Exodus 25  The first three things that Moses receives instructions to build are the ark of the covenant; the table of showbread, and the golden lamp stand.  They are all important but the foremost would be the ark of the covenant. It wasn't just that it held the tablets, the manna, and Aaron's rod.. but that it was covered by the Mercy Seat.. It was from here that God met with the High Priest.. This was the symbol of God's Presence and covenant with Israel. The Ark was placed into the Holy of holies.  No one could go in there except the High Priest and only once a year. 

The table of showbread and the lampstand were placed into the Holy place, outside of the veil that hid the ark, but still kept from the public view.  The priests had to go into the holy place every day to keep the oil in the lamp filled, to burn the incense, and once a week they would change out the bread on the table. 

These items were holy.. they were more valuable than just the gold that was used to make them.. because they spoke of God's Presence with His people.  He would meet with the people's representative to give him His commandments.. He would be their Light and their life.. symbolized by the lamp stand and the bread. 

These items were made according to the pattern given to Moses on the mountain.. and lived out by Jesus when He came to earth.  Jesus was and is God... present with His people.  He is the Light of the world and the Bread of life. The glory of God would fill the tabernacle that Moses would make.. but it wouldn't stay there when the people broke their covenant with Him.  The glory of God filled Jesus as He fulfilled all that the tabernacle symbolized.  By His grace He comes and fills us.. when we become the temple of the Holy Spirit. To His glory there will be no end!

Father in heaven,  You have made us Your own through Jesus Christ, our Lord.. You have given us the Light of the world to illuminate our spirits, our minds, and our hearts.  You have given us the Bread of life so that we might have eternal life.  You have given us Your Presence.. Your Holy Spirit who speaks Your Words to us so that we can do Your will.  We partake of the bread and drink from the cup.. and remember that You have done it all by Your amazing grace so that we can be Your people.  Thank You!  Praise to the Lord our Holy God who has done wonderful works and who was and is and shall ever be! Amen. 

 Exodus 25  The Lord met with Moses in the smoke and fire at the top of the mountain for 40 days and nights.  He spoke directly to Moses, giving complete directions for building the tabernacles, and all its furniture, and all the garments for the priests.  He shows Moses what he would pattern each piece after.. "And see that you make them after the pattern for them, which was shown to you on the mountain." (v40)

"Tell the sons of Israel to raise a contribution for Me; from every man whose heart moves him, you shall raise a contribution ."  The Lord took a people that had been bound in slavery.. making bricks for Eygpt's buildings.. brought them into the wilderness.. provided food and water for them.. made a covenant with them.. claimed them as His people.. and then asked for them to give from their hearts what He had given them.  It's an incredible list:

"Gold; silver; and bronze; blue, purple and scarlet material, fine linen,  goat hair, rams' skin dyed red, porpoise skins, acacia wood, oil for lighting, spices for anointing ail and for fragrant incense, onyx stones and setting stones, for the ephod and for the breastpiece..." 

Porpoise skins?   Can you even imagine how they got that?  As they left Egypt and they were given gifts from the people of Egypt.. someone handed them "porpoise skins"!  And gems and material.. and spices and everything that God would require for this tabernacle!  God provided perfectly.. yet He only took what each person would give from their heart. 

Father in heaven,  You have given us everything that we need so that we can give to You from our hearts..even those things that are far beyond our ability to give.   There is a lesson here that we must learn.. teach us by Your Spirit so that we might understand.. that we might surrender all to You and  so that You will be glorified.  "All I have needed Thy hand has provided"..  Provide for us that which You desire for us to give to You in worship today.. Move in our hearts we ask..  In Jesus' name we pray.. Amen. 

 Exodus 24  When Moses received the laws and ordinances from the Lord he "recounted to the people all the words.."  then he wrote them all down.   After this he "sent young men of the sons of Israel" and they offered sacrifices.  Moses took the blood of the offerings and sprinkled it on the altar and then after reading the words of the covenant one more time.. and the people agreeing to this covenant.. he sprinkled them with the blood too. 

After this God called Moses, Aaron and his sons, and 70 elders up on the mountain.  From where they stopped "they saw the God of Israel; and under His feet there appeared to be a pavement of sapphire as clear as the sky itself." 

From there the Lord called Moses to come up even further on the mountain to receive the stone tablets that God Himself wrote. So, Moses went up and the mountain was covered by the "glory of the Lord."  It looked like a cloud and a fire.  Moses stayed with the Lord 40 days and 40 nights. The next 7 chapters will explain everything that God revealed to Moses during those 40 days. Everything to do with the tabernacle and the priests.. and how the people of God would worship Him as he came to dwell among them. 

