The Tabernacle, Temple, and Sanctuary: The Book of Deuteronomy Chapters 1 to 13

By Dennis Herman

We have to remember, the audience Moses addressed on the plain overlooking the Jordan River was the younger generation. Their parents died in the wilderness because they were afraid to follow God into the promised land. They died because they were afraid to accept the priesthood God offered them one month after leaving Egypt. Jesus had to die to restore that offer. Today, this world is filled with people carrying that same fear as they wander their self made wilderness of sin, greed, and the worst giant to face, self.
Israel had to remember the days spent in Egypt as children to teach the future generations what it meant to be a slave living in a nation sin.
This is NOT a self help book. It is a book Moses wrote, telling us how to let God lead, and how to do one of the most difficult things we will ever be asked, look back on our lives of sin and slavery with totally honesty, then teach others what we've learned. After that, we are ready to take a refreshing look at the New Testament.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lulu.com
• Release date: Jul 31, 2016
• ISBN: 9781365296390

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The Tabernacle, Temple, and Sanctuary: The Book of Deuteronomy Chapters 1 to 13

The Tabernacle, Temple, and Sanctuary

The Book of Deuteronomy Chapters 1 to 13

Written by Dennis Herman

Copyright © 2016 Dennis Herman

All rights reserved

ISBN-978-1-365-29639-0

The Tabernacle, Temple, and Sanctuary: The Book of Deuteronomy Chapters 1 to 13

by Dennis Herman

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Bibles:

NLTse New Living. Translation®. SECOND EDITION Tyndale House Publishers, Inc

KJV King James Version

MKJV Modern King James Version Sovereign Grace Publishers

Scripture quotations marked (NLT) (NLTse) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Deuteronomy Introduction

This books focuses on the step by step process God continued to teach Israel through Moses. After Israel turned down God's offer to be His kingdom of priests, that didn't stop God's plan of salvation. It may have altered it a bit. Like the journey through that wilderness, their decision may have extended the spiritual journey of this world, but here is one fact to look at, God never stopped teaching those people now to be the priests He needed.

One of the major lessons was how to look back on life. Moses taught Israel all about major signs posts in life. Moses provided a lot of illustrations and examples. Not only for Israel, but for us, God's modern day priests.

Notice what Moses did. He put each of those people in God's hands when he told them, you yourselves remember. This invoked individual thoughts and opened doors for personal contact with God's Spirit. What do you think all those sacrifices were for? When people laid their hands on the head of those poor innocent animals, they were supposed to be making contact with God's Spirit. Exactly like Christians are supposed to make direct contact with Jesus when they confess their sins and ask to be forgiven? When was the last time you heard that taught in a church? It seems to me, churches avoid the subjects of confession, making a direct connection with Christ, and sanctification like leprosy. No wonder Jesus healed lepers by touching them. He had to show people confession, making direct contact with Him, and sanctification is not a disease. But bring those subjects up and you'll be met with the fiercest opposition. The look in people's eyes will tell you, they don't talk about those things here.

This book looks at the modern day concept of Moses from the aspect of what the world is looking for, what the world offers, then compares modern concepts to what Moses actually taught. When you look at the full story, the differences between what is taught today, and what Moses actually recorded will shock you.

Chapter 1 Copy of the Law Deuteronomy Chapter 1

Deuteronomy 1:1-5 NLTse  (1)  These are the words that Moses spoke to all the people of Israel while they were in the wilderness east of the Jordan River. They were camped in the Jordan Valley near Suph, between Paran on one side and Tophel, Laban, Hazeroth, and Di-zahab on the other.  (2)  Normally it takes only eleven days to travel from Mount Sinai to Kadesh-barnea, going by way of Mount Seir.  (3)  But forty years after the Israelites left Egypt, on the first day of the eleventh month, Moses addressed the people of Israel, telling them everything the LORD had commanded him to say.  (4)  This took place after he had defeated King Sihon of the Amorites, who had ruled in Heshbon, and King Og of Bashan, who had ruled in Ashtaroth and Edrei.  (5)  While the Israelites were in the land of Moab east of the Jordan River, Moses carefully explained the LORD's instructions as follows.

