Friday, November 16, 2007
The Lamb Bible Studies
Bible Doctrine of the Lamb by Sidlow Baxter
Lamb Emphasis What It Is For
Genesis 4 Necessity Propitiation Sin
Genesis 22 Provision Substitution A Man.. Isaac
Exodus 12 Slaying Expiation A family
Leviticus Character Absolution A nation
Isaiah 53 Is A Person Vicarious The elect
John 1 That Person Is Jesus Removal The whole world
Acts 8 Son of God Individual Salvation Whosoever
1 Peter 1:18 Resurrection Redemption All History
Revelation 5 Enthronement Government All the universe
Revelation 21-22 Eternal Kingship Eternal Glory All Eternity
The Bible, although a collection of books and letters written by many different people from many different times, cultures, and languages, is one book united around one grand theme. This can only be attributed to the work of supernatural revelation. Scripture’s divine origin shines forth through the progressively revealed nature of its doctrines. The doctrine of the Lamb exemplifies this as well as any theme of Scripture. Ten primary passages trace its progression throughout the Scripture, each revealing a little more about the Lamb. The first passage is Genesis 4 and the account of Abel. The second is Genesis 22 where Abraham nearly sacrifices Isaac. The third passage is Exodus 12 and the Passover lamb. The sin-offering lamb of Leviticus is next, followed by Isaiah 53 and the suffering Lamb. The New Testament revelation begins with John 1 and the Baptizer’s announcement of the Lamb of God. Acts 8 and Philip’s encounter with the Ethiopian further unfolds this revelation of the Lamb. The eighth passage is 1 Peter 1:18-21, and the final two are in Revelation 5 with the Lamb on the throne and Revelation 21-22 where the Lamb reigns eternally. Each of these ten passages teaches a different truth about the doctrine of the Lamb, shedding more and more light on the perfect work of redemption that Christ accomplished. Three of these passages emphasize the central position of the Lamb in all of Scripture: Isaiah 53, Revelation 5, and Revelation 20-21. From humiliation to exaltation to consummation, the Lamb is paramount in all of history. Although Christ arose from the grave in victory, the Christian must never leave the vision of the crucified Lamb. After His resurrection, Christ became the joint-occupant with the Father on His kingly throne. He now rules as sovereign over the Church and the universe. In the eternal state, the Lamb will continue His place of centrality. He is its light, its music, its theme, its source of joy, its object of service, its strength, and its glory.
STUDIES OF THE LAMB OF GOD
A Lamb For A Sin Offering
Gen 3:24 So He drove the man out; and at the east of the garden of Eden He stationed the cherubim and the flaming sword which turned every direction to guard the way to the tree of life.
Gen 4:1 Now the man had relations with his wife Eve, and she conceived and gave birth to Cain, and she said, "I have gotten a manchild with {the help of} the LORD."
2 Again, she gave birth to his brother Abel. And Abel was a keeper of flocks, but Cain was a tiller of the ground.3 So it came about in the course of time that Cain brought an offering to the LORD of the fruit of the ground.4 Abel, on his part also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of their fat portions. And the LORD had regard for Abel and for his offering; 5 but for Cain and for his offering He had no regard. So Cain became very angry and his countenance fell. 6 Then the LORD said to Cain, "Why are you angry? And why has your countenance fallen? 7 "If you do well, will not {your countenance} be lifted up? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door; and its desire is for you, but you must master it."
Heb 11:4 By faith Abel offered to God a more acceptable sacrifice than Cain, through which he was commended as righteous, God commending him by accepting his gifts. And through his faith, though he died, he still speaks.
The fat of the animal was prized as its "luxury," and was to be given to God when the animal was sacrificed (Lev 3:16-17; 7:23-25). The burning of fat in sacrifice before God is called a sweet aroma to the Lord (Lev 17:6).
1. What was the purpose of the offering being made?
2. What distinguished the two offerings?
3. How is this incident important for us today?
4. How does the truth behind this incident have a bearing on our assurance of salvation?
5. Does this incident give us insight into how others view salvation?
6. Does this incident and its teachings give us insight into how we may effectively help others to saving faith in Christ?
