In the Wilderness: A Shadow of Things to Come

Text: Numbers 18:21-24

Theme: The old covenant was an inferior shadow of the new covenant’s superior system.

Date: 03/08/2020 Title: InTheWilderness-08.wpd No:

“Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, 20 by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh,” (Hebrews 10:19–20, ESV)

ILLUS. When I was born again by the regenerating work of the Holy Spirit, and I came to Jesus Christ in repentance and faith, this idea of direct, personal, free and unlimited access to God was the most startling truth I encountered.

In the Catholicism of my childhood and early youth I had been taught that my access to God must be through a human priest. He was my mediator—my Alter Christus; literally “another Christ.” He decided upon the sinfulness of my sin, and the proper penance for it. My forgiveness rested upon his absolution. For my personal needs I had to approach God through Mary, the mother of Jesus, and a plethora of saints. To directly approach God in prayer was simply unthinkable. Well praise God there is no “other Christ” but Jesus Christ, and he is all I need!

Unless you’ve been there, you don’t understand the freedom that comes with understanding the truth that Jesus Christ is our great high priest, our sacrifice, our scapegoat, and the one through whom we have access to the heavenly Father. This morning I want to take a few minutes to explain what is happening in our text in Numbers, and then move to the Book of Hebrews.

I. THE OLD COVENANT — AN INFERIOR SHADOW

“ “I give to the Levites all the tithes in Israel as their inheritance in return for the work they do while serving at the Tent of Meeting.” (Numbers 18:21, NIV84)

1. in this verse God is giving revelation to Moses concerning the Levites — particularly the men of the tribe of Levi

a. their primary responsibility is “their service in the tent of meeting”

1) the tent of meeting is, of course, the Tabernacle

2) their service is to administer the ritual sacrifices of sin offerings, and fellowship offerings on behalf of the people of God

2. the tabernacle is of such importance to God’s redemptive program for Israel that fifty chapters in the Torah are given to explaining its pattern, construction, and service

a. nothing was left to Moses’ speculation

1) God revealed to him in minute detail every aspect of the Tabernacle

2) more than twenty times in Exodus we read, “as the Lord commanded Moses”

3. every aspect of the tabernacle — from the Bronze Altar, were sacrifices were offered for sin, to the dress of the mediating High Priest, who sprinkled the sacrificial blood on the mercy seat — pointed to God’s redemptive plan

a. the passage before us reveals two significant truths about that redemptive plan

1) the priests of Israel alone could approach God

2) the people of Israel could not

“From now on the Israelites must not go near the Tent of Meeting, or they will bear the consequences of their sin and will die. 23 It is the Levites who are to do the work at the Tent of Meeting and bear the responsibility for offenses against it. This is a lasting ordinance for the generations to come. They will receive no inheritance among the Israelites.” (Numbers 18:22–23, NIV84)

A. THE PRIESTS OF ISRAEL ALONE COULD APPROACH GOD

1. God had made it clear that only the Levitical priests could offer sacrifices as the mediators between God and the worshiper

a. they are to “bear their iniquity” through their service in the “tent of meeting”

2. God’s people need a priest, and especially a High Priest

“The LORD said to Moses, 2 “Bring Aaron and his sons, their garments, the anointing oil, the bull for the sin offering, the two rams and the basket containing bread made without yeast, 3 and gather the entire assembly at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting.” 4 Moses did as the LORD commanded him, and the assembly gathered at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting. 5 Moses said to the assembly, “This is what the LORD has commanded to be done.” 6 Then Moses brought Aaron and his sons forward and washed them with water.” (Leviticus 8:1–6, NIV84)

3. The High Priest Was an Exclusive Position

a. Israel had many priests who daily ministered in offering sacrifices brought by the Israelite worshiper

1) they took care of the day-to-day sacrifices

b. but there was only the High Priest of Israel who was allowed to enter the Holy of Holies in the Tabernacle on Yom Kippur—the Day of Atonement

1) that person was Aaron, and after him one of his sons ... it was a hereditary priesthood

c. the high priest had to be without any physical defects and holy in his conduct

