Finding Jesus in the Book of Judges: Samson
Samson was far from perfect. He needed God’s grace, just as we need God’s grace. But even with his imperfections, we see glimpses of Jesus.
Finding Jesus in the Book of Joshua: Faith & Victory
God, in the book of Joshua, showed the Israelites their victory before they received it. Their faith and obedience determined their victory.
REMEMBER AND OBEY- BOOK OF DEUTERONOMY
Deuteronomy is the most quoted Old Testament book with over eighty New Testament references. Not only did the New Testament authors value the lessons taught in Deuteronomy, but Jesus esteemed them as well. Jesus quoted Deuteronomy to Satan each time Satan tried to tempt Him, and when asked what the greatest commandment of the Law was, Jesus quoted Deuteronomy 6:5: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.” Deuteronomy’s pages are filled with Moses’ speeches to the Israelites, retelling their journey so far and preparing them to enter the promised land. Moses continuously reminds Israel of the older generation’s pattern of disobedience, which led to their destruction, and then contrasts it with the new generation’s pattern of obedience, which leads to victory. Moses urges the Israelites to remember and obey! Don’t repeat the mistakes of the past. Paul in 1st Corinthians 10:1-5 warns the Corinthians not to be unaware of what the Israelites did long ago. He said, “they all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea; and they all ate the same spiritual food, and all drank the same spiritual drink, for they were drinking from a spiritual rock which followed them; and the rock was Christ. Nevertheless, with most of them God was not pleased; for their dead bodies were spread out in the wilderness.” Paul says that these things happened as examples for us so that we would not repeat their mistakes (1st Corinthians 10:6). Lessons from the past are wise counsel. Proverbs 1:5 says that “a wise person will hear and increase in learning, and a person of understanding will acquire wise counsel.” Remember how God has been faithful. Through Moses, God reminds the Israelites how He saved them from Egypt, provided for them in the wilderness, and established a covenant with them at Mt. Sinai. He reminds them there is no God but Him, and He is capable of more than they can ever imagine ( Deuteronomy 4:32-39). Also, God prompts the Israelites to recall why He chose them out of all other nations. He did not choose them because they were the biggest, strongest, or best (Deuteronomy 7:7). He chose them because he loves them (Deuteronomy 7:8). The same applies to us still today. GOD CHOOSES US; we don’t choose him (John 15:16). He picked us not because we are smarter, better, or more worthy than anyone else; He chose us because He loves us. Remembering leads to love. If Israel remembers God’s faithfulness, they will love Him. If they love Him, they will obey him. Love is the center of the Law. “Hear, Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord is one! And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength” Deuteronomy 6:5 The New Testament repeatedly tells us to REMEMBER what Jesus did on the cross. And then, based on what HE did for us, we are given commands that we are to obey. Love leads to obedience. When the disciples asked Jesus what the most important command they were to obey was, He didn’t answer by giving any of the ten commandments; He didn’t warn against money or idols. His response wasn’t about politics, social programs, or religious reforms; His answer was ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind’ (Matthew 22:36-37). This is the greatest command because love is the only force that can cause us to obey every other law. Loving God does not make our obedience to the other commands unnecessary; it makes our obedience possible. Jesus said, “If you love Me, you will keep My commandments” (John 14:15). Enough said. Like God rescued and provided for the Israelites, Jesus has rescued us and provided for us. If we remember what he has done, we will be so filled with love for Him that we will happily obey whatever He commands. REMEMBER THE GOSPEL, LOVE JESUS, AND OBEY. Obeying his commands will become our greatest joy.
