August 23, 2010 Lesson 22 of Numbers 30

How does this chapter show our responsibility in speech? Cf. Matt 5:33-37; 12:36. Answer: a vow, I believe, is deeper than a promise. The person who vows something to another will complete that vow really unto death. Promises, especially in today’s world, are too easily broken. So yes speech matters a great deal. “Careless words” as Matt 12:36 points out are going to have to be answered for on the day of judgment.


Do you think the woman’s relationship to father and husband should be viewed as merely local Israelite custom, or is there an implied principle that holds in the twentieth century too? Answer: I think that in the husband wife relationship this should still be the case. However, before everyone flips a switch let me add that the same should be in the opposite situation. The couple are one. Each decision should be agreed upon by both husband and wife. The daughter father thing I think yes, goes without saying. Until 18 the daughter is still under the complete authority of the father.

August 21, 2010 Lesson 20 of Numbers 27 and 36. Laws of inheritance

What was the principle laying behind the request of the daughters of Zelophehad, and to what did the request lead? What was the important of all this? Answer: They made the point that yes their father did die in the desert, however he was not one who sinned with Korah. For this reason they feel that, and God and Moses agreed, they should be entitled to their fathers land as an inheritance since there were no sons. The reason God commanded this, is that each fathers land was to remain in his own tribe. So, since the land went where the man of the house was from the daughters had to marry within their father’s clan.


What was Moses’ overriding concern before his death? How was Joshua’s commission different from that of Moses? Was it inferior? Answer: Moses’ concern was that of most good leaders, who will succeed me? God gave Moses that answer in Joshua. I am not sure how Joshua’s commission is any different than that of Moses, at least not from this passage. I see that Joshua will bring them into the Promised Land, that in some ways may be a bigger commission.

August 20, 2010 Lesson 19 of Numbers 25 and 26

Chapter 25. Why was God’s anger so fierce against the sins of his people? Cf. 1 Cor 10:6-12. In this situation what two complementary concerns stirred Phinehas to action? Who likewise was moved to action on our account by similar concerns? Answer: Not only had the Israelites spent way too much time “bucking” the will of God, they now had gone and broken the first of the ten commandments; though shall have no other gods before me. First it was the blatant disregard for God’s commands by the people, and then in the middle of the assembly an Israelite, Zimri, took a Midianite woman, Cozbi, to his tent.


Chapter 26. Compare the numbering in chapter 1. This is a new generation. See. Verses 64, 65. Notice which tribes had increased and which decreased. What explains the survival of Caleb and Joshua? Answer: The probably easiest one to answer without even reading the chapter is that Caleb and Joshua survived because they were to the two spies that brought back the correct and faithful report regarding the Promised Land. Once counted land would be divided amongst them according to size.

Note: 25:1-5. Num 31:16 and Rev 2:14 reveal that these developments were due to Balaam’s activities. The Israelites were seduced into idolatry and immorality.

August 19, 2010 Lesson 18 of Numbers 23 and 24 (second study)

What can we learn from Balaam about the demands of being a spokesman for God, and a steward of minister of his Word? Note carefully the answers which Balaam gives to Balak’s suggestions. Cf. 1 Cor 9:16-17. Answer: I do see that one more than one occasion Balaam is telling Balak, or his princes, that he must only say what God tells him to say or do. Balaam cannot and will not curse the people of Israel if God does not tell him to, and guess what God isn’t going to. The 1 Cor passage I find interesting considering this story. It is obvious that God is working through Balaam and that Balaam understands that there is a more powerful God in world than any other god. Paul points out here exactly how Balaam is behaving. Balaam is carrying out, or “discharges,” the “trust committed to” him.


23:19. What is said here to make God’s words different in character from those of men? When God gives us his word, of what else can we be sure? Cf. 1 Thess. 5:24. Answer: God never lies, never promises what He cannot deliver.

