adapted from what the bible teaches about mercy by rex b. andrews

1. Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercyby Rex B. Andrews Part III: Mercy in the Law

2. Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

3. Chapter 7: The Giving of the Law Here was a startling new view of a supreme monarch on the Earth, a king who forgives law-breaking, and trespass, and evil, to anyone who seeks that forgiveness However, He will not clear the guilty as long as they remain guilty But they need not remain guilty before Him, for His law provides a way to His MERCY Therefore, the guilty only remain guilty until they are willing to meet God on the grounds of the MERCY which He initiates for their forgiveness The Old and New Covenants both describe that meeting between God and man Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

4. Chapter 7: The Giving of the Law (cont.) On man’s part confession of his sin, with a repentance that includes making his wrongs right as far as it is possible to do so On God’s part is the offer to forgive the sin of the sinner and to “cover” him In the Old Covenant the covering meant that the sinner could remain in the congregation of the people of God In the New Covenant forgiveness of sins is a remission of the sin, and a cleansing of the sinner from the sin itself; so that they may enter the kingdom of God and dwell within the spiritual congregation of those who are heirs of eternal life Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

5. Chapter 7: The Giving of the Law (cont.) NKJ Proverbs 28:13 He who covers his sins will not prosper, But whoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy. Genuine repentance involves not just being sorry for being caught but also includes the recognition and acknowledgement that God is right and we are wrong about the matter and a resolve to never do it again with the Lord’s help NKJ 1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. NKJ Psalm 32:5 I acknowledged my sin to You, And my iniquity I have not hidden. I said, "I will confess my transgressions to the LORD," And You forgave the iniquity of my sin. Selah Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

6. Chapter 7: The Giving of the Law (cont.) The Old Covenant was a supreme wonder on the Earth, in the world of that time, exactly on that account: MERCY OFFERED TO ALL There never was any law in any other nation like it offering MERCY to all! It is not true that there were older laws just as good, and much older, in other nations No other nation had a law that revealed such a LORD and such a GOD There were laws in other nations that recorded some things similar to the Law of Moses Some of the Eden-law had filtered down through the centuries, in traditions from before the flood, by the sons of Noah Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

7. Chapter 7: The Giving of the Law (cont.) But, the similarities that are found between ancient records of laws of other nations and the Law of Moses only increase the vividness of things that are dissimilar The laws of of the nations were saturated with idolatry The Law of Moses was a revelation of God Himself That revelation of the LORD God in the Law was a separation between the Israel of God and “The Nations” of the world Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

8. Chapter 7: The Giving of the Law (cont.) The revelation was limited, to a considerable degree, to the conditions of life of both the people Israel and the instrument Moses It had to be a revelation that could be received by a people to whom the “new birth” was not yet given, although it was promised The people were not capable of receiving the New Covenant revelation of what Divine Love is Nevertheless, whoever entered into Faith must have tasted that Love, for the simple reason that Faith, itself, is faith in the truth of the love of God Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

9. Chapter 7: The Giving of the Law (cont.) NKJ Exodus 34:6 And the LORD passed before him and proclaimed, "The LORD, the LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abounding in goodness and truth, The expression “longsuffering”, better translated “slow to anger”, is all the more wonderful because the Law could not reveal God as a LIFE-GIVER in the New Covenant sense The Law of Moses was an unveiling of the mystery of sin and death It described sin within the man himself as the cause of death Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

10. Chapter 7: The Giving of the Law (cont.) To bring such light (i.e., understanding) into the world required the execution of the sentence of death that had been pronounced upon sin at the beginning NKJ Genesis 2:17 "but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.” NKJ Genesis 3:6 So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree desirable to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate. She also gave to her husband with her, and he ate. 7 Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves coverings. Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

11. Chapter 7: The Giving of the Law (cont.) NKJ 1 Timothy 2:14 And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived, fell into transgression. Eve was deceived into sin, but Adam chose sin NKJ Romans 5:12 Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned -- 13 (For until the law sin was in the world, but sin is not imputed when there is no law. 14 Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over those who had not sinned according to the likeness of the transgression of Adam, who is a type of Him who was to come. NKJ 1 Corinthians 15:45 And so it is written, "The first man Adam became a living being." The last Adam became a life-giving spirit. ... 47 The first man was of the earth, made of dust; the second Man is the Lord from heaven. Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

12. Chapter 7: The Giving of the Law (cont.) Thus God had to be known in human terms such as pertained to law breaking sinners His anger, wrath, and destructiveness, as depicted in the Old Covenant, fitted their understanding of an all-powerful being Nevertheless, to Israel (and to all who would enter into a covenant of faith with Him) God did give the words that described and conveyed the knowledge of what He is in Himself The inheritance of that knowledge, as a free possession to everyone, came by the shed blood of the Lamb of God - Jesus Christ! Jesus Christ, who in His own body bore the world’s sin Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

13. Chapter 7: The Giving of the Law (cont.) NKJ John 1:29 The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, "Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! NKJ Hebrews 9:26b but now, once at the end of the ages, He has appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself. NKJ 1 John 2:2 And He Himself is the propitiation [i.e., atoning sacrifice] for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world. (words in “[]” added by author) NKJ Hebrews 9:22 And according to the law almost all things are purified with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no remission. NKJ 1 Peter 1:18 knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot. Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

14. Chapter 7: The Giving of the Law (cont.) NKJ Ephesians 1:7 In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace NKJ Ephesians 2:13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. NKJ Revelation 1:5 and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler over the kings of the earth. To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood, 6 and has made us kings and priests to His God and Father, to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. Since that time the way has been open to all into the life-giving knowledge of God - what He IS Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

15. Chapter 7: The Giving of the Law (cont.) In Exodus 34 we have one of the most unique and remarkable happenings in the world’s history In some ways it is a part of the same pattern as the life and work of Jesus Himself That is so because of a single phase of it: THE QUALITY OF MERCY The scripture record shows that in order to make mercy understandable to a world with no understanding of it, God in dealing with Moses placed Himself in an odd position and in an odd light Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

16. Chapter 7: The Giving of the Law (cont.) It was of one who in a blaze of anger and wrath was lunging forth upon the nation to destroy it for the idolatry indulged in at the very time when He was giving the first tables of the Law to Moses Moses’ reaction, of throwing himself as an intercessor between the nation and God, was the purpose and issue of it all For what Moses said and did was what God Himself wanted to say and do (Exodus 32) It was the truth of God in Moses That truth of God in Moses became, then, the established relation of God with Israel as the LORD God who dwelt among them Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

17. Chapter 7: The Giving of the Law (cont.) It is immortalized in the following words we have studied before: NKJ Exodus 34:6 And the LORD passed before him and proclaimed, "The LORD, the LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abounding in goodness and truth, 7 "keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, by no means clearing the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children and the children's children to the third and the fourth generation.” The path way by which this truth unfolds leads to The Cross This is the same grouping of mercy words in Psalms 103 and 145, and is the great source from which they were quoted Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

18. Chapter 7: The Giving of the Law (cont.) The word “merciful” here is the Hebrew word for compassions and mercies “Gracious” is from the root meaning grace, “Abundant in goodness” is: much mercy, which in Psalm 103:8 is translated “plenteous in mercy” The term “longsuffering” is the identical Hebrew phrase otherwise given as “slow to anger” In addition is the word “truth” (Hebrew word “emet”) an integral part of of this group (i.e., the words are truth, and the truth is in the words) “Keeping mercy for thousands” is our “hhesed” word again, and is the same word as is “goodness” that proceeds it Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

19. Chapter 7: The Giving of the Law (cont.) GLT Exodus 34:6b ...Jehovah! Jehovah God! Merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and great in goodness and truth, 35a Keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin... Again, what were the circumstances in which these MERCY words were given? In Exodus chapters 19-23, the LORD had come down in a thick cloud to speak with Moses in the sight of the people There was given to him the substance of the “Law” Then in Exodus chapters 24-31, by the command of the LORD Moses went up into the mount INTO the cloud, and remained there in the presence of the LORD for forty days and forty nights Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

20. Chapter 7: The Giving of the Law (cont.) During that time he was given the pattern, the plan, and arrangement, of the Tabernacle (the Tent-of-meeting) and also the instructions for its making, and for the setting in order of the priesthood of Aaron and his sons At the end of that time of communion, the Lord gave Moses two tables of stone upon which was written “the Testimony” by the finger of God So, robed in the spiritual splendor of the Holy One (i.e., Moses glowed), he returned to the people In Exodus chapter 32, we read that the people had fallen into idolatry during those forty days of waiting Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

21. Chapter 7: The Giving of the Law (cont.) They had made a golden calf to worship and to lead them In this was the essence of idolatry - the covetousness to establish a power and good of one’s own choosing to be worshipped as supreme They made and worshipped an image of a beast God called it corrupting themselves It was a falling short of the glory of God and was sin That is what sin is: a vain glory of self, or something, anything, in the place of God Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

22. Chapter 7: The Giving of the Law (cont.) The “Adam” race had been created in God’s image, to bear His glory, to represent Him as He is, to testify the truth of what He is, and to love Him with all the powers of the being When Moses saw what was taking place, upon his return to camp, he threw the two tablets of stone down upon the rocks - breaking them into pieces The next day he returned to the Lord to make atonement for the people if possible “Atonement” means a covering - a protective covering The Hebrew word for atonement is “kaphar” one from which is “kopher” Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

23. Chapter 7: The Giving of the Law (cont.) This word is translated “pitch” with which Noah was to make the ark watertight With only slight changes this word had come down to us through the long centuries in the English word “cover” with nearly the same sound Kaphar is used in the Old Covenant as the distinct word for atonement for sin It signifies a protective covering Sin is a naked state of the soul, denuded of its true robes of light and glory Atonement is the COVERING, protective covering of the Lord’s presence upon the repentant soul Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

24. Chapter 7: The Giving of the Law (cont.) Moses returned to the Lord in the mount to seek a means to atone for, or COVER the people from their sin That is what is meant in the Bible by forgiveness It is the restoration to the protection of the Covering Presence of the Lord, as being freed from the guilt of the sin that was sinned For the sin is no longer in view when it has been obliterated and covered NAU Micah 7:19 He will again have compassion on us; He will tread our iniquities under foot. Yes, You will cast all their sins Into the depths of the sea. NKJ Psalm 103:12 As far as the east is from the west, So far has He removed our transgressions from us. Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

25. Chapter 7: The Giving of the Law (cont.) NKJ Exodus 32:31 Then Moses returned to the LORD and said, "Oh, these people have committed a great sin, and have made for themselves a god of gold! 32 "Yet now, if You will forgive their sin -- but if not, I pray, blot me out of Your book which You have written." This is the epitome of the love of God (“hhesed” in the Old Covenant and “agape” in the New) To be willing to die spiritually (i.e., to be separated or isolated from God) so that another might be joined to God! The Apostle Paul expressed this same sentiment NKJ Romans 9:3 For I could wish that I myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my countrymen according to the flesh, Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

26. Chapter 7: The Giving of the Law (cont.) NKJ John 15:13 "Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends. How many of us are really willing to die physically for a friend? At most we might take a wound for a friend - if complete recovery can be assured! NKJ Romans 5:6 For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. 8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

27. Chapter 7: The Giving of the Law (cont.) Jesus chose to become our sin on the cross, separating Himself from God the Father, in order to join us to Himself NKJ 2 Corinthians 5:21 For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. NKJ John 3:14 "And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, 15 "that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. 16 "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. 17 "For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

28. Chapter 7: The Giving of the Law (cont.) The serpent represented Satan and Sin Jesus had our sin of rebellion against a Holy God conferred upon Himself while on the cross Thus the serpent (i.e., Sin) was on the cross! NKJ Numbers 21:8 Then the LORD said to Moses, "Make a fiery serpent, and set it on a pole; and it shall be that everyone who is bitten, when he looks at it, shall live.” 9 So Moses made a bronze serpent, and put it on a pole; and so it was, if a serpent had bitten anyone, when he looked at the bronze serpent, he lived. NKJ John 16:8 "And when He [the Holy Spirit] has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: 9 "of sin, because they do not believe in Me; 10 "of righteousness, because I go to My Father and you see Me no more; 11 "of judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged. (words in “[]” added by author) Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

29. Chapter 7: The Giving of the Law (cont.) NKJ 1 Corinthians 2:7 But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God ordained before the ages for our glory, 8 which none of the rulers [Satan and his minions] of this age knew; for had they known, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. Yes, the cross was the greatest “sting” operation ever conducted! Satan did not realize that by participating in the death of the Son of God, Jesus Christ, and latter incarcerating Him in the pit of Hades, that he was agreeing with God’s judgment upon Sin - upon himself! NKJ Romans 10:7 or, " 'Who will descend into the abyss [the lowest part of Hades]?' " (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead). (words in “[]” added by author) Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

30. Chapter 7: The Giving of the Law (cont.) NAU Acts 2:22 " Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a Man attested by God to you by miracles, wonders, and signs which God did through Him in your midst, as you yourselves also know -- 23 "Him, being delivered by the determined purpose and foreknowledge of God, you have taken by lawless hands, have crucified, and put to death; 24 "whom God raised up, having loosed the pains of death, because it was not possible that He should be held by it... 29 "Men and brethren, let me speak freely to you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his tomb is with us to this day. 30 "Therefore, being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him that of the fruit of his body, according to the flesh, He would raise up the Christ to sit on his throne, 31 "he, foreseeing this, spoke concerning the resurrection of the Christ, that His soul was not left in Hades, nor did His flesh see corruption. 32 "This Jesus God has raised up, of which we are all witnesses. Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

31. Chapter 7: The Giving of the Law (cont.) Satan was in effect agreeing with God that the wages of sin are death (i.e., isolation from God) NKJ Romans 6:23a For the wages of sin is death, Satan should have quit while he was ahead! Satan’s plan to steal mankind from God, via Adam’s rebellion, was the perfect crime with no way out for man in his ability Nevertheless, God knew that one thing was certain about the fallen nature - like fire, greed never has enough and will not quit while ahead (Prov. 30:6) Satan could not resist the chance to own the Son of God - he just did not realize it was all part of the plan and that ownership would be temporary Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

32. Chapter 7: The Giving of the Law (cont.) Furthermore, Satan broke the rules in taking the life of an innocent man He did not realize that the reason God turned His back on Jesus was because He became our sin Satan saw the withdrawal of God’s presence from Jesus as a sign that He had sinned personally Realize God withdrew from Jesus at the cross because He can not look upon sin and Jesus became our sin on the cross In his greed, Satan crossed the line and was judged guilty of taking the life of the innocent God-Man Jesus the Christ the Son of the Living God! Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

33. Chapter 7: The Giving of the Law (cont.) The ordeal of the cross can be seen in this prophetic Psalm: NKJ Psalm 22:1b My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me? [quoted by Jesus on the cross, Matthew 27:46] Why are You so far from helping Me, And from the words of My groaning? 2 O My God, I cry in the daytime, but You do not hear; And in the night season, and am not silent. 3 But You are holy, Enthroned in the praises of Israel. 4 Our fathers trusted in You; They trusted, and You delivered them. 5 They cried to You, and were delivered; They trusted in You, and were not ashamed. 6 But I am a worm, and no man; A reproach of men, and despised by the people. 7 All those who see Me ridicule Me; They shoot out the lip, they shake the head, saying, 8 "He trusted in the LORD, let Him rescue Him; Let Him deliver Him, since He delights in Him!” (words in “[]” added by author) Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

34. Chapter 7: The Giving of the Law (cont.) 9 But You are He who took Me out of the womb; You made Me trust while on My mother's breasts. 10 I was cast upon You from birth. From My mother's womb You have been My God. 11 Be not far from Me, For trouble is near; For there is none to help. 12 Many bulls have surrounded Me; Strong bulls of Bashan have encircled Me. [Satan’s demons surrounded Jesus on the cross] 13 They gape at Me with their mouths, Like a raging and roaring lion. 14 I am poured out like water, And all My bones are out of joint; My heart is like wax; It has melted within Me. [Jesus dies physically of a broken heart] 15 My strength is dried up like a potsherd, And My tongue clings to My jaws; You have brought Me to the dust of death. 16 For dogs have surrounded Me; The congregation of the wicked has enclosed Me. They pierced My hands and My feet; 17 I can count all My bones. They look and stare at Me. (words in “[]” added by author) Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

35. Chapter 7: The Giving of the Law (cont.) 18 They divide My garments among them, And for My clothing they cast lots. 19 But You, O LORD, do not be far from Me; O My Strength, hasten to help Me! 20 Deliver Me from the sword, My precious life from the power of the dog. 21 Save Me from the lion's mouth And from the horns of the wild oxen! You have answered Me. 22 I will declare Your name to My brethren; In the midst of the assembly I will praise You. 23 You who fear the LORD, praise Him! All you descendants of Jacob, glorify Him, And fear Him, all you offspring of Israel! 24 For He has not despised nor abhorred the affliction of the afflicted; Nor has He hidden His face from Him; But when He cried to Him, He heard. 25 My praise shall be of You in the great assembly; I will pay My vows before those who fear Him. 26 The poor shall eat and be satisfied; Those who seek Him will praise the LORD. Let your heart live forever! Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

36. Chapter 7: The Giving of the Law (cont.) 27 All the ends of the world Shall remember and turn to the LORD, And all the families of the nations Shall worship before You. 28 For the kingdom is the LORD's, And He rules over the nations. 29 All the prosperous of the earth Shall eat and worship; All those who go down to the dust Shall bow before Him, Even he who cannot keep himself alive. 30 A posterity shall serve Him. It will be recounted of the Lord to the next generation, 31 They will come and declare His righteousness to a people who will be born, That He has done this. [quoted by Jesus on the cross in first person voice - “It is finished”] (words in “[]” added by author) NKJ John 19:30 So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, "It is finished!" And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit. Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

37. Chapter 7: The Giving of the Law (cont.) At our precious Savior’s Cross of Calvary: It was judged that Sin (Satan) and all sinners were condemned and must be isolated from God and His family forever Jesus suffered the penalty for the sin of rebellion against a Holy God in our place (i.e., He bore our sin of rebellion and its resulting sins, sicknesses, and death) All that believe in Jesus as their Savior and submit to His Lordship have their sins remitted (i.e., eliminated as if they never existed) and have the righteousness of Jesus Christ conferred upon them We are joined to God forever! NKJ Romans 6:23b but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

38. Chapter 7: The Giving of the Law (cont.) Consequently, Satan has already been judged and his fate is sealed He will be cast into the Lake of Fire, thus isolated from God and all those with God, forever! NKJ Revelation 20:10 The devil, who deceived them, was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone where the beast and the false prophet are. And they will be tormented day and night forever and ever. NKJ 1 Corinthians 15:55 "O Death, where is your sting? O Hades, where is your victory?" 56 The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

39. Chapter 7: The Giving of the Law (cont.) NKJ Ezekiel 28:15 You [Lucifer who became Satan] were perfect in your ways from the day you were created, Till iniquity was found in you. 16 "By the abundance of your trading You became filled with violence within, And you sinned; Therefore I cast you as a profane thing Out of the mountain of God; And I destroyed you, O covering cherub, From the midst of the fiery stones. 17 "Your heart was lifted up because of your beauty; You corrupted your wisdom for the sake of your splendor; I cast you to the ground, I laid you before kings, That they might gaze at you. 18 "You defiled your sanctuaries By the multitude of your iniquities, By the iniquity of your trading; Therefore I brought fire from your midst [greed]; It devoured you, And I turned you to ashes upon the earth In the sight of all who saw you. 19 All who knew you among the peoples are astonished at you; You have become a horror, And shall be no more forever." ' " (words in “[]” added by author) Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

40. Chapter 7: The Giving of the Law (cont.) NKJ 1 Corinthians 15:3 For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures, NKJ Romans 1:3 concerning His Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who was born of the seed of David according to the flesh, 4 and declared to be the Son of God with power according to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead. NKJ Romans 4:24b It [righteousness] shall be imputed to us who believe in Him who raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead, 25 who was delivered up because of our offenses, and was raised because of our justification. (words in “[]” added by author) NKJ Romans 10:9 that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

41. Chapter 7: The Giving of the Law (cont.) Then followed a promise from the Lord to send an Angel before them unto the promised land In case if His Presence went with them they should be consumed on the way when they rebelled Because God destroys evil as light blots out darkness Sin was the motion of the evil spirit in opposition to the Word of God God is present in His Word and reveals Himself in it The whole power of evil is to shut God out from the heart by deceit and lies that the self pleasing heart loves Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

42. Chapter 7: The Giving of the Law (cont.) The devil can only oppose God in this world through the hearts of those who were created in His image God “COVERS” and “Protects” the repentant in His MERCY But the rebellious cut themselves off from the MERCY and the covering Consequently, they are the immediate target and prey of the destructive spirits that seek to obliterate the goodness of God with evil Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

43. Chapter 7: The Giving of the Law (cont.) NKJ 1 Peter 5:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. NKJ Mark 4:15 "And these are the ones by the wayside where the word is sown. When they hear, Satan comes immediately and takes away the word that was sown in their hearts. They did not guard the word of God by constantly giving attention to it; therefore, Satan stole it from them NKJ 2 Corinthians 4:4 whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them. Without the Word of God we are blind Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

44. Chapter 7: The Giving of the Law (cont.) NKJ Exodus 33:15 Then he said to Him, "If Your Presence does not go with us, do not bring us up from here. 16 "For how then will it be known that Your people and I have found grace in Your sight, except You go with us? So we shall be separate, Your people and I, from all the people who are upon the face of the earth." Moses, as God intended him to do, pled with God that His Presence should go with them, or else not take them to the Land Note that the motive of this prayer request was concern for what God would get out of the answer and not Moses - this is the secret to answered prayer (i.e., seeking only what God gets out of it) Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

