One of the most difficult things in dealing with spiritual leaders is knowing how to deal with them when you believe they are wrong. As usual, there are two extremes: you can blindly follow a leader into even sin and heresy (Matthew 23:13-15), or you can rebel against him and bring upon yourself the wrath of God. This lesson gives an example of the second extreme.<br />
<h4>Numbered List</h4>
<h4>Numbered List</h4>
The people of God have been stationed in the wilderness of Sinai for quite some time, but it is nearing time for them to set forward. The Lord has specific instructions for the packing of the tabernacle. Each of three families of Levi (the Kohathites, the Gershonites, and the Merarites) is given specific responsibilities. This lesson gives detailed information as to the responsibility of each family. It should not surprise us that this lesson also contains many wonderful pictures of how the work of God would move forward into the age of grace when God packed away the Old Testament government and wrought a supernatural work through the sacrifice of His Son.<br />
<h4>Numbered List</h4>
<h4>Numbered List</h4>
Nadab and Abihu are dead. By all appearances the situation is hopeless, but it is in this context that the Lord institutes a yearly sacrifice that is meant to atone for the sins of the people. What a glorious sacrifice for the Old Testament saints, and what a glorious picture of “the atonement” (Romans 5:11) that we have found in Jesus Christ.<br />
<h4>Numbered List</h4>
<h4>Numbered List</h4>
Jacob’s time is short. It will not be long before he departs this world. Before he passes, he calls for his sons to gather together that he might tell them the things that will befall them in the last days. Some of the sons receive good news, while others hear of loss and condemnation.<br />
<h4>Numbered List</h4>
<h4>Numbered List</h4>
Several approaches are possible with this lesson. You may want to emphasize the doctrinal approach in which the offering of Isaac is a wonderful type of the sacrifice of God’s only Son, Jesus Christ, on the cross. Or, you might approach the lesson from the standpoint of Abraham and his faith in the Lord. You might even go back over his life and review the growth of his faith through the years. A third approach, especially good for teaching children, would be to consider the viewpoint of Isaac. He obviously submitted to his father and trusted him. Isaac is certainly an example of an obedient child. Yet, all of these approaches emphasize surrender and sacrifice. You might do well to consider what it means to be truly surrendered to the Lord.<br />
<h4>Numbered List</h4>
<h4>Numbered List</h4>
Read Exodus 40:17-19. There you will find a description of Moses rearing up the tabernacle. We are told more about the construction of the tabernacle than any other material object in scripture. Not only are materials and dimensions described in great detail, the actual process of making and putting up the tabernacle is carefully told. Since God does nothing haphazardly, this description has much for us today. As such, it is a wonderful picture of the service of God in the church and in the life of the individual. See how this passage teaches you as you read and study it.<br />
<h4>Numbered List</h4>
<h4>Numbered List</h4>
Someone has counted seven different sets of instructions concerning the tabernacle in the book of Exodus. Each set of instructions repeats some things and adds others. This approach is part of God’s special design for the book of Exodus, but it can confuse the casual reader. In order to make the tabernacle more understandable, this lesson follows topics more than the text. However, the bulk of our text deals with the furniture in the tabernacle and you can follow it in order under that topic below.<br />
<h4>Numbered List</h4>
<h4>Numbered List</h4>
