Exodus 39:1-40:38
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Big reading day today! We wrap up the book of Exodus!  Below is an amazing piece of art by Pat Marvenko Smith for the very last verse of the book of Exodus, chapter 40 verse 38: “So the cloud of the LORD was over the tabernacle by day, and fire was in the cloud by night, in the sight of all the house of Israel during all their travels.”

I hope that your reading this past month about the Israelites Exodus from Egypt and their emergence as a nation under Moses’ leadership has been a good learning experience for you?  It has been for me – thanks in large measure to the wonderful Comments everyone is posting up each day!  Thanks everyone.  More than anything – I hope that reading about God’s interactions with His covenant people in Egypt, the plagues, the Red Sea, the manna from heaven, the Ten Commandments, and the plans for the Tabernacle has expanded your understanding of who God is and God’s story?  If anyone wants to reflect back on what may have been an interesting learning for you in Exodus this year, please do post up in the Comments section below.

Personally, a couple of learnings for me this year from Exodus that I will share are these – 1.  Moses’ leadership really stood out to me this year as I read through Exodus.  And it was interesting to me that his leadership grew over time.  Early on in Exodus Moses was saying to God to “please don’t choose me to free the Israelites from Egypt – pick someone else” and then by the end of the book Moses has gained enough faith to fast for 40 days on Mt. Sinai and enough confidence to ask God to “show me your glory.”  I think we can see in Moses how God can transform a person’s life completely  – and how God can transform our lives completely – if that person enters into a responsive, faithful, loving and obedient relationship with God.   Point #2 of my learnings this year – my interest and knowledge in some of the intricacies of the tabernacle has grown, which has been wonderful.  Bible.org’s commentary on Exodus chapter 40 titled “The Consecration of the Tabernacle and the Presence of God” is at this link.

Worship Video:  Our readings today reminded me of Jeremy Camp’s song “We Give you Glory:”

Who are you giving glory to these days? Click here and meet true Glory!

Prayer Point: Pray that you would always have faith that Jesus is God and that the Holy Spirit is God and that the Father is God. Pray that you would worship our Triune God, Father, Son and Spirit each and every day.

Comments from you & Question of the Day:  What are some things about the book of Exodus, which we are wrapping up today that stood out to you this year?   What new thing did you learn about God and his people in Exodus this year?  Also, what verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings?  Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!

Love, Trust, and Obey Jesus,
Mike

p.s. I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!

Exodus 37:1-38:31
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I found Exodus chapter 38 verse 8 intriguing today: “The bronze washbasin and its bronze pedestal were cast from bronze mirrors donated by the women who served at the entrance of the Tabernacle.”  Apparently mirrored glass had not yet been invented in these days, but highly polished bronze gave off a good reflection.  This reminds me of Paul’s writings in First Corinthians 13:12 – “Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.” 

Worship Video:  Today’s readings reminded me of the Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir’s great live version of “Worthy is the Lamb:”

Do you know the Worthy Lamb? Click here to meet the Lamb of God!

Comments from you – What verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings?  Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!

God bless,
Mike

p.s. I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!

Exodus 35:10-36:38
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The NIV Study Bible commentary today notes that Exodus 35:4 through 39:43 are for the most part repeated from chapters 25 through 28; 30:1-5; and 31:1-11, sometimes verbatim, but with the verbs primarily in the past rather than the future tense and with the topics arranged in different order.  This type of repetition was a common feature of ancient Near Eastern literature and was intended to fix the details of a narrative in the readers mind.  I really like in today’s readings in chapter 35 that people freely brought their offerings for the tabernacle (much of which was likely given to them by the Egyptians as the Exodus from Egypt began, as you’ll recall from Exodus 12:33-36), as we see in verses 20 through 22 – “So all the people left Moses and went to their tents to prepare their gifts. If their hearts were stirred and they desired to do so, they brought to the LORD their offerings of materials for the Tabernacle and its furnishings and for the holy garments. Both men and women came, all whose hearts were willing. Some brought to the LORD their offerings of gold–medallions, earrings, rings from their fingers, and necklaces. They presented gold objects of every kind to the LORD.”

Bible.org’s commentary on Exodus Chapter 35 titled “Concerning Contributions” is at this link.  Bible.org’s commentary on Exodus Chapter 36 titled “The Tabernacle, The Dwelling Place of God” is at this link.

Worship Video:  Today’s readings reminds me of the song “Above All” sung here by Michael W. Smith:

Do you worship Jesus Above All? Click here and worship Him!

Comments from You: What verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings?  Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!

God bless,
Mike

p.s. I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!