August 18, 2010 Lesson 17 of Numbers 23 and 24 (first study)

Two studies are to be give to these chapters. On this occasion concentrate attention on Balaam’s oracles. Make a list of the statements in them which indicate God’s special purpose for, and care of, the people of Israel. Answer:
Ch 23
V8 How can I curse those whom God has not cursed
V20 I have received a command to bless; He has blessed, and I cannot change it.
V21 No misfortune is seen I Jacob, no misery in Israel. The Lord their God is with them; the shout of the King is among them.
V22 God brought them out of Egypt; they have the strength of a wild ox.
V24 The people rise like a lioness; they rouse themselves like a lion that does not rest till he devours his prey and drinks the blood of his victims.
Ch 24
5-7 How beautiful are your tents, oh Jacob, your dwelling places, oh Israel. 6 Like the valleys they spread out, like gardens beside a river…7Water will flow from their buckets; their seed will have abundant water. “Their king will be greater than Agag; their kingdom will be exalted.”
9 Like a lion they crouch and lie down, like a lioness –who dares to rouse them? “May those who bless you be blessed and those who curse you be cursed.”
18-19. Edom will be conquered; Seir, his enemy, will be conquered, but Israel will grow strong. 19 A ruler will come out of Jacob and destroy the survivors of the city.


Seek to appreciate the full significance of each one of these statements. What were the grounds of Balaam’s assurance of Israel’s victory and success? What similar grounds have we for thankfulness of wonder? Cf. e.g. 1 Pet 2:9-10. Answer: Balaam’s assurance comes from God. Balaam sees this when he says that God has opened his eyes.


Note. 23:10. ‘The righteous’: the word is plural, and refers here to the Israelites.

August 17, 2010 Lesson 16 of Numbers 22. The story of Balaam

This is a difficult story. Before tackling it, it will probably be helpful to read 2 Pet 2:15, 16; Jude 11; Num 31:16 and Rev 2:14, which give a clue as to Balaam’s true character and motives.


Balaam’s influence and relationship to God are interesting. Think about them. Consider also Moab’s fear in the face of Israel’s advance. What does this show concerning the ways in which God works? Answer: I am not sure how this story ends, but if it is one thing I have learned is God is sovereign. He can stop anything that He wants any time He wants. He can cause anything to happen that He wants to happen. God uses this sovereignty to, in this story, make the donkey talk and open Balaam’s eyes to the angel of God.


What was the ‘chink’ in Balaam’s armor? Why did his ‘guidance’ seem all confused after that? Contrast v12 with verses 20, 22, 32, 35. What ought we to learn from his failure? Do you think Rom 14:22b, 23 and 1 Tim 6:9, 10 give us a similar warning? Answer: I am confused here. I do see the failure of Balaam, in that despite knowing and saying what he knows God commands he still eats the sacrificed animal. Other than that the only ‘chink’ that I see is that Balaam did not understand the seriousness of the situation. He only understood once the angel of God appeared to him with the donkey. Then, as I stated before, he ate the sacrificed foods. He still wants the riches, it appears. Having said that, yes, I think that the 2 other passages give very similar warnings.

August 16, 2010 Lesson 15 of Numbers 21. Conquest of the Amorite Kings

Israel’s reaction to adversity gets a little monotonous (v5), and it’s easy to say, ‘Why cannot they learn to trust God?’ But are not we often as unbelieving? Notice how Jesus uses this story (v6-9) as a ‘type’ in John 3:14, 15. What parallels are there in condition of the afflicted and in the means of salvation in each case? Why a serpent on the pole? Cf. 2 Cor 5:21. Answer: I am not sure why Israel could not learn to have faith in God. However, we do just the same. I am not sure why. Maybe it is as Paul says in Romans 7: 15 “I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. 16 And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. 17 As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. 18 I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. 19 For what I do is not the good I want to do; no, the evil I do not want to do--this I keep on doing. 20 Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it. 21 So I find this law at work: When I want to do good, evil is right there with me. 22 For in my inner being I delight in God's law; 23 but I see another law at work in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within my members. 24 What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? 25 Thanks be to God--through Jesus Christ our LORD! So then, I myself in my mind am a slave to God's law, but in the sinful nature a slave to the law of sin.” I know that I have heard others talk of the snake on the pole and it being a ‘type’. However, I don’t recall, and can’t find, what that is right now.


It is worth tracing Israel’s journey on a map from 20:1 onwards. Notice how circuitous it was. What evidence is there, as against 20:2,3 and 21:4, 5, that Israel was learning trust and obedience through discipline? What discipline? Cf. Deut 8:2. Answer: Israel was, I believe being disciplined for their unbelief, I am not sure how it tells us here that they are really learning anything. Each time they are “disgruntled” and then God sends in the punishment.

