There were many preparations and details to follow in constructing the tabernacle, and God knew that the Sabbath must be kept or the work would become a distraction instead of an outlet of His glory. What distracts you from spending time with Him? These distractions may not be inherently sinful – but they can be unnecessary or imbalanced. Make a conscious and intentional decision to choose what is better.
Exodus 30: Clutter
So far in Exodus, we’ve learned about five of the seven pieces of furniture associated with the tabernacle: the ark and mercy seat, the table, the lampstand, and the altar. Everything has a divine connection and meaning – it all points to Christ. It makes me stop and think about the “furniture” which takes up residence in my temple (heart). What story does my thoughts, actions, family, career, bank account, free-time, and so forth tell? Lord, show us what creates clutter.
Exodus 29: Set Apart
Exodus 28: Fashion Fads
Exodus 27: Unclean Lips
God knew that corporate worship was necessary for the life of the believer. In Hebrews 10:25 we’re told not to forsake the assembling of ourselves together. Like mentioned in Exodus 26 , how can we bear one another’s burdens if we are not fastened together? Christ did not die for us to stand separately, but sacrificed Himself so we could be tied to Him and to the other believers. God desires a unified body – a tabernacle – for Him to dwell in.
Exodus 26: Diverse, Yet Unified
The Tabernacle was to be a single unit. It had diverse structures and parts, but cohesively came together into one. Division and hatred have been in the current events spotlight recently, and I'm not going to recount those headlines or draw attention to them. Regardless of what is happening in these final days, as believers, we know where to fix, fasten, and focus our eyes: the unified Trinity.
I Lay It Down
This past Tuesday morning, I woke up feeling extra tired. On top of this, I was also in an unusual state of anxiousness. First, let me be clear in that stress is not my zone. I can do pressure ALL. DAY. LONG. But, stress is like a dark, graffiti-ridden neighborhood of my mind in which you don't want to live. I could tell I was stressed because I had "work dreams." You know, the kind where you dream about real life in your head and you feel like you put in an extra six hours of labor when you wake up…
Exodus 25: Be a Light, Not a Basket Case
God doesn’t want us to “basket-ize” our life. He wants us to let His light shine freely to those around us. Maybe it’s the basket of busyness, or the career basket, or the baby basket. Regardless, it doesn’t need to be covering up His light. Get your oil from the Holy Spirit, through communing at the table with Christ, and praise Him who sits on the throne of mercy and grace!
Hemmed In
Exodus 24: Awe Struck
The theme of chapters 1-18 in Exodus is how the Lord delivered His people from Egypt (bondage). In chapters 19-24 – what we are currently studying – the Israelites are at Mount Sinai so the Lord can adopt them as His children. He’s allowed them to experience Him and be taught by Him through Moses’ words.
We’re over half-way there! Persevere in your study as there are so many parallels between the Old Testament law and our freedom in Christ Jesus now.
This Old World
Exodus 23: Little by Little
Rest assured: little by little, God will continue His sanctifying work in our life through His Word. We know this because Jesus prayed it Himself in John 17:17, which says, “Sanctify them in the truth: thy word is truth.” Be in His truth, day by day, and allow Him to drive out the sin of your life through that truth.
Exodus 22: A Holy Nation
God desires our best because He gave His best: Jesus. This a rich truth for us to anchor in our life, especially as we begin each morning. I understand not everyone is a morning person, but we see Christ’s example throughout the gospels of how He rose very early in the morning (Mark 1:35) to pray. Jesus knew that feeding our spiritual man first, would bring about a godly harvest for the day.
The Parades of Life
Exodus 21: The Mark of Servitude
In Exodus 20, we learned about the Ten Commandments. Aren’t you thankful that you live in the New Testament and have the privilege to know God’s grace through Christ Jesus? Hebrews 10:1 tells us that the law was a shadow of the good things to come. God knew giving a law to the people wouldn’t bring about true righteousness; but, it was another step toward the revealing of His Son.
Exodus 20: Law v. Grace
Be Moses today. You have the opportunity to approach God’s throne freely and with confidence (Hebrews 4:16). Most of the world today – even Christians – are standing at a distance. Be the one person who chooses to go into the thickness with God. It is in God’s thickness that our troubles become muted, the chaos lessens, and the distractions diminish. Enjoy the Lord’s great love and peace enveloped around you!
Exodus 19: Christ's Imprinting
Exodus 18: Be Ye Wise
God has placed godly guardrails in our lives to keep us from falling into the ditch. Allow the individual(s) whom God has placed in your life to guide you. Proverbs 11:4 reminds us there is safety in a multitude of counselors. Surround yourself with those who fear God; absorb and act upon their wisdom, just as Moses did. And don’t forget: true wisdom always aligns with His Word.
Exodus 17: Raise The Banner
When we’re young in our relationship with Christ, this “give me” attitude that the Israelites had is common. But God doesn’t want us to stay young in our faith – He desires us to grow. First Peter 2:2 says, “as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby, if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is gracious.” We are to desire the Word just as a baby desires milk. Let's read on...
Exodus 16: A Pot of Meat, Oh How Divine?!
The Israelites have been out of Egypt for a month and a half, roughly. Last week, we listened in as they murmured and complained to Moses about the lack of water, and then no sooner read how the Lord turned bitter water into sweet and led them to twelve wells and 70 palm trees. He is a God of more than enough. Now we pick up in the following chapter where the Israelites are back on the road again. I think you’ll find out their attitude hasn’t changed much…praise God that He is patient with us!