Six more days in Exodus and one in Leviticus this week. Exodus 24 relates the story of God's call of Moses, Aaron, Nadab, Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel into the mount. Moses was called into still closer relationship with God for forty days, receiving at their close God's voice expressed in Ten Words on tables of stone. During this time instruction concerning the building of the sanctuary and the instruments of its service was given. Chapters 25 to 31.
WHEN Moses came down he found the people in shameless idolatry, turning the glory of God into the likeness of a four-footed beast. Moses' just indignation, expressed in the breaking of the tables, symbolical of Israel's transgression, his heart-breaking plea for the people, their punishment, Moses' return, and God's second writing of the commandments on stone, the glory of God reflected in Moses, and much more, are all told us in striking force in chapters 32 to 34.
THE building and inauguration of the sanctuary and its services are told in chapters 36 to 40; and God's glory manifested showed His acceptance of the people's repentance.
THE Hebrew name of the third book of Moses is Vayyikra, the first word in the Hebrew text, meaning "And He called." The word "Leviticus" is from the Septuagint, because so much of its instruction pertained to the priestly tribe, Levi. The types of Exodus pointed largely to redemption, those of Leviticus largely to worship. The first four chapters have to do wholly with offerings. It has been said that the Lord begins with the burnt offering and closes with the sin-offering; we in going to Him begin with the sin-offering and end with the burnt offering. Note the meaning of these sacrifices and offerings, the fine flour, the oil, the frankincense, and the clean beast without blemish.
