Old Testament Scriptural Summaries and Commentary

Deuteronomy , Chapters 4; 6:1-12; 7:1-4; 8; 11:18-21; 13:1-8; 16: 2, 11, 16; 32; 34;

Gospel Doctrine Class, Sunday School Lesson 17 - "Beware Lest Thou Forget"

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

Publisher Cedar Fort, Springville, Utah

The Fifth Book of Moses called Deuteronomy

Deuteronomy

The word “Deuteronomy” means “repetition of the law" (see Bible Dictionary).  In this book, as Moses’ time with the children of Israel ends, he will deliver three last sermons to his people.  Deuteronomy is the most quoted scripture by Old Testament prophets of all the five books of Moses   (David J. Ridges, The Old Testament Made Easier, part 2, p. 217).

Chapter 4 - A Summary of important events

"Now therefore hearken, O Israel, unto the statutes and unto the judgments, which I teach you, for to do them, that ye may live, and go in and possess the land which the LORD God of your fathers giveth you. Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought [take anything] from it.  Your eyes have seen what the LORD did because of Baal-peor [because many of you participated in Baal worship with its sexual immorality—see numbers 25: 1-3]; for all the men that followed Baal-peor, the LORD thy God hath destroyed them from among you [about 24,000] (see Numbers 25:9)  But ye that did cleave unto the LORD your God are alive every one of you [still] this day (vv. 4:1-4).

"Behold, I have taught you statutes and judgments, even as the LORD my God commanded me.…Keep therefore and do them in the sight of the nations which shall hear all these statutes, and say, Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.  For what nation is there so great, who hath God so nigh unto them…that hath statutes and judgments so righteous as all this law which I set before you this day?  Only take heed to thyself and keep thy soul diligently, lest thou forget the things which thine eyes have seen,…but teach them thy sons, and thy sons’ sons.  Specially the day that thou stoodest before the LORD thy God in Horeb [Sinai].… And ye came near and stood under the mountain; and the mountain burned with fire.…And the LORD spake unto you; ye heard the voice of the words.…And he declared unto you his covenant… ten commandments, and he wrote them upon two tables of stone.  And the LORD commanded me at that time to teach you statutes and judgments. that ye might do them in the land whither ye go over to possess it (vv. 4:5-14).

"But the LORD hath taken you, and brought you forth out of Egypt to be unto him a people of inheritance [a covenant people] as ye are this day.  Furthermore the LORD was angry with me for your sakes (see Numbers 20:7-8, 11-12) and sware that I should not go over Jordan, and that I should not go in unto that good land [the land of Canaan]which the LORD thy God giveth thee for an inheritance.  But I must die [be translated] in this land;… but ye shall go over and possess that good land.  Take heed unto yourselves, lest ye forget the covenant of the LORD…and make you a graven image or the likeness of any thing: which the LORD thy God hath forbidden thee.  For the LORD thy God is a consuming fire, even a jealous God" (vv.4:20-24).

"And the LORD shall scatter you among the nations.… And there ye shall serve gods, the work of men’s hands, wood and stone, which neither see, nor hear, nor eat, nor smell.  But if thou shalt seek the LORD thy God thou shalt find him, if thou seek him with all thy heart and with all thy soul.  When thou art in tribulation, and all these things are come upon thee; even in the latter days, if thou turn to the LORD thy God, and shalt be obedient unto his voice;  (For the LORD thy God is a merciful God;) he will not forsake thee; neither destroy thee, nor forget the covenant of thy fathers which he sware unto them (vv. 4:25-31).

