Exodus 31-34: Idolatry and Intercession

On By BrianIn OT Studies

(32) Which of the Ten Commandments did Israel break in this chapter?

How does the golden calf compare to the one true God revealed throughout the book of Exodus?  Revealed especially in 34:6-7?

In what ways are we tempted to domesticate God?

What other gods are we tempted to follow?  Why?

(32) What excuses does Aaron offer when Moses questions him about the golden calf?

What excuses might we use to justify our idolatry?

How does the rest of the chapter make clear that God doesn’t “buy into” Aaron’s excuses?

(32-33) What are the results of their idolatry?  How is this a warning to us?

(32-34) The people make a calf, Aaron makes excuses, and Moses makes intercession for them.  To what attributes of God does Moses appeal?  What requests does Moses make?  How does God respond?

32:11-14 –

32:30-34 –

33:12-19 –

34:9 –

What can we learn from Moses’ example of intercession and apply in our own prayers?

Reflections on Exodus 28-30

On By BrianIn OT Reflections

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?

Current

On By BrianIn Current Collection

Michigan’s Board of Education wants to allow school-aged students to be able to decide what gender they are. And what bathrooms and locker rooms they can use at their public school.  Regardless of their biological and genetic reality.  With no input from the child’s parents.  Or even the parent’s knowledge. You can find the Board’s memo at the first link below.

Let me be clear that we should treat all people with compassion and respect as image-bearers of God.  But compassion does not encourage confusion. Or oppose the family.  Or put our daughters in danger of predators and peeping toms.

Here are some helpful posts addressing these and other related issues:

Safe Schools, Gender Non-Conformity, and Common Sense – Kevin DeYoung

Gender Ideology Harms Children – American College of Pediatricians

Transgender Thoughts – Mike Wittmer

An Open Letter to Bruce Springsteen and His Band – Michael Brown

One final thought.  Mike Wittmer suggests in his post above that our culture is caught up in “the classical view that our bodies don’t matter and that the real us is our soul. We couldn’t have such malleable views of gender and sex without a deficient view of the human body.”  Exactly.

Sermon Songs: Ephesians 4:1

On By BrianIn Ephesians Hymns

MusicNotes

Jesus died for our sin, Our salvation to win
From our sin and our guilt now set free
A new life for today, A new hope for always
And a call to now walk worthily

Walk worthily, With peace and purity
Live your new life in Jesus, and you’ll walk worthily

So let’s walk as we should, Quick to do what is good
Walk in love as He loved you and me
No more lost in the night, we will walk in the light
Follow his will and walk worthily

Walk worthily, With peace and purity
Live your new life in Jesus, and you’ll walk worthily

 (To the tune of “Trust and Obey”)

Reflections on Exodus 25-27

On By BrianIn OT Reflections

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.)

Exodus 25-30: The Tabernacle

On By BrianIn OT Studies

(25, 29) What is the main purpose of the tabernacle according to 25:8 and 29:45-46?

How does the tabernacle point forward to Jesus (John 1:14) and the church (I Corinthians 3:16-17, Ephesians 2:19-22)?

How should we live as a church in light of this truth?

(25-27, 30) God instructs Moses to make numerous items to place in the tabernacle. What is the purpose of each? What symbolism, foreshadowing, or application might be found in each?

Ark and Mercy Seat (Hebrews 4:14-16) –

Veil (Matthew 27:51, Hebrews 10:19-25) –

Altar of Incense (Revelation 5:8, 8:3-4) –

Table (Matthew 6:11, John 6:35) –

Lampstand (John 1:4, 8:12) –

Bronze Basin (John 13:5-10, I John 1:9) –

Bronze Altar (Hebrews 10:11-14) –

(28-29) How does the ministry of the high priest point to Jesus – a better high priest (Hebrews 7:25, 9:24-26)?

(28-29) The priests were to be washed, clothed, and anointed (29:4-7) so that they might serve God (28:1, 3, 4).  We are called a royal priesthood (I Peter 2:9).  In what way have we been washed (I Corinthians 6:9-11), clothed (II Corinthians 5:21), and anointed (II Corinthians 1:21-22) to serve the Lord?

Passion Points

On By BrianIn PASSION Points

Here are some good posts for your weekend reading:

Forgetting the Past – Ed Welch (CCEF)
Scripture does help us with our painful pasts, but it does more than that. It tells us to forget things we want to remember, and remember things we are likely to forget.

The Character of the Christian: Mature and Humble – Tim Challies
Christian leaders—and all Christians—are to strive to become more like Christ—they are to grow in spiritual maturity. As they grow in maturity, they will necessarily grow in humility.

10 Things to Remember When Reading the Bible – Vern Poythress (Crossway)
God’s redemption takes place in history. Christianity is not merely a religious philosophy, a set of general truths about God and the world. At its heart is the gospel, the good news that Christ has come and has lived and died and has risen from the dead, and now lives to intercede for us. God has worked out our salvation by coming in the person of Christ and acting in time and space. The message of what he has done now goes out to the nations…

18 Things to Pray for Your Church – Jonathan Leeman (TGC)
It’s comparatively easy for you and me to pray for ourselves, our families, and our friends. But how can we learn how to pray more fervently and consistently for our local churches?

Hope you have a great Lord’s Day!