FOURTH STUDY

VI.The Sojourn in E´gypt.After three generations the branch of A´bra-ham's family belonging to his grandson Ja´cob, or Is´ra-el, removed to E´gypt (Deut. 26. 5), where they remained more than four hundred years. This stay in E´gypt is always called "the sojourn." The event which led directly to the descent into E´gypt was the selling of Jo´seph (Gen. 37. 28). But we can trace a providential purpose in the transfer. Its objects were:

1.Preservation.The frequent famines in Pal´es-tine (Gen. 12. 10; 26. 1; 42. 1-3) showed that as shepherds the Is´ra-el-ites could not be supported in the land. On the fertile soil of E´gypt, with three crops each year, they would find food in abundance.

2.Growth.At the end of the stay in Ca´naan the Is´ra-el-ites counted only seventy souls (Gen. 46. 27); but at the close of the sojourn in E´gypt they had increased to nearly two millions (Exod. 12. 37; Num. 1. 45, 46). The hot climate and cheap food of E´gypt have always caused an abundant population. In E´gypt, Is´ra-el grew from a family to a nation.

3.Isolation.There was great danger to the morals and religion of the Is´ra-el-ites in the land of Ca´naan. A´bra-ham had sent to his own relatives at Ha´ran for a wife for I´saac (Gen. 24. 3, 4) in order to keep both the race and the faith pure. One of I´saac's sons married Ca´naan-ite wives, and as a result his descendants, the E´dom-ites, lost the faith and became idolaters (Gen. 26. 34, 35). Ja´cob sought his wives among his own relatives (Gen. 28. 1, 2). We note a dangerous tendency in Ja´cob's family to ally themselves with the Ca´naan-ites (Gen. 34. 8-10; 38. 1, 2). If they had stayed in Ca´naan the chosen family would have become lost among the heathen. But in E´gypt they lived apart, and were kept by thecaste system from union with the people (Gen. 46. 34; 43. 32). It was a necessary element in the divine plan that Is´ra-el should dwell apart from other nations (Num. 23. 9).

4.Civilization.The E-gyp´tians were in advance of other nations of that age in intelligence, in the organization of society, and in government. Though the Is´ra-el-ites lived apart from them, they were among them and learned much of their knowledge. Whatever may have been their condition at the beginning of the sojourn, at the end of it they had a written language (Exod. 24. 7), a system of worship (Exod. 19. 22; 33. 7), and a leader who had received the highest culture of his age (Acts 7. 22). As one result of the sojourn the Is´ra-el-ites were transformed from shepherds and herdsmen to tillers of the soil—a higher manner of living.

Hints to the Teacher

1. Let the map of the Old Testament world be drawn by a pupil on the blackboard, and let all the lands and places referred to in this lesson be noted upon it. Indicate on this map the regions of the deluge, the four empires, the journey of A´bra-ham, and the route of the Is´ra-el-ites to E´gypt.2. Let the references be read and their connection with the lesson be shown by the students.3. Place on the board (and in the scholar's notebook) the outline of the lesson, and let additional details from the book of Genesis be given.4. See that each pupil can read the Blackboard Outline and answer the Review Questions given below.

2. Let the references be read and their connection with the lesson be shown by the students.

3. Place on the board (and in the scholar's notebook) the outline of the lesson, and let additional details from the book of Genesis be given.

4. See that each pupil can read the Blackboard Outline and answer the Review Questions given below.

Blackboard Outline

I.Del.1. Fac. Scrip. trad. 2. Cau. wick. rac. 3. Ext. 4. Pur. 1.) Des. ev. 2.) New ep.II.Disp. Rac.1. Inst. mig. 2. Evid. 1.) Bib. 2.) Trad. 3.) Lang.III.Rise Emp.1. Eg. 2. Chal. 3. Ass. 4. Sid. and Tyr.IV.Mig. Abr.Causes. 1. Mig. inst. 2. Pol. cau. 3. Rel. mot.V.Jour. Patr.Str. in Pal. Shep. Hom. Relat.VI.Soj. in Eg.Obj. 1. Pres. 2. Gro. 3. Isol. 4. Civ.

Review Questions

At what point does history begin? Name the six great events in early Bible history? How is the fact of a deluge attested? What was the moral cause of the flood? What was its extent? What was its purpose in the plan of God? What new spirit took possession of men soon after the flood? To what results did this lead? What was the relation of this fact to the confusion of tongues? What evidences of these migrations are found? What were the four great centers of national life in the Oriental world? What was the most important journey, in its results, in all history? What three causes are given for this migration? What was especially the religious motive of this journey? How long did A´bra-ham's descendants remain in Pal´es-tine? In what part of the country did they live? What were their relations with the native peoples in Pal´es-tine? What is meant by "the sojourn"? What was its immediate cause? What four providential results came to Is´ra-el through this sojourn? How long was the time of the sojourn? How were the Is´ra-el-ites protected from corruption through this sojourn? What was the effect of the sojourn upon their civilization?

The Wandering in the Wilderness

Part One

I.Preliminary Events.As preparatory to the wilderness stage in the history of Is´ra-el certain events and processes are to be noted.

