Leviticus 20:10-21

Leviticus 20:10-21 KJVA  And the man that committeth adultery with another man's wife, even he that committeth adultery with his neighbour's wife, the adulterer and the adulteress shall surely be put to death.  11  And the man that lieth with his father's wife hath uncovered his father's nakedness: both of them shall surely be put to death; their blood shall be upon them.  12  And if a man lie with his daughter in law, both of them shall surely be put to death: they have wrought confusion; their blood shall be upon them.  13  If a man also lie with mankind, as he lieth with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination: they shall surely be put to death; their blood shall be upon them.  14  And if a man take a wife and her mother, it is wickedness: they shall be burnt with fire, both he and they; that there be no wickedness among you.  15  And if a man lie with a beast, he shall surely be put to death: and ye shall slay the beast.  16  And if a woman approach unto any beast, and lie down thereto, thou shalt kill the woman, and the beast: they shall surely be put to death; their blood shall be upon them.  17  And if a man shall take his sister, his father's daughter, or his mother's daughter, and see her nakedness, and she see his nakedness; it is a wicked thing; and they shall be cut off in the sight of their people: he hath uncovered his sister's nakedness; he shall bear his iniquity.  18  And if a man shall lie with a woman having her sickness, and shall uncover her nakedness; he hath discovered her fountain, and she hath uncovered the fountain of her blood: and both of them shall be cut off from among their people.  19  And thou shalt not uncover the nakedness of thy mother's sister, nor of thy father's sister: for he uncovereth his near kin: they shall bear their iniquity.  20  And if a man shall lie with his uncle's wife, he hath uncovered his uncle's nakedness: they shall bear their sin; they shall die childless.  21  And if a man shall take his brother's wife, it is an unclean thing: he hath uncovered his brother's nakedness; they shall be childless.

Let's read this in different translations:

Leviticus 20:10-21 MKJV  And a man who commits adultery with a man's wife, who commits adultery with his neighbor's wife, the adulterer and the adulteress shall surely be put to death.  11  And the man who lies with his father's wife has uncovered his father's nakedness. Both of them shall surely be put to death. Their blood shall be on them.  12  And if a man lies with his daughter-in-law, both of them shall surely be put to death. They have performed a perversion; their blood shall be on them.  13  If a man also lies with mankind, as he lies with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination. They shall surely be put to death. Their blood shall be on them.  14  And if a man takes a wife and her mother, it is wickedness. They shall be burned with fire, both he and they, so that there may be no wickedness among you.  15  And if a man lies with an animal, he shall surely be put to death. And you shall kill the animal.  16  And if a woman goes up to any animal and lies down with it, you shall kill the woman and the animal. They shall surely be put to death; their blood shall be on them.  17  And if a man shall take his sister, his father's daughter, or his mother's daughter, and see her nakedness, and she see his nakedness, it is a wicked thing. And they shall be cut off in the sight of their people. He has uncovered his sister's nakedness; he shall bear his iniquity.  18  And if a man shall lie with a menstruous woman, and shall uncover her nakedness, he has discovered her fountain, and she has uncovered the fountain of her blood. And both of them shall be cut off from among their people.  19  And you shall not uncover the nakedness of your mother's sister, nor of your father's sister. For he uncovers his near kin. They shall bear their iniquity.  20  And if a man shall lie with his uncle's wife, he has uncovered his uncle's nakedness. They shall bear their sin. They shall die childless.  21  And if a man shall take his brother's wife, it is an unclean thing. He has uncovered his brother's nakedness; they shall be childless.

Leviticus 20:10-21 ESV  “If a man commits adultery with the wife of his neighbor, both the adulterer and the adulteress shall surely be put to death.  11  If a man lies with his father's wife, he has uncovered his father's nakedness; both of them shall surely be put to death; their blood is upon them.  12  If a man lies with his daughter-in-law, both of them shall surely be put to death; they have committed perversion; their blood is upon them.  13  If a man lies with a male as with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination; they shall surely be put to death; their blood is upon them.  14  If a man takes a woman and her mother also, it is depravity; he and they shall be burned with fire, that there may be no depravity among you.  15  If a man lies with an animal, he shall surely be put to death, and you shall kill the animal.  16  If a woman approaches any animal and lies with it, you shall kill the woman and the animal; they shall surely be put to death; their blood is upon them.  17  “If a man takes his sister, a daughter of his father or a daughter of his mother, and sees her nakedness, and she sees his nakedness, it is a disgrace, and they shall be cut off in the sight of the children of their people. He has uncovered his sister's nakedness, and he shall bear his iniquity.  18  If a man lies with a woman during her menstrual period and uncovers her nakedness, he has made naked her fountain, and she has uncovered the fountain of her blood. Both of them shall be cut off from among their people.  19  You shall not uncover the nakedness of your mother's sister or of your father's sister, for that is to make naked one's relative; they shall bear their iniquity.  20  If a man lies with his uncle's wife, he has uncovered his uncle's nakedness; they shall bear their sin; they shall die childless.  21  If a man takes his brother's wife, it is impurity. He has uncovered his brother's nakedness; they shall be childless.

Leviticus 20:10-21 BBE  And if a man has sex relations with another man's wife, even the wife of his neighbour, he and she are certainly to be put to death.  11  And the man who has sex relations with his father's wife has put shame on his father: the two of them are to be put to death; their blood will be on them.  12  And if a man has sex relations with his son's wife, the two of them are to be put to death: it is unnatural; their blood will be on them.  13  And if a man has sex relations with a man, the two of them have done a disgusting thing: let them be put to death; their blood will be on them.  14  And if a man takes as wife a woman and her mother, it is an act of shame; let them be burned with fire, all three of them, so that there may be no shame among you.  15  And if a man has sex relations with a beast, let him be put to death, and let the beast be put to destruction.  16  And if a woman goes near a beast and has sex relations with it, you will put an end to the woman and the beast: their blood will be on them.  17  And if a man takes his sister, daughter of his father or his mother, and has sex relations with her and she with him, it is an act of shame: they are to be cut off before the children of their people; he has had sex relations with his sister, and his sin will be on him.  18  And if a man has sex relations with a woman at the time when she is unwell, he has seen her fountain and she has let the fountain of her blood be uncovered, and the two of them are to be cut off from among their people.  19  And you may not have sex connection with your mother's sister or your father's sister, for they are his near relations: their sin will be on them.  20  And if a man has sex relations with the wife of his father's brother, he has put shame on his father's brother: their sin will be on them; till the day of their death they will have no children.  21  And if a man takes his brother's wife, it is an unclean act; he has put shame on his brother; they will have no children.

Leviticus 20:10-21 ERV  "If a man has sexual relations with his neighbor's wife, both the man and the woman are guilty of adultery and must be put to death!  11  If a man has sexual relations with his father's wife, both the man and the woman must be put to death. They are responsible for their own death. It is as if that man had sexual relations with his father!  12  "If a man has sexual relations with his daughter-in-law, both of them must be put to death. They have committed a terrible sexual sin! They are responsible for their own death.  13  "If a man has sexual relations with another man as with a woman, they have committed a terrible sin. They must be put to death. They are responsible for their own death.  14  "It is a sexual sin if a man has sexual relations with a woman and her mother. The people must burn that man and the two women in fire! Don't let this sexual sin happen among your people.  15  "If a man has sexual relations with an animal, both the man and the animal must be put to death.  16  If a woman has sexual relations with an animal, you must kill the woman and the animal. They must be put to death. They are responsible for their own death.  17  "It is a shameful thing for a brother and his sister or half-sister to marry each other and have sexual relations with each other. They must be punished in public. They must be separated from their people. The man who has sexual relations with his sister must be punished for his sin.  18  "If a man has sexual relations with a woman during her monthly time of bleeding, both the woman and the man must be separated from their people. They sinned because they exposed her source of blood.  19  "You must not have sexual relations with your mother's sister or your father's sister. That is a sin of incest. You must be punished for your sins.  20  "A man must not have sexual relations with his uncle's wife. It would be like having sexual relations with his uncle. That man and his uncle's wife will be punished for their sins. They will die without children.  21  "It is wrong for a man to take his brother's wife. It would be like having sexual relations with his brother! They will have no children.

Okay, now we should be past the Ick Factor. I mean, gross. But it's as simple as this:

Sin

Sexual relations with neighbor's spouse

Punishment

Man and woman are guilty of adultery and must be put to death

Let's put it in a table:

Notice homosexuality is listed amongst other perverted sexual sins. It's no more, and no less, than the other sins but it IS SIN, an abomination to God. All of these are egregious sins with severe penalties.

Capital punishment usually meant stoning to death.

"uncovered (their) nakedness" - "Before the fall of mankind in the Garden of Eden, Adam and Eve lived without clothing in a perfectly natural state (Genesis 2:25). But after the fall, nakedness became a source of shame (Genesis 3:6–7). In fact, shame at their own nakedness was the first felt consequence of Adam and Eve’s sin. Since then, nakedness has been linked with sexuality, privacy, and vulnerability. When the Bible speaks of 'uncovering nakedness,' it is usually referring to some type of sexual sin, perversion, or dishonor." - GotQuestions.org

Absalom, David’s son, publicly broadcasted that he was having sex with his father’s concubines as a sign of disrespect. He violated God's law here.

2 Samuel 16:22 ESV So they pitched a tent for Absalom on the roof. And Absalom went in to his father’s concubines in the sight of all Israel.

The husband and wife are "one flesh" and to "uncover the nakedness" of one, exposes the nakedness of them both.

Genesis 9:20-25 MKJV  And Noah began to be a husbandman. And he planted a vineyard.  21  And he drank of the wine and was drunk. And he was uncovered inside his tent.  22  And Ham, the father of Canaan, saw the nakedness of his father, and told his two brothers outside.  23  And Shem and Japheth took a garment and laid it upon both their shoulders. And they went backwards and covered the nakedness of their father. And their faces were backwards, and they did not see their father's nakedness.  24  And Noah awoke from his wine, and came to know what his younger son had done to him.  25  And he said, Cursed be Canaan. He shall be a servant of servants to his brothers. (Canaan was a son of Ham)

To be "cut off from the people" - ka^rath - H3772
Strong's Hebrew and Greek Dictionaries
A primitive root; to cut (off, down or asunder); by implication to destroy or consume; specifically to covenant (that is, make an alliance or bargain, originally by cutting flesh and passing between the pieces): - be chewed, be con- [feder-] ate, covenant, cut (down, off), destroy, fail, feller, be freed, hew (down), make a league ([covenant]), X lose, perish, X utterly, X want.
Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Definitions
1) to cut, cut off, cut down, cut off a body part, cut out, eliminate, kill, cut a covenant
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to cut off
1a1a) to cut off a body part, behead
1a2) to cut down
1a3) to hew
1a4) to cut or make a covenant
1b) (Niphal)
1b1) to be cut off
1b2) to be cut down
1b3) to be chewed
1b4) to be cut off, fail
1c) (Pual)
1c1) to be cut off
1c2) to be cut down
1d) (Hiphil)
1d1) to cut off
1d2) to cut off, destroy
1d3) to cut down, destroy
1d4) to take away
1d5) to permit to perish
1e) (Hophal) cut off
Part of Speech: verb

"In the Hebrew Bible, kareth is a form of punishment which may mean premature death, or else exclusion from the people. According to Richard C. Steiner, the phrase 'to be cut off from one's people' is an antonym for 'to be gathered to one's people' (e.g. Genesis 25:8), and thus kareth in the Bible means to be deprived of the afterlife. Examples of sins making a person liable to kareth include eating chametz on Passover, sexual violations, ritual impurities, and a man's refusal to be circumcised. The Book of Numbers states that anyone who sins deliberately, or high-handedly, receives kareth." - Wikipedia

Note: Jacob Milgrom, a revered Jewish commentator who wrote a 2500+ page 3-volume commentary on Leviticus, notes 19 different categories or reasons that a person could be “cut off” in Israel (Vol I, pg. 458).

