Introduzione ai dieci comandamenti

Non molti decenni fa, la maggior parte dei cittadini di culture occidentali erano abbastanza familiarità con i Dieci Comandamenti e gran parte del resto della Bibbia. Insegnanti della scuola pregato e citato dalla Bibbia. I Dieci Comandamenti sono stati inviati in luoghi pubblici, aule scolastiche, case a corte, parchi pubblici e piazze e chiese. Le cose sono cambiate drasticamente. Public display dei Dieci Comandamenti stanno diventando rari. Sono stati assenti dalle aule pubbliche per molti anni, e anti-religione gruppi sono riusciti a intimidire i funzionari pubblici in rimuoverli dalla proprietà pubblica. Quindi, la conoscenza dei Dieci Comandamenti non è più universale. Molto rara è la persona che oggi può recitare anche solo la metà di loro.

Comico Jay Leno, nel suo segmento "Jaywalking", recentemente ha chiesto quanto segue:

"Quanti comandamenti ci sono?"
"Dieci!"
"Puoi nome qualsiasi di loro?"
"La libertà di parola!"

Tale confusione e l'ignoranza può sembrare divertente, ma è anche rivelatore. L'ignoranza della legge conduce alla illegalità. Senza una comprensione di base di aspettative morali, ognuno farà ciò che è giusto ai suoi occhi (Gdc 17,6), che si tradurrà nel caos. Inoltre, le persone secolarizzata sono spesso disposti a prendere in considerazione l'idea che la moralità è più di un'opinione personale. Anche coloro che sanno qualcosa i dieci comandamenti di solito li ignorano o pensare a loro come semplici suggerimenti. Standard di immergersi moralità pubblica come persone ignorano, negligenza, e respingere le aspettative biblici come quelli elencati nei Dieci Comandamenti. Senza trascendente, norme eterne, il comportamento umano diventa sempre più disumano, barbara e selvaggia.

Le condizioni non sono molto meglio all'interno della chiesa di quanto non siano nella nostra cultura secolare. Un po 'di girare pagina sarebbe necessaria per il credente medio per trovare dove i Dieci Comandamenti sono riportati nella Bibbia. Un compito ancora più difficile è comprendere il significato OT comandamenti sono per i credenti NT. I Dieci Comandamenti sono ancora in vigore? Tutti? Perché o perché no? Qual è il rapporto tra la Legge e il Vangelo?

Perché è importante per noi per studiare i Dieci Comandamenti? John Bunyan ci dà la risposta: "L'uomo che non conosce la natura del diritto non può conoscere la natura del peccato. E chi non conosce la natura del peccato non può conoscere la natura del Salvatore. " ¹ La legge OT ci mostra il nostro bisogno per il Salvatore. Ci convince di peccato e ci spinge a Cristo. Così ci sarebbe d'accordo con Paolo quando dice "il comandamento santo e giusto e buono" (Rm 7,12). Dobbiamo affermare la legittimità di continuare, la validità e la necessità della legge di Dio per guidare il comportamento umano.

L'uso della legge per l'OT credenti NT

Prima di iniziare il nostro studio dei comandamenti singoli, dobbiamo prima riflettere su come i credenti NT sono da comprendere e applicare il diritto OT. Quindi cerchiamo di considerare che il primo numero.

Molti cristiani sono confusi circa l'uso della legge OT. Dobbiamo seguirlo o no? È ancora in vigore o no? Quali parti di esso dovremmo seguire? Se non lo stiamo seguendo, quale valore si tratta?

Questa lezione è stata progettata per esplorare ciò che la Legge OT è e come si applica attualmente ai credenti NT.

I. Significato del termine "legge"

I Dieci Comandamenti sono una piccola parte della legge OT. Troviamo molteplici usi del termine "legge" nella Bibbia. Alcuni degli usi del termine:

A, la volontà di Dio espressa morale generale in tutta la Bibbia (OT e NT); comandamenti divini in senso lato (Rm 7:25).

B. I principi morali dei Dieci Comandamenti non è cominciato con Sinai, sono come eterna e immutabile come il carattere sacro di Dio stesso (1 Pietro 1:16). ²

C. Il codice di Mosaic OT (o soprattutto tra i 10 Comandamenti), cioè l'insieme di norme e regolamenti che Dio diede a Mosè per Israele (Rm 2:14 a; 2:17, 3:21, 28; 7,12; Gal 4:21, 5:3).

D. Scrittura in generale (in particolare l'OT). Così: "la legge" (Mt 5,18; 12,5; Lc 2:27; 10:26, 16:17; Rm 3:19), "la Legge ei Profeti" (Mt 5:17); " la legge del Signore "(Lc 2:23, 24, 39)," la legge di Mosè "(Lc 2:22;. cfr. anche Atti 28:23)," Mosè e dei profeti "(Lc 24,27) . La triplice formula "Mosè, nei Profeti e nei Salmi" si verifica anche (Lc 24:44).

E. La "legge di Cristo" (1 Cor 9,21; Gal 6:2)

A, principio regola, o la forza (Rm 2:14 b, 3:27, 7:2, 21, 23, 8:2)

Varie forme di leggi umane, quelle prescritte dall'uomo attraverso il governo umana o personalizzati (Luca 20:22; Atti 19,38)

II. Insegnamento NT sulla Legge OT

R. La legge (ovvero, il codice di Mosaic) ha esteso "fino a Giovanni" il Battista (Mt 11:13), dopo di che viene il vangelo di Cristo.

B. Cristo non è venuto ad abolire la legge, ma per darle compimento (Mt 5,17). E 'impossibile che ogni parte della legge sarebbe scomparso (Mt 5,18-19). Gesù si aspettava il suo pubblico di osservare la Legge. E 'importante ricordare che Gesù ha vissuto e ministero ai sensi della legge. La fine della legge è venuto con la morte di Cristo, il velo strappato simboleggia la fine del sistema levitico (Mc 15:38; Eb 6:19, 9:3, 10:20). Adempimento Gesù 'di legge preparato il terreno per l'epoca della chiesa.

C. La legge può essere riassunta da questi due comandi: Ama Dio e ama il prossimo tuo (Mt 22,34-40). Paolo afferma che l'amore adempie la legge (Rm 13,10).

D. cristiani non sono sotto la Legge OT. Notare i seguenti versi a questo riguardo: Atti 15:10, il 19; Rm 6:14, 7:1-6, 10:4; 2 Cor 3:7-18; Gal 3:10-13, 3:24-25, 5:1; Ef 2,15; Col 2:14

1. Che cosa significa essere "sotto" la Legge? Significa essere soggetto alle sue regole e regolamenti, di essere responsabile nei suoi confronti, di essere soggetto alle sue pene, e di essere vincolato obbedire ad essa.
2. Gli Israeliti erano "sotto" la legge, nel senso che si applica direttamente a loro, Dio li aspetta per applicarla e rispettarla. Ha benedetto l'obbedienza e la disobbedienza puniti.
3. Al concilio di Gerusalemme (Atti 15:5-11 leggere, 19-21, 29), i discepoli in particolare ha respinto l'idea che i credenti gentili necessità di osservare tutte le disposizioni della legge OT.
4. Il libro di Galati confuta l'idea che l'osservanza della legge OT è un mezzo di salvezza. Coloro che si mettevano sotto la legge OT sono "caduti in disgrazia" (Gal 5:4). Paolo afferma che è "morto alla legge" (Gal 2:19) e che coloro che vogliono seguire la legge, stanno sotto la maledizione della legge (Gal 3:10). Cristo ha redento il credente dalla legge (Gal 3:13). I credenti non sono più sotto quel "maestro" (Gal 3:25). La legge è un "giogo della schiavitù", con la quale non dovremmo essere "entangled" (Gal 5,1). Coloro che sono guidati dallo Spirito, non siete sotto la legge (Gal 5:18). Paul non potrebbe essere più chiara su questo tema.
5. Alcuni ebrei, come Paolo (1 Cor 9,19-23), determinata a osservare i rituali della legge OT, almeno occasionalmente, semplicemente per non essere offensivo per quelli che stavano cercando di raggiungere. Altre volte, Paolo esercitato la sua libertà da quelli stessi rituali e restrizioni (cfr. Gal 2:11-21).
6. La legge di Mosè è una unità, una indivisibile, proposta o tutto o niente. La Bibbia non fa una distinzione tra le parti della legge. La gente comunemente riconoscere i diversi aspetti civili, cerimoniale e morale della legge, ma queste categorie non stanno individualmente, sono parti del tutto. Non si può solo scegliere le parti che ti piace e ignorare il resto. Questo è esattamente il punto di Paolo in Galati 5:03-4-se si accetta di essere circonciso, l'utente accetta di obbedire tutta la legge, il che significa che si sta rifiutando la salvezza mediante la fede in Cristo.

Le distinzioni tipici riconosciuti nel diritto OT:

Cerimoniale: si occupa di sacrifici, rituali, purificazioni, e altre attività religiose adempiuto in Cristo

Civile: norme in materia di normativa del governo, la teocrazia; governato nazionale di Israele

Si occupa di principi morali senza tempo come i 10 Comandamenti: morale

Citazione: "Dio ha eliminato completamente la legge mosaica, sia il [civile] cerimoniale e le parti morale. Lo ha terminato come codice e l'ha sostituito con un nuovo codice, "la legge di Cristo" (Gal 6:2). Alcuni comandamenti nella legge di Cristo sono le stesse di quelle della legge di Mosè (ad esempio, nove dei Dieci Comandamenti, escluso il comando di osservare il giorno di sabato). " ³

E. Cristiani sono sotto la legge di Cristo

08:02 Rom Per la legge dello Spirito della vita in Cristo Gesù ti ha liberato dalla legge del peccato e della morte.

1 Cor 9:21 a coloro che sono senza legge, senza legge (che non sia senza legge verso Dio, ma in base al diritto verso Cristo), che io possa vincere coloro che sono senza legge;

Gal 6,2 portare gli uni i pesi degli altri, così adempirete la legge di Cristo.

Qual è la legge di Cristo? E 'l'insieme di norme e aspettative insegnato da Gesù e ampliato dagli autori NT. E 'la regola cristiana della vita, in sostanza, l'insegnamento della epistole NT. In contrasto con il codice di Mosaic, che ha sottolineato i rituali e le opere, la legge di Cristo sottolinea grazia e di amore (cfr Giovanni 1:17, 13:34). Serviamo "nella novità dello Spirito e non nel regime vecchio della lettera" (Rm 7:6). La legge di Cristo, copre tutti i settori della vita del credente, come il codice mosaico fatto per il credente OT.

