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This announcement recalls the previous exam on the Assyrian question and provides information about the upcoming exam on the Sabbath Ritual Torah. It includes review questions and key topics such as Sabbath observance, Jesus' views on the Sabbath, and festival observances.
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Announcements • Previous exam recall – the “Assyrian question” – by today • Exam Wednesday • You may start as early as 8:45 and/or stay later if necessary • The essay question will address the Sabbath
Ritual Torah: Sabbath, Festivals, Vows
Review Questions • What are the categories of Torah? • What were the key symbols involved in Israel’s worship activities? • What did they teach?
Sabbath Observance • The Sabbath principle • Rest every seventh period • Affected both humans and the land • Set God’s people apart • Categories of Sabbath observance • Every seventh day (the sign of the covenant) – based on… • God’s rest after creation • God’s mighty redemptive act • The death penalty applied if Sabbath was desecrated • Every seventh year – note environmental and social implications • The Jubilee – return to family property, rest for the land, slaves set free (paradigm of redemption from Egypt) – a reminder of God’s ownership
What did Jesus have to say about the Sabbath? (Mark 2:23-3:6; see also Matt 12:1-14) • Keep in mind the concern of the Pharisees of Jesus’ day • The Sabbath was made for humankind, not humans for the Sabbath • The Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath • It is lawful to do good on the Sabbath
Is Sabbath observance “binding” for New Testament believers? Some reflections • It is one of the Ten Commandments and the penalty for infraction was death • It was the sign of the Sinai covenant • One of the bases for its establishment lies in creation itself • The other lies in redemption and with the Sabbath we look forward to our ultimate rest and redemption (cf. Hebrews 4) • Suggestion: The principle of rest and keeping holy one day in seven is binding; the specific practices are not rigid. Note Colossians 2:16.
Purposes of Festival Observance • Worship – sacrifices were central – they were not to come empty-handed • Reminder of God’s nature and activities on behalf of His people (educational tools) • Demonstration of obedience (commanded to appear before the Lord – Exodus 23:14-17)
The Three Major Festivals (Ex 23, Dt16; also Lev 23 and Num 28,29) • Passover and Unleavened Bread • Provision of “second Passover” – Numbers 9 • Weeks (also called Harvest and later Pentecost) • Tabernacles (also called Ingathering)
Two Additional Major Festivals [see Leviticus 23 and Numbers 28-29] • Trumpets • Day of Atonement (Leviticus 16) • “atonements” for high priest, sanctuary, people • “transgressions” implies deliberate rebellion • Two goats – one for the LORD was slaughtered; one “for Azazel” was sent to the wilderness • Possible connection with John 1:29
Other Ritual Observances • Vows: • Nazirite vow (Numbers 6) – purpose, conditions, symbol, interruption, conclusion • Nature of vows in general • Tithes (Deut 14:22-29) • Dedication and Redemption (Lev 27:1-29) • Water of purification (Numbers 19) – provision for purification from contact with death