The following is from
Karet or Being “Cut Off” in Torah, Posted on April 29, 2011 by Derek Leman
What does it mean to be “cut off” from the people? A technical word for this is extirpation. While we’re throwing around fancy words, another way to talk about being cut off is excision. Excision. Extirpation. Excommunication. What is all this about? What things in Torah bring such a penalty? Is there any hope of forgiveness and release from such a penalty?

Causes of the Karet Penalty
Jacob Milgrom categorizes and lists all the crimes in Torah that result in being cut off. The list is surprising. Offenses range from those which seem relatively minor (eating leaven during Passover week) to major (sacrificing children to Molech).

Here is a simplified breakdown based on Milgrom, Leviticus 1-16, Anchor Bible, 458:

Sacred time. Not sacrificing the Passover (Numbers 9:13). Eating leaven during Passover (Exodus 12:15, 19). Working on the Sabbath (Exodus 31:14). Working or failing to fast on Yom Kippur (Leviticus 23:29, 30).

Sacred substance. Eating/drinking blood (Leviticus 7:27; Leviticus 17:10, 14). Eating suet (organ fat, Leviticus 7:25). Misuse of holy incense (Exodus 30:38). Misuse of holy oil (Exodus 30:33). Eating sacrificial meat beyond the permitted time (Leviticus 7:18; 19:8). Eating sacrificial meat while impure (Leviticus 7:20-21). Levites entering sacred areas (Numbers 18:3; cf. Numbers 4:15, 19-20). Blaspheming or sinning with defiance (Numbers 15:30-31; cf. Leviticus 24:15).

Purification rituals. Neglecting circumcision (Genesis 17:14). Neglecting purification after corpse contact (Numbers 19:13-20).

Illicit worship. Molech worship (Leviticus 20:2-5; Ezekiel 14:5). Necromancy (Leviticus 20:6). Slaughter/sacrifice outside the sanctuary (Leviticus 17:4, 9).

Illicit sex. Incestuous marriages (Leviticus 18:27-29).

What is Karet?
Theories could include the following:
(1) Death penalty.
(2) Death penalty for offender and his whole family.
(3) A divine decree of death (not actionable by the people) at certain age (some have suggested before the age of sixty or fifty-two).
(4) A divine decree of a premature and childless death.
(5) A divine decree of the ending of the family line (extirpation).
(6) Denial of afterlife (no “gathering to the ancestors”).
(7) Excommunication from the people.

Karet is not simply the death penalty. The death penalty is carried out by witnesses of a crime and the rest of the townspeople. The Molech worship passage in Leviticus 20:2-5 is an example of a person incurring two penalties: the death penalty and karet.

Neither is karet a death penalty for a person’s entire family. That sort of penalty is different. It is called kherem (the ban) and the most famous example is Achan (Joshua 7).

Psalm 109:13 is helpful: “May his posterity be cut off; may his name be blotted out in the second generation!” The phrase “cut off” is from the karet root. Milgrom also cites Ruth 4:10 and the fear that a person’s line of descendants might end up “cut off” through the death of those carrying on the name. Being cut off (karet) can happen naturally through deaths and does not have to be a divine penalty for a crime. Add also Malachi 2:12.

Extirpation, the end of a family line, is the likely meaning of karet. Those who commit crimes worthy of karet will, in a matter of generations, find their line coming to an end.

Yet it also may mean a denial of afterlife. The biblical language of a person being “gathered to his kin” or “ancestors” is arguably more than just a reference to burial (as it is used in some cases of people who were not buried in the family tomb). See Numbers 20:24; Numbers 27:13; Numbers 31:2; Genesis 15:15; Genesis 47:30; Judges 2:10 for some examples of this language in the Bible which probably carries with it notions of afterlife.

As Milgrom points out, karet may very well be both denial of afterlife and a decree from God that a person’s family line will come to an end.

Are Karet Sins Forgivable?
The answer to this should be “obviously.”

There are many examples. One of my favorites is 2 Chronicles 30:17-20. The people have violated one of the stern commands with the penalty of karet. They have eaten the Passover in impurity. They have violated Leviticus 7:20-21 and probably for all of their lives they have violated Numbers 9:13 and Exodus 12:15, 19. Yet here is what we read:

"For there were many in the assembly who had not sanctified themselves; therefore the Levites had to kill the passover lamb for every one who was not clean, to make it holy to the Lord. For a multitude of the people, many of them from Ephraim, Manasseh, Issachar, and Zebulun, had not cleansed themselves, yet they ate the passover otherwise than as prescribed. For Hezekiah had prayed for them, saying, 'The good Lord pardon every one who sets his heart to seek God, the Lord the God of his fathers, even though not according to the sanctuary’s rules of cleanness.' And the Lord heard Hezekiah, and healed the people." (end)

 

"The fountain of her blood" - The Israelites often equated a woman's womb with a fountain. It was from the womb, or the fountain, that a new life came from. It was from Mary's womb that Jesus, the Fountain of Living Waters, sprang from. Each of us, as Christians and Believers in Jesus, become founts of Living Water too as we take the gospel into a dying world. We derive the Living Water from Jesus to sprinkle it throughout the world. This Living Water is the Holy Spirit that Jesus sent to the World after His ascension into Heaven.

John 7:37-38 …Now on the last day, the great day of the feast (Feast of Booths), Jesus stood and cried out, saying, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, ‘From his innermost being will flow rivers of living water.’”

According to Leviticus 15:19-24, a woman is unclean during her menstruation. It's not a sin because it does not require a sacrifice. But in her delicate condition, she was to have a chance to rest and reset. Every month women are reminded that they have to potential of bringing forth a child, a new life. "Life is in the blood". If she has her period, the menstrual flow of blood, is a reminder a life did not happen that month. The womb becomes a sacred place to be protected by her and her husband. It's the fount from whence their posterity will come.

Out of love for his wife and love for their future children, the husband was to protect this sacred space in his wife. Out of love for her husband and love for their future children, the wife was to protect this sacred space in herself if it was at all possible. (She can't help it if she is unprotected and is forcibly raped.) His sperm is sacred to him and her womb is sacred to her. His sperm was not to be spilled and wasted on anyone else. Her womb was not to be used and wasted on anyone else.

Before she is married, her father is normally her protector and the one to try and protect her sacred womb for from it will come his grandchildren. Once she is married, her husband becomes her protector and the one to protect her sacred womb from which his children shall come. It is the reason why a woman's virginity is so important to a father and a husband. BUT, the same can be said for a man's sperm. It should not be wasted and misused on anyone other than his lawful wife for it is the seed of their future children. A man's virginity is also important. God's commands to abstain from sex outside of marriage is for BOTH the man AND the woman. For him to run around with other women is just as offensive to the sacred as her running around with other men.

Having sex with a menstruating woman could harm her womb, her sacred place from which her children come from. It's like desecrating and vandalizing a church. God wants men and women to realize the sacredness of their sexual union from which comes life. Women are not to consider themselves as public toilets. Men are not to consider women as public toilets. The bodies of men and women are temples. Once we become Christians, the Holy Spirit moves into the temple of our bodies. We have the living God residing in us.

1 Corinthians 3:16-17 MKJV  Do you not know that you are a temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?  17  If anyone defiles the temple of God, God shall destroy him. For the temple of God is holy, which you are.

1 Corinthians 6:16-20 ERV  The Scriptures say, "The two people will become one." So you should know that anyone who is joined with a prostitute becomes one with her in body.  17  But anyone who is joined with the Lord is one with him in spirit.  18  So run away from sexual sin. It involves the body in a way that no other sin does. So if you commit sexual sin, you are sinning against your own body.  19  You should know that your body is a temple for the Holy Spirit that you received from God and that lives in you. You don't own yourselves.  20  God paid a very high price to make you his. So honor God with your body.

2 Corinthians 6:14-18 ESV  Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness?  15  What accord has Christ with Belial? Or what portion does a believer share with an unbeliever?  16  What agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; as God said, “I will make my dwelling among them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.  17  Therefore go out from their midst, and be separate from them, says the Lord, and touch no unclean thing; then I will welcome you,  18  and I will be a father to you, and you shall be sons and daughters to me, says the Lord Almighty.”

We should not pollute the sacredness of our bodies.

In the spiritual realm we should not pollute the message of the Living Water that flows from us. The Holy Spirit resides in us as Believers in Jesus Christ. According to the Bible we become temples of the Holy Spirit and a fountain of Living Water comes from this source within us. We need to protect that Source within us. I don't mean it will go away or that we control the Source. I mean we need to cooperate with the Holy Spirit and strengthen the outflow of it within us. The more we read the Word, dialogue with God in prayer, praise and worship Him, obey Him, the stronger the outflow of this Living Water. We become better fountains. It's not about white-washing and beautifying our bodies to be more attractive fountains. It's about being more in touch with the Living Water ourselves which strengthens the flow and the flow of the Holy Spirit will naturally begin to wash and cleanse the fountain.

We need to realize the Sacred (Holy Spirit) within us and we need to protect our time with God and learning about Him, deepening our relationship. It is our sacred time. We don't need to be following after every distraction and rabbit trail. That would be wasting our spiritual life and life-giving (showing others Jesus Christ). We don't need to pollute ourselves with the idols of this world but we need to deliberately protect our time with God, the Source of our Living Water. We should treasure Him above all else. We should seek Him out. We should run to Him. We should realize time with Him is sacred and not to be avoided or wasted. If born-again life is to issue forth in others, we need the unobstructed flow of Living Water coming from within us. I don't save people. But the Holy Spirit within me should issue forth and touch those around me and hopefully someone will respond and a born again life will happen. It's a natural consequence of the flowing Living Water. We are conduits of the Sacred life giving flow!

Do we spend an inordinate amount of time (money, energy) on spiffing up the exterior while neglecting the spiritual? Gym time, vitamins, hairstyles, makeup, clothing, enhancements, manis and pedis, cosmetic surgery, wigs/toupes, etc. This may make you look good on the outside, but it may be a waste of time and resources because it's not the outside that counts. Whether you look like the Italian Trevi Fountain or a spring that comes from under a mossy rock doesn't matter. It's the flow of the Water that brings life. Are you attending to your relationship with God or wasting your time on trivial pursuits? Are protecting the sacred relationship from which life may spring?

