Ex 32: 1-16

It was around 40 days that Moses was up on the mountaintop receiving the tenets that would shape the nation for years to come. The expression that the "natives grew restless" was an understatement. Their discontent and mounting lack of discomfort was explanable as they were mindless sheep lacking direction and purpose. What was inexcusable was the elders and Aaron who saw the purpose behind Moses' mountain trek and did absolutely nothing to promote and maintain the momentum that took them out of Egypt. They failed to lead and to judge and direct. Aaron was definitely weak and someone who didn't draw upon his experience in witnessing the power of the Lord. He was an exact opposite of when the "going got tough, the tough get going". To ask for the gold to mold the calf and to be the one that would actually do the deed was inexcusable and an ultimate sign of weakness. I think a more appropriate animal would have been a donkey but that would have been an insult to the donkey (right, Shrek?) so really it should have been the serpent or snake since they were deceived by the ultimate deceiver.

God knew what was happening and told Moses to leave Him before the people are destroyed. Moses pleads with God to spare them so that His Name will ultimately be glorified. Moses leaves with the tablets.

So glad to hear that David's trials for now are behind him and he is enjoying the Seeds conference with his "adopted" church out there - BayCC. Thanks to Mark and Nic for watching over him and being Jesus to him during this time. Also thanks to Andy and Jackie for taking the time to be with him as well. Looking forward to the weekend, family gathering to celebrate Irene's mom's birthday. So much to do to get the house in order... Prayers for Daniel as he makes it home late Sunday and his time home early next week.

Praise for today: Then we your people, the sheep of your pasture, will praise you forever; from generation to generation we wil recount your praise. Ps 79:13.

Ex 31: 12-18

How important to the Lord is the Sabbath! After all of the instructions to prepare the Tabernacle, ark, priestly garments, etc.  the Lord is explicit to Moses how the Sabbath(s) will be treated due to its holiness. It's not only a day of needed rest but it is to be the covenant between the Israelites and the Lord. When it is all said and done, the Lord gave Moses the two tablets of the Testimony (10 commandments) which were carved by God's own finger.

A tumultuous day!  God truly had his hand on the outcome for David as he made his way to the Seeds Conference at COTM yesterday. Testing makes strength and purity as he found out, firsthand. Praiseful for the outcome. Hopefully, Irene's truck has similarly decent news (check engine light). Weather wise, looks like a winner today. Prayerfully, the rest of the day is the same.

Praise for today: May my cry come before you, O Lord; give me understanding  according to your word. May my supplication come before you; deliver me according to your promise. Ps. 119: 169-170

Ex 31: 1-11

God not only provides the design for all of the things that are necessary to symbolize His place among the people but He also provides the skilled people who can carry out the task. Bezalel, from the tribe of Judah, was filled with the HS and was given the skill, ability and knowledge of all kinds of craft. Talk about a sensory and skill set overload! He will have an assistant, Oholiab from the tribe of Dan. God also provided the craftsmen assigned to this task with the skill set given there is no architect school or craftsmen that have ever made anything like this. All will go according to God's plan.

How often we forget who is the one that provides us with our talents and skills, our aptitude and abilities. We get caught up in our accomplishments and what we perceive as our victories that we forget the One who allows and grants us what we have and can do. May we never lose sight of the forest from the trees.

Praise for today: But you are a shield around me, O Lord, you bestow glory on me and lift up my head. Ps 3:3

Ex 30

This chapter deals with several items that are to be used in the Tabernacle - altar of incense, basis for washing as well as atonement money and anointing oil and incense. The altar of incense is to be 1.5' square and 3' high out of acacia wood. It is to have gold rings for transport via poles and is to be placed in front of the curtain before the ark. Aaron is to burn incense every morning and is only used for the annual sacrifice. The atonement money is to offered by everyone as a reminder of their exodus out of Egypt. This is to avoid plagues. The basin for washing is for cleansing before entering the Tent of Meeting. The anointing oil is to be made from fine spices and olive oil as a perfume to anoint all of the created things that were mentioned in previous chapters. This is not for people since this is sacred. The incense is to be made from fragrant spices and salted to preserve it. The incense is not to be made by others since this is holy.

