Old Testament Lesson 16: I Cannot Go Beyond the Word of the Lord

This week's lesson is really all about perspective.

Others' perspective!

Our perspective!

Most of us go through life seeing things through the lens of just our own eyes. Some see things through the eyes of others affording them an opposite view. Our calling is to rise above our own view and see through the Lord's lens.

Historical Context to this week's lesson:
The children of Israel have been wondering in the wilderness for 40 years. The older generation have just about all passed away and a new younger generation is being readied to inherit the lands they were promised. As the Lord himself, tells them through Moses,

"ye have dwelt long enough in this mount: Turn you, and take your journey...behold I have set the land before you: go in and posses the land which the Lord sware unto your fathers..." Deut 1:6-8

I want to pause here for a moment. Have you ever felt like no matter what you do, your life is going in circles? Do you feel like you are just not getting anywhere? Sure you are surviving, you are existing but life is not progressing how you would like it to. Consider the Israelites. They were smart enough to know they were going in circles in the wilderness for 40 years. Is it any wonder they found themselves complaining about their lot in life and feeling their was no point to their existence other than being led into the wilderness to die. Here on the ground it is hard to see past the mountains. What is different about the Lord's perspective?
Why should we always seek the Lord's perspective?
How do we seek the Lord's perspective?
The children of Israel spent 40 years trying to force the Lord to see things their way. Can't He see we are hungry? Can't He see we are thirsty? Can't He see we can't go on like this? Can't He see we were better off in Egypt as slaves? Who knows how much shorter their journey in the wilderness may have been if they had elevated their sight and raised their perspective into alignment with the Lord's perspective, sooner.

Balak and Balaam (Numbers 22:1-21)
And so as they progress northwards towards their lands (promised to them over the many generations from Adam down to Abraham and Isaac and Jacob), they have encountered the Amorites and defeated them in battle and moved on as instructed by the Lord through the lands of Edom (descendants of Jacob's brother Edom) and Moab (descendants of Lot, Abraham's nephew). Now the Moabites were ruled at that time by a king called Balak. And as he saw this vast people (around 1-2 million people) move towards his borders and through hi lands, and as he hears of the tales of the destruction of the Amorites, you can imagine Balak is worried about Moab being destroyed like the Amorites. In those days, the solution was either to fight and defend your lands or turn to your religious deities to protect you or both. Balak knew that neither his armies nor his gods were powerful enough to protect his people and his lands from this powerful nation. Instead Balak turned to Balaam. Why did he turn to Balaam?
Numbers 22:2-3, 5-6 
Numbers 24:17
Balaam seems to have gained a reputation as a man with divine authority and power. Undoubtedly from the texts he was "called of God" and as Numbers tells us, Balak knew that whomever Balaam blessed or cursed, so it was. We also know from Numbers 24 that Balaam was capable of true prophecy.
As a result, Balak feels his best chance is to turn to Balaam and ask him to curse Israel so that they cannot defeat the Moabites.
But verse 7 is a little worrying because Balak's messengers "departed with the rewards of divination in their hand". It would seem this priesthood authority had a reputation of being bought and Balak meant to buy it.
So what happens? v.12

"And God said unto Balaam, Thou shalt not go with them; thou shalt not curse the people; for they are blessed."

If we are to compare our status in the latter days with those of the children of Israel, how does the Lord view us?

Balak is used to getting what he wants. What is his response to being rejected? v.16-17 How does Balak represent the world we live in today?
On the surface, Balaam's reply seems proper and appropriate for one called of God, but dig a little deeper and we start to see some worrying signs. Compare Balaam's answer in v.18 to a similar call from Joshua in Joshua 24:15. 
You see the real question is whether Balaam characteristically "will not" or just dutifully and a little reluctantly "cannot". Surely, when you "will not", there is no need to go back to the Lord to check to see if He might change His mind?
Balaam seems like he really really knows that he shouldn't but really really wants all the things Balak has offered him. He is torn between two masters. Balaam represents the natural man. Feeling and experiencing the things of God but tempted and lusting after the things of the world. And in this instance Balaam tries to tiptoe on the edges of his principles, acting the man of God, all the while flirting with money and prestige.

v.20-22 what are the two reasons God gets angry? This time it is disobedience. I know he gave permission in verse 20 but refer back to verse 12. Thou shalt not go with them is about as direct a commandment as they come. So how do we align the original commandment in verse 12 with the apparent change of heart in verse 20 and then his reaction in verse 22? 
It seems to me this is one of the times where the Lord is telling you what is best for you. His perspective sees all and he knows what is over that mountain and for your good he commands you not to go there. But we, with our low-lying mortal perspective who always think we see better, plead and plead for those things we really really want. And eventually if we are stubbornly refusing to listen to him and only want what we want, then at some point I think He just says, and I am of course paraphrasing, "listen I'm not going to strive with you or argue with you. I know whats best for you but if you have your eyes fixed on that, I can't stop you. Go for it. But be warned. I do not want you to go there."
Why does the Lord allow us to follow paths that He knows can lead toward danger?
When I asked my wife's father for permission to marry her we had never met. In fact this conversation was my very first conversation with her father. When I asked for his permission, he said something that I have never forgotten, "Well," he said, "what Marjolaine wants, Marjolaine usually gets." I took that as a "yes". He was probably very concerned not knowing who I was and never having met me, yet he still allowed her to make her own choice.
I wonder if the Lord regards us in a similar way, he loves us and will try to protect us from the dangers of the world, but if you want it bad enough, he is not going to stand in your way.
Why do you think the Lord was so upset with Balaam? cf Doctrine and Covenants 82:3
The Lord expects better choices of those whom he has called.