Lately, it's been in the news of the Christian world about the new President of the Southern Baptist plagiarizing sermons and presenting them as his own sermons. This is one example of someone who has polished his image on the outside but has not done the work on the inside with God. Anyone can get a preacher's hairdo, a fake tan, some nips and tucks, a nice suit and hold a Bible. That does NOT make you an effective fountain of Living Water. In this case, the man has gone to the trouble to even memorize the sermon word-for-word and acting it out on stage like an actor in a play but he is spouting something out of his mouth that is NOT from the Living Source. He's parroting. I'm not even saying what he's memorized and acted out on the platform is wrong so much as it's not coming from his own relationship with God! He needs to be protecting the Sacred Source within himself by spending time with God and staying in touch with God. That will strengthen the flow of the Living Water from within himself. It's not the "fountain" that saves and brings new life, it's the WATER that is issuing from the Source that bring life.  He says he's so busy that he can't take the time to write his own sermons. He gets his underlings to write for him or pays a consulting firm to write his sermons or lifts them from other pastors. So he gets the big bucks salary for someone else's work and he just performs it on a stage. And he's not the only one who does it. Rather than protect their sacred space within themselves and meeting with God there, they are avoiding God, bypassing their relationship with Him, and running around doing "more important things"! The flow out of their lives and mouths is not coming from the Living Water. They haven't put the time in with their Source for it to flow naturally. It's polluted and it's not lifegiving.

Not to be too hard on any one man, we all do it. We all like to run around and be too busy to spend time with God and therefore our busy-ness just ends in menstruating flow... no life coming from it. It's a waste of time. We must keep going back to our Source, God, and spending time with Him so that the flow is pure and strengthened and life giving to those around us! It ONLY comes from a relationship, protected and made a priority, with God. Then it flows naturally and is life giving. 

Don't make church politics the priority. Don't make church growth or more money the priority. Don't make bucks and butts, nickels and noses, the measure of success. Don't make anything a priority over time with God, your Source. 

Matthew 6:31-34 MKJV  Therefore do not be anxious, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, With what shall we be clothed?  32  For the nations seek after all these things. For your heavenly Father knows that you have need of all these things.  33  But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added to you.  34  Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow; for tomorrow shall be anxious for its own things. Sufficient to the day is the evil of it.

Matthew 23:24-33 MKJV  Blind guides who strain out a gnat and swallow a camel!  25  Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you cleanse the outside of the cup and of the dish, but inside they are full of extortion and excess.  26  Blind Pharisee! First cleanse the inside of the cup and of the dish, so that the outside of them may be clean also.  27  Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs, which indeed appear beautiful outside, but inside they are full of dead men's bones, and of all uncleanness.  28  Even so you also appear righteous to men outwardly, but inside you are full of hypocrisy and iniquity.  29  Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! Because you build the tombs of the prophets, and decorate the tombs of the righteous,  30  and say, If we had been in the days of our fathers, we would not have been partakers with them in the blood of the prophets.  31  Therefore you are witnesses to yourselves, that you are the sons of those who killed the prophets;  32  and you fill up the measure of your fathers.  33  Serpents! Offspring of vipers! How can you escape the condemnation of hell?

n repent and He forgives us. He welcomes us back into relationship every time.

The Twelve Tribes of Israel - Judah

Judah

Hebrew Yahuda=Praise.

The 4th son of Jacob and Leah.

Genesis 37:12-36 One day when Joseph's brothers had taken the sheep to a pasture near Shechem, his father Jacob said to him, "I want you to go to your brothers. They are with the sheep near Shechem." "Yes, sir," Joseph answered. His father said, "Go and find out how your brothers and the sheep are doing. Then come back and let me know." So he sent him from Hebron Valley. Joseph was near Shechem and wandering through the fields, when a man asked, "What are you looking for?" Joseph answered, "I'm looking for my brothers who are watching the sheep. Can you tell me where they are?" "They're not here anymore," the man replied. "I overheard them say they were going to Dothan." Joseph left and found his brothers in Dothan. But before he got there, they saw him coming and made plans to kill him. They said to one another, "Look, here comes the hero of those dreams! Let's kill him and throw him into a pit and say that some wild animal ate him. Then we'll see what happens to those dreams." Reuben heard this and tried to protect Joseph from them. "Let's not kill him," he said. "Don't murder him or even harm him. Just throw him into a dry well out here in the desert." Reuben planned to rescue Joseph later and take him back to his father. When Joseph came to his brothers, they pulled off his fancy coat and threw him into a dry well. As Joseph's brothers sat down to eat, they looked up and saw a caravan of Ishmaelites coming from Gilead. Their camels were loaded with all kinds of spices that they were taking to Egypt. So Judah said, "What will we gain if we kill our brother and hide his body? Let's sell him to the Ishmaelites and not harm him. After all, he is our brother." And the others agreed. When the Midianite merchants came by, Joseph's brothers took him out of the well, and for twenty pieces of silver they sold him to the Ishmaelites who took him to Egypt. When Reuben returned to the well and did not find Joseph there, he tore his clothes in sorrow. Then he went back to his brothers and said, "The boy is gone! What am I going to do?" Joseph's brothers killed a goat and dipped Joseph's fancy coat in its blood. After this, they took the coat to their father and said, "We found this! Look at it carefully and see if it belongs to your son." Jacob knew it was Joseph's coat and said, "It's my son's coat! Joseph has been torn to pieces and eaten by some wild animal." Jacob mourned for Joseph a long time, and to show his sorrow he tore his clothes and wore sackcloth. All of Jacob's children came to comfort him, but he refused to be comforted. "No," he said, "I will go to my grave, mourning for my son." So Jacob kept on grieving.

Meanwhile, the Midianites had sold Joseph in Egypt to a man named Potiphar, who was the king's official in charge of the palace guard. He saved his younger half brother, Joseph, from death by the plan of selling him to the Midianites. We will study more about this story when we study Joseph.

  

In Genesis 42-43, Judah was the brethren's spokesman in prevailing on Jacob to let Benjamin go to Egypt, and he accepted responsibility for him. And when Joseph's cup was found with Benjamin, Judah professed their guilt and his willingness to become a servant, though actually innocent of stealing it, in order to pay for the cup. Then Judah touchingly appealed to the supposed Egyptian prince (who was his younger half brother, Joseph) to detain him as a bondservant instead of his youngest brother, by describing his father's love for Benjamin after having lost Joseph (Genesis 44). Judah, in his conduct before Joseph in Egypt, manifested true nobility; he had sold Joseph yet he was willing to be sold himself for the youngest brother.

So, when Reuben forfeited his birthright by incest, Simeon and Levi by manslaughter, Judah, the next oldest, received from Jacob the best blessing of the older sons. He inherits the birthright, blessing and the family’s headship.

Judah stopped with his friend Hirah, an Adullamite, and there married a Canaanitess, Shuah's daughter (Bath-Shua), by whom he had sons, Er, Onan, and Shelah. Judah should not have married a foreign woman.

Genesis 39 About that time Judah left his brothers in the hill country and went to live near his friend Hirah in the town of Adullam. While there he met the daughter of Shua, a Canaanite man. Judah married her, and they had three sons. He named the first one Er; she named the next one Onan. The third one was born when Judah was in Chezib, and she named him Shelah. Later, Judah chose Tamar as a wife for Er, his oldest son. But Er was very evil, and the LORD took his life. So Judah told Onan, "It's your duty to marry Tamar and have a child for your brother." Onan knew the child would not be his, and when he had sex with Tamar, he made sure that she would not get pregnant. The LORD wasn't pleased with Onan and took his life too. Judah did not want the same thing to happen to his son Shelah, and he told Tamar, "Go home to your father and live there as a widow until my son Shelah is grown." So Tamar went to live with her father. Some years later Judah's wife died, and he mourned for her. He then went with his friend Hirah to the town of Timnah, where his sheep were being sheared. Tamar found out that her father-in-law Judah was going to Timnah to shear his sheep. She also realized that Shelah was now a grown man, but she had not been allowed to marry him. So she decided to dress in something other than her widow's clothes and to cover her face with a veil. After this, she sat outside the town of Enaim on the road to Timnah. When Judah came along, he did not recognize her because of the veil. He thought she was a prostitute and asked her to sleep with him. She asked, "What will you give me if I do?" "One of my young goats," he answered. "What will you give me to keep until you send the goat?" she asked. "What do you want?" he asked in return. "The ring on that cord around your neck," was her reply. "I also want the special walking stick you have with you." He gave them to her, they slept together, and she became pregnant. After returning home, Tamar took off the veil and dressed in her widow's clothes again. Judah had his friend Hirah take a goat to the woman, so he could get back the ring and walking stick, but she wasn't there. Hirah asked the people of Enaim, "Where is the prostitute who sat along the road outside your town?" "There's never been one here," they answered. Hirah went back and told Judah, "I couldn't find the woman, and the people of Enaim said no prostitute had ever been there." "If you couldn't find her, we'll just let her keep the things I gave her," Judah answered. "And we'd better forget about the goat, or else we'll look like fools." About three months later someone told Judah, "Your daughter-in-law Tamar has behaved like a prostitute, and now she's pregnant!" "Drag her out of town and burn her!" Judah shouted. As Tamar was being dragged off, she sent someone to tell her father-in-law, "The man who gave me this ring, this cord, and this walking stick is the one who got me pregnant." "Those are mine!" Judah admitted. "She's a better person than I am, because I broke my promise to let her marry my son Shelah." After this, Judah never slept with her again. Tamar later gave birth to twins. But before either of them was born, one of them stuck a hand out of her womb. The woman who was helping tied a red thread around the baby's hand and explained, "This one came out first." Right away his hand went back in, and the other child was born first. The woman then said, "What an opening you've made for yourself!" So they named the baby Perez. When the brother with the red thread came out, they named him Zerah.

 

Er died childless; and according to custom his widow was suppose to marry the next eldest son, Onan. But Onan refused to preserve the name of his deceased brother that died childless. He didn’t have natural, procreating sex with Tamar and thus did not consummate the marriage. So God was displeased and killed him. The Messiah was to descend from Judah! Onan could have been in the lineage of Christ but he refused. Judah became superstitiously afraid to let his youngest son marry her although he promises him to her. In his heart he blamed her for the sudden deaths of his elder sons when the real cause of their deaths was their own wickedness. His father’s heart couldn’t admit to their sin. It was easier to blame Tamar. Shelah grows up and yet was not given to Tamar as a husband, so she determined to procure children from Judah himself, who had become a widower in the meantime. He was unjust to his daughter-in-law, either through negligence or design, in not giving her his surviving son, and this exposed her to temptation. Tamar wickedly prostituted herself as a harlot to Judah, so the father might raise up seed to the deceased. It is possible she had left her Canaanite beginnings and believed in the Jewish God and learned of the prophecies to Abraham about the Messianic descendant and, by faith, she wanted to be a part of that honored family. But the way she went about it was wrong. Her scheme was well planned. Judah was taken in the snare, and through it he was guilty of incest with his daughter-in-law (not knowing who she was), and, willfully guilty of fornication. Whoever she was, he knew she was not his wife, and therefore not to be touched. He has no excuse. When Tamar is discovered to be pregnant, her scandal reflected on Judah as well as her own family because she was married in the eyes of the law (Judah had promised Shelah to her) to his youngest son, Shelah. She was to be either burnt to death or branded by hot iron as stigmatized for being a harlot. Like Nathaniel Hawthorne's “Scarlet Letter”. But she shows the signet ring, cord and walking stick to prove it had been Judah who had impregnated her. His foolish shame is made public after all and he has to publicly exonerate her. It is a common thing for men to be severe against those whose sins match their own. In judging others, they condemn themselves.