Genesis 22 A Lamb For A Man…. Isaac and the Substitutionary Atonement
After these things God tested Abraham and said to him, “Abraham!” “Here I am,” he answered. 2 “Take your son,” He said, “your only son Isaac, whom you love, go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains I will tell you about.” 3 So early in the morning Abraham got up, saddled his donkey, and took with him two of his young men and his son Isaac. He split wood for a burnt offering and set out to go to the place God had told him about. 4 On the third day Abraham looked up and saw the place in the distance. 5 Then Abraham said to his young men, “Stay here with the donkey. The boy and I will go over there to worship; then we’ll come back to you.” 6 Abraham took the wood for the burnt offering and laid it on his son Isaac. In his hand he took the fire and the sacrificial knife, and the two of them walked on together. 7 Then Isaac spoke to his father Abraham and said, “My father.” And he replied, “Here I am, my son.” Isaac said, “The fire and the wood are here, but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?” 8 Abraham answered, “God Himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son.” Then the two of them walked on together. 9 When they arrived at the place that God had told him about, Abraham built the altar there and arranged the wood. He bound his son Isaac and placed him on the altar, on top of the wood. 10 Then Abraham reached out and took the knife to slaughter his son. 11 But the Angel of the Lord called to him from heaven and said, “Abraham, Abraham!” He replied, “Here I am.” 12 Then He said, “Do not lay a hand on the boy or do anything to him. For now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your only son from Me.” 13 Abraham looked up and saw a ram caught by its horns in the thicket. So Abraham went and took the ram and offered it as a burnt offering in place of his son. 14 And Abraham named that place The Lord Will Provide, so today it is said: “It will be provided on the Lord’s mountain.”
This test was especially hard because it seemed to contradict the previous promise of God. Hadn't God promised in Isaac your seed shall be called (Gen 21:12 But God said to Abraham, “Do not be concerned about the boy and your slave. Whatever Sarah says to you, listen to her, because your • offspring will be traced through Isaac.)?
1. What aspects of Genesis 22 demonstrate Abraham’s faith?
2. What 5 aspects of Genesis 22 reflect types of Christ or salvation?
Both were…
3. Was Jesus referring to this incident in Jn. 8:(56Your father Abraham was overjoyed that he would see My day; he saw it and rejoiced.” 57 The Jews replied, “You aren’t 50 years old yet, and You’ve seen Abraham?”58 Jesus said to them, “I assure you: Before Abraham was, I am.”)?
4. of recent days some argue against the centrality of the Substitutionary atonement in the gospel. What other ways are there to look at it? Is it central to the gospel?
Exodus 12 Expiation The Lamb Slain For A Family
1 And the LORD spake unto Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt, saying,
2 This month shall be unto you the beginning of months: it shall be the first month of the year to you. 3 Speak ye unto all the congregation of Israel, saying, In the tenth day of this month they shall take to them every man a lamb, according to the house of their fathers, a lamb for an house: 4 If the household is too small for a whole animal, that person and the neighbor nearest his house are to select one based on the combined number of people; you should apportion the animal according to what each person will eat. 5 You must have an unblemished animal, a year-old male; you may take it from either the sheep or the goats. 6 You are to keep it until the fourteenth day of this month; then the whole assembly of the community of Israel will slaughter the animals at twilight. 7 They must take some of the blood and put it on the two doorposts and the lintel of the houses in which they eat them. 8 They are to eat the meat that night; they should eat it, roasted over the fire along with unleavened bread and bitter herbs.
11 Here is how you must eat it: dressed for travel, your sandals on your feet, and your staff in your hand. You are to eat it in a hurry; it is the Lord’s Passover. 12 “I will pass through the land of Egypt on that night and strike every firstborn [male]in the land of Egypt, both man and beast. I am the Lord; I will execute judgments against all the gods of Egypt. 13 The blood on the houses where you are staying will be a distinguishing mark for you; when I see the blood, I will pass over you. No plague will be among you to destroy [you]when I strike the land of Egypt. 14 “This day is to be a memorial for you, and you must celebrate it as a festival to the Lord. You are to celebrate it throughout your generations as a permanent statute.
