Journal Through the Bible: Week 17 Tuesday

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Exodus chapter 39

The work of constructing the tabernacle and sewing the priestly garments was completed and brought before Moses for final inspection. It was done as God had commanded so Moses blessed them.

Does God make any promises in this chapter?

• God does not speak in this chapter, but Moses speaks in God's place when he praises ("blesses") the people for completing the work exactly as God had commanded.

Are there any references to Jesus?

• Aaron, and those who would be the High Priest after him, were all types of Christ, the perfect High Priest (Hebrews chapters 6 and 7).
• The workers who manufactured the tabernacle and the priestly uniforms were a type of Christ who finished the assigned work of their God before enjoying their rest from the labor. The craftsmanship of  their work spoke for itself.

Are there any references to future events?

• The engravings and signets for remembrance remind US that God will never forget His people. Never!

Does God issue any commands?

• The priestly garments are made as previously commanded by God

Journal Through the Bible: Week 17 Monday

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Exodus chapter 38

They are wandering in a wilderness far away from civilization, but the women have mirrors with them in their luggage because one never knows just whom one might meet!  :)

And Bezaleel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, made all that the LORD commanded Moses. And with him was Aholiab, son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan, an engraver, and a cunning workman, and an embroiderer in blue, and in purple, and in scarlet, and fine linen.  -- Exodus 38:22-23

Does God make any promises in this chapter?

• No, God does not speak.

Are there any references to Jesus?

• The perfection of the work (such as man can do) speaks of the perfection of Jesus. The work done was holy and acceptable to God.

Are there any references to future events?

• The account given of the gold, silver, and brass reminds me of the accounts given in Revelation of all the riches awaiting in Heaven. The treasures of these people were always with them in their place of worship. We're told in Matthew 6:20-21 that we are to lay up for ourselves treasure in Heaven and that where our treasure is there will our hearts be also. So someday we will have access to that treasure that we have awaiting us in Heaven.

Does God issue any commands?

• No, God does not speak.

Sunday Psalm: Abiding in the Tabernacle of the LORD

Psalm 15

1 LORD, who shall abide in thy tabernacle? who shall dwell in thy holy hill? 

2 He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, and speaketh the truth in his heart. 3 He that backbiteth not with his tongue, nor doeth evil to his neighbour, nor taketh up a reproach against his neighbour. 4 In whose eyes a vile person is contemned; but he honoureth them that fear the LORD. He that sweareth to his own hurt, and changeth not. 5 He that putteth not out his money to usury, nor taketh reward against the innocent. 

He that doeth these things shall never be moved.

Psalms 15:1-5 (KJV)

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TAKE TIME: Reading Assignment for April 29-May 4, 2013

Introduction: After the Tabernacle and its furnishings, as well as the garments for the priests, are completed according to the patterns given to Moses by God the next step is to give instructions to the Levites and priests for the proper way of offering sacrifices. This was a nasty but necessary ceremony designed to teach the people just how terrible sin is and what a high price it costs.


Reading Assignment:

• Monday - Exodus chapter 38
• Tuesday - Exodus chapter 39
• Wednesday - Exodus chapter 40
• Thursday - Leviticus 1:1-3:17
• Friday - Leviticus 4:1-5:13
• Saturday - Leviticus 5:14-6:30

Memory Verse

And Moses did look upon all the work, and behold, they had done it as the LORD had commanded, even so had they done it: and Moses blessed them.  Exodus 39:43


Prayer Journal (ACTS)

• Adoration - This week take time each day to praise God for His perfection.
• Confession - Sacrifice offerings were killed for the purpose of showing the people just how vulgar sin is. We are not required to make these sacrifices now because Jesus was our sacrifice. Think about your sins, even those you think of as little sins, and try to comprehend what a horrific penalty had to be paid for them. Then once you have some picture of what they cost, confess them with the sincerity true repentance deserves.
• Thanksgiving - Thank God for providing the Bible to tell us the way of salvation! It would be terrible if there was a way to make peace with God but we had no way of knowing what that is!
• Supplication - What are your prayer requests this week? List them for future reference so that you can see how God answers.

Search the Scriptures

Look for references for each of the following:

• Promises that God made and to whom He made them. Do they apply to you?
• References that either refer to or infer something about future events.
• What does this passage teach about Jesus?
• Commandments that God made and to whom He made them. Do they apply to you?

Putting the Word into Action

The passages that we are reading these days are directions given to the Hebrew nation to teach them how to be acceptable to God. These directions were written down and were to be followed exactly. They weren't, of course, but that was part of the object lesson, too. We call this part of the Old Testament the Law and it was a major part of the covenant between God and His people. In the New Testament we find that Jesus was the fulfillment of the Old Testament because He was able to satisfy the demands of the Law and He was the perfect sacrifice which was able to make us acceptable to God. This is why the part of scripture where we learn about Jesus is called the New Testament. The Old Testament and the New Testament together comprise the Bible. This week concentrate on getting the Bible into the hands of someone who needs it. This might mean sending money to a Bible society, volunteering at a Bible printing organization, or buying a Bible for someone who needs it. Give this some thought and prayer. Someone needs directions to God!

