Tag Archives: Exodus

Exodus 36

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In Exodus 36, the construction of the tabernacle commences. Two things stand out in this chapter. Firstly, that there were skilled craftsmen to do the work. There wouldn’t have been much call for this skill in Egypt, making bricks, yet we read “Bezalel and Oholiab and every craftsmen in whom the Lord has put skill and intelligence to know how to do any work in the construction”. God gave these craftsmen the ability to do the work required, just as He also provides us the skill to work as one body in the ecclesia.

Secondly, the children of Israel answered the call in Exodus 35 for a contribution to such an extent that Moses had to ask them to stop. They had brought so much stuff with them out of Egypt and carried it around in the wilderness to this point, that they had more than enough to build the tabernacle. I don’t know what the Israelites would have thought when they were dragging this stuff through the desert, but we see God’s hand at work in providing for a future need.

So in the middle of a chapter that describes in painstaking detail the construction of the tabernacle, we find clear evidence of God working in the lives of the Israelites. If we look closely we can see God working in our lives too, preparing and providing for future needs.

Psalm 88, Exodus 30

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Psalm 88 is a prayer to God for help, a desperate plea, “For my soul is full of troubles, and my life draws near to Sheol.” It’s interesting that we read this prayer on the same day we read Exodus 30, a description of the altar of incense. Incense, representing prayer, was to be burned morning and evening, “a regular incense offering before the Lord throughout your generations”.

The author of Psalm 88 prays regularly too, “Every day I call upon you, O LORD; I spread out my hands to you”. In this particular prayer the Psalmist feels abandoned by God, “O LORD, why do you cast my soul away? Why do you hide your face from me?” Yet he doesn’t give up hope, he still cries to God in prayer for help, confident that even in this desperate hour God will hear the prayer.

Psalms like this are one reason I love this book, the raw emotion of this pleading prayer reminds us that it’s ok to struggle in life, that there are times when even the strongest will feel helpless. We are reminded not to give up, to turn to God for help, confident that He is in control.

Exodus 22, Psalms 75-76, Mark 8

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In Exodus 22, we read of the consequences of actions; details of restitution under the law. Israel were God’s special people, “you shall be consecrated to me”, and God would hear the cries of the poor, “if he cries to me, I will hear, for I am compassionate”.

Psalms 75-76 recount God’s judgement, “I will judge with equity. When the earth totters, and all its inhabitants, it is I who keep steady its pillars… it is God who executes judgment”. Asaph alludes to the victory over Egypt, when horse and rider perish in the water. “But you, you are to be feared!
Who can stand before you when once your anger is roused? From the heavens you uttered judgment; the earth feared and was still”.

God judges justly, but He is also compassionate. He hears the cries of the needy, and takes care of them. He is interested in our lives, and will take action to help us. We see this compassion mirrored in Jesus’ actions in Mark 8. After speaking to the multitude for 3 days, they had nothing left to eat. So Jesus performs a miracle, feeding them before sending them on their way.

Exodus 17-18, Mark 5

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Today in Exodus we read of Israel’s battle with the Amalekites. “Whenever Moses held up his hand, Israel prevailed, and whenever he lowered his hand, Amalek prevailed”. Sitting on top of the hill, Moses was clearly visible by those around. This symbol of Israel’s trust in God highlighted that it was God that won the victory over the Amalekites.

Aaron and Hur had to help Moses hold up his hands, demonstrating that trust in God is not something we must always do on our own – others can help out when we are weary. I find this idea really powerful; that we can help others to trust and rely on God for help. It is our responsibility to recognise their need and assist.

The other powerful lesson from this chapter is Moses’ attitude to solving problems contrasted to the people. The people grumble and quarrel with Moses about a lack of water, but Moses cries to God for help. Complaining is a natural human response to difficulty, but Moses’ example teaches us how important it is to rely on God.  As Jesus tells Jairus, “Do not fear, only believe”.

 

Exodus 16, Psalms 70-71

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In Exodus 16 we’re introduced to the manna that fed Israel throughout their time in the wilderness.  An amazing miracle every day, especially on the 6th day when the manna lasted for two days.  Yet the Israelites get sick of it later on, grumbling for meat instead.

It’s easy to have that same attitude as the Israelites in our lives today.  We can dismiss their mistakes as those of a faithless generation, but when we look in that mirror at our true face, we have many of the same problems. Contentment in this age of consumerism is difficult to achieve. It’s natural to covet what we don’t have – there’s a reason covetousness was identified in the Law of Moses as being a problem.

The Psalms are helpful in putting things into perspective.  David writes “In you, O Lord, do I take refuge; let me never be put to shame! In your righteousness deliver me and rescue me; incline your ear to me, and save me! Be to me a rock of refuge, to which I may continually come; you have given the command to save me, for you are my rock and my fortress.” There is no need to covet this relationship or refuge, it is offered freely, as much as we want.

