Exodus 19:1-8 In the third month after the children of Israel had gone out of the land of Egypt, on the same day, they came to the Wilderness of Sinai. 2 For they had departed from Rephidim, had come to the Desert of Sinai, and camped in the wilderness. So Israel camped there before the mountain. 3 And Moses went up to God, and the LORD called to him from the mountain, saying, "Thus you shall say to the house of Jacob, and tell the children of Israel: 4 'You have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles' wings and brought you to Myself. 5 'Now therefore, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be a special treasure to Me above all people; for all the earth is Mine. 6 'And you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.' These are the words which you shall speak to the children of Israel." 7 So Moses came and called for the elders of the people, and laid before them all these words which the LORD commanded him. 8 Then all the people answered together and said,"All that the LORD has spoken we will do." So Moses brought back the words of the people to the LORD.

God wanted a personal relationship with the people of Israel. This proposed personal relationship of God with the nation of Israel would result in three things. Israel would have been:

1. A Special Treasure
2. A Kingdom of Priests
3. A Holy Nation

Later, we will see the grace and mercy of God even in the failure of Israel in these matters.

For two or more people to have a close relationship, each must "bend" and "change" so that all parties will "relate", or there is NO relationship. This was also true in this proposed relationship of God and Israel.

God would not, nor could not change His Character or Eternal Purpose. However, He would change His "location" and tabernacle among them, make them His special people, and many many other things.

Close relationships will  
EITHER  
bring each to common ground 
equal to the lowest level of both.
OR
Through setting goals and a purpose for the relationship,
each will assist the other in striving to reach
the pinnacle of the declared purpose.

Sad to say, most human relationships have no purpose or goals, they just happen. This is tragically true of many marriages, and most church memberships.

When a relationship has Biblical goals and purpose, then each can edify the other to reach Spiritual heights even above the goals. However, just being in a relationship does not guarantee Spiritually beneficial results.

If a relationship is to be Spiritually beneficial:

1. Each person must selflessly give of themselves in order to benefit the other in a Spiritual manner.
2. The goals or purpose of the relationship must be paramount over self-benefit, without expecting repayment in kind.
3. The relationship must be voluntary, and not enslaving.
4. There must be the recognition and expectation that the relationship will bring to light personal flaws, and a readiness to make corrections.
5. There are other areas, but these make a good summary.

The whole aspect of the Jewish nation, the Tabernacle and its service had to do with relationships with God and others in the nation. These Old Testament relationships serve as shadows or examples for the many relationships within the Church, the Body of Christ. It is this type of relationship spoken of in.....

Proverbs 27:17 As iron sharpens iron, so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend.

Proverbs 13:20 He who walks with wise men will be wise, but the companion of fools will be destroyed.

However, all relationships - even many in the Church - do not have a beneficial effect on the participants. This "non-benefit" usually happens because the relationship was entered into for the wrong reasons. This is true of friendships, marriages and church memberships.

I hear from parents, who may be doing less that a perfect job of parenting, but are looking to find the perfect solution for a perfect child. Therefore, they say that they want their kids to hang-out with other church kids. That's a good move, BUT just "hanging-out" won't cut it. A relationship will sink to the lowest level of those in that relationship, unless:

1. There is a proper purpose
2. There are appropriate goals
3. There is competent accountability

1 Corinthians 15:33 Do not be deceived: "Evil company corrupts good habits."

1 Corinthians 5:6-8 Your glorying is not good. Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump? 7 Therefore purge out the old leaven, that you may be a new lump, since you truly are unleavened. For indeed Christ, our Passover, was sacrificed for us. 8 Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, nor with the leaven of malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.

NOTICE!! Once again..., these New Testament Spiritual truths of 1 Corinthians 5 are taught against the background and example of the Old Testament Tabernacle and its service.

This should come as no surprise to us. The Holy Spirit has so declared that through Old Testament "shadows" and "examples", we can learn to live Spiritually in the present, and understand the future.

