Important Veil

Important Veil

Exodus 26: ³¹ “You shall make a veil woven of blue, purple, and scarlet thread, and fine woven linen. It shall be woven with an artistic design of cherubim. ³² You shall hang it upon the four pillars of acacia wood overlaid with gold. Their hooks shall be gold, upon four sockets of silver. ³³ And you shall hang the veil from the clasps. Then you shall bring the ark of the Testimony in there, behind the veil. The veil shall be a divider for you between the holy place and the Most Holy. ³⁴ You shall put the mercy seat upon the ark of the Testimony in the Most Holy. ³⁵ You shall set the table outside the veil, and the lampstand across from the table on the side of the tabernacle toward the south; and you shall put the table on the north side.

 

³⁶ “You shall make a screen for the door of the tabernacle, woven of blue, purple, and scarlet thread, and fine woven linen, made by a weaver. ³⁷ And you shall make for the screen five pillars of acacia wood, and overlay them with gold; their hooks shall be gold, and you shall cast five sockets of bronze for them.

 

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GOD provided Moses with the final instructions to build the tabernacle. HE gave the measurements of the veil that would be used to divide the holy place from the most holy place.

 

My Observations:

• GOD established a place and a process of temporarily forgiving sins through a remediator, namely a high priest.
• GOD required a certain amount of formality that HE taught the children of Israel.
• GOD had Moses make a veil to protect other people from HIS glory.

 

Keeping the people safe was GOD’s number one purpose. If HE wanted to harm humans HE would not have gone through the lengths that HE did to have them make the tabernacle in this fashion. GOD was planning to meet with humans to provide guidance and to forgive sins.

 

Humans would be able to listen to GOD and surrender what they were doing to be led by GOD. The ark of the Testimony would be behind the veil. Moses was not given the instructions of the contents of the ark yet. But the ark was supposed to carry remnants of how GOD provided. GOD was building a temporary tent to meet with humans to forgive sins and to be with them.

 

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD remind Moses about the veil measurements?
• Has GOD told you to do something and is providing protection in the thing HE told you to do?
• What lengths has GOD taken to show you mercy, forgiveness and love?

Holding the Structure Together

Holding the Structure Together

Exodus 26: ²⁶ “And you shall make bars of acacia wood: five for the boards on one side of the tabernacle, ²⁷ five bars for the boards on the other side of the tabernacle, and five bars for the boards of the side of the tabernacle, for the far side westward. ²⁸ The middle bar shall pass through the midst of the boards from end to end. ²⁹ You shall overlay the boards with gold, make their rings of gold as holders for the bars, and overlay the bars with gold. ³⁰ And you shall raise up the tabernacle according to its pattern which you were shown on the mountain.

 

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GOD provided Moses with the instructions on how to hold the temporary structure together.

 

My Observations:

• GOD wanted the children of Israel to succeed, so HE gave very detailed instructions.
• GOD wanted the structure to be held together in a sturdy fashion.
• GOD wanted to be with HIS people without the distractions of the structure falling apart.

 

Providing the engineering of how to keep the structure together seems to be a pattern that GOD showed before. When HE gave Noah specific instructions, HE used the ark to save humanity. This time HIS reason for building the tabernacle was to be with HIS creation and guide them daily.

 

GOD told Moses t use strong wood, overlayed with a substance that came from heaven, namely gold. Gold was not currency to GOD, rather building material. HE was preparing a place to have safe discussions with HIM so the people would not be harmed by HIS presence. GOD could not risk a panel or a curtain falling down, exposing the high priest to HIS glory, which would kill a person instantly.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD remind Moses about the bars that would hold the tabernacle together?
• Has GOD indicated to you that HE wants to be with you?
• How is GOD showing you that HE wants a strong stable relationship with HIM?

Heavy Temporary Dwelling Place

Heavy Temporary Dwelling Place

Exodus 26: ¹⁴ “You shall also make a covering of ram skins dyed red for the tent, and a covering of badger skins above that.

 

¹⁵ “And for the tabernacle you shall make the boards of acacia wood, standing upright. ¹⁶ Ten cubits shall be the length of a board, and a cubit and a half shall be the width of each board. ¹⁷ Two tenons shall be in each board for binding one to another. Thus you shall make for all the boards of the tabernacle. ¹⁸ And you shall make the boards for the tabernacle, twenty boards for the south side. ¹⁹ You shall make forty sockets of silver under the twenty boards: two sockets under each of the boards for its two tenons. ²⁰ And for the second side of the tabernacle, the north side, there shall be twenty boards ²¹ and their forty sockets of silver: two sockets under each of the boards. ²² For the far side of the tabernacle, westward, you shall make six boards. ²³ And you shall also make two boards for the two back corners of the tabernacle. ²⁴ They shall be coupled together at the bottom and they shall be coupled together at the top by one ring. Thus it shall be for both of them. They shall be for the two corners. ²⁵ So there shall be eight boards with their sockets of silver—sixteen sockets—two sockets under each of the boards.

 

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GOD gave Moses very specific instruction to cover the tabernacle. HE also provided details into the structure that could easily be assembled and disassembled.

 

My Observations:

• GOD chose a sturdy wood that was rot and water resistant and very heavy.
• GOD gave the instructions on how to make a tongue and groove structure that was not flimsy.
• GOD wanted a temporary meeting place that would need to be carried around for forty years.

 

The tabernacle weighed about seven to ten tons. Its top was red and had a dark center. GOD seems to want the structure noticed and carefully carried. This enormous structure would require a large group of people to build, assemble and disassemble it when GOD said to move from one location to the next.

 

There was no other structure like it at the time. The Egyptians had stone pyramid tombs and huge grain vaults, made by the children of Israel. GOD was preparing the children of Israel for HIS presence. HE would be with them and wanted a formal structure. I notice that the structure came after the curse mentioned in Genesis. The structure was more for humans than it was for GOD.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD remind Moses about the top and walls of the tabernacle?
• Has GOD called you into something that requires a stronger structure?
• Does GOD want you to strengthen the flimsy idea and make it into something sturdy with components?

