Deuteronomy 32

As Joshua was called by Moses to lead the people, Moses said -

"...the LORD, he it is that doth go before thee; he will be with thee, he will not fail thee, neither forsake thee: fear not, neither be dismayed."  (Old Testament | Deuteronomy 31:8)

I think this is wise counsel for any called to serve in any position as along as we humble ourselves before him.

And as Moses taught the people regarding the potential blessings that they could receive and the consequences of failure to do so, he warned of those that think they are wise according to the thinking of men and reason -

"...Our hand is high, and the LORD hath not done all this."  (Old Testament | Deuteronomy 32:27)

Of such, Moses explains -

"For they are a nation void of counsel, neither is there any understanding in them.
29 O that they were wise, that they understood this, that they would consider their latter end!"  (Old Testament | Deuteronomy 32:28 - 29)

It is the counsel..."O that they were wise, that they understood this, that they would consider their latter end!".  In other words, if only the youth could see the end from the beginning and what will become those things of greatest importance.

Jacob taught -

"...O the vainness, and the frailties, and the foolishness of men! When they are learned they think they are wise, and they hearken not unto the counsel of God, for they set it aside, supposing they know of themselves, wherefore, their wisdom is foolishness and it profiteth them not. And they shall perish.
29 But to be learned is good if they hearken unto the counsels of God."  (Book of Mormon | 2 Nephi 9:28 - 29)

My thoughts this morning is that there are many women today that think motherhood and raising children is foolishness compares to a career and notoriety.  Little do they understand that in the end, it will all be about family not awards or recognition.  They just don't understand or consider "the latter end!"

Deuteronomy 30

In his final words to the children of Israel, Moses leaves a great priesthood blessing as well as a great curse that would depend on their obedience and faithfulness.  Moses tries to emphasize with all his heart that -

"...it shall come to pass, when all these things are come upon thee, the blessing and the curse, which I have set before thee..."  (Old Testament | Deuteronomy 30:1)

In Chapters 28 and 29, Moses describes the blessings and the curses that will befall them depending on their choices.   I am not going to mention all the terrible things that will befall Israel if they do not keep the commandments and statutes.   Remember, they were only given the promise land if they remained faithful.  As one reviews the curses, if it doesn't scare one straight, I don't know what will for -

"Moreover all these curses shall come upon thee, and shall pursue thee, and overtake thee, till thou be destroyed; because thou hearkenedst not unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to keep his commandments and his statutes which he commanded thee:
46 And they shall be upon thee for a sign and for a wonder, and upon thy seed for ever."  (Old Testament | Deuteronomy 28:45 - 46)

Therefore Moses declares -

"I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live..."  (Old Testament | Deuteronomy 30:19)

I believe the same blessing and curse is had in our day thus our children sing "Follow the Prophet".

 

Deuteronomy 12

Moses compared two types of religious philosophies that is held in society -

"...every man whatsoever is right in his own eyes."  (Old Testament | Deuteronomy 12:8)

And -

"When thou shalt hearken to the voice of the LORD thy God, to keep all his commandments which I command thee this day, to do that which is right in the eyes of the LORD thy God."  (Old Testament | Deuteronomy 13:18)

The first is the philosophy of men.  We see this much in our day.  The second is loving the Lord with all your heart, might, mind, and strength.  The first requires no faith where the second requires complete faith in Jesus Christ.  Whe we obey the commandments, we do what is right in the eyes of God.

Had the Jewish leaders during the mortal life of the Savior paid more attention to the prophecies of Moses being -

"The LORD thy God will raise up unto thee a Prophet from the midst of thee, of thy brethren, like unto me; unto him ye shall hearken..."  (Old Testament | Deuteronomy 18:15)

...In lieu of that they perceived in their own eyes, they would have recognized the coming of the Messiah.

 

Deuteronomy 8

Moses explained the reason why we experience tribulation as he recounts -

"...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.
3 And he humbled thee, and suffered thee to hunger, and fed thee with manna, which thou knewest not, neither did thy fathers know; 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."  (Old Testament | Deuteronomy 8:2 - 3)

In my mind, the true test of tribulation is to know what is in our hearts.  Moses adds the analogy -

"Thou shalt also consider in thine heart, that, as a man chasteneth his son, so the LORD thy God chasteneth thee.
6 Therefore thou shalt keep the commandments of the LORD thy God, to walk in his ways, and to fear him."  (Old Testament | Deuteronomy 8:5 - 6)

 Moses even mentions another miracle -

"Thy raiment waxed not old upon thee, neither did thy foot swell, these forty years."  (Old Testament | Deuteronomy 8:4)

As Moses continues his discourse, he explains that all blessings are predicated on obedience.  Most of Chapter 11 touches on this.  A couple of verses include -

"Therefore shall ye keep all the commandments which I command you this day, that ye may be strong, and go in and possess the land, whither ye go to possess it;
9 And that ye may prolong your days in the land, which the LORD sware unto your fathers to give unto them and to their seed, a land that floweth with milk and honey."  (Old Testament | Deuteronomy 11:8 - 9)

"And it shall come to pass, if ye shall hearken diligently unto my commandments which I command you this day, to love the LORD your God, and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul,
14 That I will give you the rain of your land in his due season, the first rain and the latter rain, that thou mayest gather in thy corn, and thy wine, and thine oil.
15 And I will send grass in thy fields for thy cattle, that thou mayest eat and be full.
16 Take heed to yourselves, that your heart be not deceived, and ye turn aside, and serve other gods, and worship them;
17 And then the LORD's wrath be kindled against you, and he shut up the heaven, that there be no rain, and that the land yield not her fruit; and lest ye perish quickly from off the good land which the LORD giveth you."  (Old Testament | Deuteronomy 11:13 - 17)

Thus -

"I, the Lord, am bound when ye do what I say; but when ye do not what I say, ye have no promise."  (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 82:10)

Deuteronomy 6

Before Moses was to depart from Israel, you would expect that he would provide what he considered to be of greatest importance.  Thus with all the desires of his heart he instructs them -

"Hear therefore, O Israel, and observe to do it; that it may be well with thee, and that ye may increase mightily, as the LORD God of thy fathers hath promised thee, in the land that floweth with milk and honey.
4 Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD:
5 And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.
6 And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart..."  (Old Testament | Deuteronomy 6:3 - 6)

Even -

"Thou shalt fear the LORD thy God, and serve him, and shalt swear by his name."  (Old Testament | Deuteronomy 6:13)

...or in words, keep the covenants you have made with Hims.  And knowing that he would not be around forever, Moses instructs -

"...thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up."  (Old Testament | Deuteronomy 6:7)

Because of the covenants the Lord made with their fathers -

"For thou art an holy people unto the LORD thy God: the LORD thy God hath chosen thee to be a special people unto himself, above all people that are upon the face of the earth.
7 The LORD did not set his love upon you, nor choose you, because ye were more in number than any people; for ye were the fewest of all people:
8 But because the LORD loved you, and because he would keep the oath which he had sworn unto your fathers..."  (Old Testament | Deuteronomy 7:6 - 8)

"Know therefore that the LORD thy God, he is God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations..."  (Old Testament | Deuteronomy 7:9)

And the promise is, if we love Him with all our heart, might, mind, and strength, that is  -

"...if ye hearken to these judgments, and keep, and do them, that the LORD thy God shall keep unto thee the covenant and the mercy which he sware unto thy fathers:
13 And he will love thee, and bless thee, and multiply thee: he will also bless the fruit of thy womb, and the fruit of thy land, thy corn, and thy wine, and thine oil, the increase of thy kine, and the flocks of thy sheep, in the land which he sware unto thy fathers to give thee.
14 Thou shalt be blessed above all people..."  (Old Testament | Deuteronomy 7:12 - 14)

These promises are to all that love Him and receive His ordinances and covenants.

