CHAPTER THREE

God's Holy Nation

SCRIPTURE COVERED: Exodus-Leviticus

TIME COVERED: ca. 1600-1400 B.C.

Sacred history takes on new dimensions with the book of Exodus. Centuries had passed in silence since the death of Joseph. Meanwhile the patriarchal descendants had become exceedingly numerous. A Pharaoh came into power who viewed this growing population with disfavor, enslaving and oppressing them. Under the leadership of Moses the Israelites were delivered from slavery, transformed into an independent nation, and prepared for the conquest and occupation of Canaan.

The spiritual significance of this deliverance can hardly be overemphasized. The rest of the Pentateuch or approximately one-sixth of the entire Old Testament is devoted to this eventful development.

Let us look at the scope of movement and time involved as we preview these four books in the following outline:

I.	Israel's Enslavement, 400 years	Exodus 1, 2
II.	Egypt to Sinai, less than I year	Exodus 3-18
III.	Encampment at Sinai, ca. I year	Exodus 19-Numbers 10
IV.	Wilderness Wanderings, ca. 38 ears	Numbers 10-21
V.	Encampment Before Canaan, ca. I year	Numbers 22-Deuteronomy 34

Egypt was one of the most advanced centers of civilization during the period when Israel emerged as a nation. The New Kingdom began in the sixteenth century with the expulsion of the Hyksos people who had occupied Egypt for nearly two centuries. From about 1550-1100 B.C. Egypt maintained a well-established empire. One of its greatest military leaders was Thutmose III (ca. 1500-1450) who repeatedly marched his armies through Palestine or sailed the Mediterranean to extend Egyptian control to the Euphrates River. He is often compared to Alexander the Great or Napoleon.

FROM SLAVERY TO NATIONHOOD

In a relatively short period under the leadership of Moses, the Israelites were delivered from oppression to an independent nation consciously aware of its covenant relationship with God. The biblical account may be divided as follows:

I. Israel Freed from Slavery

II. From Egypt to Mount Sinai

A. Oppression of the Israelites

When the clan of Jacob migrated to Egypt, the Egyptian rulers who were indebted to Joseph for guiding them successfully through an extensive famine favored them. They settled in the rich fertile grazing area of the land of Goshen in the Nile Delta, the Israelites prospered and increased greatly during a period of several centuries. With the rise of the eighteenth dynasty at the beginning of the New Kingdom, new policies were introduced, designed to alleviate the Pharaoh's fear of a rebellion by the Israelites. Subjected to hard labor assignments in building the cities of Pithom and Rameses (Ex. 1: 11), the Israelites multiplied so prolifically that the fears of the Egyptian rulers increased. Not only was the oppression intensified, but an edict was also issued to drown at birth all the male children born to the Israelites (Ex. 1: 15-22). Decades later when Moses challenged the power of Pharaoh, the Egyptians even withheld straw (Ex. 5:5-19) which was helpful to the Israelites in producing bricks.

B. Leadership prepared

Dark were the days of Israel's history when Moses was born. Moses, however, was adopted by Pharaoh's daughter, exposed to educational opportunities in the foremost center of civilization, and trained in the wisdom of the Egyptians (Acts 7:22).

The second phase of Moses' training was provided in the desert of Midian where he spent the next forty years. His attempt to help his people ended in failure. In Midian he married Zipporah the daughter of Reuel, a priest of Midian, who was also known as Jethro. While shepherding flocks in the area surrounding the Gulf of Aqaba, Moses acquired a thorough knowledge of this territory even though he was not aware that he would some day lead the nation of Israel through this desert.

Consider the call of Moses (Ex. 3:1-4:17) in the light of his background and knowledge of the royal court in Egypt and the apparently hopeless condition of the Israelites. Moses knew that the Pharaoh of Egypt was not disposed to take orders from anyone. Note the problems Moses realistically reflected and the answers God gave as expressed in paraphrase below:

With this assurance Moses returned to Egypt to do God's bidding.

