Doctrine of Life # 59
59. What we have said about the law’s promulgation, holiness and power in no. 55 above, may be found in the Word in the following passages:
That Jehovah descended onto Mount Sinai in fire, and that the mountain smoked and quaked then, and that there were thunderings, lightnings, a thick cloud, and the sound of a trumpet, see Exodus 19:16, 18, and Deuteronomy 4:11, 5:19-23.
That before Jehovah descended, the people readied themselves and sanctified themselves for three days, see Exodus 19:10-11, 15.
That bounds were set around the mountain to keep anyone from drawing near and approaching its base, on pain of death, and that not even the priests were to approach, but only Moses, see Exodus 19:12-13, 20-23, 24:1-2.
For the law promulgated from Mount Sinai, see Exodus 20:2-14, Deuteronomy 5:6-21.
That the law was written on two tablets of stone with the finger of God, see Exodus 31:18, 32:15-16, Deuteronomy 9:10.
That when Moses brought those tablets down from the mountain a second time, his face shone, see Exodus 34:29-35.
That the tablets were placed in the Ark, see Exodus 25:16, 40:20, Deuteronomy 10:5 and 1 Kings 8:9.
That on the Ark was set a mercy seat, and placed on this were cherubim of gold, see Exodus 25:17-21.
[2] That the Ark, together with the mercy seat and cherubim, constituted the inmost constituents of the Tabernacle, and that the golden lampstand, the golden altar of incense, and the table overlaid with gold which held the showbread constituted its outer constituents, and the ten curtains of linen, purple and scarlet its outmost constituents, see Exodus 25,26, 40:17-28.
That the place where the Ark was, was called the holy of holies or most holy place, see Exodus 26:33.
That the Israelite people all camped in order by tribes about the place where it resided, and set out in order after it, see Numbers 2.
That a cloud then stood over its abode by day, and fire by night, see Exodus 40:38, Numbers 9:15-16, 14:14, and Deuteronomy 1:33.
That the Lord spoke with Moses from above the Ark between the cherubim, see Exodus 25:22 and Numbers 7:89.
That because of the law it contained, the Ark was called the abode of Jehovah, for whenever the Ark set out Moses said, “Rise up, O Jehovah!” and when it rested, “Return, O Jehovah!” see Numbers 10:35-36, and also 2 Samuel 6:2, Psalms 132:7-8.
That because of the holiness of that law, Aaron was permitted to enter within the veil only with sacrifices and incense, see Leviticus 16:2-14ff.
That David brought the Ark into Zion with sacrifices and jubilation, see 2 Samuel 6:1-19. That Uzzah later died because he touched it, see verses 6 and 7 in that same chapter.
That the Ark was placed in the midst of the Temple in Jerusalem, where it constituted its inner sanctuary, see 1 Kings 6:19ff., 8:3-9.
[3] That because of the Lord’s presence and power in the law contained in the Ark, the Jordan’s waters were parted, and as long as the Ark rested in the midst of it, the people crossed over on dry ground, see Joshua 3:1-17, 4:5-20.
That the Ark’s being carried around caused the walls of Jericho to fall, see Joshua 6:1-20.
That Dagon, the Philistine god, fell down before the Ark, and after that lay at the threshold of the shrine with its head broken off, see 1 Samuel 5:1-4.
That because of the Ark many thousands of the inhabitants of Beth Shemesh were struck, see 1 Samuel 6:19.
Deuteronomy 6
1
Now this is the commandment, the statutes, and the ordinances, which Yahweh your God commanded to teach you, that you might do them in the land where you go over to possess it;
2
that you might fear Yahweh your God, to keep all his statutes and his commandments, which I command you, you, and your son, and your son's son, all the days of your life; and that your days may be prolonged.
3
Hear therefore, Israel, and observe to do it; that it may be well with you, and that you may increase mightily, as Yahweh, the God of your fathers, has promised to you, in a land flowing with milk and honey.
4
Hear, Israel: Yahweh is our God; Yahweh is one:
5
and you shall love Yahweh your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might.
6
These words, which I command you this day, shall be on your heart;
7
and you shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise up.
8
You shall bind them for a sign on your hand, and they shall be for symbols between your eyes.
9
You shall write them on the door posts of your house, and on your gates.
10
It shall be, when Yahweh your God shall bring you into the land which he swore to your fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give you, great and goodly cities, which you didn't build,
11
and houses full of all good things, which you didn't fill, and cisterns dug out, which you didn't dig, vineyards and olive trees, which you didn't plant, and you shall eat and be full;
12
then beware lest you forget Yahweh, who brought you forth out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.
13
You shall fear Yahweh your God; and you shall serve him, and shall swear by his name.
14
You shall not go after other gods, of the gods of the peoples who are around you;
15
for Yahweh your God in the midst of you is a jealous God; lest the anger of Yahweh your God be kindled against you, and he destroy you from off the face of the earth.
16
You shall not tempt Yahweh your God, as you tempted him in Massah.
17
You shall diligently keep the commandments of Yahweh your God, and his testimonies, and his statutes, which he has commanded you.
18
You shall do that which is right and good in the sight of Yahweh; that it may be well with you, and that you may go in and possess the good land which Yahweh swore to your fathers,
19
to thrust out all your enemies from before you, as Yahweh has spoken.
20
When your son asks you in time to come, saying, "What do the testimonies, the statutes, and the ordinances, which Yahweh our God has commanded you mean?"
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then you shall tell your son, "We were Pharaoh's bondservants in Egypt: and Yahweh brought us out of Egypt with a mighty hand;
22
and Yahweh showed great and awesome signs and wonders on Egypt, on Pharaoh, and on all his house, before our eyes;
23
and he brought us out from there, that he might bring us in, to give us the land which he swore to our fathers.
24
Yahweh commanded us to do all these statutes, to fear Yahweh our God, for our good always, that he might preserve us alive, as at this day.
25
It shall be righteousness to us, if we observe to do all this commandment before Yahweh our God, as he has commanded us."