21 Then Moses summoned all the elders of Israel and said to them, “Go, select an animal from the flock according to your families, and slaughter the Passover lamb. 22 Take a cluster of hyssop, dip it in the blood that is in the basin, and brush the lintel and the two doorposts with some of the blood in the basin. None of you may go out the door of his house until morning. 23 When the Lord passes through to strike Egypt and sees the blood on the lintel and the two doorposts, He will pass over the door and not let the destroyer enter your houses to strike [you]. 24 “Keep this command permanently as a statute for you and your descendants. 25 When you enter the land that the Lord will give you as He promised, you are to observe this ritual. 26 When your children ask you, ‘What does this ritual mean to you?’ 27 you are to reply, ‘It is the Passover sacrifice to the Lord, for He passed over the houses of the Israelites in Egypt when He struck the Egyptians and spared our homes.’ ” So the people bowed down and worshiped. 28 Then the Israelites went and did [this]; they did just as the Lord had commanded Moses and Aaron.
1. In what ways do you think the redemption of Israel pictures the cross for us today?
For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed. 1 Corinthians 5:7b
2. How significant was the Passover to the Jews?
3. How significant should it be to us today?
4. What is the significance for the family here?
5. What did the manner of eating signify?
Sometimes it may be necessary to present the gospel using the Old Testament.
F is for FORGIVENESS
We cannot have eternal life and heaven without God’s forgiveness. “If You, Lord, should mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand? But there is forgiveness with You, that You may be feared” – Psalm 130:3-4, NASB.
A is for AVAILABLE
Forgiveness is available. It is—
AVAILABLE FOR ALL “ ‘To the Lord our God belong compassion and forgiveness, for we have rebelled against Him’ ”—Daniel 9:9, NASB.
BUT NOT AUTOMATIC “ ‘Many of those who sleep in the dust of the ground will awake, these to everlasting life, but the others to disgrace and everlasting contempt’ ”—Daniel 12:2, NASB.
I is for IMPOSSIBLE
It is impossible for God to allow sin into heaven.
GOD IS—
LOVE “ ‘The Lord, the Lord God, compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in lovingkindness and truth; who keeps lovingkindness for thousands, who forgives inquiry, transgression and sin’ ”—Exodus 34:6-7, NASB.
JUST “ ‘He will by no means leave the guilty unpunished’ ”—Exodus 34:7, NASB.
MAN IS SINFUL “Your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hidden His face from you so that He does not hear”—Isaiah 59:2, NASB.
Question: But how can a sinful person enter heaven, where God allows no sin?
T is for TURN
Question: If you were driving down the road and someone asked you to turn, what would he or she be asking you to do? (change directions)
Turn means repent.
TURN from something—sin and self
“ ‘Say to them, “As I live!” declares the Lord God, “I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that the wicked turn from his way and live. Turn back, turn back from your evil ways! Why then will you die, O house of Israel?” ’ ”—Ezekiel 33:11, NASB.
TURN to Someone; trust God’s Messiah only
(Scripture tells us that Messiah) “was pierced through for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the chastening for our well-being fell upon Him, and by His scourging we are healed. All of us like sheep have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; but the Lord has caused the iniquity of us all to fall on Him”—Isaiah 53:5-6, NASB.
H is for HEAVEN
Heaven is eternal life.
HERE “You will make known to me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy”—Psalm 16:11, NASB.
HEREAFTER “In Your right hand there are pleasures forever”—Psalm 16:11, NASB.
“God will redeem my soul from the power of Sheol, for He will receive me”—Psalm 49:15, NASB.
HOW How can a person have God’s forgiveness, heaven and eternal life, and His Messiah as personal Saviour and Lord?
“He [Abraham] believed in the Lord; and He reckoned it to him as righteousness”—Genesis 15:6, NASB.
“ ‘The righteous will live by faith’ ”—Habakkuk 2:4, NASB.