Deuteronomy 4

In one of his final discourses, Moses tells his people -

"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."  (Old Testament | Deuteronomy 4:1)

Moses even counseled -

"Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you."  (Old Testament | Deuteronomy 4:2)

John the Revelator wrote much the same thing -

"For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book..."  (New Testament | Revelation 22:18)

Both comments suggesting, don't try to make your own personal interpretations of their writings whereby you strive to justify your own unrighteous actions.  One of the main reasons Moses suggest to keep the commandments in this new promised land was -

"Keep therefore and do them; for this is your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the nations, which shall hear all these statutes, and say, Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.
7 For what nation is there so great, who hath God so nigh unto them, as the LORD our God is in all things that we call upon him for?
8 And what nation is there so great, that hath statutes and judgments so righteous as all this law, which I set before you this day?"  (Old Testament | Deuteronomy 4:6 - 8)

These people were to be an example to all nations by evidence of their obedience that their God was God.  Not only were they to be an example to all nations but teach and testify of these things to their children that they would do the same thing as Moses counseled -

"...take heed to thyself, and keep thy soul diligently, lest thou forget the things which thine eyes have seen, and lest they depart from thy heart all the days of thy life: but teach them thy sons, and thy sons' sons;
10 Specially the day that thou stoodest before the LORD thy God in Horeb, when the LORD said unto me, Gather me the people together, and I will make them hear my words, that they may learn to fear me all the days that they shall live upon the earth, and that they may teach their children."  (Old Testament | Deuteronomy 4:9 - 10)

Is there a better way to teach than by example?

Deuteronomy 1

After many years in the wilderness, as Moses and the children of Israel make their final approach to the promised land, Moses recounts how -

"...the LORD thy God hath set the land before thee: go up and possess it, as the LORD God of thy fathers hath said unto thee; fear not, neither be discouraged."  (Old Testament | Deuteronomy 1:21)

But then reminds the people -

"...ye came near unto me every one of you, and said, We will send men before us, and they shall search us out the land, and bring us word again by what way we must go up, and into what cities we shall come.
23 And the saying pleased me well: and I took twelve men of you, one of a tribe:
24 And they turned and went up into the mountain, and came unto the valley of Eshcol, and searched it out.
25 And they took of the fruit of the land in their hands, and brought it down unto us, and brought us word again, and said, It is a good land which the LORD our God doth give us.
26 Notwithstanding ye would not go up, but rebelled against the commandment of the LORD your God:
27 And ye murmured in your tents, and said, Because the LORD hated us, he hath brought us forth out of the land of Egypt, to deliver us into the hand of the Amorites, to destroy us.
28 Whither shall we go up? our brethren have discouraged our heart, saying, The people is greater and taller than we; the cities are great and walled up to heaven; and moreover we have seen the sons of the Anakims there.
29 Then I said unto you, Dread not, neither be afraid of them.
30 The LORD your God which goeth before you, he shall fight for you, according to all that he did for you in Egypt before your eyes;
31 And in the wilderness, where thou hast seen how that the LORD thy God bare thee, as a man doth bear his son, in all the way that ye went, until ye came into this place.
32 Yet in this thing ye did not believe the LORD your God..."  (Old Testament | Deuteronomy 1:22 - 32)

Thus, the Lord had them wander in the wilderness until that generation has passed away.  Now with this generation of greater faith, Moses recounts what recently happened which would have happened years before had that generation had greater faith where the Lord said -

"....Behold, I have begun to give Sihon and his land before thee: begin to possess, that thou mayest inherit his land.
32 Then Sihon came out against us, he and all his people, to fight at Jahaz.
33 And the LORD our God delivered him before us; and we smote him, and his sons, and all his people.
34 And we took all his cities at that time, and utterly destroyed the men, and the women, and the little ones, of every city, we left none to remain:
35 Only the cattle we took for a prey unto ourselves, and the spoil of the cities which we took.
36 From Aroer, which is by the brink of the river of Arnon, and from the city that is by the river, even unto Gilead, there was not one city too strong for us: the LORD our God delivered all unto us:"  (Old Testament | Deuteronomy 2:31 - 36)

"THEN we turned, and went up the way to Bashan: and Og the king of Bashan came out against us, he and all his people, to battle at Edrei.
2 And the LORD said unto me, Fear him not: for I will deliver him, and all his people, and his land, into thy hand; and thou shalt do unto him as thou didst unto Sihon king of the Amorites, which dwelt at Heshbon.
3 So the LORD our God delivered into our hands Og also, the king of Bashan, and all his people: and we smote him until none was left to him remaining.
4 And we took all his cities at that time, there was not a city which we took not from them, threescore cities, all the region of Argob, the kingdom of Og in Bashan."  (Old Testament | Deuteronomy 3:1 - 4)

Og was one of those giants (sons of the Anakims) the spies had years before said they could not overcome.  The spies had even suggested that the cities had walls over which they could not overcome and yet now Moses makes the point -

"All these cities were fenced with high walls, gates, and bars; beside unwalled towns a great many.
6 And we utterly destroyed them, as we did unto Sihon king of Heshbon, utterly destroying the men, women, and children, of every city."  (Old Testament | Deuteronomy 3:5 - 6)

The lesson is that when the Lord commands and tells us to be not discouraged, He is with us and we will succeed.  If we do, we will not be caused to wander.





 

Numbers 22

Instead of writing my impressions of the story of Balaam, my thoughts are in line with those of an article written by Elder Bruce R. McConkie.  I am opting to copy that article.  I have added scriptural references:

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.”

This is a true story, a dramatic story; one with a great lesson for all members of the Church; one that involves seeing God, receiving revelation, and facing a destroying angel in whose hand was the sword of vengeance. It includes the account of how the Lord delivered a message to the prophet in a way that, as far as we know, has never been duplicated in the entire history of the world.

As we study the events involved, suppose we seek answers to these questions: Why did the Lord permit (or did he direct?) the strange series of events? What are “the wages of unrighteousness”? And how could a prophet who sought such remain in tune with “the spirit of God” and proclaim great truths, including one of our most marvelous Messianic prophecies?