Imagine being that close.. close enough to see God with mortal eyes.. and still being alive.. and yet.. soon crumbling under the pressure of people who wanted an idol they could see.  How could they be so faithless?

How can we?  What temptations make us crumble? What takes our eyes off of Jesus? Oh may we want to go up on the mountain and not forget! 

Father in heaven, we do want to see Your glory and never forget that You are with us, dwelling among us.. dwelling in us by Your Spirit. Draw us closer, Lord. Help us to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus! Thank You for Your grace that covers us and Your mercy that is new every morning. We need You, Lord. Come and fill us once again with the living water.. from the well that will never run dry! We praise You and worship You alone. Hallelujah. Amen!

 Exodus 21-23   Many of these laws or ordinances are specific judgements for specific circumstances.  Perhaps these were the actual disputes that came before Moses and his appointed judges.  The Lord provided the consequences that were appropriate to each situation.  The ordinances address such things as personal injuries; actions towards others; property rights; etc.  They tell when and what kinds of restitution should be made in specific situations. 

There are also several reminders included in these laws about worshipping or even naming any false god. "He who sacrifices to any god, other than the Lord alone, shall be utterly destroyed." (22:20)  And, "Now concerning everything which I have said to you, be on your guard; and do not mention the name of other gods, nor let them be heard from your mouth." (23:13)

There are several situations where the Lord says that He, Himself will take the necessary action.. 22:22-24 "You shall not afflict any widow or orphan. If you afflict him at all, and if he does cry out to Me, I will surely hear his cry; and my anger will be kindled and I will kill you with the sword; and your wives shall become widows and your children fatherless."  The second situation involves taking a neighbor's cloak as a pledge but not returning it so he can have cover as he sleeps.. " And it shall come about that when he cries out to Me, I will hear him, for I am gracious." ( 22:26-27)

In chapter 23:10 there is a change in focus, from specific judgements to laws regarding the sabbath and the land.  Then beginning in verse 14 the Lord gives His directions for the national feasts:  The feast of Unleavened Bread; The feast of the Harvest; and the Feast of the Ingathering.  Three times a year all the men would be required to travel to the place of the Lord's choosing to celebrate these important feasts. 

The final section of this chapter deals with the promise of the Lord's direction, protection, and provision as they journeyed  to the promised land. The Lord promised an angel to "guard you along the way and to bring you into the place I have prepared." (v20).  He promised that if they obeyed that  "then I will be an enemy to your enemies and an adversary to your adversaries" (v22).  And He promised, that if they would serve Him.. "He will bless your bread and your water and I will remove sickness from your midst." (v25)  God shared His plan for taking the promised land.. He would drive out the wicked nations; He would fix their boundaries;  He would drive out the inhabitants "little by little" so that the land would not be desolate or overtaken by wild animals. 

Father, I am thankful that You understand every situation that we find ourselves in.. and You have promised to be with us and to hear us when we cry out to You.  We thank You for the promises that we have in Christ Jesus.. as Peter wrote, " For.. He has granted us His precious and magnificent promises in order that by them you might become partakers of the divine nature.. " ( II Peter 1:4) We ask that You would guide us by Your Holy Spirit,  surround us with Your love and truth, and bless us with Your Presence...   Let the grace and peace found in the knowledge of  God and of Jesus Christ our Lord be multiplied in us today... we pray in Jesus' name. Amen. 

 Exodus 20:12-26  The last 6 commandments given to Moses deal with relationships between people.. families, neighbors, communities... nations.  

"Honor your father and your mother..."   Don't murder, commit adultery, steal, lie, or covet what doesn't belong to you.  

All of these things are good and reasonable.. bringing peace and harmony in society.  The Lord starts His focus on the relationships within the family.. the foundation for the rest.  A family where children honor and respect their parents.. where husbands and wives respect and honor their marriage covenants.. this is a family where God is honored and it pleases Him. 

A community that respects and honors others is a place where murder and theft and fraudulent testimonies will not be accepted.  A place where people are grateful for what they have and don't lust after what others have.. is a place of peace and security and rest. 

But.. we know that such ideal places don't exist in our world.. because sin has taken hold of every heart. Oh that the world would receive the redemption that comes through Jesus Christ the Lord.  

The people of Israel listened as the thunder pealed out, the lightning flashed and the fire from heaven caused them to tremble. They didn't want to hear any more.. but the Lord wanted them to hear what He had to say..so that they would have His blessing as they learned to walk in His ways. They needed to have a healthy reverent fear of the Lord. But, they also need to worship Him and Him alone. So do we.. 

