It doesn’t take long for Israel to desert the one true God, creating for themselves a golden calf.  Consider:

• False gods – Israel grows weary waiting for Moses, so they have Aaron make them a god – a golden calf.  Compared to the one true God who thundered on the mountain, here is a safe god, a god their size that they can handle.  How are you tempted to bring God down to your size?
• Proper honor – Israel credits the golden calf with their deliverance from Egypt.  When God blesses you, do you give him the credit, or do you credit something else – maybe yourself?
• Intercession – Moses intercedes for the people of Israel in their rebellion.  Who is walking away from God that you need to intercede for?

Our passage today focuses on the clothing and preparation of the priests, as well as further descriptions of the tabernacle furniture.

• In remembrance – The High Priest’s garments included two stones engraved with the 12 tribes of Israel to bring the tribes before the LORD for remembrance (28:9-12).  Again, the garments included 12 stones each engraved with a tribe of Israel to bring the tribes before the LORD in remembrance (28:21-29).  Today our High Priest, Jesus, brings our names before the Father, interceding for us (Hebrews 7:23-25).  How does Jesus’ intercession for you encourage you?  Through Jesus, we too can come to the Father and intercede for others.  Who do you need to intercede for before the Father right now?
• God’s Presence – God brought the people out of Israel that he might dwell with them (29:46).  Likewise, Jesus died for our sins to bring us to God (I Peter 3:18).  God desires to fellowship with us.  We have the incredible privilege to dwell in his presence.  What do you think of that?  How do you feel about that?  How do you think we should live in light of this?

Our passage today describes how the tabernacle is to be made.

• Giving – Before the tabernacle can be made, there must be materials.  So God tells Moses to call for a freewill offering toward the building of the tabernacle.  All who have a heart to give are to give.  What work of the Lord moves your heart to give?
• God’s presence – Why should they build a tabernacle?  So God may dwell with them.  Almighty God will dwell in their midst.  Many years later, the God will become flesh and dwell (or literally – tabernacle) among us in the person of Jesus (John 1:14).  Today God dwells in his church by His Spirit (I Corinthians 3:16-17) and in each Christian individually (I Corinthians 6:19-20).  How should we live in light of his presence with us?  (Read the passages from I Corinthians for some ideas.)

God continues to give the people of Israel some specific applications of the 10 Commandments, and then confirms his covenant with them.

• No other gods – Israel is to drive out the inhabitants and their gods from the land lest their gods become a snare leading Israel astray.  What gods in our land have become a snare to you?  What gods tempt you to serve them, to trust them, to put them before the one true God?
• God’s covenant confirmed – The people agree to obey God’s laws, and then offer sacrifices to God.  Moses takes some of the blood from the sacrifices and throws it on the people, declaring, “Behold, the blood of the covenant that the LORD has made with you.”  Many years later, before offering himself as a sacrifice, Jesus will pass the cup, saying: “this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins” (Matthew 26:28).  The Lord’s Supper is a regular confirmation of God’s new covenant with us through Jesus Christ.  As such, it is a reminder of what God has done for us, and our commitment to live for him.  Do you approach the table this way?
• Seeing God – Moses and a select number have the privilege of seeing the beauty of God, and even get to eat in his presence!  In the Lord’s Supper, we have the privilege of seeing a glimpse of God as we remember Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross, and even get to eat in his presence!  Have you approached the table this way?

God gives the people of Israel some specific applications of the 10 Commandments.  Consider:

• God’s Love – Law after law shows God’s concern for people as he limits retribution to fit the crime, and protects the vulnerable (the poor, sojourners, widows, orphans) from mistreatment.  Do you have this same heart for people?  How does it show in your life?
• God’s Justice – Closely related to his love is his justice.  God’s laws are designed to create a just society for the nation of Israel.  People are to treat each other fairly and rightly.  How well does that describe your interactions with the people in your life?
• God’s Authority – Finally, these laws remind us of God’s authority.  God has the right as Israel’s Redeemer and God to command them.  And God has the right as our Savior and God to command us.  Do you recognize his authority in your life?  Are you walking in obedience to His Word?