1) ultimately all of the worship of Israel funneled down through this one person

d. but it was more than just an exclusive position

4. The High Priest Was a Necessary Position

a. the priesthood was the appointed link between heaven and earth

1) it was the channel of interaction between the sinner and God

b. God and worshiper can come together only through a mediating priesthood

1) it was through the priesthood that all communion with God was carried on

2) it was the priest who led the sinner into God’s presence, who presented the worshiper’s offering before the Lord, who transacted business between the worshiper and God

“Bring the grain offering made of these things to the LORD; present it to the priest, who shall take it to the altar.” (Leviticus 2:8, NIV)

“They are to bring to the priest as a guilt offering a ram from the flock, one without defect and of the proper value. In this way the priest will make atonement for them for the wrong they have committed unintentionally, and they will be forgiven.” (Leviticus 5:18, NIV)

“And as a penalty they must bring to the priest, that is, to the LORD, their guilt offering, a ram from the flock, one without defect and of the proper value.” (Leviticus 6:6, NIV)

5. as you can see in these passages, it is the priest who brings the sacrifice to the altar

a. the priest became the proxy for the worshiper

ILLUS. In the age of the Internet, many people are familiar with the term proxy, i.e. as in a “proxy server”. A Proxy Server is a computer application that acts as an intermediary for requests between other computers.

Before the age of the Internet, a proxy was a person authorized to act as an intermediary, or a substitute for another. Linda and I have stock, in MetLife. (It’s an extremely small amount of stock, so don’t get the idea that we are somehow independently wealthy). However, because we do own stock every year we receive a letter inviting us to their shareholders meeting. If we cannot attend, there is an alternative—we can sign an agreement allowing the board of directors to serve as our proxies in that meeting. If I sign it, and I usually do, I’m allowing a group of men and women to make decisions for me about the company that may affect the price of the stock.

b. in one sense, this is a very helpless place to be

1) you don’t know what kind of decisions will be made by the Proxy

2) you don’t know if their decisions will benefit you or hurt you

3) in the end, you simply have to have faith that the Board of Directors will get it right—that they’ll make good decisions for the company that will indirectly benefit me

c. there is however a huge difference here

1) if the MetLife board of directors don’t “get it right,” and the stock tanks I am merely out some money

6. now, consider the place of the Hebrew worshiper

a. they’ve have brought their sacrifice to the priest

b. they’ve laid hands on the animal and confessed their sins over it

c. but then the priest takes over

1) the priest becomes the worshiper’s proxy—the go-between—between the worshiper and God, offering the sacrifice before the Lord

2) what if the priest doesn’t get it right?

3) what if the priest has not properly atoned for his own sins first?

d. will the worshiper’s sacrifice be accepted of the Lord?

1) will he receive atonement — the forgiveness of sins?

2) these were serious questions for the Hebrew worshiper

e. standing in the gap between sinful man and a holy God is a succession of flawed priests who are themselves sinners, and who eventually die

1) well all this is not very encouraging

7. The Priests of Israel Alone Could Approach God

B. THE PEOPLE OF ISRAEL COULD NOT APPROACH GOD

“From now on the Israelites must not go near the Tent of Meeting, or they will bear the consequences of their sin and will die.” (Numbers 18:22, NIV84)

1. do you see it? ... it’s a sin, punishable by death, if the common Israelite gets too close to the Tent of Meeting!

a. God is holy

1) because God is holy He is unapproachable

b. the people need a mediator who will sacrifice a sin offering on the worshiper’s behalf so that God will declare the worshiper holy

2. in our religious experience as Baptists, it is nearly impossible to conceive of being at the mercy of a priest or pastor like the Israelite worshiper was

ILLUS. Imagine if every Sunday your worship had to be funneled through me. That it was I who determined whether-or-not you sang enthusiastically enough. That it was I who determined whether-or-not your prayers were sincere enough. That it was I who determined whether-or-not your offering was adequate enough. Then, imagine that even if your singing had been enthusiastic enough, and you prayers sincere enough, and your offering adequate enough, that your worship depended on whether-or-not my worship, and my life were acceptable to the Lord. That my life was whole and holy?