But even more important: What lesson are we expected to learn from the intermixture of both good and bad conduct shown forth by this ancient representative of the Lord?

Now let us turn to the story, with an open mind, seeking the lesson it teaches us. And as we do so, please keep in mind that everything I have so far or shall hereafter put in quote marks is copied from the Bible, except in one instance where help is sought from a passage of latter-day revelation.

Our story took place on the plains of Moab near Jericho; the time was 1451 B.C.; the chief participants were Balak, king of the Moabites, and Balaam, a prophet from the land of Midian. Israel's hosts, numbering in the millions, had just devastated the land of the Amorites and were camped on the borders of Moab. Fear and anxiety filled the hearts of the people of Moab and Balak their king. Would they also be overrun and slaughtered by these warriors of Jehovah?

So Balak sent the elders and princes of his nation to Balaam, “with the rewards of divination in their hand,” to hire him to come and curse Israel. In Balak's name they said: “Behold, there is a people come out from Egypt: behold, they cover the face of the earth, and they abide over against me: (Old Testament | Numbers 22:5)

“Come now therefore, I pray thee, curse me this people; for they are too mighty for me: peradventure I shall prevail, that we may smite them, and that I may drive them out of the land: for I wot that he whom thou blessest is blessed, and he whom thou cursest is cursed.” (Old Testament | Numbers 22:6)

Anxious to gain the riches they offered him, Balaam invited them to lodge with him that night while he inquired of the Lord and sought permission to curse Israel. That night “God came unto Balaam” and said: “Thou shalt not go with them; thou shalt not curse the people: for they are blessed.” (Old Testament | Numbers 22:12)

Next morning Balaam said to the princes of Balak: “Get you into your land: for the Lord refuseth to give me leave to go with you.” (Old Testament | Numbers 22:14 - 13)

Thereupon Balak sent more honorable and noble princes than the first and they said to Balaam: “Thus saith Balak the son of Zippor, Let nothing, I pray thee, hinder thee from coming unto me:
“For I will promote thee unto very great honour, and I will do whatsoever thou sayest unto me: come therefore, I pray thee, curse me this people.
“And Balaam answered and said unto the servants of Balak, 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.” (Old Testament | Numbers 22:16 - 18)

And yet, still anxious to receive the riches and honors offered by the king, Balaam lodged his visitors and importuned the Lord for permission to go with them and curse Israel.

“And God came unto Balaam at night, and said unto him, If the men come to call thee, rise up, and go with them; but yet the word which I shall say unto thee, that shalt thou do.” (Old Testament | Numbers 22:21 - 20)

After gaining this permission Balaam “saddled his ass, and went with the princes of Moab.” (Old Testament | Numbers 22:21)

Now note: The Lord had given Balaam permission to go, and yet the scripture says: “And God's anger was kindled because he went: and the angel of the Lord stood in the way for an adversary against him.”  As Balaam rode along, “the ass saw the angel of the Lord standing in the way, and his sword drawn in his hand.” (Old Testament | Numbers 22:22)

Three times the dumb beast turned aside, crushing Balaam's foot against a wall and falling down under him. In anger the prophet “smote the ass with a staff. “And the Lord opened the mouth of the ass, and she said unto Balaam, What have I done unto thee, that thou hast smitten me these three times? “And Balaam said unto the ass, Because thou hast mocked me: I would there were a sword in mine hand, for now would I kill thee.
“And the ass said unto Balaam, Am not I thine ass, upon which thou hast ridden ever since I was thine unto this day? was I ever wont to do so unto thee? And he said, Nay.
 “Then the Lord opened the eyes of Balaam, and he saw the angel of the Lord standing in the way, and his sword drawn in his hand: and he bowed down his head, and fell flat on his face.” (Old Testament | Numbers 22:30 - 31)

After rebuking and counseling Balaam, the angel yet said: “Go with the men: but only the word that I shall speak unto thee, that thou shalt speak.” (Old Testament | Numbers 22:35)

When they met, Balak renewed his promise “to promote” Balaam “to honour,” and the prophet responded: “Have I now any power at all to say any thing? the word that God putteth in my mouth, that shall I speak.” (Old Testament | Numbers 22:39 - 38)

Balak then offered sacrifices, and at the visiting prophet's request built seven altars upon which Balaam also sacrificed, obviously pleading with the Lord for permission to curse Israel and receive the honors offered by the king of the Moabites. But with it all Balaam promised that if “the Lord will come to meet me,” then “whatsoever he sheweth me I will tell thee.” (Old Testament | Numbers 23:4 - 3)

“And God met Balaam,” and told him what to say, which he then proclaimed in the presence of all the princes of Moab: “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!”  (Old Testament | Numbers 23:9 - 10)

Balak was angry, but Balaam remained true to his trust, saying, “Must I not take heed to speak that which the Lord hath put in my mouth?” (Old Testament | Numbers 22:39 - 38)

Then they went through the whole process again. Sacrifices were offered; the Lord was importuned; but the result was the same.

“God is not a man,” Balaam said, “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.” (Old Testament | Numbers 23:19-20)

Then he continued, “Surely there is no enchantment against Jacob, neither is there any divination against Israel: according to this time it shall be said of Jacob and of Israel, What hath God wrought!” (Old Testament | Numbers 23:23)

When Balak yet complained, Balaam replied: “Told not I thee, saying, All that the Lord speaketh, that I must do?”  (Old Testament | Numbers 23:27 - 26)

And yet at the King's request the prophet still sought to curse Israel. Further sacrifices were offered; again pleading entreaties ascended to the Lord; and again the answer was the same. “The spirit of God came upon him,” and he prophesied with power and force of the greatness of Israel, concluding with the statement, “Blessed is he that blesseth thee, and cursed is he that curseth thee.
“And Balak's anger was kindled against Balaam, and he smote his hands together: and Balak said unto Balaam, I called thee to curse mine enemies, and, behold, thou hast altogether blessed them these three times.
“Therefore now flee thou to thy place: I thought to promote thee unto great honour; but, lo, the Lord hath kept thee back from honour.”  (Old Testament | Numbers 24:9 - 11)

But Balaam, fixed in his purpose to deliver only that message that the Lord revealed to him, said: “Spake I not also to thy messengers which thou sentest unto me, saying,
“If Balak would give me his house full of silver and gold, I cannot go beyond the commandment of the Lord, to do either good or bad of mine own mind; but what the Lord saith, that will I speak?” (Old Testament | Numbers 24:12 - 13)

Then, while the Spirit still rested upon him, Balaam gave this great Messianic prophecy: “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.”  (Old Testament | Numbers 24:17)

In spite of all this, the record recites that Balaam “taught” Balak “to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication,” (New Testament | Revelation 2:14) and shortly thereafter, while aligned against Israel in the camps of the Midianites, he was “slain with the sword.”