Tamar has twins and Judah has 3 sons again. She has a hard birth and when the first fist came out, they tied a scarlet thread around his wrist as the first born of the twins. But then the fist is drawn back and the other baby, Perez, is born first. Zerah is actually born second. These boys, like Jacob and Esau, struggled for the birthright. Perez obtained it, and from him Christ descended. The Jews, just like Zerah, deserved the birthright, and were marked with a scarlet thread, as those that came first. The Gospel of Salvation through Jesus Christ was offered to them first. But, their nation as a whole, rejected Christ. They pulled back. But the Gentiles, like Perez, accepted Jesus as Christ and Messiah. They pressed forward and broke through to take what was offered to them, salvation. Yet, when the fullness of time is come, all Israel shall be saved because both sons are mentioned in the genealogy of Christ in Matthew 1:3 (Tamar and Judah are mentioned too).

Judah publicly admitted his guilt and never had sexual relations with Tamar again. I.e. his heart had truly turned away from the sin because his further actions proved it. True repentance is not only realizing and regretting your sin but turning away from it and leaving it behind. There is a change of mind that results in a change of action. Despite the sin of Judah and Tamar, God forgives, redeems and extends mercy to the repentant.

When he moved to Egypt with his family it was himself and his 3 sons. At the time of the Exodus, when we meet with the family of Judah again, they have increased to the number of 74,000 males. God was praised for him, Genesis 29:35, praised by him, and praised in him; therefore his brethren shall praise him. Judah should be a strong and courageous tribe. Judah is not a raging lion, but a lion enjoying the satisfaction of his power and success. Caleb, the son of Jephunneh, represented the tribe as one of the spies. Judah is the tribe that both King David and the Messiah, King Jesus, came from.

Upon the death of Saul, David established the tribe of Judah into a separate kingdom (2 Samuel 2:1). The house of Saul, under the weak Ish-bosheth, reigned over the remaining tribes for 7 1/2 years. Judah was then reunited to Israel under King David. This union continued for eighty years, through the reigns of King David and his son, King Solomon. The legitimate successor of the kingdom (established by David) was Solomon's son Rehoboam. The kingdom separated into Southern Judah (which included the Tribe of Benjamin, most of the Levite tribe, and the Holy City of Jerusalem) and their king, Rehoboam; and Northern Israel with their king, Jeroboam I.

Jacob’s Blessing:

Genesis 49:8-12 Judah, may your brothers praise you. May your hand be in the neck of your enemies. May your father's sons bow before you. Judah is a lion's whelp. My son, you have gone up from the prey. He stooped, he crouched like a lion; and like a lioness, who shall rouse him? The scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor a Lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come. And the obedience of the peoples to him. Binding his foal to the vine, and his ass's colt to the choice vine, he washed his garments in wine, and his clothes in the blood of grapes. His eyes shall be sparkling with wine, and his teeth white from milk.

 

The fulfillment of God's purposes is connected with Judah, for, the King who wields the sceptre, and the Judge who administers the law, comes from Judah, and the gathering of the people will be to Him. Jesus Christ is the King of King's, the Lion of Judah, the Prince of Peace. He is the fulfillment of this prophecy. The hand (symbolizing powerful action) will be in the midst of it’s enemies. They may be surrounded by enemies but they shall have the upper hand. When our Lord Jesus returns to this earth as a mighty King, then all will bow down in homage to Him, as many have already done for centuries in prayer! Just as a lion seizes his prey and returns to the den, daring any to challenge him, so our Savior, the Lion of Judah, takes us by force from our enemies, the devil and sin, to take us back to His City and there, we will be forever protected. 

 

“He crouched like a lion” indicates all 4 legs folded under him in rest. As in, "It is done."

  

The scepter indicates His kingship, the right to rule, the title to all power, His rod of punishment against His enemies. The old "lion" is Jacob, his son, Judah, is his whelp. When Judah's descendants, the Jews, were "whelps" they were seized and devoured by others, they cried, but were not strong enough to fight other nations so he learned to keep his head low. But the whelp will grow up and rise up himself against other nations.

  

A young lion for agility and grace; a full-grown lion for strength and majesty; a lioness whose fierceness defends her offspring. “Shiloh” means “to rest” or “he to whom it belongs” and is used as a personal name for Jesus Christ. Jesus is the Prince of Peace and He has the right and ownership of His people. This blessing came way before the city of Shiloh was established.

Later, when the Tabernacle was set up in the city of Shiloh in Canaan, all Israel "knew" that the Lord God dwelt with them. Not in person but in Spirit. Because of God dwelling there with them the people were delivered from their enemies, and His "presence" brought blessing. So Shiloh was a city of redemption or Salvation. Since the Ark disappeared in ancient history, "Shiloh" means Jesus Christ. He became the Salvation, the Redeemer and Deliverer from our enemies and sins, who is with us always. He is that city of strength and refuge. He is the place of refuge.

The Holy Spirit dwells within Christians. He makes His home in us.

The Seed promised to Abraham was to be a great ruler. Isaac and Jacob in turn inherited this promise, and now Judah was to be the ‘lion’s whelp,’ that is, the one to inherit God’s royal promise.

Micah 5:1-5a Jerusalem, enemy troops have surrounded you; they have struck Israel's ruler in the face with a stick. Bethlehem Ephrath (the Bethlehem where Jesus was born), you are one of the smallest towns in the nation of Judah. But the LORD will choose one of your people to rule the nation -- someone whose family goes back to ancient times. The LORD will abandon Israel only until this ruler is born, and the rest of his family returns to Israel. Like a shepherd taking care of his sheep, this Ruler will lead and care for His people by the power and glorious name of the LORD His God. His people will live securely, and the whole earth will know His true greatness, because He will bring peace.

Isaiah 26:1-4 The time is coming when the people of Judah will sing this song: "Our city is protected. The LORD is our fortress, and he gives us victory. Open the city gates for a law-abiding nation that is faithful to God. The LORD gives perfect peace to those whose faith is firm. So always trust the LORD because he is forever our mighty rock. The last verses of the blessing upon Judah refers to Jesus, who would ride a young donkey in the Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem where the common people cheered and praised Him. Jesus was really entering unto His death on the cross because He knew death awaited Him and, yet, He went to His destiny. He voluntarily gave His live for us and He was obedient unto death. Jacob’s prophesy was fulfilled. And, though our sins were scarlet, He washed us white as snow. His death, the blood He shed, was the wine or grape juice that washed our filthy, tattered garments of self righteousness. He shed His blood for us, for our cleansing. He has provided garments of righteousness that are pure and clean. When we partake in the Lord’s Supper, Communion, we are asked to remember Jesus’ death, sacrifice and resurrection, when we drink the wine that represents His blood and eat the cracker that represents His broken body. As He has saved us and reconciled us to God, His pure joy shines in His eyes and smile!

Zechariah 9:9 (Messianic prophecy) Everyone in Jerusalem, celebrate and shout! Your king has won a victory, and he is coming to you. He is humble and rides on an ass; and upon a colt, the foal of an ass.

Matthew 21:1-9 (Prophesy fulfillment) And when they drew near Jerusalem, and had come to Bethphage, to the Mount of Olives, then Jesus sent two disciples, saying to them, Go into the village across from you. And immediately you will find an ass tied, and a colt with her. Untie them and bring them to Me. And if anyone says anything to you, you shall say, The Lord has need of them, and immediately He will send them. All this was done so that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, "Tell the daughter of Zion, Behold, your King comes to you, meek, and sitting on an ass, even a colt the foal of an ass." And the disciples went and did as Jesus commanded them. And they brought the ass, even the colt, and put their clothes on them, and He sat on them. And a very great crowd spread their garments in the way. Others cut down branches from the trees and spread them in the way. And the crowds who went before, and those who followed, cried out, saying, Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!

At its height, Judah was the leading tribe, and occupied most of the territory of the kingdom, except for a small region in the north east occupied by Benjamin, and an enclave towards the south west which was occupied by Simeon. It had 4 distinct regions: The Negev (south), the Shephelah (coast lands), the Wilderness (wild and barely inhabitable), and the Hills (an elevated plateau that was very fertile).

Judges 1:1-4 And it happened after the death of Joshua, the children of Israel asked Jehovah, saying, Who shall go up first for us against the Canaanites to fight against them? And Jehovah said, Judah shall go up. Behold, I have delivered the land into his hand. And Judah said to Simeon his brother, Come up with me into my lot so that we may fight against the Canaanites. And I likewise will go with you into your lot. So Simeon went with him. And Judah went up. And Jehovah delivered the Canaanites and the Perizzites into their hand. And they killed ten thousand men of them in Bezek.

Under Caleb, during the wars of conquest, Judah conquered that portion of the country which was later assigned to it as its inheritance. While the northern tribes (the northern Kingdom of Israel) were effectively scattered and "lost" after the Assyrian conquest in 722 B.C, the Judahites (the southern Kingdom of Judah) maintained their ethnic and cultural identity after being exiled to Babylon under Nebuchadnezzar II of Babylon in 587 B.C. Under Cyrus of Persia, many returned to Jerusalem, rebuilt the Temple and established a national identity as "Jews" which has lasted until this day. The northern tribes reconstituted to some degree in Samaria, but were denigrated by the Jews for intermarrying with foreign peoples and for worshiping outside of Jerusalem at Mount Gerizim. What remained of the northern tribes either evolved into the Samaritans, assimilated with Judah as "Jews," or were simply considered to be "lost."

(Note – Assyria was named after it’s capital city, Asshur, and was a colony of Babylon. Assyria became an independent and a conquering power, and shook off the yoke of its Babylonian masters and it absorbed Babylon. It subdued the whole of Northern Asia. The Assyrians were Semites [see Genesis 10:22] but in the process of time non-Semite tribes mingled with the inhabitants. They were a military people, the “Romans of the East.”)

Spiritual Leadership - Pastor, Preacher, Minister, Bishop, Overseer, Shepherd, Elder, Deacons

 Matthew 20:25-28 But having called them, Jesus said, You know that the rulers of the nations exercise lordship over them, and the great ones exercise authority over them. But it will not be so among you. But whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant. And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your servant; Even as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.

In today's world, many people don't know what the role of a pastor is suppose to be. We have let TV, movies, media define what we think pastors and spiritual leaders are. Unfortunately, the media people don't have a clue what constitutes biblical leadership. But even Christians who should know better don't know the Biblical role of pastor or deacon or elder. I think this is why pastors get away with some of the stuff they get away with. People are ignorant about what the Bible teaches on spiritual leadership, authority, qualifications, basically the whole job description. We've all see the mockery of preachers...and let's be real here...there is some substance to the mockery. There have been lunatics who stand on sidewalks shouting blasphemies but holding Bibles, there have been mega-maniacal TV preachers jetsetting around the world, there have been conmen passing themselves off as pastors and there has been power mongering and politicking within church circles. It's shameful and it's NOT what God wants. Christians are human beings who have the same sinful natures that everyone is born with. If we are true Christians then the Holy Spirit is living in us and teaching our born-again spirit how to walk as Christ wants us to walk but it's a process that takes time and we never reach perfection until we die. So you will see us make mistakes and fall and sin and be grouchy and selfish at times. It shouldn't be, but it is. Then there are those who aren't really saved but they go to church, even become ministers. They are wolves in sheeps clothing. The only way we as human beings have of knowing if someone is saved or not is by "their fruits". I.e. by their actions and the results. Even this means we make mistakes and judge someone wrongly as being a Christian or not. We can't see into their hearts, all we have is their actions and words and lifestyle. And we can only see them in part. So it's easy to make mistakes.