While this is some of the "drier" aspects of the book, there is still much to glean from it since it shows how God should be treated by his people. I still appreciate these chapters albeit from a historical perspective.

Praise for today: For you are great and do marvelous deeds, you alone are God. Ps 86:10

Ex 29

This chapter deals with the consecrating Aaron and his sons for the royal priesthood. Animal sacrifice of a young bull and 2 rams are made as well as unleaven bread. They are to be dressed with the garments made in 28 and the bull is to be the sin offering. The blood of the rams is to be put on the altar on all sides and the ram is to be a burnt offering to the Lord. The blood of the second ram is to be used on parts of the body of Aaron and his sons as a consecration and ordination. The unleaven bread is to be used for the wave offering along with the breast meat of the ram. Portions of the sacrifice is to given to Aaron and his sons from the Israelites henceforth as a permanent share of the sacrifice and that will constitute the fellowship (or peace) offering. The balance of the chapter talks of the sacred garments  and how they will do their offerings annually. After all is said and done, the Tent of Meeting and the altar will be consecrated as well as Aaron and his sons and then the Lord will dwell among the Israelites and be their God. Then they will know who is the Lord and who brought them out of Egypt  so that He can dwell among them.

Pretty interesting chapter since there wasn't any rabbinical school that they could have graduated from but rather from the Professor himself. Outwardly the Lord at least made it apparent that this was necessary to be set apart for His work but the heart of man still was an issue.

Enjoyable weekend even though I left work early since I felt run down. Hopefully, there is a little more bounce to my step this week....

Praise for today: The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. Ps 34:18

Ex 28

Now the Lord turns his attention to those who will attend to Him in the tabernacle - Aaron and his sons. He will be adorned with the proper garb to give him dignity and honor. The garments that need to be made will be the ephod, a breastpiece, robe, woven tunic, turban  and sash. The materials to be used will be gold, and blue, purple and scarlet yarn as well as fine linen.The ephod is the most interesting since the 12 tribes of Israel will be engraved on stones and put in there as a memorial before the Lord. The breastplate too will have the names engraved upon it as well with 12 stones. Aaron is also to wear gold bells when he ministers so that when he enters the Holy Place, God will not slay him. A gold plate with the engravement "HOLY TO THE LORD"will be worn on a turban on his forehead since he will carry the sins and guilt of the nation. When it is all done, Moses is to anoint and ordain Aaron and his sons so they can be consecrated and serve the Lord as priests.

This is the first of two chapters that will define Aaron and his sons as the priests of the Almighty. Do we take our priesthood seriously as we are told in 1 Peter? Do we make our hearts and minds special before the Almighty as we should? I know that it is tough even to clear our minds before Him when we pray. Perhaps if we have less distractions....

Praiseful that it is the weekend. Looking forward to going home! Was able to share my faith and the Bible with a few people over a business dinner. Glad for the opportunity!

Praise for today: With my mouth I will greatly extol the Lord; in the great throng I will praise Him. Ps 109:30

Ex 27

This chapter deals with an altar for burnt offerings, a courtyard and how the oil for the lampstand is to be created. The altar is to be made of bronze and of acacia wood and will be 4.5' and 7.7' square. The altar will have rings to be allowed to be transported by poles. The courtyard is very elaborate and have pretty big dimensions - south side will be 150' long, the north side 150', and 150' wide. The courtyard will be adorned with fine linen, purple and scarlet yarn and all of the ornaments are to be made from bronze. All the other articles that will be used for service of the tabernacle will be made of bronze. The oil for the lampstand will be brought by the Israelites of clear oil of pressed olives. Aaron and his sons will be in charge of keeping the lamps burning.

This is entirely new ground for a nomadic group like the Israelites. They were not cohesive and for them to be reined in like this would be a task in and of itself. God has taken them to the next step and forced them to be drawn to him in order to thrive and not just survive. Clearly these materials are not picked up at the Home Depot or at Michaels but have to be create within their ranks. What is interesting is the amount of acacia wood that will necessary to get the job done as well and the tools need to get this project going. God will be honored when this is completed.

Praise for today: The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Ps. 19:1.