45. Chapter 7: The Giving of the Law (cont.) NKJ James 4:2 You lust and do not have. You murder and covet and cannot obtain. You fight and war. Yet you do not have because you do not ask. 3 You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures. Two questions to diagnose our motives in prayer: What does God get out of the prayer request? What does God want to get out of the prayer request? NKJ John 17:1 Jesus spoke these words, lifted up His eyes to heaven, and said: "Father, the hour has come. Glorify Your Son, that Your Son also may glorify You, Note Jesus’ motive in prayer was always to bring Glory and Honor to His/our Heavenly Father You can not improve on Jesus - our Perfection! Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

46. Chapter 7: The Giving of the Law (cont.) NKJ Exodus 33: 17 So the LORD said to Moses, "I will also do this thing that you have spoken; for you have found grace in My sight, and I know you by name.” God answered “Yes” to the prayer request with a motive concerned about God’s reputation NKJ Matthew 7:7 " Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. We need to take in the whole counsel of God (the Bible) to realize that it is not talking about just asking for anything in prayer and getting it We must abide in God, as Moses did on the mountain, so that we learn to ask for the things that are in line with God’s will and plan NKJ John 15:7 "If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

47. Chapter 7: The Giving of the Law (cont.) NKJ Psalm 37:4 Delight yourself also in the LORD, And He shall give you the desires of your heart. By spending quantity time with the Lord we will have the quality of relationship where our selfish desires are replaced with His merciful desires This is what happened to Moses starting with the “Burning Bush” experience God fulfills these desires when we ask in prayer NKJ 2 Corinthians 1:20 For all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us. NKJ 1 John 5:14 Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. 15 And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him. Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

48. Chapter 7: The Giving of the Law (cont.) NKJ 1 John 3:21 Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence toward God. 22 And whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do those things that are pleasing in His sight. Only a heart full of MERCY is not condemned Only by spending quality time with the Great Mercy-er will we have a heart full of MERCY We will only “keep His commandments and do those things pleasing in His sight” as God floods us with MERCY while we are spending quality time Him Becoming a MERCY-ER is the key to the victorious Christian life! Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

49. Chapter 7: The Giving of the Law (cont.) NKJ Exodus 33:18 And he said, "Please, show me Your glory." 19 Then He said, "I will make all My goodness pass before you, and I will proclaim the name of the LORD before you. I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.” The last part in the Hebrew reads, “I will grace whom I will grace, and I will compassion whom I will compassion.” Moses was not only humble, blindly obedient to the commandments of the Law, but he was also PARTAKER, in utter lowliness, of the MERCY that God associates with his “NAME” Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

50. Chapter 7: The Giving of the Law (cont.) Exodus chapters 32, 33, and 34 depict a mighty conflict against the truth of God For if it was not wanted, and His Presence was spurned, then the evil spirit would win the day, and the Word of God would be overthrown Everything depended on Moses’ FAITH and lowliness Yet Moses himself was sustained by the Presence of the Lord and by the very truth that was in contest For Moses had found the Lord to be faithful and good, and full of mercy and compassion and gracious Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

51. Chapter 7: The Giving of the Law (cont.) In this terrific pressure, humility alone - as some people think of it - was not sufficient to make him able to STAND AGAINST THE ADVERSARY He had to PARTAKE of the peculiar “Something” which constitutes the WILL of God, in order to be able to stand Everything depended upon whether he KNEW GOD well enough to be able to bear the intercession for sin Moses STOOD in faith He was not repelled from God but drawn more closely to Him in his intercessions by which the evil spirit was overthrown Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

52. Chapter 7: The Giving of the Law (cont.) NKJ Exodus 33:20 But He said, "You cannot see My face; for no man shall see Me, and live.” 21 And the LORD said, "Here is a place by Me, and you shall stand on the rock. 22 "So it shall be, while My glory passes by, that I will put you in the cleft of the rock, and will cover you with My hand while I pass by. 23 "Then I will take away My hand, and you shall see My back; but My face shall not be seen.” Moses in all, and above all, wanted God - to know Him, and love Him, and please Him So God made Moses His Intercessor, to stand between the people and the evil spirit that was bent upon their destruction The Intercessor was set to deliver them, for that was like God Himself, and it was the working of His Spirit Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

53. Chapter 7: The Giving of the Law (cont.) NKJ Exodus 34:5 Now the LORD descended in the cloud and stood with him there, and proclaimed the name of the LORD. 6 And the LORD passed before him and proclaimed, "The LORD, the LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abounding in goodness and truth, 7 "keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, by no means clearing the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children and the children's children to the third and the fourth generation." 8 So Moses made haste and bowed his head toward the earth, and worshiped. 9 Then he said, "If now I have found grace in Your sight, O Lord, let my Lord, I pray, go among us, even though we are a stiff-necked people; and pardon our iniquity and our sin, and take us as Your inheritance." Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

54. Chapter 7: The Giving of the Law (cont.) And Moses’ request for God, instead of an angel, to go with them was granted, because he believed what-God-said-about-Himself He believed what God IS It is important to notice here, that the words which God used, in proclaiming His NAME to Moses, make up a grouping that describe what He IS In this group that describes what-He-is we find the very center, and heart of the revelation of God to mankind In fact, these words can be said to makeup the Name of the Lord Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

55. Chapter 7: The Giving of the Law (cont.) They made up the flesh and blood life of Jesus Christ when He came, centuries later, to make cleansing for sin and reveal on earth God’s salvation The Lord God IS: merciful, gracious, longsuffering, abundant in goodness (hhesed), keeping mercy for thousand, forgiving iniquity, and transgression, and sin These things are repeated in order to emphasize, as the Bible does, that is what He IS Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

56. Chapter 7: The Giving of the Law (cont.) Therefore, the institution of the Old Covenant Law began in this revelation of God In it, and through it, the great-identifying-distinction of the Lord was MERCY - mercy and truth Truth has to do with the faithfulness of His Word - that He keeps His word His Word has to do with the truth of what He is And the testimony of His Own Word is that He is MERCY Man’s arguments are meaningless apart from God’s own revelation of what He IS Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

57. Chapter 7: The Giving of the Law (cont.) We have shown the revelation of what the LOVE of the God-of-love IS The “love” of the God-who-is-love has to be understood by what the BIBLE teaches about Him, and about it This grouping of divine words is the very fabric of THE WHOLE BIBLE Without them there would be no unity in the Bible With them, the scriptures stand impregnable against all the forces of evil and of the lying spirit that corrupts the world Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

58. Chapter 7: The Giving of the Law (cont.) Taking “LOVE” as the all-inclusive term: GRACE is The FACE of love COMPASSION is the MOVING of Love to seek and to suffer, and to do good MERCY is the ACTION, the deed of Love, or, Love-in-action These three make a One, called Good, as opposed to that which is called evil The Love-of-God has to be known as the good love, or, the love of good For the power of sin and death lies in the opposite to divine love: the love of evil, or, evil love The love of evil is coveting-love Coveting love is lust Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

59. Chapter 7: The Giving of the Law (cont.) We are studying what the BIBLE teaches about mercy We have seen something of what is taught in the Psalms; and are now considering what is taught in the Law - called the Law of Moses “The Law” includes the first five books of the Bible We are gaining an insight into the Mind of The Spirit The Mind of the Spirit is life and peace Perfect peace and the REST of God are obtained only in this mind, also called “the Mind of Christ” The peculiarity of that mind is an utter lowliness Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

60. Chapter 7: The Giving of the Law (cont.) NKJ Philippians 2:1 Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, 2 fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. 3 Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. 4 Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others. 5 Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, 7 but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

61. Chapter 7: The Giving of the Law (cont.) What the Bible teaches about MERCY has a very large part in the structure of that Lowly Mind of peace and rest Are you willing for your ideas to be formed from GOD’s WORD? Do you want a mind like HIS? Do you desire to understand the knowledge of His Will? Here you should find how to answer all of those questions so that a million years from now you can thank Him for what happened in you life on Earth by an understanding of His MERCY! Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

62. Prayer Blessed Father, we thank You. It is beyond our reach and beyond our vision to know such things as these. But in Your never changing faith and truth You have made us near by the blood of Christ and given us access by the Holy Spirit, to Yourself. Though You are hidden from view in Your Love, You have, nevertheless, revealed what Your love IS. We come to You under that precious blood; and ask You to guide us to enter and abide as You have commanded us to do. And we ask You to guide us into the knowledge which You have so freely offered. We would know You. For the glory of the King of glory and of Israel. Amen Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985 Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

63. Chapter 8: The Mercy Seat - Throne of the Word The “Law” in the Hebrew classification comprises the first five Books of the Old Covenant called the Torah (the Hebrew word for “Law” is “Torah”) “Torah” is from a root that means to teach; therefore, it means teaching instruction or doctrine Being the the teaching, or instruction, of GOD it is called “Law” in the English The authority of the “Torah” arises from the one whose teaching it is - GOD Because it is the teaching from God concerning how the Israelites were to live in those days, Torah is “the law” in the highest sense of the word Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

64. Chapter 8: The Mercy Seat - Throne of the Word Yet it was not altogether a negative teaching on what men should NOT do, with various penalties attached for disobedience In those five books that are included in the Torah there is very much about the LORD Himself, and includes the history of the world, and of the Abrahamic race, and the covenants of God with the people of the world and of that race There is no other “Law” like it in the world’s history In this ancient Torah the Person of the LORD God is in every detail of it: His Presence, His Word, His People, His Tabernacle, His Purposes, His Love, His Anger, His Promises, His Glory Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

65. Chapter 8: The Mercy Seat - Throne of the Word His Power - everything, in fact, HE is the Source He is the Center He is the End The very language is HIS language The meaning of the words in the Hebrew language take on a color, significance, illumination, depth, foreverness, beauty, intimacy, unity with the heavens - a long list The Heavens and the Earth are His The Land - of Israel - is His The sea is His; everything in them all is His The past, present, and future are HIS Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

66. Chapter 8: The Mercy Seat - Throne of the Word A book could be written on the subject of the uniqueness of the ancient Hebrew language In that unique language there is one term which, perhaps, stands out from, or beyond, or above, everything else It stands out so because it names a “Something” that enters into every life as the very support of life That term is “HHESED” translated “MERCY” But the word means vastly more than the average person thinks of when they hear or use the word “MERCY” The word denotes lovingkindness - a passion of love to do good to some one Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

67. Chapter 8: The Mercy Seat - Throne of the Word Hhesed, lovingkindness, is to mankind what the light and warmth of the sun’s rays are to the earth and its creatures Take away the sun’s RAYS, and everything would fade away in death Take HHESED-MERCY-LOVINGKINDNESS out of the world and the same thing would happen to human life - both physically and spiritually Hhesed-mercy is to the Creation and to creatures what the blood is to the body or oil to an engine And much more because MERCY is like the rain, and the warmth, and the light, and all provisions for all needs Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

68. Chapter 8: The Mercy Seat - Throne of the Word Neither the Old Covenant nor the New Covenant would be anything or have any meaning apart from that MERCY In fact human life would have no meaning without it And that is what is the matter with human beings: they do not “KNOW” We begin our examination of Mercy-in-the-law in the middle of Exodus which is the second book of the five in the “Torah” The reason for this is in order to come to the GIVING of the Law, directly at the Source Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

69. Chapter 8: The Mercy Seat - Throne of the Word There is too much about the subject in the Torah for us to take more than a few studies of it Consequently, this study will take a sequence in the understanding of the word, and words, used that name this Personality-of-GOD It will greatly assist your study to read Exodus Chapters 24 - 27 A person could read a whole book on gold digging and gold washing, with many interesting and exciting things connected with the finding of gold However, no gold would result from the pages unless the reader DID something about going and digging or washing for the gold Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

70. Chapter 8: The Mercy Seat - Throne of the Word The commandment of the Lord to Moses was to take an offering from all whose hearts willingly offered, and construct a Tabernacle (a Tent-of-meeting) NKJ Exodus 35:4 And Moses spoke to all the congregation of the children of Israel, saying, "This is the thing which the LORD commanded, saying: 5a 'Take from among you an offering to the LORD. Whoever is of a willing heart, let him bring it as an offering to the LORD... 20 And all the congregation of the children of Israel departed from the presence of Moses. 21 Then everyone came whose heart was stirred, and everyone whose spirit was willing, and they brought the LORD's offering for the work of the tabernacle of meeting, for all its service, and for the holy garments. Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

71. Chapter 8: The Mercy Seat - Throne of the Word The Israelites gave so much for the building of the Tent-of-Meeting that Moses had to tell them to stop bringing offerings for it Imagine people stirred to give to the point of giving to excess! MERCY! NKJ Exodus 36:4 Then all the craftsmen who were doing all the work of the sanctuary came, each from the work he was doing, 5 and they spoke to Moses, saying, "The people bring much more than enough for the service of the work which the LORD commanded us to do." 6 So Moses gave a commandment, and they caused it to be proclaimed throughout the camp, saying, "Let neither man nor woman do any more work for the offering of the sanctuary." And the people were restrained from bringing, Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

72. Chapter 8: The Mercy Seat - Throne of the Word It was to be the LORD’s Tent in the midst of the great encampment of the tents of Israel The specifications were exact concerning every detail of that Tent, the various instruments of service, and the surrounding wall of boards Everything was planned to make it possible to take it down and re-erect it with speed Israel was on the move toward the Promised Land Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

73. Chapter 8: The Mercy Seat - Throne of the Word The presence of the LORD was visibly with them in a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night The tabernacle, or tent, was to be peculiarly the place where the Fire rested All this was GOD’S plan, fitted to the revelation He was giving of Himself The Tabernacle that Moses constructed contains many prophetic pictures of Jesus including how we are to approach and relate to God Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

74. Chapter 8: The Mercy Seat - Throne of the Word NKJ Hebrews 8:1 Now this is the main point of the things we are saying: We have such a High Priest, who is seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens, 2 a Minister of the sanctuary and of the true tabernacle which the Lord erected, and not man. 3 For every high priest is appointed to offer both gifts and sacrifices. Therefore it is necessary that this One also have something to offer. 4 For if He were on earth, He would not be a priest, since there are priests who offer the gifts according to the law; 5 who serve the copy and shadow of the heavenly things, as Moses was divinely instructed when he was about to make the tabernacle. For He said, "See that you make all things according to the pattern shown you on the mountain." (cf. Exodus 25:40) Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

75. Chapter 8: The Mercy Seat - Throne of the Word The tabernacle was to prophetically point the way to Jesus; therefore, no error was allowed in its construction That is why God warned Moses to build the Tabernacle exactly as it was shown to him on Mount Sinai (Exodus 24:15-18) To accomplish this perfection the Holy Spirit would come upon men to build the tabernacle and its furnishings with the result that it was constructed without error These anointed craftsmen were also given the ability to teach others what they were taught by the Holy Spirit. Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

76. Chapter 8: The Mercy Seat - Throne of the Word NKJ Exodus 31:1 Then the LORD spoke to Moses, saying: 2 "See, I have called by name Bezalel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah. 3 "And I have filled him with the Spirit of God, in wisdom, in understanding, in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship, 4 "to design artistic works, to work in gold, in silver, in bronze, 5 "in cutting jewels for setting, in carving wood, and to work in all manner of workmanship. 6 "And I, indeed I, have appointed with him Aholiab the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan; and I have put wisdom in the hearts of all who are gifted artisans, that they may make all that I have commanded you: 7 "the tabernacle of meeting, the ark of the Testimony and the mercy seat that is on it, and all the furniture of the tabernacle -- 8 "the table and its utensils, the pure gold lampstand with all its utensils, the altar of incense, 9 "the altar of burnt offering with all its utensils, and the laver and its base -- 10 "the garments of ministry, the holy garments for Aaron the priest and the garments of his sons, to minister as priests, 11 "and the anointing oil and sweet incense for the holy place. According to all that I have commanded you they shall do." (cf. Exodus 35:30-35) Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

77. Chapter 8: The Mercy Seat - Throne of the Word Jesus gave witness that even the law pointed to His coming. NKJ Matthew 11:13 "For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John. (See Luke 24:25-27) Furthermore, the building of the tabernacle reveals the ultimate desire of God our Father: NKJ Exodus 25:8 "And let them make Me a sanctuary, that I may dwell among them. Imagine the joy of God when He became flesh and dwelt amongst His people, Immanuel – God with us! God for us (The Father), God with us (Jesus), God in us (the Holy Spirit)! Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

78. Chapter 8: The Mercy Seat - Throne of the Word The tabernacle was constructed by the Israelites at the foot of Mount Sinai in 1445 BC just eleven months after the Exodus from Egypt It was central to Israel’s worship and sacrificial system for 485 years After the conquest of Canaan it was set up at Shiloh (Joshua 18:1) and remained there until about 1050 BC The Tent-of-meeting (the tabernacle) consisted of two parts: The Holy Place and the Most Holy Place It was surrounded by an outer court yard - the third part Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

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80. Chapter 8: The Mercy Seat - Throne of the Word The first area we will begin with is the outer court It was formed by a 7.5 foot tall fence enclosing an area 75 feet wide by 150 feet long This is about the same size as an average house lot today In the center of this court was located the tent which containing the Holy Place and the Holy of Holies The outer court being open to the sky received the natural illumination of the Sun and Moon Here we learn our first truth - the tabernacle shows us that we are separated from a holy God; however, there is a way into His presence Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

81. Chapter 8: The Mercy Seat - Throne of the Word Just as there is only one way into the tabernacle, even so Jesus Christ is the only way to God our Father The Jews referred to the entrance of the outer court as "the Way, the entrance to the Holy Place as "the Truth" and the entrance to the Holy of Holies as the "the Life" NKJ John 14:6 Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. NKJ 1 John 2:23 Whoever denies the Son does not have the Father either; he who acknowledges the Son has the Father also. NKJ John 10:9 "I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

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83. Chapter 8: The Mercy Seat - Throne of the Word Note that the entrance is from the East which is where the Sun rises – the Sun of Righteousness or the Daystar (our Sun is a star that shines in the day) NKJ Malachi 4:2 But to you who fear My name The Sun of Righteousness shall arise With healing in His wings; And you shall go out And grow fat like stall-fed calves. NKJ 2 Peter 1:19 And so we have the prophetic word confirmed, which you do well to heed as a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts; Even though it may seem that your life is in spiritual darkness - remember to look to the East - as the “Son” will rise again! Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

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85. Chapter 8: The Mercy Seat - Throne of the Word In order to reach the Holy Place (the first room in the tent) you must pass through the BRAZEN ALTAR (Exodus 27:1-8) It is centrally located in the outer court standing 4.5 feet high and 7.5 feet square made of acacia wood covered in bronze Each corner of the square altar has a horn that was used as a place to tie down the sacrifice The grate (covering) for the altar was made latter from the censors used in the rebellion of Korah (Numbers 16:38,39) It was here that lambs were sacrificed to atone for the sins of the people When a person sinned, they were to bring a lamb to the priest who would kill it as a sacrifice for their sin(s) Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

86. Chapter 8: The Mercy Seat - Throne of the Word The Brazen Altar represents the cross of our Lord Jesus NKJ John 1:29 The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, "Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! It was at 3:00 PM that Jesus died on the cross which is the same time that the priest in the temple offered up the lamb on the Day of Atonement The lamb’s blood was then sprinkled by the High Priest on the Mercy Seat with the entrails of the lamb being burned Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

87. Chapter 8: The Mercy Seat - Throne of the Word NKJ Hebrews 13:10 We have an altar from which those who serve the tabernacle have no right to eat. 11 For the bodies of those animals, whose blood is brought into the sanctuary by the high priest for sin, are burned outside the camp. 12 Therefore Jesus also, that He might sanctify the people with His own blood, suffered outside the gate. 13 Therefore let us go forth to Him, outside the camp, bearing His reproach. 14 For here we have no continuing city, but we seek the one to come. The altar in the passage above is referring to the cross of our Lord Jesus which was physically located outside the Gates of Jerusalem However, this altar does not just represent the one time sacrifice of Jesus Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

88. Chapter 8: The Mercy Seat - Throne of the Word It also represents that the way into God’s presence is to daily die to self NKJ Luke 9:23 Then He said to them all, "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me. NKJ Romans 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. We are to be living sacrifices (i.e., alive to God but dead to sin) NKJ Romans 6:11 Likewise you also, reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

89. Chapter 8: The Mercy Seat - Throne of the Word The entrails of the lamb were burned and God said that this was a sweet smelling offering This consuming of our flesh produces a stench that God calls pleasant Realize the only thing sweet smelling about burning flesh is the purification of our souls NKJ Galatians 2:20 "I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. The death of self takes place during the fiery trials of life – only if we submit to God NKJ 1 Peter 4:12 Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

90. Chapter 8: The Mercy Seat - Throne of the Word The pain we feel during trials comes from the release of our own weaknesses No more self will – no more pain NLT Isaiah 48:10 I have refined you but not in the way silver is refined. Rather, I have refined you in the furnace of suffering. Furthermore, the death of self will leads to the resurrection of Christ’s will in our lives! NKJ Philippians 3:10 that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, 11 if, by any means, I may attain to the resurrection from the dead. Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

91. Chapter 8: The Mercy Seat - Throne of the Word NKJ Luke 9:24 "For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it. Note that even desiring to save your life will cause you to lose it Furthermore, only desiring to lose your life will not save it You must truly lose your life in Christ in order for it to save your life This can not be done in our ability but only as we submit to God’s plan for our lives It is a slow and often painful process that is priceless in its result Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

92. Chapter 8: The Mercy Seat - Throne of the Word NKJ Hebrews 13:15 Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name. 16 But do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased. Today we go to our alter - the cross of Jesus - to offer our sacrifices: Praise (i.e., giving thanks to His name) especially when we do not feel like it Doing good and sharing with all of God’s children NKJ James 1:27 Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world. Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

