1 "Now this is what you shall do to them to consecrate them to minister as priests to Me: take one young bull and two rams without blemish, 2 and unleavened bread and unleavened cakes mixed with oil, and unleavened wafers spread with oil; you shall make them of fine wheat flour. 3 "You shall put them in one basket, and present them in the basket along with the bull and the two rams. 4 "Then you shall bring Aaron and his sons to the doorway of the tent of meeting and wash them with water. 5 "You shall take the garments, and put on Aaron the tunic and the robe of the ephod and the ephod and the breastpiece, and gird him with the skillfully woven band of the ephod; 6 and you shall set the turban on his head and put the holy crown on the turban. 7 "Then you shall take the anointing oil and pour it on his head and anoint him. 8 "You shall bring his sons and put tunics on them. 9 "You shall gird them with sashes, Aaron and his sons, and bind caps on them, and they shall have the priesthood by a perpetual statute. So you shall ordain Aaron and his sons.
Even though God had ordained that Aaron and his sons should have the priesthood in perpetuity, it was up to Aaron to pass down the traditions and customs of the priesthood. So it is with us as believers. God wants to bless our children forever, but He can only do so if we remember to pass on the baton, and "train up the child in the way that he should go."
Saturday, July 31, 2010
Friday, July 30, 2010
40 "For Aaron's sons you shall make tunics; you shall also make sashes for them, and you shall make caps for them, for glory and for beauty. 41 "You shall put them on Aaron your brother and on his sons with him; and you shall anoint them and ordain them and consecrate them, that they may serve Me as priests. 42 "You shall make for them linen breeches to cover their bare flesh; they shall reach from the loins even to the thighs. 43 "They shall be on Aaron and on his sons when they enter the tent of meeting, or when they approach the altar to minister in the holy place, so that they do not incur guilt and die. It shall be a statute forever to him and to his descendants after him.
The priesthood was a very special honor. As it says here, it meant you were anointed, ordained, and consecrated. You were set apart for God's service. It ought to be a sobering thought then, that Paul says we are a "royal priesthood." Who? All believers. We no longer have priests (unless you're Roman-Catholic). We no longer need someone else to take our sins and sacrifice before God. We have direct communion with God. Wow. Wow Wow. That's incredible. Don't take it lightly.
The priesthood was a very special honor. As it says here, it meant you were anointed, ordained, and consecrated. You were set apart for God's service. It ought to be a sobering thought then, that Paul says we are a "royal priesthood." Who? All believers. We no longer have priests (unless you're Roman-Catholic). We no longer need someone else to take our sins and sacrifice before God. We have direct communion with God. Wow. Wow Wow. That's incredible. Don't take it lightly.
Thursday, July 29, 2010
Exodus 28:36-39
36 "You shall also make a plate of pure gold and shall engrave on it, like the engravings of a seal, `Holy to the LORD.' 37 "You shall fasten it on a blue cord, and it shall be on the turban; it shall be at the front of the turban. 38"It shall be on Aaron's forehead, and Aaron shall take away the iniquity of the holy things which the sons of Israel consecrate, with regard to all their holy gifts; and it shall always be on his forehead, that they may be accepted before the LORD.
39 "You shall weave the tunic of checkered work of fine linen, and shall make a turban of fine linen, and you shall make a sash, the work of a weaver.
Aaron had a continual reminder that he was to be "holy to the Lord." But God calls each of us to no less. What reminds you to keep yourself holy? What reminds you that you are sanctified/set apart? Nothing? Find something.
39 "You shall weave the tunic of checkered work of fine linen, and shall make a turban of fine linen, and you shall make a sash, the work of a weaver.
Aaron had a continual reminder that he was to be "holy to the Lord." But God calls each of us to no less. What reminds you to keep yourself holy? What reminds you that you are sanctified/set apart? Nothing? Find something.
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Exodus 28:31-35
31 "You shall make the robe of the ephod all of blue. 32 "There shall be an opening at its top in the middle of it; around its opening there shall be a binding of woven work, like the opening of a coat of mail, so that it will not be torn. 33 "You shall make on its hem pomegranates of blue and purple and scarlet material, all around on its hem, and bells of gold between them all around: 34 a golden bell and a pomegranate, a golden bell and a pomegranate, all around on the hem of the robe. 35 "It shall be on Aaron when he ministers; and its tinkling shall be heard when he enters and leaves the holy place before the LORD, so that he will not die.