Second Set of Curtains for the Tabernacle

Second Set of Curtains for the Tabernacle

Exodus 26: ⁷ “You shall also make curtains of goats’ hair, to be a tent over the tabernacle. You shall make eleven curtains. ⁸ The length of each curtain shall be thirty cubits, and the width of each curtain four cubits; and the eleven curtains shall all have the same measurements. ⁹ And you shall couple five curtains by themselves and six curtains by themselves, and you shall double over the sixth curtain at the forefront of the tent. ¹⁰ You shall make fifty loops on the edge of the curtain that is outermost in one set, and fifty loops on the edge of the curtain of the second set. ¹¹ And you shall make fifty bronze clasps, put the clasps into the loops, and couple the tent together, that it may be one. ¹² The remnant that remains of the curtains of the tent, the half curtain that remains, shall hang over the back of the tabernacle. ¹³ And a cubit on one side and a cubit on the other side, of what remains of the length of the curtains of the tent, shall hang over the sides of the tabernacle, on this side and on that side, to cover it.

 

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GOD gave Moses additional detailed instructions for the second set of curtains.

 

My Observations:

• A scapegoat would be instituted as a symbolic representation of taking on the guilt of sin and JESUS became our scapegoat.
• JESUS also said HE would separate the sheep from the goats, meaning believers would be separated from non-believer in HIS salvation.
• GOD called for the use of bronze on these curtains, which is a lesser metal that would patina due to the cheap metal ingredients.

 

I believe the second set of curtains represent the human part of the relationship with GOD. Goat’s hair could be shaved off without killing the animal. Bronze would be used to hold up the goat hair curtains. I believe GOD allows humans to temporarily do their own thing, but is will have lesser results, like bronze compared to gold.

 

I also believe that human results require the need for JESUS to become our scapegoat. The overwhelming number of curtains and the extreme extra care it would take to fashion the curtains would remind the high priests of the need for GOD’s forgiveness.  GOD was very intentional in HIS choice of materials.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD remind Moses about the details regarding the curtains made from goat’s hair?
• Has GOD focused your attention on HIS mercy HE has for you?
• Have you placed your human efforts and expectations under GOD’s control?

First Set of Curtains for the Tabernacle

First Set of Curtains for the Tabernacle

Exodus 26: “Moreover you shall make the tabernacle with ten curtains of fine woven linen and blue, purple, and scarlet thread; with artistic designs of cherubim you shall weave them. ² The length of each curtain shall be twenty-eight cubits, and the width of each curtain four cubits. And every one of the curtains shall have the same measurements. ³ Five curtains shall be coupled to one another, and the other five curtains shall be coupled to one another. ⁴ And you shall make loops of blue yarn on the edge of the curtain on the selvedge of one set, and likewise you shall do on the outer edge of the other curtain of the second set. ⁵ Fifty loops you shall make in the one curtain, and fifty loops you shall make on the edge of the curtain that is on the end of the second set, that the loops may be clasped to one another. ⁶ And you shall make fifty clasps of gold, and couple the curtains together with the clasps, so that it may be one tabernacle.

 

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GOD gave Moses very detailed instructions on how to make the first set of curtains for the tabernacle.

 

My Observations:

• GOD wanted representation of angels HE would use to protect the people.
• GOD was very specific in terms of colors, measurements and numbers.
• GOD would provide the talent to the people who made the tabernacle curtains.

 

JESUS’s robe would be scarlet and purple, similar to the colors of the curtains. HIS robe mocked HIS kingly status. But the curtains were supposed to be special. Eventually there would be twenty-one curtains

 

Some of the curtains would be used to separate the three main sections of the tabernacle, namely the Outer Court, Holy Place and the Most Holy place or the Holies of Holies. The designs, colors and measurements were for humans to see and be reminded of GOD’s presence and protection. GOD provided the measurement and the skill it would take to make everything.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD remind Moses about the detailed measurements of the first set of curtains?
• Has GOD ever given you detailed instructions?
• What are you working on that is preparing you for your meetings with GOD?

 

Miracle of the Almond Blossoms Predicted

 Miracle of the Almond Blossoms Predicted

Exodus 25: ³¹ “You shall also make a lampstand of pure gold; the lampstand shall be of hammered work. Its shaft, its branches, its bowls, its ornamental knobs, and flowers shall be of one piece. ³² And six branches shall come out of its sides: three branches of the lampstand out of one side, and three branches of the lampstand out of the other side. ³³ Three bowls shall be made like almond blossoms on one branch, with an ornamental knob and a flower, and three bowls made like almond blossoms on the other branch, with an ornamental knob and a flower—and so for the six branches that come out of the lampstand. ³⁴ On the lampstand itself four bowls shall be made like almond blossoms, each with its ornamental knob and flower. ³⁵ And there shall be a knob under the first two branches of the same, a knob under the second two branches of the same, and a knob under the third two branches of the same, according to the six branches that extend from the lampstand. ³⁶ Their knobs and their branches shall be of one piece; all of it shall be one hammered piece of pure gold. ³⁷ You shall make seven lamps for it, and they shall arrange its lamps so that they give light in front of it. ³⁸ And its wick-trimmers and their trays shall be of pure gold. ³⁹ It shall be made of a talent of pure gold, with all these utensils. ⁴⁰ And see to it that you make them according to the pattern which was shown you on the mountain.

 

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GOD gave Moses specific instructions to make a gold lampstand. HE even may have shown him a pattern.

 

My Observations:

• GOD told Moses to add almond blossoms as a symbol of what HE was going to do.
• Eventually Aaron’s rod would blossom and produce almonds.
• Everything GOD does is intentional and had meaning of high importance.

 

Predicting that HE was going to make Aaron’s rod blossom almond blossoms may not have been understood by Moses at the time. But when it happened, he could look at the lampstand and see that GOD had it planned all along.

 

GOD is amazing! HE took something as simple as decorating a lampstand and turned it into a prophecy. JESUS would later use the lampstand as an analogy for seven churches mentions in Revelation. You and I are the light of the world. GOD wants out light held high, as if it were on a lampstand.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD remind Moses about the specifics of the lampstand?
• Has GOD given you specific instruction that you don’t understand?
• Even if you do not understand what GOD has you doing, will you continue anyway?