Balaam and the Ass (Numbers 22:22-35)

Not a picture of Balaam and his Ass

In today's world a talking donkey isn't such a big deal anymore I guess, but this was not a normal event in Balaam's world.
The whole point of this story though is to show how misaligned Balaam is with the Lord's view.
Consider this:
What characterisitic are asses and donkeys most generally associated with?
And yet was it Balaam or his ass that stubbornly persisted against the angel of the Lord and the Lord's will?
A creature as stubborn and dumb as an ass tries to avoid the angel, but he still sees it. Balaam does not even see the angel. This is astounding. This purported man of God, called of God is so spiritually misaligned, his donkey sees more spiritually than he does.
Notice also how the Lord attempts to stop the donkey going where there is danger. At first the donkey's path is as wide as the countryside but then as he stubbornly persists and veers away from the Lord and his angels, the Lord narrows the pathway with a walled vineyard giving the donkey less ability to veer away. As the donkey continues to try to veer away from the Lord, he is finally given no wiggle room. With no way to turn, the donkey must address that which is directly in front of him or back out willfully. Rather than outright rebellion the donkey chooses submission and falls to the ground in apparent recognition of that which is of God.
In comparison, see how Balaam tries to steer the donkey - with force ( "he smote the ass with a staff"). This is not the way of the Lord. He tries to persist without even seeing the Lord's will. It's right in front of him but he can't even see it.
Many of us need to be guided like the donkey, until we are in line with the Lord. That's ok. But when we are not aligned with the Lord and seeking, his will, like Balaam we will be unable to feel the Lord's guidance in our lives.
Notice verse 34 also. "if it displease thee..." ?????  Do you think Balaam gets it? I mean at this point, after the talking donkeys and the angel and the broken foot, is it that hard to figure out that the Lord would prefer you to go home rather than persistently following after your own vision of wealth and honour.

Sacrifice vs. Obedience - The Lord's Perspective (Numbers 23)
So Balaam meets Balak and says the right things - "I can only say what the Lord tells me to say"
v.1 Balaam instructs Balak to make the greatest and most perfect sacrifice there is. 7 altars is a symbol of perfect sacrifice. The ram and the ox were considered the highest type of sacrificial offering, being the most expensive. Essentially Balaam is saying if you plead hard enough and sacrifice enough the Lord may change His mind. Balaam may have done well to heed the words of a future prophet of Israel - Samuel cf 1 Samuel 15:22 Samuel's words are so reflective of Balaam that one wonders if he might have taken the text of that sermon to Saul from the life of Balaam.
What is the lesson that Samuel teaches that Balaam never learned? From the Lord's perspective all these offerings and sacrifices mean nothing without obedience and purity of heart.

v.11 this verse seems to imply there was a business relationship. The verb "took" implies ownership and suggests that Balaam had indeed sold his authority for use with Balak. Of course the power of the priesthood cannot be sold and it cannot or ought not to be maintained only upon the principles of righteousness.

v.19 Balaam continues to say the right thing
v.20-30 Balaam continues to try to find a way to please God and to please Balak. How will that work out for him? cf Matthew 6:24
Balaam at this time is focused on what he wants and what Balak wants - he has not aligned himself with what the Lord wants.

The Wilderness - The Lord's Perspective (Numbers 24)(Numbers 31)
I find this chapter both beautiful and hauntingly tragic. As we have studied him so far it has been hard to see why he was a prophet of God. His perspective has up until now been mostly his own, focused on the honors of man. This chapter we get a glimpse of what might have been, his potential.
v.1-2 Balaam finally aligns with what the Lord wants. He sees the Lord's perspective and we are told he "set his face toward the wilderness and...lifted up his eyes...and the Spirit of God came upon him"
What can we learn from this about aligning our own perspectives with the Lord? What significance does the wilderness have? The wilderness is symbolic of the world, our trials and hardships. Here for Balaam, his trial was this people of Israel that he wanted to curse for money's sake but knew that he couldn't. He tried to find every way he could to avoid the Lord's perspective but when he finally faced the issue and looked to heaven the Spirit of God came upon him and his eyes were opened.

Oh if only that was the end of the story! Alas it is not. See Numbers 31:7-8. Why was Balaam killed after what seemed like a lesson learned? 2 Peter 2:15-16, Jude 1:11, Revelations 2:14.

Josephus, the Jewish historian who lived around or just after the time of Christ wrote this extra record of the story of Balaam. Though not considered scripture, it may well explain what Balaam was thinking and why ultimately the Lord had him destroyed.