III. Interpretazione della legge OT

Anche se non dovrebbe importare idee NT in OT nella nostra interpretazione, si prendono in considerazione l'insegnamento NT quando applicare i principi OT. La nostra applicazione di OT deve essere letta attraverso le lenti NT. Quali principi si applicano ancora in tempi NT? Quali parti Cristo ha adempiuto o compiuto? Quali parti sono semplici ombre e simboli?

IV. I valori della legge OT

A. La legge è "santa e buona" (Rm 7,12), uno dei doni di Dio a Israele (Rm 9:4).

B. La legge prevede uno standard di giustizia (Deuteronomio 4:8; Salmo 19:7-9). La legge rivelata la giustizia, la santità, e la bontà di Dio (Deuteronomio 4:8; Lv 11,44-45; 19:2; 20:7; Rm 7:12-14).

Si noti la citazione: la Legge di Dio fornisce le basi ei parametri per la libertà civile e politica. Qui troviamo la saggezza senza tempo che è quella di regolare il discorso quotidiano e che dà significato e scopo di vita e di lavoro. ⁴

C. La legge è entrata "che il reato potrebbe abbondano" (Rm 5:20; cf 7:8-13;. 1 Cor 15:56 b), e al fine di "limitare" gli uomini secondo il diritto e il peccato, senza alcuna prospettiva di fuga fino Cristo sarebbe venuto (Gal 3:22 ss). La legge produce la realizzazione sorprendente del peccato, che non salva (Rm 3:20; 7:7), ma suscita un grido d'aiuto in una condizione di perdita (Rm 7:24), un grido che si può rispondere efficacemente solo da Gesù Cristo (Rm 7:25). ⁵

Rm 3,19 Ora sappiamo che tutto ciò che dice la legge, lo dice a quelli che sono sotto la legge, che ogni bocca può essere fermato, e tutto il mondo sia riconosciuto colpevole davanti a Dio.

Rom 7:13 Ha poi ciò che è buono morte diventano per me? Certo che no! Ma il peccato, che potrebbe sembrare il peccato, stava producendo la morte in me ciò che è buono, in modo che il peccato attraverso il comandamento potrebbe diventare estremamente peccaminoso.

1 Timoteo 1:09 sapendo questo: che la legge non è fatta per il giusto, ma per gli iniqui ei ribelli, per gli empi ei peccatori, per gli scellerati ei profani, per coloro che uccidono padri e delle madri assassini, per gli assassini , ...

Nota: In un appello evangelistico, si deve sottolineare colpevolezza del peccatore. Un confronto tra lo stile di vita della persona alle esigenze dei 10 comandamenti e all'insegnamento di Gesù 'sul Discorso della montagna è spesso utile nel rivelare depravazione totale del peccatore.

Luther: La legge deve essere prevista a coloro che devono essere giustificate, che possano essere rinchiusi nel carcere stesso, fino a quando la giustizia della fede entra-che, quando sono abbattuto e umiliato dalla legge, dovrebbero volare a Cristo. La legge li umilia, non alla loro distruzione, ma per la loro salvezza. Perché Dio ferisce che Egli può guarire di nuovo. Si uccide che possa accelerare di nuovo. ⁶

Lutero: Fino a quando una persona non è un assassino, adultero, ladro, avrebbe giurato che egli è giusto. Come è Dio sta per umile questa persona se non per legge? La Legge è il martello della morte, il tuono d'inferno e il tuono della collera di Dio per far cadere gli ipocriti orgoglioso e spudorato. .... Fino a quando una persona pensa che abbia ragione lui sta per essere incomprensibilmente orgogliosa e presuntuosa. Sta per odiare Dio, disprezzano la sua grazia e misericordia, e ignorare le promesse di Cristo. Il Vangelo del perdono gratuito dei peccati per mezzo di Cristo non sarà mai appello al ipocrita. Questo mostro di auto-giustizia, questa dura cervice bestia, ha bisogno di una grande ascia. Ed è quello che la legge è, un'ascia grande. Di conseguenza l'uso corretto e la funzione della legge è quello di minacciare fino a quando la coscienza è paura rigida. ⁷

D. Forse l'obiettivo più importante della legge è quello di condurre gli uomini a Cristo. La legge è un "maestro di scuola, tutor, custode" paidago4gos (Gal 3:24-25). Il paidago4gos di solito era uno schiavo il cui compito era di prendere l'alunno a scuola e supervisionare la sua condotta in genere. La legge OT servito questo scopo, si terrà l'autorità fino alla venuta di Cristo. Paolo afferma chiaramente che la fede viene dopo, "noi non siamo più sotto un pedagogo" (Gal 3:25).

E. 2 Timoteo 3:16 Tutti gli OT è rivelazione, materiale redditizio, che contiene dottrina e educare alla giustizia.

F. 1 Cor 10:11 Ora, tutte queste cose avvennero loro per gli esempi: e sono scritte per nostro avvertimento.

Citazione buona: E 'possibile concludere che, poiché non è necessario osservare la legge di essere salvato, non è necessario fare attenzione alla legge, per qualsiasi motivo. Tuttavia, Paolo non era esortando suoi convertiti a bruciare i loro Testamento. La legge ha valore, come ha evidenziato in precedenza, sotto la grazia ... siamo liberi di adempiere la legge amandoci l'un l'altro. [Cf. Ro 13:10.] Per il cristiano la legge mosaica ha valore rivelatrice (2 Tm 3,16-17) anche se non ha valore normativo, controllare il nostro comportamento. ⁸

Debolezze V. della legge OT

R. La legge non può salvare. La salvezza non è mai stato sulla base di obbedienza alla legge, ma sulla grazia di Dio e la fede dell'uomo nelle promesse di Dio (Rm 4:1-3). Non c'è verità l'affermazione secondo cui nel sistema OT, le persone furono salvate dalle opere (Gal 2:16).

B. La debolezza fondamentale della legge è che la sua unica risposta al peccato è quello di vietare e condannarlo. Legge non può vincere il peccato, perché dipende dalla cooperazione della carne (cioè, autonoma natura umana), che è debole (Rm 8:3), incapace di obbedienza.

C. La legge è essenzialmente una lettera che uccide, un giogo gli ebrei non erano in grado di sopportare (Rm 7:6; Atti 15:10). Al contrario, la vita della nuova alleanza è lo Spirito che rende vivo (2 Cor 3:6). Quali le richieste legge può essere ottenuta solo con lo Spirito a causa del lavoro di Cristo (Rm 8:4).

D. Il libro degli Ebrei dimostra che l'alleanza della legge mosaica è stato solo temporaneo ed è stato sostituito con la venuta di Cristo, il cui ministero è basato su (1) un sacerdozio migliore, uno dopo l'ordine di Melchisedek, che è superiore a Aronne , e (2) un patto meglio con migliori promesse (vedi Eb 7-10). L'antica alleanza era solo l'ombra delle cose celesti, e se fosse stato in grado di rendere gli uomini perfetti davanti a Dio non ci sarebbe stata nessuna occasione per un secondo o nuova alleanza (vedi Eb 7:11-12; 8,1-13) . ⁹

Eb 7:19 Per la legge fatta non perfetto, ma la proposizione di una speranza in più ha fatto, dal quale si avvicinerà a Dio.

VI. Perché non te stesso luogo ai sensi della legge?

Oggi molti sostengono fortemente che almeno alcune delle regole e dei regolamenti da OT sono ancora vincolanti per i cristiani. Essi sostengono che i cristiani devono osservare OT disposizioni morali, quando possibile. Dicono che anche se non siamo salvati per l'osservanza della legge, teniamo la legge come mezzo di santificazione. La legge OT diventa una regola di vita per il credente. Dio ha dato a tali norme per un motivo, quindi ci deve essere qualche valore nel loro mantenimento.

Esempi: regole alimentari, linee di abbigliamento, la circoncisione infantile, l'osservazione del Sabato Sabato

Ciò che è vero di coloro che cercano di porsi sotto la legge OT?

R. Sono violando l'uso corretto della legge (leggi 1 Tm 1,9).

B. Ignorano il fatto che la legge esige obbedienza intera (Gal 3:10, citando Dt 27:26). E 'illegittimo di scegliere quegli elementi di esso che sembrano "applicabile".

C. Paolo dice che se uno è stato consegnato dalla legge mediante la fede in Cristo, a se stessi deliberatamente posto sotto controllo i suoi risultati in "caduta in disgrazia" (Gal 5:4). In altre parole, per tornare agli importi legge ad un rifiuto di Cristo.

D. Per tornare alla legge come un modo di vita mette una sotto il controllo della carne, ma annulla la vera spiritualità di fede nello Spirito Santo e sconfigge il credente. Risulta dominazione della natura peccato o la carne (Gal 5,1-5; Col 2:14 f). ¹⁰

E. Per tornare alla legge ignora tutte le istruzioni NT credenti dicendo che non sono sotto la legge OT.

VII. È il cristiano senza legge (cioè, senza legge, antinomica)? No. Grazia e il perdono non è una licenza per il peccato.

Gal 5,13 Per voi, fratelli sono stati chiamati a libertà, ma solo non usare la libertà per un pretesto per la carne, ma mediante la carità siate a servizio gli uni gli altri.

Gal 6,2 portare gli uni i pesi degli altri, così adempirete la legge di Cristo.

Tito 2:11-14 Per la grazia di Dio, apportatrice di salvezza è apparso a tutti gli uomini, ci insegna a rinunziare all'empietà e alle mondane concupiscenze, perché viviamo con sobrietà, giustizia e pietà in questo mondo attuale;

Eb 01:09 [Cristo] amato la giustizia e odiato l'iniquità ...

1 Giovanni 3:4 Chiunque commette peccato, commette anche violazione della legge, e del peccato è violazione della legge.

Indice dei contenuti

• Introduzione: Interpretazione della Legge OT per i cristiani NT
• Comandamento # 1: altri dèi
• Comandamento # 2: No Immagini Graven
• Comandamento # 3: Nessun abuso del Nome di Dio
• Comandamento # 4: Ricordati del Sabato
• # 5 comandamento: Onora i tuoi genitori
• Comandamento # 6: Non commettere omicidio
• Comandamento # 7: Non commettere adulterio
• # 8 comandamento: non rubare
• Comandamento # 9: Non Lie
• Comandamento # 10: Do Not Covet

Risorse primarie

Scritto in pietra da Philip Graham Ryken (Crossway, 2003)

Pathway to Freedom di Alistair Begg (Moody, 2003)

La legge della perfetta libertà di Michael S. Horton (Moody, 1993)

Altre fonti, come indicato

Bibbia Lezione Indagine 7: Joshua

Entrando nella Terra Promessa

Contenuto: Il libro di Giosuè si estende per circa 30 anni della storia di Israele, sottolineando un periodo di cinque anni di campagne militari Joshua. ¹ Il libro riprende esattamente da dove Deuteronomio lasciato: Israele si accamparono presso il fiume Giordano sulla soglia di entrare in Promessa Land. Giosuè racconta la storia di conquista israeliana della terra e del loro insediamento in esso.