Breaking Bread

Breaking Bread

Exodus 25: ²³ “You shall also make a table of acacia wood; two cubits shall be its length, a cubit its width, and a cubit and a half its height. ²⁴ And you shall overlay it with pure gold, and make a molding of gold all around. ²⁵ You shall make for it a frame of a handbreadth all around, and you shall make a gold molding for the frame all around. ²⁶ And you shall make for it four rings of gold, and put the rings on the four corners that are at its four legs. ²⁷ The rings shall be close to the frame, as holders for the poles to bear the table. ²⁸ And you shall make the poles of acacia wood, and overlay them with gold, that the table may be carried with them. ²⁹ You shall make its dishes, its pans, its pitchers, and its bowls for pouring. You shall make them of pure gold. ³⁰ And you shall set the showbread on the table before Me always.

 

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GOD gave Moses specific instructions to build a table and dishes for HIM to have Showbread with him or any high priest.

 

My Observations:

• GOD wants to interact with HIS creation.
• Showbread, also known as shewbread, is unleavened, representing no sin.
• Gold was a remnant of the garden of Eden and is special to GOD.

 

Never leaving us or forsaking is included preparation to eat with us. GOD wanted a special, portable table that was to be handled properly. GOD was telling humans how to handle HIM properly.

 

HE wanted unleavened bread that was named Showbread or shewbread. GOD would eat with HIS creation in the form or the preincarnate JESUS. Eating is something that will happen forever. In heaven there will be a feast. GOD wants to interact with you and me.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD remind Moses about the special table for the Showbread?
• Have you made a special place or thing that honors GOD?
• What would you say to GOD if HE showed HIMSELF to you physically?

A Place of Mercy

A Place of Mercy

Exodus 25: ¹⁷ “You shall make a mercy seat of pure gold; two and a half cubits shall be its length and a cubit and a half its width. ¹⁸ And you shall make two cherubim of gold; of hammered work you shall make them at the two ends of the mercy seat. ¹⁹ Make one cherub at one end, and the other cherub at the other end; you shall make the cherubim at the two ends of it of one piece with the mercy seat. ²⁰ And the cherubim shall stretch out their wings above, covering the mercy seat with their wings, and they shall face one another; the faces of the cherubim shall be toward the mercy seat. ²¹ You shall put the mercy seat on top of the ark, and in the ark you shall put the Testimony that I will give you. ²² And there I will meet with you, and I will speak with you from above the mercy seat, from between the two cherubim which are on the ark of the Testimony, about everything which I will give you in commandment to the children of Israel.

 

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GOD gave specific instructions regarding building a mercy seat that would be the top of the Ark of the Testimony. HE also said HE would meet Moses there and any high priest.

 

My Observations:

• GOD planned out HIS mercy.
• GOD had a specific way HE wanted to deal with the mercy of the people.
• GOD was making the children of Israel aware that they needed mercy.

 

Specific instructions required specific skills that would be assigned later in the process. GOD focused on the need for HIS mercy. HE knew humans would try to make up their own rules and would leave HIM out of their plans. HE developed a process that required the admission of sin to receive mercy.

 

GOD still requires us to admit we need JESUS for our salvation and for daily decision making. If we let the world dictate our direction, we would not admit we need GOD. Only one person could fit on the mercy seat. GOD would speak from above to the person sitting on the seat.

 

Challenge:

• Why does GOD remind Moses about the mercy seat that would fit on the Ark of the Testimony?
• Have you learned GOD’s process for receiving mercy?
• Have you asked GOD for mercy before asking for things that may take you away from HIM?

Build an Ark

Build an Ark

Exodus 25: ¹⁰ “And they shall make an ark of acacia wood; two and a half cubits shall be its length, a cubit and a half its width, and a cubit and a half its height. ¹¹ And you shall overlay it with pure gold, inside and out you shall overlay it, and shall make on it a molding of gold all around. ¹² You shall cast four rings of gold for it, and put them in its four corners; two rings shall be on one side, and two rings on the other side. ¹³ And you shall make poles of acacia wood, and overlay them with gold. ¹⁴ You shall put the poles into the rings on the sides of the ark, that the ark may be carried by them. ¹⁵ The poles shall be in the rings of the ark; they shall not be taken from it. ¹⁶ And you shall put into the ark the Testimony which I will give you.

 

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GOD told Moses to build the ark of the Testimony. HE gave specific instructions on how to build the ark.

 

My Observations:

• Gold is a special metal that GOD instructed them to use.
• This is the third and final ark of the Bible.
• GOD told Moses to build an ark, but did not tell him what to put in it yet.

 

First there was Noah’s ark. Then Jochebed mad an ark to save Moses. Now GOD instructed Moses to build the ark of the Testimony. The first two arks were used for a short-term, highly valuable mission to save one or more people. But this ark would be used for decades.

 

The builders of the ark could touch the wood and the gold without harming themselves. But when the ark was filled with the items GOD wanted in there, the ark would become deadly. This ark was to be handled properly and with holy wisdom.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD remind Moses about HIS instructions to build the ark of the Testimony?
• Has GOD given you specific instructions?
• What is GOD telling you to build?

Pattern of the Tabernacle

Pattern of the Tabernacle

Exodus 25: Then the Lord spoke to Moses, saying: ² “Speak to the children of Israel, that they bring Me an offering. From everyone who gives it willingly with his heart you shall take My offering. ³ And this is the offering which you shall take from them: gold, silver, and bronze; ⁴ blue, purple, and scarlet thread, fine linen, and goats’ hair; ⁵ ram skins dyed red, badger skins, and acacia wood; ⁶ oil for the light, and spices for the anointing oil and for the sweet incense; ⁷ onyx stones, and stones to be set in the ephod and in the breastplate. ⁸ And let them make Me a sanctuary, that I may dwell among them. ⁹ According to all that I show you, that is, the pattern of the tabernacle and the pattern of all its furnishings, just so you shall make it.

 

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Moses and Joshua went up the mountain as GOD told them to do. There GOD gave directions on what to build for HIM to go along with the children of Israel on their journey.

 

My Observations:

• GOD asked for people to willingly give an offering so they could be part of the process of building the tabernacle.
• GOD was making a temporary meeting place that had HIS specifications that mimicked the temple revealed to the writer John.
• GOD was preparing the people to address HIM with sovereignty versus commonality.
• GOD used lots of colors including gold, silver, bronze, blue, purple, red, white and black.
• GOD used textures that rounded out the senses of humans like soft hair and smooth stones.