"But Balak being very angry that the Israelites were not cursed, sent away Balaam without thinking him worthy of any honor. Whereupon, when he [Balaam] was just upon his journey, in order to pass the Euphrates, he sent for Balak, and for the princes of the Midianites, and spake thus to them:-"O Balak, and you Midianites that are here present, (for I am obliged even without the will of God to gratify you,) it is true no entire destruction can seize upon the nation of the Hebrews, neither by war, nor by plague, nor by scarcity of the fruits of the earth, nor can any other unexpected accident be their entire ruin; for the providence of God is concerned to preserve them from such a misfortune; nor will it permit any such calamity to come upon them whereby they may all perish; but some small misfortunes, and those for a short time, whereby they may appear to be brought low, may still befall them; but after that they will flourish again, to the terror of those that brought those mischiefs upon them. So that if you have a mind to gain a victory over them for a short space of time, you will obtain it by following my directions:-Do you therefore set out the handsomest of such of your daughters as are most eminent for beauty, and proper to force and conquer the modesty of those that behold them, and these decked and trimmed to the highest degree able. Then do you send them to be near camp, and give them in charge, that the young men of the Hebrews desire their allow it them; and when they see they are enamored of them, let them take leaves; and if they entreat them to stay, let give their consent till they have persuaded leave off their obedience to their own laws, the worship of that God who established them to worship the gods of the Midianites and for by this means God will be angry at them. Accordingly, when Balaam had suggested counsel to them, he went his way.

 

So when the Midianites had sent their daughters, as Balaam had exhorted them, the Hebrew men were allured by their beauty, and came with them, and besought them not to grudge them the enjoyment of their beauty, nor to deny them their conversation. These daughters of Midianites received their words gladly, and consented to it, and staid with them; but when they brought them to be enamored of them, and their inclinations to them were grown to ripeness, they began to think of departing from them: then it was that these men became greatly disconsolate at the women's departure, and they were urgent with them not to leave them, but begged they would continue there, and become their wives; and they promised them they should be owned as mistresses all they had. This they said with an oath, and called God for the arbitrator of what they promised; and this with tears in their eyes, and all such marks of concern, as might shew how miserable they thought themselves without them, and so might move their compassion for them. So the women, as soon as they perceived they had made their slaves, and had caught them with their conservation began to speak thus to them:-

 

"O you illustrious young men! we have of our own at home, and great plenty of good things there, together with the natural, affectionate parents and friends; nor is it out of our want of any such things that we came to discourse with you; nor did we admit of your invitation with design to prostitute the beauty of our bodies for gain; but taking you for brave and worthy men, we agreed to your request, that we might treat you with such honors as hospitality required: and now seeing you say that you have a great affection for us, and are troubled when you think we are departing, we are not averse to your entreaties; and if we may receive such assurance of your good-will as we think can be alone sufficient, we will be glad to lead our lives with you as your wives; but we are afraid that you will in time be weary of our company, and will then abuse us, and send us back to our parents, after an ignominious manner." And they desired that they would excuse them in their guarding against that danger. But the young men professed they would give them any assurance they should desire; nor did they at all contradict what they requested, so great was the passion they had for them. "If then," said they, "this be your resolution, since you make use of such customs and conduct of life as are entirely different from all other men, insomuch that your kinds of food are peculiar to yourselves, and your kinds of drink not common to others, it will be absolutely necessary, if you would have us for your wives, that you do withal worship our gods. Nor can there be any other demonstration of the kindness which you say you already have, and promise to have hereafter to us, than this, that you worship the same gods that we do. For has any one reason to complain, that now you are come into this country, you should worship the proper gods of the same country? especially while our gods are common to all men, and yours such as belong to nobody else but yourselves." So they said they must either come into such methods of divine worship as all others came into, or else they must look out for another world, wherein they may live by themselves, according to their own laws.

 

Now the young men were induced by the fondness they had for these women to think they spake very well; so they gave themselves up to what they persuaded them, and transgressed their own laws, and supposing there were many gods, and resolving that they would sacrifice to them according to the laws of that country which ordained them, they both were delighted with their strange food, and went on to do every thing that the women would have them do, though in contradiction to their own laws; so far indeed that this transgression was already gone through the whole army of the young men, and they fell into a sedition that was much worse than the former, and into danger of the entire abolition of their own institutions; for when once the youth had tasted of these strange customs, they went with insatiable inclinations into them; and even where some of the principal men were illustrious on account of the virtues of their fathers, they also were corrupted together with the rest." (Antiquities of the Jews, Book I, 6:6-9, italics added)

When I consider the story of Balaam I cannot help but reflect on the counsel of Doctrine and Covenants 88: 62-68
The Lord wants us to draw near to him and to ask him for that which we need but when we ask for that which we dont need it can turn to us for our condemnation, just as it did with Balaam. If our eye be single to the glory of God, if we share his perspective, all will be understood. And how do we gain the Lord's perspective? v.68 we must sanctify ourselves, cleanse ourselves of all other desires, purify our hearts from the other temptations the world throws at us and then we will see Him, "in his own time in his own way and according to his own will".

Old Testament Lesson 5: If Thou Doest Well, Thou Shalt Be Accepted

Abel and Cain

Enoch

Introduction:
Today's lesson centres around some counsel the Lord gave Cain, the brother of Abel. In Moses 5:23 we read the Lord telling Cain,
"If thou doest well, thou shalt be accepted"
"If thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door"

Today we will study the lives of two contrasting people, Cain and Enoch.
Enoch does well and is accepted. Cain does not do well and is ultimately rejected.