1.The Oppression of the Is´ra-el-ites(Exod. I. 8-13). If the Is´ra-el-ites had been prosperous and happy in E´gypt they would have remained there, and the destiny of the chosen people would have been forgotten. Therefore, when E´gypt had given to Is´ra-el all that it could the wrath of man was made to praise God; and by suffering the Is´ra-el-ites were made willing to leave the land of their sojourn and seek the land of promise. The nest was stirred up, and the young eaglet was compelled to fly (Deut. 32. 11, 12). The Pha´raoh of the oppression is generally identified with Ram´e-ses II, who was reigning about B. C. 1320.

2.The Training of Mo´ses.Therein was another element of preparation. No common man could have wrought the great work of liberation, of legislation, and of training which Is´ra-el needed.

3.The Ten Plagues.But if it was needful to make the Is´ra-el-ites willing to depart it was also needful to make the E-gyp´tian king and his people willing to let them depart; and this was accomplished by the plagues which fell upon E´gypt, showing Is´ra-el as under God's peculiar care and the gods of E´gypt powerless to protect their people.

4.The Passover(Exod. 12. 21-28). This service represented three ideas: 1.) It was the springtide festival. 2.) It commemorated the sudden departure from E´gypt, when there was not even time to "raise the bread" before leaving (Exod. 12. 34-39). 3.) It was an impressive prophecy of Christ, the slain Lamb of God (Exod. 12. 21, 22).

5.The Exodus(Exod. 12. 40, 41). The word means "going out." This was the birthday of a nation, the hour when the Is´ra-el-ites rose from being merely a mass of men to become apeople. The date of the exodus is uncertain, but the best scholars have concluded that it took place in the reign of the King Me-neph´thah (or Me-re-neph´thah), who may have reigned about B. C. 1270.

JOURNEYS OF THE ISRAELITES

II. In order to follow the journeys of the Is´ra-el-ites we must draw a map of theWilderness of the Wandering.

1. Draw the coast lines, and notethree Seas. 1.) The "great sea," orMed-i-ter-ra´ne-an(Josh. 1. 4). 2.) TheRed Sea(Exod. 13. 18), (Gulfs of Su-ez´ and Ak´a-ba). 3.) TheDead Sea.

2. Draw the mountain ranges, and notefive Deserts. 1.) TheDesert of Shur(Exod. 15. 22), between Go´shen and Ca´naan. 2.) TheDesert of Pa´ran, in the center of the Si-na-it´ic triangle (Num. 10. 12). This is the wilderness in which thirty-eight of the forty years were passed (Deut. 1. 19). 3.) TheDesert of E´tham(Num. 33. 8), on the shore of the Gulf of Su-ez´. 4.) TheDesert of Sin, near Mount Si´nai (Exod. 16. 1). 5.) TheDesert of Zin, the desolate valley between the Gulf of Ak´a-ba and the Dead Sea, now called the Ar´a-bah (Num. 13. 21).

3. Locate also thefive Landsof this region. 1.)Go´shen, the land of the sojourn (Exod. 9. 26). 2.)Mid´i-an, the land of Mo´ses' shepherd life (Exod. 2. 15), on both sides of the Gulf of Ak´a-ba. 3.)E´dom, the land of E´sau's descendants, south of the Dead Sea (Num. 21. 4). 4.)Mo´ab, the land of Lot's descendants, east of the Dead Sea (Num. 21. 13). 5.)Ca´naan, the land of promise (Gen. 12. 7).

4. Fix also the location ofthree Mountains. 1.)Mount Si´nai, where the law was given (Exod. 19. 20). 2.)Mount Hor,[3]where Aar´on died (Num. 20. 23-28). 3.)Mount Ne´bo(Pis´gah), where Mo´ses died (Deut. 34. 1).

5. Notice alsoseven Places, some of which are clearly, others not so definitely, identified. 1.)Ram´e-ses, the starting point of the Is´ra-el-ites (Exod. 12. 37). 2.)Ba´al-ze´phon, the place of crossing the Red Sea (Exod. 14. 2). 3.)Ma´rah, where the bitter waters were sweetened (Exod. 15. 22-25). 4.)E´lim, the place of rest (Exod. 15. 27). 5.)Reph´i-dim, the place of the first battle, near Mount Si´nai (Exod. 17. 8-16). 6.)Ka´desh-bar´ne-a, whence the spies were sent forth (Num. 13. 26). 7.)Ja´haz, in the land of Mo´ab, south of the brook Ar´non, where a victory was won over the Am´or-ites (Num. 21. 23, 24).

Blackboard Outline

I.Pre. Even.1. Opp. Isr. 2. Tra. Mos. 3. Ten Pla. 4. Pass. 5. Exod.II.Wil. Wan.1. Seas. 1.) M. S. 2.) R. S. [G. S., G. A.] 3) D. S.2. Des. 1.) D. Sh. 2.) D. Par. 3.) D. Eth. 4.) D. Si. 5.) D. Zi.3. Lan. 1.) Gos. 2.) Mid. 3.) Ed. 4.) Mo. 5.) Can.4. Mts. 1.) Mt. Sin. 2.) Mt. H. 3.) Mt. Neb.5. Pla. 1.) Ram. 2.) B.-zep. 3.) Mar. 4.) El. 5.) Rep. 6.) Kad.-bar. 7.) Jah.

