To understand the gospel record of Jesus Christ, we must go back before the beginning of time where the Son of God already dwells. This lesson deals with the very important truth that God’s Son did not begin at the time of His birth in a manger. He existed in eternity past and was the Creator of all things.
Consider again the progression of the themes of the five books of Moses. Genesis deals with creation; Exodus with redemption; Leviticus with holiness; Numbers with wilderness wanderings; Deuteronomy with obedience to and the love of God. The order is important. Exodus pictures salvation and Leviticus pictures sanctification. What is the purpose of Numbers? It portrays the importance that various trials have in the growth of the believer. No Christian matures until he or she goes through serious trials and remains faithful to the Lord (Romans 5:3-5; 1 Peter 1:6-7). Unfortunately, Numbers is mostly an illustration of what to avoid doing.<br />
<h4>Numbered List</h4>
<h4>Numbered List</h4>
God established seven original annual feasts for the children of Israel as described here in Leviticus 23. Two later feasts were recognized in the Bible. The feast of Purim was established in the book of Esther (Esther 9:20-32). The feast of Hanukkah was established during the time between the testaments but was sanctioned by the New Testament where it was called the feast of dedication (John 10:22).
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>
Joseph has been exalted to the second place in the entire land of Egypt. Now all that needs to take place in order for the dreams of his youth to be fulfilled is for his brothers to come and bow down to him. God is working this out through the famine that is in the land. He is also preparing for the preservation of the children of Israel through the next 400 years. God’s providence is seen as strongly here as it is in the book of Esther. He is bringing all things together for His good.<br />
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<h4>Numbered List</h4>
The early history of Abraham (here, Abram) is a striking picture of what it means to leave the world and follow after God. He has delays and setbacks. He sometimes partially obeys and sometimes falls back from where he was. But he always finds a way with God’s help to get back on track. There is much we can learn from him.<br />
<h4>Numbered List</h4>
<h4>Numbered List</h4>
The tower of Babel is the sight of man’s first and (to date) only one world government. Man has dreamed of renewing a universal government since that time. All the empires of the past have been attempts to establish it. He believes that if man would just stop fighting himself and unite, he could accomplish anything and would no longer need God. God has therefore allowed divisions in language, geography, culture, etc., to keep man from uniting as one. Bible prophecy tells of a time when man will have his one world government and will use it to fight God and God’s people, the Jews. This is the time of the tribulation.<br />
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<h4>Numbered List</h4>
The days of Noah are especially important to us because Christ told us that the day of His coming would be like them (Matthew 24:37-39). This story warns us against falling into the corruption of the world in which we live. Every student should make it their goal to be like Noah and live holy, separated lives before our God.<br />
<h4>Numbered List</h4>
<h4>Numbered List</h4>
INTRODUCTION: “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth” is the basis of all we are and all we believe. Since we came from God, He is the only source for the truth about ourselves and about the purpose of life. We came from God. In order to have eternal life and a reason for living, we must return to God.<br />
<h4>Numbered List</h4>
<h4>Numbered List</h4>
Bibliology - Revelation of God's Word