“ ‘It will come about that whoever calls on the name of the Lord will be delivered’ ”—Joel 2:32, NASB.
Leviticus A Lamb For A Nation
1. The daily Offering Leviticus 1
Why is Christ called so often "the Lamb of God," and not "the ox, or the ram, of God"? The reply is, because these were not offered “every day," whereas the lamb was a daily offering, and therefore fitted to proclaim Christ's blood as always ready for use.
How does the idea of the daily offering affect us? Hebrews 10:2 For then would they not have ceased to be offered? because that the worshippers once purged should have had no more conscience of sins. 3 But in those sacrifices there is a remembrance again made of sins every year. 14 For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.
19 Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, 20 By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh; 21 And having an high priest over the house of God; 22 Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith,
2. The Peace Offering Bringing us Peace: the thank, votive and freewill offering, …"upon the offerings," i.e. over the very, remnants of the daily sacrifice. It is exactly like chap. iii. 5. We are there taught that particular sins must be cast upon the one great Atonement; and the cases that occur in this chapter of special guilt are just specific applications of the great truth taught in the daily sacrifice. Israel was taught that their different offerings were all of one nature in the main with the general burnt offering;--one Saviour only was prefigured, and one atonement. The peace offerings speak of the state of grace of the believer in fellowship with God, and they took place mainly in connection with feasts commemorating God. This is very much like assurances of peace we experience in communion
How does the peace made at the cross affect us? Romans 5:1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:
3. The Sin Offering was a Lamb, And dealt with Purifying Leviticus 4
The sin offering carries with it in Hebrew the meaning “to purify.” The effect of the sin offering was forgiveness of the sin and cleansing from the pollution of sin (Lev. 4:20,26,31,35; 5:10; 12:8; 14:20; 16:19). Its presentation assumed that the offeror was conscious of sin; and the laying on of the hands was understood to mean that the sin was to be transferred to the animal (Lev. 4:4,14).
Matthew 1:21 She will give birth to a son, and you are to name Him Jesus, because He will save His people from their sins.”
How does the cross purify us? Titus 2:14 He gave Himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to cleanse for Himself a special people, eager to do good works.
4. The Trespass Offering..a ram but also a lamb for Nazirites and lepers
The trespass offering was also a propitiatory offering, but it was made for a special offense, while the sin offering was made for the person of the offender. "In fact, the trespass offering may be regarded as representing ransom for a special wrong, while the sin offering symbolized general redemption" This ritual shows Christ's atoning for the damage caused by sin and has in view the injury of the sin as opposed to the guilt of the sin. This aspect of the trespass offering is seen in Psalm 51:4, "Against thee and thee only have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight; that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest and be clear when thou judgest."
How does 1 John 1:5-2:2 fit with these sacrifices?
Isaiah 53 The Lamb Is A Person Whose Sacrifice Is For His People
Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the LORD revealed? 2 For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him. 3 He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not. 4 Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. 5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. 6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. 7 He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth. 8 He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation? for he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken. 9 And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth. 10 Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand. 11 He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities. 12 Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.
1. What was the physical appearance of God's servant?
2. With what animal and in what circumstance was God's servant compared?
3. The verb “has laid” on him 6 is an allusion to Leviticus 16. Describe the situation. Many have seen this passage not only as a prophecy of the suffering of Jesus, but the national confession of sin by Israel on the Day of Atonement—to be fulfilled at the end of the age when all Israel will be saved.
4. “Opened not His mouth” means:
5. How was verses 9 and 10 fulfilled?
6. The “offering for sin” is the reparation offering of Leviticus 5; it takes care of the sin and guilt and also makes reparation or restitution for what was wronged, lost, defrauded, or spoiled by sin. The teaching of justification through the personal knowledge of and belief in this Servant is now stated clearly in verse 11. What does this mean?
7. How does this verse and the repetition of “many” agree with the Upper Room description of communion?
“Five bleeding wounds he bears, for me to intercede; they pour effectual prayers, they strongly pleads for me; forgive him, O, forgive they cry, nor let that ransomed sinner die, nor let that ransomed sinner die.”