 

Before GOD gave any law, HE provided a place to put the law HE would make. Sinai means jagged stone. This is the place GOD would write HIS law in something that would not smudge or fade. The tablets were to be placed in the tabernacle they were about to build.

 

GOD shows us HIS promise that HE would never leave us or forsake us. HE wanted a place where HE would come and be with HIS people. HE knew what the temple in heaven looked like and HE wanted to mimic this in the tent. The temple seen in heaven would be slightly different, because there would be no need to confess sin or sacrifice due to sin.

 

A tabernacle is a tent. This could be carried around and temporarily erected at the place GOD guided them to. GOD knew the two-week journey would take forty years.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD remind Moses about the offering instructions for the tabernacle?
• Has GOD become too common in your life?
• What can you learn about GOD’s formality when it comes to HIS instructions for holiness?

Significance of Sinai

Significance of Sinai

Exodus 24: ¹² Then the Lord said to Moses, “Come up to Me on the mountain and be there; and I will give you tablets of stone, and the law and commandments which I have written, that you may teach them.”

 

¹³ So Moses arose with his assistant Joshua, and Moses went up to the mountain of God. ¹⁴ And he said to the elders, “Wait here for us until we come back to you. Indeed, Aaron and Hur are with you. If any man has a difficulty, let him go to them.” ¹⁵ Then Moses went up into the mountain, and a cloud covered the mountain.

 

¹⁶ Now the glory of the Lord rested on Mount Sinai, and the cloud covered it six days. And on the seventh day He called to Moses out of the midst of the cloud. ¹⁷ The sight of the glory of the Lord was like a consuming fire on the top of the mountain in the eyes of the children of Israel. ¹⁸ So Moses went into the midst of the cloud and went up into the mountain. And Moses was on the mountain forty days and forty nights.

 

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GOD called Moses to come up to the top of the mountain so HE could give stone tablets which would contain the law and commandments HE wanted the children of Israel to follow.

 

My Observations:

• Mount Horeb and Mount Sinai are the same mountain but had different names for the reason Moses was there.
• GOD announced HE would chisel the law into stone and that is what Sinai means, jagged rock.
• Moses took Joshua with him to help him up the mountain and because Joshua showed leadership.
• GOD made Moses wait until the seventh day.
• Moses stayed up on the mountain 40 days and 40 nights.

 

Shortly after leaving Egypt, the children of Israel encountered a battle with the Amalekites. Moses may have trained Joshua on Egyptian fighting styles. Moses asked Joshua to gather fighters to defeat the Amalekites. This was a supernatural battle that could only be won as long as Aaron and Hur held up Moses’s arms.

 

Now Moses, Joshua, Aaron and Hur had to divide, Moses and Joshua wen to see the LORD and Aaron and Hur stayed with the leaders of Israel. I believe Sinai is significant because this is the event that GOD would provide the law and commandments, just like other places were named after events.

 

The Horeb event was Moses meeting GOD. The Sinai event was Moses receiving tablets of stone. Same place, two different events. This place also showed that GOD repeats the number seven and forty often. Moses stayed up on the mountain 40 days and 40 nights, similarly to Noah’s time in the ark and the time JESUS spent in the desert being tempted. GOD was about to do something significant.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD remind Moses about being called up to receive the stone tablets?
• Do you believe that GOD does significant things in your life?
• What significant thing is GOD doing in you and through you?

They Saw GOD

 

They Saw GOD

Exodus 24: ⁹ Then Moses went up, also Aaron, Nadab, and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel, ¹⁰ and they saw the God of Israel. And there was under His feet as it were a paved work of sapphire stone, and it was like the very heavens in its clarity. ¹¹ But on the nobles of the children of Israel He did not lay His hand. So they saw God, and they ate and drank.

 

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Moses and the leaders of Israel went up part of the way of the mountain. When they got to a certain point, they could see GOD.

 

My Observations:

• I believe they saw the preincarnate JESUS.
• I believe JESUS brought HIS own pavement from heaven and it was a blue sapphire with extreme clarity.
• I believe JESUS did not touch the leaders of Israel because HE did not anoint all of them.

 

Seeing GOD should have been enough to keep the faith extremely high for the rest of their lives. In fact, they heard what Moses said when he first mentioned that GOD was going to dismantle Egypt. They saw the plagues and saw that they were not affected by them. They saw the defeat of Egypt. They got water from a rock. They also received Manna and quail every day.

 

But the children of Israel had a mindset that was difficult to change. No matter what was given to them or shown to them, they would still think the way they wanted. JESUS appeared in preincarnate form and did not touch them. They may have been excited to be chosen to see GOD, so they celebrated by eating the sacrificial food. They saw GOD, BUT GOD did not touch them.

 

Challenge

• Why did GOD remind Moses about the leaders of Israel seeing JESUS?
• Has GOD provided for you, shown you wonders and given you promises and yet, you still have not fully believed and are choosing your own path?
• How much more does GOD have to do for you to put your trust in HIM?

Agreeing With the Book of the Covenant

Agreeing With the Book of the Covenant

Exodus 24: Now He said to Moses, “Come up to the Lord, you and Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel, and worship from afar. ² And Moses alone shall come near the Lord, but they shall not come near; nor shall the people go up with him.”

 

³ So Moses came and told the people all the words of the Lord and all the judgments. And all the people answered with one voice and said, “All the words which the Lord has said we will do.” ⁴ And Moses wrote all the words of the Lord. And he rose early in the morning, and built an altar at the foot of the mountain, and twelve pillars according to the twelve tribes of Israel. ⁵ Then he sent young men of the children of Israel, who offered burnt offerings and sacrificed peace offerings of oxen to the Lord. ⁶ And Moses took half the blood and put it in basins, and half the blood he sprinkled on the altar. ⁷ Then he took the Book of the Covenant and read in the hearing of the people. And they said, “All that the Lord has said we will do, and be obedient.” ⁸ And Moses took the blood, sprinkled it on the people, and said, “This is the blood of the covenant which the Lord has made with you according to all these words.”