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95. Chapter 8: The Mercy Seat - Throne of the Word The Laver was a circular bowl made from the mirrors of the women who served at the entrance to the Tent of the Holy Place (Exodus 38:8) It was located before the entrance to the Tent of the Holy Place so that the priests could wash themselves after sacrificing the lambs This shows that even after offering our body as a living sacrifice we must be cleansed continually from sin by the Word of God NKJ Ephesians 5:25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, 26 that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, 27 that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish. Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

96. Chapter 8: The Mercy Seat - Throne of the Word Jesus prayed that we would be sanctified by the Word NKJ John 17:17 "Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth. The Word of God is also referred to as a mirror in the Bible NKJ James 1:23 For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; 24 for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was. 25 But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does. Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

97. Chapter 8: The Mercy Seat - Throne of the Word If we look into intently into the Word of God it will expose the sin and defects in our lives However, we must take action upon what is revealed or it will not do any good It is not enough to just confess our sins We have not repented until we have confessed and forsaken our sins NKJ Proverbs 28:13 He who covers his sins will not prosper, But whoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy. As believers we are freed from the guilt of sin NKJ Romans 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

98. Chapter 8: The Mercy Seat - Throne of the Word However, there is still a need for daily cleansing from sin As a priest unto God we have our bronze laver - the Word of God revealed by the Holy Spirit - available for our cleansing, our sanctification NKJ Revelation 1:6 and has made us kings and priests to His God and Father, to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. Furthermore, this cleansing is only found in the Word – Jesus our Savior, Lord, and King! NKJ John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth. Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

99. Chapter 8: The Mercy Seat - Throne of the Word NKJ 2 Peter 1:4 by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. The Promises of God in His Word cause us to have victory over lust and thus escape from the corruption that is in the world due to sin NKJ Revelation 12:11 "And they overcame him [Satan] by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death. (word in “[]” added by author) Satan is overcome by the blood bought Word of God in the hearts and mouths of Christ conformed believers Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

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102. Chapter 8: The Mercy Seat - Throne of the Word Within the Outer Court there was a tent called THE TABERNACLE that was 45 feet long, 15 feet wide, and 15 feet high Four curtains serve as the roof and walls of the tabernacle: The innermost curtain is made of fine linen (represents Jesus has become our righteousness) This is covered by a curtain of black goat’s hair (Jesus became our sin - our scapegoat) Then a curtain of ram’s skin that has been dyed red (Jesus shed His blood for our Sin - our substitute) The outermost curtain is made from the skin of a marine animal (Dolphin?) and serves to protect the tabernacle from the harsh desert climate (Jesus our provision for all needs including protection) Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

103. Chapter 8: The Mercy Seat - Throne of the Word These curtains prevented any natural light from entering the Holy Place Furthermore, only the priests were allowed to enter the Holy Place Remember, all Christians are priests unto God serving under the Great High Priest, our Lord Jesus Christ NKJ Hebrews 2:17 Therefore, in all things He had to be made like His brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

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105. Chapter 8: The Mercy Seat - Throne of the Word NKJ Hebrews 9:1 Then indeed, even the first covenant had ordinances of divine service and the earthly sanctuary. 2 For a tabernacle was prepared: the first part, in which was the lampstand, the table, and the showbread, which is called the sanctuary; The HOLY PLACE is a long room that is 30 feet by 15 feet It contains three pieces of furniture that are attended to by the priests daily: the Table of Shewbread the Golden Lampstand the Altar of Incense Here we will discover what we priests are to be doing daily Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

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107. Chapter 8: The Mercy Seat - Throne of the Word Entering the Holy Place we see the TABLE OF SHEWBREAD to our right along the North side of the Tabernacle (Exodus 25:23-30) The table is made of acacia wood and is overlaid with pure gold It has rings on each corner for inserting the gold covered acacia wood poles that are used to carry it There are plates, bowls, pitchers, and cups all made of pure gold Twelve small cakes (like tortillas) of unleavened bread were placed on it in two rows of six each (Leviticus 24:5-9) Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

108. Chapter 8: The Mercy Seat - Throne of the Word There is one cake for each of the twelve tribes of Israel The cakes remained on the table for seven days and then are eaten by Aaron and his sons at the table Furthermore, the bread had to be eaten together with the other priests at the Table of Shewbread The solid gold plates were used for the cakes of bread The solid gold bowls contained the frankincense that was sprinkled on the bread The solid gold pitcher and cups contain wine Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

109. Chapter 8: The Mercy Seat - Throne of the Word Shewbread literally means the bread that will cause God to “show up” The frankincense represents our prayers to God (see Revelation 5:8) Therefore, the Table of Shewbread contains the following message for us today: when we priests (remember all believers are priests) come together in unity and prayer to partake of Jesus then God will “show up” or manifest Himself in our midst NKJ Matthew 18:19 "Again I say to you that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven. 20 "For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them." Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

110. Chapter 8: The Mercy Seat - Throne of the Word Furthermore, this table not only represents our union with Christ but our unity with others The cakes are in a row six wide and adjacent to one another In the Bible, six is man’s number so this represents man in harmony with man via Jesus the God - Man, the “Bread of Life” NKJ John 6:35 And Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst. NKJ John 6:33 "For the bread of God is He who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” We are to draw our sustenance by entering into Covenant with Jesus symbolized by the eating of bread in the Lord’s Supper Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

111. Chapter 8: The Mercy Seat - Throne of the Word Jesus is our “One Bread” or rather the one that joins all believers together into one body NAS 1 Corinthians 10:17 Since there is one bread, we who are many are one body; for we all partake of the one bread. NKJ Romans 12:5 so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another. NKJ 1 Corinthians 12:12 For as the body is one and has many members, but all the members of that one body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ. Furthermore, Jesus’ body was broken by the beatings and the cross so that our physical bodies could be made “unbroken” (i.e., whole) NKJ 1 Peter 2:24 who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness -- by whose stripes you were healed. Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

112. Chapter 8: The Mercy Seat - Throne of the Word NKJ 1 Corinthians 11:24 and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, "Take, eat; this is My body which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” Failure to understand and appropriate the significance of Jesus’ body being broken, so that we can be made whole corporately and individually, can lead to sickness and even physical death NKJ 1 Corinthians 11:29 For he who eats and drinks in an unworthy manner eats and drinks judgment to himself, not discerning the Lord's body. 30 For this reason many are weak and sick among you, and many sleep. For example, partaking of the Lord’s supper while failing to forgive someone that has sinned against us (see Matthew 18:19-35; 5:23,24) Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

113. Chapter 8: The Mercy Seat - Throne of the Word Whenever we come together in unified prayer then God’s oil, the Holy Spirit, will flow down from the Head of the church (Jesus) to the body (the church on Earth) (see Acts 4:24-31) NKJ Psalm 133:1 A Song of Ascents. Of David. Behold, how good and how pleasant it is For brethren to dwell together in unity! 2 It is like the precious oil upon the head, Running down on the beard, The beard of Aaron, Running down on the edge of his garments. NKJ Matthew 18:19 "Again I say to you that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven. 20 "For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them." Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

114. Chapter 8: The Mercy Seat - Throne of the Word NKJ Acts 4:24 So when they [i.e., the church at Jerusalem] heard that, they raised their voice to God with one accord and said: "Lord, You are God, who made heaven and earth and the sea, and all that is in them, 25 "who by the mouth of Your servant David have said: 'Why did the nations rage, And the people plot vain things? 26 The kings of the earth took their stand, And the rulers were gathered together Against the LORD and against His Christ.' 27 "For truly against Your holy Servant Jesus, whom You anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the people of Israel, were gathered together 28 "to do whatever Your hand and Your purpose determined before to be done. 29 "Now, Lord, look on their threats, and grant to Your servants that with all boldness they may speak Your word, 30 "by stretching out Your hand to heal, and that signs and wonders may be done through the name of Your holy Servant Jesus." 31 And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness. Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

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116. Chapter 8: The Mercy Seat - Throne of the Word On our left, across from the Table of Shewbread, along the South side of the tabernacle stands a GOLDEN CANDLESTICK (lampstand) made of one piece of pure gold (Exodus 25:31-40) It consists of an upright shaft with three branches extending from each side with a lamp atop each branch for a total of seven lamps The central shaft and branches are decorated with golden almonds and flowers The seven lamps provide the only light in the Holy Place and burn continuously with pure olive oil supplied by the priests (Exodus 27:20) Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

117. Chapter 8: The Mercy Seat - Throne of the Word The oil represents the Holy Spirit (compare Luke 4:18 with Hebrews 1:9) The almonds represent God watching over His word to perform it (Jeremiah 1:11,12) The pure gold represents the holiness of God Therefore, the message for us today is that we must have the illumination of the Holy Spirit in order to approach God in deeper intimacy (that is to enter the Holy of Holies – the most Holy Place) What the Holy Spirit illuminates us with is the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ! WLT 2 Corinthians 4:6 Because the God who said, Out of darkness light shall shine, shined in our hearts, resulting in an illumination being given of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ. Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

118. Chapter 8: The Mercy Seat - Throne of the Word Jesus is the true LIGHT! NKJ John 8:12 Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, "I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.” NKJ John 12:46 "I have come as a light into the world, that whoever believes in Me should not abide in darkness. NKJ John 1:4 In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. NKJ John 1:9 That was the true Light which gives light to every man coming into the world. NKJ 1 Timothy 6:15b He who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings and Lord of lords, 16 who alone has immortality, dwelling in unapproachable light, whom no man has seen or can see, to whom be honor and everlasting power. Amen. Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

119. Chapter 8: The Mercy Seat - Throne of the Word NKJ Revelation 1:10 I was in the Spirit on the Lord's Day, and I heard behind me a loud voice, as of a trumpet, 11 saying, "I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last," and, "What you see, write in a book and send it to the seven churches which are in Asia: to Ephesus, to Smyrna, to Pergamos, to Thyatira, to Sardis, to Philadelphia, and to Laodicea." 12 Then I turned to see the voice that spoke with me. And having turned I saw seven golden lampstands, 13 and in the midst of the seven lampstands One like the Son of Man, clothed with a garment down to the feet and girded about the chest with a golden band. 14 His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and His eyes like a flame of fire; 15 His feet were like fine brass, as if refined in a furnace, and His voice as the sound of many waters; 16 He had in His right hand seven stars, out of His mouth went a sharp two-edged sword, and His countenance was like the sun shining in its strength. Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

120. Chapter 8: The Mercy Seat - Throne of the Word In the Outer Court the natural illumination of the Sun represented man’s natural ability to understand God This is where all Christians begin after having accepted the Lord Jesus by faith alone We entered the Outer Court via the narrow gate called “The Way” (Matthew 7:13,14) Here we are to offer our bodies as a living sacrifice (Romans 12:1) and die to self at the Bronze Altar (Matt 16:24,25) then submit our lives to be washed from sins at the Bronze Laver (John 17:17; 2 Peter 1:4) Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

121. Chapter 8: The Mercy Seat - Throne of the Word Then, and only then, will we gain entrance to the Holy Place via the door called “The Truth” Carnal or cultural Christians are those that remain in the Outer Court, living like natural man, with little discernable difference between them and the world Consequently, they do not believe it is possible to understand the ways of God and live a life devoid of God’s character and power They are full of self: self-pity, selfish, self-seeking, self-interests, self-motivated, etc. Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

122. Chapter 8: The Mercy Seat - Throne of the Word However, Christians that do choose a selfless life will be ushered into the Holy Place Here begins the process of being transformed into Christ-likeness by the renewing our minds NKJ Romans 12:2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. We are given the mind of Christ! Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

123. Chapter 8: The Mercy Seat - Throne of the Word 1 Corinthians 2:9 But as it is written: "Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man The things which God has prepared for those who love Him." 10 But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God. 11 For what man knows the things of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so no one knows the things of God except the Spirit of God. 12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God. 13 These things we also speak, not in words which man's wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual. 14 But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. 15 But he who is spiritual judges all things, yet he himself is rightly judged by no one. 16 For "who has known the mind of the LORD that he may instruct Him?" But we have the mind of Christ. Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

124. www.templebuilders.comwww.templebuilders.com

125. Chapter 8: The Mercy Seat - Throne of the Word Located directly in front of the veil that leads to the Holy of Holies, at the West end of the Holy Place, stands the GOLDEN ALTAR OF INCENSE (Exodus 30:1-10) It is also made of acacia wood and overlaid with pure gold Furthermore, it is smaller than the Bronze Altar in the Outer Court, measuring about one and one-half feet square and three feet high It is transported by poles inserted into four gold rings attached to each corner of the altar Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

126. Chapter 8: The Mercy Seat - Throne of the Word The altar is used to burn incense in the morning and evening so that the fragrance was continually rising up to God When the morning batch of incense was exhausted, the evening batch was lit The incense represents prayer to God: NKJ Revelation 5:8 Now when He had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each having a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

127. Chapter 8: The Mercy Seat - Throne of the Word The continual burning of incense depicts praying without ceasing: NKJ 1 Thessalonians 5:17 pray without ceasing, The Altar of Incense is the closest piece of furniture to the entrance of the Holy of Holies It is nearest to the heart of God As we wait before God, talk with God, long for God, we are drawing near to His presence This ministry of intercession is the last ministry prior to going beyond the veil into the presence of God Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

128. Chapter 8: The Mercy Seat - Throne of the Word The Alter of Incense also represents the ministry of Jesus as our Great High Priest always offering intercession for us His Saints NKJ 1 John 2:1 My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. NKJ Hebrews 7:25 Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them. NKJ Hebrews 4:14 Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. 15 For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

129. Chapter 8: The Mercy Seat - Throne of the Word Interestingly, the New Testament places the location of this altar behind the veil: NKJ Hebrews 9:3 and behind the second veil, the part of the tabernacle which is called the Holiest of All, 4a which had the golden censer Remember, in the Old Testament the altar is in the Holy Place in front of the veil and now in the New Testament it is on the other side of the veil This represents the purpose of the Altar of Incense – prayer here propels you into the presence of God via the new and living way - Jesus! Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

130. Chapter 8: The Mercy Seat - Throne of the Word NKJ Mark 15:37 And Jesus cried out with a loud voice, and breathed His last. 38 Then the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. 39 So when the centurion, who stood opposite Him, saw that He cried out like this and breathed His last, he said, "Truly this Man was the Son of God!" , The veil of the temple in Jerusalem was supernaturally torn in two from top to bottom when Jesus died on the cross This was to show us that a new way had been created to access the Heavenly Father by Jesus NKJ Hebrews 10:19 Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, 20 by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh, Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

131. Chapter 8: The Mercy Seat - Throne of the Word The veil in the temple represented that our flesh bodies limited our access to God who is a Spirit and can only be worshipped in spirit and truth NKJ John 4:24 "God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.” Jesus paid for our sin on the cross to enable establishing a New Covenant with God the Father for us This New Covenant gives Christians a new spirit that is alive unto God the Father allowing us to appear before Him in prayer NKJ Hebrews 6:19 This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which enters the Presence behind the veil, Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

132. Chapter 8: The Mercy Seat - Throne of the Word It is the maturing Christian, that has learned to yield to the Holy Spirit in prayer, who will pass through the veil into God’s presence NKJ Romans 8:26 Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. 27 Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God. Remember God has promised: NKJ James 4:8 Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

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134. Chapter 8: The Mercy Seat - Throne of the Word The Most Holy (i.e., the Holy of Holies) was separated from the Holy Place by a veil, a large curtain, of blue and scarlet and fine twined linen of cunning work with cherubims (angels) The veil was to be hung on four pillars of acacia wood overlaid with gold Their hooks of gold and their sockets of silver The ark of the testimony was to be brought within the veil, and the veil was to divide between the Holy Place and the Most Holy The Mercy Seat, or Throne, was to be put upon the Ark of the Testimony within the veil, in the Most Holy Place (i.e., it was the lid of the ark) Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

135. www.templebuilders.comwww.templebuilders.com

136. Chapter 8: The Mercy Seat - Throne of the Word NKJ Exodus 25:10 " And they shall make an ark of acacia wood; two and a half cubits shall be its length, a cubit and a half its width, and a cubit and a half its height. 11 "And you shall overlay it with pure gold, inside and out you shall overlay it, and shall make on it a molding of gold all around. 12 "You shall cast four rings of gold for it, and put them in its four corners; two rings shall be on one side, and two rings on the other side. 13 "And you shall make poles of acacia wood, and overlay them with gold. 14 "You shall put the poles into the rings on the sides of the ark, that the ark may be carried by them. 15 "The poles shall be in the rings of the ark; they shall not be taken from it. 16 "And you shall put into the ark the Testimony which I will give you. 17 "You shall make a mercy seat of pure gold; two and a half cubits shall be its length and a cubit and a half its width. Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

137. Chapter 8: The Mercy Seat - Throne of the Word NKJ Exodus 25: 18 "And you shall make two cherubim of gold; of hammered work you shall make them at the two ends of the mercy seat. 19 "Make one cherub at one end, and the other cherub at the other end; you shall make the cherubim at the two ends of it of one piece with the mercy seat. 20 "And the cherubim shall stretch out their wings above, covering the mercy seat with their wings, and they shall face one another; the faces of the cherubim shall be toward the mercy seat. 21 "You shall put the mercy seat on top of the ark, and in the ark you shall put the Testimony that I will give you. 22 "And there I will meet with you, and I will speak with you from above the mercy seat, from between the two cherubim which are on the ark of the Testimony, about everything which I will give you in commandment to the children of Israel. Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

138. Chapter 8: The Mercy Seat - Throne of the Word The Ark was a box, or chest, about 45 inches long, 27 inches wide, and 27 inches high (assuming a cubit to be 1.5 feet or 18 inches) It was overlaid with pure gold outside and inside Within the Ark was to be placed “The Testimony which I shall give you,” the Lord told Moses NKJ Exodus 25:21 "You shall put the mercy seat on top of the ark, and in the ark you shall put the Testimony that I will give you. Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

139. Chapter 8: The Mercy Seat - Throne of the Word NKJ Hebrews 9:2 For a tabernacle was prepared: the first part, in which was the lampstand, the table, and the showbread, which is called the sanctuary; 3 and behind the second veil, the part of the tabernacle which is called the Holiest of All, 4 which had the golden censer and the ark of the covenant overlaid on all sides with gold, in which were the golden pot that had the manna, Aaron's rod that budded, and the tablets of the covenant; 5 and above it were the cherubim of glory overshadowing the mercy seat. The New Covenant also tells us that the Ark contained three things: A golden pot containing manna (Exodus 16:32-34) Aaron’s rod that had budded (Numbers 17:1-11) Tablets of the covenant (The Ten Commandments) (Exodus 25:21) Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

140. Chapter 8: The Mercy Seat - Throne of the Word Each of the three things within the Ark represented man’s rebellion against God Manna (Hebrew for “what is it?”) was given after the Israelites questioned God’s faithfulness to provide for them in the Wilderness of Sin Furthermore, after manna was given they rebelled against God’s instructions for gathering and using it (Exodus 16) When Korah and others rebelled against Moses and Aaron (actually against God) the rod of Aaron was caused to bud and produce blossoms and almonds overnight to show that God had picked Aaron and his descendents to be the priests Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

141. Chapter 8: The Mercy Seat - Throne of the Word The Testimony or Ten Commandments have been rebelled against from their very inception While Moses was on the mountain receiving them the Israelites made an idol of gold and worshipped it calling it God’s name - Yahweh! Consequently, the Ark contained evidence of man’s failure to live holy before God Evidence of man rebelling against a loving and perfect God Evidence that God is the Great Provider, Leader, and Giver Evidence that fallen man is hopelessly flawed Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

142. Chapter 8: The Mercy Seat - Throne of the Word For a cover (or lid) over the Ark Moses was to make a “mercy seat” of pure gold, with Cherubims, one at each end facing each other, and all in one piece The Cherubims were to stretch forth their wings COVERING the Ark Again, the Testimony (Ten Commandments) was to be put in the Ark, and the Mercy Seat placed above it You can find God and understand Him by the Testimony that He brings forth and establishes in the world Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

143. Chapter 8: The Mercy Seat - Throne of the Word Each succeeding generation has had an unfolding Testimony given to it for its present need Jesus became the PERFECTED TESTIMONY! In form The Lowly One, in power and work the exact quality of the Will and the Name of the Living God NKJ John 14:8 Philip said to Him, "Lord, show us the Father, and it is sufficient for us.” 9 Jesus said to him, "Have I been with you so long, and yet you have not known Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father; so how can you say, 'Show us the Father'? Only God can name Himself, with us becoming “witnesses” - a testimony - of Jesus Jesus is the true Witness of God our Father Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

144. Chapter 8: The Mercy Seat - Throne of the Word The “Testimony” was to be put into the Ark, and the Mercy Throne placed above upon it The Testimony was the two tables of stone inscribed, by the finger of God, with the words of the Law given to Moses in the mountain The giving of the words was IN THE GLORY OF GOD The supreme fact about the Testimony was the revelation to Moses of the “Goodness” of the Lord, as His Glory passed by This was granted to Moses, the intercessor, as a demonstration that he had found grace (i.e., unmerited favor) in the eyes of the Lord Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

145. Chapter 8: The Mercy Seat - Throne of the Word Moses had stood between idolatrous Israel and the Holy LORD God That meant he had to stand against the accusing spirit of evil, interceding that The Presence of the LORD should abide with them and go forth with them And the devil had been defeated in his effort to destroy the plan of God for Israel while it had hardly begun The devil will ALWAYS be so defeated Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