Lamb Emphasis What It Is For
Genesis 4 Necessity Propitiation Sin
Genesis 22 Provision Substitution A Man.. Isaac
Exodus 12 Slaying Expiation A family
Leviticus Character Absolution A nation
Isaiah 53 Is A Person Vicarious The elect
John 1 That Person Is Jesus Removal The whole world
Acts 8 Son of God Individual Salvation Whosoever
1 Peter 1:18 Resurrection Redemption All History
Revelation 5 Enthronement Government All the universe
Revelation 21-22 Eternal Kingship Eternal Glory All Eternity
The Bible, although a collection of books and letters written by many different people from many different times, cultures, and languages, is one book united around one grand theme. This can only be attributed to the work of supernatural revelation. Scripture’s divine origin shines forth through the progressively revealed nature of its doctrines. The doctrine of the Lamb exemplifies this as well as any theme of Scripture. Ten primary passages trace its progression throughout the Scripture, each revealing a little more about the Lamb. The first passage is Genesis 4 and the account of Abel. The second is Genesis 22 where Abraham nearly sacrifices Isaac. The third passage is Exodus 12 and the Passover lamb. The sin-offering lamb of Leviticus is next, followed by Isaiah 53 and the suffering Lamb. The New Testament revelation begins with John 1 and the Baptizer’s announcement of the Lamb of God. Acts 8 and Philip’s encounter with the Ethiopian further unfolds this revelation of the Lamb. The eighth passage is 1 Peter 1:18-21, and the final two are in Revelation 5 with the Lamb on the throne and Revelation 21-22 where the Lamb reigns eternally. Each of these ten passages teaches a different truth about the doctrine of the Lamb, shedding more and more light on the perfect work of redemption that Christ accomplished. Three of these passages emphasize the central position of the Lamb in all of Scripture: Isaiah 53, Revelation 5, and Revelation 20-21. From humiliation to exaltation to consummation, the Lamb is paramount in all of history. Although Christ arose from the grave in victory, the Christian must never leave the vision of the crucified Lamb. After His resurrection, Christ became the joint-occupant with the Father on His kingly throne. He now rules as sovereign over the Church and the universe. In the eternal state, the Lamb will continue His place of centrality. He is its light, its music, its theme, its source of joy, its object of service, its strength, and its glory.
STUDIES OF THE LAMB OF GOD
A Lamb For A Sin Offering
Gen 3:24 So He drove the man out; and at the east of the garden of Eden He stationed the cherubim and the flaming sword which turned every direction to guard the way to the tree of life.
Gen 4:1 Now the man had relations with his wife Eve, and she conceived and gave birth to Cain, and she said, "I have gotten a manchild with {the help of} the LORD."
2 Again, she gave birth to his brother Abel. And Abel was a keeper of flocks, but Cain was a tiller of the ground.3 So it came about in the course of time that Cain brought an offering to the LORD of the fruit of the ground.4 Abel, on his part also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of their fat portions. And the LORD had regard for Abel and for his offering; 5 but for Cain and for his offering He had no regard. So Cain became very angry and his countenance fell. 6 Then the LORD said to Cain, "Why are you angry? And why has your countenance fallen? 7 "If you do well, will not {your countenance} be lifted up? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door; and its desire is for you, but you must master it."
Heb 11:4 By faith Abel offered to God a more acceptable sacrifice than Cain, through which he was commended as righteous, God commending him by accepting his gifts. And through his faith, though he died, he still speaks.
The fat of the animal was prized as its "luxury," and was to be given to God when the animal was sacrificed (Lev 3:16-17; 7:23-25). The burning of fat in sacrifice before God is called a sweet aroma to the Lord (Lev 17:6).
1. What was the purpose of the offering being made?
2. What distinguished the two offerings?
3. How is this incident important for us today?
4. How does the truth behind this incident have a bearing on our assurance of salvation?
5. Does this incident give us insight into how others view salvation?
6. Does this incident and its teachings give us insight into how we may effectively help others to saving faith in Christ?