Exodus 34:1-35:9
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Exodus chapter 34 verses 6 & 7 are beautiful and we will hear these words repeated again later in the Old Testament a few times: “”I am the LORD, I am the LORD, the merciful and gracious God. I am slow to anger and rich in unfailing love and faithfulness. I show this unfailing love to many thousands by forgiving every kind of sin and rebellion.”  How do these words resonate with you?  Do you believe God is merciful and gracious?  Slow to anger?  And rich in unfailing love and faithfulness?  Have you asked God for forgiveness for your sins and rebellion?

Verses 33 through 35 in today’s readings tell us: “When Moses had finished speaking with them, he put a veil over his face. But whenever he went into the Tent of Meeting to speak with the LORD, he removed the veil until he came out again. Then he would give the people whatever instructions the LORD had given him, and the people would see his face aglow. Afterward he would put the veil on again until he returned to speak with the LORD.”   

And today’s guest commentary on these preceding verses is from none other than Paul!  This is the Bible giving commentary on the Bible. Here is Paul in his 2nd letter to the Corinthians chapter 3 verses 7 – 18 (read this carefully… read this twice… this is good….) – “That old system of law etched in stone led to death, yet it began with such glory that the people of Israel could not bear to look at Moses’ face. For his face shone with the glory of God, even though the brightness was already fading away. Shouldn’t we expect far greater glory when the Holy Spirit is giving life? If the old covenant, which brings condemnation, was glorious, how much more glorious is the new covenant, which makes us right with God! In fact, that first glory was not glorious at all compared with the overwhelming glory of the new covenant. So if the old covenant, which has been set aside, was full of glory, then the new covenant, which remains forever, has far greater glory. Since this new covenant gives us such confidence, we can be very bold. We are not like Moses, who put a veil over his face so the people of Israel would not see the glory fading away. But the people’s minds were hardened, and even to this day whenever the old covenant is being read, a veil covers their minds so they cannot understand the truth. And this veil can be removed only by believing in Christ. Yes, even today when they read Moses’ writings, their hearts are covered with that veil, and they do not understand. But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, then the veil is taken away. Now, the Lord is the Spirit, and wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, he gives freedom.  And all of us have had that veil removed so that we can be mirrors that brightly reflect the glory of the Lord. And as the Spirit of the Lord works within us, we become more and more like him and reflect his glory even more.”   Not a bad commentary, eh?

Below is an image for verses 29 & 30: “When Moses came down the mountain carrying the stone tablets inscribed with the terms of the covenant, he wasn’t aware that his face glowed because he had spoken to the LORD face to face. And when Aaron and the people of Israel saw the radiance of Moses’ face, they were afraid to come near him.”

Bible.org’s commentary on Exodus chapter 34 titled “A New Beginning” is at this link.

Worship Video:  Today’s readings reminded me of Phil Wickham’s song “How Great Is Your Love:”

Do you know God’s love? Click here for His great love!

Comments from you – What verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings?  Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!

God bless,
Mike

p.s. I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!

Exodus 32:1-33:23
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Today Exodus chapter 32 verse 1 made me think about spiritual “boredom” – “When Moses failed to come back down the mountain right away, the people went to Aaron. “Look,” they said, “make us some gods who can lead us. This man Moses, who brought us here from Egypt, has disappeared. We don’t know what has happened to him.”  I guess what made me think in this verse was this – Moses was gone only 40 days and 40 nights, up Mt. Sinai. Granted, the Israelites were in the middle of nowhere, so this actually might be quite a long time for him to be gone in these circumstances.  But, my thought is this – Do you think maybe the Israelites had somehow gotten “bored” with God?  And I ask this because I wonder if maybe we today get “bored” with God or “bored” with our faith?  And if so…  why?  Why did the Israelites get bored?  Why do we get bored?  What makes me nervous about getting bored with our faith is that what we see take place later in this chapter to the Israelites I think can happen to us – we can pursue false Gods and indulge in dangerous sins.  Typically, I find faith in God and a relationship with God to be the most adventurous thing on earth!  However, I will admit that there have been seasons in my walk where I somehow got bored with my faith.  And I think if I honestly look back at those seasons, I think the boredom came because I stopped moving forward in my relationship with God.  I let my faith kind of stagnate as a status quo.  I started to get distracted by worldly things.  And I got spiritually bored.  And this was not good. So – I wonder – what’s our cure for boredom in our faith?  What keeps our faith fresh?  Part of me thinks that daily spiritual disciplines are part of the answer.  Reading the Bible every day.  Really praying every day.  Giving thanks to God every day.  How about for you?  What do you do to keep your faith fresh?  If you have any spiritual disciplines or habits you are willing to share with others please post up in the Comments section below!  Thanks.

