Last week we ended in with the Law of the Sabbaths.  It’s interesting how sometimes we will attempt to bend the Word of God without breaking it.  Some of the Jews would use only six-sevenths of their land each year, rotating the seventh part that they would give rest to and so at the end of the seven years, the entire land, (by part), had rested for one of those years.  What do you think?  Is that doing what God said?  One could say, well technically…yes.  But it’s clever, complicated and certainly not specifically what God commanded…I think about how my heart would be if my kids technically obeyed…

As a nation, they simply didn’t do this when they got into the land.  For 490 years they farmed the land, skipping 70 sabbath years…but God’s Word does not return void…and God’s command, God’s Word is heeded by all one way or the other.  And so after 490 years the Jews were taken out of the land by force and carried to Babylon where they were prisoners, slaves, captives for how long?  70 years…while the land rested… 

Listen, the failure of the people to do and be as God commanded determined the certainty of the consequence…a lesson that we should all understand and receive….

Exodus Chapter 23 Verses 14 – 17

• Three times a year, all of the men of Israel were to come together and remember God. Remind the nation of God Most High.  These feasts were the Feast of Unleavened Bread, the Feast of Harvest or Firstfruits and the Feast of Ingathering or Pentecost. 
• The feasts of Israel are significant to the entire world. Extremely symbolic, historical, important and even prophetic.  There are seven feasts in total and the study of them is not only imperative and meaningful but it is quite interesting.  One super interesting tidbit is that all of the feasts of Israel…all of them…are fulfilled personally by Jesus Christ.  Just briefly here…
• There are three feasts that are entirely fulfilled…one feast that we are in the midst of…and three feasts to come…in the eschatological economy of eternity! The smart watch of God is the Nation of Israel!  (They’ve just been saying, “I’m sorry, I didn’t quite get that” for thousands of years!  HA!)  First, Passover (which really is the kickoff to the week or Feast of Unleavened Bread)…fulfilled in the crucifixion of Jesus.  Then the Feast of Unleavened Bread…fulfilled in the burial of Jesus Christ.  Then the Feast of First Fruits (which is the first Sunday following Passover) which was fulfilled in the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
• Then the Feast of Harvest or Pentecost which occurs 50 days after the Feast of First Fruits…and that aligns with and was fulfilled (or kicked-off I should say) by the pouring out of the Holy Spirit onto mankind. And we are still enjoying this all you want to have buffet!  But yet ahead…the Feast of Trumpets…to be fulfilled in the Rapture of the Church.  The Feast of Atonement…to be fulfilled in the Second Coming of Jesus Christ.  And finally, the Feast of Tabernacles…to be fulfilled in the Millennial Reign and forever presence of Jesus Christ on this earth and the earth to come!  Known as the Earthly Kingdom….all things restored!

Exodus Chapter 23 Verses 18 - 19

• Four things there. No signs of sin in what is brought to God.  If the sacrifice is going to be acceptable to God then it must be   Second, the sacrifice has to be complete and entirely consumed.  Everything must be given to the Lord, with nothing held back…especially the best portion (as the fat of the sacrificed animal was considered to be the best portion).  And third, bring the best and the first to the Lord.  In terms of your resources, in terms of your heart…the first portion goes to the Lord.  And finally, be careful not to fold into the world.
• Ancient Canaanite text draws this out as a ritual of sorts…a magic spell…that they would take the young goat and boil it in its mother’s milk and then eat it to make themselves…well, They would also sprinkle the soup on the fields and their homes and their gardens and such as a kind of reproductive blessing…God commands His people to trust Him, not ritual.

Exodus Chapter 23 Verses 20 – 21

• Many interpret this (as do I) as a reference to the Angel of the Lord. A theophany…an Old Testament reference to Jesus Himself.  Why?  Because first, although the name of God is in the name Michael and in the name Gabriel, they do not command nations.  They do not desire obedience.  And they cannot pardon transgressions.  And so, Jesus is among them…we know that already…Paul identifies the rock that gave them water as Christ in the 1 Corinthians 10:4…(Joshua 5 is a key to this as well – Joshua was told by the Angel, the Commander of the Lord’s Armies that He was neither for them or against them, but for  the Lord.  He was told to take his sandals off…and Joshua worshipped Him which was not rejected by the Angel of the Lord)
• But look at this…this is so key…, “I send Him before you to keep you in the way.” Literally, that word for “keep” is command…to direct, to lead…and so as Christ is our Commander, our Lead…then…, “To bring you in the place which I have prepared.”  We cannot expect the blessings of God unless we do as He says…the grace of God, yes…the eternal mercy of the King through Christ, yes….but the life we want…the one deep down we know we have a right to as our spirit cries out, “Abba Father,” that is only from Jesus being our
• So fear Him…that is wisdom…obey Him…that is intelligence and character and faith…do not provoke Him…the word there for provoke is grieve or vex the Lord…for there will be consequence so that you come into conformance to the Christ…if you belong to Him. Hebrews 12:6, “For whom the Lord loves He chastens, and scourges every son whom He receives.”  Why?  Because He loves you and He loves me…enough to teach us effectively.

Exodus Chapter 23 Verse 22a

• The biggest littlest word in the Bible. “If.”  God’s grace and love and eternal mercy through Jesus Christ are entirely unconditional…but His blessing and approval and flourishing power upon a life is entirely conditional! 

Exodus Chapter 23 Verses 22 – 30

• Things will work out and the ways in which they do will astonish you! Have you ever met someone that just loves you right off the bat and they have this depth of respect for you like they’ve known you for years and read all of your accomplishments?  I certainly have!  And I’ve sat back and wondered at it…but now I know, that is simply the favor the Lord upon me…why?  Because I strive to have Jesus as my Commander!
• And it says here little by little…that’s ok! I think we want the grand slam huge growth overnight…but little by little is the way!  I noticed this just today.  If I put a big clump of butter on hot toast then I ruin the toast trying to spread it out…but if I do little by little pieces it will spread perfectly and preserve the toast!  Takes a little bit more time and effort but with a much better result!!

Exodus Chapter 23 Verses 31 – 33

• What’s cool is that these bounds have never been achieved…not yet. There is still much ahead for the nation of Israel and there is still much ahead for you and for me.  I have not yet achieved the bounds which God has set for me and that doesn’t grieve me!  It gives me great hope and life to look forward to!  But the thing that will pull the walls of God’s will in on me is simply this last statement…serving other gods.  Giving my life, my focus, my worship to false gods and not to God Most High.  That is what snares you and me. 
• That word in the Hebrew implies A snare is not effective without a lure…and that lure is the flesh…there’s the bait…to live for self, to serve the false gods of money, entertainment, laziness, emotions, sensuality and the like…there’s the bait and its all a trap.  Let Jesus be the Commander…He is the One that keeps me and you in the Way to where we ought to be…