"Ask now…Did ever people hear the voice of God speaking out of the midst of the fire [on Mount Sinai], as thou hast heard, and live?… [And] according to all that the LORD your God did for you in Egypt before your eyes? [Has any nation ever had so many obvious signs and wonders as the Lord did for you to free you from Egypt?]  Unto thee it was shewed, that thou mightest know that the LORD he is God; there is none else beside him.  Out of heaven he made thee to hear his voice, that he might instruct thee; and upon earth he shewed thee his great fire; and thou heardest his words out of the midst of the fire.  And because he loved thy fathers, therefore he chose their seed after them, and he brought thee…with his mighty power out of Egypt; To drive out nations from before thee greater and mightier than thou art;…that the LORD he is God in heaven above and upon the earth beneath; there is none else.  Thou shalt keep therefore his statutes, and his commandments,…that it may go well with thee, and with thy children after thee (vv. 4:32-40).

"Then Moses severed [designated] three cities [on the east side of the Jordan River] that the slayer might flee thither which should kill his neighbour  unawares [accidentally];…namely Bezer,… Ramoth,… and Golan [cities of refuge].… And this is the law which Moses set before the children of Israel: These are the testimonies, and the statutes, and the judgments, which Moses spake unto the children of Israel, after they came forth out of Egypt.  [On] this side [of] Jordan in the land of Sihon king of the Amorites, who dwelt at Hesbon, whom Moses and the children of Israel smote,…they possessed his land and the land of Og king of Bashan,…from Aroer, which is by the bank of the river Arnon, even unto mount Sion which is Hermon; and all the plain on this side Jordan eastward, even unto the sea of the plain, under the springs of Pisgah" (vv. 4:41-49).

Chapter 6:1-12 - "Beware lest thou forget the Lord"

"Now these are the commandments, the statutes, and the judgments which the LORD your God commanded to teach you.…That thou mightest fear [respect and reverence] the LORD…that thy days may be prolonged;… that ye may increase mightily.  Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD.  And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.  And these words which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart; And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.  And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand [symbolic of actions] and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes [symbolic of keeping one’s eyes on the Lord for direction, Ridges, pt. 2, p. 238].  And thou shalt write them upon the posts [doorposts] of thy house and on thy gates (vv. 6:1-9). 

"And it shall be, when the Lord thy God shall have brought thee into the land which he sware unto thy fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give thee great and goodly cities, which thou buildedst not,

"And houses full of all good things, which thou filledst not, and wells digged, which thou diggedst not, vineyards and olive trees, which thou plantedst not; when thou shalt have eaten and be full;

 "Then beware lest thou forget the Lord, which brought thee forth out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage" (vv. 6:10:-12).

Chapter 7:1-4 - Utterly destroy the nations

"When the LORD shall bring thee into the land…to possess it, and hath cast out many nations before thee:…thou shalt smite them, and utterly destroy them [the Canaanites]; thou shalt make no covenant with them, nor shew mercy unto them.  Neither shalt thou make marriages with them:…for they will turn away thy son from following me, that they may serve other gods: But thus shall ye deal with them; destroy their altars, break down their images [idols], cut down their groves, burn their graven images with fire" (vv. 7:1-4).

Ridges comments on the commandment to "cut down their groves: "Sexual immorality accompanied most idol worship of the time.  Groves of trees were conveniently located around the idols for such purposes.  Thus, destroying the groves was part of getting rid of all things associated with the abomination of worshiping idols" (p. 241).

Chapter 8 - The Lord's reasons for testing Israel

"All the commandments shall ye observe that ye may live, and multiply, and go in and possess the land.   And thou shalt remember all the way which the LORD thy God led thee these forty years in the wilderness, to humble thee, and to prove thee, to know what was in thine heart, whether thou wouldest keep his commandments or no" (vv. 8:1-2).

"And we will prove them herewith, to see if they will do all things whatsoever the Lord their God shall command them" (Abraham 3:25). 

"And he humbled thee, suffered [allowed] thee to hunger, and fed thee with manna,… that he might make thee know that man doth not live by bread only, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the LORD doth man live (see Matt. 4:4).  Thy raiment [clothing] waxed not old upon thee, neither did thy foot swell, these forty years.…As a man chasteneth his son, so the  LORD thy God chasteneth thee.  Therefore thou shalt keep the commandments of the LORD thy God, to walk in his ways and to fear him.  For the LORD thy God bringeth thee into a good land;… and thou shalt not lack any thing in it (vv. 8:3-7, 9).