 

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After hearing GOD’s voice, the people got scared and asked Moses to speak to GOD. So GOD spoke to Moses and gave him laws, rules and guidelines to protect the children of Israel. Moses wrote them down and read them to the children of Israel. They agreed.

 

My Observations:

• GOD told Moses to bring Aaron and Aaron’s sons and seventy elders up to worship HIM.
• GOD then told Moses that he was the only one who was allowed up, but the rest were closer to GOD’s proximity.
• Moses wrote all of GOD’s laws, rules and guidelines HE gave from the Ten Commandments up to this point.

 

It was now a couple of months into the trip to the promised land. GOD spoke to everyone, stating the Ten Commandments out loud. Everyone got so scared that they begged Moses to speak to GOD and for him to bring what HE said to them. GOD took time and gave Laws, rules and guidelines to Moses. He read them to the people. They agreed.

 

Aaron’s sons, Nadab and Abihu were the first high priests outside of Moses and Aaron. It’s amazing that GOD would call specific people, knowing when and how they would fall. These brothers are known for offering “strange fire” to the LORD much later. But for now, they were part of the establishment of high priests. The people agreed when things were going well. Little did they know that times would get difficult.

 

Challenge

• Why did GOD call for specific people to hear the reading of what HE commanded?
• Have you agreed to show love, joy, peace and patience and other parts of the fruit of the Spirit, yet have reneged?
• Will you praise GOD today for giving you many chances to get it right without condemning you because HE loves you?

Addressing Fear

Addressing Fear

Exodus 23: ²⁷ “I will send My fear before you, I will cause confusion among all the people to whom you come, and will make all your enemies turn their backs to you. ²⁸ And I will send hornets before you, which shall drive out the Hivite, the Canaanite, and the Hittite from before you. ²⁹ I will not drive them out from before you in one year, lest the land become desolate and the beasts of the field become too numerous for you. ³⁰ Little by little I will drive them out from before you, until you have increased, and you inherit the land. ³¹ And I will set your bounds from the Red Sea to the sea, Philistia, and from the desert to the River. For I will deliver the inhabitants of the land into your hand, and you shall drive them out before you. ³² You shall make no covenant with them, nor with their gods. ³³ They shall not dwell in your land, lest they make you sin against Me. For if you serve their gods, it will surely be a snare to you.”

 

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GOD continued speaking to Moses. This time HE addressed fear.

 

My Observations:

• GOD knew the people feared the numerous groups of people who inhabited the promise land.
• GOD’s reputation of destroying Sodom and dismantling the Egyptian ways were not enough for the children of Israel.
• GOD would use something small, yet powerful to drive out their enemies, namely hornets.

 

Fear, confusion and hornets would be the weapons GOD would use to drive out the people. HE could have killed those who oppose HIS way, BUT GOD acts graciously. HE allowed them to live, but HE would drive them out. This promise would be forgotten by the children of Israel.

 

When they finally were ready to take the promised land, they would forget that the LORD would do the fighting. We do the same. When something seems large and daunting, we feel GOD cannot handle it. GOD used very small things to address the big things.

 

Strong armies were no match for hornets. HE would drive them out little by little. I believe GOD does the same for you and me. HE drives away the large problem, little by little until it is gone. Then HIS large promise can easily be fulfilled.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD remind Moses about HIS promise?
• Has GOD put you in a situation where you have to depend on HIM clearing the way first?
• Can you address your fear by watching GOD work out the large promise HE made to you?

Addressing Health

Addressing Health

Exodus 23: ²⁵ “So you shall serve the Lord your God, and He will bless your bread and your water. And I will take sickness away from the midst of you. ²⁶ No one shall suffer miscarriage or be barren in your land; I will fulfill the number of your days.

 

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GOD continues to remind Moses about HIS conversation concerning health.

 

My Observations:

• GOD told humans to be fruitful and multiply, so HE promised that HE would take away sickness.
• GOD knew HE would provide a Savior that would be born of a human, so HE would take away miscarriages to fulfill HIS prophecy.
• GOD promised to give an abundant life to those who served the LORD.

 

Serving GOD comes with benefits. HE will bless the food we eat, take away sickness and make us able to be fruitful and multiply. Unfortunately, the children of Israel quickly turned from GOD and we have done the same.

 

Sickness happens and so does miscarriages. People die without having an abundant life. GOD knows what it takes to gain health and HIS protection from ourselves. Satan’s attempt to become GOD by making humans fall into sin would fail if we would just keep GOD’s commands. But it’s hard to do so with a natural desire to go against HIS will.

 

GOD provided comforting words that enable us to get back into alignment with HIM. HE wants us to have food, health, things that flourish and abundant life. Serving GOD means surrendering our thoughts of success and following what HE says would make us successful. HE wants you and me to succeed.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD remind Moses about HIS promises of health?
• Are you serving the LORD to get something from HIM or because you love HIM and HE loves you?
• Have you tried serving GOD with all your heart and not wanting anything in return?

Addressing Struggles with Other Humans

 Addressing Struggles with Other Humans

Exodus 23: ²⁰ “Behold, I send an Angel before you to keep you in the way and to bring you into the place which I have prepared. ²¹ Beware of Him and obey His voice; do not provoke Him, for He will not pardon your transgressions; for My name is in Him. ²² But if you indeed obey His voice and do all that I speak, then I will be an enemy to your enemies and an adversary to your adversaries. ²³ For My Angel will go before you and bring you in to the Amorites and the Hittites and the Perizzites and the Canaanites and the Hivites and the Jebusites; and I will cut them off. ²⁴ You shall not bow down to their gods, nor serve them, nor do according to their works; but you shall utterly overthrow them and completely break down their sacred pillars.

 

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GOD continued speaking to Moses. This time HE mentions the preincarnate JESUS.

 

My Observations:

• GOD mentions that an Angel would or would not pardon transgressions.
• JESUS is the only being given the authority to pardon transgressions.
• JESUS would go before the children of Israel to fight their battles.

 

Humans try to say GOD does not have conditions. HIS love stretches the bounds of sin, so HIS love is unconditional. BUT HIS protection and guidance seem to have conditions. “If you obey HIS voice,” is a condition that would provide the children of Israel protection against those who rebelled against GOD.