The full account of these events is found in Numbers 22: 23; 24; 25; 31: 8; 2 Peter 2: 15– 16; Jude 1: 11; and Revelations 2: 14. What a story this is! Here is a prophet of God who is firmly committed to declare only what the Lord of heaven directs. There does not seem to be the slightest doubt in his mind about the course he should pursue. He represents the Lord, and neither a house full of gold and silver nor high honors offered by the king can sway him from his determined course, which has been charted for him by that God whom he serves. But greed for wealth and lust for honor beckon him. How marvelous it would be to be rich and powerful— as well as having the prophetic powers that already are his.

Perhaps the Lord would let him compromise his standards and have some worldly prosperity and power as well as a testimony of the gospel. Of course he knew the gospel was true, as it were, but why should he be denied the things his political file leader could confer?

I wonder how often some of us get our direction from the Church and then, Balaam-like, plead for some worldly rewards and finally receive an answer which says, in effect, If you are determined to be a millionaire or to gain this or that worldly honor, go ahead, with the understanding that you will continue to serve the Lord. Then we wonder why things don't work out for us as well as they would have done if we had put first in our lives the things of God's kingdom?

What are the rewards of unrighteousness? Do they not include seeking for worldly things when these run counter to the interests of the Church?

And don't we all know people who, though they were once firm and steadfast in testimony, are now opposing the Lord's purposes and interests on earth because money and power have twisted their judgment of what should or should not be?

Balaam, the prophet, inspired and mighty as he once was, lost his soul in the end because he set his heart on the things of this world rather than the riches of eternity.

What a wealth of meaning there is in these inspired words. “Because their hearts are set so much upon the things of this world, and aspire to the honors of men, that they do not learn this one lesson—
“That the rights of the priesthood are inseparably connected with the powers of heaven, and that the powers of heaven cannot be controlled nor handled only upon the principles of righteousness.
“That they may be conferred upon us, it is true; but when we undertake to cover our sins, or to gratify our pride, our vain ambition, or to exercise control or dominion or compulsion upon the souls of the children of men, in any degree of unrighteousness, behold, the heavens withdraw themselves; the Spirit of the Lord is grieved; and when it is withdrawn, Amen to the priesthood or the authority of that man.
“Behold, ere he is aware, he is left unto himself, to kick against the pricks, to persecute the saints, and to fight against God….
“Hence many are called, but few are chosen.” (D& C 121: 34– 38, 40.) (“ The Story of a Prophet's Madness,” New Era, April 1972, 4– 7.)

Numbers 20

Two quick thoughts this morning.  As Moses was commanded to -

"...speak ye unto the rock before their eyes; and it shall give forth his water, and thou shalt bring forth to them water out of the rock: so thou shalt give the congregation and their beasts drink."  (Old Testament | Numbers 20:8)

But instead, we read -

"Moses took the rod from before the LORD, as he commanded him.
10 And Moses and Aaron gathered the congregation together before the rock, and he said unto them, Hear now, ye rebels; must we fetch you water out of this rock?
11 And Moses lifted up his hand, and with his rod he smote the rock twice: and the water came out abundantly, and the congregation drank, and their beasts also."  (Old Testament | Numbers 20:9 - 11)

Moses seemed to suggesting that he and Aaron were the ones fetching the water from the rock, not the Lord.  The Lord chastised him saying -

"...Because ye believed me not, to sanctify me in the eyes of the children of Israel, therefore ye shall not bring this congregation into the land which I have given them."  (Old Testament | Numbers 20:12)

As we serve the Lord, we must be very careful to acknowledge the Lord in our doings, not bringing credit to ourselves.

Second was in regards to when the Lord sent fiery serpents amongst the people and the Lord commanded Moses to -

"Make thee a fiery serpent, and set it upon a pole: and it shall come to pass, that every one that is bitten, when he looketh upon it, shall live.
9 And Moses made a serpent of brass, and put it upon a pole, and it came to pass, that if a serpent had bitten any man, when he beheld the serpent of brass, he lived."  (Old Testament | Numbers 21:8 - 9)

This event is used in analogy several times in the Book of Mormon.  What my thoughts were that the scripture only suggests that those bitten lived or were healed.  It does not say immediately healed, only that they lived.  I believe that patience must have played a big part in this event.

Numbers 14

After the assigned leaders (spies) returned with their report of the promised land, they said to Moses -

"...We be not able to go up against the people; for they are stronger than we."  (Old Testament | Numbers 13:31)

But they didn't leave it at that allowing Moses to make the decision -

"...they brought up an evil report of the land which they had searched unto the children of Israel, saying, The land, through which we have gone to search it, is a land that eateth up the inhabitants thereof; and all the people that we saw in it are men of a great stature.
33 And there we saw the giants, the sons of Anak, which come of the giants: and we were in our own sight as grasshoppers, and so we were in their sight."  (Old Testament | Numbers 13:32 - 33)

Obviously, this would stir the people of their respective tribes, and so -

"...all the congregation lifted up their voice, and cried; and the people wept that night.
2 And all the children of Israel murmured against Moses and against Aaron: and the whole congregation said unto them, Would God that we had died in the land of Egypt! or would God we had died in this wilderness!
3 And wherefore hath the LORD brought us unto this land, to fall by the sword, that our wives and our children should be a prey? were it not better for us to return into Egypt?
4 And they said one to another, Let us make a captain, and let us return into Egypt."  (Old Testament | Numbers 14:1 - 4)

It seems that was the breaking point.  The Lord had enough with their limited faith and disobedience even with all he had done and said to Moses -

"...How long will this people provoke me? and how long will it be ere they believe me, for all the signs which I have shewed among them?
12 I will smite them with the pestilence, and disinherit them, and will make of thee a greater nation and mightier than they."  (Old Testament | Numbers 14:11 - 12)

Like many times before, Moses pleaded on behalf of these people and reasoned with the Lord -

"...Then the Egyptians shall hear it, (for thou broughtest up this people in thy might from among them;)
14 And they will tell it to the inhabitants of this land: for they have heard that thou LORD art among this people, that thou LORD art seen face to face, and that thy cloud standeth over them, and that thou goest before them, by day time in a pillar of a cloud, and in a pillar of fire by night.
15 ¶ Now if thou shalt kill all this people as one man, then the nations which have heard the fame of thee will speak, saying,
16 Because the LORD was not able to bring this people into the land which he sware unto them, therefore he hath slain them in the wilderness.
17 And now, I beseech thee, let the power of my LORD be great, according as thou hast spoken, saying,
18 The LORD is longsuffering, and of great mercy, forgiving iniquity and transgression, and by no means clearing the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation.
19 Pardon, I beseech thee, the iniquity of this people according unto the greatness of thy mercy, and as thou hast forgiven this people, from Egypt even until now."  (Old Testament | Numbers 14:13 - 19)

So instead of "disinheriting" them, the Lord now tells them -

"Because all those men which have seen my glory, and my miracles, which I did in Egypt and in the wilderness, and have tempted me now these ten times, and have not hearkened to my voice;
23 Surely they shall not see the land which I sware unto their fathers, neither shall any of them that provoked me see it..."  (Old Testament | Numbers 14:22 - 23)

Adding -

"How long shall I bear with this evil congregation, which murmur against me? I have heard the murmurings of the children of Israel, which they murmur against me.
28 Say unto them, As truly as I live, saith the LORD, as ye have spoken in mine ears, so will I do to you:
29 Your carcases shall fall in this wilderness; and all that were numbered of you, according to your whole number, from twenty years old and upward, which have murmured against me..."  (Old Testament | Numbers 14:27 - 29)

And thus, these people were let to wander 40 years in the wilderness with the hope that their children would build sufficient faith to acquire the Promised Land.

