Seven Laws Of Mr. Lyle Land
(God Has Rules We Must Live By)
(Jesus Is The Fulfillment Of The Law)
All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works. II Timothy 3:16-17
The Basic Bible Truth
The Word of God does not just contain suggestions for life. God’s laws are commandments. And there are more than ten of them by the way. Throughout the Bible, God gives us guidance on how to live our lives in a way that is pleasing to Him. We would do well to adhere to His leading. We tend to fault the ancient Israelites for their massive failures to obey and follow God. And often look at the minutia and details found in Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy with awe, and think to ourselves how fortunate we are to now live in an age of grace. The Law found in the Old Testament was given to the people of Israel as an amazing set of Godly rules to live by. Remember, they left Egypt without any rulebooks to follow. They needed direction, and the Law pointed them in the right way. The Law also served another purpose. It showed us just how short we come to measuring up to God’s perfection. And don’t forget that the Law pointed to the coming Messiah, the person of Jesus Christ. That is why He said that He came to fulfill the Law, not destroy it.
The Object
A Kitchen Timer
A Piece Of Velvet Cloth
Hats Made Of Folded Newspapers
A Sign that Says “Welcome To Mr. Lyle Land”
Snack Foods Of Various Kinds
(God Has Rules We Must Live By)
(Jesus Is The Fulfillment Of The Law)
All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works. II Timothy 3:16-17
The Basic Bible Truth
The Word of God does not just contain suggestions for life. God’s laws are commandments. And there are more than ten of them by the way. Throughout the Bible, God gives us guidance on how to live our lives in a way that is pleasing to Him. We would do well to adhere to His leading. We tend to fault the ancient Israelites for their massive failures to obey and follow God. And often look at the minutia and details found in Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy with awe, and think to ourselves how fortunate we are to now live in an age of grace. The Law found in the Old Testament was given to the people of Israel as an amazing set of Godly rules to live by. Remember, they left Egypt without any rulebooks to follow. They needed direction, and the Law pointed them in the right way. The Law also served another purpose. It showed us just how short we come to measuring up to God’s perfection. And don’t forget that the Law pointed to the coming Messiah, the person of Jesus Christ. That is why He said that He came to fulfill the Law, not destroy it.
The Object
A Kitchen Timer
A Piece Of Velvet Cloth
Hats Made Of Folded Newspapers
A Sign that Says “Welcome To Mr. Lyle Land”
Snack Foods Of Various Kinds
Before class time I will set a table in the middle of the room, placing a number of chairs around it and situating the snacks in the center. A sign rises from the center of the table—“Welcome To Mr. Lyle Land”
A timer is neatly folded in the velvet cloth. Volunteers are then chosen to come and have a seat and enjoy “living” in Mr. Lyle Land. The snacks are theirs to enjoy the entire time they are there, which typically is the entire class time. Warn them, however, that there are 7 laws there that must be strictly followed, or their privileges may be taken away. Everyone else is watching the residents of Mr. Lyle Land as they go about their lives.
This is the handout given to each “resident” of Mr. Lyle Land. I go over each rule in detail, choosing a reliable person to be the “Keeper of Time”.
The Seven Laws Of Mr. Lyle Land
The Lesson
Once Mr. Lyle Land is up and running as it should be by the laws given to it, the teaching time begins. At moments like the first couple of changing of seats I will stop and we will all watch the ceremony. Usually the others in the room are watching the people of Mr. Lyle Land and are very willing to point out their errors when they are made.
I point out that these people have a very good life there with the snacks and all. All that is required of them is to obey 7 simple rules. Yes it does take up a certain amount of their time, but it is worth it. I also point out that they must schedule their lives around the 7 laws.
Israel had bid farewell to the oppression of Egypt and was traveling through the desert. God was leading them day by day, by way of a cloud. A group of probably millions, with no government or laws to order their new society by, relied upon God absolutely. With Moses as their leader, challenged by a multi-faceted social structure with many types of personalities, success would be a miracle. Remember, most of these people were Israelites, but few had been followers of God until witnessing the judgment of the mighty hand of God upon Egypt. At Mt. Sinai, they received from God a complete set of laws to live by, simply known to them as “The Law”. This set of laws governed every aspect of their normal lives, and especially, their worship of God. Through the Law, they would learn right from wrong, good from bad, and live accordingly.
Jesus said in the New Testament that He had come to fulfill the Law, not do away with it. That statement reinforces the idea that much of the Law pointed to, or foreshadowed, the coming Messiah. This discussion will focus on a handful of examples of that concept, pulled from the pages of the Scriptures.