146. Chapter 8: The Mercy Seat - Throne of the Word In that hour of grace and triumph of meekness The Supreme Fact of all the Law has been given in the proclamation of that which the Name-of-the-LORD consisted in: “THE LORD, THE LORD GOD, MERCIFUL, AND GRACIOUS, LONGSUFFERING AND ABUNDANT IN GOODNESS (HHESED) AND TRUTH, KEEPING MERCY FOR THOUSANDS, FORGIVING INIQUITY AND TRANSGRESSION AND SIN…” That was Moses’ reward, his life long illumination and authority from heaven and Israel’s triumph Triumph is to KNOW God when He reveals Himself Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

147. Chapter 8: The Mercy Seat - Throne of the Word The Mercy Throne was, in the arrangement of the Tent-of-meeting, the center of all The Tent was in the center of the camp So the Mercy Throne was in the center - or midst - of everything The Mercy Throne was what the Most Holy Place was made for Outside the veil, and before it, was the seven-branched lampstand lighting the Holy Place, and the table of the “showbread” on which were placed day by day twelve loaves of bread “before the Lord” Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

148. Chapter 8: The Mercy Seat - Throne of the Word The seven branched lampstand was a type of the Spirit-filled body of Christ The twelve loaves of show-bread typified the twelve tribes of Israel The Hebrew term for “show bread” means “bread of faces” It represented Israel as a continual offering presented “before the Lord” Israel is God’s SHOW! Without His Spirit they have not know what to do with themselves Yet they have never ceased from being a show Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

149. Chapter 8: The Mercy Seat - Throne of the Word But now it all slowly changes as the type becomes the REALITY Jesus said, “Watch!” Inside, within the veil, solitary in its position in the Holiest of All (i.e, the Most Holy Place), stood the Ark of the Covenant It was the repository of the WITNESS of God Covering it above was the Mercy Throne from which proceeded the WORD-OF-GOD NKJ Exodus 25:22 "And there I will meet with you, and I will speak with you from above the mercy seat, from between the two cherubim which are on the ark of the Testimony, about everything which I will give you in commandment to the children of Israel. Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

150. Chapter 8: The Mercy Seat - Throne of the Word The Mercy Seat: Center of all, within the Holiest of all, the throne of the God of glory and of the issuing Word, place of covering and forgiving sin, the point over which rested the cloud and fire of God’s Presence THAT is the description of something SUPREME - MERCY! The Hebrew word translated “mercy seat” is “kapporet” and means “a covering” It is from the same root as the word “kaphar” we saw earlier translated as “atonement” The only place in the Bible where the word “kapporet is used is for “mercy seat” Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

151. Chapter 8: The Mercy Seat - Throne of the Word It distinguishes the Mercy Throne as a PROTECTIVE COVERING It is used of this one thing only: The Ark covering the place of forgiveness for sin, and of the Testimony of the Lord In the way the ancients had of associating things, the covering of the Ark was the protective covering of the nation The Word of God was in multiplied instances: “If you keep my covenant, I will cover and bless you,” Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

152. Chapter 8: The Mercy Seat - Throne of the Word And there were mercies promised in that blessing that we are not fully enjoying even in our New Covenant Christianity For instance, the removal of ALL SICKNESS from the midst of them; and the removal of the curse from the land and beast It is what is in “the Midst” that covers The covering of the Ark of the Testimony was the place of the judgment-of-mercy for forgiveness of sin It was the judgment throne of the Invisible One, Israel’s King Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

153. Chapter 8: The Mercy Seat - Throne of the Word NKJ Hebrews 9:5a and above it were the cherubim of glory overshadowing the mercy seat. The Greek word for “mercy seat” used here is “hilasterion” (hil-as-tay'-ree-on) meaning the place of appeasement NKJ Romans 3:24 being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, 25 whom God set forth as a propitiation by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance God had passed over the sins that were previously committed, The same Greek word “hilasterion” is translated “propitiation” in verse 25 above Therefore, Jesus is our Mercy Seat! Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

154. Chapter 8: The Mercy Seat - Throne of the Word NKJ 1 John 2:1 My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. 2 And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world. The Greek word for “propitiation” used here is “hilasmos” (hil-as-mos') meaning that which appeases Jesus is both the “place of appeasement” and “that which appeases” Jesus is both the “Mercy Seat” and the “Sacrificial Lamb!” Fully “God” and fully “Man” Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

155. Chapter 8: The Mercy Seat - Throne of the Word NKJ 1 John 4:10 In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. God Himself became the appeasing demanded by His holiness and justice God the Righteous Judge took upon Himself the penalty of the one whom He has judged guilty (i.e., man) so that man can have grace (favor) in order to for God to show mercy God has paid the penalty for our sin at the cross of Calvary and based on this God’s mercy is extended to all The judgement seat has become a Mercy Seat! NKJ James 2:13b Mercy triumphs over judgment. Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

156. Chapter 8: The Mercy Seat - Throne of the Word It was a throne of Mercy Everything in the Law of Moses centered in that Mercy Seat All the sacrifices had to do with that Mercy Seat within the veil All the shedding of blood of offerings had to do with that one chief sprinkling of blood upon the Mercy Seat The Ark and the Mercy Seat within the Holy of Holies was the symbol of the coming Word-made-flesh, Jesus Christ Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

157. Chapter 8: The Mercy Seat - Throne of the Word The “blood of sprinkling” was the symbol of The Lamb of God who bears away the world’s sin For everything here named there is one great descriptive term - MERCY Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

158. Chapter 8: The Mercy Seat - Throne of the Word NKJ Hebrews 9:11 But Christ came as High Priest of the good things to come, with the greater and more perfect tabernacle not made with hands, that is, not of this creation. 12 Not with the blood of goats and calves, but with His own blood He entered the Most Holy Place [in Heaven] once for all, having obtained eternal redemption. ...22 And according to the law almost all things are purified with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no remission. 23 Therefore it was necessary that the copies of the things in the heavens should be purified with these [i.e., the tabernacle of Moses was cleansed with the blood of animals], but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. 24 For Christ has not entered the holy places made with hands, which are copies of the true, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us; ...26b He has appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself. [i.e., Jesus cleansed the Heavenly Tabernacle, defiled by the rebellion of Adam, with His own blood] (words in “[]” added by author) Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

159. Prayer Blessed Father open Thy Word to our hearts, and open our hearts to Thy Word in Jesus’ Name. Amen Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985 Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

160. Chapter 9: The Redemption and Deliverance from Egypt NKJ Exodus 15:13 You in Your mercy have led forth The people whom You have redeemed; You have guided them in Your strength To Your holy habitation. This verse, from the deliverance triumph song, is a sort of door opening into the whole scene It is a song of the triumph of God’s mercy to Israel Egypt’s calamities in the process were the result of RESISTANCE to that mercy, and NOT because no mercy was offered The first chapters in Exodus describe Israel’s slavery in cruel bondage and the raising up of a deliverer for them The name of the deliverer was Moses Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

161. Chapter 9: The Redemption and Deliverance from Egypt He was raised in the king’s house as a son to his daughter Moses fled from the Pharaoh's (Egypt’s king) wrath after slaying an Egyptian in defense of a Hebrew Moses was trying to fulfil the call of God in his heart to free his people but was trying to do it his way and in his ability We must wait on the Lord to discover how He wants to fulfill His dream and purpose for our lives If Satan can not get you to give up on your call then he will try to get you to do it in other than God’s timing or way Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

162. Chapter 9: The Redemption and Deliverance from Egypt NKJ Philippians 4:6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. In the desert wilderness of Sinai he spent the second period of his life as a shepherd for forty years This period was a long time as we are accustomed to measure time It meant a long training in the qualities he would need in the years to come - those of a shepherd - in the desert Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

163. Chapter 9: The Redemption and Deliverance from Egypt In a previous chapter we have seen something of the relation of the term mercy, to the life of a shepherd It is certain that the forty shepherd years were developing the fundamental meekness and mercy that were absolutely essential in the life of the one who should deliver God’s people from their hopeless bondage in Egypt Indeed to man their bondage was HOPELESS Toward the end of this period of training, the Lord appears to Moses in a flaming bush that was not consumed Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

164. Chapter 9: The Redemption and Deliverance from Egypt That unconsumed bush became characteristic of all His future relations with His chosen deliverer Out of the blazing fire came the call to deliver Israel A call that Moses had once expected, and even attempted, but that was now long lost to view NKJ Exodus 3:7 And the LORD said: "I have surely seen the oppression of My people who are in Egypt, and have heard their cry because of their taskmasters, for I know their sorrows. God’s COMPASSION resulted in His MERCY being given - “I KNOW their sorrows” and you Moses are now called to bear with Me those sorrows - with Me and for Me Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

165. Chapter 9: The Redemption and Deliverance from Egypt NKJ Exodus 3:10 "Come now, therefore, and I will send you to Pharaoh that you may bring My people, the children of Israel, out of Egypt.” 11 But Moses said to God, "Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh, and that I should bring the children of Israel out of Egypt?” Moses took exception to God’s request NKJ Exodus 3:12 So He said, "I will certainly be with you. And this shall be a sign to you that I have sent you: When you have brought the people out of Egypt, you shall serve God on this mountain.” Then God revealed to Moses a name that signified His Eternal Being Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

166. Chapter 9: The Redemption and Deliverance from Egypt In the Bible that name remains always associated with “The Being” as the Redeemer of His people: the great “I AM THAT I AM” Redemption is mercy! This study started with Moses in service and worship on the mountain That whole circumstance was an unfolding to Moses, the Deliverer, of the meaning and significance of the name “I AM” This name was given to him in order to identify the God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and of Jacob, to their seed the children of Israel Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

167. Chapter 9: The Redemption and Deliverance from Egypt The “I AM” of Exodus 3 is the “LORD” of the mountain, called “this mountain,” at the time we are now considering in Moses’ life NKJ Exodus 34:6b "THE LORD, THE LORD GOD, MERCIFUL AND GRACIOUS… From the desert and the burning-bush call, Moses went and “did as the Lord commanded him” and the Lord did “according to the word of Moses” That was not only the amazing characteristic of the relation between Moses and the Great Eternal I AM, but is also God’s relation to all who enter into the understanding of His MERCY and the dispensing of it Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

168. Chapter 9: The Redemption and Deliverance from Egypt Two things were to happen: Israel should know the Lord, as Redeemer, by His MERCY NKJ Exodus 6:7 'I will take you as My people, and I will be your God. Then you shall know that I am the LORD your God who brings you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians. The Egyptians would know that the God of Israel is Lord of all NKJ Exodus 7:5 "And the Egyptians shall know that I am the LORD, when I stretch out My hand on Egypt and bring out the children of Israel from among them.” Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

169. Chapter 9: The Redemption and Deliverance from Egypt The same circumstances were to issue in knowing the Lord, Israel to know Him as redeemer and deliverer Egypt to know Him in His power to judge them and to break their power over Israel Israel to RECEIVE the delivering MERCY and to prosper Egypt to RESIST the delivering MERCY and be overthrown The same Lord, and the same mercy Two different reactions to Him and to it Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

170. Chapter 9: The Redemption and Deliverance from Egypt Two opposite effects produced and results established I will have compassion on Israel and do him MERCY I will harden Pharaoh’s heart and destroy his power over Israel Yet only ONE MERCY that was offered to both! It is the fearful thing about MERCY, that it may harden to destruction those opposing it while simultaneously delivering, and releasing the receiver of it Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

171. Chapter 9: The Redemption and Deliverance from Egypt This account is of a very ancient period It was long centuries afterward that MERCY appeared in the flesh and said: NKJ John 6:37 "All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out. And NKJ Revelation 22:17 And the Spirit and the bride say, "Come!" And let him who hears say, "Come!" And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely. Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

172. Chapter 9: The Redemption and Deliverance from Egypt The expression, “I will harden Pharaoh’s heart” is the truth as seen in the giving of the Law In the Gospel the same thing is stated: NKJ John 5:40 "But you are not willing to come to Me that you may have life. And again: NKJ John 3:19 "And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. Condemnation is judgment against as distinguished from judgment FOR Two different ways of saying the same thing Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

173. Chapter 9: The Redemption and Deliverance from Egypt The condemnation was established by the light coming to them and their refusing it The light, which was life-giving MERCY to those who received it, was condemnation to those who refused it - the very same light! In the Old Covenant (Testament) phraseology it could have been said, “And the Lord hardened their hearts to destruction, but upon these He had mercy unto life” More clearly - mercy unto “repentance unto life” Beyond that point we may not go into the mystery of God bearing sin Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

174. Chapter 9: The Redemption and Deliverance from Egypt But if we are willing to know and do His will of MERCY, we may share, as Moses did, with Him in the revealing of that MERCY Will Now we enter the arena of contest between the Lord of the whole Earth, and a ruler who considered himself as the Lord of the whole Earth Pharaoh was a ruler capable of resisting the Lord, and also capable of fighting against offered MERCY In deceitful hypocrisy he made a show-acting mockery of submission and obedience, even when he was in clear view of his own sin and impotence This is the most fearful of all sins that men sin Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

175. Chapter 9: The Redemption and Deliverance from Egypt Moses and Aaron went in unto Pharaoh NKJ Exodus 7:10 So Moses and Aaron went in to Pharaoh, and they did so, just as the LORD commanded. And Aaron cast down his rod before Pharaoh and before his servants, and it became a serpent. 11 But Pharaoh also called the wise men and the sorcerers; so the magicians of Egypt, they also did in like manner with their enchantments. 12 For every man threw down his rod, and they became serpents. But Aaron's rod swallowed up their rods. 13 And Pharaoh's heart grew hard, and he did not heed them, as the LORD had said. 14 So the LORD said to Moses: "Pharaoh's heart is hard; he refuses to let the people go. The LIGHT of MERCY that the sign of the rod-serpent offered, being refused, hardened Pharaoh’s heart Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

176. Chapter 9: The Redemption and Deliverance from Egypt From the perspective that God offered the rejected MERCY, it could be said that God hardened Pharaoh’s heart However, from the perspective that Pharaoh could have accepted the MERCY, but knowingly and willfully chose to reject it, then Pharaoh hardened his own heart Everything is contained in these simple words “Moses did so as the Lord commanded” but Pharaoh did not do so as the Lord commanded The same MERCY offered, though, and even demonstrated as MERCY directly to the heart-hardening monarch Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

177. Chapter 9: The Redemption and Deliverance from Egypt NKJ Exodus 7:17 'Thus says the LORD: "By this you shall know that I am the LORD. Behold, I will strike the waters which are in the river with the rod that is in my hand, and they shall be turned to blood. The Nile River and its streams, ponds, and all of its water in containers were turned to blood This river was Egypt’s lifeline, the God-given means by which to irrigate the land and make it fruitful NKJ Exodus 7:22 Then the magicians of Egypt did so with their enchantments; and Pharaoh's heart grew hard, and he did not heed them, as the LORD had said. 23 And Pharaoh turned and went into his house. Neither was his heart moved by this. Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

178. Chapter 9: The Redemption and Deliverance from Egypt NKJ Exodus 8:1 And the LORD spoke to Moses, "Go to Pharaoh and say to him, 'Thus says the LORD: "Let My people go, that they may serve Me. 2 "But if you refuse to let them go, behold, I will smite all your territory with frogs. 3 "So the river shall bring forth frogs abundantly, which shall go up and come into your house, into your bedroom, on your bed, into the houses of your servants, on your people, into your ovens, and into your kneading bowls. 4 "And the frogs shall come up on you, on your people, and on all your servants." ' " 5 Then the LORD spoke to Moses, "Say to Aaron, 'Stretch out your hand with your rod over the streams, over the rivers, and over the ponds, and cause frogs to come up on the land of Egypt.' " 6 So Aaron stretched out his hand over the waters of Egypt, and the frogs came up and covered the land of Egypt. 7 And the magicians did so with their enchantments, and brought up frogs on the land of Egypt. Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

179. Chapter 9: The Redemption and Deliverance from Egypt NKJ Exodus 8:8 Then Pharaoh called for Moses and Aaron, and said, "Entreat the LORD that He may take away the frogs from me and from my people; and I will let the people go, that they may sacrifice to the LORD." 9 And Moses said to Pharaoh, "Accept the honor of saying when I shall intercede for you, for your servants, and for your people, to destroy the frogs from you and your houses, that they may remain in the river only." 10 So he said, "Tomorrow." And he said, "Let it be according to your word, that you may know that there is no one like the LORD our God. 11 "And the frogs shall depart from you, from your houses, from your servants, and from your people. They shall remain in the river only." 12 Then Moses and Aaron went out from Pharaoh. And Moses cried out to the LORD concerning the frogs which He had brought against Pharaoh. Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

180. Chapter 9: The Redemption and Deliverance from Egypt NKJ Exodus 8:13 So the LORD did according to the word of Moses. And the frogs died out of the houses, out of the courtyards, and out of the fields. 14 They gathered them together in heaps, and the land stank. 15 But when Pharaoh saw that there was relief, he hardened his heart and did not heed them, as the LORD had said. Frogs, frogs everywhere! In their houses, in their beds, in their ovens - Frogs! The magicians played at it but only made it worse Pharaoh ASKED FOR MERCY, “entreat the Lord for me” and got it But when he saw there was respite, he “hardened his heart” Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

181. Chapter 9: The Redemption and Deliverance from Egypt This is the sure inner view of the hardening of Pharaoh’s heart: Refusing to enter into the mercy offered as his OWN relation to God It was necessary for him to DO the MERCY to Israel that God wanted done, then he would have been IN the same MERCY The MERCY was offered every time, and these respites showed clearly that if Pharaoh had been willing to DO God’s MERCY to Israel, he would likewise have been partaker of the same MERCY We need to understand this lesson in order to find God in the critical time that we now live Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

182. Chapter 9: The Redemption and Deliverance from Egypt NKJ Exodus 8:16 So the LORD said to Moses, "Say to Aaron, 'Stretch out your rod, and strike the dust of the land, so that it may become lice throughout all the land of Egypt.' " 17 And they did so. For Aaron stretched out his hand with his rod and struck the dust of the earth, and it became lice on man and beast. All the dust of the land became lice throughout all the land of Egypt. 18 Now the magicians so worked with their enchantments to bring forth lice, but they could not. So there were lice on man and beast. 19 Then the magicians said to Pharaoh, "This is the finger of God." But Pharaoh's heart grew hard, and he did not heed them, just as the LORD had said. Self demonstrating lice, getting closer to the man, crawling on him Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

183. Chapter 9: The Redemption and Deliverance from Egypt The magicians played at it but failed to bring forth lice The dust of the land was crawling, and they said to Pharaoh, “This is the finger of God” But Pharaoh had just played the hypocrite when he entreated for MERCY, and even the lice did not affect that hardness of heart Hypocrisy works devastation in the inner life of a person NKJ James 1:22 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. Those that practice deceit ultimately deceive themselves Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

184. Chapter 9: The Redemption and Deliverance from Egypt NKJ Exodus 8:20 And the LORD said to Moses, "Rise early in the morning and stand before Pharaoh as he comes out to the water. Then say to him, 'Thus says the LORD: "Let My people go, that they may serve Me. 21 "Or else, if you will not let My people go, behold, I will send swarms of flies on you and your servants, on your people and into your houses. The houses of the Egyptians shall be full of swarms of flies, and also the ground on which they stand. 22 "And in that day I will set apart the land of Goshen, in which My people dwell, that no swarms of flies shall be there, in order that you may know that I am the LORD in the midst of the land. 23 "I will make a difference between My people and your people. Tomorrow this sign shall be." ' " 24 And the LORD did so. Thick swarms of flies came into the house of Pharaoh, into his servants' houses, and into all the land of Egypt. The land was corrupted because of the swarms of flies. Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

185. Chapter 9: The Redemption and Deliverance from Egypt NKJ Exodus 8:25 Then Pharaoh called for Moses and Aaron, and said, "Go, sacrifice to your God in the land." 26 And Moses said, "It is not right to do so, for we would be sacrificing the abomination of the Egyptians to the LORD our God. If we sacrifice the abomination of the Egyptians before their eyes, then will they not stone us? 27 "We will go three days' journey into the wilderness and sacrifice to the LORD our God as He will command us." 28 And Pharaoh said, "I will let you go, that you may sacrifice to the LORD your God in the wilderness; only you shall not go very far away. Intercede for me." 29 Then Moses said, "Indeed I am going out from you, and I will entreat the LORD, that the swarms of flies may depart tomorrow from Pharaoh, from his servants, and from his people. But let Pharaoh not deal deceitfully anymore in not letting the people go to sacrifice to the LORD." Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

186. Chapter 9: The Redemption and Deliverance from Egypt NKJ Exodus 8:30 So Moses went out from Pharaoh and entreated the LORD. 31 And the LORD did according to the word of Moses; He removed the swarms of flies from Pharaoh, from his servants, and from his people. Not one remained. 32 But Pharaoh hardened his heart at this time also; neither would he let the people go. Let my people go… else if not… swarms of flies! Mercy offered in the commandment, Obey and no flies! This time an added sign, thus an added offer of mercy: I will sever the land of my people that there be no flies I will put a division between my people and thy people Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

187. Chapter 9: The Redemption and Deliverance from Egypt A sign that Pharaoh or anyone might know that, “I am the Lord in the midst of the Earth” That is, no flies in Goshen where Israel lived This time Pharaoh called for help and said, “I will let you go… intercede for me.” Have MERCY on me! And Moses entreated the Lord, and the Lord did according to the word of Moses and did this MERCY and removed the flies But Pharaoh hardened his heart MERCY hardened his heart because he would not do it, would not be part of it Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