There is another lesson of great significance in my mind as -

"...Korah, the son of Izhar, the son of Kohath, the son of Levi, and Dathan and Abiram, the sons of Eliab, and On, the son of Peleth, sons of Reuben, took men:
2 And they rose up before Moses, with certain of the children of Israel, two hundred and fifty princes of the assembly, famous in the congregation, men of renown:
3 And they gathered themselves together against Moses and against Aaron, and said unto them, 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?"  (Old Testament | Numbers 16:1 - 3)

From Moses record of the limited faith and obedience of these people, even having to wander 40 years until those over 20  years old had died, these men suggested that they were holy and should be leaders even though they were not keeping the commandments.  They even aspired for priesthood privileges of which they were not worthy or was according to the will of the Lord.  We see this much today where individuals claim things are good when it is evil and aspire for the honors of men.  Some believe those that we sustain as prophet, seers, and revelators are not prudent or wise and that they themselves possess greater wisdom and knowledge and protest the actions of priesthood leaders.  Isaiah warned -

"Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!

21 Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight!"  (Old Testament | Isaiah 5:20 - 21)

Moses then put them to the test and the result was, Moses said  -

"...if the LORD make a new thing, and the earth open her mouth, and swallow them up, with all that appertain unto them, and they go down quick into the pit; then ye shall understand that these men have provoked the LORD.
31 ¶ And it came to pass, as he had made an end of speaking all these words, that the ground clave asunder that was under them:
32 And the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed them up, and their houses, and all the men that appertained unto Korah, and all their goods.
33 They, and all that appertained to them, went down alive into the pit, and the earth closed upon them: and they perished from among the congregation.
34 And all Israel that were round about them fled at the cry of them: for they said, Lest the earth swallow us up also.
35 And there came out a fire from the LORD, and consumed the two hundred and fifty men that offered incense."  (Old Testament | Numbers 16:30 - 35)

What I find interesting is even with this event, the people continued to murmur.

Numbers 12

We learn a great lesson as Miriam and Aaron becames somewhat jealous of the Lord's annointed for -

"...they said, Hath the LORD indeed spoken only by Moses? hath he not spoken also by us?..."  (Old Testament | Numbers 12:2)

Before this story continues, it is made clear -

(Now the man Moses was very meek, above all the men which were upon the face of the earth.)  (Old Testament | Numbers 12:3)

I like the definition of meekness as -

"...enduring injury with patience and without resentment"  (Merriam Webster Dictionary)

The Lord was not happy with this murmuring and backbiting for -

"...the LORD spake suddenly unto Moses, and unto Aaron, and unto Miriam, Come out ye three unto the tabernacle of the congregation. And they three came out.
5 And the LORD came down in the pillar of the cloud, and stood in the door of the tabernacle, and called Aaron and Miriam: and they both came forth."  (Old Testament | Numbers 12:4 - 5)

The Lord teaches that upon any leader or teacher he will lead by the Spirit as He says -

"...Hear now my words: If there be a prophet among you, I the LORD will make myself known unto him in a vision, and will speak unto him in a dream."  (Old Testament | Numbers 12:6)

...even inspire them in their callings, but -

"My servant Moses is not so, who is faithful in all mine house.
8 With him will I speak mouth to mouth, even apparently, and not in dark speeches; and the similitude of the LORD shall he behold: wherefore then were ye not afraid to speak against my servant Moses?"  (Old Testament | Numbers 12:7 - 8)

In other words, the Prophet or presiding High Priest of the people, He will give direct communication for all His people.  And -

"...the anger of the LORD was kindled against them; and he departed.
10 And the cloud departed from off the tabernacle; and, behold, Miriam became leprous, white as snow: and Aaron looked upon Miriam, and, behold, she was leprous.
11 And Aaron said unto Moses, Alas, my lord, I beseech thee, lay not the sin upon us, wherein we have done foolishly, and wherein we have sinned.
12 Let her not be as one dead, of whom the flesh is half consumed when he cometh out of his mother's womb.
13 And Moses cried unto the LORD, saying, Heal her now, O God, I beseech thee."  (Old Testament | Numbers 12:9 - 13)

But even with pleading of Moses, the Lord wanted to teach patience just as others are treated so He instructed -

"...let her be shut out from the camp seven days, and after that let her be received in again.
15 And Miriam was shut out from the camp seven days: and the people journeyed not till Miriam was brought in again."  (Old Testament | Numbers 12:14 - 15)

I'm sure Miriam learned a great deal of humility and meekness with this lesson

Numbers 9

Moses records that -

"...on the day that the tabernacle was reared up the cloud covered the tabernacle, namely, the tent of the testimony: and at even there was upon the tabernacle as it were the appearance of fire, until the morning.

16 So it was alway: the cloud covered it by day, and the appearance of fire by night.
17 And when the cloud was taken up from the tabernacle, then after that the children of Israel journeyed: and in the place where the cloud abode, there the children of Israel pitched their tents.
18 At the commandment of the LORD the children of Israel journeyed, and at the commandment of the LORD they pitched: as long as the cloud abode upon the tabernacle they rested in their tents.
19 And when the cloud tarried long upon the tabernacle many days, then the children of Israel kept the charge of the LORD, and journeyed not.
20 And so it was, when the cloud was a few days upon the tabernacle; according to the commandment of the LORD they abode in their tents, and according to the commandment of the LORD they journeyed.
21 And so it was, when the cloud abode from even unto the morning, and that the cloud was taken up in the morning, then they journeyed: whether it was by day or by night that the cloud was taken up, they journeyed.
22 Or whether it were two days, or a month, or a year, that the cloud tarried upon the tabernacle, remaining thereon, the children of Israel abode in their tents, and journeyed not: but when it was taken up, they journeyed.
23 At the commandment of the LORD they rested in the tents, and at the commandment of the LORD they journeyed: they kept the charge of the LORD, at the commandment of the LORD by the hand of Moses."  (Old Testament | Numbers 9:15 - 23)

I think there is great symbolism with the cloud by day and fire by night.  In our own personal lives we have been given the Gift of the Holy Ghost which may serve even as this cloud of fire.  Nephi taught -

 "...if ye will enter in by the way, and receive the Holy Ghost, it will show unto you all things what ye should do."  (Book of Mormon | 2 Nephi 32:5)

Another point is that after sometime their seemed to be so much murmuring in the camp of Israel that even a discouraged -

"...Moses said unto the LORD, Wherefore hast thou afflicted thy servant? and wherefore have I not found favour in thy sight, that thou layest the burden of all this people upon me?
12 Have I conceived all this people? have I begotten them, that thou shouldest say unto me, Carry them in thy bosom, as a nursing father beareth the sucking child, unto the land which thou swarest unto their fathers?"  (Old Testament | Numbers 11:11 - 12)

Adding -

"...I am not able to bear all this people alone, because it is too heavy for me.

