QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION AT HOME OR IN GOSPEL COMMUNITY GROUPS

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• The Old Mosaic Covenant was a covenant of works. Israel broke it. They deserved to be cut off. But God showed mercy. Why did God show mercy? On what basis?
• Why is it important to see that a new covenant was not being made with Isarel in this episode? The one they just entered into and broke was being reinstated. What evidence for this is found in the text?
• What does this reinstatement of the covenant reveal about the LORD, his attributes, and his ways? 
• What does the LORD further reveal about himself in this text? See Exodus 34:6-8.
• What did the radiant glory that fell upon Moses signify? What did the fact of it fading signify? See 2 Corinthians 3.
• Discuss the mercy of God, or his patience with fallen humanity. What is its purpose? Why has he delayed the full and final judgment?

QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION AT HOME OR IN GOSPEL COMMUNITY GROUPS

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• Israel was encamped at Mt. Sinai for almost a year. Try to give an overview of everything that happened while there.
• How does this text relate to the instructions given for the building of the tabernacle and the sin of idolatry? In other words, what problem or question is addressed here in Exodus 33?
• This was a test for Isarel and for Moses. How so?
• Why was it important that the LORD be present in the midst of his people? Why was this important to Moses and Israel? Why was this important in terms of what it communicated about the goal of our redemption in Christ Jesus?
• Is your greatest desire to dwell in God’s presence and to enjoy his beauty and glory? Read Psalm 27:4 and John 17:3. Discuss the implications. 
• How can we enjoy the presence of God now?

QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION AT HOME OR IN GOSPEL COMMUNITY GROUPS

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• Why are sinful men and women drawn to idolatry?
• What can ministers of the gospel learn from Aaron’s failure?
• How was the grace of God revealed through the LORD’s interaction with Moses, and through Moses’ intercession for Israel?
• If we consider only the Old Mosaic Covenant, would God have been wrong to blot Israel out because of their sin? 
• On what basis did Moses plead with God to show mercy and grace to Israel? (32:11-14)
• How does the Old Covenant differ from the New Covenant (Jerimiah 31:31ff.)
• Will the New Covenant people of God have to struggle against sin in general, and the sin of idolatry in particular (Colossians 3:5–17)?

QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION AT HOME OR IN GOSPEL COMMUNITY GROUPS

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• What are the connections between the tabernacle and the Sabbath day? What do they have to do with one another?
• The Sabbath is for all people living in all places and times. The Sabbath was especially for Isarel and is especially for the church. How are both of these statements true? 
• What does the Sabbath day signify?
• How should the Sabbath day encourage the believer?

QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION AT HOME OR IN GOSPEL COMMUNITY GROUPS

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• What do Bezalel the son of Uri and Jesus Christ have in common? See Exodus 31:1 and 1 Chronicles 17:11–15. 
• Describe the story of the Bible according to the theme of the establishment of God’s worldwide and eternal temple. See Revelation 21:9-27. 
• Jesus is many things. In what way is he God’s temple builder? 
• Paul refers to the New Covenant church of Jesus Christ as God’s temple. What are the implications of this? How should this affect our understanding of the nature and mission of the church?

QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION AT HOME OR IN GOSPEL COMMUNITY GROUPS

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• What did the smoke from the incense burning on the altar signify? How did this encourage the people of God under the Old Covenant? How should the thought of it encourage the people of God under the New Covenant? 
• What did the census tax communicate to Old Covenant Israel? How did it point forward to Christ? 
• What did the washing in the water of the bronze laver signify? How did it point forward to Christ? How does it relate to baptism?
• What did the anointing of oil signify? How did this point forward to the work of the Messiah? What (who) are those in Christ anointed with?

QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION AT HOME OR IN GOSPEL COMMUNITY GROUPS

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• Describe the garb the high priest of Israel was to wear. Why was the high priest to be clothed like this?
• Why was animal blood to be applied to the altar and to the priests?
• What did all of this communicate to Israel, and through them, to the world, regarding the way that God would open up for man to have a right relationship with him through the Messiah?
• Though Christ was foreshadowed by the priests of the Old Covenant, he did not descend from them. He descended from Melchizedek instead (Hebrews 5-7). Why is this important?

QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION AT HOME OR IN GOSPEL COMMUNITY GROUPS

Sermon manuscript available at emmausrbc.org

• Describe the tabernacle –  its dimensions, features, and construction –  in a general way. 
• What was the purpose and significance of the tabernacle? 
• How did the tabernacle point forward to Christ and the New Covenant?
• Where is the tabernacle or temple of God now?
• Where will the tabernacle or temple be after Christ returns? 
• How does this teaching impact your life now and your hope as it pertains to the life to come?