(Exodus) Exodus 20 Introduction
The sermon explains the significance of the Law, including the Ten Commandments, social legislation, and the Mosaic system, and how it is interpreted in Deuteronomy.
In this sermon, the speaker discusses the importance of the law in the Bible. They explain that the Ten Commandments are just a part of the law, and that there are other instructions and social legislation included as well. The speaker emphasizes the need for an altar and the shedding of blood for sin, comparing it to washing oneself with a basin. They also mention the significance of the tabernacle and the service associated with it. The sermon concludes by mentioning that the book of Deuteronomy provides an interpretation of the law after 40 years of experience with it.
Full Transcript
Now you have here, in chapter 20, the giving of the Law. And actually, the Ten Commandments is not all of it, by any means. We have, first of all, here, the Ten Commandments, and with it is the order for the altar in chapter 20.
And remember, they both go together. There must be an altar for a sacrifice to be offered. Because, you see, the Law reveals, and there must be the shedding of blood for sin.
And just as you have in your bathroom a mirror, and that represents the Law, and underneath is a basin. Now, you don't wash yourself with the mirror. The mirror reveals, but you wash yourself with the basin.
And today there is a fountain filled with blood drawn from Emmanuel's veins, and sinners plunge beneath that flow, lose all their guilty stains. Now, we have here, in chapter 20, the Ten Commandments, and then instructions about the altar. That's important, but that doesn't end the Law.
You have then, in chapters 21 and 24, what is called social legislation. Now, we're living in a day when a great deal of attention is being given to what is known as social legislation. We're just finding out how important that that is, especially in this complicated age.
But God took care of this a long time ago, and that won't end it. Because with the Law, we'll have instructions for the making of a tabernacle, and that's the very center of the life of Israel. That tabernacle will be right in the center of the camp.
And then you have, in the next book, the book Leviticus, the service of the tabernacle, and all of that's part of the Law. Now, when you get to Deuteronomy, you'll find out that you have not the repetition, although it looks like it, but it's not. What it is, is the interpretation of the Law after 40 years' experience with it.
And that means that Exodus now, beginning here with chapter 20, all the way through the book of Leviticus and Numbers, for they're on the wilderness march there, and Deuteronomy, that's all the Mosaic system. That's the Law. There are those today that like to say they're under Law and that you must keep the Law, and what they mean is just the Ten Commandments.
But friends, that was really a small part of it.
Sermon Outline
- The Giving of the Law
- The Mirror and the Basin Analogy
- Social Legislation in the Law
- The Mosaic System and the Law
- The Books of Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy
- The Interpretation of the Law in Deuteronomy
Key Quotes
“And today there is a fountain filled with blood drawn from Emmanuel's veins, and sinners plunge beneath that flow, lose all their guilty stains.” — J. Vernon McGee
“You have then, in chapters 21 and 24, what is called social legislation.” — J. Vernon McGee
“And that means that Exodus now, beginning here with chapter 20, all the way through the book of Leviticus and Numbers, for they're on the wilderness march there, and Deuteronomy, that's all the Mosaic system.” — J. Vernon McGee
Application Points
- The Law is not just about the Ten Commandments, but also includes social legislation and instructions for the tabernacle and its service.
- Sacrifice and bloodshed are essential for cleansing sin, and the altar represents this need.
- The Mosaic system is a comprehensive system that includes the Law, social legislation, and the tabernacle, and it is interpreted in Deuteronomy.