15 And if thou deal thus with me, kill me, I pray thee, out of hand, if I have found favour in thy sight; and let me not see my wretchedness."  (Old Testament | Numbers 11:14 - 15)

Again the Lord teaches the principle of delegation as He instructed -

"...Gather unto me seventy men of the elders of Israel, whom thou knowest to be the elders of the people, and officers over them; and bring them unto the tabernacle of the congregation, that they may stand there with thee.
17 And I will come down and talk with thee there: and I will take of the spirit which is upon thee, and will put it upon them; and they shall bear the burden of the people with thee, that thou bear it not thyself alone."  (Old Testament | Numbers 11:16 - 17)

As Moses followed these instructions, he records -

"...there remained two of the men in the camp, the name of the one was Eldad, and the name of the other Medad: and the spirit rested upon them; and they were of them that were written, but went not out unto the tabernacle: and they prophesied in the camp.
27 And there ran a young man, and told Moses, and said, Eldad and Medad do prophesy in the camp.
28 And Joshua the son of Nun, the servant of Moses, one of his young men, answered and said, My lord Moses, forbid them.
29 And Moses said unto him, Enviest thou for my sake? would God that all the LORD's people were prophets, and that the LORD would put his spirit upon them!"  (Old Testament | Numbers 11:26 - 29)

In this case, I believe "prophets" were leaders, teaching by the power of the Holy Ghost.  Would to God that all leaders would worthy and have the Spirit of the Lord upon them.

Numbers 1

We learn of the Levite men -

"...thou shalt appoint the Levites over the tabernacle of testimony, and over all the vessels thereof, and over all things that belong to it: they shall bear the tabernacle, and all the vessels thereof; and they shall minister unto it, and shall encamp round about the tabernacle.
51 And when the tabernacle setteth forward, the Levites shall take it down: and when the tabernacle is to be pitched, the Levites shall set it up: and the stranger that cometh nigh shall be put to death.
52 And the children of Israel shall pitch their tents, every man by his own camp, and every man by his own standard, throughout their hosts.
53 But the Levites shall pitch round about the tabernacle of testimony, that there be no wrath upon the congregation of the children of Israel: and the Levites shall keep the charge of the tabernacle of testimony."  (Old Testament | Numbers 1:50 - 53)

Of the remaining tribes -

"...on the east side toward the rising of the sun shall they of the standard of the camp of Judah...And those that do pitch next unto him shall be the tribe of Issachar...Then the tribe of Zebulun..."  (Old Testament | Numbers 2:3 - 7)

On the south side shall be the standard of the camp of Reuben...And those which pitch by him shall be the tribe of Simeon...Then the tribe of Gad: and the captain of the sons of Gad..."  (Old Testament | Numbers 2:10 - 14)

"On the west side shall be the standard of the camp of Ephraim...And by him shall be the tribe of Manasseh...Then the tribe of Benjamin..."  (Old Testament | Numbers 2:18 - 23)

"The standard of the camp of Dan shall be on the north side...And those that encamp by him shall be the tribe of Asher...Then the tribe of Naphtali..."  (Old Testament | Numbers 2:25 - 29)

This Levites were not given a specific camp but was to administer with the tabernacle.  The sons of Aaron which were Levites were to administer ordinances and sacrifices, where the sons of Levites where to service the tabernacle.  This is much the same in our day.  Joseph Fielding Smith explained -

“The Aaronic Priesthood is divided into the Aaronic and the Levitical, yet it is but one priesthood. This is merely a matter of designating certain duties within the priesthood. The sons of Aaron, who presided in the Aaronic order, were spoken of as holding the Aaronic Priesthood; and the sons of Levi, who were not sons of Aaron, were spoken of as the Levites. They held the Aaronic Priesthood but served under, or in a lesser capacity, than the sons of Aaron” (Smith, Doctrines of Salvation, 3: 86)

Leviticus 18

In the ending verses of Leviticus, the Lord specifically instructs the children of Israel the do's and don'ts of his commandments.  He commands them -

"After the doings of the land of Egypt, wherein ye dwelt, shall ye not do: and after the doings of the land of Canaan, whither I bring you, shall ye not do: neither shall ye walk in their ordinances.

4 Ye shall do my judgments, and keep mine ordinances, to walk therein: I am the LORD your God.
5 Ye shall therefore keep my statutes, and my judgments: which if a man do, he shall live in them: I am the LORD."  (Old Testament | Leviticus 18:3 - 5)

There probably are some that wonder why the Lord had the Israelites destroy the groups of people in Canaan to occupy their land.  Obviously, these people were ripe in iniquity, their "doings" were an abomination to the Lord.  Nephi logically teaches his people -

"...do ye suppose that the children of this land, who were in the land of promise, who were driven out by our fathers, do ye suppose that they were righteous? Behold, I say unto you, Nay.
34 Do ye suppose that our fathers would have been more choice than they if they had been righteous? I say unto you, Nay.
35 Behold, the Lord esteemeth all flesh in one; he that is righteous is favored of God. But behold, this people had rejected every word of God, and they were ripe in iniquity; and the fulness of the wrath of God was upon them..."  (Book of Mormon | 1 Nephi 17:33 - 35)

A few of those abominations the Lord outlines are -

Incest

"None of you shall approach to any that is near of kin to him, to uncover their nakedness..."  (Old Testament | Leviticus 18:6)

Adultery

"...thou shalt not lie carnally with thy neighbour's wife, to defile thyself with her."  (Old Testament | Leviticus 18:20)

Homosexuality

"Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it is abomination."  (Old Testament | Leviticus 18:22)

The Lord warns -

"Defile not ye yourselves in any of these things: for in all these the nations are defiled which I cast out before you..."  (Old Testament | Leviticus 18:24)

The warning then, even to our generation, is that when we become ripe in iniquity, we too may lose the blessings of this land.

There are a couple of do's that I wanted to include just for my own reference -

"Ye shall keep my statutes. Thou shalt not let thy cattle gender with a diverse kind: thou shalt not sow thy field with mingled seed: neither shall a garment mingled of linen and woollen come upon thee."  (Old Testament | Leviticus 19:19)

I believe the Lord is suggesting that we avoid mingling the doctrines of men to the doctrine of God. 

"Thou shalt rise up before the hoary head, and honour the face of the old man, and fear thy God..."  (Old Testament | Leviticus 19:32)

Just as a matter of honor and respect, we should always stand or rise up as we meet and great the elderly.
 