188. Chapter 9: The Redemption and Deliverance from Egypt NKJ Exodus 9:1 Then the LORD said to Moses, "Go in to Pharaoh and tell him, 'Thus says the LORD God of the Hebrews: "Let My people go, that they may serve Me. 2 "For if you refuse to let them go, and still hold them, 3 "behold, the hand of the LORD will be on your cattle in the field, on the horses, on the donkeys, on the camels, on the oxen, and on the sheep -- a very severe pestilence. 4 "And the LORD will make a difference between the livestock of Israel and the livestock of Egypt. So nothing shall die of all that belongs to the children of Israel." ' " 5 Then the LORD appointed a set time, saying, "Tomorrow the LORD will do this thing in the land." 6 So the LORD did this thing on the next day, and all the livestock of Egypt died; but of the livestock of the children of Israel, not one died. 7 Then Pharaoh sent, and indeed, not even one of the livestock of the Israelites was dead. But the heart of Pharaoh became hard, and he did not let the people go. Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

189. Chapter 9: The Redemption and Deliverance from Egypt A destructive plague upon the animals of Egypt This touched their wealth But Pharaoh hardened his heart in the face of the sign of MERCY that the animals of Israel were left untouched Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

190. Chapter 9: The Redemption and Deliverance from Egypt NKJ Exodus 9:8 So the LORD said to Moses and Aaron, "Take for yourselves handfuls of ashes from a furnace, and let Moses scatter it toward the heavens in the sight of Pharaoh. 9 "And it will become fine dust in all the land of Egypt, and it will cause boils that break out in sores on man and beast throughout all the land of Egypt." 10 Then they took ashes from the furnace and stood before Pharaoh, and Moses scattered them toward heaven. And they caused boils that break out in sores on man and beast. 11 And the magicians could not stand before Moses because of the boils, for the boils were on the magicians and on all the Egyptians. 12 But the LORD hardened the heart of Pharaoh; and he did not heed them, just as the LORD had spoken to Moses. Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

191. Chapter 9: The Redemption and Deliverance from Egypt Boils breaking out on man and beast alike Boils come out from the inside Closer and closer comes the stroke The magicians could not stand before Moses - they were full of boils Moses was free, but the MERCY hardened Pharaoh’s heart Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

192. Chapter 9: The Redemption and Deliverance from Egypt NKJ Exodus 9:13 Then the LORD said to Moses, "Rise early in the morning and stand before Pharaoh, and say to him, 'Thus says the LORD God of the Hebrews: "Let My people go, that they may serve Me, 14 "for at this time I will send all My plagues to your very heart, and on your servants and on your people, that you may know that there is none like Me in all the earth. 15 "Now if I had stretched out My hand and struck you and your people with pestilence, then you would have been cut off from the earth. 16 "But indeed for this purpose I have raised you up, that I may show My power in you, and that My name may be declared in all the earth. 17 "As yet you exalt yourself against My people in that you will not let them go. 18 "Behold, tomorrow about this time I will cause very heavy hail to rain down, such as has not been in Egypt since its founding until now. Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

193. Chapter 9: The Redemption and Deliverance from Egypt NKJ Exodus 9:19 "Therefore send now and gather your livestock and all that you have in the field, for the hail shall come down on every man and every animal which is found in the field and is not brought home; and they shall die." ' " 20 He who feared the word of the LORD among the servants of Pharaoh made his servants and his livestock flee to the houses. 21 But he who did not regard the word of the LORD left his servants and his livestock in the field. 22 Then the LORD said to Moses, "Stretch out your hand toward heaven, that there may be hail in all the land of Egypt -- on man, on beast, and on every herb of the field, throughout the land of Egypt." 23 And Moses stretched out his rod toward heaven; and the LORD sent thunder and hail, and fire darted to the ground. And the LORD rained hail on the land of Egypt. Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

194. Chapter 9: The Redemption and Deliverance from Egypt NKJ Exodus 9:24 So there was hail, and fire mingled with the hail, so very heavy that there was none like it in all the land of Egypt since it became a nation. 25 And the hail struck throughout the whole land of Egypt, all that was in the field, both man and beast; and the hail struck every herb of the field and broke every tree of the field. 26 Only in the land of Goshen, where the children of Israel were, there was no hail. 27 And Pharaoh sent and called for Moses and Aaron, and said to them, "I have sinned this time. The LORD is righteous, and my people and I are wicked. 28 "Entreat the LORD, that there may be no more mighty thundering and hail, for it is enough. I will let you go, and you shall stay no longer." 29 So Moses said to him, "As soon as I have gone out of the city, I will spread out my hands to the LORD; the thunder will cease, and there will be no more hail, that you may know that the earth is the LORD's. Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

195. Chapter 9: The Redemption and Deliverance from Egypt NKJ Exodus 9:30 "But as for you and your servants, I know that you will not yet fear the LORD God." 31 Now the flax and the barley were struck, for the barley was in the head and the flax was in bud. 32 But the wheat and the spelt were not struck, for they are late crops. 33 So Moses went out of the city from Pharaoh and spread out his hands to the LORD; then the thunder and the hail ceased, and the rain was not poured on the earth. 34 And when Pharaoh saw that the rain, the hail, and the thunder had ceased, he sinned yet more; and he hardened his heart, he and his servants. 35 So the heart of Pharaoh was hard; neither would he let the children of Israel go, as the LORD had spoken by Moses. Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

196. Chapter 9: The Redemption and Deliverance from Egypt Hail, none like it in Egypt since the nation was formed This time the word is given, “I will at this time send all my plagues upon your heart… that thou may know that there is none like me in all the Earth MERCY, still MERCY That you may know! The great statement of God’s foreknowledge as to Pharaoh’s reactions to His offered MERCY: NKJ Exodus 9:16 "But indeed for this purpose I have raised you up, that I may show My power in you, and that My name may be declared in all the earth. Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

197. Chapter 9: The Redemption and Deliverance from Egypt Yes, God had given him his position: exalted as a great ruler on Earth NKJ Romans 9:14 What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? Certainly not! 15 For He says to Moses, "I will have mercy on whomever I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whomever I will have compassion." 16 So then it is not of him who wills, nor of him who runs, but of God who shows mercy. 17 For the Scripture says to Pharaoh, "For this very purpose I have raised you up, that I may show My power in you, and that My name may be declared in all the earth." 18 Therefore He has mercy on whom He wills, and whom He wills He hardens. Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

198. Chapter 9: The Redemption and Deliverance from Egypt Now God offers him MERCY at each step of the contest - the same MERCY offered to Israel When the hail struck, and the mighty thunder with it, then the great exalted man called again for Moses to pray for him to the Lord, saying: NKJ Exodus 9:27 And Pharaoh sent and called for Moses and Aaron, and said to them, "I have sinned this time. The LORD is righteous, and my people and I are wicked. 28 "Entreat the LORD, that there may be no more mighty thundering and hail, for it is enough. I will let you go, and you shall stay no longer." Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

199. Chapter 9: The Redemption and Deliverance from Egypt NKJ Exodus 9:29 So Moses said to him, "As soon as I have gone out of the city, I will spread out my hands to the LORD; the thunder will cease, and there will be no more hail, that you may know that the earth is the LORD's. MERCY entreated, MERCY given However, Pharaoh sinned more leading to further hardening of his heart NKJ Hebrews 3:13 but exhort one another daily, while it is called "Today," lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. Sin promises freedom but in reality it hardens our spiritual hearts separating us from God and enslaving us to Satan - the deception of sin Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

200. Chapter 9: The Redemption and Deliverance from Egypt In the days in which we are living, such a contest has arisen between the “world” and god Definitely it is between “Man” and God The contest is over: who owns the Earth? The devil claims it Man sides with the devil Mercy claims the Earth for the fulfilling of God’s blessing Man is between and turns to one or the other as it pleases his heart The contest in Egypt is a picture of the forces in conflict today Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

201. Chapter 9: The Redemption and Deliverance from Egypt But “THE EARTH IS THE LORD’S” NKJ Exodus 9:29 So Moses said to him, "As soon as I have gone out of the city, I will spread out my hands to the LORD; the thunder will cease, and there will be no more hail, that you may know that the earth is the LORD's. NKJ Psalm 24:1 A Psalm of David. The earth is the LORD's, and all its fullness, The world and those who dwell therein. NKJ 1 Corinthians 10:26 for "the earth is the LORD's, and all its fullness.” His will is MERCY Force is to be overthrown by MERCY Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

202. Chapter 9: The Redemption and Deliverance from Egypt NKJ Exodus 10:1 Now the LORD said to Moses, "Go in to Pharaoh; for I have hardened his heart and the hearts of his servants, that I may show these signs of Mine before him, 2 "and that you may tell in the hearing of your son and your son's son the mighty things I have done in Egypt, and My signs which I have done among them, that you may know that I am the LORD." 3 So Moses and Aaron came in to Pharaoh and said to him, "Thus says the LORD God of the Hebrews: 'How long will you refuse to humble yourself before Me? Let My people go, that they may serve Me. 4 'Or else, if you refuse to let My people go, behold, tomorrow I will bring locusts into your territory. 5 'And they shall cover the face of the earth, so that no one will be able to see the earth; and they shall eat the residue of what is left, which remains to you from the hail, and they shall eat every tree which grows up for you out of the field. Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

203. Chapter 9: The Redemption and Deliverance from Egypt NKJ Exodus 10:6 'They shall fill your houses, the houses of all your servants, and the houses of all the Egyptians -- which neither your fathers nor your fathers' fathers have seen, since the day that they were on the earth to this day.' " And he turned and went out from Pharaoh. 7 Then Pharaoh's servants said to him, "How long shall this man be a snare to us? Let the men go, that they may serve the LORD their God. Do you not yet know that Egypt is destroyed?" 8 So Moses and Aaron were brought again to Pharaoh, and he said to them, "Go, serve the LORD your God. Who are the ones that are going?" 9 And Moses said, "We will go with our young and our old; with our sons and our daughters, with our flocks and our herds we will go, for we must hold a feast to the LORD." 10 Then he said to them, "The LORD had better be with you when I let you and your little ones go! Beware, for evil is ahead of you. Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

204. Chapter 9: The Redemption and Deliverance from Egypt NKJ Exodus 10:11 "Not so! Go now, you who are men, and serve the LORD, for that is what you desired." And they were driven out from Pharaoh's presence. 12 Then the LORD said to Moses, "Stretch out your hand over the land of Egypt for the locusts, that they may come upon the land of Egypt, and eat every herb of the land -- all that the hail has left." 13 So Moses stretched out his rod over the land of Egypt, and the LORD brought an east wind on the land all that day and all that night. When it was morning, the east wind brought the locusts. 14 And the locusts went up over all the land of Egypt and rested on all the territory of Egypt. They were very severe; previously there had been no such locusts as they, nor shall there be such after them. Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

205. Chapter 9: The Redemption and Deliverance from Egypt NKJ Exodus 10:15 For they covered the face of the whole earth, so that the land was darkened; and they ate every herb of the land and all the fruit of the trees which the hail had left. So there remained nothing green on the trees or on the plants of the field throughout all the land of Egypt. 16 Then Pharaoh called for Moses and Aaron in haste, and said, "I have sinned against the LORD your God and against you. 17 "Now therefore, please forgive my sin only this once, and entreat the LORD your God, that He may take away from me this death only." 18 So he went out from Pharaoh and entreated the LORD. 19 And the LORD turned a very strong west wind, which took the locusts away and blew them into the Red Sea. There remained not one locust in all the territory of Egypt. 20 But the LORD hardened Pharaoh's heart, and he did not let the children of Israel go. Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

206. Chapter 9: The Redemption and Deliverance from Egypt Locust And again Pharaoh asks for MERCY This time he also asks for forgiveness He is conscious that he is involved in death But the Lord hardened Pharaoh’s heart - a hypocrite - BY ANSWERING his prayer! Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

207. Chapter 9: The Redemption and Deliverance from Egypt NKJ Exodus 10:21 Then the LORD said to Moses, "Stretch out your hand toward heaven, that there may be darkness over the land of Egypt, darkness which may even be felt." 22 So Moses stretched out his hand toward heaven, and there was thick darkness in all the land of Egypt three days. 23 They did not see one another; nor did anyone rise from his place for three days. But all the children of Israel had light in their dwellings. 24 Then Pharaoh called to Moses and said, "Go, serve the LORD; only let your flocks and your herds be kept back. Let your little ones also go with you." 25 But Moses said, "You must also give us sacrifices and burnt offerings, that we may sacrifice to the LORD our God. 26 "Our livestock also shall go with us; not a hoof shall be left behind. For we must take some of them to serve the LORD our God, and even we do not know with what we must serve the LORD until we arrive there." Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

208. Chapter 9: The Redemption and Deliverance from Egypt NKJ Exodus 10:27 But the LORD hardened Pharaoh's heart, and he would not let them go. 28 Then Pharaoh said to him, "Get away from me! Take heed to yourself and see my face no more! For in the day you see my face you shall die!" 29 And Moses said, "You have spoken well. I will never see your face again." Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

209. Chapter 9: The Redemption and Deliverance from Egypt Darkness that could be felt with movement impossible Bogged down, but light in the dwellings of the children of Israel The hypocrite, hardened, by self-exalting, in the face of multiplied mercies, does the thing that “mercy-opposers” do He got “HIGH” and ANGRY, His heart so hardened by the Lord’s goodness to him that he threatened the life of Moses In so doing he he decided his own fate Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

210. Chapter 9: The Redemption and Deliverance from Egypt NKJ Exodus 10:28 Then Pharaoh said to him, "Get away from me! Take heed to yourself and see my face no more! For in the day you see my face you shall die!” 29 And Moses said, "You have spoken well. I will never see your face again.” A king’s prerogative! But his own death sentence All of it the result of refusing mercy - refusing also to participate in doing mercy And in that hardened condition he did what “opposers” do He confused the messenger with the results of his own evils, and determined to eliminate the very one who OFFERED mercy to him Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

211. Chapter 9: The Redemption and Deliverance from Egypt NKJ Exodus 11:1 And the LORD said to Moses, "I will bring yet one more plague on Pharaoh and on Egypt. Afterward he will let you go from here. When he lets you go, he will surely drive you out of here altogether. One more stroke of the breaking hammer NKJ Jeremiah 23:29 "Is not My word like a fire?" says the LORD, "And like a hammer that breaks the rock in pieces? One more, but final, offer of MERCY But now no longer known - the result of a hardened heart This time the offer of MERCY was blood over the door Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

212. Chapter 9: The Redemption and Deliverance from Egypt Wherever the blood is NOT on the door, death will strike DEATH KNOWS NO MERCY and is only kept at bay by the moment by moment, day by day, mercy of God Any door WITH the blood sprinkled over it, and on the sideposts, will be “passed over” Any door, MERCY still, but the Egyptians would not believe and humble themselves to such an extreme It was a sacrifice of “abomination” to them Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

213. Chapter 9: The Redemption and Deliverance from Egypt NKJ Exodus 12:1 Now the LORD spoke to Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt, saying, 2 "This month shall be your beginning of months; it shall be the first month of the year to you. 3 "Speak to all the congregation of Israel, saying: 'On the tenth day of this month every man shall take for himself a lamb, according to the house of his father, a lamb for a household. 4 'And if the household is too small for the lamb, let him and his neighbor next to his house take it according to the number of the persons; according to each man's need you shall make your count for the lamb. 5 'Your lamb shall be without blemish, a male of the first year. You may take it from the sheep or from the goats. 6 'Now you shall keep it until the fourteenth day of the same month. Then the whole assembly of the congregation of Israel shall kill it at twilight. 7 'And they shall take some of the blood and put it on the two doorposts and on the lintel of the houses where they eat it. Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

214. Chapter 9: The Redemption and Deliverance from Egypt NKJ Exodus 12:8 'Then they shall eat the flesh on that night; roasted in fire, with unleavened bread and with bitter herbs they shall eat it. 9 'Do not eat it raw, nor boiled at all with water, but roasted in fire -- its head with its legs and its entrails. 10 'You shall let none of it remain until morning, and what remains of it until morning you shall burn with fire. 11 'And thus you shall eat it: with a belt on your waist, your sandals on your feet, and your staff in your hand. So you shall eat it in haste. It is the LORD's Passover. 12 'For I will pass through the land of Egypt on that night, and will strike all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and against all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgment: I am the LORD. 13 'Now the blood shall be a sign for you on the houses where you are. And when I see the blood, I will pass over you; and the plague shall not be on you to destroy you when I strike the land of Egypt. Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

215. Chapter 9: The Redemption and Deliverance from Egypt NKJ Exodus 12:14 'So this day shall be to you a memorial; and you shall keep it as a feast to the LORD throughout your generations. You shall keep it as a feast by an everlasting ordinance. 15 'Seven days you shall eat unleavened bread. On the first day you shall remove leaven from your houses. For whoever eats leavened bread from the first day until the seventh day, that person shall be cut off from Israel. 16 'On the first day there shall be a holy convocation, and on the seventh day there shall be a holy convocation for you. No manner of work shall be done on them; but that which everyone must eat -- that only may be prepared by you. 17 'So you shall observe the Feast of Unleavened Bread, for on this same day I will have brought your armies out of the land of Egypt. Therefore you shall observe this day throughout your generations as an everlasting ordinance. Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

216. Chapter 9: The Redemption and Deliverance from Egypt NKJ Exodus 12:18 'In the first month, on the fourteenth day of the month at evening, you shall eat unleavened bread, until the twenty-first day of the month at evening. 19 'For seven days no leaven shall be found in your houses, since whoever eats what is leavened, that same person shall be cut off from the congregation of Israel, whether he is a stranger or a native of the land. 20 'You shall eat nothing leavened; in all your dwellings you shall eat unleavened bread.' ” 20 'You shall eat nothing leavened; in all your dwellings you shall eat unleavened bread.' " 21 Then Moses called for all the elders of Israel and said to them, "Pick out and take lambs for yourselves according to your families, and kill the Passover lamb. 22 "And you shall take a bunch of hyssop, dip it in the blood that is in the basin, and strike the lintel and the two doorposts with the blood that is in the basin. And none of you shall go out of the door of his house until morning. Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

217. Chapter 9: The Redemption and Deliverance from Egypt NKJ Exodus 12:23 "For the LORD will pass through to strike the Egyptians; and when He sees the blood on the lintel and on the two doorposts, the LORD will pass over the door and not allow the destroyer to come into your houses to strike you. 24 "And you shall observe this thing as an ordinance for you and your sons forever. 25 "It will come to pass when you come to the land which the LORD will give you, just as He promised, that you shall keep this service. 26 "And it shall be, when your children say to you, 'What do you mean by this service?' 27 "that you shall say, 'It is the Passover sacrifice of the LORD, who passed over the houses of the children of Israel in Egypt when He struck the Egyptians and delivered our households.' " So the people bowed their heads and worshiped. 28 Then the children of Israel went away and did so; just as the LORD had commanded Moses and Aaron, so they did. Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

218. Chapter 9: The Redemption and Deliverance from Egypt NKJ Exodus 12:29 And it came to pass at midnight that the LORD struck all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, from the firstborn of Pharaoh who sat on his throne to the firstborn of the captive who was in the dungeon, and all the firstborn of livestock. 30 So Pharaoh rose in the night, he, all his servants, and all the Egyptians; and there was a great cry in Egypt, for there was not a house where there was not one dead. 31 Then he called for Moses and Aaron by night, and said, "Rise, go out from among my people, both you and the children of Israel. And go, serve the LORD as you have said. 32 "Also take your flocks and your herds, as you have said, and be gone; and bless me also." 33 And the Egyptians urged the people, that they might send them out of the land in haste. For they said, "We shall all be dead." 34 So the people took their dough before it was leavened, having their kneading bowls bound up in their clothes on their shoulders. Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

219. Chapter 9: The Redemption and Deliverance from Egypt NKJ Exodus 12:35 Now the children of Israel had done according to the word of Moses, and they had asked from the Egyptians articles of silver, articles of gold, and clothing. 36 And the LORD had given the people favor in the sight of the Egyptians, so that they granted them what they requested. Thus they plundered the Egyptians. 37 Then the children of Israel journeyed from Rameses to Succoth, about six hundred thousand men on foot, besides children. 38 A mixed multitude went up with them also, and flocks and herds -- a great deal of livestock. 39 And they baked unleavened cakes of the dough which they had brought out of Egypt; for it was not leavened, because they were driven out of Egypt and could not wait, nor had they prepared provisions for themselves. 40 Now the sojourn of the children of Israel who lived in Egypt was four hundred and thirty years. Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

220. Chapter 9: The Redemption and Deliverance from Egypt NKJ Exodus 12:41 And it came to pass at the end of the four hundred and thirty years -- on that very same day -- it came to pass that all the armies of the LORD went out from the land of Egypt. 42 It is a night of solemn observance to the LORD for bringing them out of the land of Egypt. This is that night of the LORD, a solemn observance for all the children of Israel throughout their generations. 43 And the LORD said to Moses and Aaron, "This is the ordinance of the Passover: No foreigner shall eat it. 44 "But every man's servant who is bought for money, when you have circumcised him, then he may eat it. 45 "A sojourner and a hired servant shall not eat it. 46 "In one house it shall be eaten; you shall not carry any of the flesh outside the house, nor shall you break one of its bones. 47 "All the congregation of Israel shall keep it. Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

221. Chapter 9: The Redemption and Deliverance from Egypt NKJ Exodus 12:48 "And when a stranger dwells with you and wants to keep the Passover to the LORD, let all his males be circumcised, and then let him come near and keep it; and he shall be as a native of the land. For no uncircumcised person shall eat it. 49 "One law shall be for the native-born and for the stranger who dwells among you." 50 Thus all the children of Israel did; as the LORD commanded Moses and Aaron, so they did. 51 And it came to pass, on that very same day, that the LORD brought the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt according to their armies. Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