It's interesting that it says here, "so that he will not die." I've always heard it said that the bells were a signal to those outside. If the tinkling sound stopped, they would know that the priest had sin in their life, and could pull him out. Perhaps both are true, and the bells were set in place to be a reminder to the priest before he ever entered God's presence. A reminder that he must be pure and holy to enter in to the holy of holies. And a reminder of the consequences. Thus, as soon as the priest put the garment with the bells on, he would be reminded to check his heart and life for any impurities, and have the chance to make atonement. So that he would not die. What reminds you to check your heart? We have communion once a month when we do that very thing, but one ought to have something done daily (or more) as a reminder. Keep your heart, mind, and body pure before God, as a pleasing and holy sacrifice to God.
It's interesting that it says here, "so that he will not die." I've always heard it said that the bells were a signal to those outside. If the tinkling sound stopped, they would know that the priest had sin in their life, and could pull him out. Perhaps both are true, and the bells were set in place to be a reminder to the priest before he ever entered God's presence. A reminder that he must be pure and holy to enter in to the holy of holies. And a reminder of the consequences. Thus, as soon as the priest put the garment with the bells on, he would be reminded to check his heart and life for any impurities, and have the chance to make atonement. So that he would not die. What reminds you to check your heart? We have communion once a month when we do that very thing, but one ought to have something done daily (or more) as a reminder. Keep your heart, mind, and body pure before God, as a pleasing and holy sacrifice to God.
Monday, July 26, 2010
Exodus 28:15-30
15 "You shall make a breastpiece of judgment, the work of a skillful workman; like the work of the ephod you shall make it: of gold, of blue and purple and scarlet material and fine twisted linen you shall make it. 16 "It shall be square and folded double, a span in length and a span in width. 17 "You shall mount on it four rows of stones; the first row shall be a row of ruby, topaz and emerald; 18 and the second row a turquoise, a sapphire and a diamond; 19 and the third row a jacinth, an agate and an amethyst; 20 and the fourth row a beryl and an onyx and a jasper; they shall be set in gold filigree. 21 "The stones shall be according to the names of the sons of Israel: twelve, according to their names; they shall be like the engravings of a seal, each according to his name for the twelve tribes. 22 "You shall make on the breastpiece chains of twisted cordage work in pure gold. 23 "You shall make on the breastpiece two rings of gold, and shall put the two rings on the two ends of the breastpiece.24 "You shall put the two cords of gold on the two rings at the ends of the breastpiece. 25 "You shall put theother two ends of the two cords on the two filigree settings, and put them on the shoulder pieces of the ephod, at the front of it. 26 "You shall make two rings of gold and shall place them on the two ends of the breastpiece, on the edge of it, which is toward the inner side of the ephod. 27 "You shall make two rings of gold and put them on the bottom of the two shoulder pieces of the ephod, on the front of it close to the place where it is joined, above the skillfully woven band of the ephod. 28 "They shall bind the breastpiece by its rings to the rings of the ephod with a blue cord, so that it will be on the skillfully woven band of the ephod, and that the breastpiece will not come loose from the ephod. 29 "Aaron shall carry the names of the sons of Israel in the breastpiece of judgment over his heart when he enters the holy place, for a memorial before the LORD continually. 30 "You shall put in the breastpiece of judgment the 2Urim and the Thummim, and they shall be over Aaron's heart when he goes in before the LORD; and Aaron shall carry the judgment of the sons of Israel over his heart before the LORD continually.
The priest had yet another reminder of who he was representing before God. This time, there was an additional facet to the reminder. It was the breastplate of judgment. It was to remind him of God's judgment and what would happen without the priest atoning for the Israelites. It is a somber reminder to us of what will happen to our loved ones if they don't accept Christ as their Savior. Pray for them daily, or more.
The priest had yet another reminder of who he was representing before God. This time, there was an additional facet to the reminder. It was the breastplate of judgment. It was to remind him of God's judgment and what would happen without the priest atoning for the Israelites. It is a somber reminder to us of what will happen to our loved ones if they don't accept Christ as their Savior. Pray for them daily, or more.
Exodus 28:6-14
6 "They shall also make the ephod of gold, of blue and purple and scarlet material and fine twisted linen, the work of the skillful workman. 7 "It shall have two shoulder pieces joined to its two ends, that it may be joined. 8"The skillfully woven band, which is on it, shall be like its workmanship, of the same material: of gold, of blue and purple and scarlet material and fine twisted linen. 9 "You shall take two onyx stones and engrave on them the names of the sons of Israel, 10 six of their names on the one stone and the names of the remaining six on the other stone, according to their birth. 11 "As a jeweler engraves a signet, you shall engrave the two stones according to the names of the sons of Israel; you shall set them in filigree settings of gold. 12 "You shall put the two stones on the shoulder pieces of the ephod, as stones of memorial for the sons of Israel, and Aaron shall bear their names before the LORD on his two shoulders for a memorial. 13 "You shall make filigree settings of gold, 14 and two chains of pure gold; you shall make them of twisted cordage work, and you shall put the corded chains on the filigree settings.