 

First it was the people of Canaan who hated GOD and HIS ways. They developed rocks and wood and gold as things to worship. They made sacred pillars that solidified their rebellion against GOD. Everything about the various groups mentioned pointed to a broken relationship with GOD.

 

JESUS would be the Angel who would go before the children of Israel. HE would guide them, but they would still need to be the ones who would drive the rebels out of the promised land. The condition of listening to JESUS was established. Those who rebelled would be cut off. I believe this is the eternal separation from GOD that we could face by not believing in JESUS.

 

The children of Israel would face struggles with other people that JESUS would take care of. All they had to do was obey HIM and not provoke HIM. HE was leading them to a better place. To provoke HIM would be an act of disbelief in HIS guidance.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD remind Moses about the leading of “An Angel?”
• Have you examined yourself to see if you have any ways that may provoke the LORD?
• Do you realize that JESUS wants you to be successful in HIS plan and path?

 

Addressing Celebration of Deliverance

 

Addressing Celebration of Deliverance

Exodus 23: ¹⁴ “Three times you shall keep a feast to Me in the year: ¹⁵ You shall keep the Feast of Unleavened Bread (you shall eat unleavened bread seven days, as I commanded you, at the time appointed in the month of Abib, for in it you came out of Egypt; none shall appear before Me empty); ¹⁶ and the Feast of Harvest, the firstfruits of your labors which you have sown in the field; and the Feast of Ingathering at the end of the year, when you have gathered in the fruit of your labors from the field.

 

¹⁷ “Three times in the year all your males shall appear before the Lord God.

¹⁸ “You shall not offer the blood of My sacrifice with leavened bread; nor shall the fat of My ^[d]sacrifice remain until morning. ¹⁹ The first of the firstfruits of your land you shall bring into the house of the Lord your God. You shall not boil a young goat in its mother’s milk.

 

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GOD continued speaking to Moses. This time HE addressed celebrations.

 

My Observations:

• GOD knew people would forget how HE delivered them out of Egypt so HE instituted celebrating unleavened bread.
• GOD foreshadowed the Pentecost, where JESUS appeared to many people after HIS resurrection, by instituting a feast to remember spring, or new life.
• GOD desired to end the year with a celebration of the best of the harvest.

 

Remembering GOD seems to be very important to HIM. HE knows our sin nature will make us forget what HE does and our relationship with HIM will be viewed as secondary. Unleavened bread is symbolic for no sin. A sinless human could open the scroll. No sin, or no yeast was to be celebrated.

 

The next celebration was symbolic of the resurrection of JESUS. Spring shows new life and GOD made it easy for us to remember HIS SON’s resurrection and appearance to people afterwards.

 

The final celebration was a harvest feast that required the best of the harvest to be brought into the places of worship and sacrificed to GOD and given to people. These harvests were all about food and togetherness while remembering GOD.

 

Stopping work to intentionally remember GOD is a sign of surrender that the people needed to learn. Pharaoh had the people working seven days a week and had created a mindset that rest would cause problems with productivity. This mindset still lingers today as people try to overwork and under trust GOD. Food is needed to sustain life. GOD wanted to show HE is in control of sustaining life.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD remind Moses about the celebrations HE instituted?
• How do you intentionally remember GOD?
• Is there an annual celebration that you can follow or institute to remember GOD’s greatness in your life?

Addressing Replenishment

Addressing Replenishment

Exodus 23: ¹⁰ “Six years you shall sow your land and gather in its produce, ¹¹ but the seventh year you shall let it rest and lie fallow, that the poor of your people may eat; and what they leave, the beasts of the field may eat. In like manner you shall do with your vineyard and your olive grove. ¹² Six days you shall do your work, and on the seventh day you shall rest, that your ox and your donkey may rest, and the son of your female servant and the stranger may be refreshed.

 

¹³ “And in all that I have said to you, be circumspect and make no mention of the name of other gods, nor let it be heard from your mouth.

 

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GOD continued to speak to Moses. This time HE spoke about rest.

 

My Observations:

• When Adam and Eve caused humans to fall, the conditions of the earth changed and now humans would have to work the soil to help food grow.
• When GOD made the garden of Eden, it did not need rest, but when HE cursed the earth, everything outside of the garden needed rest.
• Every seventh year, provide for the poor and let the soil rest and replenish.

 

Replenishment seemed to be the answer to the curse of GOD. Our temporary bodies and the land needs rest to keep producing. In order to have plenty, rest is needed. GOD was gracious when HE cursed the land. HE could have made it not produce anything and ended humanity right after Adam and Eve. BUT GOD desired humanity to flourish. We need the earth to flourish and it needs rest to do so.

 

But then GOD said something strange. “Make no mention of the name of other gods.” I believe that when humans get into a rhythm or work and rest, we can lose sight of GOD. Even worse, we can assign to a god what should be assigned to the one and only true GOD.

 

By stating that a god provided the food, we are not thanking the true GOD for what HE has done. Some humans want their names mentioned daily or even place their pictures or names everywhere to appear godlike.

 

Our temporary bodies need rest and so do the fields. GOD made a way for us to worship HIM while resting. This is grace.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD remind Moses about replenishment?
• Have you ever thought it was good to work yourself into exhaustion?
• How are you intentionally resting so you can be replenished for GOD’s purpose?

Addressing Integrity

Addressing Integrity

Exodus 23: “You shall not circulate a false report. Do not put your hand with the wicked to be an unrighteous witness. ² You shall not follow a crowd to do evil; nor shall you testify in a dispute so as to turn aside after many to pervert justice. ³ You shall not show partiality to a poor man in his dispute.

 

⁴ “If you meet your enemy’s ox or his donkey going astray, you shall surely bring it back to him again. ⁵ If you see the donkey of one who hates you lying under its burden, and you would refrain from helping it, you shall surely help him with it.

 

⁶ “You shall not pervert the judgment of your poor in his dispute. ⁷ Keep yourself far from a false matter; do not kill the innocent and righteous. For I will not justify the wicked. ⁸ And you shall take no bribe, for a bribe blinds the discerning and perverts the words of the righteous.

 

⁹ “Also you shall not oppress a stranger, for you know the heart of a stranger, because you were strangers in the land of Egypt.

 

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GOD continued speaking to Moses. This time HE had many things to say about using clear judgment or integrity in matters.

