Ex 35:30 to 36:7

The die is cast and the players are now assembled to carryforth the Lord's intent. God's chosen craftsman Bezaliel from the tribe of Judah will be the chief architect of the plan. God's Spirit has filled him with the ability, knowledge and skill to execute this to the perfection required by the Lord. Oholiab will also be blessed by God and will be able to teach others how to assist in this tremendous undertaking. Once they were assembled and given the tasks , they were also given the offerings that would be used to make the items required. The people's generosity was so overwhelming that they were told to cease since they had more than enough to do the tasks.

I don't think that those who gave were necessarily looking to "buy" their grace but rather as a sign of thanksgiving and appreciation for what the Lord has done. They gave more than what was required which was in and of itself a good thing. Truly a sign that all was good (for now).

Praise for today: The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise. Ps 51: 17

Ex 35: 1-29

Moses is now ready to get the Lord's commands into reality. He gathers them all to him an addresses them to what is expected. The first thing he commands is that they must obey the Sabbath and the severity of maintaining it. The next thing is the materials that will be used for the Tabernacle. It will be from a free-will offering - gold, silver and bronze, blue, purple and scarlet yard and fine linen, goat hair; ram skins dyed red and the hides from cows; acacia wood; olive oil for the light; spices for the anointing oil and for fragrant incense; and onyx stones and other gems for the breastplate (5-9). There is also an appeal for the skilled craftsmen among them to step forth and make everything that the Lord commanded - the tabernacle, tables and poles, bread for the Presence, altar, curtains, etc.

The response was overwhelming since the needs of the supplies and the craftsmen were met. The Bible doesn't mention any item that was lacking or any need unfulfilled. It was amazing that the needs were responded to with such zeal and completeness. God's people responded with a good and proper response.

Good and relaxing weekend. Not much accomplished but then again not much sought either.

Praise for today: For you  have been my hope, O Sovereign Lord, my confidence since my youth. Ps 71: 5

Ex 34: 29-35

Moses's relationship with the Lord has now moved to a whole different level. When he came down from Mount Sinai with the tablets, his face became radiant and as a result the people were afraid. Moses had to bring the message first to Aaron and the leaders of the community before the people were willing to hear. It was then that he gave them al the commands and instructions that were given to him by the Lord on Mount Sinai. The use of the veil was introduced as Moses used it whenever he was done speaking to the Israelites and when he would take it off when entering the Lord's presence.

What a unique and special relationship! Interesting that the Men's devotional Bible uses the concept of being "caught up again in love" by Tim Stafford as a devotional for this passage. "When you are apart from the Lord and when your relationship with Him has grown cold, you've lost your spiritual edge. You can think it will take a lot of time, a month or so of spiritual disciple, to get going again with him. Then you sit down and discover, in just minutes, that you don't have to do a thing - except take some time.  Be alone with him. In what feels like no time you are caught up again in your love."

Heading home later after a long workweek. Looking forward to heading home - nothing but upside!

Praise for today: Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for men, for he satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things.  Ps 107: 8-9

Ex 34 :1-28

The Lord and Moses continue their encounter on Mount Sinai where he will get the new stone tablets which will embody the 10 Commandments. He was to go to the mount alone and there he would stay for 40 days and nights without food and water. The Lord showed himself in the cloud and passed in front of Moses. Moses then proceeds to fight for his and the Lord's people in spite of their sin and shortcoming. The covenant that the Lord makes here will set the tone for what is to come as they proceed towards the Promised Land. They are to remain pure and unattached to the people and the lands that they will conquer. They will not take the customs or the gods of the peoples that they will defeat nor will they take the people as their own. The firstborn will belong to the Lord and the Sabbath will remain holy. They will follow the pattern of the feasts and will not use yeast.

Such an encounter between God and Moses. This was so unique that it remains one of the most detailed encounters between God and man ever recorded in the Bible. Do I want to be a man like him? You bet! To have an attitude and an aptitude for God is what I strive for. I pray we all have that desire.