August 15, 2010 Lesson 14 of Numbers 20

Notice Moses’ and Aaron’s reaction to the people’s discontent (V6). What did God desire to achieve through this incident? See V 6, 8, 12. How did Moses and Aaron fail, and in what terms is their failure described? See verses 10, 12, 24; cf. 27:14; Deut 32:15. Answer: He was hoping to bring them closer to Him. They failed in that they more or less sided with the people and did not put their full faith in Him at this moment.


God’s anger with Moses and Aaron may at first seem to us out of proportion to the extent of their failure. What ought we to learn from this? What ought we also learn from the fact that ‘rash words’ (Ps. 106:33) come from ‘humble’ (12:3) Moses’ lips? Answer: I think of this as if we are all children. We know what we should not do and how we should treat one another in order to show God’s love. Do we all ways do that; no. I am sure that our kids many times think that our punishment is too drastic for the crime. But seeing the bigger picture allows us to effectively rear our children. This is what God does for us as well!

August 14, 2010 Lesson 13 of Numbers 18:8-19:22

What does 18:8-32 teach us about offerings that are holy and belong by right to God? Answer: I am not sure how to answer this question based on the passage. I see, in this passage, God giving the Levites the honor of partaking of the meat, wine, and other items used in the sacrifice as “payment” for their service to the temple (as noted in v21). God does give to us, and in our obedience does provide much more back to us. Other than that I am not sure how to answer this question.


What are the special features of the sacrifice described in 19:1-10? Note the use to which the ashes were put (19:9, 12, 17-19). What are the ‘dead works’ from which we need to be purified? Answer: The priest does not lay his hand on the cow’s head and it is slaughtered outside the city. Everyone who comes in contact with any part of the cow is considered unclean and must perform the ceremonies to become clean again. The dead works are our sins.


Note
18:19. ‘An everlasting covenant of salt’ :i.e., and indissoluble covenant. Cf. 2 Chr 13:5.
19:9,12, 17-19. The cleansing virture of the sacrifice already made was thus symbolically stored up and applied, as need arose, to the unclean. Cf. Heb 9:13, 14; 1 John 1:7-9.

August 13, 2010 Lesson 12 of Numbers 16:36-18:7

How is the exclusive Aaronite priesthood strengthened and confirmed? What does the service of the priesthood involve? Notice especially 16:48, and compare the work of Christ as great High Priest. Cf. Heb 5:1, 9, 10; 7:25-28; 9:11, 12, 26. Answer: It is further confirmed by the staff with Aaron’s name on it to grow, bud, and produce almonds. God does not need to prove to man what He has chosen for Himself, however, like a great parent likes to show His children the Way. The main call of the priest was, as 16:48 points out, to stand between the living and the dead. The priest was to be that connection between God and man, giving us the ability to stand holy and righteous before God. This is exactly what Christ has done for us today.


How could our service be transformed by thinking of it as a gift (18:7)? Cf. 1 Tim1:12-14; 2 Tim 1:6. Answer: Our service is a gift in that we could not do any of it without first receiving the ability from God.

August 12, 2010 Lesson 11 of Numbers 16:1-35

There is evidence here of a double revolt: one by Korah (a Levite) ‘and all is company’ against Moses and Aaron; and one by Dathan and Abiram (Reubenites) against Moses. What was the ground of complaint in each case? See 16:3 and 16:13-14. To what extent was it justified? Cf. Heb 5:4; 2Cor 10:18. Answer: I am not sure that I see it as a “double revolt.” I see it as both things together pushed them over the edge. They (those speaking out against Moses here) saw Egypt as a land flowing with milk and honey compared to where they are now. In addition they saw Moses’ behavior as one of superiority. They obviously did not understand Moses. [Before I read Heb. 5:4 and 2 Cor 10:18 let me try this one on for size. As Christians we are to look at one another and help one another stay on track with the Word. In that regard we are to sometimes question things that are not in line with the Word and God. This is a bit different in that these men were obviously sinning against the Lord. Now for the other passages. ] The passages show that man does not choose, but it is God who chooses.


What lay behind the revolts that made them serious enough to warrant so drastic a punishment and warning to the people? See especially verses 11, 19, 28, 30. Answer: it was an outright direct sin against the Lord. These men were trying to disrupt and redirect the Israelites away from the will of God.


Note. Verse 1. That such men should lead an open revolt against the authority of Moses and Aaron meant that it was a very serious outbreak of discontent.

