Old Testament Scriptural Summaries and Commentary

Numbers, Chapters 22-31; Gospel Doctrine Class

Sunday School Lesson 16 - "I Cannot Go Beyond the Word of the Lord" 

Book reference, The Old Testament Made Easier, Part 2, by David J. Ridges

Publisher Cedar Fort, Springville, Utah

Numbers 22 – 24  King Balak and the Prophet Balaam

Chapter 22 - Balaam goes to Moab

After nearly forty years in the wilderness, the Israelites camp on the plains of Moab, just northeast of the Dead Sea and across the Jordan River from Jericho (Ridges, pt. 2, p. 203).  Israel had conquered all the cities and villages of two Amorite kings (Sihon and Jaazer) and taken their land and all their wealth (see Num. 21:21-25,32).  Balak, the king of Moab, was filled with fear and distress because he saw all that Israel had done to the Amorites (vv. 22: 1-2). 

Now, Balak decides to send messengers to Balaam, a prophet, to try to persuade him to curse the Israelites.  Balaam lived in Pethor—Mesopotamia; part of Iraq today, near the Euphrates River (http://biblehub.com). 

Elder Bruce R. McConkie describes Balaam as follows: "Let me tell you the story of a prophet, in some respects a very great prophet, but one 'who loved the wages of unrighteousness,' who 'was rebuked for his iniquity' in a most strange and unusual way, and whose actions (which included the uttering of great and true prophecies) were described by another prophet in another day as 'madness' ("The Story of a Prophet's Madness; New Era, April 1972, p. 4). 

Note:  (see 2 Peter 2:15-16 below).

King Balak's messengers "departed with the rewards of divination in their hand" [money] with instructions to say to Balaam, "Behold, there is a people come out from Egypt; behold, they cover the face of the earth, and they abide over against me;… I pray thee, curse me this people, for they are too mighty for me…for I wot [know] that he whom thou blessest is blessed, and he whom thou cursest is cursed" (vv. 22:3-7).    

And Balak sent the elders and princes of Moab to Balaam.  Balaam invited them to "lodge" with him that night while he inquired of the Lord what he should do and he would let them know in the morning.  And God said to him, "Thou shalt not go with them; thou shalt not curse the people; for they are blessed."  And he refused the princes of Moab.  A second time Balak sent his servants to Balaam.  This time the king offered Balaam "great honor" and pledged "I will do whatsoever thou sayest unto me."  Balaam answered them, "If Balak would give me his house full of silver and gold, I cannot go beyond the word of the LORD my God, to do less or more" (vv. 22:8-18).

However, again Balaam chooses to speak with God and God said to him, "[JST: "if thou wilt"] go with them; but yet the word which I shall say unto thee, that shalt thou do."  So Balaam was to decide for himself if he would go but he must do all the LORD tells him—remember, the Lord had already told him not to go.  In the morning Balaam went with the princes of Moab.  Along the way his donkey [ass] begins to give him trouble.  "And God's anger was kindled because he went."  Three times the donkey sees an angel with a drawn sword blocking the way and the donkey turns off the path.  Balaam is angry and starts beating the donkey and the LORD opens the mouth of the donkey who asks Balaam, “What have I done unto thee, that thou hast smitten me these three times?” (v. 22:28).  Just then, Balaam sees the angel with the sword in the way and bows down to the ground.  The angel said to Balaam “Behold, I went out to withstand thee, because thy way is perverse before me.”  He told him that unless the donkey had turned aside, he would already be dead.  Balaam said to the angel, "I have sinned; for I knew not that thou stoodest in the way against me: now therefore, if it displease thee, I will get me back again."  And the angel said to him, "Go with the men; but only the word that I shall speak unto thee, that thou shalt speak."  (vv. 22:19-35). 

And King Balak went out from Moab to meet Balaam.  The king questioned why he had come and whether or not Balaam believed he could "promote thee to honour?"  Balaam replied, " Lo, I am come unto thee: have I now any power at all to say any thing? the word that God putteth in my mouth, that shall I speak."  Balak sent gifts of oxen and sheep to Balaam and took him into the high places of Baal, to see the "utmost part of the people"—the most important worshipers of Baal (vv. 22:36-41).

Chapters 23 and 24 - Balaam refuses to curse Israel

Balaam asks the king to build him seven altars and to prepare seven oxen and seven rams to be offered on the altars.  And they made burnt offerings on every altar.  Now, Balaam goes to a high place to meet God and the LORD tells him what to say.  When he returns to Balak, he tells him he knows he was brought from Aram [his home] to "curse me Jacob," and to "defy [denounce] Israel." 

He continues, "How shall I curse, whom God hath not cursed? or how shall I defy, whom the LORD hath not defied.

"For from the top of the rocks I see him, and from the hills I behold him: Lo, the people shall dwell alone, and shall not be reckoned among the nations.

"Who can count the dust of Jacob, and the number of the fourth part of Israel? Let me die the death of the righteous, and let my last end be like his!" (vv. 23:8-10) 

Balak asks Balaam, "What hast thou done unto me? I took thee to curse mine enemies, and behold, thou hast blessed them altogether." And Balaam answers, "Must I not take heed to speak that which the LORD hath put in my mouth?" (vv. 23:1-12).

Balaam again meets with the LORD and when he returns, King Balak asks, "What hath the LORD spoken?" Balaam answers, "God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken and shall he not make it good?  Behold, I have received commandment to bless: and he hath blessed; and I cannot reverse it" (vv. 23:15-20).

Now, Balaam looks toward where the Israelites are camped in their tents and sees a vision of the destiny of the children of Israel.  He speaks of the king whose "kingdom shall be exalted;" with strength to "eat up the nations;" and Israel as a "great lion," and he asks, "who shall stir him up?"—who can stop them?  Finally, he said, "Blessed is he that blesseth thee [Israel], and cursed is he that curseth thee" (vv. 24:3-9).

King Balak is angry with Balaam for his refusal to curse the Israelites and he tells him to go back to his place.  Before he leaves, Balaam prophesies of the Messiah:  "I shall see him, but not now; I shall behold him, but not nigh; there shall come a Star out of Jacob, and a Sceptre shall rise out of Israel" (v. 24:17).  Balaam prophecies of destruction of the people in the lands that the LORD promised to his people, the Israelites (vv. 24:10-25).

"Three times Balak asks him to curse Israel, but Balaam obeys God and blesses Israel each time (23:3; 24:9). He then curses Moab and prophesies of Jesus Christ (24:10–25)" (Old Testament Gospel Doctrine Teachers Manual;  73-76).

Balaam does not go back to Mesopotamia but stays with the Midianites.  During the Midianite war, Balaam is slain along with all the five kings of Midian (v. 31:8).  He has been guilty of encouraging the Midianite women to "commit trespass" against the LORD with the men of Israel (v. 31:16) (see vv. 25:1-9).

 ("Although Balaam obeyed the Lord’s commands to bless rather than curse Israel, in his heart he wanted earthly honors and rewards. To receive these rewards, he suggested tempting Israel to sin, causing them to lose God’s protection") (Old Testament Gospel Doctrine Teachers Manual;  73-76).

Three New Testament prophets refer to Balaam:

The Apostle Peter writes of "lustful saints" of his day:  "Which have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness; But was rebuked for his iniquity: the dumb ass speaking with man’s voice forbad the madness of the prophet" (2 Peter 2:15-16).

"Woe unto them! for they have gone in the way of Cain, and ran greedily after the error of Balaam for reward, and perished in the gainsaying of Core"—Korah, a Levite priest who caused a rebellion in the wilderness with Moses; (see Numbers 16) (Jude 1:11).

The words of St. John the Divine writing to the leader at Ephesus:  "But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac [Balak] to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication" (Rev. 2:14).

Numbers  25 – 27  Events in the Moabite Plains

While near the Moabites, some of the men of Israel “began to commit whoredom with the daughters of Moab” and to worship the god of Baal (vv. 25:1-3).  The Lord sends a plague among the people and they begin dying by the thousands.  The young Levite priest Phinehas (son of Eleazar) grabs a sword and slays with a javelin an Israelite man and a Midianite woman who were together, and the plague was stayed.  “And those that died in the plague were twenty and four thousand” (vv. 25:1-9). 

After thirty-eight years in the wilderness there was a new generation of Israelites and a new censes was taken.   Of the men over twenty years old [excluding the Levites], the number was 601,730, (v. 26:51) within 1,820 of the original sum at Mt. Sinai.  The inheritance of land was to be “by lot” according to the number of people in each tribe (vv. 26:54-55).  The names of Moses', Aaron's and Miriam’s parents are given as Jochebel and Amram (v. 26:59). 