When Aaron went before God, he didn't just represent himself. He was representing the entire nation of Israel, and the two onyx stones were a reminder of that. While we don't have priests go to God for us, we that know God should go before Him on behalf of our unsaved friends, family, and anyone else God lays on our heart. We may not have onyx stones as reminders, but keep your ears open for God's prompting. You never know who He might have you pray for.
When Aaron went before God, he didn't just represent himself. He was representing the entire nation of Israel, and the two onyx stones were a reminder of that. While we don't have priests go to God for us, we that know God should go before Him on behalf of our unsaved friends, family, and anyone else God lays on our heart. We may not have onyx stones as reminders, but keep your ears open for God's prompting. You never know who He might have you pray for.
Saturday, July 24, 2010
Exodus 28:1-5
1 "Then bring near to yourself Aaron your brother, and his sons with him, from among the sons of Israel, to minister as priest to Me--Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar, Aaron's sons. 2 "You shall make holy garments for Aaron your brother, for glory and for beauty. 3 "You shall speak to all the skillful persons whom I have endowed with the spirit of wisdom, that they make Aaron's garments to consecrate him, that he may minister as priest to Me. 4 "These are the garments which they shall make: a 1breastpiece and an ephod and a robe and a tunic of checkered work, a turban and a sash, and they shall make holy garments for Aaron your brother and his sons, that he may minister as priest to Me. 5 "They shall take the gold and the blue and the purple and the scarlet material and the fine linen.
When Aaron came before God, he was to wear fine clothing, for 'glory and beauty'. What does that mean to us? Does it mean we have to wear gold and scarlet and fine linen? Not necessarily. The women of Israel took it too far, and God used the prophets to tell them that all their fine garments and jewelry were as rags, because their hearts were not right. What it does mean, is that God expects us to honor Him in the way we dress. He doesn't want us to be slobs when it comes to worshiping Him. However, the condition of your heart is still always more important to Him than your clothes.
When Aaron came before God, he was to wear fine clothing, for 'glory and beauty'. What does that mean to us? Does it mean we have to wear gold and scarlet and fine linen? Not necessarily. The women of Israel took it too far, and God used the prophets to tell them that all their fine garments and jewelry were as rags, because their hearts were not right. What it does mean, is that God expects us to honor Him in the way we dress. He doesn't want us to be slobs when it comes to worshiping Him. However, the condition of your heart is still always more important to Him than your clothes.
Friday, July 23, 2010
Exodus 27:9-21
9 "You shall make the court of the tabernacle. On the south side there shall be hangings for the court of fine twisted linen one hundred cubits long for one side; 10 and its pillars shall be twenty, with their twenty sockets of bronze; the hooks of the pillars and their bands shall be of silver. 11 "Likewise for the north side in length there shall be hangings one hundred cubits long, and its twenty pillars with their twenty sockets of bronze; the hooks of the pillars and their bands shall be of silver. 12 "For the width of the court on the west side shall be hangings of fifty cubits with their ten pillars and their ten sockets. 13 "The width of the court on the east side shall be fifty cubits. 14 "The hangings for the one side of the gate shall be fifteen cubits with their three pillars and their three sockets. 15 "And for the other side shall be hangings of fifteen cubits with their three pillars and their three sockets. 16 "For the gate of the court there shall be a screen of twenty cubits, of blue and purple and scarlet material and fine twisted linen, the work of a weaver, with their four pillars and their four sockets. 17 "All the pillars around the court shall be furnished with silver bands with their hooks of silver and their sockets of bronze.18 "The length of the court shall be one hundred cubits, and the width fifty throughout, and the height five cubits of fine twisted linen, and their sockets of bronze. 19 "All the utensils of the tabernacle used in all its service, and all its pegs, and all the pegs of the court, shall be of bronze.
20 "You shall charge the sons of Israel, that they bring you clear oil of beaten olives for the light, to make a lamp burn continually. 21 "In the tent of meeting, outside the veil which is before the testimony, Aaron and his sons shall keep it in order from evening to morning before the LORD; it shall be a perpetual statute throughout their generations for the sons of Israel.
The lamp was another reminder. It was to remind them that God never sleeps or goes away. He is always present, and He is always active.
20 "You shall charge the sons of Israel, that they bring you clear oil of beaten olives for the light, to make a lamp burn continually. 21 "In the tent of meeting, outside the veil which is before the testimony, Aaron and his sons shall keep it in order from evening to morning before the LORD; it shall be a perpetual statute throughout their generations for the sons of Israel.
