Lynne's Old Testament Study Notes

 4/29/2022 – Exodus 34 In v 1, the Lord is making sure that the Israelites have the 10 commandments. He says to 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.” The commandments have not changed, but the people have been given a second chance to have them, and to learn to live them. Moses is told to go up to the mount again to meet with the Lord. One of the first things the Lord says to Moses is that the Lord God is “merciful and gracious, longsuffering [His patience with us and his mercy toward us], and abundant in goodness and truth. Keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin….” (v’s 6-7). He also warns Moses not to make covenants with other peoples, for they were all idol worshipers, and the Israelites needed to learn of the one God. (v 15) He also tells them that they must keep the yearly Passover, so that they will not forget.  In v 21 H...

4/28/2022 – Exodus 33 The Israelites made a very poor decision when they thought back to their times in Egypt, where many gods were worshiped, and when they decided to create the gold calf – they were temporarily  away from Moses, their leader for at least 46 days; they were on their own and evidently not strong enough to be on their own. In v 5, the Lord told Moses to “say unto the children of Israel, Ye are a stiffnecked people.” And then the Lord begins the process of helping them repent of their poor behavior. They had come to a time and place they did not understand, and instead of going to the Lord, they fell back on the poor model that the Egyptians had given to them. The Lord told them to get rid of their ornaments—which they did for these were left-overs from their attempts to fall back on Egyptian ways.  Moses moved the tabernacle a great distance from where it had been within their camp. He now called it the Tabernacle of the congregation. (v 7) All of the Israelite...

 4/27/2022 – Exodus 32 This is the chapter that tells us about the Israelites making the golden calf. Once again the chapter synopsis is very good: “Aaron makes a golden calf, which Israel worships—Moses serves as a mediator between God and rebellious Israel—Moses breaks the tablets of stone—Levites slay about 3000 rebels—Moses pleads and intercedes for the people.” “Aaron makes a golden calf”: Moses had been up on the mountain at least 46 days. The Israelites went to Aaron saying basically what in the world has become of Moses??? He brought us out of Egypt, but where is he now??? The pillar of cloud and fire were no longer with them at this time. Aaron did tell them to prepare to “feast to the Lord the next day, and they did bring burnt offerings and peace offerings (v 6-7). But the scriptures seem to say that Aaron also encouraged them to build the golden calf. No matter who did what, things were going astray with the Israelites. And up on the mountain “the Lord said unto Moses, ...

 4/26/2022 – Exodus 31 The Israelites are now building a portable tabernacle and in v’s 1-4 we see how the Lord helps and blesses us to bring about His purposes. The Lord tells Moses that He has called  Bezaleel to help in building the tabernacle and “I have filled him with the spirit of God, in wisdom, and in understanding, and in knowledge and in all manner of workmanship.” (v 3) And in the cutting of stones, the Lord is speaking of the man Aholiab and He explains: “and in the hearts of all that are wise hearted I have put wisdom, that they make all that I have commanded thee.” (v 6) When we work WITH the Lord, He guides our growth in both talent and spirit. I need to take more heed, to recognize and to thank the Lord for His tender help and guidance! As the Israelites go to work on this amazing tabernacle the Lord commands Moses to teach them of the importance of keeping the Sabbath as He would have us do. “Speak thou also unto the children of Israel, saying, Verily my sabb...

 4/25/2022 – Exodus 24 It is in this chapter that Moses works to help his people in entering into a covenant with God. He has given them the 10 commandments which give the people progressive steps to come unto Him. D&C 84:23-27 tells us that these 10 commandments were a “preparatory gospel” that included the principles of repentance, baptism and remission of sins. Mosiah 13:29-30 tells us that it was a “very strict law” of “performances and ordinances” designed to keep the Israelites “in remembrance of God and their duty towards him.”  The law of Moses was highly symbolic. It was filled with types and shadows, all of which pointed toward Christ and His future Atonement. Galatians chapter 3 tells us that the law of Moses was given as a schoolmaster or tutor to bring Israel to Christ. And the JST of that chapter tells us that the law of Moses was added to the gospel, not given as a substitute for it. Moses, once again, goes to the top of the mountain and is instructed by the...

The Ten Commandments were given for us all! - April 23, 2002 The Ten commandments were not given just for the Israelites in that long ago time. They are commandments, and they are for all us who have come to this earth. They are part of the map that the Lord as given us---multiple times—to follow, and thus find our way back to Him. He we follow the map carefully, every day---we will not get lost, and we will not have to backtrack.  The Ten Commandments Then and Now Commandment Then Now  1. Thou shalt have no other gods before me.        Exodus 34:10–14; D&C 76:1–4 Deuteronomy 5:6–7 1. 2. Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image.               Exodus 34:17; D&C 1:15–16 Deuteronomy 4:15–19 2. 3. Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain.                Leviticus 19:12; D&C 63:61–62 Deuteronomy 5:11 3.  4.   Remember the Sabbath d...