Anyone who knows the book of Deuteronomy, knows this book is a review of those travels through the wilderness, as wells as a review of the laws and commandments, and last minute instructions for the promised land.

The introduction to this book tells us a normal trip from Egypt to the promised land usually takes about eleven days. But it took Israel forty years. This tells us our journey to the promised land is a life long experience. But some people like to teach short cuts by telling people an easy route, or eliminating the process of sanctification all together.

It's important to know what Egypt represents. When we look at Egypt as a whole, sometimes it represented bondage and other times it stood out as a sanctuary during famines. Most people think Egypt represented bondage. But to what? God fought battles in Egypt over religion. There were more gods and religious foundations in Egypt than any of us cares to count. God had to defeat all of them before He could lead those people out of Egypt. The goal was to convince those people to leave all those beliefs in Egypt, go out into the wilderness, and accept what God had to teach them with an open mind. There was nothing wrong with God's plan, but it seems some people are never ready for that journey. It seems the second generation leaving Egypt wasn't ready either. They needed a good review of the past to prepare them for that final step into the promised land.

The introduction to a book may be the most important part. The first words in Deuteronomy are something to take a close look at. These are the words that Moses spoke to all the people of Israel while they were in the wilderness east of the Jordan River. This tells us where the message was given. It may also tell us who wrote the book. It appears someone wrote what Moses said. At this point we can't be sure who wrote Deuteronomy, but based on the rhythm and construction of the book, we are able to tell if it was or wasn't inspired.

The first thing we look for is a link between the beginning of this chapter, and the end of the previous chapter.

Numbers 36:9-13 NLTse  No grant of land may pass from one tribe to another; each tribe of Israel must keep its allotted portion of land."  (10)  The daughters of Zelophehad did as the LORD commanded Moses.  (11)  Mahlah, Tirzah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Noah all married cousins on their father's side.  (12)  They married into the clans of Manasseh son of Joseph. Thus, their inheritance of land remained within their ancestral tribe.  (13)  These are the commands and regulations that the LORD gave to the people of Israel through Moses while they were camped on the plains of Moab beside the Jordan River across from Jericho.

Numbers ended with a discussion about how some of the land will be distributed and kept within the families. Deuteronomy continued discussing the land. The word land was repeated in Deuteronomy chapter 1 a number of times. Since Numbers and Deuteronomy are books about the wilderness crossing, in other words, the same story, there should be a logical connection. The journey was to the promised land, and that theme carried over from one book to the next. Why is it important to see that type of connection?

When asked to describe the Bible. Martin Luther answered. It is like examining a tree. You look at the trunk, branches, twigs, and under every leaf. Martin Luther described how he saw the Bible connected and fed by a single source. We have to see the same view of scripture. What good does this do us?

Look at the example of Jerusalem's fall. That is another long story in scripture spanning several books. Some books look at events leading to Jerusalem's fall. Other books describe events in and some outside of the city during its fall. To get the full story, you have to see a relationship between those books. The same is true for the Gospels and the entire New Testament. All of them are related stories, including Revelation, that explains the beginning and continuation of Jesus' ministry.