Colossians 2:16-17 Therefore let no one judge you in food or in drink, or regarding a festival or a new moon or sabbaths, 17 which are a shadow of things to come, but the substance is of Christ.

Hebrews 8:4-5 For if He (Christ) were on earth, He would not be a priest, since there are priests who offer the gifts according to the law; 5 who serve the copy and shadow of the heavenly things, as Moses was divinely instructed when he was about to make the tabernacle. For He said, "See that you make all things according to the pattern shown you on the mountain."

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

1 Corinthians 10:5-11 But with most of them (Israelites in the wilderness) God was not well pleased, for their bodies were scattered in the wilderness. 6 Now these things became our examples, to the intent that we should not lust after evil things as they also lusted. 7 And do not become idolaters as were some of them. As it is written, "The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play." 8 Nor let us commit sexual immorality, as some of them did, and in one day twenty-three thousand fell; 9 nor let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed by serpents; 10 nor murmur, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed by the destroyer. 11 Now all these things happened to them as examples, and they were written for our admonition, on whom the ends of the ages have come.

Since GOD GAVE these as shadows of things to come and examples of things we should do and not do, we had better take some time and see the shadows and the teachings from these examples. The truths taught by these shadows and examples, in this passage, are far too vast and complicated to teach each one in any real detail, at least not in a series of this nature.

Nonetheless, the truths taught by these shadows and examples are equal to, or more important than the shadow or example, itself. Please allow me to remind you again that the New Testament teaching of 1 Corinthians 5 is taken from the shadows and examples of the Old Testament and particularly the Tabernacle and its service. Having an understanding of the Tabernacle, the Law, etc. is so vital to a clear understanding of much of the New Testament.

Before we look again at 1 Corinthians 5, let me refresh your memory concerning the Ten Commandments. Those who have taken the "Walk-Through" classes know that the many commands, statutes, etc. of the Mosaic Law fall into two moral categories.

Moral = (Webster) Of, or relating to principles or consideration of right and wrong action or good and bad character.

Basically, morality has to do with proper or improper actions in relationship with:

1. Mankind
2. God

The Ten Commandments

The Moral Relationship with God

1. Have no other gods
2. Have no idols
3. Dont' Take the name of God in vain
4. Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it Holy

The Moral Relationship with Humans

5. Honor father and mother
6. Do not murder
7. Do not commit adultery
8. Do not steal
9. Do not bear false witness
10. Do not covet

Notice HOW negative God is!! I constantly hear, "Can't we make Bible Study more 'up-beat'? You know, something that will help my self-image?" The answer to that is, NO!! There is no way to teach in that manner, and still teach the Word of God.

When we see ourselves as totally depraved humans (not a very good self-image), and accept God's offer to become a Child of God, THEN we can have a very good image of the person God has made of us. If a person tries to find something good in a totally depraved human, that person is either Spiritually dead, or blinded by self-righteousness.

The Ten Commandments, which themselves are the "outline" or foundation of all the Mosaic Law, are divided according to proper relationships with God and/or mankind. Basically, the first part of the Ten Commandments have to do with a relationship with God. The last part of that list of "Ten" has to do with a relationship with mankind. Therefore, as we study the Tabernacle and its service, we will be brought face to face with an evaluation of our own relationships with God and other humans.

1 Corinthians 5:6-8 Your glorying is not good. Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump? 7 Therefore purge out the old leaven, that you may be a new lump, since you truly are unleavened. For indeed Christ, our Passover, was sacrificed for us. 8 Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, nor with the leaven of malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.

The "shadows" and "examples" upon which these truths of 1 Corinthians 5:6-8 are based have to do with relationships, primarily human relationships within the Nation of Israel. Likewise, these truths in 1 Corinthians are taught by Paul in the context of both personal and church relationships.

There are many truths taught in the first two verses of this passage, most of which we will not look into at this time. Our concentration will be on v.8. There are two things that should be absent from our relationship, and two things that should be present in our relationship, IF we are to properly enter into the worship of and with God.

