HIDDEN LDS/JEWISH INSIGHTS - OLD TESTAMENT LDS Gospel Doctrine Supplement by Daniel Rona
Highpoints Summary Handout

Bondage, Passover,
and Exodus
Lesson
14
Summary
Exodus 15; Israel sings the song of Moses—They extol the Lord as a man of war, and rejoice in their deliverance from Egypt—Waters of Marah healed—The Lord promises to free Israel from the diseases of Egypt.

Exodus 16; Israel murmurs for want of bread, and lusts for the flesh pots of Egypt—The Lord rains bread from heaven, and sends quail for meat—Israel given manna each day, except the Sabbath, for forty years.

Exodus 17; Israel murmurs for want of water—Moses smites rock in Horeb, and water gushes forth—Aaron and Hur uphold Moses’ hands so that Joshua prevails against Amalek.

Exodus 18; Jethro comes to Moses bringing Moses’ wife and sons; he offers sacrifice to the Lord—Moses sits in judgment seat and hears all cases—Jethro counsels Moses to teach the law, to appoint lesser judges, and to delegate power to them.

Exodus 19; The Lord covenants to make Israel a peculiar treasure, a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation—People sanctify themselves—The Lord appears on Sinai amid fire and smoke and earthquakes.

Exodus 20; The Lord reveals the Ten Commandments—Israel is to bear witness that the Lord has spoken from heaven—They are forbidden to make gods of silver and gold—They are to make altars of unhewn stones, and to sacrifice to the Lord thereon.

Exodus 32; Aaron makes a golden calf, which Israel worships—Moses serves as a mediator between God and rebellious Israel—Moses breaks the tablets of stone—Levites slay about 3000 rebels—Moses pleads and intercedes for the people.

Exodus 33; The Lord promises to be with Israel and drive out the people of the land—Tabernacle of the congregation moved away from the camp—The Lord speaks to Moses face to face in the tabernacle—Later, Moses sees the glory of God, but not his face.

Exodus 34; Moses hews new tables of stone—He goes up into mount Sinai for forty days—The Lord proclaims his name and attributes and reveals his law—He makes another covenant with Israel—The skin of Moses’ face shines and he wears a vail.
Supplemental
Holy Land
and Jewish
insights:		 Manna, the "Bread" That Kept Israelites Alive: "From Talmudic times, it was the special duty of the housewife to bake the bread for the Sabbath . . . also called "hallah." Two such loaves are placed on the festive Sabbath table as a symbol for the double portion of manna which the Israelites in the wilderness received every Friday, and because of the Showbread in the Temple, which was displayed each Sabbath." (Encyclopedia Judaica Jr.) 

Israel Complained–not Enough Water: Moses provided them with a miracle source of water as he struck the rock. The greatest lesson he learned - so that he could teach the Israelites - was that he, Moses, was not their "deliverer." The deliverance always comes from "The Rock of Salvation," "The Fountain of Living Waters." ". . . the Torah describes the sacrifices . . . at the dedication of the sanctuary, and the kindling of the candelabrum . . . (in memory) special haftarot are prescribed for the Sabbaths of Hanukkah. In the Ashkenazi rite, a hymn called Ma'oz Zur (O Fortress, Rock of my salvation) is sung." (Encyclopedia Judaica Jr.)

"Bread of Life" Makes us Rise: The expression "Bread of Life" is about the leaven which makes the dough "rise" or come to life. During Passover, the Israelites were to have nothing in their presence that had leaven or could rise. That was done to concentrate on how the Lord had them rise out of bondage and to look forward to a future "rising" that would be greater than deliverance from Egypt.

Wine and Bread in a Jewish Home: In a religious Jewish home, every Sabbath Eve begins with an old ritual of a blessing and pouring of a little pure wine (or living [spring] water if wine is not available). It is followed by a blessing, breaking, and eating of a little piece of the "Hallah" bread. This procedure is called "Kiddush." The father or grandfather in the home always partakes first, and then others receive the Kiddush.

Ancient Leadership Compared to Present: Consider the leadership of the children of Israel, a council of three, with Moses, Aaron & Hur, a Council of Twelve Elders and a Council of Seventy. It is comparable to the leadership of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The latter-day Israelites led now by the tribe of Ephraim (Joseph) are also organized with a "First Presidency of three, a Quorum of Twelve and a Council of Seventy.

Dead Sea Scrolls Describe Organization: The Manual of Discipline is a sort of doctrines and covenants Essenes. It describes their organization that included a Teacher of Righteousness and two assistants. There was also a council of twelve overseers. Their priestly system included two castes: One of a higher authority that connected with an order of the Melech Zedek (righteous king), and another of lesser authority that connected with the Levitical, or order of Aaron. They were bound by a strict order of unity. Some people suggest that this governing system was copied by Jesus, and that he may have studied with this sect. It seems highly unlikely that this is the case. However, Jesus did use the same system of government that was given to Moses, a system that partially continued to exist in other Jewish traditions up to and at the time of Jesus. (Luke 6:13, 10:1) The Qumran community did not follow the Mosaic governmental pattern completely. Jesus did. For example, Moses had a governing leadership of three persons, Moses and his two assistants, Aaron and Hur.

Moses Had a Governing Body of Twelve Elders: There was a representative from each tribe. "These are those that were numbered . . . and the princes of Israel, being twelve men: each one was for the house of his fathers." (Numbers 1:44) This order was continued after Moses as well. "Now therefore take you twelve men out of the tribes of Israel, out of every tribe a man." (Joshua 3:12)

Modern Judaism vs. Biblical: A previous Gospel Doctrine discussion in this series compares the modern Jewish concept that the Law of Moses is for the Jews and the Law of Noah (Noachide Laws) are for the Gentiles. The Apostle Paul explains the proper perception of the same law for everyone as he spoke to King Agrippa at Caesarea. "Having therefore obtained help of God, I continue unto this day, witnessing both to small and great, saying none other things than those which the prophets and Moses did say should come: That Christ should suffer, and that he should be the first that should rise from the dead, and should show light unto the people, and to the Gentiles." (Acts 26:22-23)

Gold and the Golden Calf: "According to the midrash, God created gold specifically for use in the Temple . . . On account of the idolatrous worship of the Golden Calf, gold became a symbol of sin and was not to be used to sheath the shofar mouthpiece. On the Day of Atonement there was no gold on the vestments of the high priest; he officiated in robes of pure white linen. International treaties were inscribed on bronze tablets. Corinthian bronze, famous for its luster and quality, was used for the Nicanor Gates of the Herodian Temple in Jerusalem." (Encyclopedia Judaica Jr.)

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