Christ in Numbers: Lessons from the Wilderness
The Book of Numbers continues the story of the Israelites’ journey to the Promised Land. The Israelites had just come out of Egypt, walked through the Red Sea, and were led into the wilderness. Their journey should have taken eleven days, but instead, it took forty years because of their unbelief and disobedience. Numbers takes place in the wilderness, where God tested the Israelites, and they failed. None of the disobedient generation made it to the Promised Land except for two faithful Israelites. The Israelites’ plight shows us that when people repeatedly choose unbelief, they will not receive God’s promises (Hebrews 3:19). When people choose to disobey God, they are left to wander around aimlessly without purpose in the wilderness called life and will not enter the blessings of God’s promises. Within the pages of Numbers, we find hints of the coming Messiah. Not only can we find types of Jesus in persons like Moses, we see types in events such as the Exodus and articles such as Aaron’s rod. Here, we will explore Jesus in the Book of Numbers and discover how, through these hints, truths about our Messiah are revealed. We will see Jesus in the Israelite’s wanderings in the wilderness, Aaron’s Rod, the Red Heifer, the Brazen Serpent, and in Balaam. Wilderness Wanderings We see Christ in the Israelites’ journey to the promised land. Like the Israelites, Jesus came out of Egypt (Matt. 2:15), through the waters of baptism (Matt. 3:16), and was led into the wilderness (Matt. 4:1), where Satan tested Him for forty days. But where the Israelites failed in their testing in the wilderness, and a generation was denied access to the promised land, Jesus succeeded and opened the promised land to all who would follow Him. Aaron’s Staff (Rod) (Numbers 17) During the Israelites’ time in the wilderness, Korah, a Levite, and his followers thought Moses and Aaron had too much power and conspired against Moses. Because of their rebellion, God caused the earth to open and swallow them. However, God’s warning did not put an end to the rebellion. Other tribal leaders joined in. In response, God sent a plague that killed 14,700 of the Israelites. But this didn’t stop the rebellion either. Finally, God ended the unrest by using Aaron’s staff to confirm Israel’s leader. Moses took a staff from each of the leaders of the twelve tribes of Israel. Each leader’s name was written on a staff, Aaron’s on the staff of the tribe of Levi. The staffs were placed in the Tabernacle in front of the ark of the covenant and left there overnight. God instructed Moses that “the staff belonging to the man I choose will sprout, and I will rid myself of this constant grumbling against you by the Israelites” (Numbers 17:5). The next day, upon examination of Aaron’s staff, Moses saw that “it had not only sprouted but had budded, blossomed and produced almonds” (Numbers 17:8). The grumblings against Moses and Aaron stopped. Ways Aaron’s Staff Revealed Truths About Christ Like Aaron’s staff, Jesus Christ was also a living branch that sprouted from a root that appeared dead (Isaiah 11:1 and Isaiah 53:2). After the Babylonians took the Israelites captive, the Davidic branch appeared dead. But Isaiah prophesied that “a shoot will come up from the branch of Jesse; from his roots, a Branch will bear fruit” (Isaiah 11:1). This Branch was Jesus Christ. In the same way Aaron’s staff was cut off from a living tree, God’s Son, Jesus, was also cut off. He was killed. But like Aaron’s rod that sprouted life, Jesus defied all laws of nature and was resurrected. The resurrection of Aaron’s rod declared who God had chosen. Likewise, the resurrection of Jesus settled any dispute of whether Jesus was God’s chosen one. Lastly, after the staff budded, it was placed in the presence of the Lord. Similarly, after Jesus was resurrected, He returned to His Father’s presence. Red Heifer (Numbers 19 ) A red heifer was part of a purification ritual to make clean those who had come into contact with the dead and allow them back in the presence of God. A Priest would take a red heifer without blemish who had never been under a yoke and slaughter it outside of camp and then burn it. The red heifer’s ashes would be used in the cleansing water. The red heifer and Christ have three main similarities. First, both were without blemish. Second, both were sacrificed outside of camp. Christ was crucified outside of Jerusalem (Hebrews 13:11-12). As the ashes of the red heifer cleansed people from the contamination of death, the blood of Christ saves us from the penalty and corruption of death and enables us to be in the presence of God. (Hebrews 9:13-14). Brazen Serpent (Numbers 21:4-9) As the Israelites traveled through the wilderness, they constantly grumbled and complained. Despite repeated warnings and punishment for complaining against God and Moses (Numbers 11:1, Numbers 14:2), God finally had enough. He sent venomous snakes among the Israelites, and many died (Numbers 21:6). God’s judgment and mercy are inseparable. When you see one, you will find the other. Although God sent the snakes as a judgment against Israel, He also gave them a way out. He told Moses, “Make a snake and put it up on a pole; anyone who is bitten can look at it and live.” So Moses made a bronze snake and put it up on a pole. Then, when anyone was bitten by a snake and looked at the bronze snake, they lived (Numbers 21:8-9). Because God is holy, He must deal with our sin (judgment). Because He is love, he chooses to offer us mercy. Ways the Brazen Serpent Revealed Truths About Christ “Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him.” John 3:14-15 First, both the serpent and Jesus were lifted up. The Israelites looked to a snake on a pole for healing from poisonous venom, just like we look to the Savior on a cross to heal us from the poison of sin. Secondly, the Israelites were given a way to escape from immediate physical death, just like we
