DAWID EN DIE TOONBRODE VS. USSA EN DIE VERBONDSARK

DAWID EN DIE TOONBRODE VS. USSA EN DIE VERBONDSARK

Het jy al ooit gewonder waarom Dawid die toonbrode van die heiligdom kon neem en eet en niks met hom gebeur nie, maar toe Ussa aan die Verbondsark geraak het, het hy gesterf? Het jy al ooit ‘n predikiant gehad wat die storie van Ussa gebruik het om die idee te bevorder dat as jy aan God ongehoorsaam is, Hy jou sal straf en doodslaan? Dit kan alles ‘n bietjie arbitrêr lyk.

Deur die jare het baie na my toe gekom omdat hulle verward is oor sulke Bybelverhale, en hulle nie seker is hoe om dit te verstaan nie – veral, soos Come and Reason leer, as God liefde is en nie die bron van toegediende pyn en lyding is nie. Die sleutel tot die korrekte begrip van sulke verhale is om die groter doel wat eertydse Israel vervul het, te verstaan.

Antieke Israel is nie net ‘n historiese werklikheid nie – werklike mense wat werklike dinge gedoen het, wat akkuraat opgeteken is in die Ou Testament – maar sy geskiedenis is ook opgeteken “as voorbeelde en is neergeskryf as waarskuwings vir ons op wie die vervulling van die eeue gekom het” (1 Korinthiërs 10:11).

Bybelse geskiedenis is nie net histories nie, maar dit is ook in baie opsigte onderrigtingslesse van die groter oorlog tussen goed en kwaad. Hier is ‘n kort lys voorbeelde van hoe die geskiedenis van die afstammelinge van Israel vandag ‘n onderrigtingsles vir ons is:

      Israel as Onderrigtingslesse  
Toepassing vir Christene
Hulle was slawe in Egipte. Ons is slawe van sonde.
Moses is tussen die Egiptenare gebore en ‘n sondige heerser het hom as kind probeer doodmaak. Jesus is tussen ons gebore en ‘n sondige heerser het hom as kind probeer doodmaak.
Moses het direk met God gesels en het toe uitgegaan om die sondige maghebber wat die volk verslaaf het, te konfronteer. Jesus het direk met God gesels en het toe uitgegaan om die sondige maghebber wat die mensdom in sonde verslaaf het, te konfronteer.
Moses het die mense deur die waters van die Rooi See gelei na ‘n nuwe lewe van vryheid van die magte wat hulle verslaaf het. Jesus lei ons deur die waters van die doop na ‘n nuwe lewe van vryheid van vrees en selfsug, wat ons verslaaf.
Die mense is geseën met materiële besittings – huise, rykdom, ens. – soos hulle God se instruksies gevolg het. Ons is geseën met geestelike besittings – wysheid, vrede, vreugde, liefde, volwassenheid, onderskeidingsvermoë en selfbeheersing – terwyl ons God vertrou en sy metodes in ons lewens toepas.
Hulle is gewaarsku dat as hulle God se instruksies sou vergeet, hulle hul seëninge sou verloor en selfs weer slawe sou kon wees – Babiloniese ballingskap. Ons word gewaarsku dat as ons vergeet om God te vertrou en ophou om in harmonie met sy ontwerpprotokolle vir die lewe te leef, dan sal ons ons seëninge verloor en weer verslaaf word deur vrees en selfsug.

 

Hulle het ook ‘n werklike teater (die heiligdom) gekry, met gedetailleerde toerusting, pragtige kostuums en ‘n presiese draaiboek – alles ontwerp om hulle te help om God se plan uit te voer om mense van sonde te red. Ons moet hierdie perspektief herken om te verstaan waarom dit goed was vir Dawid om die toonbrode uit die tempel te neem en dit vir sy manne te gee om te eet, terwyl dit nie reg was vir Ussa om aan die Verbondsark te raak tydens vervoer op ‘n wa wat deur osse getrek is nie.

Simbolies verteenwoordig die toonbrood Jesus, die Brood van die Lewe, waaraan die priesterskap van gelowiges, as sondaars op aarde, moet deelneem. Dit is deur deelname aan Jesus dat sondaars genees (gered) word van sonde en dood en geregtigheid en lewe ontvang.

Dit is op die basis van ‘n weeklikse teater opgevoer, toe die daaglikse priesters, op elke Sabbat, in hul wit klere (wat die geregtigheid van Christus verteenwoordig), by die Hoëpriester (wat Jesus verteenwoordig) in die Heiligdom aangesluit het om die toonbrode te eet. Toe Dawid en sy manne dus die toonbrode geëet het, het hulle nie net fisiologiese koestering ontvang nie, maar hulle dade was in ooreenstemming met die draaiboek – sondaars wat deel aan Christus en die lewe ontvang het.