So what does God say about pastors, elders, deacons? To summarize...if you want to be a celebrity, a hot shot, a rich famous man, don't become a pastor. God says you should be a servant leader. This goes against our human nature. We think a successful pastor is one who can afford the best cars, the best clothes, the nicest home. We think the bigger the church gets, the more he should reflect material wealth. A pastor of a mega church that brings in lots of money and lots of seat fillers (people) has to be a "successful" pastor, a man blessed by God, and should recieve the same compensation that a CEO of a successful company receives. I'm here to tell you that this is not what God says in His Word.

I hope you will take the time to read through the following Bible Dictionary definitions and search the Bible for the reference scriptures so you can know for yourself, what God says about church leadership.

"Overseer" , Baker's Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology

The word "overseer" (Greek episkopos) is used a limited number of times in the New Testament, but it has significant implications for a proper understanding of leadership in the church.

The noun episkopos appears five times in the New Testament and means overseer, guardian, bishop. It is used in reference to Jesus Christ in 1 Peter 2:25 and in other places of individuals who have a function of leadership in the church (Acts 20:28; Philippians 1:1; 1 Timothy 3:2; Titus 1:7). The verb episkopeo appears in 1 Peter 5:2 and means to take care of, to oversee, or to care for. Episkope appears in 1 Timothy 3:1 and refers to the position or office of overseer or bishop. It seems clear that a plurality of overseers (elders) was the New Testament model, though flexibility apparently existed as to structure. It is quite likely that one overseer or elder would have primary leadership as the pastor among the other elders in the local church, such as James in the church at Jerusalem (cf. Acts 15:13-21). The office itself is restricted to men. As men are called to be the spiritual leaders in the home, so they are to be the spiritual leaders in the church (cf. 1 Corinthians 11:2-16; Ephesians 5:21-33; 1 Timothy 2:9-3:7).

The first responsibility God has given the overseer is to watch over the flock. Acts 20:28a states, "Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers"; and Hebrews 13:17b says, "They keep watch over you." The idea is one of spiritual alertness, being on watch, being ready. Overseers watch for the souls of those entrusted to them in the Lord. They know that to protect them, constant attention is necessary.

A second responsibility of the overseer is to shepherd the flock of God as instructed in 1 Peter 5:2. To shepherd carries the idea of tending, caring for, feeding, protecting, and leading. All these tasks are involved in the overseer's service of ministry to the spiritual flock of God. Responsibility is not a compulsion but something that the overseer has entered into willingly.

In Acts 20:27-30 overseers are told to shepherd the flock of God, by declaring the whole counsel of the Word of God (v. 27). The reason is because there will arise false teachers who will seek to lead many astray (vv. 29-30). The importance of shepherding is revealed by Paul in 1 Thessalonians 5:14-15, when he instructs leaders to confront personally those who are idle, timid, or weak.

1 Peter 5:2d-3 also addresses the issue of attitude and motivation of the overseer when it commands spiritual leaders to be "eager to serve; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock." "Eager" carries the idea of ready and willing. The point is that the overseer should be quick to serve but careful to curb the desire to rule in an autocratic or dictatorial manner. There is always the temptation to abuse authority. The key is to maintain balance in this area of the ministry. The overseer clearly is to direct, lead, guide, even rule (Hebrews 13:7; Hebrews 13:17). However, his model is the Lord Jesus; therefore he is a shepherd leader, a servant leader who sets a humble example for the flock to follow. If the people are to see the pastor as a ruler (or leader), the pastor is to view himself as a servant. Trouble begins when one or both reverse those role assignments. A pastor who exalts himself as ruler is an unbearable tyrant; a flock that views its shepherd as its slave is destined for spiritual disaster.

It is important to consider the relationship among the overseer or bishop (episkopos), the pastor (poimen) and the elder (presbuteros). Scholars are virtually unanimous that in the early church the presbuteros and the episkopos were one and the same. Indeed, there is no clear evidence for a monarchical episcopate being firmly established until the early decades of the second century.

There are solid biblical reasons to justify the assertion that overseer and elder refer to the same person. In Acts 20:17, 28 Paul addresses the same group of men in the same speech as both elders and bishops or overseers as he reminds them of their work of shepherding. In 1 Peter 5:1-2 Peter calls himself an elder and instructs the elders to oversee the flock. In Titus 1:6-7 the same group is called both elders and overseers.

In writing to a local congregation, the church at Philippi, Paul addresses himself to the bishops or overseers (Philippians 1:1). It is inconceivable that Paul would have sent no greetings at all to the elders, who were in every church. The bishops and the elders must be one and the same body of individuals.

Finally, the qualifications for the overseers in 1 Timothy 3:1-7 and the elder in Titus 1:5-9 are basically identical. Episkopos and poimen clearly refer to the function of the office, while presbuteros emphasizes the character of spiritually mature men of God. It was a term of respect and esteem the early church employed to describe its pastoral leaders, even though they were, on occasion, very young.

The qualifications the Bible gives for the overseer strongly emphasize character in all aspects of life, both personal and public. Most of the qualifications are self-explanatory, and they are listed in 1 Timothy 3:2-7 and Titus 1:6-9. That the overseer must be above reproach appears to be an overriding qualification, expressing the idea that the overseer should demonstrate integrity in every area Paul mentions. His life and reputation are of such a nature that he is not open to attack or censure. No fault can be found in him that would disqualify him from office or open him to discipline by the body (cf. 1 Timothy 5:19-20). The overseer is to be above reproach in his personal life. He must be temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, upright, holy, disciplined, loves what is good, not given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not overbearing, not quick-tempered, and not a lover of money.

He must also be above reproach in his family life. He is to be the husband of but one wife (lit. "a one woman kind of man"), manage his own family well, and see that his children obey him with proper respect. Being the husband of but one wife is widely debated, but the idea of fidelity to one's wife is certainly the underlying principle.

The overseer must be above reproach in his public life. He must not be a recent convert, and for good reason: he may become conceited and fall under the same judgment as the devil. Also, he must have a good reputation with outsiders, so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the devil's trap.

Finally, the overseer must be above reproach in his professional life. He must be able to teach and hold firm to the message so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it.

The authority of accountability of the overseer is summarized in Hebrews 13:17. The duty of the congregation is twofold: they must obey and submit. Three motivations are given for obedience and submission to the leadership. First, they watch over the people. The imagery is possibly that of the leaders keeping awake at nights in their concern for God's people. Second, they will give an account to God for their oversight of the flock (his flock cf. 1 Peter 5:2). God has placed them in this position and therefore they will answer to him. The final motivation is that they may serve with joy and not grief. If there is a lack of obedience, it is of no advantage to the church. Hebrews 13:17 is a somber reminder that the welfare of the community is intimately related to the quality of the people's response to their leaders.

The office of the bishop or overseer is both a great privilege and an awesome responsibility. The pastor/elder/overseer is to shepherd, direct, teach, and protect the flock of God entrusted to him with integrity and humility, looking to the Lord Jesus as the model for ministry.
by Daniel L. Akin


"Shepherd", Easton's Bible Dictionary

"Shepherd" is a word naturally of frequent occurrence in Scripture. Sometimes the word "pastor" is used instead (Jeremiah 2:8; 3:15; 10:21; 12:10; 17:16). This word is used figuratively to represent the relation of rulers to their subjects and of God to his people (Psalms 23:1; 80:1; Isaiah 40:11; 44:28; Jeremiah 25:34-35; Nahum 3:18 ; John 10:11; John 10:14; Hebrews 13:20; 1 Peter 2:25; 5:4).

The duties of a shepherd in an unenclosed country like Palestine were very onerous. "In early morning he led forth the flock from the fold, marching at its head to the spot where they were to be pastured. Here he watched them all day, taking care that none of the sheep strayed, and if any for a time eluded his watch and wandered away from the rest, seeking diligently till he found and brought it back. In those lands sheep require to be supplied regularly with water, and the shepherd for this purpose has to guide them either to some running stream or to wells dug in the wilderness and furnished with troughs. At night he brought the flock home to the fold, counting them as they passed under the rod at the door to assure himself that none were missing. Nor did his labours always end with sunset. Often he had to guard the fold through the dark hours from the attack of wild beasts, or the wily attempts of the prowling thief (see 1 Samuel 17:34).", Deane's David.

"Elder", Easton's Bible Dictionary

"Elder" is a name frequently used in the Old Testament as denoting a person clothed with authority, and entitled to respect and reverence (Genesis 50:7). It also denoted a political office (Numbers 22:7). The "elders of Israel" held a rank among the people indicative of authority. Moses opened his commission to them (Exodus 3:16). They attended Moses on all important occasions. Seventy of them attended on him at the giving of the law (Exodus 24:1). Seventy also were selected from the whole number to bear with Moses the burden of the people (Numbers 11:16-17). The "elder" is the keystone of the social and political fabric wherever the patriarchal system exists. At the present day this is the case among the Arabs, where the sheik (i.e., "the old man") is the highest authority in the tribe. The body of the "elders" of Israel were the representatives of the people from the very first, and were recognized as such by Moses. All down through the history of the Jews we find mention made of the elders as exercising authority among the people. They appear as governors (Deuteronomy 31:28), as local magistrates (16:18), administering justice (19:12). They were men of extensive influence (1 Samuel 30:26-31). In New Testament times they also appear taking an active part in public affairs (Matthew 16:21; 21:23; 26:59).

The Jewish eldership was transferred from the old dispensation to the new. "The creation of the office of elder is nowhere recorded in the New Testament, as in the case of deacons and apostles, because the latter offices were created to meet new and special emergencies, while the former was transmitted from the earlies times. In other words, the office of elder was the only permanent essential office of the church under either dispensation."

The "elders" of the New Testament church were the "pastors" (Ephesians 4:11), "bishops or overseers" (Acts 20:28), "leaders" and "rulers" (Hebrews 13:7; 1 Thessalonians 5:12) of the flock. Everywhere in the New Testament bishop and presbyter are titles given to one and the same officer of the Christian church. He who is called presbyter or elder on account of his age or gravity is also called bishop or overseer with reference to the duty that lay upon him (Titus 1:5-7; Acts 20:17-28; Philippians 1:1).


