Sacred Space

Review

1. The Exodus answered the question “Who is Yahweh” to the gods of Egypt. The Plagues were a direct attach of those gods.

Supernatural: What the Bible Teaches about the Unseen World—And Why It Matters Who Is Yahweh?

The pounding Egypt took on the way to the Israelites’ release from Egypt had the desired effect. People as far away as Canaan heard about the thrashing Israel’s God had given Egypt and its gods (Josh. 2:8–10; compare to Ex. 15:16–18; Josh. 9:9).

Supernatural: What the Bible Teaches about the Unseen World—And Why It Matters Who Is Yahweh?

Jethro, Moses’ Midianite father-in-law, summed up the lesson when Moses finally returned: “Now I know that Yahweh is greater than all the gods” (Ex. 18:11 LEB).

Supernatural: What the Bible Teaches about the Unseen World—And Why It Matters Israel—God’s Family and Earthly Representatives

When Moses had stood before Pharaoh, before the exodus, he told him God had a message: “Israel is my son, my firstborn … release my son and let him serve me” (Ex. 4:22–23 LEB)

2. The Law of God was Delivered by God’s Council

Acts 7:52–53 NASB95

“Which one of the prophets did your fathers not persecute? They killed those who had previously announced the coming of the Righteous One, whose betrayers and murderers you have now become; you who received the law as ordained by angels, and yet did not keep it.”

Hebrews 2:1–2 NASB95

For this reason we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away from it. For if the word spoken through angels proved unalterable, and every transgression and disobedience received a just penalty,

Supernatural: What the Bible Teaches about the Unseen World—And Why It Matters The Law of God—Delivered by God’s Council

After the giving of the Law, Moses, Aaron, Aaron’s sons, and seventy of Israel’s elders got to see the God of Israel in human form again. This time they met for a meal (Ex. 24:9–11). Just as the Last Supper in Jesus’ time sealed the new covenant of his blood, this meal celebrated God’s new covenant with Israel on Sinai—the Law.

3. Salvation in both the Old & New Testament is about Believing or being Loyal

Supernatural: What the Bible Teaches about the Unseen World—And Why It Matters Believing Loyalty

Being right with God is another way of talking about salvation. But despite what we’ve often been taught in Sunday school, salvation didn’t come to Israelites by obeying rules, by following the Law. Whether in the Old Testament or the New, salvation is never earned, or even deserved. It’s given by the grace of God in response to faith.

Tonight

The Concept of Holiness

How is God “Other”?

The Concept of Holiness

Leviticus 19:2

“Speak to all the congregation of the sons of Israel and say to them, ‘You shall be holy, for I the Lord your God am holy.

To be holy means to be removed from common use, to be set apart, to be distinct.

Supernatural: What the Bible Teaches about the Unseen World—And Why It Matters The Concept of Holiness

The concept isn’t necessarily about moral conduct​—about the idea that we should behave a certain way to reflect God’s distinct moral standards—though that is included

Supernatural: What the Bible Teaches about the Unseen World—And Why It Matters The Concept of Holiness

God wasn’t content to simply give Israelites an intellectual explanation of holiness. He wanted the concept of his otherness to permeate life in ancient Israel. The Bible tells us this was accomplished through rituals (symbolic acts) and by rules for approaching sacred areas.

How Is God “Other”?

Supernatural: What the Bible Teaches about the Unseen World—And Why It Matters How Is God “Other”?

For example, the Bible teaches us that God was not only the source of Israel’s life—he was life. God is not of this earth, a place where there is death, disease, and imperfection. His realm is supernatural. Our realm is terrestrial. The earthly space he occupies is made sacred and otherworldly by his presence. The space we occupy is ordinary. God is the polar opposite of ordinary.

Fixing the Problem of Uncleanness

Heaven (and Hell) on Earth

Why This Matters