222. Chapter 9: The Redemption and Deliverance from Egypt The lamb was an object lesson representing Jesus who shed His blood for our sins (John 1:29) The bread was an object lesson representing Jesus’ body broken for our healing (1Peter 2:24) However, the bread was not to contain leaven Leaven represents hypocrisy which is to act like you are holy by outward appearance but inside be full of evil thoughts and desires A hypocrite is an actor on the stage of life NKJ Luke 12:1b ...He began to say to His disciples first of all, "Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

223. Chapter 9: The Redemption and Deliverance from Egypt Note that the one actually doing the killing was the destroyer (Exodus 12:23) Just like in the book of Job, Satan must have God’s permission to do anything against God’s people God judged it right that the ones not covered by the blood of the lamb be turned over to Satan (likely delegated to one of his fallen angels whose name is the Destroyer) to be killed NLT Revelation 9:11 Their king is the angel from the bottomless pit; his name in Hebrew is Abaddon, and in Greek, Apollyon-- the Destroyer. Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

224. Chapter 9: The Redemption and Deliverance from Egypt God as the righteous judge takes responsibility for the sentence; however, Satan carries it out It is just that, “a sentence” upon those that have chosen to disobey Remember, MERCY refused leaves only wrath, corruption, and destruction! NKJ John 10:10 "The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. God brings the life of God (Greek “zoe” pronounced zo-a) to all that He touches Satan brings death and destruction to all he touches Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

225. Chapter 9: The Redemption and Deliverance from Egypt Furthermore, God takes the responsibility for the good angel He created, called “Lucifer”, who invented sin and became known as Satan - the head of all fallen angels NKJ Ezekiel 28:15 You [Lucifer] were perfect in your ways from the day you were created, Till iniquity was found in you. NKJ Isaiah 54:16 "Behold, I have created the blacksmith Who blows the coals in the fire, Who brings forth an instrument for his work; And I have created the spoiler [Satan] to destroy. (Words in “[]” added by author) Lucifer (i.e., bright shining one) was not created evil by God but rather he chose to become evil and God then changed his name to Satan (i.e., accuser of the brethren) Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

226. Chapter 9: The Redemption and Deliverance from Egypt Nevertheless, God takes full responsibility for Satan’s doings since He is His creation gone bad In addition, Satan must do his acts of destruction within the bounds of God’s law For Satan to harm a righteous person (i.e., a person that has not sinned and thus not chosen Satan as their master) would violate God’s law and lead to Satan’s removal as “God of this World” That is what is pictured in the Passover - blood on the door posts represents people that have been made righteous by the blood of the lamb - our Jesus! These people Satan can not touch Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

227. Chapter 9: The Redemption and Deliverance from Egypt This was all setting the trap of the cross of Calvary where Satan would take the life of an innocent Man There he broke the rule, that God observes and requires of Satan, of not overriding the will of a person NKJ 1 Corinthians 10:13 No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it. Jesus was more than able to take the fullness of Satan’s temptation without God the Father having to limit it as He does our temptations Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

228. Chapter 9: The Redemption and Deliverance from Egypt NKJ James 1:14 But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. 15 Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death. Satan never makes us sin but rather tempts us by our own desires and we chose to sin NKJ Romans 6:16 Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, you are that one's slaves whom you obey, whether of sin leading to death, or of obedience leading to righteousness? When we sin we are in effect saying that Satan is our master! He then starts bringing death into our lives (i.e., death of relationships, health, wealth, etc.) NKJ Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

229. Chapter 9: The Redemption and Deliverance from Egypt NKJ Matthew 26:39 He went a little farther and fell on His face, and prayed, saying, "O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will.” The cup represented entering into covenant or union with Satan - a covenant of death - for us NKJ John 19:29 Now a vessel full of sour wine was sitting there; and they filled a sponge with sour wine, put it on hyssop, and put it to His mouth. 30 So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, "It is finished!" And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit. Jesus had refused the wine mixed with pain killer earlier but willingly accepts the sour wine (vinegar) because it represented Him joining himself to Satan for us and becoming our sin Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

230. Chapter 9: The Redemption and Deliverance from Egypt NKJ Luke 23:46 And when Jesus had cried out with a loud voice, He said, "Father, 'into Your hands I commit My spirit.' " Having said this, He breathed His last. (compare Psalms 31:5) By these verses Jesus went on record that He had chosen God and not Satan - chosen righteousness and not sin Jesus was not out of His mind, nor deceived, but rather willingly chose to become sin (i.e., joined to Satan and separated from God) in order to take our punishment thus paying our debt for the sin of rebellion against a Holy God in the Garden of Eden NKJ Romans 5:8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

231. Chapter 9: The Redemption and Deliverance from Egypt Satan apparently thought that God the Father turned His back on Jesus, and the Holy Spirit withdrew from Him, because of some sin Jesus had committed When in fact these things occurred because Jesus took upon Himself our sin - but He never sinned Therefore, Satan took the life of an innocent man Satan broke the rule of violating a person’s will, thus God the righteous (i.e., fair) judge - even to Satan - removed the authority from him over planet Earth and gave it back to Jesus NKJ Matthew 28:18 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

232. Chapter 9: The Redemption and Deliverance from Egypt Man had been given rule over all of planet Earth when created in the Garden of Eden NAU Psalm 8:4 What is man that You take thought of him, And the son of man that You care for him? 5 Yet You have made him a little lower than God, And You crown him with glory and majesty! 6 You make him to rule over the works of Your hands; You have put all things under his feet, 7 All sheep and oxen, And also the beasts of the field, 8 The birds of the heavens and the fish of the sea, Whatever passes through the paths of the seas. Satan had usurped this authority from Adam in the Garden of Eden when man sinned Jesus restored this authority to the church Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

233. Chapter 9: The Redemption and Deliverance from Egypt NKJ Matthew 28:18 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, The authority to rule on Earth is in the Name of Jesus! NKJ Philippians 2:9 Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, 11 and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Christians have been given the Name of Jesus NKJ Acts 4:12 "Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

234. Chapter 9: The Redemption and Deliverance from Egypt Satan has been judged! NKJ John 16:8 "And when He [the Holy Spirit] has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: 9 "of sin, because they do not believe in Me; 10 "of righteousness, because I go to My Father and you see Me no more; 11 "of judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged. (words in “[]” added by author) This was spoken before the cross about what the Holy Spirit would do after the cross All that follow Satan will reap his future sentence of eternal separation from God in the Lake of Fire NKJ Revelation 20:14 Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. 15 And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire. Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

235. Chapter 9: The Redemption and Deliverance from Egypt NKJ Exodus 13:15 'And it came to pass, when Pharaoh was stubborn about letting us go, that the LORD killed all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both the firstborn of man and the firstborn of beast. Therefore I sacrifice to the LORD all males that open the womb, but all the firstborn of my sons I redeem.’ It came to pass and the wailing for the dead began, it surged forth in a mighty cry from every house of the Egyptians - from the lowest slave to Pharaoh himself - All OUTSIDE OF MERCY MERCY offered and refused leaving only death The high, educated, intellect of man will challenge the right of even GOD, and blaspheme Him for it, BUT, everyone on the whole Earth will be HUMBLED Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

236. Prayer Oh Precious Father, please give us, Lord, the mind of Jesus; make us holy as HE, is: may we prove we’ve been with Jesus, who is all our righteousness. Teach us, we pray, that though our-own-will is a wild beast, yet THY WILL is a Mercy-ing Savior. Sweet Will of God! Amen Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985 Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

237. Chapter 10: Noah - Abraham - David NKJ Genesis 6:8 But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD. The word grace above is the Hebrew word “hhen” meaning “loving favor” In studying what the Bible teaches about MERCY in the Old Covenant, it is very interesting to know that there are several Hebrew words that are in the English translated “Mercy” Furthermore, there are five different English words used as the translation of the one Hebrew word, “hhesed” In addition, the word for “grace” in Genesis 6:8 above is sometimes translated mercy Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

238. Chapter 10: Noah - Abraham - David NKJ Psalm 27:7 Hear, O LORD, when I cry with my voice! Have mercy also upon me, and answer me. This Hebrew word translated, mercy, is a form of the word “hhen” often translated as grace (i.e., favor) in the Bible NKJ Isaiah 49:13 Sing, O heavens! Be joyful, O earth! And break out in singing, O mountains! For the LORD has comforted His people, And will have mercy on His afflicted. In this case the word translated mercy is the Hebrew word “rahham” that is more properly the love expressed in the word “compassion” It is impossible to understand the Bible apart from these words Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

239. Chapter 10: Noah - Abraham - David Even the truth of humility has only a slave meaning apart from the word mercy, and its associates That which is going to “fill the Earth,” in the days ahead, cannot be understood apart from the word MERCY The evils that are thought of as ruling the world are all of them the opposites to God’s MERCY However, it is not so important to remember the Hebrew words themselves They are used mostly for the sake of giving the reader a realization of the scope of the subject somewhat as it appears in the ancient language Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

240. Chapter 10: Noah - Abraham - David NKJ Genesis 6:8 But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD. The subsequent events show that the result of the grace (loving favor) was a very great MERCY He was given the wisdom to construct a great ship as a means for passing safely through a catastrophe which must have been a cataclysm of nature Apparently it was a complete change of some kind in the atmospherical conditions of the world The wickedness of man was very great in the Earth, and every imagination of thoughts of his heart only evil continually Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

241. Chapter 10: Noah - Abraham - David But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD, and the MERCY done to him opened out into a new epoch in the world’s history Here, again, as in the plagues upon Egypt centuries later, the MERCY offered to Noah was evidently offered to the people around him His boat-building industry could hardly have failed to become known, and very widely known, because of the sensational nature of the purpose of its construction NKJ 2 Peter 2:5 and did not spare the ancient world, but saved Noah, one of eight people, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood on the world of the ungodly; Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

242. Chapter 10: Noah - Abraham - David There can be no question that Noah, called a preacher of righteousness, preached a mighty warning message to the comparatively small world of his day Anyone who wished to do so could have learned from him how to build a boat that would save them He was just, and walked with God, and anyone who was willing to believe God like He did could certainly have made preparations like he did NKJ Matthew 24:37 "But as the days of Noah were, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. This verse meant not only the evils, but also the MERCY offered Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

243. Chapter 10: Noah - Abraham - David This time, the saving structure will not be a boat, or anything that human ingenuity can produce This time it will have to be a temple-of-God There will be a “building of God” that will BE A SAVING structure capable of saving God’s people in and through the midst of such a fiery reconstruction of the creation as has not entered into man’s mind The MERCY done to Noah, and for him, was that which filled his need It was God meeting and filling his need Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

244. Chapter 10: Noah - Abraham - David From Jesus’ lips came the word in His day NKJ Matthew 24:37 "But as the days of Noah were, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. The MERCY done to Noah was a deliverance so great that it was the means of repopulating the water destroyed Earth It was not only a great destruction and terrific cataclysm of natural forces It was also a greater MERCY, a far more superior working of God FOR the ones who went through it This distinctly means that the MERCY provided was superior to all forces involved Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

245. Chapter 10: Noah - Abraham - David We are in danger of not seeing such facts, in our zeal in emphasizing the destruction side of judgment The MERCY side is very much greater In this study, through the Bible on MERCY, the fact becomes very prominent that mercy was the great thing in all judgments That the destruction only came as the effect of refusing MERCY offered Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

246. Chapter 10: Noah - Abraham - David Next we look at Lot and then Abraham NKJ Luke 17:28 "Likewise as it was also in the days of Lot: They ate, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they built; 29 "but on the day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven and destroyed them all. 30 "Even so will it be in the day when the Son of Man is revealed. As in Noah’s day, warning was given even to the wicked dwellers-in-Sodom NKJ Genesis 19:19 "Indeed now, your servant has found favor in your sight, and you have increased your mercy which you have shown me by saving my life; but I cannot escape to the mountains, lest some evil overtake me and I die. This verse above contains the first use of the Hebrew word “hhesed,” MERCY, in the Bible Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

247. Chapter 10: Noah - Abraham - David However, this does not mean the first act of MERCY by God In this verse Lot is speaking to the angels who were sent to warn him NKJ Genesis 19:19 "Indeed now, your servant has found favor [hhen or grace] in your sight, and you have increased your mercy [hhesed] which you have shown me by saving my life; but I cannot escape to the mountains, lest some evil overtake me and I die. 20 "See now, this city is near enough to flee to, and it is a little one; please let me escape there (is it not a little one?) and my soul shall live." 21 And he said to him, "See, I have favored you concerning this thing also, in that I will not overthrow this city for which you have spoken. (Words in “[]” added by author) It seems that Lot was a city-lover, like many of us today - he wanted to stay in his element Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

248. Chapter 10: Noah - Abraham - David His choices caused Abraham to have to save him repeatedly (i.e., he was Abraham’s “Lot in Life”!) Because of Lot’s request for MERCY, the “little city” was pronounced exempt from the impending judgement! It is a very significant thing under the circumstances, showing how far God will go when asked The angels said, “escape to the mountains” but Lot said, “ I cannot escape lest some evil take me and I die” He may have been vexed day by day with the filthy conduct of the people around him in Sodom and Gomorrah, but his soul longed for the city life just the same Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

249. Chapter 10: Noah - Abraham - David NKJ 2 Peter 2:6 and turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah into ashes, condemned them to destruction, making them an example to those who afterward would live ungodly; 7 and delivered righteous Lot, who was oppressed by the filthy conduct of the wicked However, when the flaming destruction fell on the city where he had been living, it scared him so bad that he was afraid to try to live in even the “little city” of Zoar for which he had pled, saying, “Is this not a little one?” NKJ Genesis 19:30 Then Lot went up out of Zoar and dwelt in the mountains, and his two daughters were with him; for he was afraid to dwell in Zoar. And he and his two daughters dwelt in a cave. Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

250. Chapter 10: Noah - Abraham - David That evident weakness in Lot makes the MERCY offered to him stand out all the more clearly What a tremendous working of MERCY operating within the overwhelmingly wrath of judgment! Anyone in Sodom could have fled with him had they so desired If we oppose what the Bible teaches about MERCY, there is nothing left but wrath Sometimes people even get “wrathy” and upset in challenging the truth of MERCY as it seems to them that a too-great generosity is being presented Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

251. Chapter 10: Noah - Abraham - David However, we must not give in to such arguments because we may lose the keenness of perception as to what the Bible actually teaches about MERCY What the Bible teaches is super-important! God has put these things in the Bible so as to open our eyes Jesus said, “As it was in the days of Lot… so shall it be in the Day when the Son of man is revealed.” Mercy is going to survive the wrath of Judgment - in those who have given their lives to the DOING of it Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

252. Chapter 10: Noah - Abraham - David Why did not Jesus say, As in the days of Abraham Abraham was the great one He was living and praying for Lot, and Abraham knew what was going to happen You would think that Jesus would have spoken of Abraham rather than Lot! But, Jesus was not only describing the calamity of destruction and its suddenness He was also describing a triumph of MERCY! The whole account, as given in the Bible, shows vividly the fact that MERCY was amazingly in operation in the very midst of the judgment against evils Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

253. Chapter 10: Noah - Abraham - David The PURPOSE of “judgment” is to uphold the position of the righteous But this MERCY was to Abraham, too NKJ Genesis 19:29 And it came to pass, when God destroyed the cities of the plain, that God remembered Abraham, and sent Lot out of the midst of the overthrow, when He overthrew the cities in which Lot had dwelt. Abraham was called to be a “blesser” of mankind In him and in his seed all nations were to be blessed Anything that blessing does is MERCY The whole universe is run that way Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

254. Chapter 10: Noah - Abraham - David No outreach of science and its mathematics will ever pass beyond the limits of blessing-mercy It is there, EVERYWHERE, operating in the vastness of space just as surely as in the Bible account of God’s dealings on this Earth The prophet Micah says: NKJ Micah 7:18 Who is a God like You, Pardoning iniquity And passing over the transgression of the remnant of His heritage? He does not retain His anger forever, Because He delights in mercy. 19 He will again have compassion on us, And will subdue our iniquities. You will cast all our sins Into the depths of the sea. 20 You will give truth to Jacob And mercy to Abraham, Which You have sworn to our fathers From days of old. Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

255. Chapter 10: Noah - Abraham - David God has involved Himself in oaths made to human beings - TO DO MERCY! Abraham like Moses was humble and meek In both of them their humility consisted in a willingness to DO God’s mercy for Him NKJ Luke 1:67 Now his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Spirit, and prophesied, saying:68 "Blessed is the Lord God of Israel, For He has visited and redeemed His people, 69 And has raised up a horn of salvation for us In the house of His servant David, 70 As He spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets, Who have been since the world began, 71 That we should be saved from our enemies And from the hand of all who hate us, 72 To perform the mercy promised to our fathers And to remember His holy covenant, 73 The oath which He swore to our father Abraham: Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

256. Chapter 10: Noah - Abraham - David This passage of scripture directly concerns the appearance of Jesus, the Redeemer and the Salvation of God HE is “the MERCY” promised to Abraham He was willing to be made “the MERCY” NKJ Galatians 3:13 Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, "Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree"), 14 that the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith. The promise of the Holy Spirit is described above as the “blessing of Abraham” - a truly supreme MERCY Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

257. Chapter 10: Noah - Abraham - David In fact, the whole book of Galatians is describing That MERCY, that in Jesus Christ, is the “blessing of Abraham” God still remembers Abraham - and the MERCY! Note the progressive revelation of the MERCY of God in the lives of Noah, Abraham, and Moses When God told Noah He was going to destroy all people, thought obedient to God, he did not intercede with God for any of them but was content that he and his family would be saved NKJ Genesis 6:13 And God said to Noah, "The end of all flesh has come before Me, for the earth is filled with violence through them; and behold, I will destroy them with the earth. Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

258. Chapter 10: Noah - Abraham - David NKJ Genesis 6:22 Thus Noah did; according to all that God commanded him, so he did. When God told Abraham that He was going to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah he interceded with God for the righteous to be saved NKJ Genesis 18:20 And the LORD said, "Because the outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah is great, and because their sin is very grave, 21 "I will go down now and see whether they have done altogether according to the outcry against it that has come to Me; and if not, I will know.”... 23 And Abraham came near and said, "Would You also destroy the righteous with the wicked?... 25 "Far be it from You to do such a thing as this, to slay the righteous with the wicked, so that the righteous should be as the wicked; far be it from You! Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?" Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

259. Chapter 10: Noah - Abraham - David Abraham’s concern was with the fairness to those keeping the rules of God (i.e, they deserved to live for their sake) When God told Moses that He was going to destroy all of Israel he interceded for ALL of their lives for God’s sake! NKJ Exodus 32:9 And the LORD said to Moses, "I have seen this people, and indeed it is a stiff-necked people! 10 "Now therefore, let Me alone, that My wrath may burn hot against them and I may consume them. And I will make of you a great nation." 11 Then Moses pleaded with the LORD his God, and said: "LORD, why does Your wrath burn hot against Your people whom You have brought out of the land of Egypt with great power and with a mighty hand? Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

260. Chapter 10: Noah - Abraham - David NKJ Exodus 32:12 "Why should the Egyptians speak, and say, 'He brought them out to harm them, to kill them in the mountains, and to consume them from the face of the earth'? Turn from Your fierce wrath, and relent from this harm to Your people. Both Noah and Abraham were selfish in their motives being concerned only for their family and friends respectively However, Moses demonstrates the highest motive of MERCY - for God’s sake, because only He deserves it! Furthermore, Moses was willing to be separated from God that Israel might be saved (i.e, he was selfless) NKJ John 15:13 "Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends. Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

261. Chapter 10: Noah - Abraham - David Moses: NKJ Exodus 32:32 "Yet now, if You will forgive their sin -- but if not, I pray, blot me out of Your book which You have written.” Later Jesus was separated from God to save us: NKJ Romans 5:7 For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. 8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. The Apostle Paul also had this motive: NLT Romans 9:3 for my people, my Jewish brothers and sisters. I would be willing to be forever cursed-- cut off from Christ!-- if that would save them. Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

262. Chapter 10: Noah - Abraham - David We are to allow God to change our motive from from only being concerned about the salvation of ourselves and family, to concern for the salvation of good people, to saving all mankind for God’s sake (Are you willing to be made willing?) God made mankind because He desired to not be alone but rather have a family to love However, Adam chose to join Satan’s family and separated the human race from God Therefore, God sent His unique Son Jesus to take our sentence of death in order that we can be free to be a member of His family Consequently, we are to save the lost so God can have the family He desires and deserves (i.e., save them for God’s sake) Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

263. Chapter 10: Noah - Abraham - David Lastly we look at MERCY in King David’s life David’s entire life is an exhibition of what God’s MERCY IS David, himself, attributed every triumph, at all times, to the MERCY of God NKJ Psalm 13:5 But I have trusted in Your mercy; My heart shall rejoice in Your salvation. NKJ Psalm 18:50 Great deliverance He gives to His king, And shows mercy to His anointed, To David and his descendants forevermore. The great theme, and supreme climax of the songs that his choirs sang, was: NKJ Psalm 106:1 Praise the LORD! Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever. Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

264. Chapter 10: Noah - Abraham - David All of David’s greatness, power, wealth, and victory over his enemies were attributed to one direct cause - The MERCY of God! There came an hour in which Satan opposed the triumph of that MERCY, and the God of MERCY Seeking to break through the anointing of David Satan tried to effect one thing: a deed that in its nature was the very evil that MERCY is not He pressed David to take another man’s wife, and as a direct consequence to order the murder of the man It was aimed at the very source of David’s anointing and fellowship with his lovingkindness-God Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