"Deacon", Easton's Bible Dictionary

Anglicized form of the Greek word diaconos, meaning "runner," "messenger," "servant." For a long period a feeling of mutual jealousy had existed between the "Hebrews," or Jews proper, who spoke the sacred language of Palestine, and the "Hellenists," or Jews of the Grecian speech, who had adopted the Grecian language, and read the Septuagint version of the Bible instead of the Hebrew. This jealousy early appeared in the Christian community. It was alleged by the Hellenists that their widows were overlooked in the daily distribution of alms (money for the poor). This spirit must be checked. The apostles accordingly advised the disciples to look out for seven men of good report, full of the Holy Ghost, and men of practical wisdom, who should take entire charge of this distribution, leaving them free to devote themselves entirely to the spiritual functions of their office (Acts 6:1-6). This was accordingly done. Seven men were chosen, who appear from their names to have been Hellenists. The name "deacon" is nowhere applied to them in the New Testament; they are simply called "the seven" (21:8). Their office was at first secular, but it afterwards became also spiritual; for among other qualifications they must also be "apt to teach" (1 Timothy 3:8 -12). Both Philip and Stephen, who were of "the seven," preached; they did "the work of evangelists."

continuing from Baker's Evangelical Dictionary

The idea of serving others was not popular among the Greeks. Jews on the other hand found nothing inherently distasteful about service. Yet it was the Lord Jesus who raised service to a completely new level. He used the word as an expression of his humiliation in giving his life in suffering and death as a ransom (Matthew 20:28; Mark 10:45). Thus the word takes on the sense of loving action for others, especially in the community of faith, which is rooted in and founded upon divine love as seen in the atonement of Christ.

In this light, Paul could speak of being a servant of the new covenant (2 Corinthians 3:6), of righteousness (2 Corinthians 11:15), of Christ (2 Corinthians 11:23; Colossians 1:7; 1 Timothy 4:6), of God (2 Corinthians 6:4), of the gospel (Ephesians 3:7; Colossians 1:23), and of the church (Colossians 1:25).

The institution of the technical office seems to be found in Acts 6. Although the noun "deacon" (diakonos) does not occur, both diakoneo and diakonia are used, with emphasis resting more on the character of the men than any specific function. In this instance they cared for the needs of the Hellenistic widows and guaranteed fairness in the distribution of food. Their election was made jointly by the apostles and the congregation. It was determined that they must be men "full of the Spirit and wisdom" (v. 3). As one scans the Book of Acts, "fullness of the Spirit" almost always entails bold witnessing for the gospel of Christ (cf. Acts 1:8 ). That these men served in a manner transcending the traditional notion of deacon is clearly seen in the prophetic teaching activity of Stephen (Acts 6-7) and the evangelistic ministry of Philip (Acts 8).

1 Timothy 3:8-13 is the most complete account in Scripture addressing the office of deacon. (In Philippians 1:1 ; it is only mentioned as being an office along with that of the bishops.) As in Acts 6, the emphasis is again on character qualifications rather than function. In fact, the qualities necessary for eligibility run in close parallel to those for bishops. Emphasis is placed upon the necessity of an exemplary life. Thus deacons must be worthy of respect, sincere (lit. "not double-tongued"), not indulging excessively in wine, not pursuing dishonest gain, holding the mystery (proved and approved), being found blameless, husband of one wife (a one-woman kind of man publicly and privately), and a good manager of children and household. The reward for such service found in verse 13 is having both an "excellent standing" and "great assurance" in the faith (before both God and people). Because teaching and leadership are not mentioned, the servant role of this office is made clear. These men are to be helpers in the practical areas of ministry, eligible to serve because of the unquestioned integrity of their lives.

It is possible, although not certain, that women served as deaconesses in the early church. In Romans 16:1 Phoebe of Cenchrea is commended as a sister of us, being also a diakonon. Whether the word is to be understood in a general or technical sense is open to debate. Of further significance for this issue is 1 Timothy 3:11; 5:3-16, and Titus 2:3-5. In 1 Timothy 3:11, there appears the phrase gynaikas hosautos, translated "likewise the women." "The women" has been variously interpreted to mean the wives of the deacons, female assistants to the deacons, deaconesses, or women in general. In favor of view 1 is the fact that gunaikos occurs also in verses 2 and 12, where it clearly means wife. Second, to return to qualifications for deacons in verses 12-13, and to address the children in verse 12, argues for wives being in view in verse 11.

In favor of views 2 and 3 is the use of the word "likewise." The same word also occurs in verse 8 and is used to introduce a distinct but related subject (deacons versus overseers). Second, the absence of the word "their" would seem to imply that the women in view are not the wives of deacons but rather women who serve in the same capacity as the men. Third, the list of qualifications for the women, although abbreviated (only one verse), is similar to those for the deacons. Fourth, the silence concerning any qualifications for the bishop's wife ( 3:1-7 ) argues against this being understood as referring to deacons' wives. When 1 Timothy 5:3-16 and Titus 2:3-5 are taken into consideration, it appears quite probably that there was a servant-oriented group of women in the early church. These women may have been wives of deacons. That such women would have ministered to other women, especially those in need of physical assistance and spiritual instruction, seems most likely. Practical considerations such as baptisms and intimate personal counseling and care would indeed have necessitated such a ministry of women to women.

by Daniel L. Akin


Matthew 23:1-12 Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples: The Pharisees and the teachers of the Law are experts in the Law of Moses. So obey everything they teach you, but don't do as they do. After all, they say one thing and do something else. They pile heavy burdens on people's shoulders and won't lift a finger to help. Everything they do is just to show off in front of others. They even make a big show of wearing Scripture verses on their foreheads and arms, and they wear big tassels for everyone to see. They love the best seats at banquets and the front seats in the meeting places. And when they are in the market, they like to have people greet them as their teachers. But none of you should be called a teacher. You have only one teacher, and all of you are like brothers and sisters. Don't call anyone on earth your father. All of you have the same Father in heaven. None of you should be called the leader. The Messiah is your only leader. Whoever is the greatest should be the servant of the others. If you put yourself above others, you will be put down. But if you humble yourself, you will be honored.

Galatians 1:9 I have said it before, and I will say it again. I hope God will punish anyone who preaches anything different from what you have already believed.

Colossians 1:24-29 I am glad that I can suffer for you. I am pleased also that in my own body I can continue the suffering of Christ for his body, the church. God's plan was to make me a servant of his church and to send me to preach his complete message to you. For ages and ages this message was kept secret from everyone, but now it has been explained to God's people. God did this because he wanted you Gentiles to understand his wonderful and glorious mystery. And the mystery is that Christ lives in you, and he is your hope of sharing in God's glory. We announce the message about Christ, and we use all our wisdom to warn and teach everyone, so that all of Christ's followers will grow and become mature. That's why I work so hard and use the mighty power he gives me.

Also, notice that in many of the Apostles letters they begin by identifying themselves as "servants of Jesus Christ". (Romans 1:1, James 1:1, Titus 1:1, 2 Peter 1:1, Jude 1:1, Revelation 1:1)

Ezekiel 34 And the Word of Jehovah came to me, saying,
Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel. Prophesy and say to them, So says the Lord Jehovah to the shepherds: Woe to the shepherds of Israel who feed themselves! Should not the shepherds feed the flocks?
You eat the fat and clothe yourselves with the wool; you kill the fat ones, but you do not feed the flock.

You have not made the weak strong, nor have you healed the sick, nor have you bound up the broken. You have not brought again those driven away, nor have you sought that which was lost; but you have ruled them with force and with cruelty.
And they were scattered for lack of a shepherd. And they became food to all the beasts of the field when they were scattered.
My sheep wandered through all the mountains and on every high hill. Yea, My flock was scattered on all the face of the earth, and none searched nor sought for them.
Therefore, shepherds, hear the Word of Jehovah:
As I live, says the Lord Jehovah, surely because My flock became a prey, and My flock became food to every beast of the field, because there was no shepherd, nor did My shepherds search for My flock, but the shepherds fed themselves and did not feed My flock, therefore, O shepherds, hear the Word of Jehovah.
So says the Lord Jehovah: Behold, I am against the shepherds, and I will require My flock at their hand, and cause them to cease from feeding the flock. Nor shall the shepherds feed themselves any more; for I will deliver My flock from their mouth, and they will not be food to devour.
For so says the Lord Jehovah: Behold, I Myself will search for My sheep and seek them out.
a shepherd seeks out his flock in the day that he is among his scattered sheep, so I will seek out My sheep and will deliver them out of all places where they have been scattered in the cloudy and dark day.
And I will bring them out from the peoples, and gather them from the lands, and will bring them to their own land and feed them on the mountain of Israel by the rivers, and in all the places of the land where people live.
I will feed them in a good pasture, and their fold shall be on the high mountains of Israel. There they shall lie in a good fold, and in a fat pasture they shall feed on the mountains of Israel.
I will feed My flock, and I will cause them to lie down, says the Lord Jehovah.
I will seek the lost, and bring again those driven away, and will bind up the broken, and will strengthen the sick. But I will destroy the fat and the strong; I will feed them with judgment.
And you, My flock, says the Lord Jehovah: Behold, I judge between lamb and lamb, between rams and he-goats.
Is it a small thing to you to have eaten up the good pasture, but you must trample the rest of your pastures with your feet? And to have drunk of the clear waters, but you must foul the rest with your feet?
And My flock, they eat what your feet have trampled, and they drink what your feet have fouled.
So the Lord Jehovah says this to them: Behold I Myself will even judge between the fat lamb and the lean lamb.
Because you have thrust with side and with shoulder, and have pushed all the weak with your horns until you have scattered them to the outside, therefore I will save My flock, and they shall no more be a prey. And I will judge between lamb and lamb.
And I will set up one Shepherd over them, and He shall feed them, My servant David. He shall feed them, and He shall be their Shepherd.
And I Jehovah will be their God, and My servant David a ruler among them. I Jehovah have spoken.
And I will make a covenant of peace with them, and will send the evil beasts out of the land. And they shall dwell safely in the wilderness and sleep in the woods.
And I will make them, and the places around My hill, a blessing; and I will bring down the shower in its season. There shall be showers of blessing.
And the tree of the field shall yield her fruit, and the earth shall yield her increase. And they shall be safe in their land, and they shall know that I am Jehovah, when I have broken the bands of their yoke, and have delivered them out of the hands of those who enslaved them.
And no more shall they be a prey to the nations, nor shall the beast of the land eat them. But they shall dwell safely, and none shall terrify them.
And I will raise up for them a noted planting place, and they shall never again be of those gathered by famine in the land, nor shall they bear the shame of the nations any more.
And they shall know that I, Jehovah their God, am with them, and they, the house of Israel, are My people, says the Lord Jehovah.
And you My sheep, the sheep of My pasture, are men, and I am your God, says the Lord Jehovah.

Matthew 12:11-12 And He said to them, What man among you will be, who will have one sheep, and if it falls into a pit on the sabbaths, will he not lay hold on it and lift it out?
How much better is a man then than a sheep? Therefore it is lawful to do well on the sabbath days.

Bringing back the lost sheep.




Matthew 18:11-14 For the Son of Man has come to save that which was lost.
What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them strays, does he not leave the ninety and nine and go into the mountains and seek the straying one?
And if it happens that he finds it, truly I say to you, he rejoices more over it than over the ninety and nine which did not stray.
so it is not the will of your Father in Heaven that one of these little ones should perish.