Review Questions

Name five events which were preparatory to the wandering. What made the Is´ra-el-ites willing to leave E´gypt? What three ideas were connected with the passover? What is meant by the exodus? What are the three seas of the map illustrating the wandering? Name five deserts of this region? In which desert were the most years passed? What were the two deserts on the shore ofthe Red Sea? Where was the Desert of Zin? Which desert was between E´gypt and Pal´es-tine? Name and locate five lands of this region. Which land was nearest to E´gypt? Which land was on the eastern arm of the Red Sea? Which land lay east of the Dead Sea? Which land was south of the Dead Sea? Name three mountains in this region. What event took place on each of these mountains? Name two places between E´gypt and the Red Sea. Name three places on the route between the Red Sea, and an event at each place. What place was south of Ca´naan and near it? What events occurred at this place? What two places were battlefields?

Part Two

III. On our map we indicate theJourneys of the Is´ra-el-ites, and at the same time note the principal events of the wandering.

1.From Ram´e-ses to the Red Sea(Exod. 12. 37; 14. 9). With this note: 1.) The crossing of the Red Sea.

2.From the Red Sea to Mount Si´nai.Events: 2.) The waters of Ma´rah (Exod. 15. 23-26). 3.) The repulse of the Am´a-lek-ites (Exod. 17. 8-16). 4.) The giving of the law at Mount Si´nai. Here the camp was kept for a year, and the organization of the people was effected.

3.From Mount Si´nai to Ka´desh-bar´ne-a.At the latter place occurred: 5.) The sending out of the spies and their return (Num. 13. 1-26). 6.) The defeat at Hor´mah, north of Ka´desh-bar´ne-a (Num. 14. 40-45). It was the purpose of Mo´ses to lead the people at once from Ka´desh up to Ca´naan. But their fear of the Ca´naan-ite and Am´or-ite inhabitants made them weak; they were defeated and driven back into the Desert of Pa´ran, where they wandered thirty-eight years, until the generation of slavish souls should die off, and a new Is´ra-el, the young people, trained in the spirit of Mo´ses and Josh´u-a and fitted for conquest, should arise in their places.

4.From Ka´desh-bar´ne-a through the Desert of Pa´ran and Return.This was the long wandering of thirty-eight years. We trace the route from Ka´desh, around the Desert of Pa´ran, to Mount Hor, to E´zi-on-ge´ber at the head of the Gulf of Ak´a-ba, and at last to Ka´desh once more (Num. 20. 1). There occurred: 7.) The water from the rock at Ka´desh and Mo´ses's disobedience (Num. 20. 10-12). 8.) The repulse by A´rad (Num. 21. 1). It would seem that the Is´ra-el-ites made a second attempt to enter Ca´naan on the south, and were again defeated, though not so severely as before.

5.From Ka´desh-bar´ne-a around E´dom to the River Jor´dan.After this second defeat Mo´ses desired to lead the people through the land of the E´dom-ites, and to enter Ca´naan by crossing the Jor´dan(Num. 20. 14). But the E´dom-ites refused to permit such an army to pass through their land (Num. 20. 18-21). Hence the Is´ra-el-ites were compelled to go down the Desert of Zin, past E´dom, as far as the Red Sea, then east of E´dom—a very long and toilsome journey (Num. 21. 4). Note with this journey: 9.) The brazen serpent (Num. 21. 6-9; John 3. 14, 15). 10.) The victory over the Am´or-ites (Num. 21. 23,24). This victory gave to the Is´ra-el-ites control of the country from Ar´non to Jab´bok, and was the first campaign of the conquest. The long journey was now ended in the encampment of the Is´ra-el-ites at the foot of Mount Ne´bo, on the eastern bank of the Jor´dan, near the head of the Dead Sea. 11.) The last event of the period was the death of Mo´ses, B. C. 1451 (Deut. 34. 5-8).

IV.The Results of the Wandering.These forty years of wilderness life made a deep impress upon the Is´ra-el-ite people, and wrought great changes in their character.

1. It gave them certainInstitutions. From the wilderness they brought their tabernacle and all its rites and services, out of which grew the magnificent ritual of the temple. The Feast of Passover commemorated the exodus, the Feast of Pentecost the giving of the law, the Feast of Tabernacles (during which for a week the people lived in huts and booths) the outdoor life in the desert.

2. Another result wasNational Unity. When the Is´ra-el-ites left E´gypt they were twelve unorganized tribes, without a distinct national life. Forty years in the wilderness, meeting adversities together, fighting enemies, marching as one host, made them a nation. They emerged from the wilderness a distinct people, with one hope and aim, with patriotic self-respect, ready to take their place among the nations of the earth.

