The Bible by David Alley

by David Alley

Season 1

Numbers 3 - Duties of the Levites | Bible Podcast, David Alley, Peace Christian Church

In this video listen to Numbers 3 read by David Alley, followed by comments and prayer. In Numbers 3 the tribe of Levi missing from the chapter 1 census is now counted, and they are placed in their position in the camp now. Levi has three mini tribes, of Kohath, Gershom and Merari which are placed around the tabernacle as such: Westward side (which is the back) Gershom Southern side: Kohath Northern side: Merari Eastward side: Moses and his family, Aaron, his two remaining sons and their families. What is interesting here is the comment in verse twenty three that the Gershonites shall camp behind the tabernacle, which is westward. This shows that for them the East is the most significant point in the compass, and is the top of their layout. Thinking back to the last chapter, this means that the Eastward three tribes, led by Judah is at the top of the layout, not the right. Who cares? God obviously cares and detail matters to him. Imagine your own camping situation setting up just one tent for one family with no organisation. Now imagine setting up tents for millions of people. Systems are needed. In the same way our lives matter to him. We can trust he has the details in hand, and so when things are not as ordered as we want, we need to make sure we are doing things the Lord’s way.

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Jul 1, 2022

16:26

Numbers 1 - The Census of Israel's Warriors | Bible Podcast, David Alley, Peace Christian Church

In this video listen to Numbers 2 read by David Alley, followed by comments and prayer. In Numbers 2 scripture explains the marching and the campaign layout of the Israelites. All 12 tribes are placed in 4 groups of 3 as follows: First Group to march out (East Camping Group) led by Judah is the strongest. Second Group to march (South camping group) led Reuben is the third strongest Third Group to march (West camping group) led by Ephraim is the weakest Last Group to march (North camping group) led by Dan is the second strongest The tribe of Levi is with the tabernacle right in the middle. Each of the groups, representing three of the twelve tribes, would march out in the order above, putting the strongest two groups and the front and the rear. The tribe of Judah is the leader here. There are various drawings of what this looks like in camp. Some have rendered it like a big rectangle around the tabernacle. Others think it looks like a cross coming out from the tabernacle. But it could also have been more of cross with the arms running up and down instead of left to right. One thing is certain, the camp setup in the same way every time, and so everyone followed a pattern and order and knew where they were. Dr Creasy observes that everyone knew their position in relation to God. Because the tabernacle was in their midst in the same place, Do you know your position in relationship to God?

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Jun 30, 2022

16:33

Numbers 1 - The Census of Israel's Warriors | Bible Podcast, David Alley, Peace Christian Church

In this video listen to Numbers 1 read by David Alley, followed by comments and prayer. In Numbers 1 we start the fourth book of Moses, which in reality is the fourth section of one big book. In Hebrew it is named Bemidbar which means wilderness. This entire book is placed in the desert and starts about 14 months after leaving Egypt. The Israelites could have in theory gone directly to Canaan, a walk of just eleven days or so, but they were not in the frame of mind to have done so. The process from Egypt to this point has formed them into a nation, and put God in his place as the leader, but they are still far from capable as a force to take the promised land. The wilderness is their boot camp as this book shall explain. Chapter 1 starts with a census of the men able to fight, which is also renumbered later. We find a great fighting force, but they are not yet (as we shall find out later in Numbers) mentally ready for a fight. The number is at 600000 fighting men, giving us maybe 2 million people in total. This number is so great that skeptics claim the desert could not have supported them. Clearly this is true, which is why God supported them with manna and water. This was a forty year miracle. Finally we conclude by realising that we too are supported by God every moment of our lives. We should not take God for granted, or grumble or complain for we occupy the same position as these Israelites.

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Jun 29, 2022

18:04

Leviticus 27 - Laws for Vows and Offerings | Bible Podcast, David Alley, Peace Christian Church

In this video listen to Leviticus 27 read by David Alley, followed by comments and prayer. In Leviticus 27 this chapter is about the redemption of things vowed to God. Various prices are set for the redemption of people depending on their age and gender. This is not discriminatory, but due to market value and how much work they could perform for their age and gender and societal status. This chapter also opens up on the general tithe. There were three tithes in the OT, the general tithe, the special tithe and the tithe for the poor. Some have refused to tithe in modern times because they have dispensed with the law. Is that a biblical position? David will explain Finally, we have come to the end of Leviticus We covered The 5 sacrifices all of which reflect parts of Christ’s work The five are the Burnt offering, meal offering, sin offering, peace offering, guilt offering Consecration and service of the High Priest The sins of Aaron’s sons - 2 being presumptuous, and 2 being accidental. We learned about being clean and unclean ceremonially and what this means today. We saw Leprosy as a symbol of sin. We’ve learned about being holy and dedicated to God The Day of atonement was seen in the light of Christ’s work. We’ve learned about not eating blood. Blood is a major theme in this book. We covered laws against sexual behaviour and other laws to keep Israel different from other nations. The feasts of Israel were explained, all of which also demonstrate Christ And finally here the tithe. Is Leviticus as boring as you first thought?

S1 · E117

Jun 28, 2022

14:19

Leviticus 26 - Blessings for Obedience | Bible Podcast, David Alley, Peace Christian Church

In this video listen to Leviticus 26 read by David Alley, followed by comments and prayer. In Leviticus 26 we find one of the most frightful fulfilled prophecies in the Bible. It outlines exactly what will happen to the Israelites if they don’t follow God properly, and it is historically the precise thing that did in fact happen to them. The chapter begins by listing things the people are promised if they obey including: bountiful harvests, peace and security fruitfulness and increase, and These things are ironically what they are chasing by not following the Lord. Happiness is not something you obtain by chasing it, but a product of chasing the Lord. From verse 14 onwards it outlines ever increasing curses which later parts of the Bible and history show us occurred. These things are reminders to us about walking with the Lord.