Dio assegnato Giosuè il compito di distruggere i regni cananei e spostando gli Israeliti nelle loro terre. I capitoli 7 e 20 indicano che gli Ebrei erano di distruggere completamente i Cananei che abitavano entro i confini della Terra Promessa. Joshua ha distrutto 31 città chiave o regni in tutto (12,24). Dopo di che, ogni tribù era responsabile per entrare nel suo territorio designato e distruggere tutti i Cananei sinistra. Purtroppo, molte delle tribù non ha o non potevano sradicare i Cananei. Questo fallimento si sarebbe rivelato a turbare i figli d'Israele per molti anni a venire.

Giosuè contiene molti ben noti storie della Bibbia: nascondere Rahab delle spie, la separazione del fiume Giordano, la caduta delle mura di Gerico, la disobbedienza e la distruzione di Acan e la determinazione di Caleb.

Autore: Sebbene non ci sia autore affermato del libro, la tradizione ebraica assegna a Giosuè. E 'chiaro che egli ha scritto alcune delle quali almeno (24:25-26). L'autore era ovviamente un testimone oculare degli eventi descritti nel libro. La data di paternità è circa 1390 aC. La conquista avvenne probabilmente intorno 1406 aC.

Titolo: Il testo ebraico porta la soprascritta Yehoshua. La parola "Joshua" significa "il Signore salva" o "Il Signore è la salvezza." Il titolo quindi opportunamente descrive ciò che Dio ha usato Giosuè di fare, cioè, di salvare il suo popolo con la conquista di Canaan e il partizionamento a Israele come loro patria promessa. ² Nota che "Gesù" è la forma greca di "Joshua".

Obiettivo: registrare la conquista della terra di Canaan da parte di Israele e quindi mostrare la fedeltà di Dio a mantenere la sua promessa di benedire stirpe di Abramo. ³ parte dell'alleanza di Abrahamo (Genesi 12:2-3, cfr 15:12. -21) include una promessa incondizionata che Dio avrebbe dato una terra specifica e molti discendenti di Abramo. Il libro di Giosuè mostra che Dio ha realizzato le sue promesse.

I personaggi chiave: Giosuè, Caleb, Raab

Parole chiave: eredità, in possesso

Compendio di Joshua

I. L'invasione e la conquista della terra (1-12)

A. Entrare Canaan (1-5)

B. Conquistare Canaan (6-12)

1. Centrale conquista

2. Conquista del sud

3. Conquista del Nord

II. Dividendo la Terra (13-24)

A. La distribuzione delle terre alle tribù (13-22)

B. Gli ultimi messaggi di Giosuè (23-24)

Jenuine Jems da Giosuè

I. Dio mantiene le Sue promesse

Dio ha fatto le promesse dei secoli il patto di Abramo prima della loro realizzazione. Anche se tanto tempo era passato, Dio stava lavorando le cose per soddisfare le Sue promesse.

Applicazione: Dio ha fatto i credenti NT molte promesse, una delle più notevoli è la seconda venuta di Cristo. Anche se molto tempo è passato da quando la promessa è stata fatta, possiamo stare tranquilli che Dio manterrà le sue promesse a noi. Dio è fedele e affidabile.

II. Ciò che sembra impossibile è possibile a Dio.

Secondo dieci delle dodici spie, conquistando Canaan era assolutamente impossibile. Eppure questo è esattamente ciò che Israele ha fatto. Dio ha dato agli Israeliti ripetutamente il potere di fare ciò che mai avrebbe potuto fare da soli.

[Israele non era esattamente una potenza militare. Erano ex schiavi, praticamente senza esperienza militare. Quindi per loro di conquistare la terra era impossibile. ]

Applicazione: Si può essere chiamato a fare l'apparentemente impossibile nel servizio di Dio. Eppure Dio fornirà la forza necessaria per compiere grandi cose al Suo servizio. Dobbiamo essere forti e coraggiosi come servire Dio (Giosuè 1:9)

III. Dio giudica il peccato.

A. Dio giudica le nazioni peccaminoso. Dio ha usato Israele per distruggere la civiltà idolatriche e malvagi cananea. Misura i Cananei 'del peccato era ormai "pieno", cioè pronto per essere giudicato (Gn 15:16).

B. Dio giudica il peccato nella vita del suo popolo. Acan lusted dopo un po 'del bottino di guerra e ha preso un po' per se stesso. Il suo peccato ha causato la morte di molti soldati, perché non c'era il "peccato del campo." Quando il suo peccato è stato scoperto, sia lui che la sua famiglia sono state distrutte.

Applicazione: L'empio può ancora aspettare il giudizio di Dio. Coloro che sono salvati dovrebbero aspettarsi punizione. Inoltre, il vostro peccato sugli altri. Intera famiglia Acan ha sofferto le conseguenze del peccato di Acan.

IV. Dio è misericordioso.

Raab, la prostituta è diventato un membro della nazione israelita. Sebbene fosse una persona peccatrice (una prostituta) che vivono in mezzo a una nazione peccatrice, lei ha risposto a Dio nella fede. Ha anche citato in Ebrei 11:31 come uno che ha vissuto per fede. È interessante notare che è diventata un antenato di Re Davide, e, quindi, Gesù (Mt 1:5).

Applicazione: Dio può prendere il peggior peccatore e trasformarlo in un santo (cfr. Tito 3:3-5). Nessuno è al di là della grazia salvifica di Dio offre. Ad esempio, "staccate", programma radiofonico.

Conclusione:

Joshua dice di conquista di Israele e regolamento nella Terra Promessa. Dio continua a mostrare la sua fedeltà alla sua promessa ad Abramo per fare della sua famiglia, una grande nazione nella terra di Canaan.

Discussione:

1. Riassumere il libro di Giosuè. La conquista e la divisione della Terra Promessa.

2. Come è stato Israele, in grado di conquistare la terra? Attraverso l'aiuto di Dio. Non erano una grande forza militare da loro stessi.

3. Quali sono alcuni principi senza tempo che impariamo da Giosuè che Dio mantiene le sue promesse;? Che tutto è possibile a Dio, per essere forte e coraggioso, che Dio giudica il peccato, che Dio è misericordioso

Un'indagine delle Scritture: Lezione 6 Deuteronomio

Impegno

Deuteronomio deriva il suo nome da due parole greche, deuteros che significa "secondo", e significa "legge". Nomos Il libro è davvero un record di sermoni Mosè 'sul diritto. ¹ Il nome ebraico è "queste sono le parole" (Myrbdh HLA ).

Deuteronomio fornisce una rassegna della storia della nazione e di un rinnovamento dell'alleanza tra Dio e dei padri della nazione sulla Terra Promessa, Canaan. L'idea chiave di questo libro potrebbe essere riassunta: ". Dio vi benedirà se udite la sua parola, obbedire, e l'amore di Dio dal cuore" l'obiettivo di Mosè 'in questo libro era quello di incoraggiare il popolo di Dio a fare un nuovo impegno per . Signore ² Tale rinnovato impegno a Dio era necessario per diversi motivi:

• La generazione che aveva lasciato l'Egitto erano ormai morti.
• Il 2 ^° generazione bisogno di sentire la legge e fare il proprio impegno verso Dio.
• Stavano per entrare in Canaan e tentare di conquistarla. Avevano bisogno di essere unificate.
• Dopo aver conquistato la terra, dovevano diventare una nazione stabile e che avrebbero dovuto affrontare nuove sfide e tentazioni.
• Mosè era sul punto di passare alla scena, e Joshua stava per subentrare come leader.

[Chi era in vita dalla generazione prima? Mosè, Caleb, e quelli sotto i 20 anni a Kades-Barnea. Perché è stato importante per esortare queste persone ad impegnarsi per obbedire a Dio? I loro genitori avevano prima? Una conoscenza diretta di Dio, ma non possono avere. Lezione: non potete vivere la vostra vita sulla fede dei tuoi genitori. Dovete avere il vostro rapporto con Dio..]

Il libro del Deuteronomio è importante per una serie di motivi. Cita Gesù da essa (Mt 4:4), così come molti degli autori OT e NT. Deuteronomio "si pone come la fonte della rivelazione biblica storica. Si tratta di una fonte primaria per entrambi OT e teologia NT. " ³

La struttura del libro segue quella di trattati vassallo tipico del secondo millennio aC. Cioè, quando un re fece un accordo con un soggetto (o vassallo) paese, il trattato ha seguito un determinato modello. Deuteronomio segue questo modello vagamente.

{Un vassallo è una persona soggetto o di un paese. Il regno re o sentenza è stata anche denominata, cioè sovrano, una nazione che controlla un'altra nazione negli affari internazionali, ma consente la sovranità nazionale. ⁴ }

Parole chiave: mantenere, osservare, ricordare

Personaggi chiave: Mosè e Giosuè

Data: circa 1405 aC, dopo 38 anni di vagare nel deserto

La maggior parte del capitolo finale è scritto in 3 ^° persona. Joshua o qualche altro editor deve avere aggiunto questa parte dopo Mosè morì.

Finalità del Deuteronomio:

ü per spiegare o esporre la Legge

ü per incoraggiare la nuova generazione di possedere la Terra Promessa e obbedire a Dio (4:1-2; 6:3, 17-19, 24-25; 8:1; 10:12-11:32)

ü giudizio per prevenire e promuovere la benedizione della nazione dal Signore come loro ingresso nella terra promessa (6:15-19, 24-25; 07:04, 9-16; 15:4-6, 10)

Schema del Deuteronomio

Introduzione: il contesto storico (1:1-4)

I. Una rassegna di grandi opere di Dio (1:05-04:43)

II. Revisione della, Comandi legge e avvertenze (4:44-26:19)

III. Rinnovo dell'alleanza, benedizioni e maledizioni (27:1-29:1)

IV. Sintesi dei Richieste Patto: Rendimenti obbedienza Benedizioni (29:2-30:20)

V. Il passaggio dalla leadership di Mosè 'a Giosuè (31-34)

Direzione dinamico dal Deuteronomio

I. Dio desidera autentico impegno.

Deuteronomio sottolinea l'importanza di un amore autentico per Dio (6:4-6; 10:12, 11:13, 30:6). Interestingly, the previous four books of the Pentateuch focus more on external obedience rather than internal attitude. Deuteronomy emphasizes the heart : God's Word must be in their hearts (5:29; 6:6); discouragement begins in the heart (1:28); and they must love and serve God from the heart (4:29; 10:12).