"Beware that thou forget not the LORD thy God when thou hast eaten and art full and hast built goodly houses and dwelt therein; and when thy herds and thy flocks multiply, and thy silver and gold is multiplied, and all that thou hast is multiplied.  Then thine heart be lifted up [with pride] and thou forget the LORD.…And thou say in thine heart, my power and the might of mine hand hath gotten me this wealth.  But thou shalt remember the LORD thy God: for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth that he may establish his covenant.…And it shall be, if thou do at all forget the LORD thy God,… ye shall surely perish.  As the nations which the LORD destroyeth before your face, so shall ye perish; because ye would not be obedient unto the voice of the LORD your God" (vv. 8:11-20).

President Brigham Young said: “The worst fear that I have about [members of this Church] is that they will get rich in this country, forget God and his people, wax fat, and kick themselves out of the Church and go to hell. This people will stand mobbing, robbing, poverty, and all manner of persecution, and be true. But my greater fear for them is that they cannot stand wealth; and yet they have to be tried with riches, for they will become the richest people on this earth” (in Preston Nibley, Brigham Young: The Man and His Work [1936], 128).

Chapter 11:18-21- Israel must learn God's laws and teach them

"Therefore shall ye lay up these my words in your heart and in your soul and bind them for a sign upon your hand, that they may be as frontlets between your eyes (see Deut. 6:8-9).

 (Note that frontlets were “strips of parchment on which were written four passages of scripture … and which were rolled up and attached to bands of leather worn … around the forehead or around the arm” [Bible Dictionary, “Frontlets,” p. 676]).

 "And ye shall teach them your children, speaking of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. 

"And thou shalt write them upon the door posts of thine house, and upon thy gates:

 "That your days may be multiplied, and the days of your children, in the land which the Lord sware unto your fathers to give them, as the days of heaven upon the earth"  (vv. 11:18-21).

Chapter 13:1-11- The danger of following false prophets

"If there arise among you a prophet, or a dreamer of dreams, and giveth thee a sign or a wonder,… saying, Let us go after other gods,…Thou shalt not hearken unto the words of that prophet, or that dreamer.  Ye shall walk after the LORD your God.…And that prophet, or that dreamer of dreams, shall be put to death; because he hath spoken to turn you away from the LORD your God.…So shalt thou put the evil away from the midst of thee.  If thy brother, the son of thy mother, or thy son, or thy daughter, or the wife of thy bosom, or thy friend…entice thee secretly, saying, Let us go and serve other gods,… Thou shalt not consent unto him,…but thou shalt surely kill him.…And thou shalt stone him with stones that he die; because he hath sought to thrust thee away from the LORD.  And all Israel shall hear, and fear, and shall do no more any such wickedness as this is among you (vv. 13:1-11). 

Chapter 16:2, 11, 16 - Observance of feasts

"Thou shalt therefore sacrifice the passover unto the LORD thy God, of the flock and the herd, in the place which the LORD shall choose to place his name there.

"And thou shalt rejoice before the LORD thy God, thou and thy son, and thy daughter, and thy manservant, and thy maidservant, and the Levite that is within thy gates, and the stranger, and the fatherless, and the widow, that are among you, in the place which the LORD thy God hath chosen to place his name there.

"Three times in a year shall all males appear before the LORD thy God in the place which he shall choose; in the feast of unleavened bread, and in the feast of weeks, and in the feast of tabernacles; and they shall not appear before the LORD empty.

"Every man shall give as he is able, according to the blessing of the LORD thy God which he hath given thee."

Chapter 32 – The Song of Moses/Moses is translated

Ridges explains that a song is “a literary structure in which an author presents the thoughts of his or her heart portraying feelings, emotions, hopes and dreams, praising God, instructing and expressing concerns” (Ridges, pt. 2, p. 281).  It should be read in its entirety.  Therefore, I will give only the basic themes as outlined by Ridges, pt. 2, 281-285.