Moses Began His Review

Deuteronomy 1:6-18 NLTse  (6)  When we were at Mount Sinai, the LORD our God said to us, 'You have stayed at this mountain long enough.  (7)  It is time to break camp and move on. Go to the hill country of the Amorites and to all the neighboring regions--the Jordan Valley, the hill country, the western foothills, the Negev, and the coastal plain. Go to the land of the Canaanites and to Lebanon, and all the way to the great Euphrates River.  (8)  Look, I am giving all this land to you! Go in and occupy it, for it is the land the LORD swore to give to your ancestors Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and to all their descendants.'  (9)  Moses continued, At that time I told you, 'You are too great a burden for me to carry all by myself.  (10)  The LORD your God has increased your population, making you as numerous as the stars!  (11)  And may the LORD, the God of your ancestors, multiply you a thousand times more and bless you as he promised!  (12)  But you are such a heavy load to carry! How can I deal with all your problems and bickering?  (13)  Choose some well-respected men from each tribe who are known for their wisdom and understanding, and I will appoint them as your leaders.'  (14)  Then you responded, 'Your plan is a good one.'  (15)  So I took the wise and respected men you had selected from your tribes and appointed them to serve as judges and officials over you. Some were responsible for a thousand people, some for a hundred, some for fifty, and some for ten.  (16)  At that time I instructed the judges, 'You must hear the cases of your fellow Israelites and the foreigners living among you. Be perfectly fair in your decisions  (17)  and impartial in your judgments. Hear the cases of those who are poor as well as those who are rich. Don't be afraid of anyone's anger, for the decision you make is God's decision. Bring me any cases that are too difficult for you, and I will handle them.'  (18)  At that time I gave you instructions about everything you were to do.

This review began at Mount Sinai. That was a very important place to Moses. More important than most people realize. It's a good thing we have computers with Bible programs and a Concordance. That makes it easy to collect a few texts on Mount Sinai.

One day Moses was tending the flock of his father-in-law, Jethro, the priest of Midian. He led the flock far into the wilderness and came to Sinai, the mountain of God. There the angel of the LORD appeared to him in a blazing fire from the middle of a bush. Moses stared in amazement. Though the bush was engulfed in flames, it didn't burn up. (Exodus 3:1-2 NLTse)

Then the whole community of Israel set out from Elim and journeyed into the wilderness of Sin, between Elim and Mount Sinai. They arrived there on the fifteenth day of the second month, one month after leaving the land of Egypt. There, too, the whole community of Israel complained about Moses and Aaron. If only the LORD had killed us back in Egypt, they moaned. There we sat around pots filled with meat and ate all the bread we wanted. But now you have brought us into this wilderness to starve us all to death. Then the LORD said to Moses, Look, I'm going to rain down food from heaven for you. Each day the people can go out and pick up as much food as they need for that day. I will test them in this to see whether or not they will follow my instructions. On the sixth day they will gather food, and when they prepare it, there will be twice as much as usual. (Exodus 16:1-5 NLTse)

The LORD said to Moses, Walk out in front of the people. Take your staff, the one you used when you struck the water of the Nile, and call some of the elders of Israel to join you. I will stand before you on the rock at Mount Sinai. Strike the rock, and water will come gushing out. Then the people will be able to drink. So Moses struck the rock as he was told, and water gushed out as the elders looked on. Moses named the place Massah (which means test) and Meribah (which means arguing) because the people of Israel argued with Moses and tested the LORD by saying, Is the LORD here with us or not? (Exodus 17:5-7 NLTse)

Exactly two months after the Israelites left Egypt, they arrived in the wilderness of Sinai. After breaking camp at Rephidim, they came to the wilderness of Sinai and set up camp there at the base of Mount Sinai. Then Moses climbed the mountain to appear before God. The LORD called to him from the mountain and said, Give these instructions to the family of Jacob; announce it to the descendants of Israel: 'You have seen what I did to the Egyptians. You know how I carried you on eagles' wings and brought you to myself. Now if you will obey me and keep my covenant, you will be my own special treasure from among all the peoples on earth; for all the earth belongs to me. And you will be my kingdom of priests, my holy nation.' This is the message you must give to the people of Israel. (Exodus 19:1-6 NLTse)

When the LORD finished speaking with Moses on Mount Sinai, he gave him the two stone tablets inscribed with the terms of the covenant, written by the finger of God. (Exodus 31:18 NLTse)

