Category: The Mosaic Law

To Be Seen and Heard #2

Wednesday, March 19, 2025

“But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments,…” (Matthew 23:5 KJV).

Should we be in attendance at the “Desperate-for-Attention-and-Relevance Conference?”

Read today’s Scripture in context, a long speech delivered just a few days before Calvary: “[1] Then spake Jesus to the multitude, and to his disciples, [2] Saying, The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat: [3] All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not. [4] For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men’s shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers.”

Chapter 23 of Matthew is one of the most scathing rebukes the Lord Jesus Christ ever issued during His earthly ministry. (John chapter 8 is another extremely offensive sermon.) He warns His listeners—both His followers and any curiosity-seekers—of the religious corruption that had overtaken Judaism. The nation Israel’s spiritual leaders seem like Moses’ successors, God’s spokesmen, but they are hypocritical. Provided they taught the pure Word of God, the unadulterated Law of Moses, they should be followed. Nevertheless, as Christ Himself pointed out, there is also a counterfeit Word of God and an imitation ministry in Israel: these perverted religious leaders are teaching their words of men and passing them off as the words of God, and they are also failing to “practice what they preach” (“they say, and do not”).

They have watered down God’s commandments with mindless religious tradition. Instead of the LORD’S laws pointing out man’s sin problem, those laws have been “supplemented” with humanistic thoughts and deeds that portray man in a more positive light. God and His precepts are not at the center of attention because man has placed the spotlight on himself. It becomes all the more serious when we recognize this has occurred in God’s nation Israel, His channel of salvation and blessing to the nations in prophecy. As long as Israel languishes in spiritual darkness, she cannot be all that the LORD intended her to be. She is thus incapable of reaching the Gentiles….

Lessons from the Biblical Apothecary #7

Friday, February 21, 2025

“And thou shalt make it an oil of holy ointment, an ointment compound after the art of the apothecary: it shall be an holy anointing oil” (Exodus 30:25 KJV).

Let us learn some lessons from the biblical apothecary….

From the Book of Hebrews, which enlarges upon Jeremiah 31:31-34, we discover the Old Covenant was temporary and will be replaced by the New Covenant (see particularly Hebrews chapters 8–10). Considering that change, Messiah (Jesus Christ) speaks to Father God: “Sacrifice and offering thou didst not desire; mine ears hast thou opened: burnt offering and sin offering hast thou not required. Then said I, Lo, I come: in the volume of the book it is written of me, I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart” (Psalm 40:6-8). Hebrews 10:5-9 interprets this as Messiah submitting to Father’s will to sacrifice Himself on Calvary’s cruel cross, the foundation for the New Covenant.

“By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins: But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God;…” (Hebrews 10:10-12). This “offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all” is described in Ephesians 5:1,2 as: “Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.”

Christ’s finished crosswork on Calvary was “a sweetsmelling savour”—just as pleasant to God’s nostrils as those aromas of the anointing oil and the perfume or incense (the context of today’s Scripture). The stench of the spiritual decay of our sin debt is overwhelmed by the blood sacrifice of the sinless Lord Jesus Christ. Yet, that does not deter works-religionist man from offering his own righteousness, his reeking “filthy rags” (Isaiah 64:6) and stinky “dung” (Philippians 3:8), bragging, “I can be just as good as Jesus!” If nothing else, may the “sweetsmelling savour” of Calvary at least discourage us Christians from resurrecting the buried, rotting old man to boast, “I can live the Christian life!”

Lessons from the Biblical Apothecary #6

Thursday, February 20, 2025

“And thou shalt make it an oil of holy ointment, an ointment compound after the art of the apothecary: it shall be an holy anointing oil” (Exodus 30:25 KJV).

Let us learn some lessons from the biblical apothecary….