Rephidim is an excellent place to initiate our tour. The Israelites had been moving about as an assembly at the direct command of God. The community lacked water and began to express their dissatisfaction. They congregated around a large rock, and at God’s explicit direction, Moses struck the rock and water came forth. They praised God for His provision and continued on their way. Interestingly, thirty-seven years later, they again found themselves at the very same location, experiencing an identical challenge. On this occasion, however, Moses was instructed to speak to the rock. In anger, he struck it in the same manner as he had previously. Water came forth, but Moses was severely reprimanded by God for his actions. This rock was a picture, a type of Jesus Christ, The Rock. Jesus was to be “struck” once by going to the cross. That was a one-time event, never to be performed again. Moses, in anger, had tarnished that picture. God felt so strongly about Moses’ behavior, that he was not allowed to enter the Promised Land expressly as a consequence of this action.
Most people have a familiarity with the Ten Commandments. Few realize what the “eleventh” was. Immediately following the first ten are the remaining laws. At first glance, it may appear peculiar, but the eleventh law addressed slavery. An acceptable practice in those days, it should be described as being culturally similar to an employer/employee relationship. The technical points in this particular law allowed a servant voluntarily to become a permanent slave of his owner. Due to the way slavery was to be structured and practiced among the Israelites, this was not necessarily a repugnant idea, and so it was a very real possibility. It required the piercing of an earlobe, and the slave was to repeat these words specifically—I love my master, I love my wife, I love my children. Let’s move now to a New Testament thought. Jesus was voluntarily pierced for us. Jesus loves the Father, His master, He loves His wife, Israel, and He loves His children, the Church. Jesus came to fulfill the Law, not to destroy it.
An extensive portion of the Law dealt with an incurable disease called leprosy. Rules were in place governing how an infected person was to be placed outside the camp and avoided. To be declared a leper was a sentence of a lifetime of loneliness and despair. Leprosy, in the Law, is a picture of sin. It is to be avoided completely and disdained. There is an interesting clause that considers the possibility of a cure. In that eventuality, the healed individual was to appear before a priest, submit to ritual cleansing, and then sit outside his home for a week. What may seem incongruous initially begins to make sense when you contemplate the spiritual picture here. God is able to forgive us when we do wrong, but many times the sin has spoiled our reputation. The cured person was to be seated outside his dwelling for a week as a testimony to his healing. Interested or curious persons could come by and see for themselves that the individual was definitely now cleansed of leprosy. Likewise, a sinner may indeed be forgiven, but human nature is wary of those kinds of claims, until proof can be seen of a genuine change of heart. It requires time to re-establish a tarnished reputation.
In our fast paced world, many overlook the seemingly archaic idea of a Sabbath, a day of rest. The Law was adamant that there was to be a minimum of one day of total rest each week. Failure to follow this command carried the death penalty. Why would God impose such harsh punishment for something so trivial? The Sabbath was, in reality, a gift from God to His people. The concept of a day of rest transcends The Law. God described the seventh day of creation as a day of rest. Some things are God-ordained and structured and are to be unquestionably respected. Marriage, the family, and worship of God are some of the basic tenets that should not be altered to suit cultural norms. God established them as He wanted, and they are to be revered as such. Rest falls into that category. Consider the following list.
The Day of Atonement cannot be overlooked. The Jewish rabbis referred to it simply as “The Day”. This day was as important a picture of Christ as can be found in Scripture, for it pointed to the sacrifice of Christ on the cross. It was not a day for celebration. They were to consider it as a solemn day, a sad day. The day that Jesus went to the cross was a day of intense grief for man, as well as God Himself. All the activities that took place in the tabernacle on that day were to be performed by one man, the High Priest. Jesus went to the cross alone. This was also the one day per year that someone was allowed to enter the Holy of Holies. The Priest would approach with fear and trembling into the very presence of God to make atonement for the sins of the people. The New Testament states that because Christ entered into the Heavenly Tabernacle with his own blood, we can now boldly go before God ourselves. In addition, the scapegoat that was sent off into the desert is a picture of how our sins have been removed far from us because of what Jesus accomplished.
The Law pointed towards Jesus Christ in many other ways. Some occurrences are quite understandable and obvious. Others are more subtle. The Law showed the truth about God. The attention to order and method was incredibly exacting. This was important to God because it all spoke about His Son.
Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
A timer is neatly folded in the velvet cloth. Volunteers are then chosen to come and have a seat and enjoy “living” in Mr. Lyle Land. The snacks are theirs to enjoy the entire time they are there, which typically is the entire class time. Warn them, however, that there are 7 laws there that must be strictly followed, or their privileges may be taken away. Everyone else is watching the residents of Mr. Lyle Land as they go about their lives.
This is the handout given to each “resident” of Mr. Lyle Land. I go over each rule in detail, choosing a reliable person to be the “Keeper of Time”.
The Seven Laws Of Mr. Lyle Land
- The Keeping of the Clock:______________________________________shall be the Official Keeper of Time for the people of Mr. Lyle Land. This is a position of great responsibility. The Royal Timer is the most valuable possession in Mr. Lyle Land and is to be treated with great respect. The Royal Timer is to be laid upon The Royal Black Velvet. Whenever The Royal Timer is to be moved, it is to be wrapped up in the Royal Black Velvet and carried in the left hand of the Official Keeper of Time. Only the Official Keeper of Time may carry The Royal Timer.
- The Sign of Allegiance: All of those living in Mr. Lyle Land must wear the really cool Royal Helmet at all times.
- The Movement: The Official Keeper of Time shall start the Royal Timer. It shall always be set for two minutes. When the Royal Alarm sounds, the Official Keeper of Time shall stop the Royal Timer, wrap the Royal Timer in the Royal Black Velvet, and stand up. All of the other residents of Mr. Lyle Land are to then stand as well. The Official Keeper of Time shall then place the Royal Timer wrapped in the Royal Black Velvet into their left hand and everyone shall then change seats quietly, moving to the seat immediately to their left.
- The Exercise: When changing seats, each shall walk around their chair two times before being seated. When everyone is seated, the Royal Timer shall be unwrapped and started again by the Official Keeper of Time.
- The Posture: Each resident of Mr. Lyle Land must always sit upright, with feet together. Shoes must touch each other at the front or the back, but not both front and back.
- The Gazing: When the Royal Alarm sounds each third time, the Official Keeper of Time shall stop the alarm. The Royal Alarm must not be wrapped in the Royal Black Velvet this time. No changing of seats shall occur. The entire population of Mr. Lyle Land must turn and gaze at Ms. Jeanette. The Gazing shall be a group activity. The entire group shall participate together. No one is to look away during the Gazing. The Official Keeper of Time shall count out loud to 20. There is no set time as to how long this counting shall take. The Official Keeper of Time shall count as fast or as slow as they would like. Upon reaching the count of 20, the entire group shall say “Ah” in unison and they can then go back to their normal activities. The Royal Timer shall then be started again.
- The Flapping: Whenever Mr. Lyle uses the word “Bible”, the residents of Mr. Lyle Land shall flap their arms like a bird one time.
The Lesson
Once Mr. Lyle Land is up and running as it should be by the laws given to it, the teaching time begins. At moments like the first couple of changing of seats I will stop and we will all watch the ceremony. Usually the others in the room are watching the people of Mr. Lyle Land and are very willing to point out their errors when they are made.
I point out that these people have a very good life there with the snacks and all. All that is required of them is to obey 7 simple rules. Yes it does take up a certain amount of their time, but it is worth it. I also point out that they must schedule their lives around the 7 laws.
Israel had bid farewell to the oppression of Egypt and was traveling through the desert. God was leading them day by day, by way of a cloud. A group of probably millions, with no government or laws to order their new society by, relied upon God absolutely. With Moses as their leader, challenged by a multi-faceted social structure with many types of personalities, success would be a miracle. Remember, most of these people were Israelites, but few had been followers of God until witnessing the judgment of the mighty hand of God upon Egypt. At Mt. Sinai, they received from God a complete set of laws to live by, simply known to them as “The Law”. This set of laws governed every aspect of their normal lives, and especially, their worship of God. Through the Law, they would learn right from wrong, good from bad, and live accordingly.
Jesus said in the New Testament that He had come to fulfill the Law, not do away with it. That statement reinforces the idea that much of the Law pointed to, or foreshadowed, the coming Messiah. This discussion will focus on a handful of examples of that concept, pulled from the pages of the Scriptures.
Rephidim is an excellent place to initiate our tour. The Israelites had been moving about as an assembly at the direct command of God. The community lacked water and began to express their dissatisfaction. They congregated around a large rock, and at God’s explicit direction, Moses struck the rock and water came forth. They praised God for His provision and continued on their way. Interestingly, thirty-seven years later, they again found themselves at the very same location, experiencing an identical challenge. On this occasion, however, Moses was instructed to speak to the rock. In anger, he struck it in the same manner as he had previously. Water came forth, but Moses was severely reprimanded by God for his actions. This rock was a picture, a type of Jesus Christ, The Rock. Jesus was to be “struck” once by going to the cross. That was a one-time event, never to be performed again. Moses, in anger, had tarnished that picture. God felt so strongly about Moses’ behavior, that he was not allowed to enter the Promised Land expressly as a consequence of this action.