[This was the means of salvation in the OT—to love God from the heart. One was not saved thru participation in the ritual alone. Those who were saved participated in the ritual, but that's not what saved them. Most of Israel was not truly saved.]

Application: Outward religion is not acceptable to God. We must have a genuine relationship with Him and serve Him out of a heart of love.

II. God Expects His People to Obey His Word.

Mosè sottolinea ripetutamente l'importanza di obbedire alla Parola di Dio (11,27-28; 13:4; 27:10). Gli Israeliti erano stati colpevoli di dimenticare la Sua Parola, rivolgendosi a idoli, e trascurando la Legge. Ora, sulla soglia di entrare nella Terra Promessa, devono ritornare alla Parola di Dio e si impegnano ad obbedire ad essa.

Applicazione: Bisogna obbedire Parola di Dio.

III. Dio è buono.

Mosè ricorda al popolo della bontà di Dio a loro in consegna dalla schiavitù in Egitto, come Egli li aveva sostenuti attraverso la permanenza nel deserto, e come Egli li sta preparando ad entrare nella terra promessa (cfr 2,7). Li esorta a non dimenticare il Signore e le grandi cose che Egli ha fatto per loro. Israele aveva una posizione privilegiata con Dio, e Mosè esorta il popolo a servire fedelmente Dio e siate santi, perché di esso. ⁵

Applicazione: Dio è stato buono con noi. Egli ci ha liberati dal potere e la pena del peccato, ci sostiene la nostra vita, e lui ci ha promesso un posto con lui. A causa della bontà di Dio verso di noi, dovremmo essere grati e impegnato a lui.

IV. Dio benedice e fornisce al suo popolo obbediente

Anche se Mosè e gli uomini della esodo non vedrà la terra, Caleb, Giosuè e di prossima generazione della nazione vedranno, entrare ed ereditare la terra (1:34-40). Dio vuole benedire il suo popolo con il possesso della terra (1,6-8a) se sono obbedire alla legge (5:29, 32-33).

Application: Blessing follows those who trust God and obey Him. Obedience yields blessing.

V. God Judges Evil

As Moses recounts the history of the nation, it becomes very evident that God chastened them for their sin and lack of faith. When they should have entered Canaan, they refused to trust God and ended up wandering in the wilderness for nearly 40 years (2:1). Even Moses does not enter the Promised Land because of his disobedience (32:51-52). The Lord does promise to deliver his people from judgment if they turn again to him (repent) and listen to Him (4:29-31).

Application: God has not changed–He still judges evil. Those who sin will experience God's hand of chastening. Cf. Heb 12:5-7. We should repent when we sin.

+ Obedience results in blessings (28:1-6).

+ Disobedience results in cursings (28:15-19)

One of the clearest themes in the entire book is the idea of blessings of obedience and the curses of disobedience (points IV and V above). Chapters 27-30 are largely given over to explaining how God intends to bless the Israelites as they obey Him or how God intends to curse the nation if it disobeys Him (28:1-2f cf. 15f). Unfortunately, the rest of the OT shows how Israel decided to disobey (for the most part).

Note that the nature of the blessings and curses were physical . That is, the Israelites would prosper financially, militarily, and politically if they obeyed God. Likewise, the curses: if they disobeyed, God would strike them with poverty, let other nations overtake them, and disperse them from the land.

Can NT Christians expect the same sort of blessings and cursings? Perché o perché no?

[No. Remember the nature of this agreement: it was between God and Israel. The same cannot be said of the relationship between God and the church. Israel is not the church. There is, however, a spiritual parallel of sorts. We will be blessed in a spiritual sense as we obey, and we will experience chastisement when we disobey. But we shouldn't expect political or financial gain to be the result of obeying God (contra health and wealth/prosperity theology).]

Conclusion

Deuteronomy has many lessons for modern believers. The blessings of obedience and the curses of disobedience are still in operation today. God is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him, but God chastens those who sin. God displays His goodness and His patience with His people every day. And above all, God is pleased with those who seek after Him with all their hearts.

Discussione

1. Summarize the book of Deuteronomy. Review of the Law, Commands and Warnings, Covenant Renewal, Blessings and Cursings

1. Quali sono alcuni dei temi principali del libro? Obbedienza, benedizioni e maledizioni, la bontà di Dio e il potere.

2. Perché era importante per Mosè per spiegare la legge e rinnovare l'Alleanza con la gente perché si trattava di una nuova generazione;? Perché erano sul punto di entrare nella Terra Promessa.

3. Quali sono alcune importanti applicazioni lettori moderni possono fare del Deuteronomio che Dio desidera genuina, sentita impegno;? Che Dio si aspetta che obbedire alla sua parola, che Dio è buono, che Dio benedice l'obbedienza e il peccato giudici.

A Survey of the Scriptures: Lesson 5 Numbers

Instructions for Israel

Like Leviticus, the book of Numbers doesn't often show up on lists of favorite Bible books. But Numbers, although rather obscure, contains a great deal of information about the history of Israel as well as many practical lessons that we can apply today. [In fact, several well-known Bible stories come out of Numbers. ]

News about Numbers

Name: The book is called “Numbers” because of the many statistics contained in it, such as tribal populations and the totals of priests and Levites. The Greek title in the translation of the OT (LXX) was arithmoi . The Latin Vulgate picked up on the Greek title and named the book Numeri from which the English acquires the name Numbers. The book also recounts two censuses taken in Israel. Interestingly, the Hebrew name for the book is bemidbar (rbdmb), the fifth word of the book, meaning “in the desert of.”

Theme/content: Besides many statistics and lists of things, Numbers contains information about (a) how Israel as a nation was to order itself as it traveled through the desert; (b) how the priests and Levites were to function as they traveled; (c) how they were to prepare themselves to conquer the Promised Land (Canaan). The book covers a 40 -year period from the giving of the Law at Sinai to the eve of the conquest of Canaan. The narrative sections demonstrate the successes and failures of the Lord's people as they conformed or did not conform to the Law. ¹ Numbers continues the account of God's faithfulness to his promise to Abraham to make his family a great nation. ²

Key word: wandering . Israel wandered in the desert for about 40 years. Do you know why?

{Because of their lack of belief at KB.

Also remember that Israel was about 2 million people strong. Certain organizational strategies had to be implemented in order to move people efficiently. Israel was arranged by tribes around the Tabernacle, which was at the center of the camp. There was a fixed marching and camping order. Each tribe knew when to leave as the nation broke camp and marched, and where to set up camp when the march ended. ³ }

Key chapter: 14 – unbelief at Kadesh-Barnea

Key characters: Moses, Aaron, Joshua, Caleb, Korah, Balaam

An Outline of Numbers

I. The Journey from Sinai to Kadesh-Barnea (1-12)

A. Preparation

B. The journey itself

II. Israel in the Wilderness (13-19)

A. The crises of unbelief at Kadesh-Barnea

B. Laws after the crises

C. The rebellion of Korah and its results

III. The Journey from Kadesh-Barnea to Moab (20-36)

A. Incidents on the way to Moab

B. Incidents with Balaam

C. The census

D. New laws

Purposes of the Book of Numbers:

A. to fill-in the historical period from the Exodus and Sinai revelation to the preparations in Moab to enter the Promised Land

B. to explain that the 38 year period in the wilderness was a consequence for the unbelief of the older generation (Dt 1:35ff)

C. to demonstrate God's faithfulness and forbearance against the backdrop of Israel's unfaithfulness, rebellion, apostasy and frustration

D. to narrate the preparation of Israel for entry into the Promise Land by describing the journey from Sinai to the region beyond Jordan, and the legal decisions made in the wilderness ⁴

Implicit Instruction in Numbers:

1. God hates complaining . (11:1?2)

This was not the first instance of Israel complaining about something. They grumbled at the sight of Pharaoh's army on the banks of the Red Sea, about the bitter water at Mara, and about the lack of food and water in the desert. Such complaining aroused God's wrath.

Application: God still hates complaining, especially complaining about providential circumstances. See Phil. 2:14-15.

[Why is complaining such a detrimental attitude/action? It evidences a lack of trust in God. It also tends to spread.

When are you most prone to complain? What could you do to prevent a complaining attitude? Try to be thankful, not blame others, say nothing instead of talk, determine if your complaint is valid.]

2. God hates rebellion . (chs. 13-14, 16)

Chapters 13 and 14 tell the story of the reluctance of the people to enter Canaan after the discouraging report of the 10 spies. What was the result of the peoples' rebellion at this point?

[That whole generation died as they wandered thru the desert for 40 years.

What did these people base their decision on? 13:31 (on sight, appearance, size, circumstance). What should they have based it on? 14:8?9 (God's promises). ]

Chapter 16 tells the story of Korah, who, motivated by jealousy, challenged Moses' leadership. In response, Moses stated that this challenge was really rebellion against God, since God Himself had clearly placed Moses in the leadership position (16:11). God judged the rebels by causing the ground to open and swallow them up. Unfortunately, neither of these incidents cured Israel's inclination toward rebellion and complaint (16:41).

Applications: We can learn much from these incidents in the life of Israel.

We can trust God no matter what the circumstances .

While it seemed that the odds were against Israel, they still should have entered Canaan when God told them to. They should have realized that the God who plagued Egypt and opened the Red Sea could conquer the land for them. In the same way, we shouldn't be discouraged when circumstances seem to be against us. We should trust that God will make a way for us when we are following Him.

[Caution: They had something we don't: direct revelation and a prophet telling them exactly/specifically what to do, where to go, when to go, etc.]

Don't follow others who don't follow God .

250 leaders of Israel with their families died in the rebellion of Korah. Watch who you follow—you may end up sharing in their same end.

[Can you think of who suffered by following false prophets? Eg, Brand Davidians-David Koresh; Jim Jones.]

It's a serious thing to call into question or rebel against legitimate spiritual leadership .

Rebelling against God-given authority is a serious sin. If you've got a complaint or gripe against legitimate leadership, you'd better handle it in the right way.