"If Thou Doest Not Well": the life of Cain
Moses 5:16
"ceased not": What a great example from our first parents. Also when you consider their holiness and dedication to the gospel, and then consider how at least one of their sons turned out, maybe we should not be so quick to condemn parents whose children are wayward.
Also by way of comfort to such parents, Elder Richard G Scott offered this advice:

“Many of you have heavy hearts because a son or daughter, husband or wife, has turned from righteousness to pursue evil. My message is for you. Your life is filled with anguish, pain, and, at times, despair. I will tell you how you can be comforted by the Lord. First, you must recognize two foundation principles: 1) While there are many things you can do to help a loved one in need, there are some things that must be done by the Lord. 2) Also, no enduring improvement can occur without righteous exercise of agency. Do not attempt to override agency. The Lord himself would not do that. Forced obedience yields no blessings (see D&C 58:26-33). I will suggest seven ways you can help. First, love without limitations. …Second, do not condone the transgressions, but extend every hope and support to the transgressor…Third, teach truth…Fourth, honestly forgive as often as is required…Fifth, pray trustingly, ‘The…fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much’ (James 5:16)…Sixth, keep perspective…When the things you realistically can do to help are done, leave the matter in the hands of the Lord and worry no more. Do not feel guilty because you cannot do more. Do not waste your energy on useless worry…In time, you will feel impressions and know how to give further help. You will find more peace and happiness, will not neglect others that need you, and will be able to give greater help because of that eternal perspective… One last suggestion—Never give up on a loved one, never!”

Orson F Whitney previously offered his wise perspective on the same topic,

"You parents of the wilful and the wayward: Don't give them up. Don't cast them off. They are not utterly lost. The shepherd will find his sheep. They were his before they were yours--long before he entrusted them to your care; and you cannot begin to love them as he loves them. They have but strayed in ignorance from the Path of Right, and God is merciful to ignorance. Only the fulness of knowledge brings the fulness of accountability. Our Heavenly Father is far more merciful, infinitely more charitable, than even the best of his servants, and the Everlasting gospel is mightier in power to save than our narrow finite minds can comprehend."

"who is the Lord that I should know him": is this a "I dont believe in God" statement or something else? cf v.18

Moses 5:17
"Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground": not to disparage the many noble farmers out there but there seems to be a little symbolism here with Abel representing The Good Shepherd and Cain representing the Disturber of the Earth - Satan. Can you see other areas where this symbolism and parallelism is apparent?

Moses 5:18
"And Cain loved Satan more than God": what does that even mean? This is not your usual flawed, just-find-it-tough-to-keep-the-commandments kind of person. This is not even a person who just doesn't care. He actually loved Satan, and more than God. What attracted him to Satan?
Satan commanded Cain to make an offering unto the Lord: what? why? what's going on here? what is Satan's motive here in getting Cain to make offerings to the Lord? Can we learn anything useful from this strange commandment that can help us today?

Moses 5:21
Cain's offering was not acceptable to the Lord: why not? cf Moses 5:5-7 Does this help us understand why Cain's offering was rejected. What does this tell us about the sacrifices and offerings we make today?
"Now Satan knew this and it pleased him": was this all part of Satan's plan? How did he know Cain's offering would not be acceptable?
"Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell": what does this mean? Obviously he is upset but why does he care. I thought he loved Satan more anyway? What does it mean his countenance fell? cf Alma 5:14

Moses 5:23
"if thou doest well, thou shalt be accepted": simple lesson, what do we need to do to be accepted of the Lord?
"if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door": is "not doing well" the real problem? No. The real problem is that not doing well takes you closer to the edge (door) where sin is. But even then we can be saved if we "hearken unto (his) commandments". Watch this video of David Bednar explaining the same principle.

Notice the Lord says "except thou shalt hearken unto my commandments...it shall be unto according to his desire": Who's desire? cf 2 Nephi 2:26 the Atonement frees us from Satan's grasp so that we can act for ourselves and not be acted upon. What a waste of the Atonement if we then willingly return to a state where we can no longer act for ourselves again but are instead acted upon.
This reminds me of a quote, that I love and has been attributed to Cecil B DeMille and Sterling W Sill and Anonymous! Whoever said it, I love it:

"I have found that Satan frees men to bind men: God binds men to free men".  

Today our world is often complaining of the restrictiveness of God's laws. If only they could see that these restrictions in fact free them from the deadly vice-like grip of Satan. (cf v33 oh the irony of Cain's statement!)
"it shall be unto thee according to his desire", "And thou shalt rule over him": one is a mortal consequence and the other is an eternal consequence.
This marks a pretty stern rebuking for Cain. Is he currently doomed? NO. He is being warned. How did Cain react to his rebuking? see v.26

Moses 5:26-33
what do we learn about Cain's personality and character in these verses? Very similar to Satan. I wonder why he did not choose to follow Satan in the premortal sphere. In a way he was smarter than Satan because at least he waited until he had a body before he rebelled! But they both seemed beset by the same pride, arrogance and greed and illusions of grandeur. I mean he called himself the Master Mind or The Great One. cf v.31 "that I may get gain", v.33"surely the flocks of my brother falleth into my hands" Did you notice the same pattern Satan followed in thinking that if he killed Christ, that he would gain control over the souls of all men.

Moses 5:36
up to now it appears that the serpent/Satan has been cursed and the earth was cursed for Adams sake but Cain becomes the first person that we know of to be cursed. Why?