The Lord has Moses go to mount Abarim to “see the land which I have given unto the children of Israel” (see Deut. 42:39) and he is told he will not be going with them (vv. 27:12-13).   Moses lays his hands on the head of Joshua and gives him charge over all the congregation (vv. 27:18-23). 

Sacrifices and vows are enumerated in chapters 28, 29 and 30.

Numbers 31 - 36  The Midianite war

The Lord tells Moses to send out one thousand warriors from every tribe to cleanse the land of the Midianites— because the people were corrupted by immorality and idol worship (see vv. 25:1-3).  The soldiers were commanded to save only female children and young virgins because they could be integrated into the culture without corrupting it (vv. 31:14-24).  The soldiers failed to obey this commandment and Moses had the task of forcing them to fulfill their orders before they could return to camp.  Miraculously, not one of the Israelite soldiers was lost even though 32,000 prisoners and thousands of cattle, donkeys and sheep were taken—indicating this was not a minor war (vv. 31:49-56). 

The tribes of Reuben and Gad ask for and receive an inheritance east of Jordan but promise to help the rest of the tribes invade Canaan where the other tribes of the children of Israel have been given their inheritance (vv. 32: 16-18). 

Chapter 33 is a review of all the travels of the people between Egypt and the land of Canaan.  The Lord tells Moses that all the people [of Canaan] and all their possessions are to be destroyed when they “pass over Jordan into the land of Canaan” (v. 33:51) because it is corrupted.  

Then, Moses divides up the land of their inheritance among the tribes.  The Levites are to have their own cities.  He gives instruction about the punishment of murderers (vv. 35:30-31).  And, finally, more instruction on inheritance laws for families with only daughters and between tribes (vv. 36:1-13).

Old Testament Scriptural Summaries and Commentary

Numbers, Chapters 11-14; 21 Gospel Doctrine Class

Sunday School Lesson 15 - "Look to God and live"

Book reference, The Old Testament Made Easier, Part 2, by David J. Ridges

Publisher Cedar Fort, Springville, Utah

The Fourth Book of Moses called Numbers, Chapters 1-21

Numbers 1- 4  The first census of Israel

The children of Israel were still in the area of Sinai in the second year when the LORD spoke to Moses telling him to number all the males “who [were] twenty years old and upward (v. 1:3) by their armies" [for military duty] by tribe, clan and extended family (vv. 1:1-46). 

The numbers were as follows:

The tribe of Reuben………………….. 46,500

The tribe of Simeon…………………... 59,300

The tribe of Gad………………………. 45,650

The tribe of Judah……………………..74,600

The tribe of Issachar………………….. 54,400

The tribe of Zebulun………………….. 57,400

The tribe of Ephraim (Joseph)……….. 40,500

The tribe of Manasseh (Joseph)……… 32,200

The tribe of Benjamin………………… 35,400

The tribe of Dan……………………….. 62,700

The tribe of Asher……………………... 41,500

The tribe of Naphtali…………………... 53,400

Grand Total…………….........................603,550

The LORD did not want Moses to take a census for the tribe of Levi at this time because they were not to be used as soldiers in war.  They were to be exclusive ministers of and caretakers of the “tabernacle of testimony” (vv. 1:49-50).  Then the camp was organized so the various tribes could protect the tabernacle on all four sides.  (See Numbers, chapter 2.)  

After the taking of the Egyptian first born in every family, the Lord claimed the Israelite firstborn as his own as they were "passed over" by the destroying angel.  Now the entire tribe of Levi was to take the place of the firstborn of all the tribes (vv. 3:12-13).  The LORD told Moses to count all the males in the tribe of Levi who were one month old or more (vv. 3:15, 40).  They numbered 22,000 (vv. 3:39).  All the sons of Aaron and their families are counted, named and duties assigned (vv. 3:17-38).

However, qualifications for service in the Tabernacle of the Congregation required that a Levite be “without blemish” and between the ages of 30 and 50 (vv. 4:30, 35, 39) although the age requirements changed as need occurred.  Out of the total of the male Levites, only 8,580 qualified to serve (vv. 4:47-48).  The Lord gave Aaron and his descendents duties of the rituals of the tabernacle, such as making sacrifices, burning incense and other duties of priests.  The rest of the tribe of Levi were given duties of caretakers and service to the priests (see chapter 4).

Numbers 5 – 9  The Nazarite vow; a blessing is given

Chapter 5 gives instructions on the prevention of the spread of leprosy (vv. 5:-1-4).  The Lord instructs Moses about confession, restitution and atonement for sins (vv. 5:5-10); and what to do if a man accuses his wife of adultery (vv. 5:11-31).

The Nazarite vow is to consecrate one’s life for a short or limited period of time for service, study and prayer by taking a vow of “separation” (v. 6:2).  This vow could be made by either a man or a woman.  The three requirements included: (1) drink no wine, strong drink, or grape juice and eat no grapes or raisins; (2) no haircuts (Samson was a Nazarite); and (3) no coming near to a dead body, not even a family member (vv. 6:1-13).

At the end of chapter 6, the Lord instructs Moses to have Aaron and his sons pronounce a blessing on the children of Israel:  “The LORD bless thee, and keep thee; The LORD make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee: The LORD lift up his countenance upon thee and give thee peace” (vv. 6:24-26). 

The Tabernacle is dedicated.  And the LORD said to Moses, "They [the princes of each tribe of Israel] shall offer their offering, each prince on his day, for the dedicating of the altar” (v. 7:11).  Gold, silver and all manner of flocks were given in voluntary gratitude to the Lord.  Then the Levites were cleansed and consecrated for service in the tabernacle.  “[And] Aaron offered them [the Levites] as an offering before the LORD, and Aaron made an atonement for them to cleanse them” (v. 8:21).

The second year of the Passover is observed (vv. 9:1-5).  Those who were unclean at the time were given a provision to observe it one month later (vv. 9:6-14).  The presence of the Lord was shown during the day by a cloud that rested on the tabernacle.  At night, the tabernacle had "the appearance of fire."  When the cloud lifted from the tabernacle, it was a signal for the Israelites to move.  When the cloud stopped, they pitched their tents for as long as the cloud rested on the tabernacle (Ridges, pt. 2, p. 178) (vv. 9:15-23).

Numbers 10 – 14  Wilderness; Murmuring and punishment; Moses sends spies into Canaan

Chapter 10

The Lord told Moses to make two silver trumpets to be used to call the children of Israel to assemblies and to warn in times of trouble (vv. 10:1-10).  When the cloud left the tabernacle of the testimony, Moses organized the people for the march away from Sinai according to the tribes. The Tabernacle was sent ahead so it could be set up and ready when the Ark of the Covenant arrived.  The brother-in-law of Moses, Hobab, returned to the Midianites like his father Jethro.  "And the cloud of the LORD was upon them by day" as they traveled three days into the desert wilderness (10:11-35).

Chapter 11

And the people began to complain bitterly. The Lord was angered and burned by fire those in “the uttermost parts of the camp”—as far away from the tabernacle as possible (Ridges, pt. 2, p. 179).  Moses prayed to the LORD and the fire was quenched (vv. 11:1-2).  Now, "the mixt multitude [translated as rabble] that was among them fell a lusting"…and said, "Who shall give us flesh to eat?"— complaining about only having manna to eat (v. 11:4).

Both the Lord and Moses were angry with the ungrateful wretched people and Moses cried out to the Lord in anguish about having to bear the burden alone.  The Lord told Moses to gather seventy elders of Israel and to bring them to the tabernacle of the congregation to stand with him (v. 11:16).  And the LORD came down in a cloud and spoke to Moses and he "took of the spirit that was upon him, and gave it unto the seventy elders:" and the spirit of the Lord came to them and they prophesied greatly (v. 11:25).  And so, Moses organized the council of the seventy righteous elders to help carry his burden.

Now, the angry Lord sent the people a great quantity of quail; and as they stuffed themselves the Lord sent a great plague and many of those who "lusted" [because of greed and overindulgence; SS Gospel Doctrine Manual, p. 68] died and were buried there (v. 11:31-34

Ridges comments: "Hordes of quail fall around the camp of the Israelites, piled about three feet deep and extending about a day's walk in every direction" (v. 11:31) (pt. 2, p. 184).

And, the children of Israel journeyed on from that place to Hazeroth [about 45 miles NE of Sinai: http://bibleatlas.org]  (vv. 11: 35). 

Chapter 12

The two older siblings of Moses, Miriam and Aaron, grow jealous of Moses and speak against him and accuse him because he had married an Ethiopian woman (v. 12-1). 