We see here and in other Scriptures that our relationship with humans has a real effect on our relationship with God. The opposite is true also.

The two things that should be absent 
in every relationship of the Believer 
are:

Malice = (Greek) Ill will; Desire to injure; Denotes a vicious disposition; Wickedness that is not ashamed to break laws, use untruth or vindictiveness. Romans 1:28-32; 1 Corinthians 5:8; Philippians 1:12-19; 3 John 1:9-11; Philippians 2:1-4; 1 Corinthians 14:20; Ephesians 4:30-32; Colossians 3:6-9; Titus 2:15-3:4; 1 Peter 2:15-17.

Wickedness = (Greek) Depravity i.e. malice. The type that plots its activity to be hurtful or to bring anguish.

We will not take the time, in our present study, to carefully look at the Greek word for "malice". Our concentration will be on this very special type of "wickedness" that SHOULD NOT be a part of any Believer's relationship.

As we will see, this "wickedness" is one of the favorite tools used by the imitators of Spiritual living. The imitators use this tool in order to control others in the relationship, rather than allowing the goals and purpose of the relationship to be the directing factor. "Control" is one of the most important factors in these pseudo Spiritual relationships.

Please keep in mind, there is a vast difference between the role of a individual in a personal relationship, and the role of a leader. This is true whether that leader be of a tribe of Israel, a Sunday School class, a church, etc. All of these aspects will be seen, to some extent, as we study the Tabernacle and its service.

Even though we will not examine "malice" at this time, I have given several passages, dealing with this subject, to be used in your private study. Plus, "malice" (as per definition) is one of the "key" components of this special type of "wickedness" used by Spiritual imitators.

The Greek word for this type of wickedness is used only 7 times in the New Testament. This is not just your regular run-of-the-mill wickedness. Look at some of the examples of this Greek word in the Scriptures. It is a wickedness that is used often by those who claim to be Spiritual, BUT ARE NOT. If this type of wickedness is part of your actions and motive, you have NO claim to Spirituality, only carnality.

Matthew 22:15-18 Then the Pharisees went and plotted how they might entangle Him in His talk. 16 And they sent to Him their disciples with the Herodians, saying, "Teacher, we know that You are true, and teach the way of God in truth; nor do You care about anyone, for You do not regard the person of men. 17 "Tell us, therefore, what do You think? Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?" 18 But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, "Why do you test Me, you hypocrites?

Luke 11:39 But the Lord said to him, "Now you Pharisees make the outside of the cup and dish clean, but your inward part is full of greed and wickedness.

Ephesians 6:11-13 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

Every time, except once, that this Greek word is used, it is used in connection with those who claim to be Spiritual. That one exception is found in....

Romans 1:27-32 Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due. 28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting; 29 being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, 30 backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, 31 undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful; 32 who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are worthy of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them.

I'm sure you've noticed that a child, before they are trained differently, will "plot" actions that are hurtful and bring anguish to other children, and sometimes parents. These actions are designed, by the untrained child, to allow them to control by intimidation, and therefore get their own selfish way.

Hey!!  
When done right, this action works!!
(It works,  BUT  it is sinful and against God's clear command.)  
It is used in business, government, 
among friends(?), 
by parents, etc.

By the way, children need to be taught that there is a purpose for relationships other than self-gratification. Of course parents need to learn that fact before becoming the teachers of their children. Children need to be taught that there is a difference between a proper relationship on the play ground, and the proper relationship within the church building. A needed subject for another time.

Some adults have never grown out of this childishness. OR they have seen the control value of this wickedness that plots to hurt and bring anguish, and have adopted this method of operation for their own relationships.

This "wickedness" will demonstrate itself in many ways, BUT it will always be planned to hurt, and bring anguish so that personal control can be theirs, and the relationship will accomplish their personal whims, instead of following the goals and purpose of the relationship for the benefit of all involved.