Moses 5:37
"when thou tillest the ground it shall not henceforth yield unto thee her strength": I find this a fascinating consequence. Presumably Cain had some skills in farming but here those skills are taken away. It was not the earth cursed, but Cain - he lost the light, the knowledge, the ability he had, through disobedience. cf Doctrine and Covenants 93:39

Moses 5:39
"he that findeth me will slay me": is this is the very first time anyone on earth experienced death? If not, it was certainly the first time anyone on earth had experienced murder in their midst, and of a loved one. I imagine it was the same shock we experienced on 9/11 multiplied 100 times over. To suddenly see it in their midst for the very first time must have been incredibly shocking. You can understand therefore Cain's belated worry about his brothers and sisters reactions to his actions. I note also a tendency from Cain for self-pity. His first reaction we read of could possibly be interpreted as a complaint that he doesn't think he sees enough of the Lord. He wants more attention and he doesn't care where he gets it from as we see when we learn he loves Satan more than God. But he still gets angry when the Lord does not accept his offering. I wonder here whether Cain confuses his offering being rejected, with the thought that maybe the Lord rejected him. "Nobody loves me" syndrome. And now that his actions catch up with him we find he is no longer able to be near the Lord or any of his original family. Cain is a very tragic and pitiful character.

Moses 5:41
"with his wife and many of his brethren": Cain did not roam the world alone as some suggest. Rather, just like Satan, he took a host with him. Notice again the theme of division.

In the end it is clear, Cain consistently did not do well, did not follow commandments, did not take advice well, did not repent, and eventually got too close to sin - ultimately murdering his brother.


If Thou Doest Well: the life of Enoch
Before we study the life of Enoch, take a moment to reflect how blessed we are to have latter-day revelation. Genesis gives us just 6 verses on who Enoch was and most of that is genealogy. Compare that to the 100 verses we find in Moses 6-7. These additional insights are again precious in understanding how to do well in life. Is it any wonder again that Satan found a way to have them removed from the book of Genesis?  But we do get to hear about another Enoch who built a city a city of Enoch - Cain's son! (Genesis 4:17)

Moses 6:26
"Spirit of God...abode upon him": this is our first indication that Enoch did well in his life. Notice the "abode" implies more than just a temporary or brief visit. What can we do to have the Spirit abide with us more permanently?

Moses 6:31
"bowed himself": compare this humble man to the prideful and angry Cain. What is the first characteristic that marks a life done well? Humility.
"but a lad", "people hate me", "slow of speech": Enoch asks a good question, why did you choose me - I'm inexperienced, unliked and I'm not a preacher?! Why does the Lord choose such people?

Moses 6:32-34
The Lord requires Enoch to have faith. How great was Enoch' faith? cf Moses 7:13

 “Don’t worry about being successful. We are going to be successful—there is no doubt about it. The Lord has sent us to earth at the time of harvest. He does not expect us to fail. He has called no one to this work to fail. He expects us to succeed.” Ezra Taft Benson 

Now compare Moses 6:31 with Moses 7:13 "so powerful was the word of Enoch and so great was the power of the language which God had given him". Wow! That is some fulfillment of a promise and quite a spectacular testimony of faith.

Moses 6:33
"Choose ye this day": we should not procrastinate the day of our repentance. The Lord requires us to choose NOW.

Moses 6:34
"wherefore all thy words will I justify": this is an incredible sign of trust. cf again Moses 7:13 (prophecy/blessing fulfilled) Can the Lord say that to us today? Is Enoch being ordained to some office here?
"thou shalt abide in me and I in you; therefore walk with me": I find something very beautiful and personal and covenantal in this. Compare this with Ruth 1:16-17. Notice the contrast between Enoch and Cain. Enoch does what he is asked to do, is humble and finds himself in a real close, spiritually intimate relationship with the Lord. Cain on the other hand, does not do what he asks and instead of humbling himself gets angry and more disobedient and finds himself separated from God.

Moses 6:36
"A see-er have the Lord raised up": I wonder if Enoch is the first to be invited to share in one of these epic visions of the entirety of the universe? I would appear to be a significant and marked event in the history of the children of Adam.

Moses 6:37
"went forth...with a loud voice": Enoch did not try to run away from his calling. Enoch did not quietly try a few times. He essentially dove headfirst and wholeheartedly into his calling, trusting the Lord. This dedication and faith is another mark of those that "doest well".

Moses 6:40
"Mahijah": make of it what you will but this name is not found in the bible.  However his name is mentioned several times in the Dead Sea Scrolls in the same period, same role and same context as found in the Book of Moses (a book that Joseph Smith translated over 100 years before the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered).

Moses 6:42:
"wherefore for this cause, to keep the commandments, I speak forth these words": what does this tell us about Enoch, his motivation and character in comparison to Cain's motivation v.31?

Moses 6:43:
"why counsel ye yourselves": do we waste time leaning on our own understanding rather than consulting God?

Moses 6:56, 58
"I have given unto you another law and commandment": As you watch Adam's progression starting at the Garden of Eden, you notice the Lord does not throw the whole plan at him straight away. Line upon line Adam learns a little bit more. First the three commandments in the garden (multiply, do not eat of the tree, remain with the woman), then outside the garden he is commanded to sacrifice, and then he is commanded to repent. I'm sure he received more instruction but it just seems so measured. Those that wish to progress learn that it is a gradual process.

Moses 5:59
In this verse is the Lord discussing how Adam's children were born or how Adam himself was born? If Adam, then that is mind-boggling and cool!

Moses 5:60
baptism - obedience, spirit - approved, blood - perfected: this is a great verse for understanding the stages of righteous man. If thou "doest well", you will keep commandments to show obedience, if you continue to do well approval/justification is shown by the constant presence of the Spirit, which in turn, if righteousness continues, leads to sanctification and perfection through the Atonement.

Moses 5:61
"the record of heaven": in the final judgement how detrimental would it be to have no character witness? When we are not righteous we deprive ourselves of our own key character witness. The more worthy we live of the Spirit, the more witness and testimony can be given of our mortal probation.