It will be a long day today - impromptu business dinner later and having to stay for the duration tomorrow will be a long evening coming home before heading out to SI for FW.

Praise for today: The Lord, the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, maintaining  love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin. Ex 34: 6 & 7

Ex 33 : 12-23

This perhaps is my favorite part of the book of Exodus and perhaps of the OT. Moses, who has been at the Lord's beck and call, is now realizing that he has a special relationship with the Lord (11). He has found favor in the eyes of the Lord since he has been called by name to lead His people. His goal is to know His ways so that Moses can find favor with Him. The relationship now has taken Moses to a whole new level of understanding and he wants more - he wants the see the glory of the Lord. God knows what is on his heart even before he asks and has even planned the ways to reveal Himself to him. God literally uses His hand in this matter. Show me your glory! We ask it and don't deserve to. My question is what if God asked to show Him our glory. What would we bring to the table? Our wealth, accomplishments, possessions, children? Would he be proud of our dreams and aspirations? Would He look at how we treat people and others? Would He want to come down from heaven for us and live forever?

This is what I have chosen to speak about the next time I speak in May to the congregation.

Great day weather-wise and it truly has been a winter-less season. 70s and sunny? Love it!

Praise for today: And the Lord said to Moses,"I will do the very thing you have asked, because I am pleased with you and know you by name."  Ex 33:17

Ex 33: 1-11

Clearly, the Lord's displeasure grew with the Israelites as they exhibited more and more that they were a rebellious and stiff-necked people. While the Lord would fulfill his promise to take them to the PL, they were no longer going to have His Presence go with them as He had in the past. Reality set in as they no longer were the "proud" and "ornamented" and left their adornments at Mount Horeb. The only place that Moses would go to "meet the Lord" would be a portable tent outside the camp. Any time the Lord and Moses would converse, it would be there and the people would have to wait outside and await the Lord's command after the meeting since they would no longer be granted the Lord's voice directly. The sign of the Lord's presence would be the pillar of cloud that would come down and stay at the entrance. The Lord would speak to Moses, face to face as a man would speak to a friend (11) with Joshua standing with the tent at all times.

What a privilege the Lord would grant Moses! I wonder what it was like to be spoken to by God in such a manner. We don't hear His audible voice but we do follow His calling ( or not). I guess since this came in the form of Jesus or an angel since he would still want to see the Lord's glory later on in the chapter. Still the Lord is committed to the Israelites despite their many shortcomings.

Long day at work as expected. Still much done and accomplished. Whether or not it is appreciated is another story...but labor for dollars as we used to say at ML.

Praise for today: The Lord is gracious and righteous; our God is full of compassion. The Lord protects the simplehearted; when I was in great need, he saved me. Ps. 116: 5-6

Ex 32:17-33

This was a spectacular scene in the movie but visually it still draws chills down my spine to think of the consequences for the people and Aaron's actions. Joshua, is starting to get more attention as the book of Exodus draws near its end. Clearly, Moses showed his anger towards an ungrateful and rebellious people and his wrath turned to Aaron, who was clearly the "man-in-charge". Rather than take responsibility, he shifted the attention to the people who "forced" his hand. Aaron had become a laughing stock to the enemies of the Lord but still the Lord had plans for him and his sons despite his shortcomings. The Levites rallied with Moses and slayed 3,000 people on the Lord's behalf. It was then that they received the blessings and the charge to remain seperate and distinct. With the tablets broken, Moses goes up to the mountain to receive the new ones and to make restitution with the Lord. The Lord then sends a plague to attack the people who wanted the golden calf.

Clearly this was a turning point in the lives of the Israelites. They would see the wrath of the Lord firsthand for their rebellious ways. They would also receive the tenets of their faith and the means to live by.

A good weekend, despite losing the hour sleep. The dinner for Irene's mom went well, David got home and was able to join the clan, the food was great and on Sunday, GG came home and we all had dinner as a family to catch up. Long day ahead so I will pace myself....

Praise for today: Praise our God, O peoples, let the sound of his praise be heard; he has preserved our lives and kept our feet from slipping. Ps 66: 8-9