C. The contest

In a series of ten plagues Moses challenged the might of the Pharaoh of Egypt who persistently refused to release Israel. The purpose of the plagues (Ex. 9:16) was to demonstrate God's mighty power to the Israelites as well as to the Egyptians. Pharaoh had the opportunity of complying with God's will but in the course of this experience, he hardened his heart.' His basic attitude never changed. Although the plagues came through natural phenomena, the supernatural power of God was apparent in intensification, in discrimination, and in time control. These plagues may have been directed against the various gods of the Egyptians.

D. The Passover

The Passover and death of the firstborn brought this contest to an eventful climax. Every home in the land was affected. The Egyptian homes were made conscious of the judgment of the God of Israel in the death of the oldest son in each family. The Israelites in every home by contrast were made conscious of God's redeeming power as they put blood on the doorposts, ate the lamb, and then in haste made their journey out of Egypt (cf. Matt. 26:26-28; I Cor. 5:7; Heb. 9:14, 15).

E. The miracle of deliverance

The shortest route from Egypt to Canaan was a well-traveled road along the Mediterranean coast. But Moses, divinely instructed, led this multitude of liberated slaves through the Red Sea to the Sinai Peninsula. Numerous divine interventions and provisions for Israel's safety and sustenance followed the miracle of deliverance. God's pillar of cloud by day and of fire by night not only served to protect in time of danger, but also to provide guidance en route (cf. I Cor. 10: 1).

LAWS FOR A HOLY NATION

Israel's religion was a revealed religion. It was not adopted from surrounding nations but stood in sharp contrast to the religious standards and practices of the heathen nations of that period.

The biblical content of God's revelation to Israel at Mount Sinai may be outlined as follows:

I. God's Covenant with Israel Exodus

II. The Place of Worship

III. Instructions for Holy Living

THE MOSAIC COVENANT

Redemption from Egypt obligated Israel to be God's holy nation. God, who had made a covenant with Abraham and his descendants, had delivered the Israelites and entered into a covenant with them as a nation (Ex. 19:3-24:8). The key to a right relationship with God was obedience. Their observance of the laws would result in their being a holy peculiar people and distinguish them from the heathen nations about them.

Most important for the Israelites were the Ten Commandments commonly known as the Decalogue (Ex. 20:1-17). These are usually classified as moral laws and repeated in the New Testament, with the exception of the Sabbath observance. The distinctive feature of the Decalogue sets forth monotheism (worship of one true God), not even allowing the Israelites images. This set Israel apart in sharp contrast to the pagan practices of surrounding nations.

Expansion of these moral laws and additional regulations were designed to guide the Israelites in their conduct (Ex. 21-24; Lev. II26). Simple obedience to these moral, civil, and ceremonial laws would mark them as God's holy people. Many of the practices forbidden to Israel were common in Egypt and Canaan. Marriage of brother and sister, practiced in Egypt, was forbidden to the Israelites. Regulations regarding motherhood and childbirth not only reminded the Israelites that man is a sinful creature, but stood in sharp contrast to sex perversion, prostitution, and child sacrifice associated with the religious rites and ceremonies of the Canaanites. In Egypt, the slaughter of animals was associated with idolatry. Some of the restriction in food and slaughter of animals can be better understood in the light of prevailing practices known to the Israelites. It was fitting that the Israelites, having vivid memories of slavery, should be instructed to leave gleanings for the poor at harvest time, provide for the helpless, honor the aged, and constantly render righteous judgment in all their relationships. Many of these civil and ceremonial laws were temporary in nature and were abrogated in the course of time as conditions changed.

THE TABERNACLE

In contrast to many temples in Egypt, Israel was to have one sanctuary. Construction of the tabernacle was under the supervision of two foremen, Bezalel and Aholiab, of whom it is stated that they were filled with the "Spirit of God" and "ability and intelligence" to supervise (Ex. 31, 35, 36). Laymen who were motivated to help assisted with building, and freewill offerings were accepted from the people to supply the materials.

