Ex 3:15 The firstborn redemption is a strong reminder and foreshadowing that the blood of the lamb (Yeshua) is our redeemer.
Ex 14:5 A complete reversal, all of the Egyptians were Pharaoh's slaves after the famine during Joseph, now all Israel, who previously were honored guests, had become Pharaoh’s slaves instead. Our own status in this country can easily be flipped as well.
Ex 14:15 Don’t just cry about your situation, do something about it. V26, God didn’t just release the sea on the Egyptians, He told Moses to stretch out His hand. Again showing God works through people’s actions.
Ex 15:26 Obedience brings health / healing.
Ex 16:3 When trials came it seems the Israelites quickly forgot God’s past provisions. In a previous post I mentioned the importance of recording His provisions for us so that when trials come we can look back and be encouraged.
Ex 20:20 The fearful presence of God did not long keep the people from sinning. It is the love of God and His Spirit that brings lasting change.
Ex 24:8 Blood, sprinkled on the people, is used to confirm the covenant of obedience. This covenant was soon broken. Yeshua / Jesus instituted a more intimate covenant of obedience, not by sprinkling, but by “drinking” the blood.
Much detail is given about the tabernacle and priestly garments. The animal sacrifices as well which is foreign to many of us today. One thing I found interesting this time through was that the blood covenant of Ex24:8 was done before these ordinances were given if the timeline is as presented. This seems to separate the tabernacle sacrificial system from the 24:8 covenant of how to treat each other.
Ex 28:30 Urim and Thummim are a mystery to us today. Could it be like casting of lots?
Ex 31 God provides for His assigned tasks.
One of the things I am looking at as I journey through the Bible is the heart of God. In chapter 32 He is ready to wipe out all the Israelites and start over with Moses. This paints a harsher picture of God than people like to consider. The commentary in my HCSB seems to indicate this was more of a test for Moses, but plague after plague will be sent from God against the people. God’s holiness is not to be taken lightly. This also cements our need for a Savior.
Next Reading: Week 5 Exodus 33:1 to Leviticus 12:1
This week I attempted to be more attentive to hearing what God might reveal to me through each chapter, that I might be able to apply or allow to change my perception, and relationship with Him. Here are my Journal notes.
ReplyDeleteEx Chapters 13-15: "Wow! just Wow! The power of God on display, Wow!" Visualizing that power on behalf of people & situations that I am praying for or about.
Ex Chapter 14:13-14: "Don't be afraid, stand firm and you will see how God will deliver you today. The Lord will fight for you, you only need to be still" (speaks for itself)
That pillar of cloud & fire was pretty amazing. It was God's constant presence with His people yet it was taken for granted or forgotten by the people...I do that!
Ex. Chapter 15: I love that song. I remember singing that when I was first saved. I need to sing it more often. "The Lord my God, my Strength, my Song, has now become my Victory!"
When the people grumbled, Moses was quick to cry out to God, and God always showed him what to do.
Ex. Chapter 16: Why couldn't the people have eaten meat from their flocks & herds? Didn't they have the milk from the cows & goats to drink, besides water? I realize that manna was their daily bread, provided by God, but they had provisions around them as well, were they "forbidden" to utilize them?
Ex. Chapter 17: The people's constant grumbling, Moses' constant reminder to God that they were His problem, His people, and He needed to deal with them, makes me realize Moses had a huge responsibility, but he knew he had a huge God that could handle it all.
Ex. Chapter 18: Jethro, the father-in-law is a cool account of guidance from God coming through the advice of another. God speaks in so many different ways.
Ex. Chapter 19: How could the people say God wasn't with them, when there were mighty displays, like what happened on the mountain? What about me? Do I not see all of God's mighty displays around me?
Moses hearing God's actual voice repeatedly, Wow!
Ex. Chapters 20-27: God has very specific & detailed instructions for how we are to live & worship Him. There were to be no shortcuts or "better" ways, He knew what He wanted & expected obedience. His way reaps GREAT rewards. That actual tent, & later tabernacle isn't available for me to worship Him in, yet He says that I am the "The Temple of God" and I am to worship Him with similar guidelines, "In Spirit & in Truth", no shortcuts. His Way works! I need to listen for instructions daily, trust those instructions & follow them. He will show Himself & fulfill His purposes.
ReplyDeleteEx. Chapter 28: (Ties in with your discussion on the Armor of God below Timothy.) Priestly garments = The Armor of God.
Ex. Chapter 29: The priestly garments were anointed & consecrated so that while wearing them 7 days a week, they could worship God. My "Garment of Praise & Worship" should also stay clean & never be removed as my life is considered sacred & dedicated to serving & worshiping God.
Ex. Chapter 30: Altar of Incense = Where I meet daily with God, my life given over to Him as a sweet fragrance of worship. When I rise, and when I lay down, burning continually for Him.
Atonement Money = Jesus paid mine once & for all times. I am bought for a price, & I now belong to Him.
Basin for Washing = By excepting Christ's sacrifice on my behalf, I am washed clean & no longer need to fear death, because Christ presents me clean before His Father.
Anointing Oil & Incense = There was a specific recipe for creating these two items, certain guidelines to follow, to make them Holy & acceptable offerings before God. The same applies as to how I should live my life before God, and what is cool, is He is the one who mixes those ingredients, so my life is acceptable. I just need to allow Him to do so & not make any substitutes, but just live out the recipe.
Ex. Chapter 31: God has appointed everyone of us with a special ability & skill for building His Kingdom. He knows what it is, dear Lord help me to know what mine is and utilize it.
Observe God's Sabbaths: Not only a literal day of the week to honor God & rest, but also finding spiritual rest in my relationship with Him, and through Him, in all areas of my life daily.