Leviticus 14

It seems that throughout history, the Lord used symbolism to teach the people -

"...every whit pointing to that great and last sacrifice; and that great and last sacrifice will be the Son of God..."  (Book of Mormon | Alma 34:14)

...and to teach the people the principles, conditions, ordinances and covenants to the blessings of that atonement.

As part of my reading of the Old Testament, I am reading the Old Testament commentary by David J. Ridges.  As we read concerning the law associated with leprosy in Leviticus, we seegreat symbolism in the process of repentance.  I am including the comments of David J. Ridges for my own reference -

1 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,
2 This shall be the law of the leper [the rules for being made clean; symbolic of serious sin and great need for help and cleansing] in the day of his cleansing [symbolic of the desire to be made spiritually clean and pure]: He shall be brought unto the priest [authorized servant of God who holds the keys of authority to act for God]:
3 And the priest shall go forth out of the camp [the person with leprosy did not have fellowship with the Lord's people and was required to live outside the main camp of the children of Israel; the bishop, symbolically, goes out of the way to help sinners who want to repent]; and the priest shall look, and, behold, if the plague of leprosy be healed in the leper [a bishop today serves as a judge to see if the repentant sinner is ready to return to full membership privileges];
4 Then shall the priest command to take for him that is to be cleansed [the person who has repented] two birds [one represents the Savior during His mortal mission; the other represents the person who has repented] alive and clean, and cedar wood [symbolic of the cross], and scarlet [associated with mocking Christ before his crucifixion, Mark 15: 17], and hyssop [associated with Christ on the cross— John 19: 29]:
5 And the priest shall command that one of the birds [symbolic of the Savior] be killed in an earthen vessel [Christ was sent to earth to die for us] over running water [Christ offers living water, the gospel of Jesus Christ— John 7: 37– 38— which cleanses us when we come unto Him]:
6 As for the living bird [representing the person who has repented], he [the priest, symbolic of the bishop, stake president, one who holds the keys of judging] shall take it [the living bird], and the cedar wood, and the scarlet, and the hyssop [all associated with the Atonement], and shall dip them and the living bird in the blood of the bird that was killed over the running water [representing the cleansing power of the Savior's blood, which was shed for us]:
7 And he shall sprinkle upon him that is to be cleansed from the leprosy [symbolically, being cleansed from sin] seven times [seven is the number that, in biblical numeric symbolism, represents completeness, perfection], and shall pronounce him clean [he has been forgiven], and shall let the living bird [the person who has repented] loose into the open field [representing the wide open opportunities again available in the kingdom of God for the person who truly repents].
8 And he that is to be cleansed shall wash his clothes [symbolic of cleaning up one's life from sinful ways and pursuits— compare with Isaiah 1: 16], and shave off all his hair [symbolic of becoming like a newborn baby; having a fresh start], and wash himself in water [symbolic of baptism], that he may be clean [cleansed from sin]: and after that he shall come into the camp [rejoin the Lord's covenant people], and shall tarry abroad out of his tent seven days.
9 But it shall be on the seventh day, that he shall shave all his hair off his head and his beard and his eyebrows, even all his hair he shall shave off [symbolic of being born again]: and he shall wash his clothes [clean up his life], also he shall wash his flesh in water [symbolic of baptism], and he shall be clean [a simple fact— namely that we can truly be cleansed and healed by the Savior's Atonement].
10 And on the eighth day he shall take two he lambs without blemish [symbolic of the Savior's perfect life], and one ewe lamb of the first year without blemish, and three tenth deals of fine flour for a meat offering, mingled with oil [pure olive oil, symbolic of healing, of light from Christ, of the Holy Ghost— D& C 45: 55– 57— of the Savior's suffering in Gethsemane (the “oil press”) under the pressure and weight of our sins], and one log of oil.
11 And the priest that maketh him clean [symbolic of Christ] shall present the man that is to be made clean, and those things, before the LORD, at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation:
12 And the priest shall take one he lamb [symbolic of Christ], and offer him for a trespass offering [an atonement], and the log of oil, and wave them for a wave offering [see Bible Dictionary, under “Feasts,” for an explanation of several types of “offerings” associated with ritual feasts] before the LORD:
13 And he shall slay the lamb in the place where he shall kill the sin offering and the burnt offering, in the holy place: for as the sin offering is the priest's, so is the trespass offering: it is most holy:
14 And the priest shall take some of the blood of the trespass offering [the blood of the Lamb], and the priest shall put it upon the tip of the right ear [symbolic of hearing and obeying the Lord] of him that is to be cleansed, and upon the thumb [symbolic of actions, behaviors], of his right hand [the covenant hand; symbolic of making covenants with God], and upon the great toe of his right foot [symbolic of walking in the ways of God]:
15 And the priest shall take some of the log of oil, and pour it into the palm of his own left hand:
16 And the priest shall dip his right finger in the oil that is in his left hand, and shall sprinkle of the oil with his finger seven [symbolic of becoming perfect through Christ] times before the LORD:
17 And of the rest of the oil that is in his hand shall the priest put upon the tip of the right ear of him that is to be cleansed, and upon the thumb of his right hand, and upon the great toe of his right foot, upon the blood of the trespass offering [among many possible symbols, one can be that, as we take upon us the cleansing blood of Christ through baptism, the Holy Ghost follows up by guiding us to hear, act, and walk in His ways]:
18 And the remnant of the oil that is in the priest's hand he shall pour upon the head of him that is to be cleansed [symbolic of being anointed in preparation for great blessings from the Lord]: and the priest shall make an atonement for him before the LORD.
19 And the priest [symbolizing the Savior] shall offer the sin offering, and make an atonement for him that is to be cleansed from his uncleanness; and afterward he shall kill the burnt offering:
20 And the priest shall offer the burnt offering and the meat offering upon the altar: and the priest shall make an atonement for him, and he shall be clean.  (Ridges, David J. (2006-04-07). The Old Testament Made Easier -Part 2)

What great understanding can come as we contemplate the symbolisms taught by the Lord.

Leviticus 1

As the children of Israel proved that they were not ready to live the law of God given to Moses, we learn in modern revelation -

"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 fulness 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..."  (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 84:23 - 27)

Thus Paul wrote -

"...we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed.
24 Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith."  (New Testament | Galatians 3:23 - 24)

As I read the instructions given to the Levite priests and sons of Aaron in the first chapters of Leviticus to administer the sacrifices of the "schoolmaster to bring [them] to Christ", it seemed to me that the focus was on the portion of the Doctrine of Christ, that of faith and repentance, looking forward to the great and last sacrifice of Christ.

In these symbolic sacrifices, we see words such as - without blemish, voluntary, blood, body, bread, priest, altar, fire, wash, oil, frankincense, anointing, salt, sin offering, restitution, sanctified, sacrifice, consecration, and atonement.  All of which seemed to point their faith and repentance to the great and last sacrifice and atonement of Jesus Christ. 