Today in verses 7 & 8 about the golden calf – “Then the LORD told Moses, “Quick! Go down the mountain! The people you brought from Egypt have defiled themselves. They have already turned from the way I commanded them to live. They have made an idol shaped like a calf, and they have worshiped and sacrificed to it. They are saying, `These are your gods, O Israel, who brought you out of Egypt.’” What about us in our lives today? Are we so different from the Israelites? Do we make our own versions of “golden calves” today? Do we have idols that we worship? Money? Career? Popularity? Relationships? Addictions? Our Intelligence? Technology? Do these idols stand in the way of our worship of God? Do they stand in the way of our relationship with God? Do these idols defile us? Do we think sometimes that these idols have actually “brought us out of Egypt” – instead of God? Will we give up these false idols and return to worshipping only God the Father, Son & Holy Spirit with all of our hearts, minds, soul and strength? Will you give up your “golden calf” at the feet of Jesus today?  Below is the painting “The Adoration of The Golden Calf” by Nicolas Poussin from 1633 –

Verse 30 stood out for me in this chapter as Moses interceded to God for the people of Israel after their sin – “The next day Moses said to the people, “You have committed a terrible sin, but I will return to the LORD on the mountain. Perhaps I will be able to obtain forgiveness for you.””   And today, we have one more powerful than Moses who intercedes for us to God – and that is Jesus.  Our High Priest.  The Suffering Servant.  The Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. Commentary on Exodus chapter 32 at bible.org is at this link.  Commentary on Exodus chapter 33 at bible.org is at this link.  Below is a portrait by artist Guy Rowe of Moses speaking to God, what looks to be the “stiff-necked” people, and the broken tablets from today’s readings.  It seems like 32:31-32 might be the fitting verses for this image below – “So Moses went back to the LORD and said, “Oh, what a great sin these people have committed! They have made themselves gods of gold. But now, please forgive their sin—but if not, then blot me out of the book you have written.”

Worship Video:  Our readings today reminded me of this Maverick City song with Kirk Franklin called “My Life is In Your Hands:”

Is your Life in God’s Hands? Click here and be Held forevermore!

Comments from You and Questions of the Day: The Golden Calf readings… Are we so different from the Israelites? Do we make our own versions of “golden calves” today? Do we have idols that we worship? Money? Career? Popularity? Relationships? Addictions? Our Intelligence? Technology? Do these idols stand in the way of our worship of God? Do they stand in the way of our relationship with God?  Do these idols defile us?  Also, what verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings?  Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!

God bless,
Mike

p.s. I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!

Exodus 30:11-31:18
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Today in Exodus chapter 30 we read about the bronze basin.  The bronze basin was used by the priests to cleanse themselves before performing their duties. It was cast from bronze mirrors donated by women who served at the entrance of the Tabernacle. Chapter 31 verses 1 through 3 stood out to me today: “The LORD also said to Moses, “Look, I have chosen Bezalel son of Uri, grandson of Hur, of the tribe of Judah. I have filled him with the Spirit of God, giving him great wisdom, intelligence, and skill in all kinds of crafts.”  These verses make me wonder about our lives.  Has God chosen you?  What has God given you as gifts and skills?  Do you believe that your gifts, skills, and wisdom come from God?  Are you using these gifts, skills, and wisdom in the service of God?

In verse 13 we read: “Tell the people of Israel to keep my Sabbath day, for the Sabbath is a sign of the covenant between me and you forever. It helps you to remember that I am the LORD, who makes you holy.”  How about for you? Do you think taking one day of rest – true rest – as a Sabbath is a good idea? Is there an activity that you are doing 7 days a week, that you can do just 6 days a week? Are you over-scheduling yourself maybe 7 days a week? Can you take 1 day a week to not be scheduled? Tons of great Biblical commentary on the Sabbath is online at bible.org at this link, and at this link, and at this link.  Today’s OT readings finish with verse 18: “Then as the LORD finished speaking with Moses on Mount Sinai, he gave him the two stone tablets inscribed with the terms of the covenant, written by the finger of God.”

Worship Video:  Today’s readings reminded me of the Sanctus Real song “Forgiven:”

Are you Forgiven? Click here for true forgiveness!

Comments from You:  What verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings?  Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!

God bless,
Mike

p.s. I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!

Exodus 29:1-30:10
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Today in Exodus chapter 29 we read about the dedication of Aaron and his sons as priests!

Verse 37 stood out to me in this chapter: “After that, the altar will be exceedingly holy, and whatever touches it will become holy.”  It’s interesting to consider the verses prior to this – with the 7 days of sacrifices of young bulls.  For some reason this verse reminded me of Jesus and how people could simply touch the tassels of his robes and they would be healed.  I think it’s fair to say that Jesus was much more holy than this altar was – and Jesus did not require purification rituals or sacrificing of bulls to make Jesus holy, as this altar did.  Jesus “embodied” holiness!  (and we’ll get to the power of Jesus’ body in today’s Matthew readings…)  Below is an image of the altar of burnt offering in use:

In Chapter 30 we read about the incense altar. I read a commentary that said the incense from this altar represented prayers to God from his people.  We can see this similarity in Revelation chapter 8 verses 3 & 4: “Then another angel with a gold incense burner came and stood at the altar. And a great quantity of incense was given to him to mix with the prayers of God’s people, to be offered on the gold altar before the throne. The smoke of the incense, mixed with the prayers of the saints, ascended up to God from the altar where the angel had poured them out.”  It is wonderful imagery to realize that our prayers to God are like fragrant incense!

