Coachlight Bible Study – Exodus Lesson 29

Coachlight Bible Study – Exodus Lesson 29 – Approaching God

Part VII – Approach God Only By Intercession

Hebrews 7:19 For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did; by the which we draw nigh unto God.

Hebrews 7:20 And inasmuch as not without an oath he was made priest:

Hebrews 7:21 (For those priests were made without an oath; but this with an oath by him that said unto him, The Lord sware and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec:)

Hebrews 7:22 By so much was Jesus made a surety of a better testament.

Hebrews 7:23 And they truly were many priests, because they were not suffered to continue by reason of death:

Hebrews 7:24 But this man, because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood.

Hebrews 7:25 Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.

It is God’s eternal plan to tabernacle with man. But since Adam fell, it has been difficult for sinful man to approach a holy God. God of course knew this, and planned out His will centered on the “Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.” Through this slain Lamb, we can approach God, and without Him this approaching is completely impossible. Many times we twist Scripture by inserting our own preconceived notions into Scripture, instead of extracting out of Scripture God’s meaning.

The Messiah, the One the Father sent into the world, dealt with the religious of His day. Christ healed a man on the Sabbath. The religious Jews had interpreted this miracle on the Sabbath as being against the law of Moses. When these religious Jews confronted Jesus about this, He answered them, “My Father worketh hitherto, and I work.” Now the religious hated Him more because they had no conception of Who He Is. He is the God Man Whom the Father sent into the world. Although they had “searched the Scriptures”, they had interpreted the Scriptures erroneously. Christ, after explaining Who He Is, told them they were interpreting the Scripture incorrectly, and taught all of us that the Scriptures actually testify of the very One that they were accusing of breaking Moses’ law! He then told them:

John 5:44 How can ye believe, which receive honour one of another, and seek not the honour that cometh from God only?

John 5:45 Do not think that I will accuse you to the Father: there is one that accuseth you, even Moses, in whom ye trust.

John 5:46 For had ye believed Moses, ye would have believed me: for he wrote of me.

Can we see that the Jews were seeking religious respect from each other, rather than finding eternal life through the One whom the Father sent?

We often are guilty of doing the very same act today. Instead of extracting God’s message from the Scriptures, we often, just like the Pharisees of Jesus’ time, insert into the Scriptures our erroneous religious knowledge instead of seeking what God meant when He wrote it. That process is not worshipping God, it is worshiping each other. The Scriptures teach:

John 4:23 But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.

John 4:24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.

How do we worship God in Spirit and in truth? The study of the tabernacle in Exodus teaches us that the only way to approach God is by gathering together and opening up Scripture truthfully by seeking God’s meaning not man’s, we are worshiping in Spirit and in Truth:

John 6:63 It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.

The Book of Exodus is all about how to approach God. Remember in the third chapter, God appeared to Moses as a flame in a bush that was not consumed? God was teaching Moses then how to approach a Holy God and not be consumed. Yahweh continued throughout the Bible teaching all who desires to dig into God’s Word, the way for a sinful man to approach a holy God, not unto death, but eternal life

Part I – Approach Christ Through The Father’s Draw

It is through Scripture that we are drawn by the Father to the Son:

John 6:44 No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.

John 6:45 It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me.

Part II – Approach The Father Only Through Christ

In part two of this series we went a bit further into the concept of approaching God. While it is true, that the Father draws us to Christ with Scripture, it is also true that no one approaches the Father except through Christ:

John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

This teaching is taught in Exodus as God had Moses build the Tabernacle.

We know that every part of the Tabernacle and its furnishings and priestly works were a type of Christ and His work:

Hebrews 9:24 For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us:

Part III – Approach God Only Through The Rent Vail

In part III we investigated the problem that existed concerning the entrance into the Holy of Holies, barred to everyone except the High Priest, and then only once a year, and then only with blood. The veil, which covered the entrance, symbolized Christ’s flesh, actually prevented man from approaching God. God’s glory could only be seen from the outside. There was no way for sinful man to approach a holy God.