a. the thought of that kind of arrangement ought to turn your hair white pretty quick

b. as difficult it is for us to imagine this scenario, yet it is what God had established for the people of Israel—the priest is their Proxy, and the worshiper in his sin is helpless and fully dependent on the Priest being right with God

3. herein is the problem

a. the problem is not in the priesthood per se—God had established the priesthood

1) the priesthood was good and necessary

b. the problem was in the men who fill the office of priesthood

1) the priesthood was not flawed, but the priests were

4. The Priesthood Was Necessary and God Ordained, but the Priests Were Flawed Worshipers Themselves

II. THE NEW COVENANT — A SUPERIOR SYSTEM

1. in Jesus Christ, we have a Superior Sanctuary, Superior Sacrifice, Superior High Priest, and a Superior Security

“The law is only a shadow of the good things that are coming—not the realities themselves. For this reason it can never, by the same sacrifices repeated endlessly year after year, make perfect those who draw near to worship. 2 If it could, would they not have stopped being offered? For the worshipers would have been cleansed once for all, and would no longer have felt guilty for their sins. 3 But those sacrifices are an annual reminder of sins, 4 because it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins. 5 Therefore, when Christ came into the world, he said: “Sacrifice and offering you did not desire, but a body you prepared for me; 6 with burnt offerings and sin offerings you were not pleased. 7 Then I said, ‘Here I am—it is written about me in the scroll— I have come to do your will, O God.’ ” 8 First he said, “Sacrifices and offerings, burnt offerings and sin offerings you did not desire, nor were you pleased with them” (although the law required them to be made). 9 Then he said, “Here I am, I have come to do your will.” He sets aside the first to establish the second. 10 And by that will, we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.” (Hebrews 10:1–10, NIV84)

1. here we discover that everything associated with the Tabernacle and the ritual sacrifices, and the mediation of the Levites was a shadow of the good things that are coming

a. those good things are everything the believer has in Christ!

2. the sad truth it that the same sacrifices repeated endlessly year after year, [could not] make perfect those who draw near to worship

a. if they had, then the worshipers would have been cleansed once for all, and would no longer have felt guilty for their sins

b. the Mosaic law was unable to make men holy, since it was administered by a succession of sinful mortal priests

3. but God’s plan from the beginning was for His only Begotten Son to become Priest and Sacrifice

A. CHRIST IS OUR SUPERIOR SANCTUARY

“The point of what we are saying is this: We do have such a high priest, who sat down at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heaven, 2 and who serves in the sanctuary, the true tabernacle set up by the Lord, not by man.” (Hebrews 8:1–2, NIV84)

1. more specifically, Christ in his Heaven is our superior sanctuary

a. in Hebrews 8:5 the author tells us that the Levitical priests “serve[d] at a sanctuary that is a copy and shadow of what is in heaven”

2. in that Temple Christ Jesus now mediates on our behalf before the Father’s presence continuously

“For Christ did not enter a man-made sanctuary that was only a copy of the true one; he entered heaven itself, now to appear for us in God’s presence.” (Hebrews 9:24, NIV84)

a. this is why, as New Testament believers, we don’t have to be afraid of getting too close to the Tabernacle like the Israelites did

b. we’re actually invited, even encouraged, to come to God’s throne of grace in time of need

“Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, 20 by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body,” (Hebrews 10:19–20, NIV84)

B. CHRIST IS OUR SUPERIOR SACRIFICE

“But the ministry Jesus has received is as superior to theirs as the covenant of which he is mediator is superior to the old one, and it is founded on better promises. 7 For if there had been nothing wrong with that first covenant, no place would have been sought for another.” (Hebrews 8:6–7, NIV84)

