THE KING’S BUSINESS
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a purely aesthetic religion! If they had been like many to-day who pose as ortho dox theologians, they would have called it “a religion of the shambles.” But to those who desire a religion that is really and profoundly ethical it would not look so. The meaning of it all was, that on the part of these worshippers there was a recognition of the fact that the true God is an infinitely holy Being, and that man is a sinner, and that “without shedding of blood” there can be no remission (Hebrews 9:22), and, therefore, there can be no real approach of sinful man to Gqd except on the groud of shed blood (Hebrews 10:19, 20). All these bloody sacrifices, though of course the people did not understand that, were types of the one great sacrifice that was to be (Hebrews 10:1-10). It was a joyful time, they “kept the dedication of this house of God with joy,” even though there was so much blood shed: the relig ion that is built upon blood shed is the most joyful religion after all. Every detail was ordered with most minute accuracy according to God’s word: they sought to get up no innovations and improvements of LESSON ( 1 ) The Foundation of the Temple, vs. 8 - 11 . What had restored Israel first done? 3:3. Should the offerings precede the Work? What had come first—an altar or a tem ple? Gen. 12:6, 7. Where did Solomon locate the altar? 2 Chr. 1:5. What was necessary that Jehovah might dwell with Israel? Heb. 9:18-23. Having the altar what were they now able to do ? 3 :5. Have believers in this age an altar ? Heb. 13:10. Where were these “bases” located? 2 Sam. 24:15-19. Where and when was the Feast of Taber nacles commenced ? Lev. 23:40-42. What office did Zerubbabel (Sheshbaz- zar) hold? 1:8.
their own. The law of God that they went by was written in a book, and that book was called “the book of Moses.” It was what we now call the Pentateuch. Why was it called “the book of Moses?” Because that was what it was. They were in a far better position to know than these modern wise men, who tell us it is all a mistake to think that the Pentateuch was written by Moses, that it is composed of many sec tions written by a variety of persons through several centuries, and most of it long after Moses was dead and buried. They do not offer us one shred of actual historical evidence for their position, every new bit of archaeological, evidence that is unearthed makes them revamp their argu ment because it shows that some supposedly weighty argument is no longer tenable, but still on they go, holding on to their “results” though the premises on which they built their results are shot all to pieces. I prefer to believe with; Ezra who knew, and had the facts, than these men who have nothing but hair-brained surmises and speculations. OUTLINE What office did Jeshua (Joshua) hold? Zee. 3:1. What office did his sons hold? Ex. 40:12- 15. Why were Levites appointed to share in the oversight of the work? Num. 1 :47-54. At what ages did their priestly duties begin and end? Num. 8:24-26. When all was ready to lay the founda tion, what preparation was made to cele brate it? v. 10. What apparel did the priests wear? Ex. 28:40-43. What did the white linen typify? Rev. 19:8. What musical instruments besides trum pets did Israel use in worship ? 1 Chr. 13:8; Ps. 150:4. Whom had David ordained to glorify God with music? 1 Chr. 25:1-8.
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