We learned before that sinful man could approach Christ only by the Father’s draw, and that the Father draws by the Scripture. Then we learned that we can approach God only through Christ. But the problem still existed. Sinful man could not approach God because Christ’s sin less life, which was symbolized by the veil, stood in the way.

Christ’s life did not give us access to the Father, rather it gave us condemnation. When we stand facing the veil of His sinless life, we realize how unworthy we are.

But Glory to God, His death caused that wall of partition to be abolished so that we can approach the throne of God with boldness by a new and living way.

Hebrews 10:19 Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus,

Hebrews 10:20 By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh;

Ephesians 2:14 For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us;

Ephesians 2:15 Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace;

Ephesians 2:16 And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:

Matthew 27:50 Jesus, when he had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost.

Matthew 27:51 And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent;

Mark 15:38 And the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom.

Luke 23:45 And the sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was rent in the midst.

Part IV – Approach God Only By Way Of The Altar

Part four brings us to the front gate of the Tabernacle. This gate was the only way into the outer court, the door was the only way into the holy place, and the vail was the only way into the Holy of Holies. The Holy of Holies is where the meeting takes place between God and His people. Christ pointed out these three ways, and demonstrated that they spoke of Himself and good things to come:

John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

Christ is the only way into the outer court where the brazen altar comes into view. Here a man could pass on by and not meet God, but if he wants to approach a holy God he must go through the only Way. Christ is also the only door leading into the holy place, where worship and fellowship are experienced in Spirit and in Truth. Christ is also, or His body is, the vail, the only way into the Holy of Holies, where man and God tabernacle together forever.

But first, one must pass the brazen altar in the outer court. If a man is to approach God and not die, he must have an innocent substitute die for him. This of course, points forward to the supreme once and for all substitute for mankind – Christ on the cross:

Hebrews 10:1 For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect.

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.

Hebrews 10:3 But in those sacrifices there is a remembrance again made of sins every year.

Hebrews 10:4 For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins.

Hebrews 10:5 Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me:

Hebrews 10:6 In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin thou hast had no pleasure.

Hebrews 10:7 Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,)to do thy will, O God.

Hebrews 10:8 Above when he said, Sacrifice and offering and burnt offerings and offering for sin thou wouldest not, neither hadst pleasure therein; which are offered by the law;

Hebrews 10:9 Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second.

Hebrews 10:10 By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.

Hebrews 10:11 And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins:

Hebrews 10:12 But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God;

Part V: Approach God Only By The High Priest Who Removes The Vail

II Corinthians 3:13 And not as Moses, which put a vail over his face, that the children of Israel could not stedfastly look to the end of that which is abolished:

II Corinthians 3:14 But their minds were blinded: for until this day remaineth the same vail untaken away in the reading of the old testament; which vail is done away in Christ.

II Corinthians 3:15 But even unto this day, when Moses is read, the vail is upon their heart.

II Corinthians 3:16 Nevertheless when it shall turn to the Lord, the vail shall be taken away.

II Corinthians 3:17 Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.

II Corinthians 3:18 But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.

Even the garments that were prepared for the high priest to serve in the Tabernacle point forward to our High Priest Who has made the voyage from heaven to earth, and back to the right hand of the Father. These priestly garments were to be holy garments, separated or set aside for the service of God.

A man could pass right on by the gate of the tabernacle, but if he wants to approach God and not die, he must first pass by the brass altar. It is here, at the brass altar that he must realize that to go further, he needs an innocent sacrifice to die in his stead. It is on this brass altar that the priests offered animals as sweet smelling sacrifices to God. These sacrifices pointed forward into time to the cross where the Ultimate Sacrifice was made in the stead of all mankind. We find this in Scripture in the book of Ephesians:

Ephesians 5:2 … hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.

While these animal sacrifices came before and pointed forward to Christ on the cross, in reality in God’s mind and Word Christ on the cross was planned and foreknown a long time before:

Acts 2:23 … delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God,…

Revelation 13:8 … the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.

John 1:29 The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.

Part VI. Approach God Only Through The Consecrated High Priest

Hebrews 7:15 And it is yet far more evident: for that after the similitude of Melchisedec there ariseth another priest,

Hebrews 7:16 Who is made, not after the law of a carnal commandment, but after the power of an endless life….