3.Individual Liberty.They had just been set free from the tyranny of the most complete governmental machine on the face of the earth. In E´gypt the man was nothing; the state was everything. The Is´ra-el-ite system was an absolute contrast to the E-gyp´tian. For centuries after the exodus the Is´ra-el-ites lived with almost no government, each man doing what was right in his own eyes. They were the freest people on earth, far more so than the Greeks or the Ro´mans during their republican epochs. Mo´ses trained them not to look to the government for their care, but to be a self-reliant people, able to take care of themselves. If they had passed this initial stage of their history surrounded by kingdomsthey would have become a kingdom. But they learned their first lessons of national life in the wilderness, untrammeled by environment and under a wise leader, who sought to train up a nation of kings instead of a kingdom.

4.Military Training.We trace in the history of those forty years a great advance in military discipline. After crossing the Red Sea, Mo´ses did not wish to lead them by the direct route to Ca´naan lest they should "see war" (Exod. 13. 17, 18). Attacked by the Am´a-lek-ites soon after the exodus, the Is´ra-el-ites were almost helpless (Exod. 17. 8-16; Deut. 25. 17-19). A year later they were the easy prey of the Ca´naan-ites at Hor´mah (Num. 14. 40-45). Forty years after they crossed the Jor´dan, and entered Ca´naan a drilled and trained host, a conquering army. This discipline and spirit of conquest they gained under Mo´ses and Josh´u-a in the wilderness.

5.Religious Education.This was the greatest of all the benefits gained in the wilderness. They were brought back from the idolatries of E´gypt to the faith of their fathers. They received God's law, the system of worship, and the ritual which brought them by its services into a knowledge of God. Moreover, their experience of God's care taught them to trust in Je-ho´vah, who had chosen them for his own people. Even though the mass of the people might worship idols, there was always from this time an Is´ra-el of the heart that sought and obeyed God.

Blackboard Outline

III.Jour. and Even.Jour. 1. Ram.—R. S. 1.) Cr. R. S.Jour. 2. R. S.—Mt. Sin. 2.) Wat. Mar. 3.) Rep. Am. 4.) Giv. 1.Jour. 3. Mt. Sin.—Kad.-bar. 5.) Sen. sp. 6.) Def. Hor.Jour. 4. Kad.-bar.—Des. Par.—Ret. 7.) Wat. roc. Kad. 8.) Rep. Ar.Jour. 5. Kad.-bar.—Ed.—Riv. Jor. 9.) Bra. ser. 10.) Vic. ov. Amo. 11.) Dea. Mos.IV.Res. Wan.1. Ins. 2. Nat. Un. 3. Ind. Lib. 4. Mil. Tra. 5. Rel. Ed.

Review Questions

State the route of the first journey. What was the great event of this journey? What was the second journey? What events are named with this journey? What was the third journey? What two events took place with this journey? What was the longest journey? Name four places of this journey? Name two events near its close. What was the last journey? What events took place at this time? Where was the last encampment of the Is´ra-el-ites? What institutions originated during this period? What was the political effect of this epoch upon the people? How did it give them liberty? What was the influence in military affairs? What were its results upon the religion of the people?

Institutions of Israelite Worship

Part One

In the Old Testament we note certain forms and institutions for worship, and as some of these received their shaping during the wilderness life of the Is´ra-el-ites, we give a brief account of such institutions at this place in the history.

I. Earliest of all institutions for worship we find theAltar, and throughout the Old Testament the altar worship stands prominent.

1.Its Principle, the root idea underlying the altar, was of a meeting between God and man. As the subject always came to his ruler with a gift in his hands, so the worshiper brought his offering to his god, whether Je-ho´vah, the God of Is´ra-el, or Ba´al, the divinity of the Ca´naan-ites.

2.Its Originis unknown, but it was early sanctioned by a divine approval of the worship connected with it (Gen. 4. 3, 4; 8. 20; 12. 8).

3.Its Universality.There was scarcely a people in the ancient world without an altar. We find that the worship of every land and every religion was associated with altars. (See allusions in Isa. 65. 3; 2 Kings 16. 10; Acts 17. 23, to altars outside of the Is´ra-el-ite faith.)

4.Its Material.Among the Is´ra-el-ites it was of earth or unhewn stone. Where metal or wood was used it was merely for a covering, the true altar being of earth inside. The laws of Is´ra-el forbade any carving of the stone which might lead to idol worship (Exod. 20. 24, 25).

5.Its Limitation.In the patriarchal age the chief of the clan was the priest, the altar stood before his tent, and there was but one altar for the clan, which thus represented one family. When Is´ra-el became a nation only one altar was allowed by the law, carrying out the idea that all the Twelve Tribes were one family (Deut. 12. 13, 14; Josh. 22. 16). Yet the law, if known to the Is´ra-el-ites, was constantly ignored by the prophets (1 Sam. 7. 9; 1 Kings 18. 31, 32).

6.Its Prophetic Purpose, as revealed in the New Testament, was to prefigure the cross whereon Christ died (John 1. 29; Heb. 9. 22; 1 Pet. 3. 18).

II. TheOfferings, as fully developed and named in the law, were of five kinds, as follows:

1.The Sin Offering.1.) This regarded the worshiper as a sinner, and expressed the means of his reconciliation with God. 2.) The offering consisted of an animal. 3.) The animal was slain and burned without the camp. 4.) Its blood was sprinkled on the altar of incense in the Holy Place (Lev. 4. 3-7).

