Bonus Lesson: I Chronicles 23-25v2, 2 Chronicles 29-31; Leviticus 23 Deuteronomy 16 v1-17

This lesson is redundant with some of the material in Book One of the Old Testament from the Bible Workbook Series.  Still, this lesson was taught.   Enjoy!

• In this quarter we will first look at the way God told Israel to worship Him, then we will study the minor prophets, then we will look at the Intertestamental Period (also known as “400 Years of Silence.” We talked specifically last week about how God gave Moses very specific instructions for building the tabernacle and its components. We talked about how God told Moses to build an “Ark of the Covenant” to house the tablets of the 10 Commandments, and how He instructed them to construct a “mercy seat” on the top. (Exodus 25: 1-22) God also gave Moses specific instructions with what dimensions to use and what materials to use for the tabernacle building itself (Exodus 26), the altar (Exodus 27:1-8) and even what the priests should wear (Exodus 28) and how they should be publicly consecrated. (Exodus 29) God also gives specific instructions for an altar to be built for burning incense and God specifically says what incense to use, how, and when. (Exodus 30) God tells Moses that the Israelites that they should always observe the Sabbath as a sign of their commitment to God as the creator who rested on the seventh day. (Exodus 31:12-17)

• David makes his son Solomon to be king, freeing him up to organize the people of the tribe of Levite. 38,000 male Levites are gathered. David designates 6,000 to be judges, 4,000 to be “gatekeepers” (“lookouts”, or “guards”) and the rest to be working in the tabernacle. (I Chronicles 23:1-5)

• Very specific records were kept for all 38,000-people chosen, including a full census for anyone of working age (for people age 20 and up). (I Chronicles 23:6-24)

• David lists the specific duties of those working in the tabernacle. Among them were: 1) they did not need to carry things like the tabernacle anymore when they moved places because others would move them for them 2) keep the place clean 3) assist with the showbread 4) stand and praise the Lord especially at morning and night and 5) assist with burnt offerings, especially on feast days. (I Chronicles 23:25-32)

• David also organizes the priestly succession, which was harder than it sounded. For example, there were people like Aaron’s sons Hophni and Phineas who died young before they could even have kids to take their place. There we other examples, too, so David organized a lottery system for choosing from among those who were eligible. (I Chronicles 24)

• Remember that God gave specific instructions regarding the incense to use at His altar? (Exodus 30:22-28) Aaron’s sons Nadab and Abihu died immediately because they disobeyed God by not adhering to the incense instructions. (Leviticus 10:1-2)

• Sometimes we may not understand why God commands what he does, but it is always best to “Trust and Obey” as the song we sing says. (Romans 2:6-8) (I Peter 1:14)

• There were at that time prophets too, but they were prophesying at the instruction of the king. (1 Chronicles 25:2)

• Much later on, Hezekiah becomes king at age 28 and he is a good king. (2 Chronicles 29:1-2)

• By Hezekiah’s time, the tabernacle had already fallen into disrepair and has even been closed. He reopens it and has it restored. (2 Chronicles 29:2-19)

• Once the temple is cleaned and restored, he reopens the doors and starts temple worship again. (2 Chronicles 29:20-36)

• Hezekiah reinstitutes the celebration of the Passover feast. The feast commemorates the plague known as the passing over the Death Angel while they Egyptians were slaves in Egypt (Exodus 12) although the ritual of putting lamb’s blood on the door as a way to ward off evil spirits actually predates that. Still, God commanded the Israelites to celebrate a remembrance of this event (Leviticus 23:5-8) Hezekiah sends couriers throughout the land and really does it up. In fact, since the days of Solomon there was not a Passover celebration like the party he threw. (2 Chronicles 30)

• Hezekiah then organizes the priests again and makes provision for the people to support them. (2 Chronicles 31)

• Under Moses, God had setup seven regular feasts which He called holy. (Leviticus 23:1-2)

• The first was the Sabbath. Though not exactly an eating event per se, God referred to it as a holy feast. The second was the Passover, which we just covered. The third was the feast of the Firstfruits – an offering of their best and first to God. The fourth was the Feast of Weeks, it also took place 7 weeks after Passover. They were also commanded here to leave the edges around their field for the sojourner. This was probably what Ruth gathered in Boaz’s field (Ruth 2:23). The fifth was the Feast of Trumpets (not much is known about this one). The sixth was the Day of Atonement and the Seventh was the Feast of Booths (so called because the Israelites were to remember their wandering in the desert by living in tent like structures or “booths” for an entire week. (2 Chronicles 32)

• We looked at how God commanded the observance of the Passover. He actually did that several times, most explicitly in Deuteronomy 16:1-8.

• God commands them to observe the Feast of Weeks again, and reminds them that they used to be slaves in Egypt so it is important to keep these commands. (Deuteronomy 16:9-12)

• God tells them all the family and their slaves should all celebrate the Feast of Booths, and instructs males to give an offering at this feast and at the feasts of Passover and the Feast of Weeks. (Deuteronomy 16:13-17).

• God says to appoint judges in every town and that is very important that these judges not show partiality or accept bribes. Deuteronomy 16:18-19).

• God specifically instructs the Israelites not to plant trees or make pillars near their altars to God. (Deuteronomy 16:21-22)

Questions:

1. Who did David designate to be King after him?

2. Why does David make a new King while he is still alive?

3. How many Levites were engaged in work in the tabernacle?

5. Name some of the duties of those Levites working in the Tabernacle.

6. Who were Nadab and Abihu? What did they do and what was their punishment?

7. Why is it important that we obey God today?

8. Of whose directions were the prophets prophesying?

9. How old is Hezekiah when he becomes king?

10. Was Hezekiah a good or bad king?

11. What did Hezekiah do with the temple when he became king?

12. What does Hezekiah start again as soon as the temple is ready?

13. What was Passover? Why did Israel celebrate it?

14. What did Hezekiah do when he found out Israel had not been keeping the Passover?

15. Is Hezekiah supportive of the Priesthood? How do we know?

16. How many holy feasts did God setup for Israel under Moses?

17. What were the seven feasts God made holy?

18. Does God only mention the commandment to celebrate the Passover once?

19. Why does God say it is important to observe the Feast of Weeks?

20. Who does God say should observe the Feast of Booths?

21. For which three feasts does God say males should have offerings to Him?

22. What does God say it is important for judges to do?

23. What does God say the Israelites are not to put near altars to Him?