Moses 7:21
"behold mine abode forever": Enoch and his people do so well that they reach a stage where they are accepted and taken into heaven. Compare this to Cain who is forever removed from the Lord's presence. Both were brought up well and taught well, but still - one doest well and one doest not well. It is all about choice.

"The choices we make, determine our destiny." Thomas S Monson.

Epilogue
Moses 7:20-47
This passage of scripture is remarkable in that it shows God crying. Even Enoch, who knows him quite well, is shocked. "How is it thou canst weep, seeing thou art holy, and from all eternity to all eternity...how is it thou canst weep". It seems totally shocking to Enoch that this great immortal God can cry these tears. Is it because perfect beings shouldn't be able to show sorrow, or because they should know better seeing as they know the end from the beginning and know it will all work out? Whatever the reason, God's answer is heart-warming and touching,

"behold these thy brethren; they are the workmanship of mine own hands,...I gave unto them their knowledge, I said...that they should love one another and that they should choose me, their Father; but they are without affection,...and misery shall be their doom;...they shall be in torment;"

Enoch is learning that God is not just about justice and truth and peace (v.31) but also love. The great Creator, this Supreme Being, Our God is pining for his wayward children that he loves so dearly, but that through their choice are suffering and in pain.
When Enoch is shown all of this we get a sense maybe a glimmer of the emotion behind the words "and he wept" (v.28). In v41 Enoch experiences some of what the Lord feels for his children and "he wept and stretched forth his arms, and his heart swelled wide as eternity; and his bowels yearned; and all eternity shook." Is there a greater description of such emotions in all of scripture? What a beautiful, heartbreaking, gut-wrenching description of how our father feels about us when we suffer. He hates to see us suffer, even temporarily. Compare this to Satan's reaction to the same thing v.26 ("he looked up and laughed").

You can maybe therefore understand God's pleading simplicity when he sees a beloved child like Cain heading to the door, "If thou doest well, I will accept thee, and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door". In contrast, you can also understand the overwhelming joy he must feel when we do well.

Moses 7:68-69
"ZION IS FLED": Enoch's city is taken up into heaven and away from the ever-increasing wickedness of the world. If my calculations and the generations listed in Genesis 5 are right, Noah was born a few years after this. Knowing what we know about the people in Noah's time, there is a real air of melancholy about that thought. Within another 600-700 yrs roughly the entire world has chosen to not do well. We shall study more about this next week but this must have been a real low point for Heavenly Father in the grand scheme and in his own deeply loving heart.

Old Testament Lesson 3: The Creation

"The three pillars of eternity, the three events, preeminent and transcendent above all others, are the creation, the fall, and the atonement. These three are the foundations upon which all things rest. Without any one of them all things would lose their purpose and meaning, and the plans and designs of Deity would come to naught."                                              Bruce R. McConkie The Three Pillars of Eternity

Today we will study the first pillar of these three pillars: The Creation. I have gone through it verse by verse as I feel there is just too much in these few simple verses to miss if we discuss general topics. But I have done so in the hope that it will bring to mind feelings of gratitude and joy for this wonderful creation that has given us so much. Do not get so caught up in the details that you forget to enjoy the overall beauty of this earth and all that is in it.


Period 1 of Creation: Light
v.2-5 (Moses 2, Genesis 1, Abraham 4)

v.2 the creation story of earth starts by indicating there were already materials to work with: darkness, waters, and an earth without form/void which was desolate/empty = matter, just not organized matter and unable to have growth due to absence of light. Darkness stunts our growth.This was not 'ex nihilo' (creation out of nothing) but creation using materials. God is the master chemist/physicist/biologist/scientist. He creates/He organizes.  Is the Spirit of God referring to the Holy Ghost or to the premortal spirit of Jesus Christ? cf John 1:1-5 Was it their mere presence as beings of light that created the light or was it introduced through some more mysterious process involving moving over the waters. 

v.3 the most basic element of life - LIGHT.  Light was necessary as much as water or earth. Aside from needing light to see what you are doing (ever tried to get that screwdriver out of the tool box in the shed/garage without a light? Ouch!), you also need light to grow things. Every seed you wish to grow needs earth, water and light. They need light to grow. Darkness alone will not create or grow life. Thus all this dark matter had to have an ingredient added - light. The only people that could add light are those who have light. Godhead. God the Father, Jesus Christ the Word and the Holy Ghost are the source of light. cf Doctrine and Covenants 88:7-13

v.4 "saw the light, that it was good". divides light from darkness (light divides by it's very introduction, it creates opposites as darkness cannot exist where there is light). This is the very same process as happened to the intelligences in the pre-mortal existence. Organization of intelligences seems to have created a natural division between those that were noble and great and those with darkness within. When God saw the noble and great ones with their light, he saw that they were good. cf Abraham 3:22-23 

v.5 the period of earth with darkness and the period of earth with light were considered as part of the same period of creation. Note that evening comes before morning in the measure of time. So too, to this day, the Jewish culture considers the day to begin in the evening (eg. their Sabbath or Shabbat begins once it gets dark on our Friday evening and goes through until Saturday's light is finished).

v.5 in Moses 2 very interesting differences to Genesis

• "this I did by the word of my power" (Jesus Christ = Creator)
• "and it was done as I spake" (all things obeyed God)

Who do we know wants to take the credit away from Christ and wants us to think it is ok to rebel against God? Seems to me Satan used his influence to have these two key facts removed from the text of the Old Testament.