2.The Burnt Offering.1.) This regarded the worshiper as already reconciled, and expressed his consecration to God. 2.) It consisted of an animal, varied according to the ability of the worshiper. 3.) The animal was slain and burned on the altar. 4.) Its blood was poured out on the altar, a token that the life of the worshiper was given to God (Lev. 1. 2-9).

3.The Trespass Offering.[4]1.) This represented the divine forgiveness of an actual transgression, whether against God or man, as distinguished from the condition of a sinner represented in the sin offering. 2.) The offering consisted of an animal, generally a ram, though a poor person might bring some flour. 3.) The animal was slain and burned on the altar. 4.) The blood was poured out at the base of the altar (Lev. 5. 1-10).

4.The Meat Offering.[5]1.) This expressed the simple idea of thanksgiving to God. 2.) It consisted of vegetable food. 3.) The offering was divided between the altar and the priest; one part was burned on the altar, the other presented to the priest to be eaten by him as food (Lev. 2. 1-3).

5.The Peace Offering.1.) This expressed fellowship with God in the form of a feast. 2.) It consisted of both animal and vegetable food. 3.) The offering was divided into three parts, one part burned upon the altar, a second eaten by the priest, a third part eaten by the worshiper and his friends as a sacrificial supper. Thus God, the priest, and the worshiper were all represented as taking a meal together.

Blackboard Outline

I.Alt.1. Prin. 2. Orig. 3. Univ. 4. Mat. 5. Lim. 6. Proph. Pur.II.Off.1. Si. Off.Sin. rec. G.An.Sl. bur.Spr. alt. inc.2. Bu. Off.Con. G.An.Sl. bur.Pou. alt.3. Tre. Off.For. trans.An.Sl. bur.Pou. ba. alt.4. Me. Off.Tha. Gd.Veg.Alt. pri.5. Pea. Off.Fel. G.An. veg.Alt. pri. wor.

1. Si. Off.Sin. rec. G.An.Sl. bur.Spr. alt. inc.2. Bu. Off.Con. G.An.Sl. bur.Pou. alt.3. Tre. Off.For. trans.An.Sl. bur.Pou. ba. alt.4. Me. Off.Tha. Gd.Veg.Alt. pri.5. Pea. Off.Fel. G.An. veg.Alt. pri. wor.

Review Questions

What two institutions of the Old Testament are here presented? What shows the universality of the altar in connection with worship? What is said of the origin of the altar? Of what material were the earliest altars made? What was the religious idea in the altar? What prophetic purpose did the altar have? Name the five kinds of offerings. How did the sin offering regard the worshiper? What did the sin offering express? Of what did the sin offering consist? What was done with the offering? What was done with the blood? What was the design of the burnt offering? Of what did the burnt offering consist? What was done with the animal? What was done with the blood in the burnt offering? Wherein did the trespass offering differ from the sin offering? Of what did the trespass offering consist? What was done with the sacrifice? What did the meat offering express? Of what did it consist? How was the meat offering used? What was expressed by the peace offering? Of what did it consist? What was done with the peace offering?

Part TwoThe Tabernacle

1. When the family of A´bra-ham grew into a people its unity was maintained by regarding the altar—and but one altar for all the Twelve Tribes—as the religious center of the nation.

2. To the thought of the altar as the meeting place with God was added the conception of God dwelling among his people in a sanctuary and receiving homage as the King of Is´ra-el (Exod. 25. 8).

3. Thus the altar grew into the Tabernacle, which was the sanctuary where God was supposed to dwell in the midst of the camp. As was necessary among a wandering people, it was constructed of such materials as could be easily taken apart and carried on the march through the wilderness.

In considering the Tabernacle and its furniture we notice the following particulars:

I.The Court, an open square surrounded by curtains, 150 by 75 feet in extent, and occupying the center of the camp of Is´ra-el (Exod. 27. 9-13). In this stood the Altar, the Laver, and the Tabernacle itself.

DIAGRAM SHOWING LOCATION OF THE OBJECTS WITHIN THE TABERNACLE COURT.DIAGRAM SHOWING LOCATION OF THE OBJECTS WITHIN THE TABERNACLE COURT.

II.The Altar of Burnt Offeringsstood within the court, near its entrance. It was made of wood plated with "brass" (which is supposed to mean copper), was 7½ feet square and 4½ feet high. On this all the burnt sacrifices were offered (Exod. 27. 1; 40. 29), except the sin offering.

III.The Lavercontained water for the sacrificial purifyings. It stood at the door of the tent, but its size and form are unknown (Exod. 30. 17-21).

IV.The Tabernacleitself was a tent 45 feet long, 15 feet wide. Its walls were of boards, plated with gold, standing upright; its roof of three curtains, one laid above another. Whether there was a ridge-pole or not is uncertain. It was divided, by a veil across the interior, into two apartments, the Holy Place and the Holy of Holies (Exod. 36. 8-38).