Journal Through the Bible: Week 16 Saturday

Exodus chapter 37

I am in awe of Bezaleel! He was chosen by God to take wood and gold to fashion the Ark of the Covenant with its mercy seat and cherubim where God said He would meet with His people. What a magnificent responsibility this man had! And he must have done a magnificent job of following God's plans because his work was accepted. We are also told in this chapter that he made the table of shewbread, the candlestick, and the altar of incense, too.

Does God make any promises in this chapter? 

• None. But we know from other scripture passages that those who did not take the handling of God's Ark of the Covenant seriously paid a serious penalty by forfeiting either their health or their lives so we can assume that Bezaleel was very respectful in his work. We also know from other scripture that many were blessed when the Ark was within their jurisdiction so I assume that Bezaleel was a very blessed man. (In some way this could even be an interpretation of the Abrahamic Covenant when God told him, "I will bless them that bless you and curse them that curse you." Bezaleel's careful work on the Ark of the Covenant showed respect for both Abraham and his God.

Are there any references to Jesus? 

• All of these articles of furniture represented Jesus Christ and at least one of His Godly attributes. (See previous journal entries.)

Are there any references to future events?

• Some of these Tabernacle furnishings were seen by the Apostle John in his Heavenly vision recorded in Revelation. (That does not necessarily mean that it is the exact candlestick or incense altar made by Bezaleel since there were some fashioned during the temple periods also but they very well might be the same. Who can say?!)

Does God issue any commands?

• No. Evidently His commands for the work were being carried out to the letter.

Read Through the Bible in 2013: April 29-May 4

Take Ten

4/29/2013	Joshua 18, 19	I Corinthians 13, 14
4/30/2013	Joshua 20-22	I Corinthians 15
5/1/2013	Joshua 23, 24	I Corinthians 16
5/2/2013	Judges 1-3	Acts 19
5/3/2013	Judges 4, 5	Acts 20
5/4/2013	Judges 6, 7	II Corinthians 1, 2

For information concerning the Old Testament book of Judges and the New Testament book of II Corinthians see this post. (Scroll down past the information for Joshua and past the information for Ruth, which you will be reading in a few weeks.)

Journal Through the Bible: Week 16 Friday

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Exodus chapter 36
God's people gave freely out of their abundance until finally the workmen told Moses to tell the people to stop giving because there was too much! From the materials that the people gave the craftsmen and artisans were able to fashion the curtains, loops, boards, sockets, vails, and pillars. (In future chapters we will read of the other things they made.)

Does God make any promises in this chapter?

• There are no promises made in this chapter, but in previous chapters we were told that the reason they were doing all this work was because God promised to meet with them in this Tabernacle that they were building.

Are there any references to Jesus?

• In previous journal posts I stated that these physical objects designed by God were specifically to represent the Messiah and as such were object lessons to teach the people about their future Messiah: Jesus Christ. In much the same way that these curtains, boards, and pillars made up a "tent" to picture Christ, in the New Testament we are told that churches represent the bodies of Christ in their respective locations. Perhaps there are parts of this Tabernacle pattern that do not seem as important as others but the Apostle Paul said that as a body of believers meeting as a congregation each member is as important as another and each has a role to fulfill. (See 1 Corinthians 12:12-27.)

Are there any references to future events?

• God gives each individual the talents and abilities that He wishes them to have and expects them to be used for His glory. I fully expect that the talents we have will be with us and enjoyed by both God and our fellow-man forever. (I take great comfort in believing that I will be able to enjoy my children's talents throughout eternity.)

Does God issue any commands?

• In the first few verses we see God's earlier call for specific craftsmen and any other craftsmen who wanted to help being answered WILLINGLY! (see verse 2)
• We also see that God's commands to follow His specific patterns for the curtains and boards were being followed.

Journal Through the Bible: Week 16 Thursday

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Exodus chapter 35

After the golden calf incident where many of the people used the gold obtained from their Egyptian neighbors to make an idol, Moses gathered everyone together to give them instructions that God had given him for the building and furnishing of the tabernacle and the priests. (These commands from God have been listed in previous posts.)

The people willingly gave offerings of their possessions to the LORD, as well they should, since they would not even have had these possessions unless God had taken His people out of Egypt. After all, slaves do not own fine things! It was only because the Egyptians were so willing to give almost everything they owned to the Hebrews hoping to spare their own lives that God's people had gold, silver, jewels, fine linens, and precious oils and spices among their sparse luggage. And yet God had told them that He was not going to force anyone to give an offering. It was to be given only by those who desired to give.


Does God offer any promises in this chapter?

• No, but we see the fulfillment of one of God's promises when Moses calls out Bezaleel and Aholiab to be separated to do the specialty work for the Tabernacle.

Are there any references to Jesus?