265. Chapter 10: Noah - Abraham - David David’s prayer in Psalms 51 shows the faith of a truly repentant heart, broken and feeling regret for the sin, but believing and certain in the assurance of God’s MERCY It is MERCY that breaks the stubborn heart, and it is MERCY that raises the broken heart to the certainty of faith NKJ Psalm 51:1 To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David when Nathan the prophet went to him, after he had gone in to Bathsheba. Have mercy [hhen] upon me, O God, According to Your lovingkindness [hhesed]; According to the multitude of Your tender mercies [rahhamim], Blot out my transgressions. Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

266. Chapter 10: Noah - Abraham - David In the Hebrew it reads, “Grace me, O God, according to thy mercy, and according to thy much compassion, blot out my transgression.” And then: NKJ Psalm 51: 2 Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, And cleanse me from my sin. 3 For I acknowledge my transgressions, And my sin is always before me. 4 Against You, You only, have I sinned, And done this evil in Your sight -- That You may be found just when You speak, And blameless when You judge. 5 Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, And in sin my mother conceived me. 6 Behold, You desire truth in the inward parts, And in the hidden part You will make me to know wisdom. 7 Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

267. Chapter 10: Noah - Abraham - David New Christians are typically like children, repenting of sin because they do not like the consequence it brings in their lives (i.e., sorry for being caught) This is the same type of repentance that is in the world and it leads to death (i.e., separation from God - think of Adam and Eve’s first sin response) NKJ 2 Corinthians 7:10 For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death. However, maturing Christians realize that all sin is first and foremost a sin against God our creator Consequently, we must run to Him as He is always for us and is the only one that can help us out of the mess we have created Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

268. Chapter 10: Noah - Abraham - David NKJ Psalm 51:8 Make me hear joy and gladness, That the bones You have broken may rejoice. 9 Hide Your face from my sins, And blot out all my iniquities. 10 Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a steadfast spirit within me. 11 Do not cast me away from Your presence, And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me. 12 Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, And uphold me by Your generous Spirit. 13 Then I will teach transgressors Your ways, And sinners shall be converted to You. 14 Deliver me from the guilt of bloodshed, O God, The God of my salvation, And my tongue shall sing aloud of Your righteousness. 15 O Lord, open my lips, And my mouth shall show forth Your praise. 16 For You do not desire sacrifice, or else I would give it; You do not delight in burnt offering. 17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, A broken and a contrite heart -- These, O God, You will not despise. Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

269. Chapter 10: Noah - Abraham - David All MERCY, ALL NEED, to be sure, but all mercies for all need NKJ Psalm 23:6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me All the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the LORD Forever. David was many years in the training of lowliness and mercy NKJ Isaiah 55:3 Incline your ear, and come to Me. Hear, and your soul shall live; And I will make an everlasting covenant with you -- The sure mercies of David. The verse above describes the relationship of David to God “The sure MERCIES (hhesed) of David”! Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

270. Chapter 10: Noah - Abraham - David We have touched on the sin, the exceeding great sin of David We hope that it is clear to all that MERCY, through repentance, puts an end to sin One does not sin into MERCY but out of it We do not come into MERCY by sin; rather by sin we go out of MERCY But when we turn to God, from sin, we forsake the sin for the MERCY that takes its place and fills the need Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

271. Chapter 10: Noah - Abraham - David When for instance I testify that corrupt, wicked, and vile as I was, God, nevertheless did not reproach me, but did MERCY to me I am not testifying that He was encouraging me to continue in sin Neither am I saying that He put a sort of premium on sin Nor am I saying that the sin was not reckoned as very great in His sight What I am saying is that though I was NOTHING BUT sin, everything gone and only sin remaining, my God needed not strike me for the sin with reproaches Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

272. Chapter 10: Noah - Abraham - David Instead He brought MERCY into view, in such a complete contrast to the evil, that there could remain no more any mistake as to the nature of sin And by the same view no mistake as to the nature of GRACE doing MERCY in COMPASSION in order to bring me to peace in God The result, then, of choosing, by repentance, the mercy-brought-into-view, was a cleaving unto God with the whole heart - UNAFRAID - for a riddance of the sin, and for cleansing away of its place and power For after all, sin is something else in God’s place in one’s life And MERCY is God assuming His rightful place Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

273. Chapter 10: Noah - Abraham - David The mercy of God, who is rich in MERCY, is not only dealing with the sinfulness of sin The MERCY is also His complete and fulfilling provision for that which is to take the place of the sin The great wonder of His love is that He offers HIMSELF to take the place of sin And that is what MERCY is as related to sin In Jesus Christ, God offers Himself as the life of righteousness that takes the place that sin had ruled in NKJ 1 Corinthians 1:30 But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God -- and righteousness and sanctification and redemption -- Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

274. Chapter 10: Noah - Abraham - David Mercy is not only pardon and cleansing; MERCY is also God filling the need of the sinner’s heart with Himself That is “MERCY,” that is God, and it describes what His will is NKJ Romans 5:8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. NKJ John 3:16 "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. 17 "For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. NKJ 1 John 4:19 We love Him because He first loved us. Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

275. Chapter 10: Noah - Abraham - David The message of GRACE, MERCY, and COMPASSION leads to victory over sin not to sin NKJ Romans 5:20 Moreover the law entered that the offense might abound. But where sin abounded, grace abounded much more, 21 so that as sin reigned in death, even so grace might reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. NKJ Romans 6:1 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? 2 Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it? NKJ Romans 6:14 For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace. 15 What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace? Certainly not! 16 Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, you are that one's slaves whom you obey, whether of sin leading to death, or of obedience leading to righteousness? Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

276. Chapter 10: Noah - Abraham - David NKJ Romans 6:22 But now having been set free from sin, and having become slaves of God, you have your fruit to holiness, and the end, everlasting life. 23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. NKJ 1 Corinthians 6:12 All things are lawful for me, but all things are not helpful. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any. NKJ 1 Corinthians 10:23 All things are lawful for me, but not all things are helpful; all things are lawful for me, but not all things edify. NLT Romans 6:13 Do not let any part of your body become a tool of wickedness, to be used for sinning. Instead, give yourselves completely to God since you have been given new life. And use your whole body as a tool to do what is right for the glory of God. Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

277. Chapter 10: Noah - Abraham - David NKJ Titus 2:11 For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, 12 teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, 13 looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, 14 who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works. We have been created in Christ for good works not sin, not idleness NKJ Ephesians 2:10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

278. Chapter 10: Noah - Abraham - David The message of GRACE, MERCY, and COMPASSION is to energize not paralyze NKJ 1 Corinthians 15:10 But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me was not in vain; but I labored more abundantly than they all, yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me. NKJ 2 Corinthians 9:8 And God is able to make all grace [i.e., FAVOR] abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things [i.e., MERCY], may have an abundance for every good work. 9 As it is written: "He has dispersed abroad, He has given to the poor [i.e., COMPASSION]; His righteousness endures forever." (Words in “[]” added by author) NKJ 2 Thessalonians 3:10 For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat. Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

279. Chapter 10: Noah - Abraham - David The message of GRACE, MERCY, and COMPASSION is to produce fervency not apathy NKJ 1 Corinthians 3:10 According to the grace of God which was given to me, as a wise master builder I have laid the foundation, and another builds on it. But let each one take heed how he builds on it. NKJ Ephesians 3:7 of which I became a minister according to the gift of the grace of God given to me by the effective working of His power. 8 To me, who am less than the least of all the saints, this grace was given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

280. Chapter 10: Noah - Abraham - David The message of GRACE, MERCY, and COMPASSION draws us to God not away from Him NKJ Romans 2:4 Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance? Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

281. Chapter 10: Noah - Abraham - David I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, I ask that He would grant us, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Holy Spirit in the inner man, that Christ may dwell in our hearts through faith; that we, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height - to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that we may be filled with all the fullness of God. Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen. Prayer based on Ephesians 3:14-21 Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

282. Chapter 11: Mercy in the Law of Moses (i.e., the Ten Commandments) Blessed Father, coming in the precious name of Jesus who is Thy mercy and Thy salvation, we ask for Your blessing now. Open, we pray, our understanding to understand the scriptures of truth. Let us see You, even in the dimness of the Old Covenant law; and show us how to live by all the words that proceed out of the mouth of God. Teach us to love You with all our heart, and our neighbor as ourselves, and to love our brother as Jesus has loved us. Amen Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

283. Chapter 11: Mercy in the Law of Moses (i.e., the Ten Commandments) This study starts with the sending of spies from the wilderness into the Promised Land recorded in Numbers Chapters 13 and 14 Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

284. Chapter 11: Mercy in the Law of Moses (i.e., the Ten Commandments) NKJ Numbers 13:1 And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, 2 "Send men to spy out the land of Canaan, which I am giving to the children of Israel; from each tribe of their fathers you shall send a man, every one a leader among them.” ...17 Then Moses sent them to spy out the land of Canaan, and said to them, "Go up this way into the South, and go up to the mountains, 18 "and see what the land is like: whether the people who dwell in it are strong or weak, few or many; 19 "whether the land they dwell in is good or bad; whether the cities they inhabit are like camps or strongholds; 20 "whether the land is rich or poor; and whether there are forests there or not. Be of good courage. And bring some of the fruit of the land." Now the time was the season of the first ripe grapes. 21 So they went up and spied out the land... Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

285. Chapter 11: Mercy in the Law of Moses (i.e., the Ten Commandments) NKJ Numbers 13:23 Then they came to the Valley of Eshcol, and there cut down a branch with one cluster of grapes; they carried it between two of them on a pole. They also brought some of the pomegranates and figs. ...26 Now they departed and came back to Moses and Aaron and all the congregation of the children of Israel in the Wilderness of Paran, at Kadesh; they brought back word to them and to all the congregation, and showed them the fruit of the land. 27 Then they told him, and said: "We went to the land where you sent us. It truly flows with milk and honey, and this is its fruit. 28 "Nevertheless the people who dwell in the land are strong; the cities are fortified and very large; moreover we saw the descendants of Anak [i.e., race of Giants] there. (Words in “[]” added by author) Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

286. Chapter 11: Mercy in the Law of Moses (i.e., the Ten Commandments) NKJ Numbers 13:30 Then Caleb quieted the people before Moses, and said, "Let us go up at once and take possession, for we are well able to overcome it." 31 But the men who had gone up with him said, "We are not able to go up against the people, for they are stronger than we." 32 And they gave the children of Israel a bad report of the land which they had spied out, saying, "The land through which we have gone as spies is a land that devours its inhabitants, and all the people whom we saw in it are men of great stature. 33 "There we saw the giants (the descendants of Anak came from the giants); and we were like grasshoppers in our own sight, and so we were in their sight." Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

287. Chapter 11: Mercy in the Law of Moses (i.e., the Ten Commandments) NKJ Numbers 14:1 So all the congregation lifted up their voices and cried, and the people wept that night. 2 And all the children of Israel complained against Moses and Aaron, and the whole congregation said to them, "If only we had died in the land of Egypt! Or if only we had died in this wilderness! 3 "Why has the LORD brought us to this land to fall by the sword, that our wives and children should become victims? Would it not be better for us to return to Egypt?" 4 So they said to one another, "Let us select a leader and return to Egypt." 5 Then Moses and Aaron fell on their faces before all the assembly of the congregation of the children of Israel. 6 But Joshua the son of Nun and Caleb the son of Jephunneh, who were among those who had spied out the land, tore their clothes; Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

288. Chapter 11: Mercy in the Law of Moses (i.e., the Ten Commandments) NKJ Numbers 14:7 and they spoke to all the congregation of the children of Israel, saying: "The land we passed through to spy out is an exceedingly good land. 8 "If the LORD delights in us, then He will bring us into this land and give it to us, 'a land which flows with milk and honey.' 9 "Only do not rebel against the LORD, nor fear the people of the land, for they are our bread; their protection has departed from them, and the LORD is with us. Do not fear them." 10 And all the congregation said to stone them with stones. Now the glory of the LORD appeared in the tabernacle of meeting before all the children of Israel. 11 Then the LORD said to Moses: "How long will these people reject Me? And how long will they not believe Me, with all the signs which I have performed among them? Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

289. Chapter 11: Mercy in the Law of Moses (i.e., the Ten Commandments) NKJ Numbers 14:12 "I will strike them with the pestilence and disinherit them, and I will make of you a nation greater and mightier than they." 13 And Moses said to the LORD: "Then the Egyptians will hear it, for by Your might You brought these people up from among them, 14 "and they will tell it to the inhabitants of this land. They have heard that You, LORD, are among these people; that You, LORD, are seen face to face and Your cloud stands above them, and You go before them in a pillar of cloud by day and in a pillar of fire by night. 15 "Now if You kill these people as one man, then the nations which have heard of Your fame will speak, saying, 16 'Because the LORD was not able to bring this people to the land which He swore to give them, therefore He killed them in the wilderness.' Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

290. Chapter 11: Mercy in the Law of Moses (i.e., the Ten Commandments) NKJ Numbers 14:17 "And now, I pray, let the power of my LORD be great, just as You have spoken, saying, 18 'The LORD is longsuffering and abundant in mercy, forgiving iniquity and transgression; but He by no means clears the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and fourth generation.' 19 "Pardon the iniquity of this people, I pray, according to the greatness of Your mercy, just as You have forgiven this people, from Egypt even until now." 20 Then the LORD said: "I have pardoned, according to your word; 21 "but truly, as I live, all the earth shall be filled with the glory of the LORD -- Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

291. Chapter 11: Mercy in the Law of Moses (i.e., the Ten Commandments) The spies had gone up into Canaan Land and returned They brought back tales of giant men, and a visible bunch, a giant bunch of grapes They were afraid to try and enter and conquer the Land They gave a discouraging report that made void all of God’s promises and commandments When we do not believe God we limit what He can do in our lives by nullifying the power of His word in our lives Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

292. Chapter 11: Mercy in the Law of Moses (i.e., the Ten Commandments) NKJ Psalm 78:41 Yes, again and again they tempted God, And limited the Holy One of Israel. NKJ Hebrews 3:17 Now with whom was He angry forty years? Was it not with those who sinned, whose corpses fell in the wilderness? 18 And to whom did He swear that they would not enter His rest, but to those who did not obey? 19 So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief. 4:1 Therefore, since a promise remains of entering His rest, let us fear lest any of you seem to have come short of it. 2 For indeed the gospel was preached to us as well as to them; but the word which they heard did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in those who heard it. NKJ Mark 7:13 "making the word of God of no effect through your tradition which you have handed down. And many such things you do." Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

293. Chapter 11: Mercy in the Law of Moses (i.e., the Ten Commandments) Two of the twelve, Joshua and Caleb, brought a report of faith in God, and were rewarded by the promise that they should live to inherit the Land The Lord, speaking to His servant Moses, said that He would disinherit the people and destroy them with pestilence, and make of Moses a greater and mightier nation than they Then Moses stood as the intercessor asking that the people be spared for the honor and glory of the Lord Moses displayed the proper motive for prayer again - for God’s sake (i.e., a selfless motive) Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

294. Chapter 11: Mercy in the Law of Moses (i.e., the Ten Commandments) One thing, supremely, does the Christ-like intercessor plead: the fact of God’s great MERCY In the power of the knowledge of that MERCY Moses prevails Numbers 14:19 "Pardon the iniquity of this people, I pray, according to the greatness of Your mercy, just as You have forgiven this people, from Egypt even until now.” This Law seems to place the LORD God in a discrediting light, as of one suddenly flaming with anger to destroy the rebellious people While the human leader seeks to placate Him and to change His behavior Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

295. Chapter 11: Mercy in the Law of Moses (i.e., the Ten Commandments) It is one of the great mysteries of God’s Kingdom that He limits Himself to the capacity of human beings; and takes thousands of years to accomplish purposes which we would think He should complete in a single generation He shapes a man to the mold of the need, and limits Himself to that man One reason for His doing so is that the creature called “man” was made in His Image From Adam to Christ, God was carrying through the processes by which that image should at last emerge, perfected and triumphant over all the powers of evil Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

296. Chapter 11: Mercy in the Law of Moses (i.e., the Ten Commandments) At every step through the long centuries there appears, and reappears one supreme revelation of this God and His working It is His MERCY And nowhere does the truth of it appear more clearly and vividly than at the points where some son-of-Adam fills the calling of Intercessor Another part of the mystery is in this: the intercessor is actually acting FOR God before Him It is God’s own Spirit of Truth that fills the “pray-er” to intercede before God, AS God wants to do Himself Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

297. Chapter 11: Mercy in the Law of Moses (i.e., the Ten Commandments) The Old Covenant presents what would happen if God’s MERCY were withdrawn when the Evil One seduces those who are under the MERCY to despise it and turn from it And the intercessor seems to change God Himself from a human type of anger In the New Covenant it appears as it really is, i.e., that the devil is the destroyer and the “curser” and the author of evils and wrath; but the intercessor stands before God, to intercede against the Adversary, in order that the working of MERCY may continue In Jesus we see it: NKJ Luke 23:34a Then Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do." Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

298. Chapter 11: Mercy in the Law of Moses (i.e., the Ten Commandments) There is nothing like this intercession in the world, apart from the revelation of the working of the MERCY of God Here, we have read the condensed wording of a mighty prayer of intercession by which the Evil One was overthrown The quality of God that emerges by this means is MERCY In this case, pardoning MERCY: NKJ Numbers 14:20 Then the LORD said: "I have pardoned, according to your word; Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

299. Chapter 11: Mercy in the Law of Moses (i.e., the Ten Commandments) Lastly, part of the mystery is that in the Old Covenant man did not understand that Satan tempted man into sin by playing on our desires NKJ James 1:14 But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. 15 Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death. Then he brought legal charges against man, whom He seduced into sin, before God NKJ Revelation 12:10 Then I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, "Now salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren, who accused them before our God day and night, has been cast down. Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

300. Chapter 11: Mercy in the Law of Moses (i.e., the Ten Commandments) Then there was no man in Heaven to mount a defense NKJ Job 9:33 Nor is there any mediator between us, Who may lay his hand on us both. NKJ Job 16:21 Oh, that one might plead for a man with God, As a man pleads for his neighbor! God the Father then simply enforced the law as an unbiased, merciful, and righteous judge giving Satan permission to inflict man, but with limits NKJ 1 Corinthians 10:13 No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it. An example of this is recorded in the book of Job Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

301. Chapter 11: Mercy in the Law of Moses (i.e., the Ten Commandments) YLT Job 1:8 And Jehovah saith unto the Adversary [i.e., Satan], 'Hast thou set thy heart against My servant Job because there is none like him in the land, a man perfect and upright, fearing God, and turning aside from evil?' 9 And the Adversary answereth Jehovah and saith, 'For nought is Job fearing God? 10 Hast not Thou made a hedge for him, and for his house, and for all that he hath -- round about? 11 The work of his hands Thou hast blessed, and his substance hath spread in the land, and yet, put forth, I pray Thee, Thy hand, and strike against anything that he hath -- if not: to Thy face he doth bless Thee!' 12 And Jehovah saith unto the Adversary, 'Lo, all that he hath {is} in thy hand, only unto him put not forth thy hand.' And the Adversary goeth out from the presence of Jehovah. (Words in “[]” added by author) Satan then went forth to kill, steal, and destroy all that Job has including children, servants, and possessions but does not harm Job (God’s limit) Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

302. Chapter 11: Mercy in the Law of Moses (i.e., the Ten Commandments) Today we have a High Priest, a mediator, an intercessor, an advocate in Heaven - the God-Man - our Lord Jesus Christ! NKJ Hebrews 4:15 For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. NKJ 1 Timothy 2:5 For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus, NKJ Hebrews 7:25 Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them. NKJ 1 John 2:1 My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

303. Chapter 11: Mercy in the Law of Moses (i.e., the Ten Commandments) NKJ Romans 8:31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things? 33 Who shall bring a charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies. 34 Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? ...38 For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, 39 nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

304. Chapter 11: Mercy in the Law of Moses (i.e., the Ten Commandments) And then, as a shining gem lying alone and apart, is the glorious 21st verse: NKJ Numbers 14:21 "but truly, as I live, all the earth shall be filled with the glory of the LORD -- How? Why? When? As the display of the truth of His MERCY For the LORD is over, and in, the MERCY of the LORD Compare the significant word in: NKJ Leviticus 16:2b ...for I will appear in the cloud above the mercy seat. Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

305. Chapter 11: Mercy in the Law of Moses (i.e., the Ten Commandments) God’s residence in Israel was that place And His cloud and fire, called the Shekinah, was over that place The fullness of the Earth is His MERCY And the whole Earth shall be filled with His Glory - that Glory (i.e., His MERCY) Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

306. Chapter 11: Mercy in the Law of Moses (i.e., the Ten Commandments) NKJ Deuteronomy 7:12 " Then it shall come to pass, because you listen to these judgments, and keep and do them, that the LORD your God will keep with you the covenant and the mercy which He swore to your fathers. 13 "And He will love you and bless you and multiply you; He will also bless the fruit of your womb and the fruit of your land, your grain and your new wine and your oil, the increase of your cattle and the offspring of your flock, in the land of which He swore to your fathers to give you. 14 "You shall be blessed above all peoples; there shall not be a male or female barren among you or among your livestock. 15 "And the LORD will take away from you all sickness, and will afflict you with none of the terrible diseases of Egypt which you have known, but will lay them on all those who hate you. Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

307. Chapter 11: Mercy in the Law of Moses (i.e., the Ten Commandments) Some of the passages do not have the word MERCY in them They do; however, show what the Bible teaches about MERCY in the Law Here is a long list of mercies promised: love, multiply, blessings on all fruitfulness and increase of family, land, grain, cattle, olives, sheep, blessed above all peoples especially in fertility of both humans and animals, and in addition a a breath-taking word: TO TAKE AWAY ALL SICKNESS These are all mercies! How great is such MERCY as just described Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