V.The Holy Placewas the larger of the two rooms into which the tent was divided, being 30 feet long by 15 wide. Into this the priests entered for the daily service. It contained the Candlestick, the Table, and the Altar of Incense (Heb. 9. 2).

VI.The Candlestick(more correctly, "lampstand") stood on the left side of one entering the Holy Place; made of gold, and bearing seven branches, each branch holding a lamp (Exod. 25. 31-37).

VII.The Tablestood on the right of one entering the Holy Place; made of wood, covered with gold; 3 feet long, 1½ feet wide, 2¼ feet high; contained 12 loaves of bread, called "the bread of the presence" (Exod. 37. 10, 11).

VIII.The Altar of Incensestood at the inner end of the Holy Place,near the veil; made of wood, covered with gold; 1½ feet square and 3 feet high. On it the incense was lighted by fire from the Altar of Burnt Offerings (Exod. 30. 1, 2).

IX.The Holy of Holieswas the innermost and holiest room in the Tabernacle, into which the high priest alone entered on one day in each year (the Day of Atonement); in form a cube of 15 feet. It contained only the Ark of the Covenant (Heb. 9. 3).

X.The Ark of the Covenantwas a chest containing the stone tablets of the Commandments; made of wood, covered on the outside and inside with gold; 3 feet 9 inches long, 2 feet 3 inches wide and high. Through gold rings on the sides were thrust the staves by which it was borne on the march. Its lid, on which stood two figures of the cherubim, was called "the mercy seat." On this the high priest sprinkled the blood on the Day of Atonement (Exod. 25. 17, 18; Heb. 9. 7).

Blackboard Outline

The TabernacleI.Cou.sq. 150. 75. (Al. Lav. Tab.)II.Alt.woo. br. 7½. 4½ .III.Lav.do. ten.IV.Tab.45. 15. bds. cur. (H.P. H.H.)V.Ho. Pl.30. 15. (Can. Tab. Alt. Inc.)VI.Can.go. 7 bran.VII.Tab.3. 1½. 2¼. 12 loa.VIII.Alt. Inc.woo. gol. 1½. 3.IX.Ho. Hol.15. 15. 15. (Ar. Cov.)X.Ar. Cov.wo. go. 3,9. 2,3. "mer. se."

The Tabernacle

I.Cou.sq. 150. 75. (Al. Lav. Tab.)II.Alt.woo. br. 7½. 4½ .III.Lav.do. ten.IV.Tab.45. 15. bds. cur. (H.P. H.H.)V.Ho. Pl.30. 15. (Can. Tab. Alt. Inc.)VI.Can.go. 7 bran.VII.Tab.3. 1½. 2¼. 12 loa.VIII.Alt. Inc.woo. gol. 1½. 3.IX.Ho. Hol.15. 15. 15. (Ar. Cov.)X.Ar. Cov.wo. go. 3,9. 2,3. "mer. se."

Review Questions

How was the unity of the Is´ra-el-ite people maintained? What was the conception or thought in the Tabernacle? Why was it constructed of such material? What was the court of the Tabernacle? What were the dimensions of the court? What stood in the court? What were the materials of the Altar of Burnt Offerings? What was the size of this altar? What was the laver, and where did it stand? What was the Tabernacle itself? Into what rooms was it divided? How was it covered? What were the dimensions of the Holy Place? What did the Holy Place contain? What was the form of the candlestick? Where did the candlestick stand? Of what was the Altar of Incense made? What were its dimensions? For whatwas this altar used? What were the dimensions of the Holy of Holies? What did the Holy of Holies contain? Who alone entered this room, and how often? What was the Ark of the Covenant? What was the "mercy seat"?

Part ThreeThe Sacred Year

I. Among the Is´ra-el-ites certain institutions of worship were observed at regular intervals of time which have been called thePeriodical Institutions. These were:

1.The Sabbath, observed one day in seven; of which the root idea is the giving to God a portion of our time. (See references in the Old Testament: Gen. 2. 3; Exod. 20. 8-11; Isa. 56. 2; 58. 13.) In the New Testament we find the first day of the week gradually taking its place among the early Christians (Acts 20. 7; 1 Cor. 26. 2; Rev. 1. 10).

2.The New Moon, which was the opening day of each month; regarded as a sacred day, and celebrated with religious services (Num. 10. 10; 2 Kings 4. 23).

3.The Seven Annual Solemnities, the important occasions of the year, six feasts and one fast day.

4.The Sabbatical Year.One year in every seven was to be observed as a year of rest, and the ground was not to be tilled (Lev. 25. 2-7).

5.The Year of Jubilee.Once in fifty years the Is´ra-el-ites were commanded to give liberty to slaves, freedom to debtors, and general restitution of alienated inheritances (Lev. 25. 9, 10). How far the "Sabbatical Year" and "the Year of Jubilee" were actually kept among the Is´ra-el-ites we have no means of knowing; but the commands concerning them were given in the law.

II. We take for special notice among these periodical institutions theSeven Annual Solemnitiesof theSacred Year. Most of these were instituted in the time of Mo´ses, but two of them arose later. We consider them all, however, in this place, rather than at the closing of the history, where two of the feasts properly belong. These may be classified as:

1.The Three Great Feasts: Passover, Pentecost, and Tabernacles; all observed at the capital, and requiring the people to make annual pilgrimages to Je-ru´sa-lem.