Father in heaven, Your commandments are perfect in every way... if only we would keep them all! Thank You that You have given us a Savior that has made a way for us.. to walk in the Spirit and to do all Your good and perfect will in Him.  We are helpless without Your grace, Lord God.  Cause Your name to be found in us.. cover us with Your banner.. fill us with Your Truth and love.  We have died in Christ.. died to sin and died to the law.. but we live in Him alone to do Your good will.  Have Your way in us today we pray. Amen. 

 Exodus 20:1-11   God spoke "all these words"..  These words would be the foundation of  God's covenant with Israel.  Because He is : "the  Lord your God".. the One who delivered the people out of Egypt.. out of slavery.. because He was revealing Himself to them by coming down out of heaven with thunder and lightning and smoke and fire.. these words were vital for them.. as a people of God.. as a nation, set apart as God's own possession. 

The first 4 of these commandments established Israel's relationship with the Lord.  This is what He desired for them and from them.. 

To have no other gods. 

 To have no idols. To have no images.  To never worship anyone or anything other than Him. 

They were to hallow His name. They were never to use His name in any other way but in reverence and worship. 

They were to "remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy."  The seventh day was to always be observed as a day of rest.. to remember the One who made the "heavens and the earth, the sea and all that is in them.. They were given this gift of the sabbath.. and they were to "keep" it sacred.. set apart.. "holy". 

Jesus, when asked which commandment was the greatest, said "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.. " ( Matthew 22:37)  To do this is to keep these first 4 commandments presented to the people of Israel at the foot of Mount Sinai.. the mountain of God. F

Father in heaven, fill our hearts with this great love.. let our souls and our minds.. be completely overwhelmed with love for You.  May we never want anyone or anything more than we want You.. to love You and keep Your commandments.  Thank You for Jesus Christ, who is in us and who leads us into the depths of Your love. It is in His holy name we pray. Amen. 

 Exodus 19  It took 3 months of traveling and living in the wilderness before the people of Israel reached Sinai. This is where they camped.. right in front of the mountain of God.  This is where Moses met God and would receive the Law. This is where the people of Israel would come before God as they never had before. 

It is the Lord who calls Moses up to the mountain.  It is here that He makes His covenant with Israel.  "Now, then, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be My own possession among all the peoples, for all the earth is Mine; and you shall be a kingdom of priests and a holy nation. "  The people responded.. " All that the Lord has spoken we will do!"  With this agreement, the Lord instructs Moses to prepare the people for Him to come down from heaven onto the mountain. 

They have 3 days to prepare themselves.. to wash their clothes.. to abstain from marital relations.. to consecrate themselves.. They have 3 days to prepare for something that they couldn't even begin to imagine. Three times the Lord tells Moses to warn the people not to touch the mountain.  The magnitude of this event is far beyond anything that they had experienced.. far beyond anything we have experienced either.. 

The first thing that happens on the third day is that "thunder and lightning flashes and a thick cloud.." accompanied by a "very loud trumpet".. descends on the mountain.   The people are trembling as Moses leads them out of the camp to the foot of the mountain. 

The mountain was covered with smoke and fire and "the whole mountain quaked violently".  The trumpet got even louder.. and then God spoke..  Moses is called up onto the mountain and the warning is repeated.. no one else can even touch the mountain.. " lest the Lord break out against them."  Then Moses was sent down the mountain again.. this time to bring Aaron up with him... and the people are warned again. 

How do we prepare to meet with God?  Do we wash our clothes? Do we consecrate ourselves in any way? Or do we just walk into church on a Sunday morning with nothing more on our minds then what's for lunch?  Yes, things are different for us now.. on this side of the cross.. but.. should we not be more mindful of the awesomeness of God's Presence?  There is not fire and smoke; no quaking mountains; no loud trumpets.. but God is just as much Present, isn't He?

Father, teach us.. reveal to us.. what we need to learn about coming into Your presence.. on a Sunday morning.. or on any day when we wake up and prepare for the day ahead.  Thank You for being patient with us.  Help us to learn the reverence that we should always have for You.. and may we never take for granted the privilege that we have to come into Your presence... as Your children.  Call us to yourself, Lord,  that we might stand on the holy ground instead of being banished from Your presence. Thank You for Jesus Christ, who has made the way for us to come freely to You.  You have shed Your grace on us.. and we praise and worship You. Amen.