The tabernacle itself was 45 feet long and 15 feet wide, divided into two parts. The entrance from the east opened into the holy place 30 feet in length. Beyond it was the Holy of Holies. Surrounding the tabernacle was a court having a perimeter of 450 feet and a 30-foot entrance from the east. The eastern half of this enclosure was the worshiper's square. There stood the altar of sacrifice or brazen altar where the Israelites made their sacrifices. Between this altar and the tabernacle was the bronze laver where the priests washed their feet in preparation for officiating at the altar of sacrifice.

Three pieces of furniture were in the holy place: on the right was the table of shewbread for the priests, on the left was the golden candlestick, and before the veil separating the holy place from the Holy of Holies was the altar of incense.

The Ark of the Covenant was the most sacred object in Israel. This and this alone was placed in the Holy of Holies. On the lid of the ark facing each other were two cherubim of gold with their wings overshadowing the place between them known as the mercy seat. This mercy seat represented the presence of God, and unlike the heathen, the Israelites had no material object to represent their God. The Shekinah (Hebrew to dwell) glory of Jehovah God dwelled with Israel in the tabernacle. Here the high priest sprinkled blood once a year on the Day of Atonement in behalf of the nation. Subsequently, there were stored in the ark the Decalogue (Ex. 25:21; 31:18; Deut. 10:3-5), a pot of manna (Ex. 16:34), and Aaron's rod that blossomed (Num. 17:10). Before Israel entered Canaan, the book of the Law was placed next to the ark (Deut. 31:26).

THE PRIESTHOOD

In patriarchal times the head of the family officiated in making a sacrifice. Since the seed of Abraham had become a large nation, it was necessary to have priests officiate for orderly ministration and effective worship. Aaron the brother of Moses was appointed as the high priest, assisted by his sons, two of whom were smitten in judgment for bringing unholy fire into the tabernacle (Num. 3:2-4; Lev. 10: 1, 2). By virtue of having escaped death in Egypt, the firstborn of every family belonged to God. Chosen as substitutes for the oldest son in each family, the Levites assisted the priests in their ministration (Num. 3:5-14; 8:17). In this way the entire nation was represented in the priestly ministry.

The priests represented the people before God, officiated in the prescribed offerings (Ex. 28; Lev. 16), taught the Law to the laity, and were responsible for ministering at the tabernacle. The sanctity of the priests as described in Leviticus 21:1-22: 10 reflects a contrast with heathen practice.

THE OFFERINGS

The practice of offering sacrifices characterized God fearing men from the time of man's expulsion from the Garden of Eden. Whether or not the various kinds of offerings were clearly distinguished and known to the Israelites when they left Egypt may be debatable. As a free nation and God's covenant people, they were given specific instructions regarding their sacrifices (Lev. 1-7).

Four kinds of offerings involved the shedding of blood:

Burnt offering-

Peace offering-

Sin offering-

Trespass offering-

The grain offering did not involve the shedding of blood but consisted of the products of the soil representing the fruits of man's labor (Lev. 2:1-16; 6:14-23; cf. Mark 8:15; 1 Cor. 5:8; Gal. 5:9). Apparently this was never brought as an offering by itself but was brought in addition to other offerings. When expiation for sin had been made through the shedding of blood, then the offering of gifts was acceptable to God.

FEASTS AND SEASONS

Through appointed feasts and seasons Israelites were constantly reminded that they were God's holy people. To observe these holy periods was part of their covenant commitment. Briefly note the times designated for their observance:

1. Sabbath-weekly,-

2. New Moon and Feast of Trumpets--

3. Sabbatical year-

4. Year of Jubilee-

5. Passover and Feast of Unleavened Bread-

6. Feast of Weeks -

7. Feast of Tabernacles-

8. Day of Atonement-

The instructions given to the Israelites at Mount Sinai made it possible for them to adopt a pattern of living that would distinguish them from the heathen environment in Egypt as well as Canaan. The Law, the tabernacle, the priesthood, the offerings, and the feasts and seasons were provisions and means for them to live in conformity to God's plan for His covenant people. Obedience and faith were essential in maintaining this covenant relationship.