2.The Annual Fast: the Day of Atonement.

3.The Three Lesser Feasts: Trumpets, Dedication, Purim. These were observed throughout the land, as well as in Je-ru´sa-lem.

With regard to each of these we will note: 1.) Its time. 2.) The event which it commemorated. 3.) How it was observed.

1.The Feast of Passover(Luke 22. 1).

1.) Was held in the spring, on the fourteenth of the month Abib, or Nisan, corresponding to parts of March and April (Exod. 12. 18).2.) Commemorated the exodus from E´gypt (Exod. 12. 42).3.) Observed with the eating of unleavened bread and the slain lamb (Exod. 12. 19-21).

1.) Was held in the spring, on the fourteenth of the month Abib, or Nisan, corresponding to parts of March and April (Exod. 12. 18).

2.) Commemorated the exodus from E´gypt (Exod. 12. 42).

3.) Observed with the eating of unleavened bread and the slain lamb (Exod. 12. 19-21).

2.The Feast of Pentecost(Acts 2. 1).

1.) Was held early in the summer, on the fiftieth day after Passover, in the month Sivan, corresponding to May and June.2.) Commemorated the giving of the law.[6](See Exod. 19. 1, 11.)3.) Observed by "first fruits" laid on the altar, with special sacrifices (Lev. 23. 15-21).

1.) Was held early in the summer, on the fiftieth day after Passover, in the month Sivan, corresponding to May and June.

2.) Commemorated the giving of the law.[6](See Exod. 19. 1, 11.)

3.) Observed by "first fruits" laid on the altar, with special sacrifices (Lev. 23. 15-21).

3.The Feast of Tabernacles(John 7. 2, 10).

1.) Held in the fall, after the ingathering of crops, from the 15th to the 21st of the seventh month, Ethanim, corresponding to September and October (Lev. 23. 34).2.) Commemorated the outdoor life of the wilderness (Lev. 23. 43).3.) Observed by living in huts or booths, and by special sacrifices (Lev. 23. 35-42).

1.) Held in the fall, after the ingathering of crops, from the 15th to the 21st of the seventh month, Ethanim, corresponding to September and October (Lev. 23. 34).

2.) Commemorated the outdoor life of the wilderness (Lev. 23. 43).

3.) Observed by living in huts or booths, and by special sacrifices (Lev. 23. 35-42).

4.The Day of Atonement, the only fast required by the Jew´ish law.

1.) Held in the fall, on the tenth day of the month Ethanim (Lev. 23. 27), five days before the Feast of Tabernacles.2.) Showing the sinner's reconciliation with God.3.) On this day only in the year the high priest entered the Holy of Holies (Exod. 30. 10).

1.) Held in the fall, on the tenth day of the month Ethanim (Lev. 23. 27), five days before the Feast of Tabernacles.

2.) Showing the sinner's reconciliation with God.

3.) On this day only in the year the high priest entered the Holy of Holies (Exod. 30. 10).

5.The Feast of Trumpets.

1.) Held on the first day of the seventh month, Ethanim, corresponding to September or October (Lev. 23. 24).2.) This feast recognized the "New Year Day" of the civil year.[7]3.) It was observed with the blowing of trumpets all through the land.

1.) Held on the first day of the seventh month, Ethanim, corresponding to September or October (Lev. 23. 24).

2.) This feast recognized the "New Year Day" of the civil year.[7]

3.) It was observed with the blowing of trumpets all through the land.

6.The Feast of Dedication, not named in the Old Testament. (See John 10. 22.)

1.) This was held in the winter, on the 25th of the month Chisleu (December), and for eight days thereafter.2.) It commemorated the reconsecration of the Temple by Ju´das Mac´ca-be´us, B. C. 166, after its defilement by the Syr´i-ans.3.) It was observed by a general illumination of Je-ru´sa-lem; hence often called "the feast of lights."

1.) This was held in the winter, on the 25th of the month Chisleu (December), and for eight days thereafter.

2.) It commemorated the reconsecration of the Temple by Ju´das Mac´ca-be´us, B. C. 166, after its defilement by the Syr´i-ans.

3.) It was observed by a general illumination of Je-ru´sa-lem; hence often called "the feast of lights."

7.The Feast of Purim, not named in the New Testament, unless it be referred to in John 5. 1.

1.) Held in the early spring, the 14th and 15th of the month Adar (March) (Esth. 9. 21).2.) Commemorating Queen Esther's deliverance of the Jew´ish people (Esth. 9. 22-26).3.) Observed with general feasting and rejoicing.

1.) Held in the early spring, the 14th and 15th of the month Adar (March) (Esth. 9. 21).

2.) Commemorating Queen Esther's deliverance of the Jew´ish people (Esth. 9. 22-26).

3.) Observed with general feasting and rejoicing.