Genesis 22 A Lamb For A Man…. Isaac and the Substitutionary Atonement
After these things God tested Abraham and said to him, “Abraham!” “Here I am,” he answered. 2 “Take your son,” He said, “your only son Isaac, whom you love, go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains I will tell you about.” 3 So early in the morning Abraham got up, saddled his donkey, and took with him two of his young men and his son Isaac. He split wood for a burnt offering and set out to go to the place God had told him about. 4 On the third day Abraham looked up and saw the place in the distance. 5 Then Abraham said to his young men, “Stay here with the donkey. The boy and I will go over there to worship; then we’ll come back to you.” 6 Abraham took the wood for the burnt offering and laid it on his son Isaac. In his hand he took the fire and the sacrificial knife, and the two of them walked on together. 7 Then Isaac spoke to his father Abraham and said, “My father.” And he replied, “Here I am, my son.” Isaac said, “The fire and the wood are here, but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?” 8 Abraham answered, “God Himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son.” Then the two of them walked on together. 9 When they arrived at the place that God had told him about, Abraham built the altar there and arranged the wood. He bound his son Isaac and placed him on the altar, on top of the wood. 10 Then Abraham reached out and took the knife to slaughter his son. 11 But the Angel of the Lord called to him from heaven and said, “Abraham, Abraham!” He replied, “Here I am.” 12 Then He said, “Do not lay a hand on the boy or do anything to him. For now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your only son from Me.” 13 Abraham looked up and saw a ram caught by its horns in the thicket. So Abraham went and took the ram and offered it as a burnt offering in place of his son. 14 And Abraham named that place The Lord Will Provide, so today it is said: “It will be provided on the Lord’s mountain.”
This test was especially hard because it seemed to contradict the previous promise of God. Hadn't God promised in Isaac your seed shall be called (Gen 21:12 But God said to Abraham, “Do not be concerned about the boy and your slave. Whatever Sarah says to you, listen to her, because your • offspring will be traced through Isaac.)?
1. What aspects of Genesis 22 demonstrate Abraham’s faith?
2. What 5 aspects of Genesis 22 reflect types of Christ or salvation?
Both were…
3. Was Jesus referring to this incident in Jn. 8:(56Your father Abraham was overjoyed that he would see My day; he saw it and rejoiced.” 57 The Jews replied, “You aren’t 50 years old yet, and You’ve seen Abraham?”58 Jesus said to them, “I assure you: Before Abraham was, I am.”)?
4. of recent days some argue against the centrality of the Substitutionary atonement in the gospel. What other ways are there to look at it? Is it central to the gospel?
Exodus 12 Expiation The Lamb Slain For A Family
1 And the LORD spake unto Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt, saying,
2 This month shall be unto you the beginning of months: it shall be the first month of the year to you. 3 Speak ye unto all the congregation of Israel, saying, In the tenth day of this month they shall take to them every man a lamb, according to the house of their fathers, a lamb for an house: 4 If the household is too small for a whole animal, that person and the neighbor nearest his house are to select one based on the combined number of people; you should apportion the animal according to what each person will eat. 5 You must have an unblemished animal, a year-old male; you may take it from either the sheep or the goats. 6 You are to keep it until the fourteenth day of this month; then the whole assembly of the community of Israel will slaughter the animals at twilight. 7 They must take some of the blood and put it on the two doorposts and the lintel of the houses in which they eat them. 8 They are to eat the meat that night; they should eat it, roasted over the fire along with unleavened bread and bitter herbs.
11 Here is how you must eat it: dressed for travel, your sandals on your feet, and your staff in your hand. You are to eat it in a hurry; it is the Lord’s Passover. 12 “I will pass through the land of Egypt on that night and strike every firstborn [male]in the land of Egypt, both man and beast. I am the Lord; I will execute judgments against all the gods of Egypt. 13 The blood on the houses where you are staying will be a distinguishing mark for you; when I see the blood, I will pass over you. No plague will be among you to destroy [you]when I strike the land of Egypt. 14 “This day is to be a memorial for you, and you must celebrate it as a festival to the Lord. You are to celebrate it throughout your generations as a permanent statute.