• I did not identify any certain symbols or types that signified Christ. However, the people were willing to give substantial offerings because of their hearts of thankfulness (see verse 29) and this is how the Lord's churches operate today. The members of churches freely give offerings because of thankfulness for what the Head of their church (Jesus) has done for them. It is not the giver that is glorified: it is the God who removes the person from slavery to sin that is glorified by the gift! (Jesus said about faithful servants that "whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: . . ." in Luke 12:48. He was using an earthly parable of a master and a servant to teach this spiritual principle of receiving much from the Lord and giving it back for God's use.)

Are there any references to future events?

• In John's vision recorded in Revelation those who receive rewards then cast them at the feet of Jesus. Why do they do this? It is because they know that they were poor slaves (to sin) who suddenly became rich when redeemed by Jesus so they give willingly out of thankfulness. Do they become poor as a result? Hardly! They share in all of Jesus' wealth throughout eternity!

Does God issue any commands?

• No, but Moses does repeat the commands that God had already spoken (and of which we read in previous chapters).

Journal Through the Bible: Week 16 Wednesday

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Exodus chapter 34
God gave the Hebrew children a second chance. Not only am I thankful for the second chance that He gave them but I am thankful for all the second chances He has given me over the course of my lifetime, too.


Does God make any promises in this chapter?

• God promised mercy to those who did not deserve it even though the results of iniquity could be upon the children of the guilty for three or four generations.
• God promised to do magnificent things before the people like they had never seen.

Are there any references to Jesus?

• Moses was a type of Christ when he put the veil over his face when he came to the people directly from the presence of God. Jesus put on human flesh to come to earth when He left His Father to in order to minister among us.

Are there any references to future events?

• Moses radiated God's glory upon his face. Scripture repeats this description many times when speaking of those who have been in the presence of God. This will probably be experienced by all of the redeemed in their eternal state

Does God issue any commands?

• God told Moses to hew two more stone tablets so that God can write on them the words that were on the first ones that Moses broke after the people sinned. The same conditions were given about men and animals not approaching the mount when Moses and God met together.
• God warned Moses about ratifying covenants with the inhabitants of Canaan
• God commanded that all of the Canaanite altars and emblems of idol worship be destroyed
• Commands were given about not taking idolatrous wives that would turn away the hearts of the men of Israel.
• God repeated His commands about not worshiping idols or making images for the sake of worship
• God repeated His commands about redeeming a firstborn, keeping the Sabbath, and keeping the feast days as a sign of the covenant between the Hebrew people and God.
• God commanded Moses to write all the words of the covenant again.

Journal Through the Bible: Week 16 Tuesday

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Exodus 32:15-33:23
Replacing the worship of God with the worship of anything else is the beginning of a difficult path that leads to chaos. Drunkenness, immorality, and throwing away all inhibitions was exactly why God planned to replace the people who inhabited Canaan with the Hebrews!

Yesterday we read of the anger of God and the intercession of Moses. Today we read of the anger of Moses and how he euphemistically "stuck their noses" into their vile filth by making them drink the water containing the flakes of gold after first breaking the stone tablets containing the writings of God and also the golden calf representing the sacrilege of the people.

The wages of sin is death. And on this day about three thousand men died.

As a result of their sin the Tabernacle was moved outside of the camp because God will not reside in the middle of sin and the people had just proven that they didn't really want Him as their God. Moses and Joshua approached the Tabernacle where it was and God met with them there.

Moses petitioned God that if He would not be with Moses as he led the Hebrew people that God would release him from this obligation. When God agreed Moses requests to see God's glory as a sign of this agreement. God placed Moses in the cleft of a rock and covered him with His hand as He passed by.

Does God make any promises in this passage?

• God promised to have His angel lead them to the land of milk and honey but stated that He would not be in the middle of them because the people had been tested and had failed.
• God promised to be with Moses as he led the people.

Are there any references to Jesus?

• Moses attempts to atone for the people by asking God to make him the sacrifice for them by blotting out his name from the Book of Life instead of the names of the sinners. God refuses Moses' offer because Moses is not a faultless human being himself, but God did not refuse Jesus' offer to take the place of sinful humanity because Jesus had no sins of His own for which He must atone.
• The rock is a symbol of Jesus. We are placed in the cleft of the rock and protected while we wait to behold the glory of God.  In our natural bodies we cannot see God but we can behold Jesus, God in the flesh. This is what Jesus told Thomas in John chapter 14 when Thomas asks Jesus to show them the Father and it would satisfy them and Jesus answers him by asking, "Have I been with you so long, Thomas, and you have not known me?"

Are there any references to future events?

• Someday we will be able to see the glory of God and not die because our glorified bodies will not be sinful. Sinful flesh cannot see God and live. I John 3:1-2 tells us that we are now the sons of God and we do not totally comprehend what our bodies shall be like but that when Jesus appears for us we shall be like Him and see Him as He is.

Does God issue any commands?

• God told Moses to go back to the leadership position of the people. He reminds him again of the Angel that is to go before them and reminds Moses of His earlier warning not to provoke this Angel because there would be no forgiveness for doing so. God proved this by sending a plague among the people for provoking this Angel with the golden calf.
• God told them to leave off all their ornaments and baubles and to mourn for their sin of idol worship. The Tabernacle was then moved outside the camp as a sign that God was not in their midst anymore.

