YouVersion

In the Old Testament, there are extremely elaborate and detailed descriptions of the sacrifices the people were to bring to God.

We no longer require to bring such sacrifices to God.

God has provided the perfect Sacrifice. The Son of God has given Himself for us. He has put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself. We must focus our exclusive attention on Him.

In the various areas of life – personal faithfulness (chapter 30), our relationship with the world (chapter 31) and our relationship with the Lord’s people (chapter 32) – , there is one thing which is of the utmost importance: “we will do as the Lord has said” (32:31), This is the most important thing: obedience to God.

Much of what we have, in chapters 33 and 34 is geographical. There is, however, a spiritual dimension. God is leading His people to their new land, the land He had promised to them.

In all the names of places, we must see the hand of God, directing His people according to His perfect plan.

In God’s “place”, the “place” of His blessing, there must be nothing that hinders true worship of the Lord (33:52).

The whole of life is to be arranged according to God’s perfect plan. This principle underlies all the detailed instructions given in chapters 35 and 36.

We see this first in 35:1 – “The Lord spoke to Moses”. This is repeated in 35:9 – “The Lord said to Moses”. It is emphasized again in 36:5-6 – “So Moses gave the Israelites a command from the Lord … This is what the Lord commands”. It is seen in the response of Zelophehad’s daughters who “did as the Lord commanded Moses” (36:10). It is found in the concluding verse of the whole book: “these are the commands and rules the Lord gave the Israelites” (36:13).

Life may be very different today. Still, the spiritual principle remains the same. Our life is to be lived according to the teaching of God’s Word.