 

My Observations:

• GOD wanted impartial judgment.
• GOD wanted fair treatment, even towards enemies.
• GOD wanted a mindset that treats strangers well.

 

Rumors are unverified stories, gossip, or pieces of information that pass quickly from person to person without proof of whether they are true or false. Moses had a difficult job assigned to him. He had to lead the people into the promised land, and he had to judge disputes along the way.

 

While this set of scripture can be applied universally to you and me, I believe there was a personal meaning for Moses. He had to face poor people who would lie and wealthy people who were getting lied on. He would also face rich people trying to bribe him.

 

GOD was universally addressing integrity. HE wanted to introduce resilience to rumors, lies, bribes and ill feelings towards enemies. GOD’s expectation of HIS people was to be above lies, bribes and hatred. HE still wants this for you and me. HE wants us to have compassion for strangers as we were once strangers.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD remind Moses about HIS view on justice and integrity?
• Do your lips easily spread gossip, rumors or unverified information to feel superior?
• Have you asked yourself, “Am I trying to be superior with unverified information or should I use integrity to please GOD?”

Addressing Plentifulness and Holiness

Addressing Plentifulness and Holiness

Exodus 22: ²⁹ “You shall not delay to offer the first of your ripe produce and your juices. The firstborn of your sons you shall give to Me. ³⁰ Likewise you shall do with your oxen and your sheep. It shall be with its mother seven days; on the eighth day you shall give it to Me.

³¹ “And you shall be holy men to Me: you shall not eat meat torn by beasts in the field; you shall throw it to the dogs.

 

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GOD continued speaking to Moses. This time HE mentions what to do with the first fruits and the first born and with an animal killed by an animal.

 

My Observations:

• GOD seemed to be addressing a mindset that HE provides plenty and the children of Israel need not hold back on what they considered “the best.”
• GOD knew the children of Israel desired to carry on HIS promise of making Abraham a great nation and HE wanted then to set aside the firstborn male as a sign of acknowledging JESUS.
• GOD set a standard of not eating an animal killed by another animal.

 

This set of rules seem simple on the surface, but are highly symbolic. JESUS is represented in these rules and GOD wanted people to be aware of HIS promise to Abraham. The blood of CHRIST is remembered to this day by drinking the ripe juices.

 

JESUS was the first-born and only SON of GOD. Every firstborn was to be consecrated and given to GOD as a holy representative in the family. Animal sacrifice would become the norm for the children of Israel. The firstborn oxen and sheep would be required to be handled specially.

 

Animals without a spot or blemish would be required to be presented as a sacrifice to the LORD. HE extended this rule to what the people ate. No meat torn by another animal was to be consumed. GOD knew that the people who would eat after an animal would also sacrifice to HIM in a poor fashion.

 

GOD was about to give HIS best, namely JESUS. HE expected to get the best as a symbolic acknowledgement of what HE was doing.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD remind Moses about the rules that portray HIS plentifulness and HIS holiness?
• Have you treated GOD as common or something that is not special?
• Is there a standard that can be raised in your life that represents your relationship with GOD?

Addressing Criticism of GOD and Leadership

Addressing Criticism of GOD and Leadership

Exodus 22: ²⁸ “You shall not revile God, nor curse a ruler of your people.

 

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GOD continued speaking to Moses. This time HE addressed insults and criticism of HIM and of leaders HE put in place.

 

My Observations:

• GOD’s ways will seem strange to humans because we have a sin nature that fights against HIM.
• GOD does not expect us to agree with rulers, but HE expects that we act like HIM by not insulting them.
• GOD puts HIMSELF as our leader in this statement and warns us that we should not insult HIM.

 

Revile means to criticize someone or something very strongly, angrily, and with harsh insults.

 

When GOD told Noah there was evil on the ark, HE was giving a warning that even though humanity was physically saved, there was still a problem. Humans needed a real and true Savior, namely JESUS. Canaan rebelled against GOD and recruited many followers.

 

Now the children of Israel were about to go out on their own and had the choice to rebel like Canaan. GOD warned them that complaining about HIM or the leaders HE put in place for the children of Israel would be problematic.

 

The scary thing about this statement is GOD does not give an “or else.” HE allows us to be as free as we want, just like Pharaoh. GOD’s way of hardening a heart is to allow the person to think they are right. This solidifies their passion to continue to be right without surrendering to hear what GOD is saying.

 

This type of person will complain in their heart about leaders, good or bad. Terrible rulers have been put in place for centuries. BUT GOD is the ultimate leader who loves us and cares deeply for us. We become more like Canaan when we complain about rulers, even the terrible ones. GOD has the bad ruler under HIS control.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD remind Moses, a leader, about HIS command about not angrily insulting leadership?
• What leader have you joined in to insult and how do you think GOD views it?
• How are angry insults damaging your relationship with GOD?

Addressing Graciousness in Lending

Addressing Graciousness in Lending

Exodus 22: ²⁵ “If you lend money to any of My people who are poor among you, you shall not be like a moneylender to him; you shall not charge him interest. ²⁶ If you ever take your neighbor’s garment as a pledge, you shall return it to him before the sun goes down. ²⁷ For that is his only covering, it is his garment for his skin. What will he sleep in? And it will be that when he cries to Me, I will hear, for I am gracious.

 

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GOD continued speaking to Moses. This time HE spoke about lending.

 

My Observations:

• GOD gave the capability for people to raise money for themselves without HIS intervention and some people would be poor.
• Some poor people may need to borrow money or things from those who have more.
• GOD wants those who lend money or things, to be gracious and different than shrewd business people.

 

“If you lend” does not mean you have to lend. But if you do, then be gracious. The children of Israel had not been free for 430 years. Their mindset was on being in need versus being the one who lends. Since they did not have the mindset of a gracious lender, their only example may have been moneylenders who charge interest.

 

GOD takes it a step further. HE mentions if a person holds a garment as collateral, the lender should be gracious and give it back before sundown. Here, GOD goes into detail about graciousness. I believe HE is saying that if a person complains about the lender who holds his only garment as collateral, then GOD will listen to the borrower versus the lender. Why? Because GOD is gracious.