The lamp was another reminder. It was to remind them that God never sleeps or goes away. He is always present, and He is always active.
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Exodus 27:1-8
1 "And you shall make the altar of acacia wood, five cubits long and five cubits wide; the altar shall be square, and its height shall be three cubits. 2 "You shall make its horns on its four corners; its horns shall be of one piece with it, and you shall overlay it with bronze. 3 "You shall make its pails for removing its ashes, and its shovels and its basins and its forks and its firepans; you shall make all its utensils of bronze. 4 "You shall make for it a grating of network of bronze, and on the net you shall make four bronze rings at its four corners. 5 "You shall put it beneath, under the ledge of the altar, so that the net will reach halfway up the altar. 6 "You shall make poles for the altar, poles of acacia wood, and overlay them with bronze. 7 "Its poles shall be inserted into the rings, so that the poles shall be on the two sides of the altar when it is carried. 8 "You shall make it hollow with planks; as it was shown to you in the mountain, so they shall make it.
Sometimes, God gives us a goal, and just tells us to go get it. Other times, He is very specific about what He wants, as is the case in this passage. Make sure you are listening closely, so that you can tell the difference, and obey His voice.
Sometimes, God gives us a goal, and just tells us to go get it. Other times, He is very specific about what He wants, as is the case in this passage. Make sure you are listening closely, so that you can tell the difference, and obey His voice.
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Exodus 26:31-37
31 "You shall make a veil of blue and purple and scarlet material and fine twisted linen; it shall be made with cherubim, the work of a skillful workman. 32 "You shall hang it on four pillars of acacia overlaid with gold, their hooks also being of gold, on four sockets of silver. 33 "You shall hang up the veil under the clasps, and shall bring in the ark of the testimony there within the veil; and the veil shall serve for you as a partition between the holy place and the holy of holies. 34 "You shall put the mercy seat on the ark of the testimony in the holy of holies. 35 "You shall set the table outside the veil, and the lampstand opposite 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 doorway of the tent of blue and purple and scarlet material and fine twisted linen, the work of a weaver. 37 "You shall make five pillars of acacia for the screen and overlay them with gold, their hooks also being of gold; and you shall cast five sockets of bronze for them.
God is so holy, that the main part of the tabernacle wasn't holy enough for Him. He designated the holy of holies to be the place where He would meet the High Priest once a year. Yet, once Christ died, we are told to come boldly before the throne of God. The awesome privilege afforded us by Christ's death should not be taken lightly. God is no less holy; we are simply covered by the sacrifice of the perfect lamb. We gain entrance to the new holy of holies by the blood of Jesus himself.
36 "You shall make a screen for the doorway of the tent of blue and purple and scarlet material and fine twisted linen, the work of a weaver. 37 "You shall make five pillars of acacia for the screen and overlay them with gold, their hooks also being of gold; and you shall cast five sockets of bronze for them.
God is so holy, that the main part of the tabernacle wasn't holy enough for Him. He designated the holy of holies to be the place where He would meet the High Priest once a year. Yet, once Christ died, we are told to come boldly before the throne of God. The awesome privilege afforded us by Christ's death should not be taken lightly. God is no less holy; we are simply covered by the sacrifice of the perfect lamb. We gain entrance to the new holy of holies by the blood of Jesus himself.
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Exodus 26:15-30
15 "Then you shall make the boards for the tabernacle of acacia wood, standing upright. 16 "Ten cubits shall bethe length of each board and one and a half cubits the width of each board. 17 "There shall be two tenons for each board, fitted to one another; thus you shall do for all the boards of the tabernacle. 18 "You shall make the boards for the tabernacle: twenty boards for the south side. 19 "You shall make forty 4sockets of silver under the twenty boards, two sockets under one board for its two tenons and two sockets under another board for its two tenons; 20 and for the second side of the tabernacle, on the north side, twenty boards, 21 and their forty sockets of silver; two sockets under one board and two sockets under another board. 22 "For the rear of the tabernacle, to the west, you shall make six boards. 23 "You shall make two boards for the corners of the tabernacle at the rear. 24 "They shall be double beneath, and together they shall be complete to its top to the first ring; thus it shall be with both of them: they shall form the two corners. 25 "There shall be eight boards with their sockets of silver, sixteen sockets; two sockets under one board and two sockets under another board.