Finding Jesus in the Feasts of the Old Testament
Last time in Christ in Leviticus, the Offerings, we discussed the Old Testament sacrificial system and how God, through this system, revealed to the Israelites how to get in His presence and fellowship with Him. Here, we will talk about the Old Testament Feasts ordained by God through which He shows the Israelites how to maintain their newly founded fellowship with Him. God appointed certain times of the year as sacred and commanded the Israelites to hold feasts during those times (Leviticus 23). Each Feast commemorated a particular part of their history and pointed them directly to the coming Messiah, Jesus Christ. There were seven feasts, three in the Spring, one at harvest time, and three in the Fall. Together, these feasts paint a beautiful picture of the coming Messiah. As you will see, Jesus fulfills each Feast in a unique, evident way. Passover Leviticus 23:4-5 The Israelites observe Passover for seven days. Passover marks the deliverance of Israel from Egypt. Jesus fulfilled Passover in that He was the perfect Passover lamb, offering himself as a sacrifice to save all those who turn to Him. Unleavened Bread Leviticus 23:6-8 As part of the Passover celebration, the Festival of Unleavened Bread commemorates the Israelite’s hasty departure from Egypt: they had to leave so quickly, they did not have time to put yeast in the bread. The Israelites celebrate this occasion on the day after Passover. Christ is the unleavened bread, without sin (1 Corinthians 5:8). Christ is the bread of life (John 6:35) Firstfruits Leviticus 23:9-14 The Feast of the Firstfruits is a Jewish harvest feast where Israelites offer the first products of the harvest to God, and the priests wave the firstfruit before God, showing Israel’s gratitude and dependence on the Lord. This Feast occurs the day after the Sabbath Leviticus 23:11. It points us to Christ as the resurrection, the first fruit of the dead (1 Cor 15:20-23), and the first of the great harvest of souls (Luke 22:20). Like the Feast, Christ was raised on the first day of the week. Pentecost (Feast of Weeks) Leviticus 23:15-21 Pentecost, also known as the Feast of Weeks, celebrates the end of the grain harvest. It occurs fifty days after the Feast of First Fruits. Two baked loaves of new, fine, leavened flour are brought out, and the priests wave the loaves before the Lord, along with the animal sacrifice offering for sin and peace offerings. Pentecost for Christians is when God poured the Holy Spirit on the people, and the church was born (Acts 1:5, 2:4). The two loaves in the original ceremony represent both the Jews and the Gentiles who come together in Christ. Feast of Trumpets (Rosh Hashanah) Leviticus 23:23-25 The Feast of the Trumpets is a day for solemn rest and holy convocation. It encourages the Israelites to reflect on the harvest and the sins accumulated during the previous year. The Feast is the first day of the seventh month of the Jewish year. Trumpets are sounded on the first day, signaling they are beginning a sacred month. Throughout the Bible, trumpets are used to announce God’s presence. In fact, Jesus told us that the judgment of humanity would be announced by trumpets (Matt. 24:31). Additionally, Paul taught the day of resurrection (rapture) would be introduced by trumpets (1 Corinthians 15:52). This Feast represents the regathering of Israel by Christ. Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur) Leviticus 16, Leviticus 23:26-32 Yom Kippur is the holiest day of the Jewish year, also known as the Sabbath of Sabbaths. It falls ten days after the Feast of Trumpets. On this day, the Israelites ask God for forgiveness for their sins. The priests used two sacrificial goats to atone for God’s chosen people’s sins: one goat to be slain as the substitutionary death needed for the forgiveness of sins. The other is a scapegoat representing the complete removal of sin. The High Priest placed his hands on the scapegoat, transferring Israel’s sins to the goat, and then sent the goat off into the wilderness, carrying away Israel’s sin. This dual sacrifice represents what Jesus ultimately did for us on the cross: He died a sacrificial, substitutionary death and took all of our sins with Him on the cross. Feast of Tabernacles (Booths or Sukkot) Leviticus 23:33-44 During the Feast of Tabernacles, the Israelites leave their homes and live in tents. The Feast takes place a few days after the Day of Atonement and celebrates God’s provision and protection of Israel’s people during their 40 years of wandering in the desert. The Lord was in the desert with the Israelites in the Tabernacle, so the Feast also celebrates His presence dwelling with His people. All nations will celebrate this Feast during the Millennium when Christ reigns here on earth (Zechariah 14:16-19). Christ has already fulfilled the Spring feasts of Passover, Unleavened Bread, and First Fruits. The harvest feast of Pentecost is ongoing today; through the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, the church continues to harvest new believers. The final three Fall feasts are yet to be fulfilled through Christ in his Second Coming. Believers eagerly await Christ to gather the elect with a loud trumpet call, for unbelievers to be judged, and for Christ’s elect to dwell with God forever and ever and ever!