Journal Through the Bible: Week 16 Monday

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Exodus 31:1-32:14

Just a few days ago we read about God hosting Moses, Aaron, Nadab, Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel to a meal on Mount Sinai (24:9-11) and showing them His radiant glory, but now we read where this same Aaron built idols of golden calves for the people to worship when they grew weary of waiting for Moses to come down from the mount. (We often grow tired of waiting for God to "show up," don't we? But He is never late!)

It just goes to show that encountering the true and living God face-to-face is not enough to make someone worship or obey Him. This was also proven in the New Testament when many saw Jesus on a daily basis, witnessed His miracles, and yet refused to worship or obey Him. We really are sinful creatures, aren't we? It amazes me that God allowed Aaron to live after this event. But then, it amazes me that God allows me to live after the way I disobey and worship my own self sometimes. What a testimony of God's mercy and grace!

Does God make any promises in this passage?

• God promised to give the wisdom of metallurgy, crafting jewelry, and carpentry work to Bezaleel and select workmen for the building of the Tabernacle, its furniture, and its attendants.

Are there any references to Jesus?

• Moses is a type of Christ in this passage. He ascends out of their sight for a season and those left below begin to forget that he promised to return at the time appointed by God. 2 Peter chapter 3 tells us that scoffers mock in these days as we await the return of the Lord Jesus Christ.
• Moses is a type of Christ a second time when he intercedes for the people and pleads with God not to destroy them for their deliberate sinfulness. Moses pleads the Abrahamic covenant. Jesus pleads the new covenant!

Are there any references to future (to us) events?

• The willful disobedience of the people who were directly under God's rule, and especially Aaron, remind me of what is written about those who will be directly under the supervisory rule of Jesus during His millennial reign. Many will then choose to rebel when given the chance to do so. Obedience and worship is a matter of the heart and human hearts are deceitful and desperately wicked! 

Does God issue any commands?

• God commanded them to finish the work of building the Tabernacle
• God commanded that the Sabbath day be set apart from all other days
• God commanded Moses to go down off the mountain to the people and threatened to kill them for their sin of using the gold that they were to give for a consecration offering for God's Tabernacle as a desecration offering for their idols.

Note: The genealogy of this passage is fascinating when compared to other scriptures! I wish I could include a family tree diagram. This Bezaleel, the grandson of Hur, was the great-grandson of Caleb, the man who will be prominent in future passages for being one of only two of the twelve spies that insisted that the Children of Israel obey God and take the land! And Bezaleel's grandfather, Hur, is the one who helped hold up Moses' arms in the battle against the Amalekites. He is also the one who helped Aaron attend to the people in Moses' absence. God named Hur specifically as Aaron's helper. This truly was a family following God's leading.

Sunday Psalm: Make A Joyful Noise Unto the LORD, Not Golden Calves!

Psalm 66

To the chief Musician, A Song or Psalm.

1 Make a joyful noise unto God, all ye lands: 2 Sing forth the honour of his name: make his praise glorious. 3 Say unto God, How terrible art thou in thy works! through the greatness of thy power shall thine enemies submit themselves unto thee. 4 All the earth shall worship thee, and shall sing unto thee; they shall sing to thy name. Selah. 5 Come and see the works of God: he is terrible in his doing toward the children of men. 6 He turned the sea into dry land: they went through the flood on foot: there did we rejoice in him. 7 He ruleth by his power for ever; his eyes behold the nations: let not the rebellious exalt themselves. Selah.

8 O bless our God, ye people, and make the voice of his praise to be heard: 9 Which holdeth our soul in life, and suffereth not our feet to be moved. 10 For thou, O God, hast proved us: thou hast tried us, as silver is tried. 11 Thou broughtest us into the net; thou laidst affliction upon our loins. 12 Thou hast caused men to ride over our heads; we went through fire and through water: but thou broughtest us out into a wealthy place.
13 I will go into thy house with burnt offerings: I will pay thee my vows, 14 Which my lips have uttered, and my mouth hath spoken, when I was in trouble. 15 I will offer unto thee burnt sacrifices of fatlings, with the incense of rams; I will offer bullocks with goats. Selah. 16 Come and hear, all ye that fear God, and I will declare what he hath done for my soul. 17 I cried unto him with my mouth, and he was extolled with my tongue. 18 If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me: 19 But verily God hath heard me; he hath attended to the voice of my prayer. 20 Blessed be God, which hath not turned away my prayer, nor his mercy from me.

Psalms 66:1-20 (KJV)

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TAKE TIME: Reading Assignment for April 22-27, 2013

Introduction: While Moses is on Mount Sinai receiving the conditions of God's covenant with the Children of Israel, the people are below breaking that very covenant! God accepts the intercession of Moses on behalf of the people. The plans for the Tabernacle were almost thrown away before the work on it had even begun!


