Jews, Muslims and Jehovah’s Witnesses have a big problem with the Son of God. How could God, a Spirit, take on human flesh and become a man? When we understand the significance of humanity being made in God’s image, and then being estranged from God by sin, the only mediator possible between the warring parties had to be both 100% God and 100% Man.
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We know from the history of Noah that the rainbow was not a reminder to man of the Covenant but a reminder to God. [1] A subtle parallel is found in Numbers 16. After the rebellion of Korah, Dathan and Abiram, Moses called for a censer showdown between Aaron and the false priests. The rebels were swallowed by the land, and, as usual, the false priests were consumed by the fire of the Lord. [2]
The LORD called out to the man and asked, “Where are you?” Genesis 3:9
For those who wonder why God doesn’t fix all the wrong in the world right now, C. S. Lewis wrote that when the Author walks onto the stage, the play is over. That is true, but narrow…
Why is baptism for both males and females, when circumcision was only for males?
I have been following the Exodus pattern through the Bible, and an offshoot of that was an ‘accidental’ application to baptism. I’ll let you decide whether or not you think it holds water.
There are two ‘waters’ in the exodus pattern, the Red Sea (death) and the Jordan (resurrection).
Both are ‘baptisms’, but circumcision pertains to the Passover, the 2nd feast (unleavened bread). It is exit from the world and entry into a new people. There is blood and then water.
With Jordan, there is water, then blood – Jericho, the first conquest. This second baptism pertains to Atonement, the sixth feast. It is entry into, not a people, but an army. (The order of feasts comes from Lev. 23.)
Sabbath – God’s word through Moses (a single mediator for the people – Adam)
000PASSOVER – a baptism (death) that removes Adam’s sin. A ‘people’ assembled
000000FIRSTFRUITS – Moses ascends to receive the Law
000000000Pentecost – the Law given, the people tested
000000Trumpets – the ‘army’ is assembled and the Law repeated (Deut)
000Atonement - baptism (resurrection) and blood shed that removes ‘Eve’ from sin
BOOTHS – the army makes the Promised Land home (a corporate mediator for the nations – Eve).
Israelite males presented themselves before God at Passover/Unleavened Bread, Firstfruits and Booths. (Exodus 23:14-17) picturing the death, resurrection and marriage of the “bridegroom.” Trumpets summoned the people to prepare for Atonement, making ready the “bride.”
WEPOW
Bible Matrix blog