Hebrews 7:17 For he testifieth, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec….

Hebrews 7:26 For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens;

Hebrews 7:27 Who needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people's: for this he did once, when he offered up himself.

Hebrews 7:28 For the law maketh men high priests which have infirmity; but the word of the oath, which was since the law, maketh the Son, who is consecrated for evermore.

Aaronic High Priest’s Garments Point Forward To The Melchisedek Priesthood

A. The Ephod

1. Two pieces of cloth brought together and fastened together at the shoulders

2. The material was gathered together at the middle with a girdle

3. Two pieces fastened together with two onyx stones – one on each shoulder

a. Six names of the tribes of Israel on one shoulder

b. Six names of the tribes of Israel on the other shoulder

4. The high priest carried the twelve tribes on his shoulder in the presence of God

a. This is a symbol of strength and power of the High Priest

Hebrews 7:25 Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.

b. Christ referred to this in a parable:

Luke 15:1 Then drew near unto him all the publicans and sinners for to hear him.

Luke 15:2 And the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them.

Luke 15:3 And he spake this parable unto them, saying,

Luke 15:4 What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it?

Luke 15:5 And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing.

Luke 15:6 And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost.

Luke 15:7 I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.

B. The Breastplate – A Very Beautiful Vest

Exodus 28:15 And thou shalt make the breastplate of judgment with cunning work; after the work of the ephod thou shalt make it; of gold, of blue, and of purple, and of scarlet, and of fine twined linen, shalt thou make it.

Exodus 28:16 Foursquare it shall be being doubled; a span shall be the length thereof, and a span shall be the breadth thereof.

1. This “vest” was worn over the ephod

2. Called the “Breastplate of Judgment

a. Symbolized sin has been judged

b. Today we need a breastplate of righteousness

1. Covers the vile heart within us – Christ’s righteousness made over us

2. This is the only way we can approach God

3. Breastplate Fastened to The Ephod

Exodus 28:17 And thou shalt set in it settings of stones, even four rows of stones: the first row shall be a sardius, a topaz, and a carbuncle: this shall be the first row.

Exodus 28:18 And the second row shall be an emerald, a sapphire, and a diamond.

Exodus 28:19 And the third row a ligure, an agate, and an amethyst.

Exodus 28:20 And the fourth row a beryl, and an onyx, and a jasper: they shall be set in gold in their inclosings.

4. The breastplate had on it twelve precious stones

a. There was four rows of stones

b. There was three to a row

Exodus 28:21 And the stones shall be with the names of the children of Israel, twelve, according to their names, like the engravings of a signet; every one with his name shall they be according to the twelve tribes.

5. These stones also found in the book of Revelation

a. Make up the foundation of New Jerusalem

b. Different color stones make up a flashing display of beauty

6. This high priest in God’s presence pictures Christ in intercession for us today

a. He not only carries us on His shoulders

b. We are engraved on His heart – Because of this we can approach God

Part VII. Approaching God Only Because Of Intercession

Exodus 30:1 And thou shalt make an altar to burn incense upon: of shittim wood shalt thou make it.

Exodus 30:2 A cubit shall be the length thereof, and a cubit the breadth thereof; foursquare shall it be: and two cubits shall be the height thereof: the horns thereof shall be of the same.

Exodus 30:3 And thou shalt overlay it with pure gold, the top thereof, and the sides thereof round about, and the horns thereof; and thou shalt make unto it a crown of gold round about.

Exodus 30:4 And two golden rings shalt thou make to it under the crown of it, by the two corners thereof, upon the two sides of it shalt thou make it; and they shall be for places for the staves to bear it withal.

Exodus 30:5 And thou shalt make the staves of shittim wood, and overlay them with gold.

Exodus 30:6 And thou shalt put it before the vail that is by the ark of the testimony, before the mercy seat that is over the testimony, where I will meet with thee.

Exodus 30:7 And Aaron shall burn thereon sweet incense every morning: when he dresseth the lamps, he shall burn incense upon it.