Ridges comments: "Miriam and Aaron seek to discredit Moses by bringing up the fact that he married an Ethiopian woman back when he was a prince and military leader in Egypt.

"Even though it was a political marriage only (according to Josephus, Antiquities of the Jews, book 2, chapter 10, paragraph 1), contracted to cement a political alliance, Miriam and Aaron still try to make their younger brother look like a hypocrite for marrying someone outside of the covenant people" (Ridges, pt. 2, p. 185).

And they also said, "Hath the LORD indeed spoken only by Moses? hath he not spoken also by us?"  The LORD heard their sayings and called suddenly to Moses, Aaron and Miriam to come to the tabernacle of the congregation; and they did. ("Now the man Moses was very meek, above all the men which were upon the face of the earth") (v. 12:3). 

President Gordon B. Hinckley said, “Meekness implies a spirit of gratitude as opposed to an attitude of self-sufficiency, an acknowledgment of a greater power beyond oneself, a recognition of God, and an acceptance of his commandments” (“With All Thy Getting Get Understanding,” Ensign, Aug. 1988, 3–4).

The LORD came down in a pillar of the cloud and stood in the door of the tabernacle.  He tells Aaron and Miriam "If there be a prophet among you, I will make myself known unto him in a vision, and will speak unto him in a dream." But with Moses “I speak mouth to mouth;…not in dark speeches and the similitude of the LORD [in person] shall he behold" (vv. 12:1-8).

Elder James E. Faust said: “The prophets, seers, and revelators have had and still have the responsibility and privilege of receiving and declaring the word of God for the world. Individual members, parents, and leaders have the right to receive revelation for their own responsibility but have no duty nor right to declare the word of God beyond the limits of their own responsibility” (in Conference Report, Oct. 1989).

And the anger of the LORD was kindled against them.  Miriam becomes leprous and Aaron appeals to Moses not to let her be punished for their sin.  So Moses cried to the LORD asking him to heal Miriam.  The LORD tells Moses to put her out of the camp for seven days after which she is to be brought back in.  So they wait seven days for Miriam's return before they leave Hazeroth, and go to the wilderness of Paran (12:9-16).

Chapter 13

As they near Canaan, Moses sends out twelve spies, one leader from each tribe, to find out about the land and the people.  And all that are sent from each tribe are named (vv. 13:1-16).  They went throughout the land of Canaan observing and searching for all they could discern (vv. 13:17-24).

When the men return after forty days, they report they found a land of "milk and honey."  However, all but Caleb and Joshua are fearful in their reports to Moses.  The ten report that the people are strong and the cities are walled and very great.  And the Amalekites dwell in the south; the Hittites and Jebusites and Amorites dwell in the mountains; and the Canaanites dwell by the sea and the coast of Jordan.  And Caleb stilled the people and said, "Let us go up at once, and possess it; for we are well able to overcome it."  But the others say that the people are stronger than they, and spoke of their fear of giants, the sons of Anak, that they saw (vv. 13:25-33).

Chapter 14

Once again the people murmur against Moses and Aaron and said among themselves, let us choose a new leader and "return to Egypt." And, Moses and Aaron "fell on their faces before all the assembly of the congregation of the children of Israel." Then Joshua and Caleb, who went into Canaan, rent their clothes and Caleb said, "The land, which we passed through to search it, is an exceeding good land.  If the LORD delight in us, then he will bring us into this land, and give it us; a land which floweth with milk and honey."  And they implored the people not to rebel against the LORD and not to fear the people of the land (vv. 14:1-9).

But the Israelites have no faith that the Lord will help them possess the promised land and seek  to stone Caleb and Joshua.  "And the glory of the LORD appeared in the tabernacle of the congregation before all the children of Israel."  The LORD tells Moses he is provoked by this people and that he wants to "smite them with pestilence, and disinherit them" [in other words kill them] and start over with a greater nation and mightier people than they.  Moses beseeches the LORD to pardon their iniquity "according to the greatness of thy mercy, and as thou hast forgiven this people, from Egypt even until now."  Moses again pleads with the Lord for mercy and they are saved.  And the LORD said, "I have pardoned according to thy word." (vv. 14:10-20). 

Instead, the Lord’s punishment by oath is that all Israelites age twenty and over will spend the next forty years in the wilderness where the present generation will die (except for Caleb and Joshua).  The ten spies who gave the "evil report" died of the plague before the LORD.  And the LORD tells Moses to turn back into the wilderness by way of the Red sea (v. 14:25).  But [some of] the people disobey and go up into the top of the mountain [into Canaan] "which the LORD hath promised: for we have sinned"—to atone for their sin.  Moses tells them not to go, as they will "fall by the sword" because the LORD is not with them. They go anyway and are attacked by the Amalekites and the Canaanites and are killed (vv. 14:21-45).

Numbers 15 -16  Atonement offerings; Levite rebellion and punishments

Chapter 15

The Lord gives instructions to Moses concerning making offerings for atonement of sin by the children of Israel.  There are two kinds of sin:  sin done through ignorance and sin done “presumptuously” (v. 15:30), meaning knowingly.  The forgiveness and penalty is given for both types of sin.

Chapter 16

Some time later in the wilderness another rebellion happens among the Levites.  Korah, Dathan and Abiram, along with 250 “princes of the assembly famous in the congregation, men of renown,” (v. 16:2 ) go against Moses and Aaron because they are not allowed to perform ordinances of the higher priesthood in the Holy of Holies. And they said to Moses, "Ye take too much upon you, seeing all the congregation are holy, every one of them, and the LORD is among them: wherefore then lift ye up yourselves above the congregation of the LORD?" (v. 16:3).

Ridges comments:  "Did you notice what they said to the prophet about the wicked people they were representing?  They claimed that the wicked [rebellious] people were righteous!  Don't be deceived when the wicked persuade many to believe that wickedness is good and righteousness is evil" (pt. 2, p. 196).

Moses tells Korah and all his company to meet him the following day at the Tabernacle with a censer, lighted with fire, to see whose offering would be accepted by the Lord.  But Dathan and Abiram said, "We will not come;" and they make unfounded accusations against Moses (vv. 16:5-16).  The Lord tells Moses to separate everyone whose tent is close to the rebellious leaders.  Then Moses informs the people that the earth is about to open up and swallow all the dwelling places and all the followers of Korah, Dathan and Abiram because they had provoked the Lord.  Instantly, an earthquake shook the camp and all who stood with Korah and all their houses and goods were taken in an earthquake as Moses prophesied (vv. 16:21-34).  

Meanwhile, there came out a fire from the LORD, and consumed the two hundred and fifty princes who stood in the door of the tabernacle of the congregation that offered incense.  All the brass censers (incense burners) were gathered up and made into plates used to cover the altar of sacrifice as a memorial of the fate of those who rebelled against God (vv. 16:35-40).

The next day, the congregation gathered against Moses and Aaron accusing them of killing the people of the LORD.  As they looked toward the tabernacle they beheld a cloud covering it, "and the glory of the LORD appeared."  The LORD told Moses and Aaron to get away from the congregation as he was going to "consume" the people.  Moses told Aaron to go quickly into the congregation and make an atonement for them for the consuming plague had already begun.  Aaron did as Moses commanded and stood between the living and the dead, and the plague was stayed.  The number that died in the plague that day was 14,700 beside those who died in the earthquake in the matter of Korah (vv. 16:41-50).

Numbers 17 - 19 Aaron’s rod; the duties of the Tribe of Levi; the ordinance of the red heifer

Chapter 17 

As a test, the Lord tells Moses to take twelve rods, one from each tribe, including Aaron’s rod from the tribe of Levi, and place them in the Holy of Holies before the Ark of the Covenant.  They are to remain there until the next day.  The man’s rod that the Lord chooses (for the head of the house of their fathers) will blossom. The next day Moses brought out the rods with the names of each tribe inscribed on them and only Aaron’s rod had burst into a live growth of green leaves, blossoms and almonds.  Aaron’s rod was then placed in the Ark of the Covenant as a witness against the rebels “and [the Lord said] thou shalt quite take away their murmurings from me, that they die not” (vv. 17:1-10). 

Chapter 18

Now the Lord declares the status of Aaron and his sons as the priests who minister the ordinances in the sanctuary.  The tribe of Levi is to minister (give assistance) to the priests and help in service of the duties of the tabernacle (putting it up, taking it down and transporting it).  The tribe of Levi does not have a land of inheritance but will receive the tithes of the children of Israel (vv. 18:1-21). 

