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Announcements. Open forum this evening (7:15-8:15) in Jenks 237 Next exam on 8 October (next Wednesday) Check exams: Part B Form A, question 19 Form B, question 18
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Announcements • Open forum this evening (7:15-8:15) in Jenks 237 • Next exam on 8 October (next Wednesday) • Check exams: Part B • Form A, question 19 • Form B, question 18 • If you answered (D) instead of (E), please bring your answer sheet to me to receive credit. (It was the question about the Assyrians.)
Several Introductory Matters • Review categories of Torah • The importance of symbols and ritual • Overarching structure of Leviticus • Chapters 1-10 – the way to the Holy One (approaching God) • Chapters 11-27 – the way of holiness (all of life lived in the presence of God)
The Nature of Worship in the First Testament: A Paradoxical Scene • What is the paradox? • Implications of approaching God • Sacred space • Sacred time • Central feature was the sacrifice: What did it teach? • Propitiation – appeasing God’s wrath with shedding of blood (Leviticus 17:11; and see Hebrews 9:22) • Expiation - canceling sin • The process graphically depicts horror and pain caused by sin • Sanctuary and priests necessary to carry out sacrificial ritual • What do we learn about ourselves and God through the details of the sanctuary and the priestly functioning?
Compare and Contrast With New Testament • What concepts remain the same? • Hebrews 9:22 • Hebrews 12:28-29 • What has changed? • Hebrews 7:24-27 • Hebrews 10:10-12
Several literary observations 12 chapters in Exodus devoted to sanctuary Placement – between ratification of covenant in Exodus 20-24 and instructions about sacrifice in Lev 1-10 The golden calf – idolatry The instructions were carried out after that Significance of terms used Sanctuary - mikdash Tabernacle - mishkan Tent of meeting – ohel mo’ed Sanctuary
Purposes of the Sanctuary • Dwelling place of God in their midst, present but set apart • A “bridge” to the Incarnation (cf. John 1:14) • Prefiguring of the heavenly dwelling (Hebrews 8:5 and 9:11) • Symbol of the way back to the “tree of life”
Structure • Frames and curtains – set the tabernacle apart from the community • Holy Place and Most Holy Place (or Holy of Holies) • Cherubim on curtain as “guards” – note the role of the cherubim at the entrance to the Garden in Eden
Furnishings • Ark of the covenant – God’s presence at the atonement cover overshadowed by cherubim • Table for show bread (or bread of the Presence) – looks forward to “living Bread” • Lampstand – symbolic of the Spirit • Altar for incense – symbolic of prayers in Revelation • Outside furnishings • Altar for offerings • Basin for washing
Structure and Furnishings:Note the “path” into the presence of God
Added details • Anointing oil and incense • Maintained by the half-shekel
Priests and Levites • Levites took care of Tabernacle (later Temple), camped around it, later provided music and were also teachers (Deut 17) • Priests offered sacrifices and were teachers of Torah as well (Deut 31:9-13)
Attire of the High Priest:His Intercessory Role • Ephod • Breastpiece – with Urim and Thummim • Robe • Turban • Linen underclothes • Note that Jesus fulfills this intercessory role – the importance of praying “in the name of Jesus”
Ordination • Intricacy of the procedure • Initial ordination • Lessons from Nadab and Abihu • Worship must be conducted as God commands • It is not a matter of enjoyment or feeling good • Maintaining holiness is essential • Restrictions for priests – to maintain and demonstrate holiness • No normal mourning practices • Could not drink wine while officiating • Must distinguish between holy and profane • Must not trim beards • Must marry virgins • No physical defects
Sacrifices: General Procedures • Individual brought the animal - cost • He placed his hand on its head – identification with animal / transfer of sin • He killed the animal – graphic reminder of our own participation in the horror of sin • Priest sprinkled the blood – mediation needed • The sacrifice was burned in whole or in part – consecration and refining • For fellowship offering, part was eaten in community
Individual Offerings • Whole burnt offering – to atone for sin in general • Sin offering – to cover when someone sinned unintentionally • Guilt or trespass offering – to atone for unintentional sins regarding holy things; also for some deliberate sins • Grain offering – giving the best in thanksgiving • Peace or fellowship offering – give thanks to God • Additional offerings – thank offerings, and those for vows