering  he  hath
perfected  for ever them that are sanctified. Whereof the  Holy  Ghost
also  is  a witness to us: for after that he had said before, This  is
the  covenant that I will make with them after those days,  saith  the
Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will  I
write them; And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more. Now
where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin."

This is the main point of the apostle. Let us now consider the words.
    14  For  by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that  are
    sanctified.
Who are the ones that are sanctified? They are the people that believe
in  Christ  Jesus,  and  are born again by the  Spirit.  They  believe
through  the  Word and the Spirit in Jesus our Lord and Saviour.  They
are  the  ones that are perfected through Christ's offering.  So,  His
offerings  is  in  itself valuable enough to pay  for  all  sins  ever
committed,  but He actually pays only for them that believe.  Not  for
the  unbelievers. Those that are sanctified by Him, are also perfected
by  Him.  And  this is done by His one offering. He  once  offered  up
Himself, and that was enough forever.
    15 Whereof the Holy Ghost also is a witness to us:
The Holy Spirit, Author of the Word, witnessed these things to us.  He
did  so in His Word, but particularly in the form of the new covenant,
Jeremiah 31. This is the new covenant that God has made with us.  From
this  verse, wherein we read that the Holy Ghost witnesses to  us,  we
see  that the Holy Spirit is the true God, and a distinguished  Person
in the divine Being.
     The  Holy Ghost is a witness to us. Of what? Of what is  said  in
the fourteenth verse. "By one offering he hath perfected for ever them
that are sanctified."
    For after that he had said before, 16 This is the covenant that  I
    will  make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will  put
    my  laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write  them;
    17 And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.
These words are taken from Jeremiah 31, the verses 31 to 34. There you
read:
    31  Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will make a  new
    covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah:
    32  Not  according to the covenant that I made with their  fathers
    in  the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of  the
    land  of  Egypt; which my covenant they brake, although I  was  an
    husband unto them, saith the LORD:
    33  But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house
    of  Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in
    their  inward  parts, and write it in their hearts;  and  will  be
    their God, and they shall be my people.
    34  And  they  shall  teach no more every man his  neighbour,  and
    every  man his brother, saying, Know the LORD: for they shall  all
    know  me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them,  saith
    the  LORD: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will  remember
    their sin no more.
The  words  Paul uses are: "for I will forgive their iniquity,  and  I
will  remember their sin no more". In Jeremiah 31 we read  nothing  of
the ceasing of offerings. But there we read of a complete remission of
sins. Now, if sins are forgiven completely, any offerings for sins are
useless. As he writes:
    18  Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for
    sin.
There  is  remission of sins, so there is no more  offering  for  sin.
There  are no more offerings for reconciliation, but the offerings  of
thank remain. Also the New Testament demands those offerings from  us.
"I  beseech  you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God,  that  ye
present  your  bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable  unto  God,
which is your reasonable service." Rom. 12:1. And in another place  we
read:  "By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise  to  God
continually,  that  is, the fruit of our lips  giving  thanks  to  his
name."  Hebrews  13:15. In yet another place you read:  "Ye  also,  as
lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood,  to
offer  up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ",  1
Peter 2:5.




----------------------------------------------------------------------
chr-exp@nic.surfnet.nl
"A Christian explanation of the Scriptures to Israel"
Institute Practical Bible-education
Web:  https://christian.net/pub/resources/text/ipb-e/ipbe-home.html
Written by Teus Benschop  --  t.benschop@pobox.ruu.nl
----------------------------------------------------------------------





file: /pub/resources/text/ipb-e/so: s-open-070.txt
.