[There are proper times to replace the leader: immorality, doctrinal deviation, not meeting the biblical criteria, etc. But even then you should deal with it in the biblically prescribed manner. ]

God always judges rebellion .

Korah and his followers learned first hand the high price of rebellion.

[If you are in rebellion, you can count on being chastised if you are a Christian. Remember what happened to the rebels in this case. You may experience similar results. ]

3. God hates idolatry . 25:1?4, 9

While staying near Moab, the Israelites were influenced to worship false gods. As a result, “the LORD's anger burned against them.” This was not the first time, nor would it be the last time, Israel worshipped other gods. The Babylonian captivity (586 BC) was largely the result of idolatry.

Application: While a true Christian will never actually worship other gods, he may be guilty of substituting something in place of God, or of giving something else God's rightful place. Further, believers must be careful who they let influence them. Limit your exposure to false doctrine.

[Remember that most of Israel were not actually believers at this point. Hence, getting them to do the right thing would be like getting a bunch of unsaved people to run the church right. ]

Conclusione

The book of Numbers has plenty of biblical principles that are applicable to modern believers. God hates complaining, rebellion and idolatry.

Discussione:

1. Summarize the contents of Numbers. Israel in the wilderness. They refuse to enter the Promised Land and start their 40 years wandering in the desert.

2. Why is it sometimes unwise to make decisions based on appearances? Doing so does not take God's power into consideration. God can do the impossible.

3. Why is rebellion against legitimate authority so serious? Because it's really rebellion against God, since all power comes from God.

4. Why is it so dangerous to allow the influence of false teachers in your life? Besides being a bad influence on you, you could end up suffering the same end as they do.

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A Survey of the Scriptures: Lesson 4 LEVITICUS

Holiness in Worship and Life

When was the last time you read through the book of Leviticus? Have you ever read it? This book is usually not high on the list of favorite Bible books, yet it contains many timeless principles that are applicable to us today.

Learning Leviticus:

Name : The name of the book comes from a Greek word meaning “that which pertains to the Levites .” The Hebrew name for the book comes from the first word, “and he called.” The Latin Vulgate rendered the Greek heading Liber Leviticus (Book of Leviticus) from which the English is derived.

[Who were the Levites? A descendant of the tribe of Levi, the tribe to which Moses and Aaron belonged; generally used as the title of that portion of the tribe which was set apart for the subordinate offices of the sanctuary service (1Ki 8:4; Ezr 2:70) as assistants to the priests. The Levitical order consisted of all the descendants of Levi's three sons, Gershon, Kohath, and Merari; whilst Aaron and his descendants constituted the priestly order. They were the special guardians of the tabernacle. It was their duty to move the tent and carry the parts of the sacred structure from place to place. They were given to Aaron and his sons the priests to wait upon them and do work for them at the sanctuary services. As being wholly consecrated to the service of the Lord, they had no territorial possessions.]

Theme: holiness . Because God is holy, God's people must be holy and their worship of God must be holy. The basic meaning of holiness is to be set apart and/or dedicated to God. The word “holy” or “holiness” is mentioned about 85 times in the book.

Leviticus goes into great detail about how both people and offerings must be perfect, without blemish. Lack of physical perfection somehow was associated with sin. Those who had diseases were banished from the camp, the place of God's presence. Further, the offerings (sheep, doves, and cattle) had to be perfect. The spiritual significance of all this is that God requires perfection . Since man cannot be perfect, he must sacrifice a perfect substitute.

Content: Most of the book describes the Levitical sacrificial system centered around the Tabernacle. [Describe the tabernacle.] The Mosaic Law governed nearly every aspect of life in the Theocracy. [Define theocracy.] Leviticus includes laws and regulations for worship, ceremonial cleanness, morality, holy days, the Sabbath year, etc. The book contains God's directions for Israel maintaining a right relationship with Him.

[I'm glad I don't live under this system. No church, no shrimp, no cotton/poly blends, etc.

While it had its drawbacks, those who trusted God loved the Law and the system. Also remember that this system was the only proper way to approach/worship God. If one wanted to be right with God, he had to convert to Judaism. Eg, Ruth.

Further, as we compare the regulations of Lev. with what is currently required, we should be reminded of dispensational truth, ie, that God has changed in His dealings with man over time and in accordance with new revelation.

Time, date, author are the same as the other books of the Pentateuch.]

Purposes of Leviticus:

A. Priests : To remind the priests who officiate before God that He must be treated as holy and honored before all the people (Lev 10:3)

B. Individual : To instruct the individual that he must come before God in worship through cleanness, atonement, and holy living

C. Nation : To remind the nation of their covenant obligations which are necessary for continued occupation of and blessing in God's land

D. Requirements : To present his redeemed, covenanted people with a collection of religious, civil, social, moral, and economic rules in order that the Holy God may continue to dwell amid an unholy people as He continues His work through them in the world.

E. Reveal : To reveal God in His holiness, righteousness, mercy, and sovereignty

F. Model : To demand that the Israelites live in a way that would show to the neighboring nations the true nature of holiness. ¹

Significance : Leviticus is referred to about 40 times in the NT. Many NT concepts are based on an understanding of the Levitical system. This is especially seen in the book of Hebrews. Leviticus also reveals important information about God's holiness that had not been revealed up to this point.

An Outline of Leviticus:

I. The five main offerings (1-7)

II. The ordination and work of Aaron and his sons (8-10)

III. Laws of cleanness (11-15)

IV. The Day of Atonement and tabernacle worship (16-17)

V. Moral laws (18-20)

VI. Regulations for priests, offerings and feasts (21-24)

VII. Crimes and punishments (24)

VIII. The Sabbath year, Jubilee, and slavery (25)

IX. Blessings and cursings (26)

X. Vows (27)

Lofty Lessons from Leviticus:

I. Our Worship must be Holy.

A. God is Holy. 11:44, 45; 19:2

Holy means separate, set apart, sacred.

B. God is to be worshipped in a specific way. The sacrificial system maintained the faithful believer's fellowship with God (4:20, 26, 31, 35). Forgiveness was granted based on the future work of Christ (Heb 9:26).

Some have taught mistakenly that God “covered” sin but did not really forgive sin under the OT system. This is untrue. If offered in true faith and obedience, sacrifice brought actual forgiveness and removal of guilt and punishment for sin. While forgiveness was ultimately based on Christ's sacrificial death, the OT sacrifice did remove sin and guilt. Sacrifice in that dispensation was the only appointed means of forgiveness and fellowship with God. One could not ignore the ritual and still have a right relationship with God.

Question: Did merely working the system save anyone?

[No, one had to have a heart attitude of faith in God. Many of the rules had more to do with citizenship in the nation of Israel than with faith in God. So one could be a “good Jew” by working the system, yet not have faith in God.]

C. Incorrect worship is unacceptable to God. 22:25b

Many people have the mistaken notion that they can worship God in any way they see fit, as long as they are sincere. Yet the Bible repeatedly teaches that one must approach God in the way that He has specified. Incorrect worship, though sincere and well-meaning, is simply unacceptable. See 1 Sam 15:22.

Application : God must be revered and worshipped. We cannot approach God in any way we want. Our worship should be reverent and obedient, in keeping with God's character and with biblical guidelines.

[Hence the character of our worship services: reverent, subdued, more intellectual than emotional, focusing on the character of God.]

II. Our lives must be Holy.

A. God's holiness is the basis for our holiness. 11:44, 45; 19:2; 20:7-8;

It makes sense that Israel, God's chosen people, would imitate God's character. If still makes sense for God's people to do so. Since God is holy, we should strive to be holy.

B. Holiness is measurable : conformity to the standard . The focus of Leviticus is an external obedience to the regulations. Obedience equals holiness. There is an external dimension to holiness. Notice the regulations in chapters 19?20. See also 1 John 2:3-6.

[There is little mention of being sorrowful for sin, of guilty feelings, of heart attitudes. This obviously doesn't negate the importance of heart attitude. I point this out because of the modern emphasis on heart/feelings over strict obedience. People think that as long as their motivations are pure, they can do what they want. This is false. God is concerned about heart attitudes, but He is also concerned about external obedience to His commandments.

There is a danger in equating obedience to the letter of the law with salvation or spirituality. But I think the danger of laxity/apathy is equally as great.]

Application : 1 Pet. 1:15?16. There are two aspects of holiness: separation from sin and dedication to God. Both of these should be evident in the Christian's life.

Conclusione

While the regulations in Leviticus, as part of the Law, no longer apply directly to NT believers, there are important principles that we can learn from the book. God is holy; therefore, believers must be holy. They must worship God in the correct manner and their lives should be holy.

Discussione:

1. Briefly summarize the contents of Leviticus. Laws and regulations for Israel to maintain a positive relationship with God.

2. Why do we insist on a worship style that is reverent and serious? Because our worship should reflect God's holy character.

3. What are the two aspects of holiness? Separation from sin and dedication to God.

4. Is holiness simply keeping the rules? No, one's heart attitude needs to be right as well. One must be dedicated to God, ie, have a desire to maintain a right relationship with God.

What are the primary lessons of Leviticus for Christians? That God is holy, that our worship of God must be holy, and that that we must live holy lives.

A Survey of the Scripture: Lesson 3: Exodus

EXODUS–THE DELIVERANCE AND INSTRUCTION OF THE NATION

Exodus is the story of the exodus of the nation of Israel from Egypt, and their subsequent reception of the Law in the wilderness. The word “exodus” is from a Greek word meaning “ exit .” Exodus picks up the story of God's providential care of His people after a silent period of 275 years.

At the conclusion of Genesis, Israel's population was about 75 . During the 275 silent years, Israel grew to about 2.5 million people and became enslaved to the Egyptians. Israel lived in Egypt for about 430 years.

The Law was Israel's constitution . Prior to this point, Israel was a people, but not an organized nation. With the giving of the Law, the people became a nation, organized with a legal system, rulers, procedures, policies, and a systematized religion.

Exodus is an important book for a number of reasons. It records much of the early days of Israel's history and the origins of Jewish religious practices. Further, nearly every OT book makes reference to the material contained in Exodus, as do many NT books.

[Again we see the interrelatedness of Scripture–if one part falls, so does all the rest.]