A sheepfold








John 10:1-18 Truly, truly I tell you, the person who does not enter the sheepfold through the gate, but climbs in by some other way, is a thief and a bandit.
The one who enters through the gate is the shepherd of the sheep.
It is to him the gatekeeper opens the gate, and it is his voice the sheep hear. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.
When he has driven out all his own, he goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow him because they recognize his voice.
They will never follow a stranger, but will run away from him because they do not recognize the voice of strangers.
Jesus used this illustration with them, but they didn't understand what he was saying to them.
So again Jesus said, Truly, truly I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep.
All who came before me are thieves and bandits, but the sheep did not listen to them.
I am the gate. If anyone enters through me, he will be saved. He will come in and go out and find pasture.
The thief comes only to steal, slaughter, and destroy. I have come that they may have life, and have it abundantly.
I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.
The hired hand, who is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming, deserts the sheep, and runs away. So the wolf snatches them and scatters them.
For he is a hired hand, and the sheep do not matter to him.
I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father. And I lay down my life for the sheep.
I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold. I must lead these also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock and one shepherd.
This is why the Father loves me, because I lay down my life in order to take it back again.
No one is taking it from me; I lay it down of my own free will. I have the authority to lay it down, and I have the authority to take it back again. This is a command that I have received from my Father.

The Tabernacle - The Holy of Holies

 The Veil

Exodus 26:31-34 And you shall make a veil of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined bleached linen of embroidered work. It shall be made with cherubs. And you shall hang it upon four pillars of acacia overlaid with gold. Their hooks shall be of gold, upon the four sockets of silver. And you shall hang up the veil under the clasps, that you may bring the ark of the testimony in there within the veil. And the veil shall divide for you between the holy place and the Holy of Holies. And you shall put the mercy-seat upon the ark of the testimony in the Holy of Holies.

This veil was between the Holy Place (aka Inner Court) and the Holy of Holies which contained the Ark of the Covenant and the Mercy Seat. The light from the lampstand, on the side of the Holy Place (aka Inner Court), shining upon it would reveal how beautiful it was. It was woven or embroidered with cherubim. The word "Cherubim" is plural for cherub and they do not resemble the sappy little fat babies with wings on Valentine's cards. We will look at Cherubim a little farther down. One side of the Veil was seen by human eyes, as the Levites ministered in the Sanctuary; the other side was beheld only by Jehovah. The object of a veil is to hide because sinful man cannot come near a holy God. It symbolized how far fallen man was from God. We are separated from our Creator, our God, our King because of our sins. How can we, sinners, get to God? Only through Jesus Christ! His work on the cross saved us from our sins if we will only accept His gift. We can have a brand new spirit (born again) and the Holy Spirit residing in us to teach us the way. We don't have to be separated from God any more!

Mattew 27:50-51 And crying again with a loud voice, Jesus released His spirit. And, behold! The veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. And the earth quaked, and the rocks were sheared,

Hebrews 10:19-20 Therefore, brothers, having boldness to enter into the Holy of Holies by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He has consecrated for us through the veil, that is to say, His flesh;

The perfect Manhood of Christ exhibited the only humanity which can approach God and live in His presence. The perfect Manhood of Christ exhibited the only humanity which can dwell in the blazing light of His manifested glory. Men might admire the beauty of the Veil; as men may today admire the human character of Christ and His teachings. And yet, the more perfect the Man, the more man realizes that we cannot ever be that perfect. Even though God had a dwelling place with His People at the Tabernacle, He was still separated from His People by the Veil. Jehovah gave instructions as to how Israel’s high priests might go behind the Veil into the Holy of Holies, and that was, by the blood of sacrifice (Lev. 16:19). The only way for sinful man to go to God was by sacrifice and that through the High Priest only. The common man nor the other priests could enter into this part of the Tabernacle. And if the High Priest entered in a way that was not prescribed by God, He would die on the spot. There were little bells on the hem of his High Priestly garment that would tinkle as long as he was still moving. He also wore a rope so that if the other priests heard the bells stop tinkling they could pull out the body of the High Priest without going behind the Veil into the Holy of Holies.

Exodus 28:31-35 And you shall make the robe of the ephod all of blue. And there shall be a hole in the top of it, in its middle; a binding shall be all around its mouth, of woven work. It shall be like the mouth of a corselet; it may not be torn. And on its hem you shall make pomegranates of blue, and purple, and scarlet, all around its hem. And bells of gold shall be amidst them all around. There shall be a golden bell and a pomegranate, a golden bell and a pomegranate, upon the hem of the robe all around. And it shall be on Aaron to serve. And his sound shall be heard when he goes in to the holy place before Jehovah, and when he comes out, so that he will not die.

The blood sacrifices that the High Priest made only foreshadowed the perfect sacrifice of Jesus Christ. There was need of a veil until His Work was completed. His death, His blood, has opened up the way to His presence. The perfect sacrifice had now been made and those who are saved now have access to the Father. We have no need for the Veil any more!

Let's take a deeper look at Cherubim. The first time they are mentioned is in Genesis when God banishes Adam and Eve from the Garden of Eden. He places a cherub at the entrance with a flaming sword to keep them out. The reason God did this was so that Adam and Eve would not eat of the Tree of Life and live forever in their sin. He wanted mankind to be saved and restored to a relationship with Him. Sin brings death but, through death, those who are saved through Jesus Christ, can live again for eternity with God. But if Adam and Eve had eaten of the Tree of Life they would live forever in their sin and not have the chance to be set free from sin and an earthly body of death. So, even though God's discipline seemed harsh in banishing them from the Garden of Eden, it was really an act of mercy and love. The Cherub guarded it, not against, but for man, against the time when man will be fit to enjoy it and never lose it.

Here, on the Veil, these cherubim taught the same lesson; sinful man, cannot approach the holy God! And, yet, God's mercy provides a better way through Jesus Christ. Although it looked like God was harsh and we would never be accepted, it really was to remind us that, although He was holy and unapproachable, He would provide a way through the sacrifice of His Son. What mercy! What love! What grace!

"The purpose of God has now been accomplished. The Corn of wheat, having fallen into the ground and died, now bringeth forth much fruit (John 12:24). The Blood has been shed, the Sacrifice has been offered, the Veil has been rent; and Christ, an the Forerunner of His people, has passed into the Holiest. We then may draw near. Because Christ received the wages of sin which were due us, we share the reward which was due Him. We may boldly enter in. By faith we have unhindered access into the Heavenly Sanctuary. Every barrier haying been removed, the believing worshipper may, with perfect liberty, draw near to the Throne of Grace. Then 'let us draw near, with a true heart, in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience' (Hebrews 10:22)." - Gleanings in Exodus, Providence Baptist Ministries

There is a good description of Cherubim in Ezekiel 1. I encourage you to read this chapter thoroughly. Don't skip it!

Ezekiel 1:1-28 Now it came to pass in the thirtieth year, in the fourth month, in the fifth day of the month, as I was among the captives by the river Chebar, that the heavens were opened, and I saw visions of God.
2 In the fifth day of the month, which was the fifth year of king Jehoiachin's captivity,
3 the word of Jehovah came expressly unto Ezekiel the priest, the son of Buzi, in the land of the Chaldeans by the river Chebar; and the hand of Jehovah was there upon him.
4 And I looked, and, behold, a stormy wind came out of the north, a great cloud, with a fire infolding itself, and a brightness round about it, and out of the midst thereof as it were glowing metal, out of the midst of the fire.
5 And out of the midst thereof came the likeness of four living creatures. And this was their appearance: they had the likeness of a man.
6 And every one had four faces, and every one of them had four wings.
7 And their feet were straight feet; and the sole of their feet was like the sole of a calf's foot; and they sparkled like burnished brass.
8 And they had the hands of a man under their wings on their four sides; and they four had their faces and their wings thus:
9 their wings were joined one to another; they turned not when they went; they went every one straight forward.
10 As for the likeness of their faces, they had the face of a man; and they four had the face of a lion on the right side; and they four had the face of an ox on the left side; they four had also the face of an eagle.
11 And their faces and their wings were separate above; two wings of every one were joined one to another, and two covered their bodies.
12 And they went every one straight forward: whither the spirit was to go, they went; they turned not when they went.
13 As for the likeness of the living creatures, their appearance was like burning coals of fire, like the appearance of torches: the fire went up and down among the living creatures; and the fire was bright, and out of the fire went forth lightning.
14 And the living creatures ran and returned as the appearance of a flash of lightning.
15 Now as I beheld the living creatures, behold, one wheel upon the earth beside the living creatures, for each of the four faces thereof.
16 The appearance of the wheels and their work was like unto a beryl: and they four had one likeness; and their appearance and their work was as it were a wheel within a wheel.
17 When they went, they went in their four directions: they turned not when they went.
18 As for their rims, they were high and dreadful; and they four had their rims full of eyes round about.
19 And when the living creatures went, the wheels went beside them; and when the living creatures were lifted up from the earth, the wheels were lifted up.
20 Whithersoever the spirit was to go, they went; thither was the spirit to go: and the wheels were lifted up beside them; for the spirit of the living creature was in the wheels.
21 When those went, these went; and when those stood, these stood; and when those were lifted up from the earth, the wheels were lifted up beside them: for the spirit of the living creature was in the wheels.
22 And over the head of the living creature there was the likeness of a firmament, like the terrible crystal to look upon, stretched forth over their heads above.
23 And under the firmament were their wings straight, the one toward the other: every one had two which covered on this side, and every one had two which covered on that side, their bodies.
24 And when they went, I heard the noise of their wings like the noise of great waters, like the voice of the Almighty, a noise of tumult like the noise of a host: when they stood, they let down their wings.
25 And there was a voice above the firmament that was over their heads: when they stood, they let down their wings.
26 And above the firmament that was over their heads was the likeness of a throne, as the appearance of a sapphire stone; and upon the likeness of the throne was a likeness as the appearance of a man upon it above.
27 And I saw as it were glowing metal, as the appearance of fire within it round about, from the appearance of his loins and upward; and from the appearance of his loins and downward I saw as it were the appearance of fire, and there was brightness round about him.
28 As the appearance of the bow that is in the cloud in the day of rain, so was the appearance of the brightness round about. This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of Jehovah. And when I saw it, I fell upon my face, and I heard a voice of one that spake.

The ox form represents tame animals, of which he is chief; the lion represents wild animals; the eagle represents birds; man, representing the head of all. The 4 faces could also represent the 4 Gospels: Matthew the Lion, Mark the Ox, Luke the Man, and John the Eagle. It also could show that God's glory shines on all 4 corners of the earth. Then there is this interpretation:

(1) kingly righteousness with hatred of evil, as "the lion springing terribly on the victim";
(2) laborious diligence in duty, as the "ox bound to the soil";
(3) human sympathy, as "the man";
(4) sublime contemplation of heavenly things, as "the eagle."

But, who are we to ascertain the heavenly things? It could be one or some or all of these, OR none. These heavenly beings were created by God to do His Will. The wings suggest the rapidity with which they perform His Will and Commands. Angels are "round about the throne," but the living creatures, Cherubim, occupy the innermost circle next it and Him. They are referred to as "the living creatures" 30 times in the Bible. They are full of life, zeal, and ceaseless untiring motion.

