Survey the Land
Galatians
Field study 1
Wof the ground. But Abel brought of the firstborn of his flock. And
hen it was time, Cain brought an offering to the LORD of the fruit
Hebrews 10:1, 4, 11
The greatest example of this self-saving mindset was sustained for centuries by God’s chosen people, Israel. They lived as if they alone, among the nations, deserved God even though he called and rescued them from bondage by his grace.1 God granted them the law, the feasts, and the sacrificial system but these were gifts that were to remind Israel to live by faith in him. They wrongly used these as though by them they earned a right to God.2 It was a mindset that assumed God’s salvation could be earned, impressed, and satisfied by man’s own efforts or good deeds. God had reached out by grace to Isaiah 1:11 save a powerless humanity. “Of what importance are your However, the Israelites came many sacrifices to me?” says the to believe that through their LORD. “I have more than enough religious efforts they had the of burnt offerings of rams and the power to buy life with God. It fat portions of well-fed cattle. The blood of bulls, lambs, and goats, I appeared as if God rewarded take no pleasure in.” man’s lifestyle with salvation. God did expect Sabbath observance, circumcision, and obedience to the law in Israel but only as expressions of a heart of faith in anticipation of the Messiah.
T
he law is but a shadow of the good things to come but not the reality itself, and therefore is completely unable, by the same sacrifices offered up continually, year after year, to make perfect those who draw near to worship.
And every priest stands daily ministering, repeatedly offering the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. In the New Testament, the Gospels also testify to man’s longing for deliverance as well as his tendency toward self-salvation. Jesus walked
Saul becomes king 1050 David becomes king 1010 Solomon becomes king 971
950
Cain and Abel The account of Cain and Abel in Genesis 4 exposes the condition of Cain’s heart toward God as the underlying reason for God’s rejection of his offering. God called Cain to turn from his impending sin but Cain rebelled and murdered his own brother.
High Priest Offering a Sacrifice The religious ceremonies and practices of Israel, like the sacrificial system, were intended to be Godsanctioned ways through which the people could express their faith in God.
The Badges of Judaism
For the blood of bulls and goats cannot take away sins.
1. Deuteronomy 7:1–11 2. Romans 9:1–5, 30–33 1250 1100
Preceptive Illustrations of the Bible, 1800’s
the LORD looked with favor on Abel and his offering but with Cain and his offering he did not look with favor. So Cain became very angry and his face was downcast.
Treasures of the Bible, 1894
Genesis 4:3–5
Corrupting p g the gospel p is an age age-old g old tendency tend
800 930 The kingdom divides
The badges of Judaism were circumcision, Sabbath observance, and purity laws. Gentiles who desired a share in God had to become Jews. They were to embrace these badges. They were to do something to earn a right to God. 650
722 Northern kingdom falls to Assyria Southern kingdom falls to 586 Babylon and the temple is destroyed
500 B.C.
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