An Outline of Exodus:

I. The Exodus from Egypt and Traveling to Mt. Sinai (ch. 1-18)

A. Israel is enslaved. (1:8-14)

B. Moses is born and called. (ch. 2-4)

C. The nation is delivered from Egypt. (ch. 5-18)

1. God plagues Egypt.

2. God passes over Israel.

3. God leads the nation out of Egypt.

II. The Giving of the Law at Mt. Sinai (ch. 19-24)

A. The 10 Commandments (moral law)

B. Social and civil laws

C. Religious laws

III. The Tabernacle (ch. 25-40)

A. Its design

B. Its delay

C. Its completion

Important Facts about Exodus:

¨ Hebrew title: “These are the names,” which is the first phrase of the book. In the Greek (LXX) the book is named Exodus , emphasizing the departure (or exit) of Israel from Egypt.

¨ Author: Moses . Duet 31:9 “Moses wrote down this Law.” Cf also 1 Kings 2:3, Neh 8:1. Jesus called Exodus “the book of Moses” (Mark 7:10, 12:26).

¨ Date of the exodus: about 1445 BC. Both biblical and secular evidence support this date.

¨ Date of the writing of Exodus: probably while in the wilderness, around 1425 BC (Moses died in 1406).

¨ Key word: Redeem . God promised to redeem His people from bondage under Egypt (6:6). God also stipulated that every first-born child be redeemed with the sacrifice of an animal (13:13, 15).

¨ Key chapters: 12 – the exodus out of Egypt; 20 – the 10 Commandments

¨ Key characters: Pharaoh, Moses, Aaron, Joshua, Caleb

¨ Interpretive Difficulties: The date and route of the Exodus have been the subject of considerable debate. Sorting out the chronology, the places named, and the characters involved (especially the Egyptian pharaohs) has been very difficult.

Exciting Ideas from Exodus:

1. God is sovereign . God is clearly controlling the events played out in the pages of Exodus. Israel stayed in Egypt for as long as God wanted them there. The plagues of Egypt especially display God's power over nature and over mankind. Everything is following God's eternal plan. Read, eg, Ex 6:6 .

Modern Applications: God is still sovereign. He's in control of all things, and everything is following His divine plan. We may not understand why things happen, but we can trust that God is in control and working all things according to His will (Eph 1:11).

2. God is faithful to His promises . He will redeem His people. God had promised to give Canaan to Abraham. After over 400 years, and when Abraham's family had become a great nation, Israel was ready to enter the Promised Land. God is fulfilling His promise to Abraham to make his family into a great nation.

Modern Applications: We can trust God to come thru on His promises. Eg, 2 ^nd coming of Christ; rewards for the righteous/judgment for the wicked; trusting God to take care of you; trusting that God knows best and His word is true.

Interesting note: 4x in Exodus 7-8 we see the phrase “as the LORD had said.”

Also, God's redemption of Israel from Egypt is an illustration of the believer's redemption from sin. God will redeem those who trust in Him.

3. God has given us a standard to live by. The standard that controlled nearly every aspect of Jewish life was the Law of Moses. The 10 Commandments (Ex 20) summarize God's requirements for man.

Modern Applications: While we are not under the Mosaic Law, we still have a standard to follow–the Bible. There are many principles from the OT that still apply to us.

4. God has a particular place and plan for His people to worship Him. God designed the temple and gave detailed directions for the correct way to approach and worship Him. Read Ex 25:8-9.

Modern Applications: We must be very careful how we worship God. We must make sure our worship practices are biblical and appropriate. Some of the ways that people try to worship God today are inappropriate. Many think that as long as you are sincere, you can approach God any way you want. Not true.

The Westminster Confession (Chapter XXI) says: The acceptable way of worshiping the true God is instituted by himself, and so limited by his own revealed will, that he may not be worshiped according to the imaginations and devices of men, or the suggestions of Satan, under any visible representation, or any other way not prescribed in the Holy Scripture.

5. God hates complaining . The Israelites were repeatedly guilty of murmuring against the Lord (15:24; 16:2, 7, 8). They complained about the quality of food, the lack of water, and about Moses' leadership.

Modern Application: Don't complain or whine. These people were impatient and dissatisfied with God's treatment of them (read 16:8). Don't be guilty of the same offense.

Conclusion:

At the beginning of Exodus, we find the Jews oppressed under their Egyptian taskmasters. By the end of the book, Israel has left Egypt, is heading toward the Promised Land under the leadership of Moses, and is organized as a nation with a governing constitution. Throughout the book we clearly see God's sovereign hand of guidance and protection for His chosen people. Thus God fulfills his promises to Abraham.

Discussione:

1. Summarize the contents of Exodus. Moses and the exodus from Egypt, the giving of the Law at Sinai, the pattern for the Tabernacle and for worship.

2. In what chapter of Exodus do we find the 10 Commandment? Chapter 20.

3. What does the detailed description of the Tabernacle tell us about how we are to worship God? It shows that God desires for us to worship Him in a certain way. We must insure that we follow the Bible in or worship practices.

4. How do we know that we no longer have to follow the directions for worship as given in Exodus? NT tells us so. Christ came to redeem us from the curse of the Law (Gal 3:13). Paul states plainly that we are no longer under the Law (Rom 6:14; Gal 5:18).

A Survey of the Scriptures: Lesson 2 Genesis

Genesis is a book about origins. It gives the account of the origins of mankind and his world, of the origin of sin and its curse, and the beginnings of God's plan to redeem man through His chosen people, Israel .

Genesis is not merely history. It is not intended to be a chronicle of events, a history for history's sake, or even a complete biography of the nation. It is a theological interpretation of selected records of the ancestors of Israel. Genesis explains the causes behind the results. The book records God-planned and God-directed history. ¹

Genesis describes FOUR MAJOR EVENTS:

1. creation 2. The fall of man

3. the flood 4. The Tower of Babel

Genesis describes FOUR IMPORTANT PEOPLE:

1. Abraham 2. Isaac

3. Jacob 4. Joseph

Note : Genesis records the history of actual people. It is not religious myth or legend.

[Why would some people suppose/believe that Genesis is a myth or legend? Because much modern science/philosophy disagree with it. We have to determine if we are going to believe what people say or what God says.]

Why is the book of Genesis so important?

1. It describes the origin of man. Cf. Gen 1:27

The fact that God created man gives him a purpose and meaning for life. Man's ultimate purpose is to honor and obey God. Evolution is random and meaningless. Attempts to integrate the biblical record with evolution are bound to fail because the two systems are basically contradictory.

[What are some ways that the Genesis account and evolutionary theory are contradictory? The existence of God; the age of the earth; the origin of species; the purpose/meaning of life. These are basic, essential contradictions.]

It's important that we retain a commitment to Genesis as an accurate account of what really happened. Genesis doesn't record events in scientific terms, but it is an accurate account. If it's not true, the Bible is not trustworthy.

2. Jesus believed that Genesis was true. Cf. Matt 24:37; John 8:58

[What if Jesus was wrong? He's no savior. Maybe he was just accommodating the ignorance of the people who surrounded him. Again, this calls into question his claim to be the savior and the Son of God.]

3. Other books draw on the contents of Genesis. Cf. Matt 1:2f

Genesis is quoted about 60 times in the NT in 17 different books. The other biblical writers act as if Genesis was actually, literally true. If Genesis is wrong, then the other writers were either ignorant or wrong, and in any case not to be trusted. The whole Bible stands or falls with Genesis. The book is foundational to all that follows it.

The Theme of Genesis

Genesis gives Israel the theological and historical basis for her existence as God's Chosen People. ² The theme of Genesis is God's providential care for His people . He created and sustained Adam, chose Abraham to be the patriarch of His people, and cared for this family from one generation to the next.

Genesis not only means 'beginning', but it is the book of beginnings. The book of Genesis gives us our historical point of reference, from which all subsequent revelation proceeds. In the book of Genesis all the major themes of the Bible have their origin. It is a book of many beginnings: in it we see the beginning of the universe, of man and woman, of human sin and the fall of the race, the beginning of God's promises of salvation, and the beginning of the nation Israel as the chosen people of God because of God's special purpose for them as the channel for the Messiah. In Genesis we learn about Adam and Eve, about Satan the tempter, about Noah, the flood, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph and his brothers. But here we also have the beginning of marriage, family, work, sin, murder, capitol punishment, sacrifice, races, languages, civilization and the Sabbath. The Bible is, through and through, a historical revelation. It is the account of God's activity in history. ³

An Outline of Genesis:

1. God's providential care of mankind in general (1-11)

a. The Creation (1-2)

b. The Fall of Man (3-5)

c. The Flood (6-9)

d. The Nations (10-11)

2. God's providential care for the Nation of Israel (15-50)

a. Abraham (12-23)

b. Isaac (24-26)

c. Jacob (27-36)

d. Joseph (37-50)

Other Important Facts from Genesis:

1. The name Genesis is taken from the Septuagint (LXX), the Greek translation of the Old Testament. “Genesis” is from a Greek word meaning “beginning” or “origin.”

2. Key words:

ü Beginning . The Hebrew title is “in the beginning.”

ü Generations or account . A key word or phrase is “these are the generations of” or “this is the account of.” It is used some eleven times to introduce the reader to the next section which gives the narrative about what happened in connection with the key events and persons of the book from the creation of the heavens and the earth to all the patriarchs of Israel.

3. Key chapter: 12 – the Abrahamic covenant. God's agreement with Abraham and God's dealings with Abraham's family are the central emphasis of the book.

[By way of contrast, creation takes up only 2 chapters, and man's early history prior to Abe takes up only 9 more chapters. The other 39 chapters deal with Abe and his family.]

4. Key passage: 12:1-3, the Abrahamic Covenant .

Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land that I will show thee: And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing: And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.

God promised to bless Abraham personally, to bless his descendants, and to bless the entire world through Abraham's family. This covenant was eternal and unconditional . The rest of Genesis (and the rest of the Bible) shows how God did exactly what He promised to do.

5. Author: Moses . Both Scripture and tradition attribute the Pentateuch to Moses.

[Briefly explain the documentary hypothesis--JEDP]

6. Time of writing: most likely after the Exodus and before Israel entered the promised land, probably during the forty years in the wilderness, around 1425 BC

Genesis is a highly organized, structured book. After the prologues, Genesis is divided into ten parts marked out by the formula: “This is the genealogy [or history] of ….” This heading is followed by a genealogy of the person named or by stories involving his notable descendants. ⁴

Genuine Gems from Genesis

1. There is only one God , the creator and sustainer of all things.

• Beginning with the opening lines of the book, the reader is faced with the Creator God, the One who made all things from nothing with the power of His will. This is the only one and true God. The first line of the book overturns all false views of God (eg, atheism, polytheism, pantheism).
• The world and the universe are dependent upon God. He created them and sustains them. They exist for God's pleasure and are under His control. God rules over all creation.
• God has revealed Himself in word and deed to man. His particular dealings are with the Jews. Genesis gives Israel the theological and historical basis for her existence as God's chosen people.