Blackboard Outline

I.Per. Inst. 1. Sab. 2. Ne. Mo. 3. Sev. Ann. Sol. 4. Sab. Ye. 5. Ye. Jub.II.Sac. Yea.1. Gr. Fe.bracket1. Pass. spr. ex. Eg. sla. la.2. Pen. sum. giv. la. fir. fru.3. Tab. fal. lif. wil. liv. huts.2. Ann. Fa.4. Day. At. fal. sin. rec. pr. H. Hol.3. Les. Fe.bracket5. Trum. fal. N. Ye. bl. trum.6. Ded. win. rec. Tem. ill. Jer.7. Pur. spr. Esth. del. fea. rej.

1. Gr. Fe.bracket1. Pass. spr. ex. Eg. sla. la.2. Pen. sum. giv. la. fir. fru.3. Tab. fal. lif. wil. liv. huts.2. Ann. Fa.4. Day. At. fal. sin. rec. pr. H. Hol.3. Les. Fe.bracket5. Trum. fal. N. Ye. bl. trum.6. Ded. win. rec. Tem. ill. Jer.7. Pur. spr. Esth. del. fea. rej.

Review Questions

What is meant by "Periodical Institutions"? Name the five general periodical institutions of the Is´ra-el-ites. What did the Sabbath commemorate? What were the new moons? How many times in the year were observed by the Is´ra-el-ites? What was the Sabbatical Year? What was the Year of Jubilee? Name the three great feasts. When was each great feast observed? What did each feast commemorate? How was each feast observed? What took place on the Day of Atonement? What did the Day of Atonement represent? What were the three lesser feasts? When was each observed? What did each lesser feast commemorate? How were these feasts observed?

The Land of Palestine

Part One

We have followed the history of the Is´ra-el-ites to their encampment on the border of their promised land. Before taking up the study of their conquest of Ca´naan let us obtain some conception of the country with which the greater part of Bible history is connected—the land of Pal´es-tine.

I. Let us notice itsNamesat different periods:

1. The earliest name wasCa´naan, "lowland," referring only to the section between the river Jor´dan and the Med-i-ter-ra´ne-an Sea, of which the inhabitants most widely known were the Ca´naan-ites, dwelling on the lowland plains (Gen. 12. 5).

PALESTINE

2. After the conquest by Josh´u-a it was calledIs´ra-el, though inlater times of Old Testament history the name referred only to the northern portion, the southern kingdom being called Ju´dah (Judg. 18. 1; 1 Kings 12. 20).

3. In the New Testament period its political name wasJu-de´a, which was also the name of its most important province (Mark 1. 5).

4. Its modern name isPal´es-tine, a form of the word "Phi-lis´tine," the name of a heathen race which in early times occupied its southwestern border (Isa. 14. 29).

II. The following are the principalDimensionsof Pal´es-tine:

1.Ca´naan, or western Pal´es-tine, has an area of about 6,600 square miles, a little less than Massachusetts.

2.Pal´es-tine Proper, the domain of the Twelve Tribes, embraces 12,000 square miles, about the area of Massachusetts and Connecticut.

3. TheCoast Line, from Ga´za, the southernmost town, to Tyre, on the north, is not far from 140 miles long.

4. TheJor´danis distant from the coast at Tyre about 25 miles; and theDead Sea, in a line due east from Ga´za, about 60 miles.

5. TheJor´dan Line, from Dan, one of the sources of the Jor´dan, to the southern end of the Dead Sea, is 155 miles.

III. The most importantWatersof Pal´es-tine are:

1. TheMed-i-ter-ra´ne-an Sea, which bounds the land on the west (Josh. 1. 4; Exod. 23. 31; Deut. 11. 24).

2. TheRiver Jor´dan, rising in three sources in Mount Her´mon, and emptying into the Dead Sea in a direct line 105 miles long, but by its windings over 200 miles (Deut. 9. 1; Josh. 4. 1; 2 Sam. 17. 22).

3.Lake Me´rom, now calledHu´leh, a triangular sheet of water, 3 miles across, in a swamp in northern Gal´i-lee (Josh. 11. 5).

4. TheSea of Gal´i-lee,[8]a pear-shaped lake, 14 miles long by 9 wide, and nearly 700 feet below the sea level. (Note other names in Josh. 13. 27; 11. 2; Luke 5. 1; John 6. 1.)

5. TheDead Sea, 47 miles long by 10 wide, and 1,300 feet below the sea level (Gen. 14. 3; Deut. 4. 49; Joel 2. 20).

IV. The land of Pal´es-tine lies in fiveNatural Divisions, nearly parallel:

1. TheMaritime Plain, or sandy flat, extending along the Med-i-ter-ra´ne-an Sea, from 8 to 20 miles wide.

2. TheSheph´e-lah, or foothills, from 300 to 500 feet high and very fertile.

3. TheMountain Region, the backbone of the land, consisting of mountains from 2,500 to 4,000 feet high.

4. TheJor´dan Valley, a deep ravine, the bed of the river and its three lakes, from 500 to 1,200 feet below the level of the sea, and from 2 to 14 miles wide.

5. TheEastern Table-land, a region of lofty and precipitous mountains, from whose summit a plain stretches away to the A-ra´bi-an Desert on the east.

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