Die Verbondsark verteenwoordig ‘n heelal wat heeltemal van sonde genees is, ‘n heelal wat herstel is tot die sondelose teenwoordigheid van God. Simbolies het slegs die Hoëpriester, wat Jesus verteenwoordig, die Allerheiligste binnegegaan, waar die Verbondsark bewaar is. Hy het dit aan die einde van die jaarlikse drama gedoen om sondaars in eenheid (versoening) met God te bring. Hierna het die Huttefees gekom, simbolies die tyd wanneer die gereddes weer saam met God tabernakel, of woon.

Jesus, die tweede Adam, is die sondelose verteenwoordiger en Verlosser van die mensdom en is in staat om die sondelose hemel binne te gaan. Dit is slegs deur Jesus dat die res van die mensdom genees kan word, tot geregtigheid herstel kan word en gereed gemaak kan word om in God se teenwoordigheid te lewe. Sondaars op aarde kan slegs in die teenwoordigheid van God ingaan deur “die nuwe en lewende weg” wat deur die voorhangsel deur middel van Jesus oopgemaak is (Hebreërs 10:20).

Toe Ussa aan die Verbondsark geraak het, het sy optrede, binne die drama, gesê dat hy God se teenwoordigheid sonder Christus binnegaan. Maar enige sondaar sonder Christus bly ongenees van sonde en kan nie in die onbedekte heerlikheid van God lewe nie – dus het Ussa gesterf.

Ons moet egter onthou dat dit alles ‘n opvoering was – wat beteken dat Ussa se dood die dood was wat die Bybel “slaap” noem en waaruit almal ‘n opstanding sal ervaar (Daniël 12:2). Dit is dieselfde dood wat God vir Daniël gesê het hy sou beleef (Daniël 12:13). Ons ken nie die toestand van Ussa se hart nie; Ons weet nie in watter opstanding hy sal opstaan nie. Die dood van Ussa was nie die “loon van sonde” dood wat na die Oordeel kom nie – dit was die eerste dood. Daarom was dit nie ‘n straf vir sonde nie; dit was die behoorlike demonstrasie, binne die onderrigtingsles van ‘n opvoering, van wat gebeur met ongeneesde sondaars wat God se teenwoordigheid binnegaan. Dit is gedoen om die hele mensdom te leer dat sondaars slegs deur Christus in God se teenwoordigheid kan kom.

Ons is terminaal in ons sonde, en op ons eie sal ons sterf. Maar dank God dat Hy “sy liefde vir ons hierin toon: Terwyl ons nog sondaars was, het Christus vir ons gesterf” (Romeine 5:8). Alhoewel ons nooit deur ons eie werke, deur ons eie pogings of deur ons eie meriete met God versoen kan word nie, kan ons deur Jesus Christus met God versoen word. Hy het reeds die versperring vernietig en die weg terug na die teenwoordigheid van God oopgemaak. Ek nooi jou uit om Hom te aanvaar en Hom te volg; as jy dit doen, sal jy God eendag van aangesig tot aangesig sien, want jy sal verander wees om soos Jesus te wees!

 

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Testimony 29

Thank you for all of your work to correct misconceptions about God’s character. So many people that my husband and I have talked to seem to be against the natural law construct and view it as “errant” and “dangerous.” Having learned more about it through your blogs and lessons, I don’t really understand why they view it that way, except that it means they have to relearn theology they have known for their entire lives. But I’m so excited to relearn this. For the past few years I have been questioning how I could trust a God who punishes arbitrarily and is full of wrath for those who don’t obey His commands. That view made me afraid to “mess up” or “not be good enough,” even within my relationship with God. I really appreciated the point you bring out about God not wanting us to serve Him because we are afraid, but because we love Him.

Melissa H., IN, USA

 

Testimony 5

We listen to your bible studies lessons in our class in Montana. You actually were the main reason I decided to get a laptop, so I can go to your site and listen, read, learn, and print the class notes. I am so grateful to learn the correct view of God and his character. Now, to just have others have an interest in knowing, so I can share it with them. Good thoughts your way.

R. N., MT, USA

 

Testimony 45

I have been confused for years about what [christianity] calls [its] most disgusting teaching. It has never made much sense to me and for that reason has been evermore empty. I have listened to your class off and on and have struggled determining what is truth, because of the resistance design law encounters in the church. So, I thank God for your ministry. What you teach makes sense. It’s logical and backed up by the power of love. I have never seen that in Christ until now. I am astounded by the insight that is found when we look at God’s ministry through design law. All strength to this message, as I believe it to be the power of God.

Brendon S.

 

Testimony 1

Thank you! I love listening to the Come And Reason Ministries Bible study classes and am using some of your notes to get the lessons together that I will be teaching. You always have such good quotes and Bible texts and pull things together to make good sense.