Reading Assignment:

• Monday - Exodus 31:1-32:14
• Tuesday - Exodus 32:15-33:23
• Wednesday - Exodus chapter 34
• Thursday - Exodus chapter 35
• Friday - Exodus chapter 36
• Saturday - Exodus chapter 37

Memory Verse

And he gave unto Moses, when he had made an end of communing with him upon mount Sinai, two tables of testimony, tables of stone, written with the finger of God.  Exodus 31:18


Prayer Journal (ACTS)

• Adoration - This week take time each day to praise God for His mercy! 
• Confession - God gives us work to do. We promise to do it. How often do we decide that we do not want to do things God's way and determine to do things our own way? Too often! I John 1:9 tell us to confess and God will forgive. This is because He is merciful, meaning we are forgiven even though we do not deserve it.
• Thanksgiving - Thank God for forgiveness! There is no way to keep track of how many "second chances" God gives us.
• Supplication - What are your prayer requests this week? List them for future reference so that you can see how God answers.

Search the Scriptures

Look for references for each of the following:

• Promises that God made and to whom He made them. Do they apply to you?
• References that either refer to or infer something about future events.
• What does this passage teach about Jesus?
• Commandments that God made and to whom He made them. Do they apply to you?

Putting the Word into Action

God has been giving the Hebrews instructions for their Tabernacle, the place where God would meet with them. The New Testament tells us that our bodies are the Temple where God now resides and meets with us. This is a good time to take inventory of yourself. Are you keeping your Temple holy and useful for worshiping God? This would be a good time to begin a personal revival within your Temple. (See Romans 12:1-2 and I Corinthians 6:19)

Journal Through the Bible: Week 15 Saturday

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Exodus chapter 30


Does God  make any promises in this chapter?

• None specified, but many implied! For instance, by making the proper oils and incense to be offered to God the implication is that God would accept the people and their offering. This is good news, indeed!

Are there any references to Jesus?

• The incense offered upon the altar was made up of certain precious spices, including some that were used in burial. Note the use of frankincense, which was one of the gifts that the wise men brought to Jesus. The burning of frankincense was one way to hold down insect infestation, something that would be very important where the slaughtering of animals was a daily activity. Scripture tells us that Jesus' body did not decay (Psalm 16:10, for instance) and that by the time the women arrived at His tomb He had already arisen from the dead which meant that His body did not need the spices that they brought for odors or preservation of the corpse. These spices that God had the Hebrews compound as an acceptable incense to be offered in His Tabernacle presence were a reminder of the coming death of the Messiah. In the New Testament two women poured precious ointments upon Jesus who said that these acts were done in preparation for His burial and would forever be a memorial to these ladies.
• The money taken for ransom was a symbol of Jesus. In Mark 10:45 Jesus said that He came to serve others and to give his life a ransom for many. In other words, He is the payment given for the atonement of His children.
• The laver is a picture of Jesus also. In this case, perhaps, as a servant washing the sinner. We cannot enter into the presence of the holy God unless we are cleansed by the blood of the Messiah. Jesus described the new birth to Nicodemus in two ways: "Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God." (John 3:5). Paul tells us that it is the washing of water by the word that cleanses us. (Ephesians 5:26) and he also described it as the washing of regeneration (Titus 3:5). Ceremonial washing was never enough to make someone acceptable to God, whether it was the priests going about their duties in the Tabernacle or Temple or one of Jesus' disciples that was baptized by John the Baptist (that would be Judas). Jesus told Peter when He washed the disciples' feet that they - His disciples - were clean, but not all, meaning Judas.

Are there any references to eternity or future events?

• Any visions of  the pure Christ (for instance in John's vision in Rev. 1:14-18)  and even in His pre-crucifixion appearance upon the Mount of Transfiguration picture Jesus in a clean white robe that compare to the whiteness of snow or whiter than any launderer could make. David and the prophet Isaiah used snow to describe the appearance of a sinner that had been cleansed (see Psalm 51:7 and Isaiah 1:18). John tells us in First John 3:2-3 that we are the sons of God (because we are purified, or washed) and will be like Christ.
• John says in Rev. 5:8 that the twenty-four elders that he saw in his vision had harps and gold vials full of odours (incense) and that these are the prayers of the saints (those of us who are the redeemed). Say your prayers, Christian! They are incense offered to your God!

Does God issue any commands?

• God commands the Hebrews to make an altar for burning incense and gives the pattern for it and the ceremony for keeping incense offered upon it.
• God commanded a census to be taken and money to be taken for every male twenty years old and older as a ransom for the atonement of their souls. This money was to be used for the service of the Tabernacle (and later the Temple).
• God commanded a laver to be made of brass so that the priests could wash their hands and feet before entering the Tabernacle.
• God commanded anointing oil to be made according to the compounding recipe that He gave. Everything was to be anointed with this mixture as a means of sanctifying them for service. The priests were also to be anointed with this mixture. No one else was to make themselves a perfumed compound exactly like it: this was specially reserved for Tabernacle use.
• God gave the recipe for the concoction of incense that was to be burnt upon the altar of incense. No one was allowed to make this compound into their personal perfume.