1. the gifts and sacrifices of the Jewish High Priests could not permanently take away the sins of the people

a. it was a temporary atonement that had to be repeated year-in and year-out

2. and there was never an assurance that the offering taken into the Holy of Holies each year would be accepted

a. before the High Priest would enter the inner sanctuary containing the Ark of the Covenant, the other priests would tie a cord around his waist

b. they did this in case the offering was not received by God and the High Priest was struck dead – that way they could retrieve his body

3. the Old Covenant was characterized by inadequate sacrifices, by an inadequate mediator, based on an inadequate covenant

a. now, let me hasten to say, that the inadequacy of the Old Covenant was not God’s fault

1) the problem was not with the covenant, but with the people of the covenant

“But God found fault with the people and said: “The time is coming, declares the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah.” (Hebrews 8:8, NIV84)

4. but Jesus died, once for all, as the perfect, spotless Lamb of God who takes away sin completely and permanently

a. from since before time began, God the Father had planned that Jesus would come and die

b. at the appointed time, Jesus came into the world, born of a virgin, living a sinless life, to voluntarily die on a cross for my sins and your sins

"But those sacrifices are an annual reminder of sins. 4 It is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins. 5 Therefore, when Christ came into the world, he said: "Sacrifice and offering you did not desire, but a body you prepared for me; 6 with burnt offerings and sin offerings you were not pleased. 7 Then I said, ‘Here I am—it is written about me in the scroll— I have come to do your will, my God.' "" (Hebrews 10:1–7, NIV)

1) in these verses we see the wonder of an inter-Trinitarian dialogue as God the Son speaks to God the Father

2) when Christ was ready to be incarnated, standing on the edge of heaven, as it were, talking to His Father, He acknowledged that His own body was to be the sacrifice that would please God

“Then Christ would have had to suffer many times since the creation of the world. But now he has appeared once for all at the end of the ages to do away with sin by the sacrifice of himself. 27 Just as man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment, 28 so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many people; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him.” (Hebrews 9:26–28, NIV84)

C. CHRIST IS OUR SUPERIOR HIGH PRIEST

“Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin. 16 Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” (Hebrews 4:14–16, NIV84)

1. Jesus predicted that His priesthood would be a better one because He would establish a new covenant based on the sacrifice of His own blood

“While they were eating, Jesus took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take and eat; this is my body.” 27 Then he took the cup, gave thanks and offered it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. 28 This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.” (Matthew 26:26–28, NIV84)

2. Jesus Christ, our Great High Priest, has finished his work

a. His work can never be repeated

b. His sacrifice can never be improved upon

c. His authority can never be usurped

D. CHRIST IS OUR SUPERIOR SECURITY

“It will not be like the covenant I made with their forefathers when I took them by the hand to lead them out of Egypt, because they did not remain faithful to my covenant, and I turned away from them, declares the Lord. 10 This is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after that time, declares the Lord. I will put my laws in their minds and write them on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people. 11 No longer will a man teach his neighbor, or a man his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’ because they will all know me, from the least of them to the greatest. 12 For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more.”” (Hebrews 8:9–12, NIV84)

1. most of this passage is a quote from the Prophet Jeremiah (Jer. 31:31-34)

a. a thousand years before it happened, he predicted that the Old Covenant would become obsolete

In a Peanuts cartoon, Lucy approaches Charlie Brown with a paper and pen and says, "Here, sign this. It absolves me from all blame." Then she goes to Shroeder with the same paper and says, "Here, sign this. It absolves me from all blame." Finally she comes to Linus: "Here, sign this. It absolves me from all blame." As she walks away Linus says, "Gee, that must be a nice document to have."

We don't have a document like Lucy's, but we do have a Savior who is our Great High Priest. Who, Himself, became our perfect sacrifice that our sin might be atoned for. Jesus Christ went to the cross at Calvary so that we would be absolved of all blame and fully forgiven.

"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him. In love." (Eph 1:3-4, NIV)

The Gospel the Apostles preached had teeth to it. It bites hard into the kingdom of darkness and rips chunks from it wherever it is preached. In Jesus Christ, we have a Superior Sanctuary, Superior Sacrifice, Superior High Priest, and a Superior Security