(1) The Lord is the Rock: “his work is perfect: for all his ways are judgment [fair]” (32:4). 

(2) Israel was organized in the premortal existence.  “When the Most High divided to the nations their inheritance, …he set the bounds of the people according to the number of the children of Israel” (v. 32:8). 

(3) The Lord nourishes His people with tenderness and care.  “He found him [the children of Israel] in a desert land, and in the waste howling wilderness; he led him about, he instructed him, he kept him as the apple of his eye” (v. 32:10). 

(4) Prosperity.  “But Jeshurun [righteous Israel] waxed fat then he forsook God which made him and lightly esteemed the Rock of his salvation” (v. 32:15).

(5) Pride and wickedness.  “They provoked him to jealousy with strange gods [idol worship], with abominations provoked they him to anger” (v. 32:16). 

(6) Withdrawal of the Lord’s blessings.  “And when the LORD saw it, he abhorred them.  And he said, I will hide my face from them” (vv. 32:19-20). 

(7) Destruction.  “I will heap mischiefs [destructions] upon them” (v. 32:23). 

(8) Scattering of Israel.  “I said, I would scatter them into corners [throughout the earth]” (v. 32:26). 

(9) The wicked will be destroyed in the Lord’s due time. “To me belongeth vengeance, and recompence” (v. 32:35). 

(10) False gods cannot save you.  “Where are their gods in whom they trusted?  Let them rise up and help you and be your protection” (vv. 32:37-38). 

(11) Israel will yet be redeemed.  “Rejoice, O ye nations, with his people: for he will avenge the blood of his servants, and will render vengeance to his adversaries, and will be merciful unto his land, and to his people” (v. 32:43).

"And Moses came and spake all the words of this song in the ears of the people…And he said unto them, Set your hearts unto all the words which I testify among you this day, which ye shall command your children to observe to do, all the words of this law.  For it is not a vain [useless] thing for you; because it is your life: and through this thing ye shall prolong your days in the land, whither ye go over Jordan to possess it" (vv. 32:44-47).

Chapter 32, verses 48-52 refer to the death of Moses.  Ridges quotes the Bible Dictionary as follows:

"As was the case with many of the ancient prophets, Moses' ministry extended beyond the limits of his own mortal lifetime.  In company with Elijah he came to the Mount of Transfiguration and bestowed keys of the priesthood upon Peter, James, and John (Matt. 17:3-4; Mark 9:4-9; Luke 9:30; D&C 63:21; HC 3:387).  From this event, which occurred before the resurrection of Jesus, we understand that Moses was a translated being and had not died as reported in Deut. 34 (Alma 45:19).…Had he been a spirit only, he could not have performed the work on the mount of giving the keys to the mortal Peter, James, and John (cf. D&C 129)."

Chapter 34 - Moses is mourned/Joshua becomes the new leader

"And Moses went up from the plains of Moab unto the mountain of Nebo, to the top of Pisgah, that is over against Jericho and the LORD shewed him all the land of Gilead, unto Dan [north of the Sea of Galilee] (Ridges, pt. 2, p. 290).…So Moses the servant of the LORD died [was translated] there in the land of Moab according to the word of the LORD, but no man knoweth of his sepulcher unto this day (vv. 34:1, 5-6). 

"And Moses was an hundred and twenty years old when he died: [was translated] his eye was not dim, nor his natural force abated (v. 34:7).  And the children of Israel wept for Moses in the plains of Moab thirty days.…And Joshua…was full of the spirit of wisdom; for Moses had laid his hands upon him: and the children of Israel hearkened unto him, and did as the LORD commanded Moses (v. 34:9).  And there arose not a prophet since in Israel like unto Moses whom the LORD knew face to face, In all the signs and the wonders, which the LORD sent him to do in the land of Egypt to Pharaoh, and to all his servants, and all his land" (34:10-11).

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.