Exodus 30:8 And when Aaron lighteth the lamps at even, he shall burn incense upon it, a perpetual incense before the LORD throughout your generations.

Exodus 30:9 Ye shall offer no strange incense thereon, nor burnt sacrifice, nor meat offering; neither shall ye pour drink offering thereon.

Exodus 30:10 And Aaron shall make an atonement upon the horns of it once in a year with the blood of the sin offering of atonements: once in the year shall he make atonement upon it throughout your generations: it is most holy unto the LORD.

I. The Golden Altar

A. The Materials From Which It Was Made – 1 Cubit x 1 Cubit x 2 Cubits

1. Shittim Wood – Symbolizes Christ’s Humanity

2. Gold – Symbolizes Christ’s Deity

B. Where To Place The Altar

1. On the other side of the vail from the golden ark

2. Just Opposite the ark of the testimony

a. On top of the ark is where the meeting will take place

b. Vail separates the Ark from the golden altar

C. The Duty Of The Priests

1. Burn incense every time they light the lampstand

2. The incense symbolizes prayer

a. David prayed:

Psalm 141:2 Let my prayer be set forth before thee as incense; and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice.

b. Luke, the first chronological Gospel, teaches:

1. God broke His 400 year silence at the altar of incense

2. The people all prayed at the time of the incense burning

Luke 1:5 There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judaea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the course of Abia: and his wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elisabeth.

Luke 1:6 And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless.

Luke 1:7 And they had no child, because that Elisabeth was barren, and they both were now well stricken in years.

Luke 1:8 And it came to pass, that while he executed the priest's office before God in the order of his course,

Luke 1:9 According to the custom of the priest's office, his lot was to burn incense when he went into the temple of the Lord.

Luke 1:10 And the whole multitude of the people were praying without at the time of incense.

Luke 1:11 And there appeared unto him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense.

Luke 1:12 And when Zacharias saw him, he was troubled, and fear fell upon him.

Luke 1:13 But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John.

c. Revelation gives us this word picture of the altar:

Revelation 8:3 And another angel came and stood at the altar, having a golden censer; and there was given unto him much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne.

D. The high priest burning incense is a type of our High Priest Intercessor:

Hebrews 7:1 For this Melchisedec, king of Salem, priest of the most high God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings, and blessed him;

Hebrews 7:2 To whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all; first being by interpretation King of righteousness, and after that also King of Salem, which is, King of peace;

Hebrews 7:3 Without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life; but made like unto the Son of God; abideth a priest continually.

Hebrews 7:4 Now consider how great this man was, unto whom even the patriarch Abraham gave the tenth of the spoils.

Hebrews 7:5 And verily they that are of the sons of Levi, who receive the office of the priesthood, have a commandment to take tithes of the people according to the law, that is, of their brethren, though they come out of the loins of Abraham:

Hebrews 7:6 But he whose descent is not counted from them received tithes of Abraham, and blessed him that had the promises.

Hebrews 7:7 And without all contradiction the less is blessed of the better.

Hebrews 7:8 And here men that die receive tithes; but there he receiveth them, of whom it is witnessed that he liveth.

Hebrews 7:9 And as I may so say, Levi also, who receiveth tithes, payed tithes in Abraham.

Hebrews 7:10 For he was yet in the loins of his father, when Melchisedec met him.

Hebrews 7:11 If therefore perfection were by the Levitical priesthood, (for under it the people received the law,)what further need was there that another priest should rise after the order of Melchisedec, and not be called after the order of Aaron?

Hebrews 7:12 For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law.

Hebrews 7:13 For he of whom these things are spoken pertaineth to another tribe, of which no man gave attendance at the altar.

Hebrews 7:14 For it is evident that our Lord sprang out of Juda; of which tribe Moses spake nothing concerning priesthood.

Hebrews 7:15 And it is yet far more evident: for that after the similitude of Melchisedec there ariseth another priest,

Hebrews 7:16 Who is made, not after the law of a carnal commandment, but after the power of an endless life.

Hebrews 7:17 For he testifieth, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.

Hebrews 7:18 For there is verily a disannulling of the commandment going before for the weakness and unprofitableness thereof.