EXODUS 28
And now we come to the priestly garments. Here’s the thing I loved about this chapter: "Engrave the names of the sons of Israel on the two stones the way a gem cutter engraves a seal. Then mount the stones in gold filigree settings and fasten them on the shoulder pieces of the ephod as memorial stones for the sons of Israel. Aaron is to bear the names on his shoulders as a memorial before the Lord." (vs 11-12)
EXODUS 27
At the end of the instructions for building the sanctuary comes this commandment from the Lord: "Command the Israelites to bring you clear oil of pressed olives for the light so that the lamps may be kept burning. In the Tent of Meeting, outside the curtain that is in front of the Testimony, Aaron and his sons are to keep the lamps burning before the Lord from evening till morning. This is to be a lasting ordinance among the Israelites for the generations to come." (vs 20-21)
EXODUS 26
Have you ever wondered why Exodus 26 is in the Bible? Why in the world did Moses feel it necessary to include the detailed blueprints for the sanctuary in Scripture? Does it matter if we know exactly how long the walls were supposed to be and what color they were dyed? Does our salvation depend on knowing how many loops the curtains had?
EXODUS 25
"Just like me, they long to be close to you," sang Karen Carpenter. It is also the revealed heart-cry of God in Exodus 25. Here, He requests offerings from those who are so moved — offerings of gold, silver, bronze, and other expensive items. Does God want to go on a shopping spree? No, He wants to build a home.
Photo © Unsplash/Denys Nevozhai
You promised Abraham blessings galore,
Progeny more than the sand on the shore.
Still, he was worried he might come across
Someone with power to turn gain to loss.
So he embarked on a self-serving plan:
Impersonating an unmarried man.
I know I'm prone to a similar skew,
Trying to pull off what you said you'd do.
It shouldn't matter if life remains rough.
All of your promises should be enough.
I should be willing to stay on my knees
And let you work out your plan as you please.
Help me to trust you beyond what I see
And not to fear what the outcome will be.
Sonnet: A poem consisting of 14 lines with a particular rhyming scheme.
EXODUS 23
...any more than He loves the rich! (I hope you made it to the latter part of the sentence!) Because of Jesus, those of us who follow Christ have a special place in our heart for the poor. We see the outcast and downtrodden in society, and something in us cries out. If you’re like me, you feel like there is so little you can do, but you are compelled to do the small things you can to try to make a difference to those who come across your path.
EXODUS 20
As I read the Ten Commandments today — something I have surely done at least a hundred times in my life — I was struck by the raw heart of God, the eternal lover. Perhaps I was attuned to this because, just a couple of days ago, I mentioned the fact that God seems to desire a great deal of intimacy with us.
Photo © Wikimedia Commons
I just wanted to say
من خیلی خوشحال هستم ما ساخت این برج
damit wir uns nie darum Sorgen machen, dass eine weitere Flut . . .
Đợi đã, cái gì thế?
Quel est le problème?
Я не понимаю!
Olen sanot kieli . . . hei!
อะไรคือคุณกล่าว
A, bestraga.
I just wanted to say
I'm glad we're building this tower
so we never have to worry about another flood . . .
Wait, what?
What's the matter?
I can't understand you!
I'm speaking your language . . . hellooooo!
What are you saying?!
Aw, hell.
EXODUS 18
I wonder if Moses did the right thing. He listened to his father-in-law: "What you are doing is not good. You and these people who come to you will only wear yourselves out. The work is too heavy for you; you cannot handle it alone. Listen now to me and I will give you some advice, and may God be with you. You must be the people’s representative before God and bring their disputes to him. Teach them the decrees and laws, and show them the way to live and the duties they are to perform. But select capable men from all the people — men who fear God, trustworthy men who hate dishonest gain — and appoint them as officials over thousands, hundreds, fifties and tens. Have them serve as judges for the people at all times, but have them bring every difficult case to you; the simple cases they can decide themselves. That will make your load lighter, because they will share it with you. If you do this and God so commands, you will be able to stand the strain, and all these people will go home satisfied." (vs 17-23)
EXODUS 16
Ah, the manna chapter. I love this story. It’s one of my favorite stories in the Bible. I’m not exactly sure what it is that appeals to me so much, but I’m simply taken with it. I love the description in verse 17 of gathering the manna. God had apportioned an omer of manna for each person — but it’s not like there were any omer measuring cups! So, the text simply says that some gathered too much and some gathered too little, but in the end, everyone had their allotted omer.
EXODUS 14
There is something in this chapter that I like very much: "Moses answered the people, 'Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.'" (vs 13-14)
Photo © shutterstock.com/Nomad Soul
From long ago, I've known your name
and prize it— though you won't speak Mine.
(I held your breath till you became.)
From long ago, I've known your name
and that you'd leave me. All the same,
I'll love you past the thin red line:
From long ago, I've known your name
and prize it— though you won't speak Mine.
*Triolet: A poetic form consisting of 8 lines, where the 1st, 4th, and 7th lines repeat, and the 2nd and 8th lines do as well. The rhyme scheme is simple: ABaAabAB, capital letters representing the repeated lines.
EXODUS 12
No, seriously. The Judge doesn't judge.
Okay, at least get one paragraph in before you write me off just based on the title of this post. What do I mean by God doesn’t judge? Check out these verses from Exodus 12: "On that same night I will pass through Egypt and strike down every firstborn — both men and animals — and I will bring judgment on all the gods of Egypt. I am the Lord. The blood will be a sign for you on the houses where you are; and when I see the blood, I will pass over you. No destructive plague will touch you when I strike Egypt." (vs 12-13)