Christ in Leviticus, the Offerings
The Bible from Genesis to Revelation beautifully weaves the story of God’s salvation plan within its pages. Genesis informs us about man’s fall into sin and God’s plan to redeem humanity (Genesis 3:15). Then, Exodus goes on to tell us about how God delivered Israel from Egypt (Exodus 20:2) and chose Israel as “a kingdom of priests and a holy nation” to be set apart from all other nations (Exodus 19:6). Finally, Leviticus shows Israel how they can become the holy nation God called them to be. When reading the Old Testament, many skip right over Leviticus, claiming it is outdated and does not apply to us today. However, understanding Jewish sacred worship in Leviticus helps us shine a light on the New Testament, giving it a deeper, richer meaning. Leviticus is often called “God’s Instruction Manual for Worship.” After all, God created us to be worshipers, and the offerings in Leviticus are about worship. As you will see, Leviticus’s sacrifices, rituals, and ceremonies point us right to Christ. LEVITICUS IN A NUTSHELL Leviticus begins with Moses talking to God from outside the Tabernacle, God’s dwelling place. Although God’s desire was to commune with His people, they could not approach Him because He was holy, and they were not. God wanted His people to be closer to Him than outside the Tabernacle; He wanted them to be in His tent. In the book of Leviticus, God shows Israel how they can begin to atone for their sin and enter His presence. “Be holy, for I am holy.” Leviticus 11:44, Leviticus 11:45, Leviticus 19:2, Leviticus 20:7 Moses divides Leviticus into two main themes. First, it details the sacrifices which show the Israelites how to gain access to God. Secondly, it describes the laws and festivals, which show the Israelites how to maintain fellowship with God. Here, we will focus on the sacrificial system. SACRIFICES God began to lay down the divine principle of sacrifice in Genesis. After Adam and Eve sinned, God covered them with animal skins, but not without cost. Animals had to die to provide their cover. This first sacrifice demonstrated that sin must be paid for: innocent blood had to be shed for the guilty. Sacrifice is the currency that pays for man’s sin. It is how sinful man can approach a holy God. God further developed this principle of sacrifice when He approved Abel’s offering of a first-born animal but not Cain’s offering because it was not a blood sacrifice. The Old Testament sacrificial system foreshadows the ultimate sacrificial death of Jesus. Old Testament sacrifices were inadequate, covering up sins rather than washing them away. However, Jesus offered one sacrifice, and it was enough. It was all that was needed for eternity ( Hebrews 10:12). God made a way for the Israelites to draw near to Him through sacrifice. These sacrifices were called offerings. The noun “offering” is the Hebrew word “corban” which is related to the verb that means “to draw near.” When a person made an offering to God, they drew closer to Him. Their offering was a type of worship. There are five different types of offering in the Hebrew sacrificial system. Burnt Offering Leviticus 1, 6:18-13, 8:18-21, 16:24 The Israelites would make a burnt offering to God for various reasons: including asking for forgiveness, expressing thanks, or renewing their relationship with God. To make an offering, the Israelite would find a male bull, ram, or bird, then kill it, and finally, present it at the Tabernacle gate. The animal could not have any defects, and it had to be a whole animal. Once the offeror presented the sacrifice, the priest placed the animal on the altar. The offeror laid his hands on it to identify with the sacrifice and show thankfulness that the animal took the offeror’s place on the altar of sacrifice. “The righteous suffered for the unrighteous” (1st Peter 3:18). Unlike other offerings, the burnt offering was voluntary. The fire completely consumed the burnt offering on the altar, leaving nothing but ashes. The burnt sacrifice offering illustrates how we should approach God in worship. Like the offeror in ancient times, we don’t have to worship God; we choose to worship Him. Our worship is a voluntary, complete surrender to God. We are the living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to Him (Romans 12:1). Like the smoke of the sacrifice, our worship rises like a sweet aroma to God. The burnt offering points us directly to Christ. Jesus completely surrendered to God and even to death on the Cross. Like the sacrificial animal, Jesus did not have any defects. He took our place on the Cross, the righteous for the unrighteous. He “gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God (Ephesians 5:2). Because Jesus died on the Cross as our innocent, flawless substitution, we don’t have to offer animal sacrifices over and over again. Grain Offering Leviticus 2, 6:14-23 The grain offering consisted of grains and olive oil mixed; the offering was split between God and the priest. The priest would reject grain offerings mixed with yeast because yeast represented sin, and the offering had to be free from sin. The grain offering, by itself, was not enough. It could never be offered alone; it always had to accompany a blood offering. Once the offeror made the blood offering, the grain offering became acceptable to God. As with the burnt offering, the grain offering was a voluntary act of worship. It was also the recognition of God’s goodness and provision. Like the grain offering without yeast, Jesus was without sin. Jesus is our sinless sacrifice. Because of what He did for us on the Cross, we now can present ourselves to God mixed with sin without fear of being rejected. Peace Offering Leviticus 3 7:11-34 The peace offering was for thanksgiving, a vowel payment, or free expression of a worshiper’s goodwill towards God. It was the only offering that could be any breed of an animal without defect. The offering was to be the best part of the