Read Through the Bible in 2013: April 22-27

Take Ten

4/22/2013	Joshua 4, 5	I Corinthians 3, 4
4/23/2013	Joshua 6, 7	I Corinthians 5, 6
4/24/2013	Joshua 8, 9	I Corinthians 7, 8
4/25/2013	Joshua 10, 11	I Corinthians 9, 10
4/26/2013	Joshua 12-14	I Corinthians 11
4/27/2013	Joshua 15-17	I Corinthians 12

Journal Through the Bible: Week 15 Friday

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Exodus chapter 29

Does God make any promises in this chapter?

• God promised to meet with the Children of Israel at the door of the Tabernacle and sanctify it with His glory.
• God promised to live among the Children of Israel and be their God.

Are there any references to Jesus?

• Aaron and his sons had to have sacrifices made on their behalf because they were sinful individuals. Jesus, the sinless God-man, did not require any sacrifices made for Him before He could assume the office of High Priest
• The bullock offered as a sin offering was a picture of Jesus, our sin offering.
• The ram offered as a burnt offering and the unleavened bread given as a sweet savor unto God was a picture of Jesus, Who because of His lack of sin He was the only acceptable sacrificed offered for us.
• The ram of consecration is a picture of Jesus, the sacred offering given for those who have been set apart for God's service.
• The sin offering was to be made each day. Jesus' atonement was sufficient to cover us each and every day! (Praise the Lord!)

Are there any references to eternal events?

• God promised to dwell among the Children of Israel in the Tabernacle. God promised to dwell among the redeemed on earth, specifically when New Jerusalem, His Capital City, is placed upon the New Earth. Even one name of Jesus, Emanuel, means "God with us." God really will be with us and make his dwelling among us for all eternity.

Does God issue any commands?

• God gave instructions for consecrating the priests for their offices.
• God gave instructions for feeding the priests and their families through the heave offering and the ram of consecration.
• Sin offerings were to be offered every day, including the Sabbath.

Journal Through the Bible: Week 15 Thursday

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Exodus chapter 28

 Does God make any promises?

• Not specifically, but the fact that God went to all of the trouble to specifically design the high priestly garments in such detail as a way of portraying the intercessory work of one man for all others hints at the promise of reconciliation offered by God to fallen men.

Are there any references to Jesus?

• As our High Priest, Jesus carried out the office that began with the administration of Aaron even though He was not of the Levitical tribe (read Hebrews chapters 7 and 8 for greater detail of this topic).

God gave careful instructions to those who would be making the high priestly garments, including the addition of bells so that the people could track the priest's progress through the Holy of Holies in the event of his death. Even the linen breeches were to cover his body so that he did not offend God.

 Unlike Aaron, Jesus did not need to atone for His own sins.  Jesus was never offensive to God  personally but became an offense when He was on the cross. Then the Father turned away from Jesus and would not look upon Him until the atonement had been paid. (The cry, "It is finished!" meant that the atonement was then paid in full.) 

Whereas the purely human high priest had to offer the atoning sacrifice and enter the Holy of Holies once a year, Jesus, the perfect God-man, offered Himself once, never to be offered again! All of the intercessory work of the faulty Aaronic high priest was fulfilled without fault by Jesus Christ!

• All of the above means that Jesus, our High Priest, is now set on the right hand of the throne of Majesty and is ministering on our behalf. As long as Satan has the ability to accuse us before the Father we need our Intercessor to offer proof of our atonement. This is also why we are able to come boldly into the very throne room of God with our prayers. No one else needs to say our prayers for us. We can talk directly to God ourselves.

Are there any references to eternal events?

• The stones that were engraved with the names of the tribes of Israel were worn upon the high priest's shoulders and over his heart. God loves Israel and anyone who seeks the harm of God's beloved will face His wrath. These stones were to remind the people how precious they are to God. Someday the world will witness just how precious Israel's descendants are to the righteous God who chose them to be His people.

Does God issue any commands?

• Aaron and his sons were to be set aside as the priests
• Linen garments were to be made by God's design and decorated with gold, blue, purple, scarlet, and onyx stones engraved with the names of the Children of Israel (the 12 tribes). There were also to be 12 precious stones adorning the linen breastplate of judgment, one to represent each tribe.
• The Urim and Thummin (a tool for ascertaining God's directions) was to be placed in the breastplate
• The high priest's robe was to have pom-pom type decorations (pomegranates) alternating with bells around the hem.
• The miter headpiece was to have a gold plate engraved with the words HOLINESS TO THE LORD

Journal Through the Bible: Week 15 Wednesday

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Exodus chapter 27

Does God make any promises in this chapter?

• None

Are there any references to Jesus?

• The fire upon the altar completely consumed the burnt offering made for the atonement of sin. Jesus, our God Who is a consuming fire, completely consumed the sins of our guilt.
• The priests who performed the ceremonies were types of Christ, our High Priest.

Are there any references to eternal events?

• The fire for burnt offerings upon the brazen altar was kindled by God and was not to go out. At the end of time God will kindle a fire to destroy all the wickedness of the world. God promised not to destroy the world ever again by a world-wide flood, but also promised that this world would eventually be consumed by fire. (See this article - scroll down - to read how the ashes from the offerings will be represented in the events of the final days.