Moses met God in the form of a burning bush on Mount Sinai. Mount Sinai was the first place Israel began to complain only a month after leaving Egypt. Can you imagine leaving a life of bondage where you saw your parents and grandparents die at the hands of heartless masters living a life you'd trade in for anything? Then God sends a prophet who leads you out of that life after displaying a series of miracles. How much appreciation would you show? Think of this on a spiritual level. Prophets lead people to God. Put all those miracles aside and look at what Moses did. He led Israel to the mountain he met God. Can you see the spiritual side of that lesson opening up? When we look at these stories with the proper sign posts in place, we begin to see the story in a whole new light. Everything begins to fall into place. We can see how Moses pointed to Jesus. And we begin to understand how Moses pointed to our role in the plan of salvation.

God's lessons have many different sides. People from one culture will see one side of a lesson much clearer then people from a different culture. People will also have different views based on past experiences. Most times recent experiences play a major role in how lessons are viewed. Most people miss one aspect of a lesson until something major happens in their life. Then they have a sort of sign post in their lives that helps them relate to sign posts in scripture. And did God use a major sign post. God used a mountain. Mount Sinai wasn't only a sign post for Moses, it was a major sign post for God, Israel, and us if you think about it.

Most people know God gave the Ten Commandments from Mount Sinai. But did you know that's where God sent water from that rock? Mount Sinai is also the first place manna appeared. Mount Sinai was where God made the offer to make Israel His kingdom of priests. So we can see, Mount Sinai was a major sign post to remind Israel of a long list of events. When Mount Sinai was mentioned, every person in Israel had different memories. Those memories reminded them about different lessons, failures, trials, and successes.

In this story, Mount Sinai appears as a starting point. Is it only a starting point, and why use a mountain as a starting point? Mount Sinai was God's mountain. It was large enough to see for miles. People used the mountain as a guide for years. It was a natural reference point for navigation. So why wouldn't God use it as a spiritual navigation point?

That mountain pointed to some of the most basic things in life. Israel needed food and water, and God provided more then they needed. Why would they want to go back to Egypt? What did their gods provide?

People believed their gods provided water to make crops grow. So food was an indirect result. They looked at it as a blessing. Egypt also looked at their gods for fame, glory, riches, and control. Is that what they were looking for from God? Did Israel really believe if they returned to Egypt that water, those frogs, and bull gods would put them in charge? What made them think that?

What sign posts did Israel have to guide them back to Egypt? After traveling for a month, they didn't have any physical sign posts. For the entire camp, it was the first time they left Egypt. No one but Moses and Aaron knew the way back. What was their guide? I guess that's what people refer to as blind faith. Blind faith led by short memories. Neither of which come from God. How could those people forget so much in one month?

At that point Israel had a journey in front of them. No one had any idea how long that journey would last, or exactly where they were going. No one taught them about the lands outside of Egypt. Based on the number of warring tribes east of Egypt, the dynasty was at a decline. Much of Egypt's kingdom slipped away. The cost of keeping so many slaves caught up with them. We know Egypt was afraid Israel may one day join their enemies, so Egypt enacted laws to reduce the population. A world power wouldn't have those types of worries. The Bible showed how we can see details in the stories without the aid of outside sources. All we need to do is read, pay attention, rely on God's Spirit, and look at the sign posts recorded in scripture.

In this review, Moses pointed out his trials with such drastic effects, he didn't think he could continue. Pressure became too much for him. Moses did what a prophet does best, pointing out the obvious. What most people tend to take for granted. When Abram and his 318 men defeated the combined forces of a number nations, Melchizedek pointed out how God defeated their enemies. Moses pointed out how God increased their numbers. Why did Moses point out that detail? It appears those miracles weren't enough to impress Israel. So Moses sent them back to a sign post that should have shook their memories. They should have remembered how Egypt passed laws to reduce their population. They should have remembered all their sons thrown in the river. They should have remembered how Egypt wanted to reduce the male population. But did they? Why are men's memories so short? Come on now guys. We know you cross a woman once, and she never forgets. Does this show Satan knew what he was doing when he picked on men? Did Satan know how soon men would forget even the worst conditions? Was Satan afraid of a woman's history of using her memory?