 

 

God comes down onto the mountain with thunder and lightning, fire and earthquake, to speak to the people.  Observe:

• God’s authority – God had the right to command the people of Israel.  He created them both individually and as a people.  He redeemed them from bondage.  He is the one true God, and he speaks with absolute authority.  Have you placed yourself under his authority?  Will you submit to God, or are you still trying to do things your way?
• God’s commands – He gives the people 10 commands that sum up God’s moral expectations.  Throughout the rest of the Scriptures, we see these commands repeated and applied.  Read through them again.  Can you claim to be guiltless?  Can you stand spotless before God?  Remember today how desperately you need a Savior!  And ask God to help you grow in your obedience.
• Fear the Lord – The people see the smoking mountain and hear God’s voice thunder, and they are justifiably terrified.  Moses tells them not to be afraid (in the sense of being scared), but rather to fear the Lord (in the sense of reverent awe).  Do you have a healthy fear, a reverent awe of Almighty God?

God leads the people of Israel into the wilderness, but Pharaoh and his army chase after them.  Consider:

• God’s powerful deliverance – God creates a way through the sea for the people to walk through, but he crashes the waters down on their enemies.  How has God powerfully brought you through a sea of troubles?
• Israel’s praise – After they are saved from the Egyptian army, the people of Israel begin to praise him for what he has done.  Do you praise God when he answers your prayers and helps you in difficult times?  Take some time now to praise God for his help in your life.
• Grumbling – After so many demonstrations of God’s power and help, you would think that the people would go forth trusting God in all things.  Instead they grumble – indicating a lack of trust in God.  They grumble about no food.  They grumble about no water.  Instead of looking to God, they grumble – as if God was impotent or uncaring!  Grumbling is a terrible affront to God’s character.  Do you see this tendency in your own life?  How might you cut off this evil habit?

God prepares the people for a final plague. All the firstborn sons in Egypt will die, but God provides a way of escape for Israel.

• Passover – Israel must sacrifice a lamb, and place the blood on the doorposts so that God’s judgment might pass them by. Christ was sacrificed as our Passover Lamb so that God’s judgment might pass us by (I Corinthians 5:7). Stop and thank God for your Passover Lamb.
• Redeemed from slavery – God redeemed the people of Israel from slavery, bringing them out of Egypt with great power. This is a wonderful picture of what God has done for us through Jesus. God has redeemed us from our slavery to sin through the power of Christ’s death and resurrection. Stop and praise God for your deliverance – and go live like a person freed from sin!
• Remember – The people of Israel were called to remember what God had done for them through a week-long festival which included the Passover. God wants us to remember our salvation too. It is no mistake that Jesus initiated the Lord’s Supper while celebrating Passover. The Lord’s Supper is a regular reminder to us of what Christ has done for us. Remember…and celebrate!

The battle of the gods continues. Notice:

• God is exalted – God sends frogs. The magicians helpfully send more! God sends gnats, but the magicians cannot. They tell Pharaoh that “This is the finger of God.” Indeed the magicians cannot mimic any more of God’s plagues. Instead, the plague of boils comes upon them so that they can longer stand against Moses. The representatives of the Egyptians gods are defeated, showing the defeat of the gods too. None can best God’s awesome power. And by his power, he is exalted in Egypt. Ponder the great power of God, and stop to worship.
• Humility – In the face of God’s power, Pharaoh should have humbled himself, but he refused. Instead, Pharaoh continued to exalt himself (9:17, 10:3). In what ways are you exalting yourself? How do you need to humble yourself before the LORD?
• God’s sovereignty and man’s choice – Again and again, we read that God hardened Pharaoh’s heart. God is sovereign over all. And yet we also read that Pharaoh hardened his own heart. Pharaoh could not blame God; he was responsible for his own choices. God is sovereign in your life, but you can’t blame God for your poor choices. What bad choices do you need to repent of? What choices are before you today?