Most people have a familiarity with the Ten Commandments. Few realize what the “eleventh” was. Immediately following the first ten are the remaining laws. At first glance, it may appear peculiar, but the eleventh law addressed slavery. An acceptable practice in those days, it should be described as being culturally similar to an employer/employee relationship. The technical points in this particular law allowed a servant voluntarily to become a permanent slave of his owner. Due to the way slavery was to be structured and practiced among the Israelites, this was not necessarily a repugnant idea, and so it was a very real possibility. It required the piercing of an earlobe, and the slave was to repeat these words specifically—I love my master, I love my wife, I love my children. Let’s move now to a New Testament thought. Jesus was voluntarily pierced for us. Jesus loves the Father, His master, He loves His wife, Israel, and He loves His children, the Church. Jesus came to fulfill the Law, not to destroy it.
An extensive portion of the Law dealt with an incurable disease called leprosy. Rules were in place governing how an infected person was to be placed outside the camp and avoided. To be declared a leper was a sentence of a lifetime of loneliness and despair. Leprosy, in the Law, is a picture of sin. It is to be avoided completely and disdained. There is an interesting clause that considers the possibility of a cure. In that eventuality, the healed individual was to appear before a priest, submit to ritual cleansing, and then sit outside his home for a week. What may seem incongruous initially begins to make sense when you contemplate the spiritual picture here. God is able to forgive us when we do wrong, but many times the sin has spoiled our reputation. The cured person was to be seated outside his dwelling for a week as a testimony to his healing. Interested or curious persons could come by and see for themselves that the individual was definitely now cleansed of leprosy. Likewise, a sinner may indeed be forgiven, but human nature is wary of those kinds of claims, until proof can be seen of a genuine change of heart. It requires time to re-establish a tarnished reputation.
In our fast paced world, many overlook the seemingly archaic idea of a Sabbath, a day of rest. The Law was adamant that there was to be a minimum of one day of total rest each week. Failure to follow this command carried the death penalty. Why would God impose such harsh punishment for something so trivial? The Sabbath was, in reality, a gift from God to His people. The concept of a day of rest transcends The Law. God described the seventh day of creation as a day of rest. Some things are God-ordained and structured and are to be unquestionably respected. Marriage, the family, and worship of God are some of the basic tenets that should not be altered to suit cultural norms. God established them as He wanted, and they are to be revered as such. Rest falls into that category. Consider the following list.
- The last day of the week of creation was a day of rest.
- The Jewish day begins at sundown. Each day for God’s people began with rest and sleep. Note the Genesis account of how the day was structured—evening and morning, the first day.
- The Law, when seen in total, was filled with feast days and celebrations and Sabbath Years. We would be very envious to have equivalent time off from our regular responsibilities, if we were to calculate the total number of Sabbath days. A minimum of 59 days was commanded, but that number did not include implied travel time to and from the celebrations, or the Sabbath Year, or the Year of Jubilee.
- The New Testament talks of a Sabbath rest that remains for the people of God. Our ultimate resting place, our completeness, will be found when we finally arrive in Heaven to be forever with Jesus.
The Day of Atonement cannot be overlooked. The Jewish rabbis referred to it simply as “The Day”. This day was as important a picture of Christ as can be found in Scripture, for it pointed to the sacrifice of Christ on the cross. It was not a day for celebration. They were to consider it as a solemn day, a sad day. The day that Jesus went to the cross was a day of intense grief for man, as well as God Himself. All the activities that took place in the tabernacle on that day were to be performed by one man, the High Priest. Jesus went to the cross alone. This was also the one day per year that someone was allowed to enter the Holy of Holies. The Priest would approach with fear and trembling into the very presence of God to make atonement for the sins of the people. The New Testament states that because Christ entered into the Heavenly Tabernacle with his own blood, we can now boldly go before God ourselves. In addition, the scapegoat that was sent off into the desert is a picture of how our sins have been removed far from us because of what Jesus accomplished.
The Law pointed towards Jesus Christ in many other ways. Some occurrences are quite understandable and obvious. Others are more subtle. The Law showed the truth about God. The attention to order and method was incredibly exacting. This was important to God because it all spoke about His Son.
Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.