26 "Then you shall make bars of acacia wood, five for the boards of one side of the tabernacle, 27 and five bars for the boards of the other side of the tabernacle, and five bars for the boards of the side of the tabernacle for the rear side to the west. 28 "The middle bar in the center of the boards shall pass through from end to end. 29"You shall overlay the boards with gold and make their rings of gold as holders for the bars; and you shall overlay the bars with gold. 30 "Then you shall erect the tabernacle according to its plan which you have been shown in the mountain.
So much of the tabernacle was overlaid with gold. God didn't want anything to be ordinary. He wanted the Israelites to make Him something special. He wanted their very best. So it still is with us. God doesn't want just the mundane, middle of the road effort. He wants us to do something special for Him. Something befitting the God of the universe.
26 "Then you shall make bars of acacia wood, five for the boards of one side of the tabernacle, 27 and five bars for the boards of the other side of the tabernacle, and five bars for the boards of the side of the tabernacle for the rear side to the west. 28 "The middle bar in the center of the boards shall pass through from end to end. 29"You shall overlay the boards with gold and make their rings of gold as holders for the bars; and you shall overlay the bars with gold. 30 "Then you shall erect the tabernacle according to its plan which you have been shown in the mountain.
So much of the tabernacle was overlaid with gold. God didn't want anything to be ordinary. He wanted the Israelites to make Him something special. He wanted their very best. So it still is with us. God doesn't want just the mundane, middle of the road effort. He wants us to do something special for Him. Something befitting the God of the universe.
Exodus 26:7-14
7 "Then you shall make curtains of goats' hair for a tent over the tabernacle; you shall make eleven curtains in all. 8 "The length of each curtain shall be thirty cubits, and the width of each curtain four cubits; the eleven curtains shall have the same measurements. 9 "You shall join five curtains by themselves and the other six curtains by themselves, and you shall double over the sixth curtain at the front of the tent. 10 "You shall make fifty loops on the edge of the curtain that is outermost in the first set, and fifty loops on the edge of the curtainthat is outermost in the second set.
11 "You shall make fifty clasps of 3bronze, and you shall put the clasps into the loops and join the tent together so that it will be a unit. 12 "The overlapping part that is left over in the curtains of the tent, the half curtain that is left over, shall lap over the back of the tabernacle. 13 "The cubit on one side and the cubit on the other, of what is left over in the length of the curtains of the tent, shall lap over the sides of the tabernacle on one side and on the other, to cover it. 14 "You shall make a covering for the tent of rams' skins dyed red and a covering of porpoise skins above.
One thing we can depend on is this: God is consistent, and He is faithful. He doesn't waiver or change. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Man will fail. Man will change. Society changes. But God remains true to His nature.
11 "You shall make fifty clasps of 3bronze, and you shall put the clasps into the loops and join the tent together so that it will be a unit. 12 "The overlapping part that is left over in the curtains of the tent, the half curtain that is left over, shall lap over the back of the tabernacle. 13 "The cubit on one side and the cubit on the other, of what is left over in the length of the curtains of the tent, shall lap over the sides of the tabernacle on one side and on the other, to cover it. 14 "You shall make a covering for the tent of rams' skins dyed red and a covering of porpoise skins above.
One thing we can depend on is this: God is consistent, and He is faithful. He doesn't waiver or change. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Man will fail. Man will change. Society changes. But God remains true to His nature.
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Exodus 26:1-6
1 "Moreover you shall make the tabernacle with ten curtains of fine twisted linen and 1blue and purple and scarlet material; you shall make them with cherubim, the work of a skillful workman. 2 "The length of each curtain shall be twenty-eight cubits, and the width of each curtain four cubits; all the curtains shall have the same measurements. 3 "Five curtains shall be joined to one another, and the other five curtains shall be joined to one another. 4 "You shall make loops of blue on the edge of the outermost curtain in the first set, and likewise you shall make them on the edge of the curtain that is outermost in the second set. 5 "You shall make fifty loops in the one curtain, and you shall make fifty loops on the edge of the curtain that is in the second set; the loops shall be opposite each other. 6 "You shall make fifty clasps of gold, and join the curtains to one another with the clasps so that the 2tabernacle will be a unit.
When it came to doing God's work, He wanted the Israelites to put their best effort into it. He didn't want just anyone to make the tabernacle. He wanted the best workman available. He has given us talents too, and He wants us to use them to the best of our ability. We may not think too much of ourselves at times, but when we do it for Him, He will do something amazing with our talents.
When it came to doing God's work, He wanted the Israelites to put their best effort into it. He didn't want just anyone to make the tabernacle. He wanted the best workman available. He has given us talents too, and He wants us to use them to the best of our ability. We may not think too much of ourselves at times, but when we do it for Him, He will do something amazing with our talents.