 

The condition is this is the person’s only garment. Something precious. We get a lot of insight about GOD in this set of rules. People will be poor. People will be wealthy. The way to please GOD is with graciousness on either side. GOD made us in HIS image. This means we have the capability to show grace, no matter what circumstance we are in.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD remind Moses about HIS graciousness?
• Have you ever loaned someone money and acted worse than moneylenders?
• Have you self-examined your graciousness when it comes to borrowing or lending?

Addressing Caring for Widows and Orphans

 Addressing Caring for Widows and Orphans

Exodus 22: ²² “You shall not afflict any widow or fatherless child. ²³ If you afflict them in any way, and they cry at all to Me, I will surely hear their cry; ²⁴ and My wrath will become hot, and I will kill you with the sword; your wives shall be widows, and your children fatherless.

 

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GOD continued to speak to Moses about how to treat people. This time HE specifically calls out widows and orphans.

 

My Observations:

• GOD shows HIS heart for taking care of people, especially those who are helpless.
• Widows and orphans traditionally were not allowed to have land or inherit anything from the children of Israel.
• GOD stated that HIS wrath would be poured out on those who afflicted the widows and orphans.

 

Caring for people is part of GOD’s nature. HE does not want those who are not allowed to own land to be put to harsh tasks. Afflicted could mean a form of slavery or harsh mistreatment. GOD did not mind widows working, as long as they had their fair chance and were not treated harshly.

 

Orphans who had no land to inherit were to be treated equally when they worked for someone. GOD implied that HE was watching how people treat one another. Bullying people in the workplace does not sit well with GOD. Nor does mistreating widows and orphans, favoring those who would inherit the land.

 

What does this tell us about today? Homeless people are less favored than self-care. Affliction can come in many flavors. Its root is in selfishness and hatred. GOD showed that HIS people were to be kind to those who wanted to work, but were not allowed, or they were treated poorly.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD remind Moses about caring for widows and orphans?
• Has GOD opened your eyes to widows, orphans and homeless people?
• What can you do today to show you care for other people that GOD cares for?

Addressing Mistreatment

Addressing Mistreatment

Exodus 22: ¹⁶ “If a man entices a virgin who is not betrothed, and lies with her, he shall surely pay the bride-price for her to be his wife. ¹⁷ If her father utterly refuses to give her to him, he shall pay money according to the bride-price of virgins.

 

¹⁸ “You shall not permit a sorceress to live.

 

¹⁹ “Whoever lies with an animal shall surely be put to death.

 

²⁰ “He who sacrifices to any god, except to the Lord only, he shall be utterly destroyed.

 

²¹ “You shall neither mistreat a stranger nor oppress him, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt.

 

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GOD continued speaking to Moses. This time HE gave several statements.

 

My Observations:

• GOD seemed to be addressing mistreatment of self-control.
• Each of the statements seem unrelated, but may have the same root.
• GOD seems to desire that we become like HIM.

 

Lack of self-control which could lead to mistreating people or self seems to be what GOD is addressing. A male child of the descendants of Israel, needed to have self-control that was not expressed by those who followed the ways of Canaan.

 

When Adam and Eve chose to eat from the Tree of Knowledge, they unleashed exposure to desires that would require understanding and to control them. Sexual desires are not bad, but if a man could not control himself, then something needed to be done. In some instances, the situation could not be made right by exchanging wealth.

 

GOD never meant to become the ultimate punisher as we perceive HIM. If I were to paraphrase a rule as an example it would say “Don’t use any power that could come from Satan to provide for other people in ways that are categorized as sorcery. If you do, you will be put to death.”

 

Having sex with animals, sacrificing to fictitious or human gods was prohibited. And mistreating strangers lacked the compassion that GOD showed on the children of Israel. GOD knew how low humans could sink in terms of depravity. HE wanted HIS people to be successful.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD remind Moses about various ways humans could mistreat themselves and other people?
• Are there any ways you are mistreating people or yourself?
• What does treating people like GOD wants you to treat them look like?

Addressing Blame

Addressing Blame

Exodus 22: ⁹ “For any kind of trespass, whether it concerns an ox, a donkey, a sheep, or clothing, or for any kind of lost thing which another claims to be his, the cause of both parties shall come before the judges; and whomever the judges condemn shall pay double to his neighbor. ¹⁰ If a man delivers to his neighbor a donkey, an ox, a sheep, or any animal to keep, and it dies, is hurt, or driven away, no one seeing it, ¹¹ then an oath of the Lord shall be between them both, that he has not put his hand into his neighbor’s goods; and the owner of it shall accept that, and he shall not make it good. ¹² But if, in fact, it is stolen from him, he shall make restitution to the owner of it. ¹³ If it is torn to pieces by a beast, then he shall bring it as evidence, and he shall not make good what was torn.

 

¹⁴ “And if a man borrows anything from his neighbor, and it becomes injured or dies, the owner of it not being with it, he shall surely make it good. ¹⁵ If its owner was with it, he shall not make it good; if it was hired, it came for its hire.

 

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GOD continued with HIS discussion with Moses. HE provided rules to guide people in dealing with conflict.

 

My Observations:

• GOD knew people would have selective memories when it concerned conflicting situations that needed to be resolved.
• GOD allowed humans to deal with their own situations versus inserting HIMSELF.
• GOD seemed to also be addressing a mindset of blame.

 

Being responsible for an accidental death of an animal meant paying for the dead animal because it was in the care of someone else. This applied to lost or stolen items as well. I believe GOD wants us to see two things, namely blame and responsibility.

 

Before taking on the care of an animal or a thing of value, know that you are responsible for it until it is returned. Blaming the person who put the thing in your care does not go well with GOD, so do not accept the responsibility. The same goes for the person who needs someone to care for something.

 

The owner of that thing needs to be responsible for placing something of value with people who may or may not care. The owner had responsibility of not blaming the caretaker. I believe GOD was demonstrating the care we should have in spreading the Gospel.

 

GOD gave this extremely important message and wants us to care for it without accidental death. HE wants us to be joyful in spreading the Gospel versus blaming HIM. The mindset of blame had to be addressed and turned into a mindset of responsibility.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD remind Moses about HIS rule or responsibility?
• Have you examined your tendencies to see if you blame others easily?
• Are you blaming GOD for anything that you should be responsible for?