Any hasty reading of the Law of Moses with respect to its Tabernacle and (subsequent) Temple and their furnishings and ministers, yields one undeniable fact: it was an extremely complex arrangement and rigorous routine, involving elaborate ceremonies, sacrifices and offerings, an altar, a laver, a candlestick (lampstand), shewbread, incense, a veil, an ark (chest) containing stone tablets, a mercyseat, and other items. See, for example, Exodus chapters 25–31, Exodus chapters 34–40, Leviticus chapters 1–10, and Leviticus chapters 16–17. The daily, weekly, and annual duties of the Levitical priests were endless—spanning over 1,500 years, encompassing countless generations of Aaron’s sons.

For a more abridged summary of the responsibilities of the Levitical priesthood as touching the Tabernacle and the Temple, see Hebrews chapters 5, 7, 8, 9, and 10. Suffice it to say that their work with those holy vessels, utensils, and furnishings—and even those vessels, utensils, and furnishings themselves—pointed to Calvary’s cross in a veiled or disguised form. Recall the holy anointing oil and the perfume or incense referenced in Exodus 30:22-38, the context of today’s Scripture. Intense, albeit pleasant, odors emanated from them, filling the Tabernacle and the Temple with fragrances. Moreover, the atmosphere would have been smokey, obscuring some priestly activities.

As we gag and recoil at sewage, body sweat, rotting bodies, and other offensive odors, so the holy, righteous Creator God is highly irritated at the stench of sin. Like we react in the physical realm, He responds in the spiritual world. Though He was dwelling in the Tabernacle and the Temple in the midst of sinful Israelites, though sinful priests were working in His service, He could tolerate it because the sweet aromas smeared on those men, their instruments, and their sacrifices covered the disagreeable smell. Hence, Mosaic sacrifices were “for a sweet savour” (Exodus 29:25,41; Leviticus 1:9,13,17; Leviticus 2:2,9,12; Leviticus 3:5,16; Leviticus 4:31; Leviticus 6:15,21; Leviticus 8:21,28; Leviticus 17:6; Leviticus 23:13,18; et cetera).

Let us see how to appreciate the delightful scent of Calvary in God’s nostrils….

Lessons from the Biblical Apothecary #5

Wednesday, February 19, 2025

“And thou shalt make it an oil of holy ointment, an ointment compound after the art of the apothecary: it shall be an holy anointing oil” (Exodus 30:25 KJV).

Let us learn some lessons from the biblical apothecary….

The ingredients of the holy anointing oil and the components of the perfume or incense were rare and imported, and therefore expensive. Additionally, the fragrances were a combination of sweet, floral, and woody. Think of the intense aroma of costly potpourri or pricey cologne. It was really tempting for someone in ancient Israel to apply for personal usage and/or copy the recipes. The LORD thus strictly forbade both activities!

Verses 31-33: “And thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel, saying, This shall be an holy anointing oil unto me throughout your generations. Upon man’s flesh shall it not be poured, neither shall ye make any other like it, after the composition of it: it is holy, and it shall be holy unto you. Whosoever compoundeth any like it, or whosoever putteth any of it upon a stranger, shall even be cut off from his people.” The adjective “holy” meant the anointing oil was set-apart (hallowed, sanctified) unto the LORD God’s purposes. It was not for ordinary use. No one was to duplicate its formula. Both violations carried the death penalty!

Verses 37,38: “And as for the perfume which thou shalt make, ye shall not make to yourselves according to the composition thereof: it shall be unto thee holy for the LORD. Whosoever shall make like unto that, to smell thereto, shall even be cut off from his people.” The perfume or incense was also “holy” (verse 35), set-apart (hallowed, sanctified) unto JEHOVAH God’s purposes. It too was not for common use. No one was to copy its formula either. As with the holy anointing oil, both abuses resulted in capital punishment!

These two compositions of the biblical apothecary were reserved for usage as touching the Tabernacle, its furnishings, and its ministers, all equally holy (read verses 22-38, if necessary). Why would God be so particular about these scents and strictly govern their handling? To answer this, we must search the Scriptures to uncover the formulation of a far more superior aroma, personally mixed by an Apothecary of another world….