Sunday, July 11, 2010
Exodus 25:31-40
31 "Then you shall make a lampstand of pure gold. The lampstand and its base and its shaft are to be made of hammered work; its cups, its bulbs and its flowers shall be of one piece with it. 32 "Six branches shall go out from its sides; three branches of the lampstand from its one side and three branches of the lampstand from its other side. 33 "Three cups shall be shaped like almond blossoms in the one branch, a 2bulb and a flower, and three cups shaped like almond blossoms in the other branch, a bulb and a flower--so for six branches going out from the lampstand; 34 and in the lampstand four cups shaped like almond blossoms, its bulbs and its flowers.35 "A bulb shall be under the first pair of branches coming out of it, and a bulb under the second pair of branches coming out of it, and a bulb under the third pair of branches coming out of it, for the six branches coming out of the lampstand. 36 "Their bulbs and their branches shall be of one piece with it; all of it shall be one piece of hammered work of pure gold. 37 "Then you shall make its lamps seven in number; and they shall mount its lamps so as to shed light on the space in front of it. 38 "Its snuffers and their trays shall be of pure gold. 39 "It shall be made from a talent of pure gold, with all these utensils. 40 "See that you make them after the pattern for them, which was shown to you on the mountain.
The lamp was made to shed light on the space in front of it. In other words, it was made for going forward. Which is the direction God always wants us to be looking. He doesn't want us to dwell on the past, but to always keep looking forward (and moving that way also).
The lamp was made to shed light on the space in front of it. In other words, it was made for going forward. Which is the direction God always wants us to be looking. He doesn't want us to dwell on the past, but to always keep looking forward (and moving that way also).
Exodus 25:23-30
23 "You shall make a table of acacia wood, two cubits long and one cubit wide and one and a half cubits high. 24"You shall overlay it with pure gold and make a gold border around it. 25 "You shall make for it a rim of a handbreadth around it; and you shall make a gold border for the rim around it. 26 "You shall make four gold rings for it and put rings on the four corners which are on its four feet. 27 "The rings shall be close to the rim as holders for the poles to carry the table. 28 "You shall make the poles of acacia wood and overlay them with gold, so that with them the table may be carried. 29 "You shall make its dishes and its pans and its jars and its bowls with which to pour drink offerings; you shall make them of pure gold. 30 "You shall set the bread of the Presence on the table before Me at all times.
God never sleeps, and He expected the Israelites to be cognizant of this at all times. Thus they were to have the bread of the Presence on the table at all times. He is fully aware of us at all times, and we should not fail to remember this. As Paul said in the New Testament, we are to pray without ceasing. Maybe not literally, but as much as we possibly can.
God never sleeps, and He expected the Israelites to be cognizant of this at all times. Thus they were to have the bread of the Presence on the table at all times. He is fully aware of us at all times, and we should not fail to remember this. As Paul said in the New Testament, we are to pray without ceasing. Maybe not literally, but as much as we possibly can.
Friday, July 9, 2010
Exodus 25:10-22
10 "They shall construct an ark of acacia wood two and a half cubits long, and one and a half cubits wide, and one and a half cubits high. 11 "You shall overlay it with pure gold, inside and out you shall overlay it, and you shall make a gold molding around it. 12 "You shall cast four gold rings for it and fasten them on its four feet, and two rings shall be on one side of it and two rings on the other side of it. 13 "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, to carry the ark with them. 15 "The poles shall remain in the rings of the ark; they shall not be removed from it. 16 "You shall put into the ark the testimony which I shall give you.
17 "You shall make a 1mercy seat of pure gold, two and a half cubits long and one and a half cubits wide. 18"You shall make two cherubim of gold, make them of hammered work at the two ends of the mercy seat. 19"Make one cherub at one end and one cherub at the other end; you shall make the cherubim of one piece with the mercy seat at its two ends. 20 "The cherubim shall have their wings spread upward, covering the mercy seat with their wings and facing one another; the faces of the cherubim are to be turned 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 which I will give to you. 22 "There I will meet with you; and from above the mercy seat, from between the two cherubim which are upon the ark of the testimony, I will speak to you about all that I will give you in commandment for the sons of Israel.
God told Moses that the cherubim were to be made of one piece. Why? He didn't want something that was pieced together. He wanted it to be skillfully made, and done properly. He didn't want the craftsman to take the easy way out. He wanted things done right. So it is with our lives. Often there are two options: an easy way, and the right way. The right way is often difficult, but everything we do, we are to do as unto God. So do it the right way, no matter what it is, as an act of worship unto God.