August 11, 2010 Lesson 10 of Numbers 15. Religious laws

What do verses 1-21 teach us about making offerings which are pleasing to God? Answer: The grain offering here is to be connected with the burnt offering by timing (they are to be brought together) and amount (the NIV points out that as the animal grows in size so does the grain offering). The burnt offering is worship, seeking atonement for unintentional sins, expresses devotion and commitment to God. While the grain offering shows worship and thankfulness for God’s provisions. To me this shows that atonement must come with thankfulness. First thing coming to my mind is the B-attitudes.


Why was there no way of atonement for the person who sinned ‘defiantly’? What does this mean? Cf. Mark 3:28-29; Heb 10:26-31, 39; Ps 19:13. Answer: The only unforgiveable sin is to blaspheme against the Holy Spirit. Though the Spirit was not on the earth at this point He did still exist as part of the Trinity in Heaven. To blaspheme God is to blaspheme the Holy Spirit, the one unforgivable sin. Am I going out on a limb too far?? Is that what the answer is??


Notice by whom the deliberate law-breaker had to be dealt with and in what way Cf. Cf. Matt 18:15-17; 1 Cor 5; Heb 12:15. Why is such church discipline so little practiced? Answer: The people were to deal with him. They were to cut him off.


Note. V38. ‘Tassels’: these were made of twisted thread and attached by a blue ribbon to the robe, to remind the wearer of the commandments of the Lord, and of his obligation to keep them.

August 10, 2010 Lesson 9 of Numbers 14:10-45

What can we learn from Moses’ prayer, especially concerning governing motives and grounds of appeal to God? Answer: The grounds of Moses’ argument were that to the Egyptians, God would not look competent. It would appear that God was not able to deliver on His promises if He destroyed them in the desert. He reminds God (not that God really needs reminding) that He is a God that is slow to anger and disciplines his children.


Although forgiven, the people suffered the consequences of their sin. How? In what way do they show themselves throughout this story (Num 13 and 14) to typical of us? Answer: The current generation (those over 20) who had “grumbled against” the Lord were not going to be allowed to enter the Promised Land. This is a pretty good picture of us many times. We don’t always follow God’s plan for our life, or we too grumble on the way there, and this causes us to miss out on lots of God’s blessings in our own lives.

August 9, 2010 Lesson 8 of Numbers 13:1-14:10a. The spies are sent into the Land.

To what places in Canaan did the spies go? Look up Hebron and the Valley of Eshcol on a map. What were they commissioned to discover, and what report did they give? Answer: The spies reported what they feared in their heart. They reported that there were giants who could easily defeat them. They lost faith in God that He would help them through any battle. They were promised the land, and yet they didn’t have the faith needed to bring back positive report. They did report, however, positively about the fruits of the land.


What lay behind the opposing views expressed in 13:30 and 31? Were Caleb and Joshua being unrealistically optimistic and refusing to face facts? What was the outcome of the people’s fear and unbelief? Notice how few believed, and the frequent occurrence of the word ‘all’ in 14:1-10. Cf. Heb 4:1-2. Answer: Caleb and Joshua had not lost faith in God, which prompted their report that it was possible to defeat the people in the land. This “negativism” spread in the camp.


Note: 13:32. ‘The land we explored devours those living in it’: this probably refers to the constant wars between its people, and their ferocity in internecine strife.

August 8, 2010 Lesson 7 of Numbers 11 and 12. Complaints

What different attitudes are shown here by the people, the rabble, Joshua, Miriam and Aaron, and Moses? How does Moses stand out as ‘different’? Answer: Moses is at his wits end, so to speak. He understands how God has blessed them and how He loves them. The rabble are pot stirrers. They are causing dissent within the camp. Joshua is trying to protect what Moses has (the gift of prophecy from the Lord), while Moses wants everyone to have the same blessing he does. Miriam and Aaron stood against Moses, and therefore stood against God. Moses cared for them and followed Aaron’s wishes to ask God to heal her.


How did God ‘deal’ with the various complaints made? Answer: God answered the complaints but at the same time punished the Israelites for their disbelief.


Note; 12:3. ‘Humble’: Not concerned for their own interests of prestige, and so able to pay ono attention to the unfair attacks on themselves.

August 7, 2010 Lesson 6 of Numbers 9:15-10:36. The journey begins again

Israel was made very sure of God’s guidance. Without the actual symbols of cloud and fire, can we claim the same assurance? Cf. Acts 16:6-10; Rom 8:14. Why the repetition of the words ‘at the Lord’s command’? Answer: We can claim the same assurance through the Holy Spirit. The repetition reminds us that God is truly in control of all movements.