Period 2 of Creation: Firmament (Universe/Heavens/Atmosphere)

v.6-8 (Moses2, Genesis 1, Abraham 4)

v.6-7 Abraham seems to clarify what Moses said in his account - that the firmament actually was designed to divide the waters mentioned in v.2 - waters above from waters below the firmament

v.6 and it was so even as I spake (again obedience highlighted)

What are these waters? When the waters were divided what became of the waters above the firmament? Are those the waters in the atmosphere, like rain, etc? Or are these waters some other waters beyond the boundaries of our universe?
Another creation, but this time no mention of it being good. Why was it not mentioned? Was it not as good? Did it just not satisfy God as much as other parts of his creations?

Period 3 of Creation: Sea, Dry Land, Seeded grass, plants and trees

v.9-13 (Moses 2, Genesis 1, Abraham 4)

v.9 "let the waters under the heaven be gathered together unto one place" This seems to be in agreement with scientists who believe that the earth began as one single large land mass (Pangaea) and one single large sea mass (Panthalassa) cf Genesis 10:25 (earth divided in days of Peleg)

v.10 dry land called Earth; waters called Sea or Great Water. He saw that it was good.

v.11-12 grass, plants and trees all with ability to produce life from within themselves are created. Notice that with the introduction of light, and a suitable atmosphere, and then with the separation and order of land and water, the environment was now able to sustain life that could reproduce. This in turn sets the scene for animal and human life that needs the oxygen produced by the plants, to breath. Everything in its order. Organized, planned, perfect.

Once more it was even as he spake and once more he saw that it was good.

v.12 note the phrase "to bring forth..from its own seed, yielding fruit, whose seed could only bring forth the same in itself, after his kind" used for the grass, the herbs and the fruit trees. This seems like a very pointed thing to say. Why? What was the Lord thinking here? Was he already dispelling the philosophies of man that would suggest a more evolutionary process where species adapt into other species? Is it different in plant life to animal life?

v.13 Abraham adds an interesting sentence before telling us this was the third day. He says, "And it came to pass that they numbered the days." Why this little additional explanation? We can see they were numbering the days, he already indicated that twice before. So why does he clarify now that they were numbering the days? Is this a little nod to the role of mathematics in the creation?

Period 4 of Creation: Sun, Moon and stars

v14-19 (Moses 2, Genesis 1, Abraham 4)

v.14-15 why was there a need for extra lights? Wasn't the Day and the Night already separated? We are told they will be used as signs and symbols and to help predict the seasons and tell time (days and years) but it then reasserts that these lights will be there to give light upon the earth. So why? Maybe as the Lord was the current source of light, they needed to create more permanent light fixtures for earth as he wouldn't always be around?

v.16 "I God, made two great lights...and the stars also were made." In the context of this scripture, the stars seem much less important or worthy. When considering this sentiment in relation to their symbolism to the three degrees of glory (cf 1 Corinthians 15:40-42) it would seem the Lord is making a strong case for us avoiding the glory of the stars (cf Doctrine and Covenants 76:81-86, 98-112).

v.18 Abraham makes a fascinating diversion from the other accounts in Moses and Genesis here, when he indicates that the Gods waited and "watched those things which they had ordered until they obeyed". I find this a fascinating insight into the creation. These things did not happen in an instant. Creation is a process. It takes patience and hard work. And it involves agency. Does "ordered" mean commanded or set in place in this verse? If they were waiting does it imply all creation has agency?

Period 5 of Creation: Water creatures and winged birds

v.20-23 (Moses 2, Genesis 1, Abraham 4)

v.20 "let the waters bring forth" - is this suggesting the water was a key element in creating the moving creatures of the sea? "Abundantly" - doesn't seem any sign that the Lord intended for things to run out. 

v.21 "after their kind" again it seems this key phrase is aimed at refuting any suggestion of cross species evolution.

v.22 God blessed the fowl of the air and the creatures of the sea to be fruitful and multiply and "fill" the sea and the earth. An interesting part of the creation I had not ever considered before. Why did he bless these and not the other creations prior to this?

Period 6 of Creation: Earth beasts, insects, animals. Adam and Eve.

v.24-31 (Moses 2, Genesis 1, Abraham 4)

v.26-27 "in our image, after our likeness" - male and female. This verse seems pretty clear in indicating we are modelled after divine beings who are male and female. Being one of the few to have seen the Father and the Son, Joseph Smith is qualified more than most to explain more to us: 

"God himself was once as we are now, and is an exalted man, and sits enthroned in yonder heavens! That is the great secret...if you were to see Him today, you would see Him like a man in form - like yourselves in all the person, image and very form as a man; for Adam was created in the very fashion, image and likeness of God..."

How was Adam created? cf Moses 6:59

v.26, 28 mankind is given dominion of fishes of the sea, beasts of the earth and fowls of the air. Here is our first kingdom. How do we rule over this world we are given to govern? Do we look after it, do we help it to grow and live or do we extinguish and destroy it? These verses really imply a lot about our purpose and divine destiny. We, of all the creations were the only ones modelled after God, made like Him and given the potential to be as Him. We were even given a kingdom to rule over in preparation for the many kingdoms we could rule over if we prove able and worthy. All of this is found in the first chapter of the first book of scripture available to mankind all over the world. There is no doubting that if they want to, mankind can know who they are and what their purpose really is.

v.28 another blessing, this time to mankind. Abraham's version seems to indicate that the Fall was definitely part of the plan. "We will cause them to be fruitful and multiply...". Considering when they were first created in a state of innocence they would not have been able to have children, this is a very powerful statement of intent.

v.25,31 God saw that all of his animal creations were good but what does he say of those he made in his image? "very good" This is the first very good of all His creations. It seems to me that God got the most joy and personal satisfaction when he created man. 