Chapter 19

The ordinance of the red heifer is added to the carnal commandments. This is for "a water of separation: it is a purification for sin." The heifer without spot or blemish is sacrificed outside the camp and the blood sprinkled in the direction of the sanctuary seven times.  When the carcass is totally consumed the ashes are gathered and placed in a “clean place” and added to water to be sprinkled around where a person died. (vv. 19:1-10).

"He that toucheth the dead body of any man  shall be unclean seven days" and must purify himself (vv. 19:11).  This ordinance was for those who became “unclean” by being involved in disposal of the dead (see chapter 19:11-22).

Numbers 20 – 21 Miriam and Aaron die; more rebellion

Chapter 20

After thirty-nine years of wandering in the wilderness, Miriam, Moses’ sister, dies in Kadesh and was buried there.  There was no water there in the desert and the Lord spoke to Moses that he should strike the rock twice with his rod.  And abundant water came out of the rock and all the children of Israel drank and their animals also (vv. 20: 2-13).  And Moses displeased the Lord by boasting about his part in getting water out of the rock.

The whole congregation went from Kadesh to mount Hor.  Then Moses and Eleazar (Aaron’s son) were instructed to take Aaron into the mount “and Aaron shall be gathered unto his people, and shall die there” (v. 20:26).  He was 123 years old (vv. 20:33-39).  And Aaron’s priestly garments were put on Eleazar, his son.  All the congregation of the children of Israel mourned for Aaron for thirty days.

 

Chapter 21

Now, Arad, king of the Canaanites began a war against Israel and the Lord delivered up the Canaanites and they and their cities were utterly destroyed (v. 21:2).
 

The Israelites journeyed from Hor and the people began to be discouraged and complain against God and Moses.  “And the LORD sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people; and much people of Israel died” (v. 21:6).  The people repent saying, "we have sinned" and come to Moses asking him to pray to the LORD to take away the serpents. The LORD tells  Moses to make a fiery serpent and put it on a pole: “that every one that is bitten, when he looketh upon it, shall live” (v. 21:8).  So Moses made a serpent out of brass and those who are bitten who look upon the brass serpent live and are healed (vv. 21:4-9).

The camp moved many times in the wilderness which was written in the [lost] book of the wars of the LORD (v. 21:14).  And the LORD again provided water for them at Beer (vv. 21:16-18).

Now, with the LORD’s help, Israel's army took all the land of the Amorites and they "dwelt" in the cities and villages of the Amorites.  And when they went to battle in the land of Bashan, the LORD said to Moses of their king, "Fear him not; for I have delivered him into thy hand, and all his people, and his land" (vv. 21:21-35).

Amorites - "A people descended from Emer, the fourth son of Canaan, (see Genesis 10:16). They first peopled the mountains west of the Dead sea, near Hebron; but afterwards extended their limits, and took possession of the finest provinces of Moab and Ammon, on the east between the brooks Jabbok and Arnon, (see Numbers 13:29 21:21-31; Joshua 5:1; Judges 11:13).  Moses took this country from their king, Sihon.

"The lands which the Amorites possessed on this side Jordan were given to the tribe of Judah, and those beyond the Jordan to the tribes of Reuben and Gad. The name Amorite is often taken in Scripture for Canaanite, in general" (see Genesis 15:16) (http://biblehub.com).

Old Testament Scriptural Summaries and Commentary

Exodus, Chapters 15-20; 31-34 Gospel Doctrine Class

Sunday School Lesson 14 - "Ye Shall be a Peculiar Treasure unto Me"

Book reference, The Old Testament Made Easier, Part 2, by David J. Ridges

Publisher Cedar Fort, Springville, Utah

Exodus 15 - 16  Murmuring and manna

After the Israelites see the stunning destruction of Pharaoh and his army in the Red Sea, they rejoice and praise the LORD.  And Israel sings the song of Moses. “And with the blast of thy nostrils the waters were gathered together, the floods stood upright as an heap, the depths were congealed [dry ground] in the heart of the sea” (v. 15:8).  "Who is like unto thee, O LORD, among the gods? who is like thee, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders?" (v. 1:11).  And Miriam the prophetess the sister of Aaron (and Moses) took a timbrel [a small drum or tambourine; a tabret] in her hand and all the women followed her with timbrels and dancing.  And Miriam said, "Sing ye to the LORD, for he hath triumphed gloriously; the horse and his rider hath he thrown into the sea" (see vv. 15:1-21).

“So Moses brought Israel from the Red sea," and they went three days into the wilderness of Shur and found no water to drink at Marah as it was bitter.  And the people murmured against Moses saying, "What shall we drink?" Then Moses cried unto the LORD and the LORD showed him a tree that when he cast it into the water, "the waters were made sweet" (vv. 15:24-25).

And the "whole congregation" of the children of Israel murmured against Moses and Aaron that their food brought with them from Egypt had run out and they had no food.   And the LORD spoke to Moses and He provided quail in the evening and a bread-like substance called manna, in the morning.  And the people were told to gather only as much manna as they needed for one day except on the sixth day when they were to gather twice as much for the next day which was the Sabbath.  And, on that day, no bread was found on the ground.  And some of the people were disobedient and the LORD said unto Moses, “How long refuse ye to keep my commandments and my laws?” (vv. 16:28).  "And the house of Israel called the name thereof Manna: and it was like coriander seed, white; and the taste of it was like wafers made with honey" (v. 16:31).

In Numbers 11:8 more information about manna is found: "And the people went about and gathered it and ground it in mills, or beat it in a mortar, and baked it in pans, and made cakes of it: and the taste of it was as the taste of fresh oil."

And the children of Israel ate manna for forty years until they went into inhabited land on the borders of Canaan (vv. 16:26-35).

Exodus 17 - 18  The Miracle of the water; Amalekite war; Jethro comes to help

The children of Israel continued their journeys into the wilderness. And there was murmuring about having no water so Moses cried to the LORD as the people were threatening to stone him.  The LORD told Moses to take the elders of Israel and his rod and go to a rock that will be shown to him on Horeb (Sinai).  At that place, Moses strikes the rock and water gushes forth so that all the people may drink (vv. 17:1-7)

Now the Amalekites, the descendants of Esau, sweep out of the hills and attack the Israelites.  Moses puts a young Ephramite, Joshua, in charge and sends him to battle the following day.  When the battle begins, Moses stands on the top of the hill with the "rod of God" in his hand and the Israelites prevail.  When he becomes tired and lowers his arms, the Amalekites prevail.  Finally, Aaron and a man named Hur hold up Moses’ hands, one on each side, until the sun goes down and the invaders are vanquished (vv. 17: 8-16). 

After the defeat of the Amalekites,  Jethro, the high priest of Midian, [Moses' father-in-law],  arrives with Moses' wife, Zipporah, and his two sons, Gershom and Eliezer.  Moses tells Jethro all that happened in Egypt.  And Jethro rejoiced and worshiped the LORD with Moses and the elders of Israel, that the LORD  had delivered the people of Israel out of the hand of the Egyptians (vv. 18:1-12). 

Jethro sees that Moses is having to judge the people from morning to night when they come to enquire about the statutes of God and his laws, over every little problem between two individuals.  Jethro asks Moses, "why sittest thou thyself alone?" And he tells him, "this thing is too heavy for thee thou art not able to perform it thyself alone."  And Jethro gives counsel that Moses should choose out of all the people able men that fear God to be rulers [Judges] of thousands, and rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of ten.  And they will judge the people over all the “small matters.”  Then when there is a “great matter” they can bring it to Moses.  This is the system used today to delegate Priesthood responsibility to others.  And Jethro departs into his own land (18:13-27).

Exodus 19-23  Revelations of God from Mt. Sinai

The children of Israel are now camped in the wilderness in front of Mt. Sinai.  They have been gone from Egypt about two months.  Mt. Sinai is the place where God called Moses to free the Israelites from bondage.  As soon as possible, he climbs the mountain.  The LORD tells him that if the children of Israel obey his voice and keep his covenants, they will be “a peculiar treasure unto me above all people.  And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation"—"Through covenant keeping, we become a holy people, the Lord's people" (Ridges, OT Made Easier, pt. 2, p. 74) (19:1-6).

LDS Scripture Bible Dictionary: "Peculiar - One's very own, exclusive, or special, not used in the Bible as odd or eccentric.…[Comparing] the various translations of the same word in [other scriptures]…should carry the meaning of the saints' being the Lord's own special people or treasure" (p. 748).

And the people say to Moses, “All that the LORD has spoken, we will do (19:8).  Then the LORD tells Moses to prepare the Israelites [to see God] for three days after which “The LORD will come down in the sight of all the people on Mt. Sinai” (v. 19:11).  And Moses was to set bounds where the people could not go beyond or they would die. 