Notice the correspondences and the differences between 10:14-28 and 2:3-31. What is there in chapter 10 to show that, although God led and protected the children of Israel, he did not expect them to be utterly passive and to do nothing for themselves? Answer: The passage in Ch10 shows actual movement. If there is more than that, and I am sure there is, I don’t see it. I have a hard time with all the names, not to mention names I don’t know or can’t pronounce. I do see that God intended the Israelites, through His guidance, to move to the Promised Land.

What was the significance of the trumpets (10:1-10)? Cf Lev 23:24; Num 29:1. It has been said, ‘When God remembers, he acts’. Cf. Gen 8:1; 19:29; 30:22. Answer: Well I want to start by saying that I am glad the He doesn’t forget. The trumpets are more for declaring the Lord to us and those we are in conflict with.

Note:10:35-36. These were the words uttered publicly by Moses at the beginning and end of each day’s journey. Note their expression of dependence on God’s protection and desire for his abiding presence.

August 6, 2010 Lesson 5 of Numbers 8:1-9:14

Chapter 8 is a re-assertion of the ‘separatedness’ of the Levities. How was this made clear to Israel? What is a wave offering? Cf Lev 10:15; 23:20; a probable meaning is ‘contribution’. What was the relationship of the Levites to God, priests and people respectively? Answer: A wave offering, from Bible.croswalk.com, is the “rite, together with that of "heaving" or "raising" the offering was an inseparable accompaniment of peace.” The Levites were taken unto God as the first born, servants to the priests and temple, and set apart from the people.
9:1-14. How is the importance of the Passover shown here? Cf. Exod. 12:24-27. What are we to learn from this? Answer: They are performing the Passover even when out in the desert. Location need not dictate where the ceremonies of the Lord are to be carried out. Not much different today. God is everywhere.

What do we see here of Moses’ way of exercising leadership? How did he deal with practical problems when individuals brought them to him? Answer: He took them to the Lord

August 5, 2010 Lesson 4 of Numbers 6:23-7:89 Dedication of the Tabernacle

What did it mean for Aaron and his sons to ‘put’ God’s name ‘on the Israelites’? How did the blessing effect this? See Deut 28:9, 10; Dan 9:18, 19, and cf. 1 Cor 6:11; 2 Cor 13:14. Answer: I am not sure how to answer this (boy, oh boy, this is a hard book).


Notice how often the words ‘offering’ of ‘dedication offering’ are used in ch 7. The solemnity is emphasized by repetition. In what way is 7:89 a fitting climax to this ‘build up’? What did it all mean to Israel? Do we ‘offer’ to God in this atmosphere of reverence? What similar climax can we expect when we thus approach God? Cf. Heb 3:7; 4:16. Answer: It all meant that as Israel had faith they would be in His will. Faith allows us to enter into His grace and be blessed, as the conferring passages point out. The Heb 3:7 is the beginning of an exposition of Ps 95:7-11. The rest of the passage points out what happens in the opposite situation. It shows how God is angry if one does not have faith in God and receives His blessing.

August 4, 2010 Lesson 3 of Numbers 5:1-6:21

Many of the civil and religious laws of Israel and the rites connected with them are hard for us to understand. They may seem strangely abhorrent, sometimes inhumane or quasimagical in character. It is important to bear in mind: a) the authority of the priest is every sphere of Israel’s life, including that of cleanliness and hygiene, which were as much a part of ‘religious’ ceremony as the worship in the tabernacle; b) the background of religious rites common to the whole of the ancient Near East and used by Israel, though transformed both by her faith in the one true God, and in order to make them usable in his worship; and c) the need that this new, God chosen nation should be constantly reminded of the holiness and moral demands of her God.


What sort of people were to be ‘put out’ of the camp, and why? Cf. Lev 13:46; 15:31. What interests of humanitarian justice are satisfied in the commands of 5:11-31? These seem like purely magical rites, but note verse 16, 18, 21, and 30. Answer: Those ceremonially unclean; i.e. those who have come in contact with the dead or discharge or have a discharge. The tabernacle, the dwelling place of God, is to remain clean and for this reason uncleanness is to be kept out and away. The interest of humanitarian justice covered in the later part of this chapter is faithfulness to one’s spouse. If nothing else this will prevent the spread of those things causing a discharge, making one unclean. However, it it really more than that superficial reason. God intends for use to be married and happy to one person all our life, just as we are the bride of Christ.