T. C., IN, USA

 

Testimony 38

Since November 2015, when I started studying Gods word from this God Is Love point of view, my life has been transformed. My troubled marriage of 15 years has been healed and my husband and I are truly happy for the first time in 15 years. Now When I read the word of God I understand it so much better and I can’t help but see Gods love radiating through the pages to humanity. Gods word is living and active and I am blessed beyond measure to be having this amazing experience. God has given me a beautiful understanding of Jn 3:16 that amazes me more and more each day. Thank you again for your ministry.

Helen D., London, England

 

Testimony 34

I was introduced to Come and Reason Ministries by accident, via a passing comment made in a bible study class we were visiting. I checked this website out and my life was changed. The understanding of the truth of God’s character, and how we apply it, is so right. The tricky part is consistently applying which “lens” to look through. As I began to understand, I started sharing the basics of this understanding with a discussion group I was leading and, suddenly, a lot of things started to make sense that never used to. At the same time, I enjoyed an amazing opportunity. I was able to conduct a full bible study at WORK! What an amazing experience! It is such a joy to share the truth about God and to share how it all fits in the war between God and Satan. So many people benefit when we have a correct understanding about how God works and who He really is! Thank you for this transformational understanding. Keep up the good work! God Bless you!

Tony P., CA, USA

 

Testimony 23

I would just like to add my voice to the many people who, I believe, must have contacted you to express their appreciation for the “Healing the Mind” DVDs. I’ve been listening to your Bible study class discussions for many years and I’ve been personally blessed by your research and teaching about the character of God.

L. G., Oakland, MI, USA

 

Testimony 32

The message [of Come And Reason Ministries is] for all Christians (and those who may become Christians) and not just Adventists or any other group. It is difficult to imagine why any [anyone] with intellectual and spiritual honesty could find fault with the way you explained the healing substitution concepts and the truth about God’s character, though I know some will reject and criticize. On behalf of those in our group near Tacoma, WA, thank you and your staff for all of the hard work and for sharing the Gospel in this manner. God’s message of healing love will be carried to the whole world and then Jesus will come – He promised it.

Terry U., Tacoma, WA, USA

 

Testimony 6

I got the book “Could It Be This Simple?” a few months ago and the reading was wonderful and I was fascinated. I lent the book to a friend at work. She is having a difficult time and the book is helping her to find Jesus and I found this very exciting. She has asked me questions and I can see her life changing.

H. S., Australia

 

Testimony 36

Thank you and may God continue to bless you as you share with others the intricacies of how we are all “fearfully and wonderfully made”. I must share that you have opened a whole new world to me, and I have found tremendous healing through what you have shared in two of your books, “Could It Be This Simple?” and “The God Shaped Brain.” I praise God for what you shared, what I have learned, and how I have grown and healed! My prayer is that My Precious Jesus will be seen by others in the way I live, act, talk, etc. and they may be encouraged to know He is truly a GREAT God of LOVE, desiring that no one should perish! God Bless you in your continued endeavors to present Him as He really is!

Joleen H. GA, USA

 

Testimony 16

Your seminars are still inspiring and changing our lives and we continue to share the principles we have learned from you. Your ministry has changed our lives!

E.W.

 

Testimony 70

I have been watching you for many years and have learned to love God with all my heart. I was raised by a loving Christian mother that had been lied to about who God really was, so our religious upbringing was hell fire and damnation. As soon as I was old enough and moved out, I not only left the church, I ran as fast as I could to get away from it. Sad to say, it wasn’t until the past couple of years that I learned and understand who my Father really is and how much He loves me. I understand God’s Design Laws (which make sense) and when I’m teaching my church Bible study class, I’m able to really put to use the things I’ve been learning and Holy Spirit is leading. Thank you for introducing me to my Father of true, pure love. Everyday with Him is new and exciting. One thing that breaks my heart is that I didn’t know Him sooner. God Bless you and your ministry!

Judy Phelps, Reno, NV, USA

Testimony 22

I have found your Bible study class lectures to be very inspiring and useful as I prepare to teach class every other week. I subscribe to the podcast and download your notes on the weeks I teach. The audio and notes are such a great help in preparing. My own understanding of God’s character has grown as I teach the class. Commendations on the thought-provoking and well-prepared material Come and Reason provides. Personally, I get excited by the tie you make between the spiritual and mental/physical domains.

A.A. Corrales, NM, USA

 

Testimony 58

I have been watching your videos in The Power of Love seminar and I must say these have liberated me and have improved my relationship with the Lord. I am no longer terrified of him as I was before following your teachings.

Thando N., South Africa

 

Testimony 26

Your teachings about our heavenly Father have changed my life. Thank you sooooooo very very much! I know He’s doing some serious healing in my heart and life and I look forward to each new day to learn something new about Him and to just hear you speak about Him. Thank you, forever.

Nancy S.