The shadows and examples emanating from the Tabernacle and its service will teach us much concerning personal relationships, as well as collective or church relationships. We will also see the vast difference between relationships and leadership.

This difference can be applied to marriage, child raising, the church, etc. For now, we had better get back to our 1 Corinthians portion and see the two things that MUST BE IN any Spiritual relationship.

1 Corinthians 5:6-8 Your glorying is not good. Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump? 7 Therefore purge out the old leaven, that you may be a new lump, since you truly are unleavened. For indeed Christ, our Passover, was sacrificed for us. 8 Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, nor with the leaven of malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.

Malice = (Greek) Ill will; Desire to injure; Denotes a vicious disposition; Wickedness that is not ashamed to break laws, use untruth or vindictiveness. Romans 1:28-32; 1 Corinthians 5:8; Philippians 1:12-19; 3 John 1:9-11; Philippians 2:1-4; 1 Corinthians 14:20; Ephesians 4:30-32; Colossians 3:6-9; Titus 2:15-3:4; 1 Peter 2:15-17.

Wickedness = (Greek) Depravity i.e. malice. The type that plots its activity to be hurtful or to bring anguish.

Sincerity = (Greek) Tested as genuine; Judged by sunlight and found clear and pure.

Truth = (Greek) To be true, with nothing concealed or hidden so as to deceive; Truth as the unveiled reality as the basis of and agreeing with an appearance; The reality pertaining to an appearance.

This Greek word for sincerity is used only 3 times in the New Testament. If we are to have a Spiritual relationship with anyone, human or God, then what we say and do MUST be genuine and pure!

If that relationship is to be of a Spiritual nature, we must be able and willing to have our motive, and actions placed in and examined by the sunlight of God's Word, NOT by our well plotted selfish "spin".

Those motives and actions MUST BE "clear" of any selfish whims, IF we are to claim our relationships as Spiritual. Please, for your own sake and the honor of God, DON'T claim to have a Spiritual relationship or a Spiritual life, IF malice and wickedness are present in your motive and actions. Nor make that claim, IF sincerity and truth are NOT a part of your motive and actions.

We will see more on this subject as we look at the offer God made Israel at Mount Sinai, and the examples of Spiritual relationships found in the Tabernacle and its service. For right now, please answer this question being honest with yourself, others and God. HOW do your relationships stack up??? Are your relationships truly Spiritual or are they simply carnal????

Our relationship must be of SINCERITY and TRUTH. Truth, as per definition, is the second quality needed in any Spiritual relationship.

Once again, we can learn much from the actions of an untrained child. A young child will deny an act while still holding the evidence in their hands. As the child gets a little older and more sophisticated;

They try to 
hide 
the evidence or 
blame 
someone else.  
When they have really arrived..., 
they attempt to show that 
the wrong they did, was really right.

Exodus 19:1-8 In the third month after the children of Israel had gone out of the land of Egypt, on the same day, they came to the Wilderness of Sinai. 2 For they had departed from Rephidim, had come to the Desert of Sinai, and camped in the wilderness. So Israel camped there before the mountain. 3 And Moses went up to God, and the LORD called to him from the mountain, saying, "Thus you shall say to the house of Jacob, and tell the children of Israel: 4 'You have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles' wings and brought you to Myself. 5 'Now therefore, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be a special treasure to Me above all people; for all the earth is Mine. 6 'And you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.' These are the words which you shall speak to the children of Israel." 7 So Moses came and called for the elders of the people, and laid before them all these words which the LORD commanded him. 8 Then all the people answered together and said,"All that the LORD has spoken we will do." So Moses brought back the words of the people to the LORD.

God wanted a personal relationship with Israel, based on HIS COVENANT. God made the offer, BUT as we saw in the last lesson, the people valued life more than a relationship with God. Once anything has greater value in our lives than the person of God, THEN that "thing" becomes our god, and there is NO way we can worship the true God.

Hearing the voice of God, and seeing the effect of the presence of God on the mountain, caused the people to realize that NO person could stand in the presence of God without holiness. They knew that they had no holiness within themselves.