Does God issue any commands?

• God commanded them to make an altar and dishes for it according to the pattern that He described
• God commanded them to make hangings and pillars for the sides of the court according to His pattern
• God commanded pure olive oil to be given so that the lamp would constantly burn

Journal Through the Bible: Week 15 Tuesday

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Exodus chapter 26

Does God make any promises in this chapter?

• There are no promises stated.

Are there any references to Jesus?

• The boards and linens were used to designate and set apart the Holy Place of the Tabernacle and the Holy of Holies that could only be entered by the High Priest once a year. This represented the separation that sin made between God and man. Upon His death, the curtain of the Temple tore from top to bottom signifying that Jesus had removed separation between God and man. All who confess their sin and believe on the Lord Jesus Christ as the atonement for their sin will have access to God.

Are there any references to future events?

• The Tabernacle was a temporary place of worship. The Temple was to be the permanent structure. We are told that there is a Temple in Heaven where every redeemed person has admittance. There is no longer a curtain to separate God's people from Him!

Does God issue any commands?

• God told them to make 10 curtains of linen with embroidered cherubim for the tabernacle.
• God told them to make 11 curtains of goats' hair for a covering above the tabernacle.
• God told them to make a covering for the tent of rams skins dyed red and a covering above that of badger's skins.
• God told them to make make boards for the tabernacle with sockets and rings for coupling them together.
• God told them to make an inner vail (a curtain) to separate the Holy Place and the Most Holy Place where the Ark of the Covenant (also called Testimony) sat.
• God told them to make the outer curtain also.

Journal Through the Bible: Week 15 Monday

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Exodus chapter 25

Does God make any promises in this chapter?

• God promised to meet with His people and speak with them above the mercy seat of the Ark

Are there any references to Jesus?

• The Ark of the Covenant was to be covered with pure gold. This is symbolic of the precious Son of God. Can you imagine how it shone? Jesus shone brighter than the sun upon the Mount of Transfiguration before His death as well as every time He appeared to someone from Heaven after His ascension.
• The mercy seat (also could be interpreted as "place of atonement" or altar) on the Ark is a symbol of Jesus. Churches should not call the front piece of furniture an altar (just call it a pulpit and that will be fine) because Jesus is our altar. It is on Him that our sins were laid and it is upon Him that we must offer ourselves as a living sacrifice to God. It was at this place (above the mercy seat and between the cherubim) that God said He would meet with the people. It is only because of the mercy we have received through the atonement offering of Jesus that allows us to meet with the holy God.
• The table of shewbread was also a type of Christ. It held ceremonial bread that was then eaten by the priests. Jesus said that He is the Bread of Life. He also said that His words are to be our bread, meaning that reading His words (the Bible) are our spiritual food.
• The candlestick had 7 shafts. It is also symbolic of Jesus. The number 7 is the number of perfection used often by God (number of days in a week, etc.) and symbolizes the Perfect Lamb of God. Jesus is also called the Light of the World. We, as Christians, are the lesser lights reflecting His light within us.

Are there any references to future events?

• The Apostle John saw the golden candlestick in Heaven during his vision that was recorded in Revelation. He was told that it is symbolic of the churches that are the light of the world and the pillar and ground of the truth. Since churches consist of the people in them (and not the buildings where they meet) we may very well see this lovely piece of lighting equipment in Heaven someday when we all gather together as one unified assembly.
• John also saw the Ark of the Covenant (or Testament) in Heaven (see Rev. 11:19).

Does God issue any commands?

• God told Moses to tell the people to bring offerings of precious metals, fine textiles, spices, wood, oil, and precious stones. These were not to be forced offerings (like a tax) but to be given freely by those who desired to contribute.
• God told Moses to tell the people to make a sanctuary where He would meet with them according to the pattern that God would give for it.
• God commanded the main piece of tabernacle furnishing to be the Ark of the Covenant. Not only does the Ark itself, particularly the mercy seat represent Christ, but the cherubim that look upon the mercy seat must represent the heavenly beings who had particular guard duties (such as at the expulsion of Adam and Eve from the Garden of Eden). 
• God commanded them to make a Table for the shewbread as well as serving dishes for it. There was always to be an offering of bread.
• God gave them a pattern for the golden candlestick, which originally had 7 lamps.  

Sunday Psalm: The Law of the LORD is Perfect!

Psalm 19

1 The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork. 2 Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge. 3 There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard. 4 Their line is gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them hath he set a tabernacle for the sun, 5 Which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, and rejoiceth as a strong man to run a race. 6 His going forth is from the end of the heaven, and his circuit unto the ends of it: and there is nothing hid from the heat thereof.

7 The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple. 8 The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes. 9 The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether. 10 More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. 11 Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward. 
12 Who can understand his errors? cleanse thou me from secret faults. 13 Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me: then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression. 14 Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.

