24.1-23

Verses 1-9 restate the statutes of the continually burning lampstands in the holy place (Ex 27:20-21) and the bread of the Presence (shewbread) and frankincense on the table before Yahweh at all times (Ex 25:30). Here, the statue is given as a perpetual responsibility of the sons of Israel - continuing the obligation begun in the previous chapter for the perpetual observance of Feasts. Originally, these implements of oil and bread were provided by the chieftains (Ex 35:27-28), but now it is clarified that this service is the responsibility of all the people, even though only the priests partook of the bread each week when it was replaced by new loaves. This would also have mocked pagan nations who also placed food before their idol gods but, by the deceptions of their priests eating the food, claimed that the gods themselves ate the food. Note, too, that the shewbread is stated to be for Aaron and his sons (v9). While there is no specific prohibition for others to eat this bread as there is with other sacrifices set apart exclusively for the priests of God (i.e., 22:12-16), this bread was clearly intended only for the priests. This is relevant later when King David gets help from Ahimelech, the priest, and eats the shewbread in 1 Samuel 21. Jesus references this in Matthew 12:4-7. But the context is clear. Despite David breaking the law, there is a need for mercy to be the greater law in some cases. This is plain as Jesus quotes Hosea 6:6 in the same passage: "I desire mercy, not sacrifice." We read the contrast between where mercy is applicable and where it is not in the remainder of the chapter. A man identified as a sojourner among the sons of Israel (v16) blasphemes the name of Yahweh. In this, there is no mercy, and "all the congregation" (vv14,16) participates in his judgment. There are two very important elements to note from this. Blaspheming the name of God will not receive mercy, and even those who sojourn in a land that is not their own will be subject to the laws of the people of the land. God does not employ a double standard. Today, as Christians, we are citizens of the Kingdom of God and beholden to His law. But we are not residents of that Kingdom yet. "Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from fleshly lusts which wage war against the soul" (1 Pe 2:11). "And if you address as Father the One who impartially judges according to each one’s work, conduct yourselves in fear during the time of your sojourn," (1 Pe 1:17). "So then you are no longer strangers and sojourners, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and are of God’s household," (Eph 2:19). We remain as sojourners in a foreign land ruled by the god of this age, Satan (2 Cor 4:4). We may suffer the consequences of unjust laws, especially as we approach the Day of the Lord. But that is what God allows and has preordained. The Law of God is holy, and we endure for His glory.
"For we know that if the earthly tent which is our house is torn down, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For indeed in this we groan, longing to be clothed with our dwelling from heaven, inasmuch as we, having put it on, will not be found naked. For indeed while we are in this tent, we groan, being burdened, because we do not want to be unclothed but to be clothed, so that what is mortal will be swallowed up by life. Now He who prepared us for this very purpose is God, who gave to us the Spirit as a pledge. Therefore, being always of good courage, and knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord— for we walk by faith, not by sight— we are of good courage and prefer rather to be absent from the body and to be at home with the Lord." 2 Co 5:1–8.