Period 7 of Creation: Sabbath Day

v.2-3 (Moses 3, Genesis 2, Abraham 5)

v.2-3 How did God make the Sabbath? God rested from all his work, but he still did create something in the 7th period - the sabbath - he blessed the day and sanctified it. The verb to bless in this verse comes from the Hebrew word "varech" which implies kneeling. Sanctified comes from the Hebrew word "kaddesh" which implies setting apart, consecrating for something special, or holy. To me there is a general sense that this day was a day to look back on all that had been accomplished and to give thanks that it was good. Now of course the question might be asked - who do the Gods have to give thanks to? Maybe that's another lesson another day but certainly it was a day of reflection on and resting from earthly matters. A day of holiness and a day of blessing. I believe this is a great way to regard our Sabbath. (cf Doctrine and Covenants 84:24 for another definition of rest: "fulness of his glory")

Garden of Eden

v.8-15 (Moses 3, Genesis 2) v.8-13 (Abraham 5)

Why did God create this garden? If everything he had thus created all over the earth was so good why the need for this garden?

I believe a teacher who knows the importance of setting a controlled environment for their classroom will probably understand why. Notice the location of the two trees mentioned  -tree of life and tree of knowledge of good and evil. God commanded Adam and Eve not to eat of the tree of knowledge of good and evil but yet he set this forbidden tree, not in the corner, not protected and shielded, but right in the middle and he made it pleasant to the sight! As a teacher who wants his pupils to learn something, that is a great way to guide the class to learn the lessons they need to learn while still giving them agency to choose for themselves. 

Abraham is alone in the 3 accounts of the creation in indicating that at this point Adam had not been appointed his time of reckoning. The verse (Abraham 5:3) implies that somehow this garden and Adam were still close to the dwelling place of God. What does this mean? Is it significant? Should we deduce from this that it was only when the Fall happened that the earth fell into it's present orbit and present reckoning of time?

Eve

v.18-23 (Moses 3, Genesis 2) v.14-19 (Abraham)

"it is not good that man should be alone"

"an help meet"

It is clear that it was not part of the plan to have Adam live alone. Eve was to live in eternal partnership with Adam - working together, complementing each other in tandem for the good of the earth and to help multiply. They were always meant to be equal in partnership while possessing different skills and qualities that when united create life and a perfect environment for growing life.

"The story of the rib, of course, is figurative"                                                                                                       Spencer W. Kimball 

So what does it symbolize then? 

"Interesting to me is the fact that animals fashioned by our Creator, such as dogs and cats, have thirteen pairs of ribs, but the human being has one less with only twelve. I presume another bone could have been used, but the rib, coming as it does from the side, seems to denote partnership. The rib signifies neither dominion nor subservience, but a lateral relationship as partners, to work and to live, side by side."                                                                                    Russell M. Nelson 

"Caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam" - if this story is figurative and there was no surgery and rib removal, why did Adam need to sleep. As you read the scriptures you may notice that sleep precedes the covenants the Lord makes with both Abraham and Jacob. Many stories also indicate instructions and blessings coming in dreams. Could it be that Adam was being taught or put under covenant as he was being introduced to Eve?

Other insights:

Maths and the creation - aside from the days of creation being numbered, did you notice how much division and multiplication is included in the story of the creation. It would seem that division is a eternal principle of organization and growth. I am sure those more mathematically minded than myself could add insight on this topic. But if you get a moment consider just consider how cells divide over and over in the creation of a new life. 

"Let there be" - seems to be suggesting "allowing" or creating the environment where natural laws can be enacted and obeyed.

Length of the Creation

"Some decades ago, the Council of the Twelve Apostles was asked to settle the controversy about the time required for the Creation and the length of a “day” in the Creation.  Some members of the Church took the position that a day was a 24-hour period; some believed that a day was an indeterminate period of time designated by accomplishment of events rather than a particular duration of set time measurements; and others were of the opinion that a day in the Creation was the same as stated in Peter 3:8 where Peter said that “one day is with the Lord as a thousand years” (See also Abraham 3:4).  The decision of the Quorum was that the Lord had not revealed the length of the Creation—therefore, a Latter-day Saint may chose to believe any of those definitions since no “doctrine” has been given which binds faithful saints to accept one definition over another." *Also see Old Testament Student Manual - Institute/Church Educational System (CES) - Religion 301, 3rd ed., pgs. 28-29 "How Old is the Earth?"

Organization and planning and one step at a time: do we often get overwhelmed at our week ahead. Do we feel that maybe there is too much to do and so little time to do it in? Do we panic about next Saturday without getting Monday under our belt? The order and planning of the creation is a great example of how to live our lives. And it seems it is one of the principles the Lord is expecting us to learn while we are here.
Maybe the lesson in all of this is that it doesn't matter how long it took, just as it doesn't matter how long it takes us to do something as long as we are actively doing it, organizing, sorting and dividing, creating and growing - and when it is completed make sure it is good or very good.

Still got questions?: cf Doctrine and Covenants 101:32-34