Exodus 13.1-16: God's Head Gear
February 1, 2009
Sam Ford
Do not conform
Romans 12.1-2 I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. 2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. Today, our world communicates produces and sends out more information, more quickly, over more distances but in less depth than any time in history. New ideas, pictures, blogs, and reports from familiar sources and the obscure guy sitting behind a computer in his pajamas, pour into the world through new kinds of mediums, communicating all kinds of truth.
Its purpose and effect is the shaping of culture-one that is, according to Scripture, broken. IF we don't actively renew our minds, actively love the Lord with all of our hearts and soul and minds, we will FALL love something else. The TRUTH of the WORLD must be test (just as Satan's lies in the garden). And because most Christians don't have a clue what the Bible says, because they don't heed God's warnings to "REMEMBER", they easily become (without much fight) children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes (Eph. 4). Their emotions run rampant, their intellects unrestrained, and their experiences unchecked as create a mutant truth made up of what we THINK the bible says, what we LIKE about what it says, with what LIFE presents to them. And what comes out is the gospel of the world...
Gospel of the World
The world believes that there no ONE god for everyone but, without question, we are SPIRITUAL people. Men are just an animal, part of creation that began by chance in a pile of goo, over a long period of time. Morals, justice, forgiveness, love, etc. (all very personal traits) all naturally rose from the same impersonal goo. We exist for to pursue our own happiness as long as it doesn't infringe on someone else's'.
The only ABSOLUTE truth is that there are NO absolutes because right and wrong are determined by what brings pleasure or pain. There is no such thing as sin. SIN and brokenness are not real, but the result of too much negative thinking; conquered with positive thoughts. FAITH IN A GOD is a tool (like a crutch) for the weak to use when life is hard, a good luck charm, or something to hope in like the tooth fairy when you want things to change. All in all...god is something to use for me.
We need not worry, there is no god expecting anything from me; there is no hell or eternal judgment; those were made up to scare people into churches who have, consequently, started every war since Roman times and really only want your money. Anyone that tells you that your thoughts or actions are wrong do so because they are uneducated, ignorant, insecure, or cruel because everyone knows that true love is perfectly tolerant, kind, gentle and never disciplines with such verbal spanking.
The Bible is a good book of outdate rules, full of contradictions , holy people, and mythical places that aren't real; no one reads it of course, but everyone knows what it says. And Jesus, well if he was real, he was a great teacher like Buddha, Mohammad, Ghandi, or any number of peace loving humanists; he was a good example of how to love people and hate the church. He was a political radical, like the hippies, with flocked hair, a white robe, a blue sash, open toed sandals. He never talked about sin, hell, or judgment. He loved everybody, approved of every lifestyle, and died as an example.
A Jewish Identity
That is the world's gospel...and it is one that in part or whole YOU will fall for if you don't DO something to ensure you know your identity in Christ. Education in the Jewish community was essential to protecting their identity. Remembering they were God's people ensured they did not become someone else's. They were not just learning good citizenship or communication skills, they were learning WHO THEY WERE-what made them God's people and what was expected. They were, in a very real sense, protecting themselves from the gospel of the world, from conforming to what would be so tempting-a world dedicated to worshipping the self. Therefore, at a very young age they dedicated their lives to knowing God's Word. As Rabbis taught them in the synagogue, by the age of 10 it was not uncommon to have memorized Torah - Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy.
From 10 to 14, they would continue to learn and memorize the Psalms, proverbs, and the prophets, and the rest of Old Testament. In fact, many would have memorized the entire Old Testament by the age of fourteen. Finally, the best and brightest would be separated from the not-so-much, and a few studious Jews (much like Paul) would come under the wing of a Rabbi as a disciple. They would give up their lives and literally their homes as they learned to be like their Rabbi-and eventually become Rabbis. They would listen, question, and dialogue with this Rabbi as they studied the Talmud, Mishna, and the particular Rabbi's unique interpretation and listen to his commentary on how to live out the Torah (like the Sabbath).
And yet, we wonder why our foundations are so easily shaken, why our identity gets confused, why things feel purposeless when we grow up memorizing advertising slogans, video game secrets, calorie counts, movie lines, coffee orders, phone numbers, football team rosters, internet passwords, web addresses, and song lyrics. It really is no wonder is it?
READ EXODUS 13.1-16
Exodus 13.1-2, 11-13 - Set APART/Consecrate
Following the reinstitution of the Passover, we have God's second set of instructions to Moses, who in turns, shares them with Israel. God commands the people of Moses to "consecrate" or "set apart" their firstborn children and animals. What a powerful reminder this must have been as they sacrificed an IMPORTANT portion of their life constantly in honor of their God. The firstborn will be sacrificed to the Lord in remembrance of the killing of the firstborn in Egypt. It is a memorial to the judgment of Egypt and the redemption of Israel BOTH which came through the death of something. Remember, the Firstborns of Israel were SAVED while the Egyptian firstborns were destroyed. Now they will be set apart for the Lord.