2. God desires to enter into a relationship of loving sovereignty with people.

• The majority of Genesis deals with a single family, that of Abraham and Sarah. The book records how God chose Abram and cared from his family. It is through Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob that the nation of Israel comes into existence.
• God promised Abraham's family an eternal seed, land and a kingdom. Genesis gives the background for the fulfillment of these promises.
• God requires that men trust and obey Him. Like Abraham, those who trust God are counted as righteous. God blesses those who follow him and curses those who don't.
• Part of God's requirement for maintaining a positive relationship with Him is substitutionary sacrifice for sin. From the very beginning, God required the shedding of blood to pay for sin. This foreshadows the final and ultimate sacrifice for sin when Jesus died on the cross.

3. God sovereignly controls all things, including the affairs of men.

• God displays His sovereignty throughout the entire book. He wills the universe into existence, creates the first people, destroys the earth with a flood, confuses the languages, and chooses Abram's family to be His people. God's hand of guidance is clearly seen again and again. Nothing happens randomly. God is firmly in control of all things. What God promises He is able to fulfill .
• A very prominent theme in Genesis is God's unconditional choice of the Israelite nation through Abraham, which is described in the Abrahamic covenant (12:1-3; 15:1-21).

Conclusione

Much of what is begun in Genesis is fulfilled in Christ . He is the seed who will destroy Satan. He is the ultimate offspring promised to Abraham. Because of their union with Christ, believers participate in many of the blessings God promised to Abraham. The paradise lost by the first Adam is restored by the last Adam, Jesus Christ. Genesis explains the origins of God's dealings with man and sets the stage for the rest of the Bible. If you don't understand this book, the remaining 65 books will be closed to you.

Discussione

1. Summarize the book of Genesis. Creation, fall, flood, Babel, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph.

2. What is the major theme of Genesis? God's providential care for His people.

3. Who is the main character in the book? Other than God, Abraham.

4. Why is Genesis such an important book? Because it gives the origins of everything and sets the stage for the rest of the Bible. All the other biblical books are based on Genesis.

A Survey of the Scriptures: Introduction (Genesis-Esther)

INTRODUCTION: It is very important for Christians to get a general overview of the Bible because it is their source of faith and practice. This series is designed to examine the backgrounds and themes of Genesis through Esther.

[This is called a survey because we will hit just the highlights of the books we study, not much in depth. We'll talk about authorship, dates, some history, etc., and the main themes or messages of the books, but that's about it. So it will be a kind of “hit and run” series. ]

The Bible is God's written revelation of Himself to mankind. It was written by men who were “carried along” (2 Pet 1:21) by the Holy Spirit so that the autographs (ie, the original documents) were verbally and plenarily inspired and thus without error. Verbal inspiration means that every word of Scripture is inspired (Matt 5:18; 1 Cor 2:13), not just its thoughts or ideas. The Bible does not merely contain or reflect God's Word; it is God's Word in its entirety.

IMPORTANT FACTS ABOUT THE BIBLE:

1. The Bible is one book composed of 66 books. It was written over a period of about 1,500 years by some 40 different authors.

2. Each book has a definite purpose or theme . Each writer had a specific message for a certain audience. Our task is to find the theme and then apply the principles of each book to our lives.

[The theme is usually the author's purpose. Ie, why did he write? Eg, John 20:31]

3. The OT is composed of 39 books. They fit into the following categories:

* Law (Genesis – Deuteronomy; also called the Pentateuch or Torah)

* History (Joshua ? Esther)

* Poetry (Job ? Song of Solomon)

* Major Prophets (Isaiah ? Daniel)

* Minor Prophets (Hosea ? Malachi)

[What's the difference between major and minor prophets? They are not called the “minor” prophets because they are any less important; they are simply shorter books.]

The Old Testament lays the foundation for the coming of the Messiah anticipating Him as Prophet, Priest, and King and as the suffering Savior who must die for man's sin before He reigns.

The first five books of the OT are sometimes called the Pentateuch, which means “five books.” They are also known as the books of the Law because they contain the laws and instruction given by the Lord through Moses to the people of Israel. Moses wrote these books, except for the last portion of Deuteronomy (which tells of Moses' death). These five books lay the foundation for the coming of Christ. As God's chosen people, Israel became the custodians of the Old Testament, the recipients of the covenants of promise, and the channel of Messiah (Rom. 3:2; 9:1-5). ¹

4. The NT is composed of 27 books.

· Gospels (Matthew ? John): Tell the story of the coming of the long-anticipated Savior and His person and work

· History (Acts): Through the work of the Holy Spirit, Acts proclaims the message of the Savior who has come.

· Paul’s Letters (Romans ? Philemon) and General Epistles (Hebrews ? Jude): Develop the full significance of the person and work of Christ and how this should impact the walk of the Christian as Christ's ambassador in the world

·

Prophecy (Revelation, also called the Apocalypse): Anticipates the end time events and the return of the Lord, His end time reign, and the eternal state

IMPORTANT TERMS TO KNOW:

Inspiration: that supernatural influence whereby the Holy Spirit caused men to compose and record without error the very words of God's choosing as found in the original manuscripts (2 Tim 3:16; 2 Pet 1:21). God did this without overriding the individual personalities of the writers in the process. Inspiration technically applies only to the originals (1 Cor 14:37). Copies and translations are inspired to the degree that they accurately reflect the originals. Versions such as the KJV, NKJV, NASB, and NIV are accurate, reliable and suitable for personal reading and study.

[Remember that translations and versions are not the product of inspiration per se . The miracle of inspiration occurred only once–when God originally gave the material to the writers. Modern versions are inspired in a derivative sense, ie, in that they accurately reflect the originals, they are inspired.

Preservation is providential, not miraculous.]

Revelation: the content of God's communication to man; the facts and ideas that God wanted recorded in Scripture.

General revelation : information that comes to all men generally. General revelation is a universal witness to God's existence, power and deity (Rom 1:20). All men know God because of creation (Ps 8:1?3, 19:1?6; Rom 1:18?20) and conscience (Rom 1:18?21, 2:14?15). General revelation is not sufficient for salvation. Man is condemned because he perverts and rejects what knowledge of God he has.

Special revelation: information disclosed to a specific individual or group. The Bible is special revelation. Scripture is sufficient for man's condemnation, salvation, and sanctification (John 17:17, 20:31; Rom 10:14?17; Heb 1:1?2).

Canonicity : the historical process whereby God, through the Holy Spirit, directed His people to recognize and collect the inspired writings. The word “canon” means “ standard ” or “rule.” A book that is canonical is part of the standard or canon. Only those books which bore the marks of canonicity were included in the canon. Man did not determine which books were canonical (they were canonical the moment they were penned); he simply recognized which ones were. The canon is comprised of the sixty-six books of the Old and New Testaments (1 Pet 3:16; 1 John 4:6; Rev 22:18?19). The canon was permanently closed with the writing of the book of Revelation at the end of the first century AD (Rev 22:18-19). Because the canon is closed, we don't believe that God is currently issuing direct revelation to anyone.

Tests of Canonicity

Have you ever wondered why certain books were included in the canon? How could the early believers tell that the works of Isaiah, Paul or Peter were inspired and authoritative? They employed several tests of authenticity:

OT: Because of the old age of the OT, what tests believers used to recognize the inspired writings from all others is hard to determine. For all Scripture, the ultimate proof is the testimony of the Holy Spirit to the authority of His own Word in the heart of the community of believers. The OT authors were “holy men of God” who spoke (or wrote) as the Holy Spirit carried them along (2 Pet 1:21). God insured that His people would recognize and receive His inspired Word. God's people recognize God's writing. Although we know that it occurred, we may never understand the exact mechanism of this process.

NT: The early church apparently employed the following tests to help them recognize the inspired books from those not inspired:

1. Apostolicity —written by an apostle or the close associate of an apostle. For example, Luke, the author of Luke and Acts, was a close associate of the apostles.

2. Catholicity —universal (the word “catholic” means “universal”) recognition by believers. The book was relevant to all and accepted by all.

3. Orthodoxy —agreement with the faith of the church. “Orthodox” means “straight” or “right.” A book had to conform to the faith that the church had already received.

4. Traditional Usage —customary employment by the church in worship and teaching. Believers found the book to be edifying and used it in their services.

What About Other Books?

Along with both the inspired OT and NT books were written other religious books that most believers did not think were inspired. These books are usually called the Apocrypha . Roman Catholic and Greek Orthodox traditions include several apocryphal books in their Bibles that Protestants do not recognize as canonical. Protestants reject the Apocrypha because they do not pass the tests of canonicity listed above, although it may be profitable to read them. ²

Where Is God's Word Today?

If God's Word is true and if He has preserved it, it stands to reason that we should be able to obtain a perfectly accurate copy of it. So where is it? In what text is God's Word perfectly preserved?

Unfortunately, the autographs (ie, the original documents) no longer exist. Further, because imperfect people have been responsible to copy and care for the text, small errors or inaccuracies have been introduced into it. So it's impossible to point to one version or one text as the absolutely perfect copy of the preserved Word of God. [3.There are no two ancient copies of the text that are absolutely identical. Before the introduction of the printing press, creating an absolutely perfect copy was virtually impossible. Small, minor variations always creep in to hand made copies.] Where is God's Word perfectly recorded? In the many existing Hebrew and Greek manuscripts. It's the job of textual scholars and translators to compare all the textual evidence and put together the best possible version. For common use, versions such as the KJV, NKJ, NASB, or NIV are accurate and dependable. ³

Interpretation : the process of arriving at the correct understanding of Scripture. One should interpret each passage according to its grammatical, historical, literary, and theological context. The central message of the Bible is essentially clear (Ps 119:105, 130). [5.The theological word for this truth is “perspicuity,” which means “essentially clear.”] Anyone can determine the basic meaning of Scripture through proper methods of interpretation. However, only saved individuals can grasp the significance of Scripture (1 Cor 2:14). Theologians sometimes use the word hermeneutics to describe the art and science of interpretation.

Conclusione

It's essential for us to learn the central truths of the Bible. But the goal is neither mere academic knowledge nor the accumulation of facts. The goal is to get to know God better, to know ourselves better, and to better be able to serve God. Had God not preserved His Word, it would have disintegrated into the dust of the Middle East long before now. But because God promised that His Word “shall stand forever” (Isa 40.8), we can be confident that we have it in an accurate and dependable form today.