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Jun 27, 2022

15:49

Leviticus 25 -The Sabbath Year and the Jubilee |Bible Podcast, David Alley, Peace Christian Church

In this video listen to Leviticus 25 read by David Alley, followed by comments and prayer. In Leviticus 25 we find the sabbath year concept, that land was to be given a break every seven years and not planted. This sounds great in theory, but in practice how would this work, and how would the owner feed themselves? David answers this question here using both scripture and also with the practical things that Jews actually do today who follow this law. Historically though the Israelites didn't properly follow this law and the land didn’t have its sabbaths. During the Babylonian exile, the tribe of Judah was exiled for 70 years (see JEremiah 29:10 and Daniel 9:1-2) to make up for the 490 years that the sabbath year was missed. Then Jubilee is also considered. This is a celebration each 50th year, a release of debt, return of property and freedom for slaves. This video explains how Christ is our jubilee today.

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Jun 26, 2022

18:28

Leviticus 23 - Appointed Times and Festivals | Bible Podcast, David Alley, Peace Christian Church

In this video listen to Leviticus 24 read by David Alley, followed by comments and prayer. In Leviticus 24 we find a chapter containing the story of a blasphemer, who was stoned to death. It is a story which raises questions about the character of God, but only by people who already question God’s love and wisdom. This video explains why this was a necessary action at the time. It was essential that the nation see the severity of the sin of despising God, because the truth is that the long term result of this is death in its worst sense. The blasphemer was of a mixed multitude - in this video David explains what that means. Some hearts are beyond saving, not because there is a deficiency in God, but because those hearts are beyond repentance. God in his wisdom knew that this action was justified, and would also lead to good for the entire community. Ironically, this blasphemy law was what Jesus was accused of and was killed for in the gospel accounts. He of course was being truthful. Here we learn, not to take God lightly, to keep a soft heart before God and the way to do that is to maintain our repentance.

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Jun 25, 2022

13:11

Leviticus 23 - Appointed Times and Festivals | Bible Podcast, David Alley, Peace Christian Church

In this video listen to Leviticus 23 read by David Alley, followed by comments and prayer. In Leviticus 23 are outlined the feasts of Israel - but Purim & Hanukkah are not included because they don’t occur in history until later. There are seven here, but eight in total from the Bible counting Purim, and nine in total if Hanukkah is included, which is a feast Jesus participated in according to John’s gospel. Sabbath - Christ is our rest, he is our sabbath Passover (Pesach) - Christ is our Salvation (a day) Unleavened Bread - starts the day after Passover. Pentecost - (Shavuot) - Christ is the giver of the Holy Spirit and the law is written on our hearts. Feast of Trumpets (Rosh Hashanah) - Christ is our reconciliation. Day of Atonement - Christ is our atonement Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkoth)- Christ dwells among us by His Spirit - we have fellowship with God. All the six feasts here point to Christ and what Christ has done.

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Jun 24, 2022

18:00

Leviticus 22 - Laws for Priests and Sacrifices | Bible Podcast, David Alley, Peace Christian Church

In this video listen to Leviticus 22 read by David Alley, followed by comments and prayer. In Leviticus 22 What type of sacrifices please the Lord? It would be easy to take a disabled animal from your flock and kill it as a sacrifice because it wasn’t really going to help you much, but this type of thing dishonors God. In Malachi 1 the prophet says “where is the respect due me?” in regards to this very thing. If anyone had money stolen from them, they wouldn’t declare it their tithe to God, and in the same way, we should willingly offer to God our best. He is well able to bless in return. In New Testament times, our offerings and sacrifices are of time and financial, not of animals. God is wanting us to give our full hearts, and of whatever else we give, to not give it half-heartedly. Financially we are not to give of our leftovers, but from our firstfruits. We should give to the Lord first, with a whole heart financially. We are also to give him our time, love, prayers, and service which includes our willingness to serve others. So sacrifices, which today are financial, time and service related are: Willingly given Whole hearted Must cost us something Declares Christ the Lord

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Jun 23, 2022

13:30

Leviticus 21 -Holiness and Purity of the Priests| Bible Podcast, David Alley, Peace Christian Church

In this video listen to Leviticus 21 read by David Alley, followed by comments and prayer. In Leviticus 21 we have a chapter with rules for high priests. For example, in verse 5 they were not to shave their heads. This seems so odd. Some people think this is an example of how irrelevant Leviticus is, but this misses the point entirely. This was a rule for High Priests which teaches us something today. THey were not to copy the example of Egyptians who shaved their heads. They were not to be like others in the world around them. It still informs us now. A High Priest also had to marry “among his own people.” This meant from the tribe of Levi because all High Priests had to have a genealogical history to be eligible to serve. Today this is impossible to recreate, and there would not be a pure tribe of Levi remaining. This is undoubtedly because the real High Priest Christ has now superseded these things, and done away with them. Although some would like to establish these things, it seems God has deliberately made it impossible. Later in the chapter it lists twelve physical defects which rules out someone from serving as a High Priest. This isn’t discriminatory as it might first seem, but rather a picture and shadow of the perfection of Christ and how none other is able to do what He did. Listen as David explains more on this, and also talks about Hycanus II who had his ears chopped off to remove his eligibility as High Priest.

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Jun 22, 2022

12:01

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