Psalms 19:1-14 (KJV)

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TAKE TIME Reading Assignment: April 15-20, 2013

Introduction: The Hebrews encamp around Mount Sinai for almost a year as God instructs them in the ways of righteousness. These people had never been free. They had always been the slaves of the Egyptians, the people whose land they had been "visiting" for four generations. They had no idea how to govern themselves under the authority of their God. God gave them the plans for a tabernacle that they could erect as a meeting place with the very omnipresent Deity. The tent and its furniture were all symbols that represented some picture of the salvation plan.


Reading Assignment:

• Monday - Exodus chapter 25
• Tuesday - Exodus chapter 26
• Wednesday - Exodus chapter 27
• Thursday - Exodus chapter 28
• Friday - Exodus chapter 29
• Saturday - Exodus chapter 30

Memory Verse

And there I will meet with thee, and I will commune with thee from above the mercy seat, from between the two cherubims which are upon the ark of the testimony, of all things which I will give thee in commandment unto the children of Israel.  Exodus 25:22


Prayer Journal (ACTS)

• Adoration - This week take time each day to praise God for His omnipresence! 
• Confession - How often do we take it for granted that we can meet with God at any time and in any place? And yet, He still has a place where He calls us to gather to worship. Confess any lack of worship in your heart or the way you might forget that God is always with you. 
• Thanksgiving - Thank God for His symbols of righteousness! (We'll see many this week that He gave to the Hebrews. He has also given Christians symbols: baptism, communion.)
• Supplication - What are your prayer requests this week? List them for future reference so that you can see how God answers.

Search the Scriptures

Look for references for each of the following:

• Promises that God made and to whom He made them. Do they apply to you?
• References that either refer to or infer something about future events.
• What does this passage teach about Jesus?
• Commandments that God made and to whom He made them. Do they apply to you?

Putting the Word into Action

Symbols are everywhere! Flags are symbols of nations. Crosses are symbols of churches and Christians. Rings are symbols of marriage.

If you are a young person, make someone a friendship bracelet and give it her as a symbol of your relationship. Then remember to pray for your friend regularly.

If you are an adult, identify a symbol that means something to you and let that symbol remind you to pray for a certain someone every time you see it! (For instance, I have gifts given to me from missionaries. These cultural tokens remind me to pray for my missionary friends by name every time I pass the shelf where these items sit.)

Journal Through the Bible: Week 14 Saturday

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Exodus 23:20-24:18

Then went up Moses, and Aaron, Nadab, and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel: And they saw the God of Israel: and there was under his feet as it were a paved work of a sapphire stone, and as it were the body of heaven in his clearness. And upon the nobles of the children of Israel he laid not his hand: also they saw God and did eat and drink.

Exodus 24:9-11

I find those to be some of the most awesome verses in the Bible! They saw their God and ate a meal in His presence!  :)

Does God make any promises in this passage?

• 23:20-23, 27-30 God promised to send an Angel to bring them into the place promised for them and that if they would obey this Angel's voice God would fight their battles for them and destroy the wicked nations that were living in the land by using weapons including fear of the Israelites and stinging insects like hornets
• 23:25-26,32-33 God promised that if they would only worship Him they would not lack for bread or water, health, a multitude of healthy livestock, or a long and full life
• 23:29-30 God promised not to make the land totally destitute of inhabitants all at once so that the wild animals would not overrun the area and threaten the Hebrews

Are there any references to Jesus?

• Jesus is that Angel sent to bring God's people into the appointed place promised to them. At that time He was leading the Hebrews to the land of Canaan. Jesus makes it clear in the New Testament that He is the One leading God's people - Christians - into the place He has prepared for them.
• The peace offering is symbolic of Jesus, the mediator between God and man. It was the blood of it sprinkled on the book of the covenant and the people that ratified the covenant between God and the descendants of Abraham. It is Jesus' blood that ratified the covenant that God made with all who would believe in Him. It is a blood-pact. When God looks upon me He sees the blood of Christ!
• The description of God given in this passage are repeated in the book of Revelation. He appears in bright light reminiscent of the rays of the whole light spectrum being refracted through a prism and forming a rainbow. This is not surprising since we are told that God is Light. The words used to describe the wondrous beauty of this pure light are woefully inadequate!

Are there any references to yet-future events?

• The nobles of Israel that saw their God and shared a meal reminds me of the coming Supper with our Savior that we read about in the Book of Revelation.
• The description of God here that is echoed in Revelation gives us just a glimpse of what our view of God will be like. I imagine that those who saw Him in this form, including the Apostle John many years after Moses, could barely scratch the surface when trying to describe Him and the magnificent jewel-like tones of color. It must have been like someone watching a black and white movie and having someone else with first-hand knowledge trying to describe just how beautiful the actors' lavish costumes really were.

Does God issue any commands?

• 23:21 God warned them to obey the Angel leading them to the land and not to provoke Him because such acts of disobedience would not be pardoned.
• 23:24-26 God warned them not to worship the gods they would find in the land
• 23:32-33 God warned them not to make any covenants with the inhabitants of the land
• 24:1-2 God invited Moses to come alone to the top of the mount but invited Aaron, Nadab, Abihu, and seventy of the representatives of the people to worship Him part of the way up the mountain