Is it any wonder, Paul tried to emphasize that we are saved by grace, not by works or in other words, obedience to the law of Moses.  Obviously, after many years, the Israelites began to believe that obedience to these rules or laws was all that was required.  It was only the "schoolmaster" to prepare for the fullness of the Doctrine of Christ or his gospel.

Exodus 32

Two thoughts I had in my reading yesterday and today (somehow I got busy and forgot to blog yesterday).

First, many today seem to be surprised how fast Aaron seem to fold to the pressure of the people while Moses is gone for forty days on the mount for -

"...when the people saw that Moses delayed to come down out of the mount, the people gathered themselves together unto Aaron, and said unto him, Up, make us gods, which shall go before us; for as for this Moses, the man that brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we wot not what is become of him.
2 And Aaron said unto them, Break off the golden earrings, which are in the ears of your wives, of your sons, and of your daughters, and bring them unto me.
3 And all the people brake off the golden earrings which were in their ears, and brought them unto Aaron.
4 And he received them at their hand, and fashioned it with a graving tool, after he had made it a molten calf: and they said, These be thy gods, O Israel, which brought thee up out of the land of Egypt.
5 And when Aaron saw it, he built an altar before it; and Aaron made proclamation, and said, To morrow is a feast to the LORD.
6 And they rose up early on the morrow, and offered burnt offerings, and brought peace offerings; and the people sat down to eat and to drink, and rose up to play."  (Old Testament | Exodus 32:1 - 6)

Yet in our day we see society, politicians, and businesses doing much the same thing all in the name of fairness, equality, and correctness on issues that are clearly scripturally against the will of God.  More important, modern day prophet, seers, and revelators have made it clear -

"The family is ordained of God. Marriage between man and woman is essential to His eternal plan. Children are entitled to birth within the bonds of matrimony, and to be reared by a father and a mother who honor marital vows with complete fidelity."  (The Family:  A Proclamation to the World)

Is this any different than the days of Aaron folding to the attitude and pressure of the people.

The second thought was on individual responsibility for our actions.  The plan concerning our second estate was -

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

After the Lord suggested that he would destroy this covenant people based on their wickedness, we find the love Moses had for the children of Israel as he returns to the mount pleading on their behalf -

"Yet now, if thou wilt forgive their sin—; and if not, blot me, I pray thee, out of thy book which thou hast written."  (Old Testament | Exodus 32:32)

In my mind, Moses is pleading to give these people another chance, even to the point that he was willing to sacrifice all for their behalf.  But the Lord then responds and teaches Moses a very important eternal doctrine -

"...Whosoever hath sinned against me, him will I blot out of my book."  (Old Testament | Exodus 32:33)

That is, everyone is responsible to repent and work out their own salvation.  What others do is not relevant.

Exodus 28

Upon receiving priesthood authority to administer in the administration and ordinances in the tabernacle, the Lord instructed -

"...take thou unto thee Aaron thy brother, and his sons with him, from among the children of Israel, that he may minister unto me in the priest's office, even Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar, Aaron's sons.
2 And thou shalt make holy garments for Aaron thy brother for glory and for beauty.
3 And thou shalt speak unto all that are wise hearted, whom I have filled with the spirit of wisdom, that they may make Aaron's garments to consecrate him, that he may minister unto me in the priest's office.
4 And these are the garments which they shall make; a breastplate, and an ephod, and a robe, and a broidered coat, a mitre, and a girdle: and they shall make holy garments for Aaron thy brother, and his sons, that he may minister unto me in the priest's office."  (Old Testament | Exodus 28:1 - 4)

It is my understanding that the ephod was an apron.  And apron in my mind is a symbol of work and service.  As these brethren put on these priesthood robes, including the apron, it meant they were servants of God and were to administer and minister in priesthood work.

Exodus 23

In regards to my comments yesterday, I was not suggesting that Moses came up with these laws on his own for we know these were written on the mount.   I believe they were inspired by the laws of God.  But these laws of relationship to one another did not seem to be more of lesser laws (even though good) that the level of laws of Zion or laws of the Celestial Kingdom.

As I struggle with much said in politics these day, I specifically noted the law -

THOU shalt not raise a false report: put not thine hand with the wicked to be an unrighteous witness."  (Old Testament | Exodus 23:1)

Some seem to take the position that the ends justify the mean.  This is not in accordance to this law of Moses which I believe applies today.

There is another action that Moses took that seemed to touch me.  We read as Moses returned that -

"...Moses wrote all the words of the LORD, and rose up early in the morning, and builded an altar under the hill, and twelve pillars, according to the twelve tribes of Israel.
5 And he sent young men of the children of Israel, which offered burnt offerings, and sacrificed peace offerings of oxen unto the LORD.
6 And Moses took half of the blood, and put it in basons; and half of the blood he sprinkled on the altar.
7 And he took the book of the covenant, and read in the audience of the people: and they said, All that the LORD hath said will we do, and be obedient.
8 And Moses took the blood, and sprinkled it on the people, and said, Behold the blood of the covenant, which the LORD hath made with you concerning all these words."  (Old Testament | Exodus 24:4 - 8)

I believe there is great symbolism as the people pondered the "blood of the covenant, which the Lord hath made with you concerning all these words".  In my mind, the blood of the covenant would be the Savior's atonement.  Even in our day, weekly we covenant -

"O God, the Eternal Father, we ask thee in the name of thy Son, Jesus Christ, to bless and sanctify this wine to the souls of all those who drink of it, that they may do it in remembrance of the blood of thy Son, which was shed for them; that they may witness unto thee, O God, the Eternal Father, that they do always remember him, that they may have his Spirit to be with them. Amen."  (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 20:79)

For -

"...behold, this is the whole meaning of the law, every whit pointing to that great and last sacrifice; and that great and last sacrifice will be the Son of God, yea, infinite and eternal.
15 And thus he shall bring salvation to all those who shall believe on his name; this being the intent of this last sacrifice, to bring about the bowels of mercy, which overpowereth justice, and bringeth about means unto men that they may have faith unto repentance."  (Book of Mormon | Alma 34:14 - 15)

Exodus 21

With the giving of the  "ten commandments", Moses tells us  -

"...God spake all these words..."  (Old Testament | Exodus 20:1)

Even though many theologians consider the ten commandments to be part of the law of Moses (and they are probably right), my thoughts were a little different this morning.  Obviously, these commandments were given by God so they are his commandments or laws.  Thus I would suggest that they are the law of God.

But as I read chapters 21-23 in Exodus, Moses seems to write laws that would assist the children of Israel in their freedoms and relationships with each other, much like legislatures do today to preserve our rights and freedoms.

He seemed to write laws or rules such as -

"...if any mischief follow, then thou shalt give life for life,
24 Eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot,
25 Burning for burning, wound for wound, stripe for stripe."  (Old Testament | Exodus 21:23 - 25)

Even though these laws are just, I sense that were more what man would do to be honest and fair in man's relationship with one another, thus, in my mind, they are justifiably called the "law of Moses" or the laws given by Moses.

These were my thoughts as I read these chapters this morning.