Whatever our struggles, God is a strong foundation in which we can trust, turn to in times of difficulty, content in the knowledge that He will always listen.

Exodus 15, Psalm 69

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In Exodus 15 we find the song of Moses, after Israel went through the red sea and were delivered from the Egyptians. It’s a song praising God for his demonstration of strength, mighty deeds, steadfast love, and the hope of the promised land.

It is a rare gift to be able to write a song about our feelings, but fortunately Moses, David and others have written songs to suit many occasions. Psalm 69 contrasts the depths of despair David feels, that sinking, drowning feeling, with the steadfast love and abundant mercy of a God who hears the needy.

Today’s readings are a contrast of highs and lows, praising and mourning, but both are focused on God. In all circumstances in life we can turn to God, knowing that He will hear us, and won’t turn His face from us. “Let heaven and earth praise him, the seas and everything that moves in them.”

Exodus 5-6, Psalms 58-59

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God told Moses, “I have heard the groaning of the people of Israel … and I have remembered my covenant … I am the LORD”. God’s very name indicates how certain His promises are to His children, including us. It was difficult for Israel to see at the time; their brick-making burden had just been increased as a result of Moses’ talks with Pharaoh.  But God sees all and hears our prayers, just as He heard Israel’s cries, and just as He heard David’s prayers.

“Deliver me from my enemies, O my God; protect me from those who rise up against me … O my Strength, I will watch for you, for you, O God, are my fortress.” David relied on God for his daily survival, such as the time this Psalm was written, when Saul sent men to kill David.  We too rely on God daily, although less obviously. This can be our prayer as well, “you, O God, are my fortress, the God who shows me steadfast love”.

 

Exodus 31, 1 Corinthians 1-2

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God emphasised to Moses the importance of Israel keeping the Sabbath, “a sign between me and you throughout your generations… as a covenant forever“. It was a day “of solemn rest, holy to the Lord“, a day every week to remind the Israelites that they were God’s own treasured people.

Although we don’t keep the Sabbath today, we do observe a covenant made between us and God.  We’ve been called to be saints through “the grace of God… into the fellowship of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord“. We’ve made a covenant with God that we will endeavour to reflect His character in our lives, and in so doing be part of God’s nation.  This is a covenant that has promise of eternal life, just as the Sabbath represented the completeness of God’s creation.

“So then, there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God, for whoever has entered God’s rest has also rested from his works as God did from his. Let us therefore strive to enter that rest“

Exodus 39-40, Psalms 102, 1 Corinthians 10

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In Exodus, the construction of the Tabernacle has just completed, and a cloud covers the tabernacle, with the glory of God filling the tabernacle, so much so that Moses was unable to enter it.  “The cloud of the Lord was on the tabernacle by day, and fire was in it by night, in the sight of all the house of Israel throughout all their journeys.”

The Israelites enjoyed a very visible demonstration that God was with them.  Paul refers to that presence “our fathers were all under the cloud…nevertheless, with most of them God was not pleased… these things took place as examples for us.”

We don’t have a pillar of fire or cloud in our lives to show us that God is with us, but we do have assurances that God is with us.  “God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.”

We all fail at various points, giving in to the desires of temptation. But even in the dispair and regret that surely follows such an event, we can be comforted in the knowledge that God has provided us with a way of escaping such temptation.  I pray that we all will have the strength to choose that escape option next time we are tempted, rather than giving in.

“Hear my prayer, O Lord; let my cry come to you! Do not hide your face from me in the day of my distress! Incline your ear to me; answer me speedily in the day when I call!”

Exodus 35, Psalms 92-93

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Psalm 92 continues with some of the thoughts in Psalm 90. “It is good to give thanks to the Lord… to declare your steadfast love in the morning, and your faithfulness by night”.  In other words, our minds should be continually focused on God.

The Psalmist writes “How great are your works, O Lord! Your thoughts are very deep!”  Even the wisest of men can’t comprehend how great God is, and the depths of His grace and mercy.  But we’re also given a sober warning, “The stupid man cannot know; the fool cannot understand this: that though the wicked sprout like grass…they are doomed to destruction forever”.

Without God in our lives, we are like that fool, doomed to destruction forever. Although we can’t currently understand the greatness of God, we can understand that He loves us, and is faithful to us, if we remain faithful to Him.  That’s all we need to understand, to “flourish like the palm tree and grow like a cedar in Lebanon.”

The idea of focusing our minds on God also is found in Exodus 35, through the reference to the sabbath.  In a farming community where manual labour is essential for subsistence, having a day where no work was to be done would be difficult. Would require faith that God would bless one’s labour on the remaining six days.  The Sabbath ensured that everyone had a chance to contemplate the greatness of God.  In our lives of luxury and time-saving devices, we have so much more time available to contemplate God’s steadfast love and His faithfulness.  Let’s make an effort to really meditate on God’s word, be encouraged and strengthened by His word.