Revelation 4:5-11 And out of the throne came lightnings and thunderings and voices. And seven lamps of fire were burning in front of the throne, which are the seven spirits of God. And a sea of glass was in front of the throne, like crystal. And in the midst of the throne, and around the throne, were four living creatures, full of eyes in front and behind. And the first living creature was like a lion, and the second living creature like a calf, and the third living creature had the face of a man, and the fourth living creature like a flying eagle. And each one of the four living creatures had six wings about him, and within being full of eyes. And they had no rest day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God, the Almighty, who was and is and is to come. And whenever the living creatures gave glory and honor and thanks to Him who sat on the throne, who lives forever and ever, the twenty-four elders fell down before the One sitting on the throne. And they worshiped Him who lives for ever and ever, and threw their crowns before the throne, saying, O Lord, You are worthy to receive glory and honor and power, because You created all things, and for Your will they are and were created.

Revelation 5:8-14 And when [Jesus] had taken the book, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each one having harps and golden vials full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. And they sang a new song, saying, You are worthy to take the book and to open its seals, for You were slain and have redeemed us to God by Your blood out of every kindred and tongue and people and nation. And You made us kings and priests to our God, and we will reign over the earth. And I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels around the throne, and the living creatures and the elders. And the number of them was myriads and myriads, and thousands of thousands, saying with a great voice, Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and riches and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and blessing. And I heard every creature which is in the Heaven and on the earth, and under the earth, and those that are in the sea, and all who are in them, saying, Blessing and honor and glory and power be to Him sitting on the throne, and to the Lamb forever and ever. And the four living creatures said, Amen. And the twenty-four elders fell down and worshiped the One living forever and ever.

The Ark of the Covenant and the Mercy Seat

Exodus 25:10-22 And they shall make an ark of acacia-wood. Two and a half cubits long and a cubit and a half wide and a cubit and a half high. And you shall overlay it with pure gold. You shall overlay it inside and out, and shall make on it a crown of gold all around. And you shall cast four rings of gold for it, and shall put it on its four feet. And two rings shall be in the one side of it, and two rings in the other side of it. And you shall make staves of acacia-wood, and overlay them with gold. And you shall put the staves into the rings by the sides of the ark, so that the ark may be carried with them. And the staves shall be in the rings of the ark. They shall not be taken from it. And you shall put into the ark the testimony which I shall give you. And you shall make a mercy-seat of pure gold. Two and a half cubits shall be the length of it, and a cubit and a half the breadth of it. And you shall make two cherubs of gold; of beaten work you shall make them, in the two ends of the mercy-seat. And make one cherub on the one end, and the other cherub on the other end. From the mercy-seat you shall make the cherubs, on the two ends of it. And the cherubs shall stretch forth their wings on high, covering the mercy-seat with their wings, and their faces each toward the other; toward the mercy-seat shall the cherubs' faces be. And you shall put the mercy-seat above, upon the ark. And in the ark you shall put the testimony that I shall give you. And I will meet with you there, and I will talk with you from above the mercy-seat, from between the two cherubs on the ark of the testimony, of all things which I will give you in commandment to the sons of Israel.

Hebrews 9:1-15 Then truly the first tabernacle had also ordinances of divine service and an earthly sanctuary. For the first tabernacle was prepared, in which was both the lampstand, and the table, and the setting out of the loaves, which is called Holies. And after the second veil was a tabernacle which is called the Holy of Holies, having a golden altar of incense, and the ark of the covenant overlaid all around with gold, in which was the golden pot that had manna, and Aaron's rod that budded, and the tablets of the covenant. And over it were the cherubs of glory overshadowing the mercy-seat (about which we cannot now speak piece by piece. Now when these things were ordained in this way, the priests always went into the first tabernacle, accomplishing the service of God. But once in the year into the second the high priest goes alone, not without blood, which he offered for himself and for the errors of the people) the Holy Spirit signifying by this that the way into the Holiest of all was not yet made manifest while the first tabernacle was still standing. For it was a figure for the time then present, in which were offered both gifts and sacrifices that could not make him who did the service perfect as regards the conscience, which stood only in meats and drinks, and different kinds of washings and fleshly ordinances, imposed on them until the time of reformation. But when Christ had become a high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building nor by the blood of goats and calves, but by His own blood He entered once for all into the Holies, having obtained eternal redemption for us. For if the blood of bulls and of goats and the ashes of a heifer sprinkling the unclean sanctifies to the purifying of the flesh, how much more shall the blood of Christ (who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God) purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? And for this cause He is the Mediator of the new covenant, so that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first covenant, those who are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance.

The Ark of the Covenant and the Mercy Seat are mentioned separately in the Old Testament although they are united in one with the Mercy Seat being the lid to the Ark. The Mercy Seat was the throne of God on earth. In Heaven, His Throne was attended by Cherubim and so, He directed the same for the Mercy Seat. This was the place that God met with the High Priest, the representative of His People. It symbolized His Presence among His people.

The Ark of the Covenant was called by several names:

The Ark of the Covenant

The Ark of Testimony

The Ark of the Lord

The Ark of God

The Ark of our Lord God

The Holy Ark

The Ark of Thy Strength

It was made of accacia (or shittim) wood overlaid with gold, the two natures of our Lord: the human and the Divine. The accacia tree has 3 characteristics that make it particularly effective to symbolize Christ. "First it is a tree that can thrive in a very dry soil. Second, it has very long, sharp thorns. Third, it is the tree from which is obtained the gum arabic so largely used in medicinal preparations, which is procured simply by piercing the tree at nightfall, and that which oozes out is, without any preparation, the gum-arabic of commerce. To the spiritual mind these facts are sweetly suggestive of Him who, in a dry and thirsty land, where surely there was naught to sustain His spirit, was in the constant freshness of communion with God, for other than an earthly stream sustained Him. Though indeed crowned now with glory, a crown of thorns was all this world had for Him. And we remember too that it was He who was pierced for us in that blackest night of guilt, when the blood flowed forth from His side, to be the only balm for the troubled soul and sin-burdened conscience" (Mr. C. H. Bright).

The contents of the Ark of the Covenant were Moses' Tablets of Stone with the Ten Commandments written by God, a pot of the heavenly food called manna, and Aaron's (the first High Priest) rod that budded with almond blooms and even yielded almonds.

The manna was the food which God gave to Israel while they were moving from the the slavery of Egypt to the Promised Land. It foreshadowed Christ as the Bread of life, the food of His pilgrim people. The Manna was the grace of God meeting the need of His people in the wilderness. Jesus is the golden pot, pure and holy, that could hold the grace of God for His needy people.

The rod that blossomed is in Numbers 17. The people began complaining and questioning why was Aaron so special that only he could be the High Priest and his descendants the priests. So God instructed Moses to take rods (straight branches cut from trees) from each of the 12 Tribes. One was Aaron's rod as the rod from the Levite tribe. He placed them before the Ark of the Covenant overnight. The next morning, only Aaron's rod developed almond blossoms and even almonds. The matter was taken out of the hands of man and was to be decided by God alone. The question of the priesthood was determined solely by God. Those rods were dead limbs. They had been cut off from the trees. The mighty power of the living God intervened, a miracle was wrought, the dead rod became alive, and resurrection-life and fruit appeared. Man may rebel against God and complain. They may seek other ways to salvation and claim other "gods" are the way to life eternal. But Jesus was put to death. He was dead! And God raised Him from the dead, gave Him life and we are His fruit! The disciples entering the empty sepulcher and beholding the signs that Christ had risen from the dead is the same as Moses entering the Holy of Holies and seeing Aaron's flowering rod. Moses bringing out the rods and showing them to the people (v. 9), is like the resurrection of Christ established before many witnesses (1 Corinthians 15:6).

The tablets of stone with the Ten Commandments written by the finger of God were also placed in the Ark of the Covenant. God gave Moses the first set of the Ten Commandments but when Moses descended from the Mount to see the Israelites cavorting in festivities around the idol they made, the golden calf, He dashed the stone tablets to the ground. Later, God gave Moses a second set. It is this set that is in the Ark of the Covenant. The first set being dashed represents how sinful man cannot keep God's commandments. But God's plan is never thwarted despite what man does. So He gave Moses a second set. Christ has answered every requirement of God’s law for His people. Christ's has the Law of God in His Heart and He fulfilled all the Law. The Law was given so that mankind would know that it is impossible for us to keep it. We have an evil nature and we cannot be holy. But Christ could keep it and was holy and He fulfilled the Law. He was the perfect sacrifice.

This part of the Tabernacle was dark. There was no natural light from the sun, there was no light from a lampstand. It was only lighted by the very presence of God. You see, when someone first enters the Outer Court they must be saved at the Brazen Altar with the perfect sacrifice of Jesus Christ. We have a new spirit, newly born and have the Holy Spirit dwelling in us. But we are babes in Christ. We still walk by our own natural inclinations and intelligence. Represented by the natural light of the sun in the Outer Court. But the Holy Spirit in us has the job of growing and maturing and teaching our spirit. Just as our human body grows up, so our spirit man should grow up. We should not remain a child. Unfortunately, many Christians remain walking around in the Outer Court like babies in a playpen. We don't realize that there is more! So much more! So next we approach the Brazen Laver and, through repentance, we wash ourselves in the blood of Jesus. Then, saved and cleansed, we go into the next stage of our spiritual life...the Inner Court or Holy Place. It is here that we begin to receive light from the Bible though the work of the Holy Spirit. It is illumined to us and the Holy Spirit helps us begin to understand it. "The Word is a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path." We aren't just reading the Bible but we study the Word and get something out of it. It begins to change our life. We also partake in the Lord's Supper at the Table of the Shewbread. I don't mean just eating the little cracker and drinking the little plastic cup of grape juice. I mean you really partake. It becomes very real to you and a precious ceremony because it reminds you of your Savior, Jesus Christ. We do it reverently. We also begin spending time in prayer and worship as represented by the Altar of Incense. Many Christians stay here. They are satisfied to go no further. They are afraid to go further. Or maybe they don't know there is more. So much more! But we can go behind the Veil and into the Holy of Holies, the Most Holy Place and commune with God, our Father. We can fall before Him and let the love flow freely from our heart to His and receive His love. Our gratitude, our humble thanks, our love and worship that flows more from the heart rather than from the lips. This is the place where we receive His touch, His Love. I can't describe it! It may knock you off your feet or it may be a quiet revelation but it is here that you worship because it's is all that is left in your heart. The more He touches you, the more you can't help but worship. It flows so naturally. You know that you've connected with God. It's an experience that you desire and you thirst for more. It's all you want! It is so wonderful that you hate it when your body gets tired, or the telephone rings, or the church service is over, or you have to pick up the kids at school. And it makes me long for the day when I will no longer be bound on earth by a body, with a schedule, and work to do. One day I will be able to worship Him without getting tired, hungry or weak. I will be able to bask in His love without a clock or schedule. I will be able to love Him and receive His love without having to worry if dinner is done or the dogs need to go out. It's so wonderful that I thirst and hunger for that time! I don't want anyone to mourn over my death because it just means that I have been released to go be with my Father and to worship and love Him for eternity and in everything I do! It's what I want with my whole heart!

Sources:

For this study on the Tabernacle, I drew from several sources: The Bible, Easton's Bible Dictionary, Fausset's Bible Dictionary, International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, Smith's Bible Dictionary, Matthew Henry's Commentary, Jamison, Faucet, Brown Commentary, Adam Clark's Commentary, John Gill's Exposition of the Bible all through esword. I also did some research on the Internet. I found one really good site that really taught me a lot! http://www.pbministries.org/books/pink/Gleanings_Exodus/exodus.htm