21 Then Moses summoned all the elders of Israel and said to them, “Go, select an animal from the flock according to your families, and slaughter the Passover lamb. 22 Take a cluster of hyssop, dip it in the blood that is in the basin, and brush the lintel and the two doorposts with some of the blood in the basin. None of you may go out the door of his house until morning. 23 When the Lord passes through to strike Egypt and sees the blood on the lintel and the two doorposts, He will pass over the door and not let the destroyer enter your houses to strike [you]. 24 “Keep this command permanently as a statute for you and your descendants. 25 When you enter the land that the Lord will give you as He promised, you are to observe this ritual. 26 When your children ask you, ‘What does this ritual mean to you?’ 27 you are to reply, ‘It is the Passover sacrifice to the Lord, for He passed over the houses of the Israelites in Egypt when He struck the Egyptians and spared our homes.’ ” So the people bowed down and worshiped. 28 Then the Israelites went and did [this]; they did just as the Lord had commanded Moses and Aaron.
1. In what ways do you think the redemption of Israel pictures the cross for us today?
For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed. 1 Corinthians 5:7b
2. How significant was the Passover to the Jews?
3. How significant should it be to us today?
4. What is the significance for the family here?
5. What did the manner of eating signify?
Sometimes it may be necessary to present the gospel using the Old Testament.
F is for FORGIVENESS
We cannot have eternal life and heaven without God’s forgiveness. “If You, Lord, should mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand? But there is forgiveness with You, that You may be feared” – Psalm 130:3-4, NASB.
A is for AVAILABLE
Forgiveness is available. It is—
AVAILABLE FOR ALL “ ‘To the Lord our God belong compassion and forgiveness, for we have rebelled against Him’ ”—Daniel 9:9, NASB.
BUT NOT AUTOMATIC “ ‘Many of those who sleep in the dust of the ground will awake, these to everlasting life, but the others to disgrace and everlasting contempt’ ”—Daniel 12:2, NASB.
I is for IMPOSSIBLE
It is impossible for God to allow sin into heaven.
GOD IS—
LOVE “ ‘The Lord, the Lord God, compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in lovingkindness and truth; who keeps lovingkindness for thousands, who forgives inquiry, transgression and sin’ ”—Exodus 34:6-7, NASB.
JUST “ ‘He will by no means leave the guilty unpunished’ ”—Exodus 34:7, NASB.
MAN IS SINFUL “Your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hidden His face from you so that He does not hear”—Isaiah 59:2, NASB.
Question: But how can a sinful person enter heaven, where God allows no sin?
T is for TURN
Question: If you were driving down the road and someone asked you to turn, what would he or she be asking you to do? (change directions)
Turn means repent.
TURN from something—sin and self
“ ‘Say to them, “As I live!” declares the Lord God, “I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that the wicked turn from his way and live. Turn back, turn back from your evil ways! Why then will you die, O house of Israel?” ’ ”—Ezekiel 33:11, NASB.
TURN to Someone; trust God’s Messiah only
(Scripture tells us that Messiah) “was pierced through for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the chastening for our well-being fell upon Him, and by His scourging we are healed. All of us like sheep have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; but the Lord has caused the iniquity of us all to fall on Him”—Isaiah 53:5-6, NASB.
H is for HEAVEN
Heaven is eternal life.
HERE “You will make known to me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy”—Psalm 16:11, NASB.
HEREAFTER “In Your right hand there are pleasures forever”—Psalm 16:11, NASB.
“God will redeem my soul from the power of Sheol, for He will receive me”—Psalm 49:15, NASB.
HOW How can a person have God’s forgiveness, heaven and eternal life, and His Messiah as personal Saviour and Lord?
“He [Abraham] believed in the Lord; and He reckoned it to him as righteousness”—Genesis 15:6, NASB.
“ ‘The righteous will live by faith’ ”—Habakkuk 2:4, NASB.
“ ‘It will come about that whoever calls on the name of the Lord will be delivered’ ”—Joel 2:32, NASB.
