Exodus 30-32
An Overview of Chapter 30
Moses is still up on the mountain receiving detailed plans for building the holy articles for the tabernacle. First up is a golden altar to burn incense in front of the holy of holies. It is designed to be carried. Aaron is in charge of burning incense on this altar every morning. Detailed instructions are also given for how to make the incense, and the instruction that it is to only be made for God’s use.
God also institutes a flat tax system. Everybody pays 1/2 shekel, whether they are poor or rich.
The next instructions given are for a bronze wash basin that is placed between the altar of sacrifice and the entrance to the tent of meeting. When the priests enter to work in the tent of meeting they are first required to wash their hands and feet (I can visualize the sticker on the laver that would say “Employees, please wash hands and feet before returning to work”).
Instructions are also given for making the annointing oil that will be used to anoint Aaron and his sons as well as all the holy objects in the tabernacle. No one else is supposed to use this oil recipe for any other reason. The penalty for breaking this law is death.
An Overview of Chapter 31
Next the Lord names two guys by name who are to be the craftsmen to build all the items that God has told Moses must be built. Bezalel is gifted by the spirit to be wise, knowledgeable, and to work in craftsmanship (this is not a spiritual gift listed in 1Corinthians, or on my resume). In addition to these guys God tells us that everyone who has a skill was given that skill to do the work that God commanded to be done.
The instructions for the sabbath are repeated here, work six days then rest one. Those who don’t honor the sabbath are put to death. The sabbath is intended to be a sign between God and the sons of Israel so that the Israelites will know that God is the one who sanctifies them.
God then gives Moses two tablets that God has engraved with the testimony of what He and Moses had talked about.
An Overview of Chapter 32
Meanwhile back at camp...the people freak out when they see Moses disappear into the fire on the mountain and now 40 days later they decide it is time to look for a new religious leader. They approach Aaron and ask him to make them a new God, preferably one they can see. Aaron agrees to do this and makes a golden calf that the people promptly decide to offer sacrifices to.
God has the ability to do more than one thing at once and he notices the sinful party taking place back at camp. God is so angry He decides to destroy all the people. Moses intercedes for the people and asks God to spare them. God changes his mind and they are spared (yes God can change His mind, if He couldn’t we would have no reason to pray because what is done is done).
Moses heads done the mountain and as he does he and Joshua can hear the party going on downstairs. Moses shows up and throws a fit (actually he throws the stone tablets to the ground and breaks them). Then Moses melts down and grinds up the Israelites new “god” who is powerless to stop him. Moses confronts his brother about his poor leadership and Aaron trys to defend himself by saying I threw the gold into the flame, but then, abracadabra, this golden calf appeared.
Moses calls out the people to see who is really willing to stand with him. Only the Levites answered the call to action. Moses puts them to work right away killing the Israelites that were worshipping the calf. After this Moses leaves for the mountain again, this time to bargain for the Israelites lives with his soul as a bargaining chip.
Reflection
What skills or spiritual gifts has good given you? Do you use those gifts to fulfill God’s detailed plans for the future of our world? On days that you rest from work do you take time to remember God? Does your lack of patience ever lead you to a point of sin, where you do something because you just don’t see God getting things done as quickly as you liked? Does this remind you of the new testament concept of perseverance?
For Further Study
Spiritual gifts: Luke 11:13, 1Corinthians 12, 14, 1Timothy 4:14, Hebrews 2:3-4
Moses is still up on the mountain receiving detailed plans for building the holy articles for the tabernacle. First up is a golden altar to burn incense in front of the holy of holies. It is designed to be carried. Aaron is in charge of burning incense on this altar every morning. Detailed instructions are also given for how to make the incense, and the instruction that it is to only be made for God’s use.
God also institutes a flat tax system. Everybody pays 1/2 shekel, whether they are poor or rich.
The next instructions given are for a bronze wash basin that is placed between the altar of sacrifice and the entrance to the tent of meeting. When the priests enter to work in the tent of meeting they are first required to wash their hands and feet (I can visualize the sticker on the laver that would say “Employees, please wash hands and feet before returning to work”).
Instructions are also given for making the annointing oil that will be used to anoint Aaron and his sons as well as all the holy objects in the tabernacle. No one else is supposed to use this oil recipe for any other reason. The penalty for breaking this law is death.
An Overview of Chapter 31
Next the Lord names two guys by name who are to be the craftsmen to build all the items that God has told Moses must be built. Bezalel is gifted by the spirit to be wise, knowledgeable, and to work in craftsmanship (this is not a spiritual gift listed in 1Corinthians, or on my resume). In addition to these guys God tells us that everyone who has a skill was given that skill to do the work that God commanded to be done.
The instructions for the sabbath are repeated here, work six days then rest one. Those who don’t honor the sabbath are put to death. The sabbath is intended to be a sign between God and the sons of Israel so that the Israelites will know that God is the one who sanctifies them.
God then gives Moses two tablets that God has engraved with the testimony of what He and Moses had talked about.
An Overview of Chapter 32
Meanwhile back at camp...the people freak out when they see Moses disappear into the fire on the mountain and now 40 days later they decide it is time to look for a new religious leader. They approach Aaron and ask him to make them a new God, preferably one they can see. Aaron agrees to do this and makes a golden calf that the people promptly decide to offer sacrifices to.
God has the ability to do more than one thing at once and he notices the sinful party taking place back at camp. God is so angry He decides to destroy all the people. Moses intercedes for the people and asks God to spare them. God changes his mind and they are spared (yes God can change His mind, if He couldn’t we would have no reason to pray because what is done is done).
Moses heads done the mountain and as he does he and Joshua can hear the party going on downstairs. Moses shows up and throws a fit (actually he throws the stone tablets to the ground and breaks them). Then Moses melts down and grinds up the Israelites new “god” who is powerless to stop him. Moses confronts his brother about his poor leadership and Aaron trys to defend himself by saying I threw the gold into the flame, but then, abracadabra, this golden calf appeared.
Moses calls out the people to see who is really willing to stand with him. Only the Levites answered the call to action. Moses puts them to work right away killing the Israelites that were worshipping the calf. After this Moses leaves for the mountain again, this time to bargain for the Israelites lives with his soul as a bargaining chip.
Reflection
What skills or spiritual gifts has good given you? Do you use those gifts to fulfill God’s detailed plans for the future of our world? On days that you rest from work do you take time to remember God? Does your lack of patience ever lead you to a point of sin, where you do something because you just don’t see God getting things done as quickly as you liked? Does this remind you of the new testament concept of perseverance?
For Further Study
Spiritual gifts: Luke 11:13, 1Corinthians 12, 14, 1Timothy 4:14, Hebrews 2:3-4
posted by Shaun Sells | 12:44 AM
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