That always happens!!!  
When a person sees God 
for Who He is, 
that person will see himself 
for what he is not.

Many of us need to see Who God is, BECAUSE we have a very high opinion of our Spiritual qualities. As long as we compare ourselves with ourselves, we look pretty good, BUT along side Christ, our "goodness" has far less glamour.

The Israelites saw the reality of God's person, and they knew that they could NEVER measure up. God did not ask or expect them to measure up. God simply asked them to receive, obey and keep His word and covenant.., THEN God would do the rest. That's called grace in any age.

The tragedy of this refusal of God's offer, was that they could have had life and a relationship. God was not interested in destroying their physical life, God wanted to transform them into a Spiritually alive nation. For God to be able to do so, mankind MUST turn lose of physical life, material things, self-image, etc. Paul, many years later, expressed the truth of those facts, in this way.....

Galatians 2:20-21 "I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. 21 "I do not set aside the grace of God; for if righteousness comes through the law, then Christ died in vain."

If these Israelites had just remembered and understood their history, they would have come to a different conclusion. God called Abram to go to a land not known to him, and there God would make him a great nation, and through that nation would come a blessing to both that nation and the whole world.

Genesis 12:1-4 Now the LORD had said to Abram: "Get out of your country, from your kindred and from your father's house, to a land that I will show you. 2 I will make you a great nation; I will bless you and make your name great; and you shall be a blessing. 3 I will bless those who bless you, and I will curse him who curses you; and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed." 4 So Abram departed as the LORD had spoken to him, and Lot went with him. And Abram was seventy-five years old when he departed from Haran.

They knew that the father of their nation had talked with God and lived. Would God do less for them? They knew that Abram had believed God, and God put His Own righteousness to Abram's account, even though he did not deserve it. Would God do less for them?

Genesis 15:5-6 Then He (God) brought him (Abram) outside and said, "Look now toward heaven, and count the stars if you are able to number them." And He (God) said to him (Abram), "So shall your descendants be." 6 And he believed in the LORD, and He (God) accounted it to him (Abram) for righteousness.

They had seen what God had done for them personally in bringing them out of Egypt, and providing their needs, etc. Yet, they were not willing to trust God for a personal relationship.

Exodus 20:17-21 "You shall not covet your neighbor's house; you shall not covet your neighbor's wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his donkey, nor anything that is your neighbor's." 18 Now all the people witnessed the thunderings, the lightning flashes, the sound of the trumpet, and the mountain smoking; and when the people saw it, they trembled and stood afar off. 19 Then they said to Moses, "You speak with us, and we will hear; but let not God speak with us, lest we die." 20 And Moses said to the people, "Do not fear; for God has come to test you, and that His fear may be before you, so that you may not sin." 21 So the people
stood afar off, but Moses drew near the thick darkness where God was.

What a sad story!!! They were so close. They witnessed the thunder, the lightning, the sound of the trumpet and the smoking mountain.

They could have been in the presence of God.  
God had come to them.  
Oh, so very near!!  
BUT  
the people 
"stood afar off"!!

"The people stood afar off." What an awful phrase!!!!!!!!!! They did not need to be afraid. God had come so they would not sin. God did not come to kill them. God had come to them. All they had to do was stand there, and God would do the rest.

BUT  they "stood afar off"

They missed God's presence while Moses "drew near". They, like some of us, missed God's blessing. They missed God's BEST for them, BECAUSE they wanted what they thought was best for themselves, at the time.

Let's bring the message home. Some of you have been in church All your lives, some MOST our your lives and some are NEW at this thing called Christianity. But all have witnessed God's working, have heard His word, yet some of you still stand afar off. You are so close. Don't draw back, and stand afar off.

Some of you moms and dads 
are content 
to have God on the mountain, 
as long as you can 
keep your distance.
Young person.  
God wants to be an active part of your life.   
Will you draw near 
OR 
stand afar off?