LESSONS IN LAW ANDTHE WILDERNESS

Arkansas Fall GatheringSeptember 2009

Written for our Admonition

• Recorded that we might find in ourselves the perseverance to endure trial and tribulation

• Recorded that we might take comfort in the vital lessons regarding God’s expectation that have been revealed to us

• Recorded that we might find hope through our calling

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Doctrine is the Difference

• Like the Jews of the first century, who had “a zeal of God, but not according to (exact) knowledge” (Rom 10:2)

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The Pattern of History

• Eventual departure from the Truth of the gospel

• It takes only a few generations to pass before apostasy begins to set in

• “Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be” (Rom 8:7)

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Gentile Philosophy

• Liberty, equality and fraternity press upon us in their modern forms of moral and religious promiscuity, equal rights and unrestrained social acceptance

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Our Objective

• To highlight several aspects of the Law of Moses that, in spirit, bear great relevance to our probationary efforts today

• To study examples of the lessons taught by Yahweh to the Israelites in the wilderness, and through exhortation, to us today

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Sources Referenced

• The Law of Moses – Robert Roberts• Elpis Israel – John Thomas• Eureka (I,II,IV,V) – John Thomas• Exodus Expositor – HP Mansfield• Story of the Bible (Gospels) – HP Mansfield• Wilderness of Life – J. Martin• Straight Words to the Colossians – Grocott• Democracy – McCallister

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Necessity of Law

• “How much the excellence of human life depends upon law: we do not at first realize how much. We grow up under the feeling that the best thing for us is to be just let alone to follow the bent of our own sweet will. We learn at last that this is just the worst for any man or nation. Experience confounds false philosophy.” (Law of Moses, p.1)

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Influence of Democracy

• Restless – impatient, agitated, edgy• Revolutionary – rebellious, insurgent• Progressive – evolving, forward thinking, new

ideas

John Thomas, Eureka vol. 5 (Logos)

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The Book of the Law

• (5612, say'-fer); by implication a book, and can also be defined as evidence, a letter, a register, or a scroll

• Primary root (saw-far'), which means to score with a mark as a tally or record

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Evidence of Something

• “For the goal at which the Torah aims is the Messiah, who offers righteousness to everyone who trusts.” (Rom 10:4, CJB)

• Evidence that the Messiah would be the means by which Yahweh would make redemption from sin available

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Yarah

• Hebrew root for Torah• (3384, yaw-raw') To flow as water (i.e. to

rain); to throw or shoot (as in an arrow); figuratively to point out (as if by aiming the finger), to teach, direct, inform, and instruct

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English Translations of YarahScripture Translated

Gen 46:28 DirectExo 15:25 ShowedExo 24:12 TeachDeu 17:10 Instruct1 Sam 20:20 Shoot2 Kin 12:2 InstructedJob 38:6 Laid (as in a corner stone)Pro 11:25 WateredIsa 30:20 TeachersHos 6:3 Rain

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Thou Shalt Not Steal

• Steal (1589 gaw-nab) to thieve (lit/fig), to deceive

• One “steals” from God by leading would be servants of God astray

• One also “steals” from God when their time and energy is committed to the cares of this life rather than a faithful service of God

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Thou Shalt Not Covet

• Covet (2530 chamad) to delight in… also lust, desire, etc.

• Covetousness draws the attention of the Believer away from the things of God

• Covetousness creates impatience with the Truth and its restrictions, which become viewed as infringements of personal rights

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