On the third day there were thunders and lightnings and a thick cloud upon the mount, and the voice of the trumpet was exceeding loud; and all the people in the camp trembled.  Then Moses took the people out of the camp to meet with God.  The mountain was filled with smoke as the LORD descended upon it in fire; and the whole mount quaked greatly.  The LORD called Moses to the top of the mount and told him the people were about to defy the boundaries and follow him up into the mountains. So, Moses was quickly sent back to keep them from death.  The LORD told Moses when he comes upon the mount again to bring only Aaron. (vv. 19:10-25).

When Moses returns to the mount, the people hear the voice of the LORD from Sinai speak the Ten Commandments.  And they were afraid and moved away from the mount.  And when he comes down, they say to Moses, "Speak thou with us, and we will hear; but let not God speak with us, lest we die" (vv. 20:1-19).

The LORD tells Moses to say to the children of Israel "Ye have seen that I have talked with you from heaven."  And he tells him to make a sacrificial alter for burnt offerings and peace offerings out of earth or uncut stones (vv. 20:24-26).

And the LORD gave Moses the “Covenant Code” or Laws of Moses which are laws that concern crimes, public or social problems, and general policies.

Following are LDS scriptures Old Testament chapter headings:

Exodus 21:  "The Lord reveals its laws pertaining to servants; plural marriage; the death penalty for divers offenses; the giving of an eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth (see vv. 24, 26-27); the regulations governing damage done by oxen."

Exodus 22: "The Lord reveals his laws pertaining to stealing, destructions by fire, care of property of others, borrowing, lascivious acts, sacrifices to false gods, afflicting widows, usury, reviling God, the firstborn of men and of animals—Men of Israel commanded to be holy."

Exodus 23: "The Lord reveals his laws pertaining to integrity and godly conduct—Land shall rest during a sabbatical year—Israel shall keep three annual feasts—An angel, bearing the Lord's name, shall guide them—Sickness shall be removed—Nations of Canaan shall be driven out gradually.

Exodus 24 Seventy-three Israelites see God

When Moses presented the words of the LORD concerning all the laws, the people answered with one voice, “All the words which the Lord hath said, we will do” (v. 24:3).  And Moses wrote the words of the LORD.  An altar was built of stone with twelve pillars representing the twelve tribes of Israel.  And they made burnt offerings unto the LORD.  Moses took half of the drained blood of the offering and sprinkled it on the altar and on the people as the blood of the covenant “which the LORD hath made with you concerning all these words” (vv. 24:1-8). 

After the people accepted the covenant offered by Jehovah, the LORD permits 73 Israelites to be brought into his presence.  And Moses took Aaron, and his two sons, Nadab and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel, part way up the mountain, “And they saw the God of Israel [Jehovah]; and there was under his feet as it were a paved work of a sapphire stone” (v. 24:10).  

Again, the LORD tells Moses to come up into the mountain and he will give him tables of stone that contain the law and commandments "that thou mayest teach them."  Then Moses and Joshua rise up and go to the mount while the elders are left with Aaron and Hur to judge any disputed problems while they are gone.  After six days, the LORD calls to Moses "out of the midst of the cloud." And the children of Israel saw the glory of the LORD like devouring fire on the top of the mount. And Moses was in the mount forty days and forty nights (vv. 24:11-18).

Exodus 25 – 30  Moses is given the pattern for building the Tabernacle 

The LORD gives Moses the pattern for and use of the portable tabernacle while he is on the mount.  Every aspect of the doors, veils, walls, decorations, coverings, utensils, altar, and Ark of the Covenant are described by the LORD along with precise measurements and architectural detail.  The tabernacle was quite small – about 45 feet long by 15 feet wide and consisted of the Holy Place and the Holy of Holies.  The fenced Outer Courtyard surrounding the tabernacle was about 150 feet by 75 feet.  More description of the three areas of the tabernacle will be given later in the scriptures when it is actually built (chapters 25; 26; 27).

Now the LORD tells Moses to consecrate Aaron to the “priest’s office” (the High Priest) with Aaron’s sons as assistants to minister in the tabernacle when it is finished.  And he provides Moses with all the details of the “holy garments” that are to be worn in the holy sanctuary by the High Priest (Aaron) and his sons (chapter 28).

Aaron and his sons are to be sanctified [made holy] to minister unto God in the priest's office.  They are to be brought to the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, washed with water, given holy garments, and anointed with oil upon their heads.  Many other sacrifices and offerings are detailed to be performed by the priests on the altar and in the tabernacle.  "And I will dwell among the children of Israel, and will be their God.  And they shall know that I am the LORD their God, that brought them forth out of the land of Egypt, that I may dwell among them: I am the LORD their God" (chapter 29).

The details for the altar of incense are given.  The atonement offering is explained.  All items for the courtyard and the tabernacle are to be sanctified and made holy.  Some restrictions are given for the use of the holy oil and perfume (chapter 30).

Exodus 31 – 34  Instructions on the Sabbath; two sets of stone tablets   

Moses was told that keeping the Sabbath is a sign between the LORD and his people.  And the LORD tells Moses, "Ye shall keep the sabbath therefore; for it is holy unto you: every one that denieth it shall surely be put to death: for whosoever doeth any work therein, that soul shall be cut off from among his people."  Six days are for work, but the seventh is for rest as in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, and rested and refreshed on the seventh.  This is to be a perpetual covenant throughout all generations of the children of Israel (vv. 31: 12-17).  Then, at the end of his sojourn on the mount, Moses receives the stone tablets: “tables of testimony…written with the finger of God" (v. 31:18).

Moses’ transcendent time with the LORD was about to be spoiled as he was told that the people he brought out of Egypt had “corrupted themselves” (v. 32:7) while he was away.  Jehovah told Moses they had made a golden calf and were worshipping it.  Now the Lord’s “hot wrath” (v. 32:10) turned against the Israelites and he told Moses that he wanted to consume (destroy) them.  Moses pleads on their behalf and the LORD withdraws his threat.  Moses went to where Joshua was waiting (see v. 24:13) and on down the mount into the camp.  They saw the degenerate people and the golden calf.  Moses was so angry that he threw down the tablets of stone and broke them to pieces.  Then he cast the golden calf into the fire and melted it into the dust and scooped up the dirt and flung it into the water; and commanded the people to drink the water.  And he saw that the people were naked (taken into adultery or worse) and called to the people, “Who is on the Lord’s side? Let him come unto me” (v. 32:26).  And all the sons of Levi gathered unto him.  Then Moses told the sons of Levi to slay every person who was guilty of participating in the heathen rites; “and there fell of the people that day, about three thousand men” (vv. 32:7-28).  And Moses told the people he would return to the LORD "[to] make an atonement for your sin."  The LORD told Moses to leave and go lead his people to the place which he had spoken of (vv. 32:7-34).

The LORD told him he would no longer personally guide them but would send ministering angels instead "for thou art a stiffnecked people: lest I consume thee in the way" (v. 33:3).  And when Moses told the children of Israel, they mourned.  Then Moses erected a temporary tabernacle of worship outside the camp and the Lord’s “cloudy pillar” descended to the door of the tabernacle "And the LORD spake unto Moses face to face, as a man speaketh unto his friend" (v. 33:11).  

Exodus 33:20 is a contradiction of verse 11 which states: "And he [the LORD] said, Thou canst not see my face: for there shall no man see me, and live."  JST corrects this statement with a longer explanation.  The following is the last sentence of the JST verse: "And no sinful man hath at any time, neither shall there be any sinful man at any time, that shall see my face and live."

Exodus 34:1-2: "And the LORD said unto Moses, Hew thee two tables of stone like unto the first: and I will write upon these tables the words that were in the first tables, which thou brakest, And be ready in the morning and come up in the morning unto mount Sinai, and present thyself there to me in the top of  the mount." (See below: JST Exodus 34:1-2 and JST Deuteronomy 10:2.)

He was instructed to come alone and to keep all flocks and herds off the mount.  "And the LORD descended in the cloud, and stood with him there." The LORD made a covenant to Moses "before all thy people" that he will do marvels such as have not been done in all the earth" and all the people will see the work of the LORD (vv. 34:3-10).  At the top of Sinai, Moses was quickened and conversed with the LORD.  During this period the Lord instructed Moses in the new order after the law of carnal commandments which was a lesser law (JST) (vv. 34:11-26). 