 4/22/2022 – Exodus 20:13-26 #6 Thou shalt not kill. Harold B Lee wrote: “One of the most serious of all sins and crimes against the Lord’s plan of salvation is the sin of murder or the destruction of human life. It seems clear that to be guilty of destroying life is the act of ‘rebellion’ against the plan of the Almighty by denying an individual . . . the privilege of a full experience in this earth-school of opportunity. It is in the same category as the rebellion of Satan and his hosts….” #7 Thou shalt not commit adultery. “Physical intimacy between husband and wife is beautiful and sacred. It is ordained of God for the creation of children and for the expression of love between husband and wife. God has commanded that sexual intimacy be reserved for marriage” (For the Strength of Youth) To keep the law of chastity before and during marriage, prophets have also taught that we are not to share, view, read, or listen to anything that depicts or describes the physical body or sexua...

 4/21/2022 – Exodus 20:1-12 Honor is a good word to look into today: It means to do what you promised or agreed to do; to have high respect and great esteem; to fulfill an obligation or keep an agreement; It is the idea of a bond between individuals. The Ten Commandments were given over 3000 years ago, but they are timeless. In a commencement address at BYU on May 31 1957, Cecil B DeMille stated: “We cannot break the Ten Commandments. WE can only break ourselves against them—or else, by keeping them, rise through them to the fulness of freedom under God. God means us to be free. With divine daring, He gave us the power of choice.” Moses repeated the Ten Commandments in Deuteronomy 5:6-21. Abinadi quoted them to the wicked priests of King Noah in Mosiah 13:12-24. They are also referred to in the New Testament (Matthew 5:17-37) and in the Doctrine and Covenants 42:18-29; 59:5-9. Mark E Peterson said: “They are fundamental to our relationships with God. They are an integral part of th...

4/19/2022 – Exodus 19 I love the synopsis of this chapter: “The Lord covenants to make Israel a peculiar treasure, a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation—People sanctify themselves—The Lord appears on Sinai amid fire and smoke and earthquakes.” It has been three months since the Israelites had been miraculously saved from the Egyptians. They camped at the base of Mount Sinai and “Moses went up unto God…and the Lord called unto him” (v 3) He then reminded them “ Ye have seen what I did unto the Egyptians, and how I bare you on eagles wings, and brought you unto myself” (v 4) And then comes v 5, where the Lord assures us that He loves to reward our behavior: “Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed and keep my covenants, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people…” There is a very interesting paragraph in the book ‘Old Testament Word Studies by Wilson, p 305’: “Today the word peculiar is used to mean something different and unusual….The original word in both H...

 4/18/2022 – Exodus 18 The Israelites thought the Lord was simply getting them out of Egypt, and seeing to their need for food and water, and getting them to Canaan-- and He was doing this—but His most important objective was to help them truly become His covenant people…what He called His “peculiar treasure” and a “holy nation”.  That’s the same goal He has for us. I hope I’ll be able to always see beyond my need for food and lodging, and that I will always feel the uplift of an everyday session within His scriptures—for that truly makes a difference in my days. But back to chapter 18: Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law, was of great help to Moses. First of all, he brought Moses’ wife and their two sons to the place where the Israelites were encamped.  (v’s 2-6) Moses told his father-in-law just how the Israelites were able to escape from the Egyptians, and all the miracles the Lord provided in helping them to leave.  Moses ends his descriptions with his own testimony: “N...

4/12/2022 – Scriptures pertaining to Easter Psalms 16: 8-11: “I have set the Lord always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved. Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth: my flesh also shall rest in hope….Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.” Psalms30: 2 &4: “O Lord my God, I cried unto thee, and thou hast healed me….Sing unto the Lord, O ye saints of his, and give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness.” Isaiah 12: 2: “Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid: for the Lord Jehovah is my strength and my song; he also is become my salvation.” Isaiah 25:8-9: “He will swallow up death in victory; and the Lord God will wipe away tears from off all faces;….And it shall be said in that day, Lo, this is our God; we have waited for him, and he will save us: this is the Lord; we have waited for him, we will be glad and rejoice in his salvation.” Isai...

 4/11/2022 – Easter Thoughts I love Easter dinners, and I love Easter Egg Hunts even more. But the most important thing about Easter is Christ’s atonement for us, and His resurrection—both of which cleared our path for coming back to Him and to our Heavenly Father.   Those who lived before Christ’s birth looked forward to His coming.  Jacob 4:4 “For this intent have we written these things, that they may know that we knew of Christ, and we had a hope of his glory many hundred years before his coming; and not only we ourselves had a hope of his glory, but also all the holy prophets which were before us.” And those prophets who lived after Christ’s time on earth tell us over and over again to remember Him, for He has already borne “the iniquity of us all” (Isaiah 53:6) IF we simply petition Him, and work-- with His help-- in a lifetime effort to keep His commandments, and frequently remind ourselves that we now know that “in Christ shall all be made alive” (1 Corinthia...