308. Chapter 11: Mercy in the Law of Moses (i.e., the Ten Commandments) Where today is the Christian church group in which these mercies have full sway and power? Where is the place where ALL sickness is taken away so that there is none at all? MERCY is not only the pardoning of sin, iniquity, transgressions In MERCY are included innumerable blessings that meet and fill innumerable needs In this passage they are named and can be numbered It is good to get a clear understanding of what the Bible teaches about MERCY Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

309. Chapter 11: Mercy in the Law of Moses (i.e., the Ten Commandments) Exodus 20:1-17 include the “ten words” called also the Ten Commandments The purpose here is to show that every one of the ten commandments issues in MERCY Their purpose and meaning is MERCY, spoken by the God of MERCY Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

310. Chapter 11: Mercy in the Law of Moses (The First Commandment) NKJ Exodus 20:3 " You shall have no other gods before Me. He is merciful and gracious, longsuffering and of great MERCY It is a supreme MERCY to know Him and to worship Him The commandment guides into MERCY Furthermore, God designed us to become like what we worship The plan was and is for us to worship the Lord and resultantly be changed into His image Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

311. Chapter 11: Mercy in the Law of Moses (The Second Commandment) NKJ 2 Corinthians 3:18 But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord. However, man has often been seduced into worshiping a false God or a distorted version of the one true God This has resulted in us becoming unlike the one true God NKJ Psalm 115:4 Their idols are silver and gold, The work of men's hands. They have mouths, but they do not speak; Eyes they have, but they do not see; 6 They have ears, but they do not hear; Noses they have, but they do not smell; 7 They have hands, but they do not handle; Feet they have, but they do not walk; Nor do they mutter through their throat. 8 Those who make them are like them; So is everyone who trusts in them. Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

312. Chapter 11: Mercy in the Law of Moses (The Second Commandment) Consequently: If you believe God is judgmental with your sins then you will be judgmental of others If you believe God is impatient with your weaknesses then you will be impatient with others If you believe God is uninvolved in your pain then you will be uninvolved with others, etc However: If you believe God is GRACIOUS then you will be gracious with others If you believe God is MERCIFUL then you will be merciful with others If you believe God is COMPASSIONATE then you will be compassionate with others, etc Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

313. Chapter 11: Mercy in the Law of Moses (The Second Commandment) NKJ Exodus 20:4 " You shall not make for yourself a carved image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth; A commandment rooted in MERCY For what more terrible thing can happen to the man created in the image of God, than to turn the truth of His Merciful Being into the worship of an image, or an idea of some created thing or power Yet, we have many idols in our hearts that we worship - many things we desire more than God NKJ Colossians 3:5 Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. NKJ Matthew 6:21 "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

314. Chapter 11: Mercy in the Law of Moses (The Second Commandment) Furthermore, if we come before God with a heart full of our desires (idols) then we will be deceived into thinking our will is God’s will NKJ Ezekiel 14:4 "Therefore speak to them, and say to them, 'Thus says the Lord GOD: "Everyone of the house of Israel who sets up his idols in his heart, and puts before him what causes him to stumble into iniquity, and then comes to the prophet, I the LORD will answer him who comes, according to the multitude of his idols, 5 in order to lay hold of the hearts of the house of Israel who are estranged from Me God does this so that we will grow weary of our ways and realize that surrendering control of our lives to Him is the only option that leads to life Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

315. Chapter 11: Mercy in the Law of Moses (The Second Commandment) Remember Balaam who wanted profit more than to obey God? (Numbers Chapter 22) God gave him permission to go with Balak (his will) even though judgment awaited in the form of an Angel blocking his path NKJ Acts 13:22b 'I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after My own heart, who will do all My will.' We must have our hearts set on doing all of God’s will Partial obedience is not obedience at all! Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

316. Chapter 11: Mercy in the Law of Moses (The Second Commandment) NKJ Luke 17:5 And the apostles said to the Lord, "Increase our faith.” 6 So the Lord said, "If you have faith as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, 'Be pulled up by the roots and be planted in the sea,' and it would obey you. 7 "And which of you, having a servant plowing or tending sheep, will say to him when he has come in from the field, 'Come at once and sit down to eat'? 8 "But will he not rather say to him, 'Prepare something for my supper, and gird yourself and serve me till I have eaten and drunk, and afterward you will eat and drink'? The servants job was to put food on the masters plate which began in the field but was completed in the dining room The message here is that our faith will grow when we are obedient all the way to task completion Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

317. Chapter 11: Mercy in the Law of Moses (The Second Commandment) NKJ Psalm 37:4 Delight yourself also in the LORD, And He shall give you the desires of your heart. NKJ John 15:7 "If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. We must spend time with God with a neutral (submitted) heart seeking His will for lives Then God will put His desires in our hearts and cause them to come to pass as we trust (keep our eyes on) Him So what is God’s primary purpose for our life? Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

318. Chapter 11: Mercy in the Law of Moses (The Second Commandment) NKJ Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good: to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. If you are “head over heels” in love with God then you will trust Him to always do what is best no matter what the circumstances The winds and waves will not distract, for you are are not walking on them, but rather on the “C” That is the C-o-m-e WORD as you keep your eyes fixed on Jesus whom you trust with all your heart! Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

319. Chapter 11: Mercy in the Law of Moses (The Second Commandment) NKJ Romans 8:29 For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. We are called according to one major purpose: to be conformed to the image of Jesus! Trusting God to cause everything to conform you to Jesus will result in everything working to your good The “good” that is being referred to is the hastening of the process of Christ conformation in our lives! Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

320. Chapter 11: Mercy in the Law of Moses (The Second Commandment) The dearest idol I have known, Whate’er that idol be, Help me to tear it from thy throne, And worship only thee(William Cowper, 1772, Hymn Writer) Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

321. Chapter 11: Mercy in the Law of Moses (The Second Commandment) NKJ Exodus 20:5 you shall not bow down to them nor serve them. For I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and fourth generations of those who hate Me, 6 but showing mercy to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My commandments. He is “jealous” to preserve them; jealous to keep them in the liberty that is in His MERCY and TRUTH How blood-chilling is the expression, “those who hate me” How can it be that creatures of clay can assert a will and purpose to HATE the God of Mercies? Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

322. Chapter 11: Mercy in the Law of Moses (The Second Commandment) To “hate” God is to willfully chose to disobey Him To “love” God is to willfully chose to obey Him NKJ John 14:23 Jesus answered and said to him, "If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him. 24 "He who does not love Me does not keep My words; and the word which you hear is not Mine but the Father's who sent Me. The result of love is unity with God The result of hate is separation from God Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

323. Chapter 11: Mercy in the Law of Moses (The Third Commandment) NKJ Exodus 20:7 " You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain, for the LORD will not hold him guiltless who takes His name in vain. There are several ways to take His Name in vain: by the cursing of foul and evil words accompanying His Name by false oath or appeal to His Name by laying blame upon Him by seeking to compel others by threat of fear His Name so as to please one’s self by condemning others in His Name Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

324. Chapter 11: Mercy in the Law of Moses (The Third Commandment) This commandment is of MERCY, for as Jesus said, all such vanities are evil NKJ Matthew 5:37 "But let your 'Yes' be 'Yes,' and your 'No,' 'No.' For whatever is more than these is from the evil one. There is no mercy in the evil one NKJ Proverbs 12:10 A righteous man regards the life of his animal, But the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel. We often take God’s name in vain when we say that we trust Him but then talk and take actions as if we do not For example, we thank God for being Jehovah-Jireh our provider but then complain that we can not pay our bills and turn to man for help Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

325. Chapter 11: Mercy in the Law of Moses (The Fourth Commandment) NKJ Exodus 20:8 " Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. 9 Six days you shall labor and do all your work, 10 but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the LORD your God. In it you shall do no work: you, nor your son, nor your daughter, nor your male servant, nor your female servant, nor your cattle, nor your stranger who is within your gates. 11 For in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested the seventh day. Therefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and hallowed it. He blessed and hallowed it On that day all self-works were to cease, in order to rest and worship God the LORD That was MERCY, all MERCY Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

326. Chapter 11: Mercy in the Law of Moses (The Fourth Commandment) It is a very great MERCY in the lives of humans and animals to have a day of rest every seventh day How blessed it is that in Christ we may enter into the true spiritual rest of God, and live in the SPIRIT of Holiness - EVERY DAY A very powerful truth is here - MERCY never ceases! The Sabbath was designed to exhibit that fact, and to make them know: NKJ Leviticus 20:8 ' And you shall keep My statutes, and perform them: I am the LORD who sanctifies you. Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

327. Chapter 11: Mercy in the Law of Moses (The Fourth Commandment) And it is startling to find in the establishing of the New Covenant that Christ Jesus, the guiltless One, was condemned for doing MERCY on the Sabbath days The day had become theirs, not God’s, and they repudiated God in His own day Why? Because they did not know what this means: “I will MERCY” They did not know what His MERCY IS, nor what it means The Sabbath was MERCY Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

328. Chapter 11: Mercy in the Law of Moses (The Fifth Commandment) NKJ Exodus 20:12 " Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long upon the land which the LORD your God is giving you. MERCY to father and mother was a distinct means for God’s MERCY to the children It has its fuller meaning in this: that God is our Father, and we can honor Him truly only in MERCY Mercy-lovingkindness is the preservation of such intimacy Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

329. Chapter 11: Mercy in the Law of Moses (The Sixth Commandment) NKJ Exodus 20:13 " You shall not murder. All violence, force, wrath, is opposite to the nature of MERCY MERCY is LIFE-GIVING and life-imparting Our Heavenly Father considers our lives precious NKJ Psalm 116:15 Precious in the sight of the LORD Is the death of His saints. God does not even take pleasure in the death of the wicked NKJ Ezekiel 33:11a "Say to them: 'As I live,' says the Lord GOD, 'I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live. Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

330. Chapter 11: Mercy in the Law of Moses (The Seventh Commandment) NKJ Exodus 20:14 " You shall not commit adultery. One cannot do God’s MERCY and commit adultery The world is full of corruption through this lust and other corruption-working desires This commandment is singularly a bulwark for MERCY There is little MERCY in a life of unfaithfulness (i.e., a faithless life) Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

331. Chapter 11: Mercy in the Law of Moses (The Eighth Commandment) NKJ Exodus 20:15 " You shall not steal. How directly opposite to MERCY is stealing MERCY is GIVING, providing, filling need Stealing is a blinding of the eyes to MERCY One does not steal in the passion of doing MERCY-GIVING These commandments were great MERCIES They were knowledge Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

332. Chapter 11: Mercy in the Law of Moses (The Ninth Commandment) NKJ Exodus 20:16 " You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor. Exactly opposite to MERCY is lying, and especially lying about someone else If you realized what a liar you are yourself many times in what you say with your mouth, you would see the need of a MERCYING heart, and a MERCY prayer, to deliver your lips from a lying tongue NKJ Psalm 58:3 The wicked are estranged from the womb; They go astray as soon as they are born, speaking lies. Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

333. Chapter 11: Mercy in the Law of Moses (The Ninth Commandment) Psalms 120, following directly after the great prayer Psalms 119, says: NKJ Psalm 120:2 Deliver my soul, O LORD, from lying lips And from a deceitful tongue. 3 What shall be given to you, Or what shall be done to you, You false tongue? 4 Sharp arrows of the warrior, With coals of the broom tree! Pierced through! And burned! The tongue needs to be pulled out by the roots, or, have the roots changed from lying, judging, criticizing, and evils, TO the outflowing of MERCY To do God’s MERCY in the heart is TRUTH! The truth purges out the false deceitful tongue, and gives freedom to the soul Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

334. Chapter 11: Mercy in the Law of Moses (The Ninth Commandment) I repeat, if you knew what a liar and deceiver you are in some of the things that you say or express, you would deny self, and humble yourself, and do MERCY And that does not mean: tell others about MERCY It means do MERCY in your own heart toward the ones you go around lying about The commandment is MERCY NKJ Colossians 4:6 Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one. NKJ Proverbs 22:11 He who loves purity of heart And has grace on his lips, The king will be his friend. Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

335. Chapter 11: Mercy in the Law of Moses (The Ninth Commandment) NKJ James 3:8 But no man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. Only God can tame our tongue as we submit control of it to Him NKJ Psalm 141:3 Set a guard, O LORD, over my mouth; Keep watch over the door of my lips. NKJ Matthew 12:34 "Brood of vipers! How can you, being evil, speak good things? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. We must allow God to so fill our hearts with MERCY, that MERCY comes out of our mouths God fills our hearts with MERCY as we DO MERCY to others (e.g., pray the MERCY prayer) NKJ Matthew 5:7 Blessed are the merciful, For they shall obtain mercy. Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

336. Chapter 11: Mercy in the Law of Moses (The Tenth Commandment) NKJ Exodus 20:17 " You shall not covet your neighbor's house; you shall not covet your neighbor's wife, nor his male servant, nor his female servant, nor his ox, nor his donkey, nor anything that is your neighbor's.” We stop abruptly lest someone say, “O I don’t covet my neighbor’s house, or his wife, or his servants, nor his oxen, or donkeys” But wait! Do you mean, for sure, that the conclusion is true of you: “ANYTHING THAT IS THY NEIGHBOR’S”? Anything! Do you mean that you covet NOTHING? Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

337. Chapter 11: Mercy in the Law of Moses (The Tenth Commandment) However, do not be afraid to mean that, for one of the purposes of this kind of Bible study is to bring full assurance to your heart that you CAN keep the words of God We need Light to see what the way is, and to see what hinders us from walking in it All the sin there ever was, and is, in the world stems from the root of coveting Coveting is a fire of Evil that is the opposite of the fire of Love - God’s Love Pride is the immediate result of coveting - its face, its light Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

338. Chapter 11: Mercy in the Law of Moses (The Tenth Commandment) There is a false fire and its false light: coveting is the fire and pride is the light - its form, visibility, exterior There is a true desire and its true light The true desire is Love (divine), and its light is lowliness of heart and mind Coveting is LUST - a desire to gain and to consume for one’s own self Love is the desire to GIVE what one is and what one has, for the fulfilling of the needs of others The working of coveting-lust-gain is selfishness with all its many forms, such as: self-interest, self-indulgence, self-pleasing, self-exalting, etc. Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

339. Chapter 11: Mercy in the Law of Moses (The Tenth Commandment) All are LUSTS The working of LOVE-true-desire is “MERCY” (hhesed), which is the opposite of ALL those self-I-nesses There are named in the Bible there forms, or stems, of coveting lust: The lust of the flesh The lust of the eyes The pride of life NKJ 1 John 2:16 For all that is in the world -- the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life -- is not of the Father but is of the world. Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

340. Chapter 11: Mercy in the Law of Moses (The Tenth Commandment) These are called: “The love of the world” The “love of the Father” is not in them The love-of-the-Father is what we call “LOVE” It is the love of God - the love that the Bible teaches These three main branches of coveting-lust include: All flesh loves that make the flesh to master the soul The love of riches, possessions, goods-of -Earth The love of intellect and power, by which we may equal or surpass, or rule over others Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

341. Chapter 11: Mercy in the Law of Moses (The Tenth Commandment) These are distinctly idolatrous They are a love of exalting self into position to be honored by others, and to dominate over them This “pride of life” is devil-likeness And these three lust branches are what this kind of teaching uncovers and destroys The only reason that anyone can fight against MERCY, as unveiled in the Bible, is that they are in the working of coveting lusts, to some degree All the sin there ever was, and is, in the world stems from the root of coveting-lusts Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

342. Chapter 11: Mercy in the Law of Moses (The Tenth Commandment) The sin that is called “the sin of the world” was just that: coveting, a false love for one’s self The “sin of the world” was a coveting of a wisdom-of-one’s-own in the place of GOD’S WORD The modern world-of-intellect is the seed-bearing fruit of thousands of years of development, of the lust for wisdom and knowledge without God That is SELF-wisdom and SELF-knowledge That is the Devil and Satan, and “that great serpent” We are called of God to “overcome the world” Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

343. Chapter 11: Mercy in the Law of Moses (The Tenth Commandment) All the sins that have ever appeared in the world are dominated by that supreme lust-for-wisdom-and-power This lust is the corrupting power of hell In it are the flesh lusts, and the eye lusts, and the pride lusts The animating power is false-love: COVETING Coveting is lusting The Law brought “the knowledge of sin” (i.e., what it is) NKJ Romans 4:15 because the law brings about wrath; for where there is no law there is no transgression. Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

344. Chapter 7: The Giving of the Law (cont.) The Law brought revelation that our disobedience to God was sin Furthermore, it revealed that we are born with a sin nature as a result of the fall of Adam That is, our flesh desires sin and all the more what is denied Consequently, the Law actually strengthens sin’s hold on us as it denies us the disobedient acts that our flesh desires causing us to want them more NKJ 1 Corinthians 15:56 The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law. The law was necessary for us to understand our hopeless condition in sin and that all our efforts to save ourselves would be futile Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

345. Chapter 7: The Giving of the Law (cont.) NKJ Romans 7:7 What shall we say then? Is the law sin? Certainly not! On the contrary, I would not have known sin except through the law. For I would not have known covetousness unless the law had said, "You shall not covet." 8 But sin, taking opportunity by the commandment, produced in me all manner of evil desire. For apart from the law sin was dead. 9 I was alive once without the law, but when the commandment came, sin revived and I died. 10 And the commandment, which was to bring life, I found to bring death. 11 For sin, taking occasion by the commandment, deceived me, and by it killed me. 12 Therefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy and just and good. 13 Has then what is good become death to me? Certainly not! But sin, that it might appear sin, was producing death in me through what is good, so that sin through the commandment might become exceedingly sinful. Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

346. Chapter 7: The Giving of the Law (cont.) NKJ Galatians 3:19 What purpose then does the law serve? It was added because of transgressions, till the Seed [Jesus] should come to whom the promise was made; and it was appointed through angels by the hand of a mediator. 20 Now a mediator does not mediate for one only, but God is one. 21 Is the law then against the promises of God? Certainly not! For if there had been a law given which could have given life, truly righteousness would have been by the law. 22 But the Scripture has confined all under sin, that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe. 23 But before faith came, we were kept under guard by the law, kept for the faith which would afterward be revealed. 24 Therefore the law was our tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith. 25 But after faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor. (words in “[]” added by author) NKJ Galatians 5:14 For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

347. Chapter 11: Mercy in the Law of Moses (The Tenth Commandment) MERCY is the opposite to the coveting: for MERCY is the love-of-giving for the needs of life In the last analysis, your spiritual conflict is against a coveting nature - in some form The Bible defines covetousness as idolatry NKJ Colossians 3:5 Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. Anyone’s idol is that which is coveted as a power for self, that includes pleasures, possessions, and position We have come now to the time of the supreme idolatry, that is: the worship of one’s own SELF Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

348. Chapter 11: Mercy in the Law of Moses (The Tenth Commandment) Self worship may be concerning one’s own mind, or achievements, or one’s greatness in his own eyes; or it may be a devotion to self-pleasing desires of the flesh or of the world The words, “Thou shall not covet” would require a long list to complete it if all coveting lusts were named But, the command is of MERCY Mercy nullifies and destroys the coveting spirit When we say that MERCY destroys the coveting spirit, we are speaking of DOING MERCY Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

349. Chapter 11: Mercy in the Law of Moses (The Tenth Commandment) What MERCY? The same that God has done to you, or that you desire Him to do to you An example of MERCY in the Law: NKJ Exodus 23:4 " If you meet your enemy's ox or his donkey going astray, you shall surely bring it back to him again. 5 "If you see the donkey of one who hates you lying under its burden, and you would refrain from helping it, you shall surely help him with it. This is from the Law of the Old Covenant It describes a MERCY to an enemy, one who hates you, or whom you yourself do much dislike Would YOU do what this commandment says? Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

350. Chapter 11: Mercy in the Law of Moses (The Tenth Commandment) A large part of the fusses and quarrels between Christians arises from the simple unwillingness to do the MERCY described in these two verses Would you bring back to your enemy his ox or his donkey? Would you stoop down and help up the donkey of him that hates you, or whom you greatly dislike? WOULD you? NKJ Matthew 5:44 "But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, NKJ Galatians 5:14 For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

351. Chapter 11: Mercy in the Law of Moses (The Tenth Commandment) NKJ Matthew 22:36 "Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law?” 37 Jesus said to him, " 'You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.' 38 "This is the first and great commandment. 39 "And the second is like it: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' 40 "On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.” NKJ Deuteronomy 6:5 "You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. NKJ Leviticus 19:18 'You shall not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the children of your people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the LORD. Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

352. Chapter 11: Mercy in the Law of Moses (The Tenth Commandment) We have taken only the entrance, as it were, to the study of what the Bible teaches about MERCY in the Law It should suffice to open that part of the Bible more fully to you; for MERCY is the revelation of God; and NKJ Psalm 19:7 The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul; The testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple; 8 The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; The commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes; NKJ Proverbs 6:23 For the commandment is a lamp, And the law a light; Reproofs of instruction are the way of life, NKJ Proverbs 13:14 The law of the wise is a fountain of life, To turn one away from the snares of death. Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985

353. Chapter 11: Mercy in the Law of Moses (Closing Prayer) Blessed Father, we are thankful that You are not leading our feet into an entanglement of laws that we cannot understand or keep. You have given Christ Jesus to dwell in us, and to be our very food and drink and light of life. Show us, we pray, how to continually offer ourselves to You as the temple of Your holy and wonderful love. Make us to KNOW You and Jesus Christ whom You have sent. Change our cravings and desires, so that we truly crave for You, and ardently desire to give to others the MERCY of Thy love that You have so freely given to us. In Jesus’ Name Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985Adapted from What the Bible Teaches about Mercy by Rex B. Andrews, Zion Faith Homes, Zion Illinois, 1985