Study 4 Teachers and Judges
Historical Details Exodus 18v 25-26 Moses appoints judges at the advice of his fatherin-law Exodus 22v 28 The judges were to be respected
Leviticus 10v 11 Historical Details The priests are instructed to teach but not specifically the tribe of Levi Deuteronomy 33v 10 Moses prays (in his blessings) that God might let the Levites become the teachers of the nation.
Samuel and the Tabernacle The tabernacle began in Shiloh, then went to Nob (incident of David and Doeg) and ended up in Gibeon (where God spoke to Solomon) 1 Samuel 7v 15-16 V15 Samuel was a judge all his life V16 He went on a yearly circuit from Bethel to Gilgal to Mizpeh V17 Then home to Ramah No record of Samuel being involved with the tabernacle ever again
Samuel and the School of the Prophets 1 Samuel 10v 25 First known school (or band) is mention here. Samuel directs Saul to meet these prophets. Samuel knows an awful lot about them too where they are, the times they ll come and go etc. 1 Samuel 19 v20 Samuel was standing as appointed over the prophets as they prophesied Appointed = a president or headmaster
Samuel the Reformer The work of Samuel was the starting point of a better time (for the Levites). Himself a Levite, and though not a priest, belonging to that section of the Levites which was nearest the priesthood (1 Chron 6v28), adopted as it were, by a special dedication into the priestly line and trained for its offices (1 Sam 2v 18), he appears as infusing fresh life, the author of a new organisation Smith s Bible Dictionary
Samuel the Reformer There is no reason to think, indeed, that the company or schools of the sons of the prophets, which appear in his time (1 Sam 10 v5) and are traditionally said to be founded by him, consisted exclusively of Levites; but there are many signs that the members of that tribe formed a large element in the new order and received new strength from it. It exhibited indeed the ideal of the Levite life as one of praise devotion and teaching. Smith s Bible Dictionary
The Seers (or Prophets) 1 Samuel 9v9 Samuel is called a Seer So also were:- Asaph Heman Ethan (Jeduthun) 2 Chr 29v30 1 Chr 25v5 2 Chr 35v15 Of Gershon Of Kohath Of Merari Psa 50, 73-83 Psa 88 Psa 89 (Samuel s grandson) (cp 1 Kg 4v 31)
Psalm 50 A Psalm of Asaph V7-13 Yahweh doesn t need animal sacrifices. It was never about the animal, sacrifices are about the offerer.
Psalm 50 A Psalm of Asaph V14-15 Yahweh would rather: 1. Thanksgiving i.e. a recognition He provides everything 2. Pay your vow i.e. Keep your promises to Him 3. Call upon me in the day of trouble i.e. accept Him as your Saviour V16 The wicked hate instruction therefore they have no right to comment on my laws
Levites as Teachers A Chronology 1 Chron 24v 6 First scribe mentioned by name is Shemaiah, one of the Levites 1 Chron 23v 4 David appoints 6,000 Levites to be officers and judges to be spread throughout all Israel
Levites as Teachers A Chronology 1 Chron 26v 29-30 An officer = a scribe or secretary They are appointed in all the business of Yahweh and the king This was an enormous responsibility 2 Chron 17v 8-9 and 2 Chron 19v 8-10 Jehoshaphat uses them to teach from the book of the law
Levites as Teachers A Chronology 2 Chron 30v22 Hezekiah got all the Levites that taught the good knowledge of Yahweh 2 Chron 35v3 Josiah spoke unto the Levites that taught all Israel It was now a recognised role of the Levites to teach
The Land of their Inheritance Gave themselves to Yahweh (Num 8v16 & 18v6) Yahweh Gave them land for an Inheritance (Josh 1v6 & ch13-21) Had no land, Yahweh was their inheritance (Deut 18v1-2) Levites Israelites Gave of their inheritance a portion to Yahweh (Num 18 & Deut 18v3-8)
The Land of their Inheritance The children could then grow up to love Yahweh Yahweh (Exod 20v12) Gave the Levites back to Israel to teach them His ways (Num 8v19) Children Israelites The Israelites could then teach their children (Deut 6v7)
The Land of their Inheritance Gave themselves to Yahweh (Num 8v16 & 18v6) Yahweh Gave them land for an Inheritance (Josh 1v6 & ch13-21) Had no land, Yahweh was their inheritance (Deut 18v1-2) Levites Israelites Gave of their inheritance a portion to Yahweh (Num 18 & Deut 18v3-8)
How to Follow the Levites Example 1 Timothy 4v12-16 V12 Be thou an example Example = to get alongside, be a companion Of how to be a believer.. Cp Heb10v33 In word your speech In conversation your behaviour In charity your acts of kindness In spirit your attitude In faith your faith in God In purity your separateness, or holiness
Three Things We Must Do V13 Give attendance to 1. Reading it always starts with reading and absorbing God s words. 2. Translate that reading into a way of life we have to apply it to ourselves. a) in exhortation b) in doctrine V15 Meditate and give thyself wholly to them.
Three Things We Must Do V16 thou shalt both save thyself and them that hear thee. 3. Teach it to others we are not meant to keep God s word hidden in ourselves, but to show it to others
Ezra the Teacher Ezra 7v6 Ready = to flow hence skilful Translated as diligent in Prov 22v29 Ezra 7v10 Prepared his heart to: 1. Seek the law of Yahweh i.e read it 2. To do it i.e. apply it to himself 3. Teach in Israel i.e. teach it to others
Ezra the Teacher Ezra 8v18-19 He finds only 38 willing Levites to come back with him (David had 38,000 things had definitely changed) Ezra 8v24-30 He gives the Levites the responsibility of the holy vessels as they represented the people Nehemiah 8 Ezra teaches the people with the help of the Levites
The Future Educating of the World As Levites of the future we will be involved in the biggest education program the world has ever seen Isaiah 2v2-4 Jeremiah 16v19-21 Zechariah 14v16 Habakkuk 2v14 Isaiah 32v1-4 Ezekiel 44v23-24
The Future Educating of the World Isaiah 32v1-8 V1-2 Good Leadership prevails Provides protection (from wind, storm, heat) Provides provision (of water) V3-4 The results of Good Leadership 1. Clear eyes 2. Listening ears 3. Understanding mind 4. Articulate speech
The Future Educating of the World Isaiah 32v1-8 V5 Bad Leadership WILL NOT PERMITTED V6-7 The characteristics of Bad Leaders LEV - Speak foolishly TES - Plot to be hypocrites (No help to themselves) - Speak error - Unable to provide spiritual food (No help to others) - Speak lies V8 The characteristics of Good leaders Liberal = RSV, JB - Noble
Lessons For Us God was never really wanting only animal sacrifice but a willing heart and mind Traditions have their place but they are there to teach moral lessons Good sound teachers are always required to make good sound ecclesia's Being a teacher involves firstly reading and applying the word of God for yourself The way we teach can vary but we are all expected to teach by example
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