Discussione:

1. How do you find the theme of a book? [Try to figure out the author's purpose for writing. Sometimes this is stated outright, but normally you have to make an educated guess at why the author wrote. Study Bibles and commentaries usually have such info.

2. What are three names for the first 5 books of the Bible? [Pentateuch, Torah, the Law]

3. Define the process of inspiration. [Inspiration is that supernatural influence whereby the Holy Spirit caused men to compose and record without error the very words of God's choosing as found in the original manuscripts.]

4. What's the difference between general revelation and special revelation? [General extends to all people, while special was given to a select group.]

5. What is the canon? [That group of books recognized as God's word. “Canon” means “rule” or “standard.”]

6. What do we call the other books that are included in some Bibles but that most Protestants do not recognize? [the Apocrypha]

Lesson 3: Salt and Light (Mt 5:13-16)

The Sermon on the Mount

Part 1: The Subjects of the Kingdom (Mt 5:3-16)

The Distinctiveness of the Disciples:

Citizens of the Kingdom Have a Positive Influence

Jesus' focus in the Beatitudes was primarily on interior, personal characteristics such as dependency, meekness, yearning for righteousness, mercifulness, authenticity, and purity. These personal traits are private, yet have public implications. Those displaying such characteristics will be noticeable. Thus, Jesus now shifts the emphasis to the external, public characteristics of citizens of His kingdom.

The poetic nature of Jesus' sermon is clearly evident here. His statements “Ye are the salt of the earth” and “Ye are the light of the world” are obviously metaphorical expressions designed to highlight a comparison. Subjects of the kingdom are in some ways like salt and like light. Those who are not “salty” and those whose lights do not shine forth in the world are failing to live up to divine expectations. Thus, the passage serves as a warning to flavorless and unnoticeable believers.

1. “Ye are the salt of the earth.”

   1. The significance of salt:

      1. Preservative —salt delays decay and retards deterioration; it's an antiseptic. Without refrigeration, salting down food products was the best way to preserve them. ¹ The preservative quality of salt is likely Jesus' primary idea here.

      2. Flavor enhancer—salt adds flavor.

      3. Other ideas associated with salt: the rabbis apparently used salt as a symbol of wisdom; whiteness; pungency; thirst-producing. OT meat offerings were always to be seasoned with the “salt of the covenant” (Lev 2:13).

   2. The comparison: citizens of the kingdom should have an influence in their world. They should suppress or halt moral decay and they should enhance the “flavor” of the culture. The presence of believers should restrain evil in the world.

“The world tends toward decomposition and is actually rotting away. When the world is left to itself, it festers and putrefies, for the germs of evil are everywhere present and active. … We live in a world that constantly tends toward decay. Some of the Christless structures of the world may look okay, but inside they are rotting away, and it is just a matter of time before they fall. … This suggests to us the function of the church: The church, as salt, functions as a retardant to decay and a preservative in a disintegrating world.” ²

3. A potential condition: the salt “have lost its savor.” The Greek word literally means “to become foolish,” but in this case means “to lose taste, to become inert.” Ie, the salt loses its capacity to do its job. Jesus seems to be talking about believers who lose their influence in the world. They become inert, “tasteless,” and inoffensive. Salt-less Christians are bland and tasteless, adding nothing to the community and doing nothing to stop moral decay. They may be practically indistinguishable from the surrounding culture. The secular world has a bigger affect on Christians than Christians have on the world. Examples: how are we different from the world when it comes to materialism? morality? honesty? compassion? entertainment?

4. What kind of a world would we live in without Christian influence? Imagine how much worse condition the world would be in without the positive contributions and the restraining influence of Christianity.

5. Salt has little or no effect if it is not applied to some other material. Salty believers must exert their influence throughout society in order for them to do any good. They must get “out of the salt shaker.” Christian isolationism is not biblical.

6. A potential problem: Salt generally does not lose its saltiness; it does not become inert. Chemically speaking, salt is salt. It doesn't break down unless it is impure or chemically changed. ³ So it seems that Jesus is setting forth an impossible condition. Yet this sort of language is not foreign to Jesus' teachings (eg, a camel cannot go through the eye of a needle [Mt 19:24]). The statement is ironic or paradoxical—it doesn't make sense on the face of it, which makes it memorable and causes the hearer or reader to pause and consider the statement more closely. “How absurd—salt losing its saltiness!” Thus, the hearers or readers should realize that, as salt, citizens of the kingdom should not lose their “savor,” that is, their influence in the world. Like salt, they cannot become un-salty. Such a notion is absurd.

7. A potential result:

   1. Good for nothing—failing to fulfill their purpose , failing to live up to their responsibilities.

   2. To be cast out and trodden under foot—unwanted salt would commonly be thrown on to paths or roadways.

8. The application:

   1. Beware lest you lose the distinctive Christian “flavor” and become just like the unsaved crowd. Christians who are the same as everyone else are in a sense “good for nothing” and worthy of chastisement . They are not distinctive and have little positive influence. They go along with the crowd and never restrain sin.

   2. Israel was the perfect example of salt that had lost its savor and was good for nothing, being cast out and trodden under foot (cf. Mt 8:12).

   3. The Christian church today, generally speaking, has lost much of its saltiness. Many segments of Christianity, especially in free and prosperous countries, believers are so worldly that they have few distinguishing marks separating them from non-Christians. The influence of the church on the western world is slowly fading. Thankfully, in many parts of the world, Christianity is having a remarkable impact.

Rev 3:16 So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.

1. Jesus is not implying that an un-salty believer may lose his salvation . This is a warning, not a threat. Further, remember that in wisdom literature you can't press the literal meaning of the words too far. Focus on the main point of the comparison, not on every little detail and nuance.

2. The main point of the comparison: retain your gospel witness and testimony in the world; be a good example to others; have an impact on society; be different (in a good sense); seek to retard moral decay; seek to be a positive influence.

1. “Ye are the light of the world.”

   1. Significance of light: illumination , dispels the darkness, show the way, reveal the truth, etc. While salt has a negative function (preventing decay), light has a positive function (showing the way).

   2. God is light (1 Jn 1:5) and Jesus is “the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.”(John 1:9). Jesus called himself “the light of the world” (John 8:12, 9:5), so it's remarkable that he says of his disciples, “You are the light of the world.” In contrast, the world is a dark place. The people of the world “sit in darkness” (Luke 1:79), and “men love darkness rather than light because their deeds are evil” (John 3:19).

Light is a common symbol in the Bible. It represents purity, truth, knowledge, divine revelation, and God's presence all in contrast to their opposites. The Israelites thought of themselves as lights in a dark world (Isa. 42:6; Rom. 2:19). However the Old Testament spoke of Messiah as the true light of the world (Isa. 42:6; 49:6). Jesus' disciples are lights in the derived sense, as the moon is a light but only because it reflects the light of the sun. ⁴

3. Point of comparison: a light is visible , obvious, and noticeable; it shines forth. Citizens of the kingdom are “the light of the world.” They must be obvious, visible, and noticeable. There can be no such thing as a secret or invisible Christian.

4. Positive examples

   1. A city situated on a hilltop cannot be hid; it is visible, obvious, clearly seen from a long distance, especially at night.

1. A lamp ⁵ on a lampstand gives light to all in the house.

1. A negative example: a lamp put under a “bushel” (a clay container for dry foods, usually a bowl or vase, holding about two gallons). This is patently obvious—so absurd that it never happens. A lamp is to be displayed on a lampstand ⁶ so that it may shine forth its light.

2. The command: “let your light so shine before men.” Those who possess the light must transmit or shine the light. What a lamp is in a room, disciples of Christ are to be in the world. Followers of Christ are both visible and radiant.

[Believers] are the light lighted. He is the sun. They resemble the moon, reflecting the sun's light. Apart from Christ they cannot shine. The electric bulb does not emit light all by itself. It imparts light only when connected and turned on, so that the electric current generated in the power-house is transmitted to it. So also as long as Christ's followers remain in living contact with the original light they are a light to others (cf. John 15:4, 5). ⁷

7. The results:

   1. People see your good works.

      1. The assumption is that citizens of Jesus' kingdom are doing good works. He doesn't specify what kind of good works, other than the kind that others might observe.

      2. Jesus later tells us not do religious works (charity, prayer, fasting) before men, to be seen of them (see Mt 6:1, 5, 16). One should not do good works to gain personal prestige or status but to be a good testimony. So one's Christian testimony should be plainly visible, but one's private religious duties should be done very quietly.

   2. People glorify God. This is no guarantee that unbelievers will turn to God based on your good works, but it does suggest that the believer's good works may be helpful in leading others to Christ. Read Ephesians 5:8-9 and Philippians 2:15.

Tertullian (cad 200) wrote: “But it is mainly the deeds of a love so noble that lead many to put a brand upon us. 'See,' they say, 'how they [the Christians] love one another,' for they themselves [the non-Christians] are animated by mutual hatred; 'see how they are ready even to die for one another'” ( Apology XXXIX). ⁸

“Brighten the corner where you are.”

Conclusion: Let's commit ourselves to being salt and light in our community. As salt, we want to be a force against moral decay and a source of “flavor” to our world. As light, we must shine forth brightly in a dark world with the gospel message and with a positive Christian testimony.

1 Interesting note: the body of the great missionary David Livingstone was shipped from Africa back to England after his death packed in salt.

2 R. Kent Hughes, The Sermon on the Mount , 78.

3 Some have suggested that the salt of that time was often impure, and in certain conditions the salt itself would leach away, leaving a worthless residue. This may be true, but seems overly complicated for the analogy.

4 Tom Constable, Tom Constable's Expository Notes on the Bible (Galaxie Software, 2003; 2003), Mt 5:14.

5 The word “candle” (KJV) refers to the small, portable lamp, a clay vessel burning olive oil, not a wax candle.

6 A lampstand might be a shelf extending from the pillar in the center of the room (the pillar that supported the large crossbeam of the flat roof), or a single stone projecting inward from the wall, or a piece of metal conspicuously placed and used similarly. Many houses of this time were usually rather simple, having only one or two rooms, so one lamp could illuminate the whole building. William Hendriksen and Simon J. Kistemaker, vol. 9, New Testament Commentary.

7 William Hendriksen and Simon J. Kistemaker, vol. 9, New Testament Commentary.

8 Quoted in William Hendriksen and Simon J. Kistemaker, vol. 9, New Testament Commentary.