Of course, the children are not sacrificed; rather, they are redeemed by a lamb as were ceremonially unclean animals (donkeys). The action was a constant reminder of the bondage they experienced in Egypt and HOW they were freed from it. The consecration of the firstborn males implied some sort of priestly duties that were later transferred to the Levite tribe in Numbers 8. 14-19. All of these practices remind the Israelites that they are a purchased people, owned by, protected by, and led by God.
Exodus 13.3-7; 11-15-Remember when you go into the Land
God then reminds them of their continued journey. Two different times, in versus 5 and 11, Moses makes a point to charge the Israelites to remember these ceremonies WHEN THEY GO INTO the Land. It is important to note what they are "remembering here." They are remembering what God did when they BELIEVED HIS WORD. They are remembering that what God says; he does. As they continue to BELIEVE WHAT GOD SAYS, they would be taken into the land of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Amorites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites. All of these peoples were cultures that were polytheistic, full of idol worshipping, battle hardened pagans who did not fear Yahweh. God would take them from a land of darkness into a land of darkness to possess. If they trusted GOD's WORD, remembered GOD'S WORD, they would be protected, led, and provided by GOD'S WORD.
And, God tells them that they must actively remember and teach God's story to each generation of firstborns. Like us, they would be apt to forget, so he tells them over and over again to remember through these ceremonies, but even more than that.
Exodus 13.9, 16-Teaching & Memorializing
9 And it shall be to you as a sign on your hand and as a memorial between your eyes, that the law of the Lord may be in your mouth. For with a strong hand the Lord has brought you out of Egypt. 10 You shall therefore keep this statute at its appointed time from year to year.
In verse 9 and again in 16 Moses writes that this story, this ceremony, these words are to be a memorial on their right hand and on their forehead for the purpose of the law of the LORD being in their mouths. In the 1st or 2nd century BC, two groups of religious Jews the Sadducees (more liberal) and the Pharisees (more conservative) interpreted this passage. The Sadducees thought this was a figurative thing, but the Pharisees took it literally. This passage led to the practice of male Israelites (13 yrs or older) wearing phylacteries (TEFLIN) every day: small calfskin boxes containing strips of parchment on which were written FOUR different Scriptures. The boxes were attached to a piece of leather and worn on the forehead and left upper arm. The construction of these phylacteries is very specific as are their placement. . The left arm requirements consist of one strip with all four Scriptures on it, wrapped around the left arm. The four Scriptures were:
The different Scriptures
- Exodus 13:1-10 Consecrate to me all the firstborn...Remember this day in which you came out of Egypt....you shall tell your son....it shall be to you as a sign on your hand as a memorial between your eyes...THAT the law of the LORD may be in your mouth. [EXPRESSING THE DUTY TO REMEMBER]
- Exodus 13:11-16 When the Lord brings you into the land...you shall set apart to the LORD all that first opens the womb....it shall be as a mark on your hand or frontlets...[EXPRESSING THE OBLIGATION TO WEAR]
- Deuteronomy 6:4-9 ...you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. And these words that I command shall be on your heart...shall teach them...shall talk of them...shall bind them...shall write them...[EXPRESSING THE UNITY and ONENESS OF GOD]
- Deuteronomy 11:13-21 And if you will indeed obey my commandments that I command you today, to love the LORD your God, and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul, he will give...[if] you serve other gods and worship them; then the anger of the LORD will be kindled against you...Lay up these words of mine in your heart and in your soul, and you shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes...teach them...talking of them...walking...write them...that your days and the days of your children may be multiplied. [EXPRESSING GOD'S ASSURANCE of BLESSING & CURSING]
Why wear it?
A mark on the forehead is symbolic of the one whom you serve. In the end times, the book of Revelation speaks of the mark of the beast that one receives on their right hand or forehead. There has always been a sense of dread attached to this mark, as if it were something we would get by accident and thus be damned forever. Personally, I do not believe it is as simple as special tattoo or microchip under the skin. The mark on the forehead is a mark of ownership-a symbol of loyalty to or love for someone or something. Without question, if you tattoo property of Satan on your forehead, in addition to you being theologically confused and flat out scary, your confession of your master is made evident.
The right hand is the hand by which we take oaths; it is symbolic of the commitments you make, or your obedience. The oaths we take are, in effect, promises to do something, to obey something, and to serve accordingly. They make our loyalties evident through action or inaction, through doing or refusing to do.
What we wear?
My question for us today is what are we wearing on our foreheads and on our arms? The core of the issue is LORDSHIP. Who or what is the Lord of your life? Who or what dictates what you do? Who or what helps you discern right and wrong? What or what protects you? What encourages you? Where do you turn for hope? Imagine if you constructed a box to place on your head. I don't think that many of us would have Scripture sitting in our boxes. What we would have in it are any number of good, pithy, wise sounding but not necessarily biblical statements that permeate our culture-wisdom of men, truths that Paul calls in 1Timothy the teachings of demons..