17 "You shall make a 1mercy seat of pure gold, two and a half cubits long and one and a half cubits wide. 18"You shall make two cherubim of gold, make them of hammered work at the two ends of the mercy seat. 19"Make one cherub at one end and one cherub at the other end; you shall make the cherubim of one piece with the mercy seat at its two ends. 20 "The cherubim shall have their wings spread upward, covering the mercy seat with their wings and facing one another; the faces of the cherubim are to be turned 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 which I will give to you. 22 "There I will meet with you; and from above the mercy seat, from between the two cherubim which are upon the ark of the testimony, I will speak to you about all that I will give you in commandment for the sons of Israel.
God told Moses that the cherubim were to be made of one piece. Why? He didn't want something that was pieced together. He wanted it to be skillfully made, and done properly. He didn't want the craftsman to take the easy way out. He wanted things done right. So it is with our lives. Often there are two options: an easy way, and the right way. The right way is often difficult, but everything we do, we are to do as unto God. So do it the right way, no matter what it is, as an act of worship unto God.
Thursday, July 8, 2010
Exodus 25:1-9
1 Then the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, 2 "Tell the sons of Israel to raise a contribution for Me; from every man whose heart moves him you shall raise My contribution. 3 "This is the contribution which you are to raise from them: gold, silver and bronze, 4 blue, purple and scarlet material, fine linen, goat hair, 5 rams' skins dyed red, porpoise skins, acacia wood, 6 oil for lighting, spices for the anointing oil and for the fragrant incense, 7onyx stones and setting stones for the ephod and for the breastpiece. 8 "Let them construct a sanctuary for Me, that I may dwell among them. 9 "According to all that I am going to show you, as the pattern of the tabernacle and the pattern of all its furniture, just so you shall construct it.
Often times, when it comes to giving, people think it's a forced thing, that they have to give, or God won't be happy with them. We talk about tithing being ten percent of our income, and think that He will be pleased so long as we follow that rule. But that's not what we see here. God wanted the Israelites to give from their hearts. He wanted a sincere gift, that was not coerced. He wants the same from us. Yes, ten percent is a good guideline. But don't let that hold back your giving. Give from your heart.
Often times, when it comes to giving, people think it's a forced thing, that they have to give, or God won't be happy with them. We talk about tithing being ten percent of our income, and think that He will be pleased so long as we follow that rule. But that's not what we see here. God wanted the Israelites to give from their hearts. He wanted a sincere gift, that was not coerced. He wants the same from us. Yes, ten percent is a good guideline. But don't let that hold back your giving. Give from your heart.
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
Exodus 24:12-18
12 Now the LORD said to Moses, "Come up to Me on the mountain and remain there, and I will give you the stone tablets with the law and the commandment which I have written for their instruction." 13 So Moses arose with Joshua his servant, and Moses went up to the mountain of God. 14 But to the elders he said, "Wait here for us until we return to you. And behold, Aaron and Hur are with you; whoever has a legal matter, let him approach them." 15 Then Moses went up to the mountain, and the cloud covered the mountain. 16 The glory of the LORD rested on Mount Sinai, and the cloud covered it for six days; and on the seventh day He called to Moses from the midst of the cloud. 17 And to the eyes of the sons of Israel the appearance of the glory of the LORD was like a consuming fire on the mountain top. 18 Moses entered the midst of the cloud as he went up to the mountain; and Moses was on the mountain forty days and forty nights.
The glory of the Lord was like a consuming fire. That's exactly what God wants to be in our lives. He wants to consume all the sin, and burn it away. He wants us to return to a pure relationship with Him. He created us specifically for that relationship. To fellowship with God Himself. So let Him be that consuming fire in your life.
The glory of the Lord was like a consuming fire. That's exactly what God wants to be in our lives. He wants to consume all the sin, and burn it away. He wants us to return to a pure relationship with Him. He created us specifically for that relationship. To fellowship with God Himself. So let Him be that consuming fire in your life.
Friday, July 2, 2010
Exodus 24:1-11
1 Then He said to Moses, "Come up to the LORD, you and Aaron, Nadab and Abihu and seventy of the elders of Israel, and you shall worship at a distance. 2 "Moses alone, however, shall come near to the LORD, but they shall not come near, nor shall the people come up with him."
3 Then Moses came and recounted to the people all the words of the LORD and all the ordinances; and all the people answered with one voice and said, "All the words which the LORD has spoken we will do!" 4 Moses wrote down all the words of the LORD. Then he arose early in the morning, and built an altar at the foot of the mountain with twelve pillars for the twelve tribes of Israel. 5 He sent young men of the sons of Israel, and they offered burnt offerings and sacrificed young bulls as peace offerings to the LORD. 6 Moses took half of the blood and put it in basins, and the other half of the blood he sprinkled on the altar. 7 Then he took the book of the covenant and read it in the hearing of the people; and they said, "All that the LORD has spoken we will do, and we will be obedient!" 8 So Moses took the blood and sprinkled it on the people, and said, "Behold the blood of the covenant, which the LORD has made with you in accordance with all these words."