Lessons from the Biblical Apothecary #4

Tuesday, February 18, 2025

“And thou shalt make it an oil of holy ointment, an ointment compound after the art of the apothecary: it shall be an holy anointing oil” (Exodus 30:25 KJV).

Let us learn some lessons from the biblical apothecary….

Read verses 34-36: “And the LORD said unto Moses, Take unto thee sweet spices, stacte, and onycha, and galbanum; these sweet spices with pure frankincense: of each shall there be a like weight: And thou shalt make it a perfume, a confection after the art of the apothecary, tempered together, pure and holy: And thou shalt beat some of it very small, and put of it before the testimony in the tabernacle of the congregation, where I will meet with thee: it shall be unto you most holy.”

As touching the perfume or incense, it too was a recipe the LORD had invented. Of equal quantities the following “sweet spices” were to be mixed. “Stacte” was sap from various unidentified tree or plant species. “Onycha” was a type of mussel or mollusk shell that emitted an aroma when burned. “Galbanum,” also having an extremely strong odor, was rubbery resin extracted from the roots of a flowering plant native to Afghanistan, Syria, and Persia (Iran). “Frankincense” (Boswellia carteri) was tree sap or bark imported from Saudi Arabia or Ethiopia. This mixture was to burned on the altar of incense in the Tabernacle before the Ark of the Covenant (Exodus 30:1-9).

See Exodus 30:1,6-9: “And thou shalt make an altar to burn incense upon: of shittim wood shalt thou make it…. And thou shalt put it before the vail that is by the ark of the testimony, before the mercy seat that is over the testimony, where I will meet with thee. And Aaron shall burn thereon sweet incense every morning: when he dresseth the lamps, he shall burn incense upon it. And when Aaron lighteth the lamps at even, he shall burn incense upon it, a perpetual incense before the LORD throughout your generations. Ye shall offer no strange incense thereon, nor burnt sacrifice, nor meat offering; neither shall ye pour drink offering thereon.” Any such “strange [foreign] incense,” which God rejected, was produced when the recipe of Exodus 30:34-36 was not followed!

Let us see other Divinely-ordained specifications associated with the biblical apothecary’s work….

Lessons from the Biblical Apothecary #3

Monday, February 17, 2025

“And thou shalt make it an oil of holy ointment, an ointment compound after the art of the apothecary: it shall be an holy anointing oil” (Exodus 30:25 KJV).

Let us learn some lessons from the biblical apothecary….

Read verses 22-24: “Moreover the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, Take thou also unto thee principal spices, of pure myrrh five hundred shekels, and of sweet cinnamon half so much, even two hundred and fifty shekels, and of sweet calamus two hundred and fifty shekels, And of cassia five hundred shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary, and of oil olive an hin:….”

This holy anointing oil was made according to a special recipe the LORD wrote. “Pure myrrh” (Balsamodendron myrrha) was derived from balsam-tree sap imported from Arabia and Ethiopia. Emitting a strong odor, its oily gum hardened upon exposure to air. “Five hundred shekels” (14.5 pounds, or 7 kilograms) of this myrrh were added to half that weight of “sweet cinnamon” (Laurus cinnamomum, laurel tree bark growing in Ceylon and Malaysia). This was added to roughly 7.25 pounds, or 3.5 kilograms, of “sweet calamus” (Acorus calamus, also known as “sweet flag” [an iris-like reed]). Approximately 14.5 pounds or 7 kilograms of “cassia” (flowers or tree bark from India, perhaps Cinnamomum?) and a “hin” (1.5 gallons or 5.7 liters) of “oil olive” were combined to complete the mixture.

“[25] And thou shalt make it an oil of holy ointment, an ointment compound after the art of the apothecary: it shall be an holy anointing oil. [26] And thou shalt anoint the tabernacle of the congregation therewith, and the ark of the testimony, [27] And the table and all his vessels, and the candlestick and his vessels, and the altar of incense, [28] And the altar of burnt offering with all his vessels, and the laver and his foot. [29] And thou shalt sanctify them, that they may be most holy: whatsoever toucheth them shall be holy. [30] And thou shalt anoint Aaron and his sons, and consecrate them, that they may minister unto me in the priest’s office.”