"And the Lord said unto Moses, Write thou these words: for after the tenor of these words I have made a covenant with thee and with Israel.  And he was there with the Lord forty days and forty nights; he did neither eat bread, nor drink water.  And he wrote upon the tables the words of the covenant, the ten commandments" (vv. 34:27-28).

When Moses came down from the mountain his face shone with light so intense that the children of Israel were afraid of him and he put a veil over his face while he talked with the people (vv. 34:29-35).

JST, Exodus 34:1–2

1 And the Lord said unto Moses, Hew thee two other tables of stone, like unto the first, and I will write upon them also, the words of the law, according as they were written at the first on the tables which thou brakest; but it shall not be according to the first, for I will take away the priesthood out of their midst; therefore my holy order, and the ordinances thereof, shall not go before them; for my presence shall not go up in their midst, lest I destroy them.

 2 But I will give unto them the law as at the first, but it shall be after the law of a carnal commandment; for I have sworn in my wrath, that they shall not enter into my presence, into my rest, in the days of their pilgrimage. Therefore do as I have commanded thee, and be ready in the morning, and come up in the morning unto mount Sinai, and present thyself there to me, in the top of the mount.

JST, Deuteronomy 10:2

2 And I will write on the tables the words that were on the first tables, which thou breakest, save [except for] the words of the everlasting covenant of the holy priesthood, and thou shalt put them in the ark.

D&C 84:19-27

19 And this greater priesthood administereth the gospel and holdeth the key of the mysteries of the kingdom, even the key of the knowledge of God.

 20 Therefore, in the ordinances thereof, the power of godliness is manifest.

 21 And without the ordinances thereof, and the authority of the priesthood, the power of godliness is not manifest unto men in the flesh;

 ►22 For without this no man can see the face of God, even the Father, and live.

 23 Now this Moses plainly taught to the children of Israel in the wilderness, and sought diligently to sanctify his people that they might behold the face of God;

 24 But they hardened their hearts and could not endure his presence; therefore, the Lord in his wrath, for his anger was kindled against them, swore that they should not enter into his rest while in the wilderness, which rest is the fullness of his glory.

 25 Therefore, he took Moses out of their midst, and the Holy Priesthood also;

 26 And the lesser priesthood continued, which priesthood holdeth the key of the ministering of angels and the preparatory gospel;

 27 Which gospel is the gospel of repentance and of baptism, and the remission of sins, and the law of carnal commandments, which the Lord in his wrath caused to continue with the house of Aaron among the children of Israel until John, whom God raised up, being filled with the Holy Ghost from his mother’s womb.

Old Testament Scriptural Summaries and Commentary

Exodus, Chapters 1-14, Gospel Doctrine Class

Sunday School Lesson 13 - Bondage, Passover and Exodus 

Book reference, The Old Testament Made Easier, Part 2, by David J. Ridges

Publisher Cedar Fort, Springville, Utah 

The Second Book of Moses called Exodus

Exodus 1- The children of Israel in bondage in Egypt

It has now been about 430 years since Jacob and his family came to Egypt (Elder Mark E. Peterson, Moses, pages 27-30; quoted by Ridges pt. 2, p. 4).  During this time, the family of Jacob has multiplied from seventy souls, including the family of Joseph, who were the beginning of the children of Israel in Egypt (v. 5).  The Egyptians begin to fear the rapid growth of the Israelites and place them in bondage to work as their slaves.  When Moses begins Exodus, the Israelites have been slaves to the Egyptians for a period of two to three hundred years (Ridges, pt. 2, p. 4) (summarized from Ridges, The Old Testament Made Easier, Part 2, pp. 3-5).

Moses, writing the book of Exodus, begins with the names of the twelve sons of Jacob and states "all that generation" passed away [while in Egypt] (vv. 1-6).  Five times Moses emphasizes that the children of Israel were “(1) fruitful, (2) increased abundantly, (3) multiplied, (4) waxed exceeding mighty, and (5) the land was filled with them.”  The new king of Egypt, who had not known Joseph, fears the growth of the numbers of the Israelites, and he sets taskmasters over them "to afflict them with their burdens;" but the brutal treatment doesn’t seem to affect their increase in the land (vv. 7-14).

So, the new king of Egypt devises a plan to eliminate all the male babies that are born to Israelite women by ordering the Israelite midwives to kill all the newborn baby boys and let the daughters live.  But the midwives feared God and saved the male children alive.  And the midwives told the king that they were not there when the babies were born as the Israelite women were “lively” and delivered their own babies without help.  And the Lord blessed the midwives. Then Pharaoh gives a command that every son born to the Israelites would be cast into the river but the daughters would be saved alive (vv. 15-22).

Exodus 2 - Moses is born; raised by Pharaoh’s daughter; kills an Egyptian and flees to Midian

Both of Moses’ parents were of the house of Levi [the third son of Leah and Jacob].  When Moses was born, his mother hid him for three months because of the Pharaoh’s command that all male Hebrew children be killed.  When she could no longer hide him, she put him in a basket and hid him in the bulrushes by the river.  And she had his sister [Miriam] stand "afar off" to see what would happen to him (vv. 1-4). 

As the daughter of Pharaoh came to bathe in the river, she found the baby and had compassion on him as she knew he was "one of the Hebrews' children." Miriam approached and told the Pharaoh's daughter that she knew a Hebrew woman who could nurse him for her and she ran to get her mother.  The Pharaoh's daughter gave the child to his Israelite mother to nurse for wages.  When the child grew, his mother gave him to Pharaoh’s daughter and he became her son.  And she called his name Moses (vv. 5-10).

When Moses was grown (forty years old—see Acts 7:23) he saw an Egyptian beating a Hebrew man [one of his brethren], and he killed the Egyptian and hid his body in the sand.  The next day, Moses realized that what he had done was "known."  When Pharaoh heard "this thing" that Moses had done, he sought to slay him, but Moses fled to the land of Midian [400 to 500 miles away, Ridges, pt. 2, p. 15] and sat down by a well (vv. 11-15).

As the priest of Midian's seven daughters came to water their father's flocks at the well, they were driven away by shepherds, but Moses intervened and helped them with their task.  When they went back and told their father what had happened, he sent his daughters to go get "the man." And Moses was taken in by their father [Reuel also called Jethro, see Exodus 3:1], the priest of Midian, and given one of his daughters, Zipporah, as a wife who bore him a son, Gershom (vv. 16-22). And Moses was a shepherd in Midian for forty years (Ridges, pt. 2, p. 2).

In Egypt, Pharaoh died and the children of Israel cried to God because of their bondage.  God heard their groaning and remembered his covenant with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and was aware of their sore condition [see OT footnote 25a] (vv. 23-25).

Ridges comments: "When God 'remembers' His covenants, it is another way of saying, in effect, that the time has come to fulfill the promises made to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob that their posterity would be led out of captivity" (pt. 2, p. 17-18).

Exodus 3 - Moses is called to deliver Israel from bondage

As Moses was keeping the flocks of his father-in-law Jethro at the mountain of God called Horeb [Sinai, see Bible Dictionary], the Lord [Jehovah, JST Exodus 3:2] appeared to him in a flame and fire of a burning bush that was not consumed.  And the LORD called to him out of the bush, "Moses, Moses."  And he said “Here am I.”  And the LORD told Moses not to draw near but to take off his shoes as this was holy ground.  Then, God identifies himself as "the God of thy father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob" [the pre-mortal Jehovah, see Ridges, pt. 2, p. 22] (vv. 1-6).

The LORD tells Moses that he sees the affliction of his people in Egypt and knows their sorrows and oppressions.  He said to Moses that He [the Lord] has come down to deliver them out of Egypt and to bring them to a good land that has been promised to them [through the Abrahamic Covenant]; the land of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Amorites, the Perizzites, the Hivities, and the Jebusites—a land flowing with milk and honey. Then he tells Moses, “I will send thee unto Pharaoh, that thou mayest bring forth my people the children of Israel out of Egypt” (vv. 7-10).

And Moses said to God, “Who am I, that I should go unto Pharaoh, and that I should bring forth the children of Israel out of Egypt?" And, the LORD assures Moses that He will be with him and that he [Moses] will yet serve God on this mountain [he will receive the Ten Commandments here].  Then Moses asks God what name he should tell the children of Israel has sent him.  God replies, tell them “I AM hath sent me unto you.”   He instructs Moses to tell them that I AM is the God of their fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, and that he has been sent by him to deliver them out of bondage unto the land of the Canaanites as he [God] has seen "that which is done to you in Egypt" (vv. 11-17). 