Why we need head gear?
We don't set Scripture on our hands and before our eyes because we REALLY don't believe it has power. What is obvious, is the world is a hard place to live in. What we fail to realize is that we live in a world that is controlled by Satan. 1John 5.19. 19 We know that we are from God, and the whole world lies in the power of the evil one. We live in a world where our enemy is prowling about like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. When he is not eating someone, he is firing darts and missles at people to destroy them. As John Piper so aptly says, he hates you. He hates your faith. He hates your church. He hates your family. He hates your loved ones. He hates everything that makes you what you are.
What we put in our head gear?
And yet, we go into what amounts to a battlefield and refuse to equip ourselves with a sword. And Jesus has SENT us into a hostile world telling us HOW to be protected: John 17.15-19 15 I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one. 16 They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. 17 Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. 18 As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. 19 And for their sake I consecrate myself, that they also may be sanctified in truth. Do we realize that God's WORD is what overcomes the world?
They are powerful words, not pithy words of advice and wisdom
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- Jeremiah 23.29 29 Is not my word like fire, declares the Lord, and like a hammer that breaks the rock in pieces?
They are living words, not archaic, not irrelevant, active and piercing.
- Hebrews 4.12 12 For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
They are the words of God not men.
- 2Timothy 3.16 16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work
What happens when we do, or don't?
1. To know God through Scripture
Exodus 34.5-7 5 The Lord descended in the cloud and stood with him there, and proclaimed the name of the Lord. 6 The Lord passed before him and proclaimed, "The Lord, the Lord, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness, 7 keeping steadfast love for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, but who will by no means clear the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children and the children's children, to the third and the fourth generation." When God passes before Moses, Moses does not record what he sees or even what experiences. He records what the LORD proclaims.
2. To protect yourself from sinning- Psalm 119.9,11 , Matthew 4
Being a good Jewish boy, Jesus memorized the book of Deuteronomy. And, when he is attacked in the wilderness by Satan-he fights him with verses from Deuteronomy. Psalm 119.9-11
9 How can a young man keep his way pure?
By guarding it according to your word.
10 With my whole heart I seek you;
let me not wander from your commandments!
11 I have stored up your word in my heart,
that I might not sin against you.
3. To Refute False Doctrine and lies of Spirits
1John 4.1 Beloved, do not believe the spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world.
4. To discern what to do by Scripture
How often do we sit, meditating on what to do BEFORE we have to actually make the decision? Because we haven't spent any time studying the WAYS of God in the past, in what he has said and done, we fail to know which WAY to go in the moment. Psalm 119 constantly talks about meditating on God's way, not forgetting his word, not so he will LOVE us, so that he will LEAD us. Joshua 1.7-8 7 Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to do according to all the law that Moses my servant commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may have good success wherever you go. 8 This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.
5. To lead diligently the Scripture (children, friends, strangers, marriages)
As men, women, parents, friends, we are to lead with Scripture. When things are down, when things are not clear, when we need encouragement, when we need a reminder of what is most important, we should be leading with Scripture. How quick are we to remind ourselves that in the darkest of times, the Scriptures say Psalm 119.105 Your word is a lamp to my feet, and a light to my path that despite what we see we walk by faith not by sight (2Cor 5.7).
6. To find comfort by Scripture
Psalm 103.8-14
8 The Lord is merciful and gracious,
slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.
9 He will not always chide,
nor will he keep his anger forever.
10 He does not deal with us according to our sins,
nor repay us according to our iniquities.
11 For as high as the heavens are above the earth,
so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him;
12 as far as the east is from the west,
so far does he remove our transgressions from us.
13 As a father shows compassion to his children,
so the Lord shows compassion to those who fear him.
14 For he knows our frame;
he remembers that we are dust.
7. To talk often of Scripture - life of worship
Word fill your home: Women speak 20k, while men speak about 7k. How many of those are Scripture?
Colossians 3.16 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.
Conclusion: WORD became flesh
Abide in God's Word is Abiding in Jesus...which leads to joy
Most people won't pursue God's Word because they do not believe that in it is joy. The reality is that pursuing God's Word is the natural reaction for those whom love God-a desire born by God. That desire doesn't, unfortunately, produce in us enough motivation to get up. Like athletes we must get in shape. Like farmers we must plow the fields. Like soldiers we have to practice our swordsmanship. It is a desire that leads to joy.
John 15.1-11
"I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. 2 Every branch of mine that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. 3 Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. 4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. 5 I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. 7 If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. 9 As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. 10 If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love. 11 These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.
http://www.jewishencyclopedia.com/view.jsp?artid=290&letter=P