God must have known not all men had short memories. Moses selected some wise and respected men and appointed them to serve as judges and officials. There were a few Moses knew would remember like they were supposed to do. It was their job to keep the people in check.

You can pray about that scene and see Moses shaking his head, wondering how those people forgot how bad things were in Egypt. For Moses it was beyond comprehension. Moses was on the other side of the Egyptian story. Moses lived through that scene as Egyptian royalty. If anyone had a reason to return to Egypt, it was Moses. But he was the one who kept pushing on matter how rough it was on him. To Moses, returning to Egypt was not an option.

Reviewing the First Attempt to Enter the Promised Land

Deuteronomy 1:19-36 NLTse  (19)  Then, just as the LORD our God commanded us, we left Mount Sinai and traveled through the great and terrifying wilderness, as you yourselves remember, and headed toward the hill country of the Amorites. When we arrived at Kadesh-barnea,  (20)  I said to you, 'You have now reached the hill country of the Amorites that the LORD our God is giving us.  (21)  Look! He has placed the land in front of you. Go and occupy it as the LORD, the God of your ancestors, has promised you. Don't be afraid! Don't be discouraged!'  (22)  But you all came to me and said, 'First, let's send out scouts to explore the land for us. They will advise us on the best route to take and which towns we should enter.'  (23)  This seemed like a good idea to me, so I chose twelve scouts, one from each of your tribes.  (24)  They headed for the hill country and came to the valley of Eshcol and explored it.  (25)  They picked some of its fruit and brought it back to us. And they reported, 'The land the LORD our God has given us is indeed a good land.'  (26)  But you rebelled against the command of the LORD your God and refused to go in.  (27)  You complained in your tents and said, 'The LORD must hate us. That's why he has brought us here from Egypt--to hand us over to the Amorites to be slaughtered.  (28)  Where can we go? Our brothers have demoralized us with their report. They tell us, The people of the land are taller and more powerful than we are, and their towns are large, with walls rising high into the sky! We even saw giants there--the descendants of Anak!'  (29)  But I said to you, 'Don't be shocked or afraid of them!  (30)  The LORD your God is going ahead of you. He will fight for you, just as you saw him do in Egypt.  (31)  And you saw how the LORD your God cared for you all along the way as you traveled through the wilderness, just as a father cares for his child. Now he has brought you to this place.'  (32)  But even after all he did, you refused to trust the LORD your God,  (33)  who goes before you looking for the best places to camp, guiding you with a pillar of fire by night and a pillar of cloud by day.  (34)  "When the LORD heard your complaining, he became very angry. So he solemnly swore,  (35)  'Not one of you from this wicked generation will live to see the good land I swore to give your ancestors,  (36)  except Caleb son of Jephunneh. He will see this land because he has followed the LORD completely. I will give to him and his descendants some of the very land he explored during his scouting mission.'

I can't help but feel Moses reminded them about their doubts to enter the promised land was also supposed to remind them about turning down the offer to be God's Kingdom of priests. Would they have gone into the promised land the first time if they accepted God's invitation to be His priests and learned those lessons they way God first intended to teach them? How would have God taught those lessons if He had an attentive class? We can only speculate, but the only example we have to compare that to is the Gospels. Would God have taught Israel how to be priests much like Jesus taught His disciples? After all, Jesus was there with them. In the cloud and in the sea, all of them were baptized as followers of Moses. All of them ate the same spiritual food, and all of them drank the same spiritual water. For they drank from the spiritual rock that traveled with them, and that rock was Christ. Yet God was not pleased with most of them, and