Although its ingredients are somewhat enigmatic to us (the species of plant or tree are not always identified), this we do know. The holy anointing oil was used in the Law of Moses to set apart people and instruments unto JEHOVAH God….

Lessons from the Biblical Apothecary #2

Sunday, February 16, 2025

“And thou shalt make it an oil of holy ointment, an ointment compound after the art of the apothecary: it shall be an holy anointing oil” (Exodus 30:25 KJV).

Let us learn some lessons from the biblical apothecary….

Firstly, what exactly is an “apothecary?” Here are the six pertinent verses from the Authorized Version that shed some light on the subject. “And thou shalt make it an oil of holy ointment, an ointment compound after the art of the apothecary: it shall be an holy anointing oil…. And thou shalt make it a perfume, a confection after the art of the apothecary, tempered together, pure and holy:…” (Exodus 30:25,35). “And he made the holy anointing oil, and the pure incense of sweet spices, according to the work of the apothecary” (Exodus 37:29).

“Dead flies cause the ointment of the apothecary to send forth a stinking savour: so doth a little folly him that is in reputation for wisdom and honour” (Ecclesiastes 10:1). “And they buried him in his own sepulchres, which he had made for himself in the city of David, and laid him in the bed which was filled with sweet odours and divers kinds of spices prepared by the apothecaries’ art: and they made a very great burning for him” (2 Chronicles 1:14). “Next unto him repaired Uzziel the son of Harhaiah, of the goldsmiths. Next unto him also repaired Hananiah the son of one of the apothecaries, and they fortified Jerusalem unto the broad wall” (Nehemiah 3:8).

In ancient times, the apothecary (Greek, “apotheke,” “storehouse”) was someone who prepared and sold spices and/or compounded and sold medicine (drugs, “perfumes,” and “ointments”). The closest modern equivalent to an apothecary is a pharmacist or a very basic physician (treating medical problems, albeit with extremely limited knowledge). Having just come out of Egypt (the Book of Exodus, the context of today’s Scripture), Moses and Israel were quite familiar with this profession. The (advanced) Egyptian people had an abundance of apothecaries, and, doubtless, their herbs and spices (valuables) would have been among the treasures the Egyptians hastily gave the departing Israelites (see Exodus 12:35; Exodus 32:2,3; Exodus 35:22).

Following the practice of the apothecary, Moses was to prepare a holy anointing oil plus perfume or incense for JEHOVAH God….

Lessons from the Biblical Apothecary #1

Saturday, February 15, 2025

“And thou shalt make it an oil of holy ointment, an ointment compound after the art of the apothecary: it shall be an holy anointing oil” (Exodus 30:25 KJV).

Let us learn some lessons from the biblical apothecary….

Read Exodus 30:22-36: “[22] Moreover the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, [23] Take thou also unto thee principal spices, of pure myrrh five hundred shekels, and of sweet cinnamon half so much, even two hundred and fifty shekels, and of sweet calamus two hundred and fifty shekels, [24] And of cassia five hundred shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary, and of oil olive an hin: [25] And thou shalt make it an oil of holy ointment, an ointment compound after the art of the apothecary: it shall be an holy anointing oil. [26] And thou shalt anoint the tabernacle of the congregation therewith, and the ark of the testimony, [27] And the table and all his vessels, and the candlestick and his vessels, and the altar of incense, [28] And the altar of burnt offering with all his vessels, and the laver and his foot. [29] And thou shalt sanctify them, that they may be most holy: whatsoever toucheth them shall be holy. [30] And thou shalt anoint Aaron and his sons, and consecrate them, that they may minister unto me in the priest’s office.