9 Then Moses went up with Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel, 10 and they saw the God of Israel; and under His feet there appeared to be a pavement of sapphire, as clear as the sky itself. 11 Yet He did not stretch out His hand against the nobles of the sons of Israel; and they saw God, and they ate and drank.
In those days, it was a pretty big deal to even be allowed to talk to God, much less to see Him at a distance. So it's a bit amazing that the New Testament tells us to boldly approach the throne of God. No, we can't actually come see God, but we can talk to Him directly, without mediation. Even the princes of Israel and the priests could not do that, but through Jesus, we have that privilege. Don't be bashful, talk to Him. All the time, and about everything. That's what He created us for, and that's what He desires.
3 Then Moses came and recounted to the people all the words of the LORD and all the ordinances; and all the people answered with one voice and said, "All the words which the LORD has spoken we will do!" 4 Moses wrote down all the words of the LORD. Then he arose early in the morning, and built an altar at the foot of the mountain with twelve pillars for the twelve tribes of Israel. 5 He sent young men of the sons of Israel, and they offered burnt offerings and sacrificed young bulls as peace offerings to the LORD. 6 Moses took half of the blood and put it in basins, and the other half of the blood he sprinkled on the altar. 7 Then he took the book of the covenant and read it in the hearing of the people; and they said, "All that the LORD has spoken we will do, and we will be obedient!" 8 So Moses took the blood and sprinkled it on the people, and said, "Behold the blood of the covenant, which the LORD has made with you in accordance with all these words."
9 Then Moses went up with Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel, 10 and they saw the God of Israel; and under His feet there appeared to be a pavement of sapphire, as clear as the sky itself. 11 Yet He did not stretch out His hand against the nobles of the sons of Israel; and they saw God, and they ate and drank.
In those days, it was a pretty big deal to even be allowed to talk to God, much less to see Him at a distance. So it's a bit amazing that the New Testament tells us to boldly approach the throne of God. No, we can't actually come see God, but we can talk to Him directly, without mediation. Even the princes of Israel and the priests could not do that, but through Jesus, we have that privilege. Don't be bashful, talk to Him. All the time, and about everything. That's what He created us for, and that's what He desires.
Thursday, July 1, 2010
Exodus 23:20-33
20 "Behold, I am going to send an angel before you to guard you along the way and to bring you into the place which I have prepared. 21 "Be on your guard before him and obey his voice; do not be rebellious toward him, for he will not pardon your transgression, since My name is in him. 22 "But if you truly obey his voice and do all that I say, 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 land of the Amorites, the Hittites, the Perizzites, the Canaanites, the Hivites and the Jebusites; and I will completely destroy them. 24 "You shall not worship their gods, nor serve them, nor do according to their deeds; but you shall utterly overthrow them and break their sacred pillars in pieces. 25 "But you shall serve the LORD your God, and He will bless your bread and your water; and I will remove sickness from your midst. 26 "There shall be no one miscarrying or barren in your land; I will fulfill the number of your days. 27 "I will send My terror ahead of you, and throw into confusion all the people among whom you come, and I will make all your enemies turn their backs to you. 28 "I will send hornets ahead of you so that they will drive out the Hivites, the Canaanites, and the Hittites before you. 29 "I will not drive them out before you in a single year, that the land may not become desolate and the beasts of the field become too numerous for you. 30 "I will drive them out before you little by little, until you become fruitful and take possession of the land. 31 "I will fix your boundary from the Red Sea to the sea of the Philistines, and from the wilderness to the River Euphrates; for I will deliver the inhabitants of the land into your hand, and you will drive them out before you. 32 "You shall make no covenant with them or with their gods. 33 "They shall not live in your land, because they will make you sin against Me; for if you serve their gods, it will surely be a snare to you."
God wanted them to be extra careful when dealing with the 'gods' that the inhabitants of the land served. He knew it would be a temptation, because they would be new and novel. So He warned them not to make any compromises or covenants with them or their gods. In the same way, we must be careful of our associations, and where we spend our time. Don't compromise, and don't let your relationship with non-believers influence your faith.
God wanted them to be extra careful when dealing with the 'gods' that the inhabitants of the land served. He knew it would be a temptation, because they would be new and novel. So He warned them not to make any compromises or covenants with them or their gods. In the same way, we must be careful of our associations, and where we spend our time. Don't compromise, and don't let your relationship with non-believers influence your faith.
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