Worship Video:  Today’s readings reminded me of the song by the Christian band Kutless called “Sea of Faces”.  This song reminds me of The Lord’s Supper every time I hear it – “I see the city lights all around me – Everyone’s obscure.  Ten million people each with their problems – Why should anyone care? And in Your eyes I can see – that I am not just a man, vastly lost in this world. Lost in a Sea of Faces. Your body’s the bread, Your blood is the wine. Because you traded Your life for mine….”

Do you feel lost in a sea of faces? Click here and be Found!

Comments from You: What verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings?  Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!

God bless,
Mike

p.s. I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!

Exodus 28:1-43
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Today in Exodus chapter 28 we read about the ephod for the priests!  The ephod was a sleeveless outer vest that typically extended down to the hips and had a waistband to hold the front and back of the ephod to the priest’s body.  The ephod is the blue cloth in this image below, and the chestpiece you’ll see has the four rows of gemstones:

The high priest wearing the ephod and chestpiece:

Exodus chapter 28 verse 1 stood out to me in today’s readings: “Your brother, Aaron, and his sons, Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar, will be set apart from the common people. They will be my priests and will minister to me.”  Here we see that the priests are being set apart as mediators between the people of Israel and God.  And this role is ultimately fulfilled in Jesus Christ as our high priest.  Jesus is now the mediator between God and us.   Personally, I still do see so much value in pastors and clergy in our lives and churches today.  We’ll study more about these important roles in Paul’s writings in the New Testament.  However, I also personally believe that we can approach the throne of God through Jesus Christ as our mediator – and that we don’t need another human mediator here on earth to approach God.  Jesus is more than enough.  Do you believe that Jesus is our high priest today?   Do you believe that Jesus is the mediator between you and God?

More information on the Urim and Thummim we read about today is online at this link.

Worship Video:  Today’s readings reminded me of this wonderful song by Keith & Krysten Getty called “The Lord is My Salvation:

Who is your salvation? Click here for your Salvation!

Comments from You: What verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings?  Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!

God bless,
Mike

p.s. I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!

Exodus 26:1-27:21
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Today in Exodus chapters 26 & 27 we read about God’s plans for the Tabernacle, the Altar and the Courtyard.  I have to admit, I have zoned out a bit when reading these chapters in years past.  But for some reason this year these details were fascinating to me today!   Why the change?  I’m not 100% sure, other than I do think repeated study of the Bible year after year does bear fruit and does grow our interest in every iota of God’s Word.  So, if by chance you felt like you were zoning out a bit when reading these chapters today, don’t be discouraged.  The interest will definitely come with time and further study of all of God’s Word.  Let me recommend to you that you don’t skim over chapters like these though.  Please do read each word.  If you skim this year, you’ll skim next year and you’ll miss out on the fruit that will come from this study.  I have found images really help my understanding of chapters like these, so I’ll post up a few images, which will hopefully help you visualize what we’ve read about today.  Below are a couple of images of the tabernacle and its layout:

Worship Video:  Today’s readings reminded me of the fantastic Matthew West song called “The Motions.” Here are two video versions of this song, below. The first video is a great live version of the song. The second video is from a documentary shows Matthew going through vocal cord surgery, which is quite a scary thing for any of us to go through, much less a singer..

Are you just going through the Motions? Click here for Eternal Motion!

Comments from You:  What verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings?  Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!

God bless,
Mike

p.s. I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!

Exodus 23:14-25:40
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Today in Exodus chapter 23 we read about the Festival of Unleavened Bread, the Festival of Harvest, and the Festival of Final Harvest (also known as Festival of Booths or Ingathering or Tabernacles).  Commentary on Exodus chapter 24, entitled “The Magnificent Meal on Mt. Sinai” is at bible.org at this link.  This old covenant meal was a foreshadowing of Jesus’ new covenant Last Supper with his disciples just before his death and resurrection. In chapter 24 Moses is called up on the mountain for forty days and forty nights – similarly Jesus spent forty days and forty nights in the desert after his baptism and before beginning his public ministry. Below is a wonderful image by C.F. Vos of Moses receiving the Law from God on Mount Sinai:

Worship Video:  Today’s readings reminded me of the amazing MercyMe song “Word of God Speak.”  Here’s a video of some great images and Scripture verses set to this song:

Have you hear God’s voice? Click here for the Word of God!

Comments from You:  What verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings?  Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!

God bless,
Mike

p.s. I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!