4/8/2022 – Exodus 17 The Israelites continue to be fed by manna, but as they move forward they, once again, come to a place where there is no water. Instead of thinking back and remembering when they had come upon bitter water, and Moses was able to go to the Lord and learn how to change the bitter water to clean water---instead they only thought of their current problems, and their only action was to murmur once again. Luckily Moses knew that we can certainly take our problems to the Lord. In v 4 “Moses cried unto the Lord, saying, What shall I do unto this people? Thy be almost ready to stone me.”   The Lord’s answer was for Moses to call the people together, and the Lord promised that He would be with Moses.  (v 6) The Lord tells Moses to go to a rocky place, taking his rod with him. He promises Moses: “Behold I will stand before thee there upon the rock in Horeb, and thou shalt smite the rock, and there shall come water out of it, that the people may drink. And Moses ...

4/7/2022 – Exodus 16 This chapter finds the Israelites, once again, intent on murmuring. They are now in the wilderness, and they seem to remember only the good things about Egypt and they long to go back, although no one mentions that they miss their work as slaves…. V 2 tells us that “the whole congregation murmured against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness.” They see no way that they will be able even to eat now. But the Lord speaks to Moses: “Behold I will rain bread from heaven for you; and the people shall go out and gather a certain rate every day, that I may prove them, whether they will walk in my law, or no.” (v 4)  The mana has two purposes: one to feed the people where there is no food, and 2) to give them an opportunity to show that they can, and will, follow the Lord’s commandments. Part of this new commandment was to gather twice as much manna on the 6th day, so they would not be working to gather food on the 7th day. The Lord continues to use “the glory of the Lord ...

4/5/2022 – Exodus 15 The Israelites made it through an absolutely miraculous and amazing escape from the great Egyptian army. In their rejoicing, they literally sing songs that will remind them of the Lord’s power and strength and wonderful care taking. (v’s1-19) Then Miriam, a prophetess and the sister of Aaron, led the women in dancing and singing praises to the Lord. (v’s 20-21) Moses then starts them on their journey through the desert (22). The Israelites are happy to follow him, but after 3 days of travel with no water, they come to Marah and find water there (v 22) but it is bitter and not safe to drink. Their immediate reaction was to forget their beautiful songs of praise and and begin murmuring and complaining to Moses—who had his belief in the Lord and had an understanding of the importance of keeping close to the Lord---and who immediately went to the Lord in prayer.  The student manual put it this way: The Israelites lived so many years in slavery, which was similar to...

4/4/2022 - Exodus 14 The Israelites seem to now be trapped. They had come to the Red Sea, and Pharaoh’s army—the greatest army in the world at that time—was advancing toward them from the other side. The Lord had told Moses to bring them here, but it looked like they were now caught in a dead end, with the powerful Egyptian army fast approaching. Pharaoh was truly angry now and was determined to not let the Israelites leave: “Why have we done this, that we have let Israel go from serving us?” (v 5) And Pharaoh got into his chariot and with “six hundred chosen chariots, and all the chariots of Egypt, and captains over every one of them”  (v 6) and this army, the most formidable army of the world at that time, easily overtook the Israelites as they encamped by the sea.  The Israelites were frightened and desperate, and angry with Moses telling him that “it had been better for us to serve the Egyptians, than that we should die in the wilderness.”  But they had yet to learn t...

 4/2/2022 – Exodus 13 This chapter is about the final plague the Lord would send. The Lord told Moses that the first born of all the families, and even the first born of all the animals, would be taken---which means they would no longer have their earthly life. He also unstructured the Israelites to not only put the blood of a first born lamb upon their door-posts, but He also asked them to only eat unleavened bread for six days, and on the seven day they should hold a feast that would remind them of the Lord’s power and guidance, and do it every year at the same time of year in which this plague brought them out of Egypt.  And they should also use this yearly feast to educate their children on the Lord’s care and power and love. “And it shall be for a sign unto thee upon thine hand, and for a memorial between thine eyes, that the Lord’s law may be in thy mouth: for with a strong hand hath the Lord brought thee out of Egypt. Thou shalt therefore keep this ordinance in his seas...

4/1/2022 – Exodus 12 Elder Bruce R McConkie: “At the time appointed for their deliverance from Egyptian bondage, the Lord commanded each family in Israel to sacrifice a lamb, to sprinkle its blood on their doorposts, and then to eat unleavened bread for seven more days—all to symbolize the fact that the destroying angel would pass over the Israelites as he went forth slaying the firstborn in the families of all the Egyptians; and also to show that, in haste, Israel should go forth from slavery to freedom. As a pattern for all the Mosaic instructions yet to come, the details of the performances here involved were so arranged as to bear testimony both of Israel’s deliverance and of her Deliverer.”   When the Lord gives us instructions, our first questions should not be WHY, but should be HOW.  The lamb without blemish was to describe Christ and the purpose of His life and teachings. They were to eat of the lamb’s flesh…which reminds us to take His teachings into our hearts ...