“[31] And thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel, saying, This shall be an holy anointing oil unto me throughout your generations. [32] Upon man’s flesh shall it not be poured, neither shall ye make any other like it, after the composition of it: it is holy, and it shall be holy unto you. [33] Whosoever compoundeth any like it, or whosoever putteth any of it upon a stranger, shall even be cut off from his people. [34] And the LORD said unto Moses, Take unto thee sweet spices, stacte, and onycha, and galbanum; these sweet spices with pure frankincense: of each shall there be a like weight: [35] And thou shalt make it a perfume, a confection after the art of the apothecary, tempered together, pure and holy: [36] And thou shalt beat some of it very small, and put of it before the testimony in the tabernacle of the congregation, where I will meet with thee: it shall be unto you most holy.”

We now examine these verses more fully….

NO Bible Ignorance in the Midst of Tragedy! #11

Wednesday, January 15, 2025

“Why standest thou afar off, O LORD? why hidest thou thyself in times of trouble?” (Psalm 10:1 KJV).

In light of the recent New Orleans terrorist attack just a few hours away from my home, we are delighted to dispel the associated Bible ignorance….

“For the life of the flesh is in the blood: and I have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement for your souls: for it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul.” Leviticus 17:11 explains how “life… is in the blood.” Although sin results in spiritual death (our separation from God—Romans 6:23), blood makes atonement (the condition of being “at one”). The centuries of Old Testament animals’ blood sacrifices were but types, shadows, or previews of Jesus Christ’s sinless shed blood on Calvary (see Hebrews 10:1-22).

When JEHOVAH God, Jesus Christ, took on human flesh so as to reign over the nation Israel, He was overwhelmingly rejected for 33 years before finally being crucified in unbelief. The leaders of that apostate nation exclaimed, “We have no king but Caesar!” (John 19:15). Father God in His wisdom then took Christ’s shed blood to redeem (buy back or purchase from sin) an earthly people—the very people, Israel, who had slain Him (see Hebrews 9:1-28)!

Through Pauline revelation, we discover Father God can also redeem another people—His heavenly people, us, the Church the Body of Christ. “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;…” (Romans 3:23-25). “In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;…” (Ephesians 1:7). “In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:…” (Colossians 1:14).

It is the redemption of these two groups or entities (the nation Israel and the Church the Body of Christ) that forms the heart of Father God reconciling Earth and Heaven to Himself in Colossians 1:16-20….

A Life That Will Please

Saturday, January 4, 2025

“I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me” (Galatians 2:20 KJV).

Today’s Scripture tells us who alone can live a life pleasing in God’s sight!

Everyone does “good” deeds. Yet, doing “good” is not necessarily good. For instance, people often do “good” just to receive praise/reward, make up for their wrongs, feel good, et cetera. Furthermore, despite our “good” deeds, we have plenty more bad ones! Pride, lying, evil thoughts, being a false witness, and being contentious are some of the things the LORD hates (Proverbs 6:16-19).

Mankind cannot even keep 10 simple rules from God. However, religion continues to urge us to keep seven sacraments, utter various prayers, give assorted offerings and “tithes,” attend numerous feasts and festivals, and perform sundry other tasks to “hopefully” please God and avoid hellfire. Whether we attempt to keep a church’s laws, our laws, or God’s laws, our flesh is far too weak to ever measure up. Just look at what God’s religion did to Israel—how much worse some man-made religion does to us!

As Saul of Tarsus, the Apostle Paul was a Pharisee, a religious leader of Israel. He was a nitpicker concerning Law-keeping, and yet, after his soul salvation, he admitted that all of his religion was “but dung” compared to Jesus Christ’s righteousness (Philippians 3:3-11). Even for the Christian, to live a perfect life is impossible (read of Paul’s miserable existence in Romans chapter 7). Paul had to forsake his vain religion and learn today’s Scripture: the Christian life is NOT the performance of the Christian, but the Lord Jesus Christ living and working in the Christian, as the Christian walks in an intelligent understanding of God’s Word to him or her!

If we trust a Saviour who will save—the Lord Jesus Christ—and trust a Book that will teach—the King James Bible—we can redeem the year for the great God and our Saviour, “who loved [us], and gave himself for [us]!” 🙂