The LORD tells Moses to gather the elders of Israel and take them to the king of Egypt.  Tell him the LORD God of the Hebrews hath met with them and say to him "now let us go, we beseech thee, three days' journey into the wilderness, that we may sacrifice to the LORD our God." And the LORD said to Moses, "I am sure that the king of Egypt will not let you go."  Then the LORD tells Moses that he will smite Egypt with many wonders [plagues] so the Egyptian people will be anxious to see them leave.  And then the Pharaoh, at length, will let them go and they will take with them much of the riches from the land of Egypt (vv. 18-22).

Exodus 4 - Moses is given power from the Lord

Moses is concerned that the Israelites won’t believe him.  The Lord gives him three wonders: a rod that turns into a serpent and when picked up by the tail, the serpent becomes his rod again; next, he is told to put his hand into his bosom and when he brings it out, it is leprous, but when put into the bosom again it returns healed; then he gives Moses power to turn water into blood (vv. 1-9). 

Moses complains that he is slow of speech and God reprimands him and tells him that He made man's mouth and will give him what to say.  Then the Lord tells him that Aaron, Moses’ Levite brother, is fluent of speech and can teach Moses what to say and be his spokesman.  "[Behold] he cometh forth to meet thee: and when he seeth thee, he will be glad in his heart."  And he will be to Moses "instead of a mouth, and thou shalt be to him instead of God."  Further, with the rod the LORD has given him, "thou shalt do signs"—if the Israelites are still not convinced (vv. 10-17).

Moses returns to Jethro and asks him to let him go to Egypt and Jethro says, “Go in Peace.” The LORD tells Moses in Midian that those in Egypt who wanted to kill him are all dead.  So Moses takes his wife and sons and journeys  to Egypt.  And the LORD has told him that he is to do all the wonders that he has been given in front of the Pharaoh.  He is to tell Pharaoh, "Israel is my [covenant] son, even my firstborn."  And he is to say "let my son go, that he may serve me."  And Moses is to tell Pharaoh that if he refuses, God will slay his firstborn son (vv. 18-23).

With help from JST 4:24-26 we understand that on their way to Egypt at an inn, the LORD was angry with Moses and about "to kill him" because he had failed to circumcise his son as was required by the Lord.  Then Zipporah took a sharp stone and circumcised her son.  Zipporah called Moses "a bloody husband" and threw the sharp stone at his feet.  Moses was ashamed and hid his face from the Lord as he knew he had sinned "before the Lord."

Aaron is told by the LORD to meet Moses in the wilderness and they meet "where God appeared unto him [Moses, Sinai ]; and Aaron kissed him" [JST, v. 27].  When they get to Egypt, Moses and Aaron gather together all the elders of Israel and Aaron explains to them all that the LORD has spoken to Moses and Moses performs the signs in front of the people.  And they believe Moses, that the LORD "had looked upon their affliction" and "they bowed their heads and worshipped" (vv. 27-31).

Exodus 5-6 - Let my people go

Moses and Aaron go to the Pharaoh and tell him "thus saith the LORD God of Israel, Let my people go.”  Pharaoh says to them, "Who is the LORD, that I should obey his voice to let Israel go?  I know not the LORD, neither will I let Israel go."  Then they ask to let the people go three days into the desert to sacrifice to their God lest God fall on them with pestilence or with the sword.  Instead, as a punishment, the Pharaoh commands that the Israelites not be given straw to make bricks and said, "let them go and gather straw for themselves."   They are also required to make the same quota [see footnote 8a] of bricks as before (vv. 5:1-8)

And the officers of the children of Israel went to Pharaoh and asked him why he was doing this to them.  And he said, "Ye are idle, ye are idle; therefore ye say, Let us go and do sacrifice to the LORD."  And they were angry with Moses and Aaron because the Pharaoh seeks to increase their burdens and to slay them.  And Moses turns to the Lord and asks why he was sent because "[Pharaoh] hath done evil to this people"  and the people have not been delivered (5:15-23).

And the Lord assures Moses that Pharaoh will let the children of Israel go (v. 6:1).  And the Lord tells Moses that he remembers his covenant to this people; that he is the same God [Jehovah, Jesus Christ, JST 6:3] who appeared to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob and promised to give them the land of Canaan.  Moses is to reassure the people that the LORD has heard their groaning, and He will bring them out from under the burdens of the Egyptians (vv. 6:2-8).

Moses speaks to the children of Israel: but they won't hear him because of their "anguish of spirit, and for [their] cruel bondage."  The LORD tells Moses to go back to Pharaoh and tell him again to let the children of Israel go out of the land of Egypt (vv. 6:9-13).

Now the names of all the heads of their fathers’ [families] houses are given from the sons of Jacob (the twelve tribes) down to Aaron and Moses (vv. 6:14-26).  And the LORD tells Moses that He will give him what to say to Pharaoh.  But Moses questions his "stammering lips, and slow[ness] of speech" [see OT footnote 30a] and said, "how shall Pharaoh hearken unto me?" (vv. 6:28-30).

Exodus 7-11 - The ten plagues and pestilences

"And the LORD said unto Moses, See, I have made thee a god to Pharaoh and Aaron thy brother shall be thy prophet."  The LORD tells Aaron to speak to Pharaoh all that he commands him.  And he tells them the Egyptians will know that he is the LORD when he multiplies his signs and wonders in the land of Egypt.  And they did as the LORD commanded.  And Moses was fourscore years old (80) and Aaron was fourscore and three (83) when they spoke to the Pharaoh (vv. 7: 1-7).

When Moses and Aaron appear before Pharaoh, Moses throws down his rod and it becomes a serpent.  And all the Kings sorcerers and magicians did the same and their rods turned to serpents and Aaron’s rod swallowed up their rods.  And Pharaoh’s heart was hardened (vv. 7:8-13). 

First plague – Moses stands by the river where Pharaoh is in the morning and with his rod turns the river into blood.  And Aaron turns all the streams, rivers, ponds and pools in Egypt into blood.  All the fish die and there was no water to drink.  And it remained for seven days (vv. 7:14-25).

Second plague – The Lord instructs Moses to have Aaron stretch his hand with his rod over the streams, rivers, and ponds and cause frogs to cover the land of Egypt (vv. 8:5-6).  Now, Pharaoh begs Moses to ask the LORD to take away the frogs and he will let his people go.  So Moses cried to the LORD and all the frogs died and were heaped up but Pharaoh hardened his heart once again (vv. 8:1-15).

Third plague – The Lord tells Moses to have Aaron to smite the dust of the land, and it becomes lice throughout all the land of Egypt.  And Pharaoh's heart was still hardened (vv. 8:16-19). 

Fourth plague – The Lord sends swarms of flies upon everything except in the land of Goshen where his people dwell.  And the land was corrupted by the swarms of flies.  As before, Pharaoh asks Moses to "intreat the LORD that the swarms of flies may depart."  And Moses said to Pharaoh, "but let not Pharaoh deal deceitfully any more in not letting the people go to sacrifice to the LORD."  And the flies were taken away but Pharaoh would not let the people go (vv. 8:20-32). 

Fifth plague – The hand of the Lord came upon all the cattle, horses, asses, camels, oxen and sheep (all the domesticated animals) of the land and they became diseased and died.  But, the cattle of the children of Israel were spared.  And Pharaoh still would not let the people go (vv. 9:1-7). 

Sixth plague – The LORD instructs Moses to sprinkle the ashes of a furnace "toward the heaven in the sight of Pharaoh."  And it becomes boils and blains (blisters) upon all men and beasts in Egypt (vv. 9:8-12). 

Seventh plague – Now, the LORD tells Moses to say to Pharaoh, "I will stretch out my hand, that I may smite thee and thy people with pestilence.…[For] this cause have I raised thee up, for to shew in thee my power; and that my name may be declared throughout all the earth." And the Lord caused grievous hail from the heaven in all the land of Egypt upon man and beast.  Every herb of the field and every tree was destroyed.  And fire ran along the ground mixed with hail.  But in the land of Goshen, there was no hail (vv. 9:13-26).  Still Pharaoh would not let the people go (vv. 9:27-35).

Eighth plague – After all this, Moses and Aaron appear before Pharaoh and said, "Thus saith the LORD God of the Hebrews, How long wilt thou refuse to humble thyself before me? let my people go, that they may serve me.  Else…behold, to morrow will I bring the locusts into thy coast."  And Pharaoh asks Moses "who are they that shall go?"  And Moses told him that everyone and all their flocks and herds would go.  Now Pharaoh agreed to let the men [only] go serve the LORD and they were driven out from Pharaoh's presence.  And Moses stretched out his rod over the land and the Lord caused the east wind to blow which brought the locusts to cover the land.  And the locusts ate every herb or fruit that was left in the land (vv. 10: 1-15).  As before, Pharaoh begs Moses to take away the locust, and the LORD caused a mighty west wind which took away the locusts and they were cast into the Red sea. But Pharaoh refused again to let the people go (vv. 10:16-20). 