How did the Nazirite’s separation to God find expression? What was the point of it all, since it was apparently not an act of service that could be offered to God as acceptable in and of itself apart for the regular offerings of the tabernacle? See 6:14-15; and Cf. Lev 1-7 for details. How far is there a similar challenge to consecration confronting the believer in Christ? Cf. Heb 9:10-14; Rom 12:1-2. Answer:

August 3, 2010 Lesson 2 of Numbers 3 and 4; Work of the Levities

Ok these type of questions are really hard for me. I will give this a shot and then look at Pastor Troy’s later today. He made far better sense yesterday than I did. After reading it I thought, Duh!
For background details concerning the tribe of Levi, see Exod, 6:16-25; 32:25-29; Lev 10.


How was the work assigned to the Levites divided between the three ‘families’ of the tribe? How, if at all, might the command ‘each to his task’ (4:49) apply to Christians? Do these two chapters throw any light on the possible implications of such a command? See especially 3:5-10, 25, 31, 36, 45; 4:46-49. Answer: It was assigned by sections so that each one knew what his job would be. I think that our lives are symbolically like the temple work here. Each person is given gifts from God to do the work of the Church. Each of these gifts is given to us by God to help those inside the Church and bring those outside the Church into the love of God.


Whom did the Levities represent? Why did the first born belong to God? What does ‘redemption’ mean in this context? Is there a New Testament counterpart that involves us? Answer: Not sure here at all. This was touched on a bit yesterday, if I recall, but I don’t understand the first born belonging to God concept. I need some further research on this.


How does 4:1-20 bring out the ‘frighteningly’ sacred character of the tabernacle? Cf. 1:51b, 53; 2 Sam 6:6-11; Rev 4:8. What truths does this illustrate and enforce? Answer: It shows how those things inside the inner chamber are to be kept from the sight of everyone except the high priests. Again I am at a loss.

August 2, 2010 Lesson 1 of Numbers 1 and 2. Numbering and order of the tribes

Israel’s immediate future was to be characterized by war and worship. How is this shown in chapter 1? Can the two be separated in the daily life of the Christian? Cf. 2 Cor 10:3-6; Eph 6:10-13. Answer: I see that the two were indeed separate. Every tribe was ordered to count and prepare all men over 20 for war, except for the Levites. The Levities were to be the “keepers” of the tabernacle and all its furnishings. They were not to prepare for war. In addition all the tribes were to camp near the tabernacle, while the other tribes made a defensive perimeter around the tabernacle.


What point is there in the detailed ordering of the tribes as given in chapter 2? What are the central and governing interests? Cf. 1Cor 12:7, 11, 12; 14:40. Answer: The purpose is to keep order, but more importantly let the body know what each of their purposes are (not unlike the body of Christ today). The reason for the detail; I am not totally sure. I do see, through the study Bible, that ch2 does have a nice structure of its own. It lays out the East side, the South side, the Tabernacle and the Levites, the West side, and finally the North side in that order.

August 1, 2010 Lesson 21 of Hebrews Revision

Review the doctrinal teaching of this epistle. See the Introduction and Analysis. List the ways in which what is ours under the new covenant is better than the things that the Israelites enjoyed under the old covenant. What do we have to do to gain full possession of these benefits? Why is rejection of them so serious? Answer: First let me say that believing that Jesus is the one true way to God is the only way to get the full possession of these benefits. Rejection of that belief is a sure fire way to get sent straight to hell. There is no pretty politically correct way to put it. God is a loving God, however, His standard is high. We must be made full righteous in order to stand in front of Him. The only way to be made righteous is to believe Jesus is the Son of God and ask for forgiveness of your sins. This is probably the biggest way in which the new covenant is different from the old. Under the old their faith and belief made them righteous and the blood of animals were a temporary covering of their sins. Because this covering was temporary the sacrificial ritual had to be done over and over daily. With the new covenant we are forgiven once and for all. 1) we don’t need to sacrifice animals, 2) the covering is permanent.


Consider the positive exhortations to be found in the following passages: 2:1; 4:1, 14, 16; 10:22-24; 12:1, 28; 13: 17, 22. Which of these exhortations do I particularly need to hear and to act on? Answer: Probably the exhortation in 2:1; the exhortation to pay attention.