Leviticus A Lamb For A Nation
1. The daily Offering Leviticus 1
Why is Christ called so often "the Lamb of God," and not "the ox, or the ram, of God"? The reply is, because these were not offered “every day," whereas the lamb was a daily offering, and therefore fitted to proclaim Christ's blood as always ready for use.
How does the idea of the daily offering affect us? Hebrews 10:2 For then would they not have ceased to be offered? because that the worshippers once purged should have had no more conscience of sins. 3 But in those sacrifices there is a remembrance again made of sins every year. 14 For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.
19 Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, 20 By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh; 21 And having an high priest over the house of God; 22 Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith,
2. The Peace Offering Bringing us Peace: the thank, votive and freewill offering, …"upon the offerings," i.e. over the very, remnants of the daily sacrifice. It is exactly like chap. iii. 5. We are there taught that particular sins must be cast upon the one great Atonement; and the cases that occur in this chapter of special guilt are just specific applications of the great truth taught in the daily sacrifice. Israel was taught that their different offerings were all of one nature in the main with the general burnt offering;--one Saviour only was prefigured, and one atonement. The peace offerings speak of the state of grace of the believer in fellowship with God, and they took place mainly in connection with feasts commemorating God. This is very much like assurances of peace we experience in communion
How does the peace made at the cross affect us? Romans 5:1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:
3. The Sin Offering was a Lamb, And dealt with Purifying Leviticus 4
The sin offering carries with it in Hebrew the meaning “to purify.” The effect of the sin offering was forgiveness of the sin and cleansing from the pollution of sin (Lev. 4:20,26,31,35; 5:10; 12:8; 14:20; 16:19). Its presentation assumed that the offeror was conscious of sin; and the laying on of the hands was understood to mean that the sin was to be transferred to the animal (Lev. 4:4,14).
Matthew 1:21 She will give birth to a son, and you are to name Him Jesus, because He will save His people from their sins.”
How does the cross purify us? Titus 2:14 He gave Himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to cleanse for Himself a special people, eager to do good works.
4. The Trespass Offering..a ram but also a lamb for Nazirites and lepers
The trespass offering was also a propitiatory offering, but it was made for a special offense, while the sin offering was made for the person of the offender. "In fact, the trespass offering may be regarded as representing ransom for a special wrong, while the sin offering symbolized general redemption" This ritual shows Christ's atoning for the damage caused by sin and has in view the injury of the sin as opposed to the guilt of the sin. This aspect of the trespass offering is seen in Psalm 51:4, "Against thee and thee only have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight; that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest and be clear when thou judgest."
How does 1 John 1:5-2:2 fit with these sacrifices?
Isaiah 53 The Lamb Is A Person Whose Sacrifice Is For His People
Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the LORD revealed? 2 For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him. 3 He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not. 4 Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. 5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. 6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. 7 He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth. 8 He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation? for he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken. 9 And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth. 10 Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand. 11 He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities. 12 Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.
1. What was the physical appearance of God's servant?
2. With what animal and in what circumstance was God's servant compared?
3. The verb “has laid” on him 6 is an allusion to Leviticus 16. Describe the situation. Many have seen this passage not only as a prophecy of the suffering of Jesus, but the national confession of sin by Israel on the Day of Atonement—to be fulfilled at the end of the age when all Israel will be saved.
4. “Opened not His mouth” means:
5. How was verses 9 and 10 fulfilled?
6. The “offering for sin” is the reparation offering of Leviticus 5; it takes care of the sin and guilt and also makes reparation or restitution for what was wronged, lost, defrauded, or spoiled by sin. The teaching of justification through the personal knowledge of and belief in this Servant is now stated clearly in verse 11. What does this mean?
7. How does this verse and the repetition of “many” agree with the Upper Room description of communion?
“Five bleeding wounds he bears, for me to intercede; they pour effectual prayers, they strongly pleads for me; forgive him, O, forgive they cry, nor let that ransomed sinner die, nor let that ransomed sinner die.”
# posted by Groseys messages @ 5:25 AM 