Ninth plague – And the LORD caused Moses to stretch forth his hand to heaven and thick darkness came upon the land for three days.  The Egyptians could not see or move at all, but all the children of Israel had light in their dwellings (vv. 10:21-23). Now, Pharaoh agrees to let the people go but their flocks and herds would have to stay.  But Moses would not leave without their cattle and flocks.  Pharaoh tells Moses if he sees his face again, he will die.  And Moses said, "Thou hast spoken well, I will see thy face again no more" (vv. 10:24-29).

Tenth plague – And the LORD tells Moses this will be the last plague after which Pharaoh will let the people go.  The LORD prepares the people by telling Moses to have all the people "borrow" of their neighbors jewels of gold and silver.  The Lord gives the Israelites favour in the sight of the Egyptians that this can be accomplished. 

Ridges comments: "[The] use of the word 'borrow'…is unfortunate.  It is a mistranslation of a Hebrew word in the original text…it makes the Israelites look like they took the things under false pretenses.  In reality, the Egyptians, not the Israelites, had suffered so much because of the plagues that came upon them that they were glad to get rid of the Israelites and were eager to give them whatever necessary to get them to leave" (pt. 2, p. 41).

And Moses said, "Thus saith the LORD, about midnight will I go out into the midst of Egypt:" and all the firstborn among the Egyptians as well as their animals will die but all the children of Israel will be protected.  "And there shall be a great cry throughout all the land of Egypt." And the children of Israel were spared by the Lord and they were not affected by any of the plagues (vv. 11:1-10).

Exodus 12 - The Feast of the Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread

These two celebrations are often considered to be synonymous.  The feast of Unleavened Bread lasted for seven days during which time no leaven was to be in the house and leavened food of any kind was not to be eaten. "The Passover is the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread" (Old Testament Gospel Doctrine Teacher's Manual, Lesson #12).  In ancient times, the Passover was celebrated in remembrance of the Lord’s pass over of the houses of the children of Israel in Egypt when the firstborn of all the Egyptians “the Lord smote” (12:29).  The Israelites were told to celebrate the Passover forever as a memorial of their deliverance (13:1-16); however, we know this remembrance was fulfilled in Christ when the ordinance of the sacrament was instituted in place of the Passover. 

"With the suffering of Gethsemane, the sacrifice of Calvary, and the resurrection from a garden tomb, Jesus fulfilled the ancient law [of the Passover] and ushered in a new dispensation based on a higher, holier understanding of the law of sacrifice. No more would men be required to offer the firstborn lamb from their flock, because the Firstborn of God had come to offer himself as an “infinite and eternal sacrifice” (CR -"Christ, Our Passover," Howard W. Hunter, April, 1985).

"The Passover was such an important event that the Israelite calendar system was altered to make the month in which it took place become the first month in their calendar year (v. 1).  This month, Abib (later called Nisan), is the equivalent of late March or early April in our calendar system.  Many Jews today continue to celebrate Passover" (Ridges, pt. 2, p. 43).

Moses and Aaron were instructed by the Lord to "speak to the congregation" to prepare them for the Passover according to the following: (1) each house was to take a first year male lamb without blemish and keep it for four days until the evening of the Exodus when it would be killed without breaking any bones and roasted with fire; (2) they were to eat all the meat that was cooked or burn it completely; they would also eat unleavened bread because leaven or raised bread was seen as a symbol of corruption as it was easily spoiled or moldy; they were also to eat bitter herbs;  (3) they were to remain in their clothes (loins girded), with their shoes on their feet and their staff in their hand so they can leave in haste; (4) they were to take the blood of the lamb and sprinkle it on the doorposts of their houses so the angel of death would know to pass over their houses (vv. 1-11).

And the LORD said to Moses and Aaron: "For I [the LORD] will pass through the land of Egypt this night, and will smite all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and against all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgment; I am the LORD."  He tells them that when he sees the blood on the houses of the Israelites, "I will pass over you, and the plague shall not be upon you to destroy you, when I smite the land of Egypt."  And this day will be "a memorial" that they will keep as a feast by an ordinance for ever.  And the Lord gives instructions according to the feast of the unleavened bread (vv. 1-20).

And Moses gave all these instructions to the elders of Israel.  Then "the children of Israel went away, and did as the LORD had commanded Moses and Aaron" (vv. 21-28).

And at midnight the LORD smote all the firstborn in the land of Egypt.  When the Egyptians found their firstborn dead a great cry arose and the Pharaoh called Moses and Aaron.  He told them to leave and take all their people and flocks with them.  And the Egyptians were so anxious for the Israelites to leave that they willingly gave them gold, silver, jewels and raiment from the riches of Egypt to take with them (vv. 29-36). 

Now after 430 years, about six hundred thousand Israelite men, plus women and children, plus "a mixed multitude" of others, "the LORD did bring …out of the land of Egypt" (vv. 37-41, 51).

Atonement Symbolisms in the Passover

(1) The lamb is to be without blemish, a male of the first year.  This signifies that the Lamb of God (Christ) was pure and perfect without spot or blemish and would be slain for the sins of the world. 

(2) The blood of the lamb sprinkled on the doorposts of the houses signifies that the blood of Christ would cleanse and save the faithful and that all the faithful of all ages would wash their garments in the blood of the Eternal Lamb and from him receive eternal salvation.  
(3)  No bones of the sacrificial lamb were to be broken.  This signifies that when the Lamb of God was sacrificed on the cross none of his bones were broken. 

(4) Eating the flesh of the sacrificial lamb signifies that those who partake of his flesh and drink his blood (through the ordinance of the sacrament) shall be raised up at the last day (see John 6:54).

(5) As the Lord ‘smote’ the firstborn in the land of Egypt because they refused the word of the Lord so the Firstborn of the Father (Jesus Christ) will destroy the wicked at the last day. 

(6) The children of Israel were commanded to hold holy convocations when no work could be done.  These were for preaching and testifying.  So we meet in sacrament meetings to be built up in faith and in testimony.  (Summarized from Ridges, pt. 2, pp. 48-50, quoted from Bruce R. McConkie, The Promised Messiah, p. 429-31.)

Exodus 13 -14 - The Lord delivers his people

The LORD spoke to Moses saying: "Sanctify unto me all the firstborn…among the children of Israel both man and beast: it is mine"—certain beasts to be used for sacrifices to the LORD.  Then Moses spoke to the people telling them to remember the day that they came out from Egypt, out of bondage; and on this day no leavened bread should be eaten.  Moses also explains the Feast of Unleavened Bread and that it is to be kept from year to year as a memorial of the Lord’s deliverance of the children of Israel (vv. 13:1-18).  And Moses keeps the promise made to Joseph that his bones would be taken with his people when they leave Egypt (v. 13:19).

 As they were camped in the wilderness, the LORD “went before them” in a pillar of a cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night—to lead the way.  And the pillar remained with the people both day and night (vv. 13:20-22).  And the LORD continues to speak to Moses.  He tells him to return and camp by the sea.  He tells Moses that Pharaoh will harden his heart and follow after them (vv. 14:1-4).

Now Pharaoh regrets letting Israel go from serving them.  And he  gathers his 600 chariots and an army of horsemen and he pursues after them and finds them encamped by the sea.  And when the Israelites see the Egyptians, they are afraid and complain that Moses has taken them away to die in the wilderness—why didn't he just leave them in Egypt?  Moses tells them “Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD which he will shew to you to day; for the Egyptians whom ye have seen to day, ye shall see them again no more for ever.” And he tells them: "The LORD shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace"—stop complaining (vv. 13:5-13). 

And the LORD puts a pillar of a cloud between Pharaoh and his army, and the children of Israel, so they can’t be seen (vv. 14:19-20).  Then the LORD tells Moses to raise his rod and stretch his hand over the sea and the water separates "and the waters were divided."  And a strong east wind makes the ground dry in the midst of the sea. When Moses and all his people are safe on the other side (v. 14:29), the pillar of the cloud is removed and the Egyptians follow after them into the dry ground of the sea.  And Moses stretches forth his hand again and the waters come in and cover the chariots, and the horsemen, and all the host of Pharaoh are drowned and not one of them remained (vv. 14:21-28).

Thus the LORD that day saved Israel from the Egyptians.  And the people feared and believed in the LORD, and his servant Moses (vv. 14:30-31).