Discontent and Complaining

Num. 11:1

"And the people complained in the hearing of the Lord about their misfortunes, and when the Lord heard it, His anger kindled, and the fire of the Lord burned among them and consumed some outlying parts of the camp."

At the end of Chapter 10, the people were in order, rightly positioned and functioning,  sacrificing and waiting on the Lord, but one verse later, discontent had robbed their hearts of the blessing of obedience.  It was not over a large thing, but over something as insignificant as food, over meat specifically! They were tired of God's provision of manna, and they wanted meat, meat like they had had in Egypt! God says, "love not the things that are in the world" even its food! In the grand scheme of things man thinks that complaining is small fry compared to something like murder, but apparently with God, it's serious! God's anger was kindled!

In essence, a ccomplaining heart and mouth are saying that what God provided was not good enough, that His will and purpose were not satisfying, and that His wisdom was at fault. It also revealed the truth about the heart of man. Is man ever satisfied??  Would they be satisfied if God did give them meat? The passage says that he gave them quail for a month until it came out their nostrils. What an image of lust! What they so lusted after had turned to a hideous thing in their mouths. However, with this provision did come the Lord's judgment. As the quail were still in their teeth, a great plague came upon them and many were struck down.

What a lesson for all to read! Certainly, complaining and discontent damage the life and spirit of a person, but more importantly they are an affront to the holiness of God!

For me, the lesson is this: to learn to be content in any situation, to learn how to be brought low and to abound, and to learn the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. What is the secret? "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."  Whatever God calls me to do is what is best for me and whatever God gives me is what I need.

Father,

Keep my eyes and my heart out of the world and ever focused on You. Give me Your strength to resist the lust of the world. Teach me to be content and rejoice in Your will for my life.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Arise, O Lord

Num. 10:35

"And whenever the ark set out, Moses said, "Arise, O Lord, and let Your enemies be scattered, and let those who hate You flee before You."

The tabernacle was engulfed in either the cloud by day or the fire by night. God's manifestations in these two forms totally controlled  the movements of His people. If the cloud did not move, then the people did not move whether it was for a day, a week, or even months. But when the cloud moved, Moses proclaimed these great words: Arise, O Lord, and let Your enemies be scattered, and let those who hate You flee before You. Moses was God's spokesman, and in that capacity, he was stating for the people what God would do. These glorious words showed that he was confident in God's ability. He had no doubt! 

Granted I do not have the cloud or the fire to make it 100% clear what I should do at any given moment in time, but I do have the Word of God and His Holy Spirit to drive these words home to my heart. Perhaps I am at times confused about my future, or what I should do in any situation, because I doubt or am unsure about the timing. Do I pray before I act? Do I wait to be sure of God's timing? I am sure that God's enemies will be scattered because He is a sovereign God, but by the same token, He should be the sovereign God of my daily circumstances. Why is it so much harder to wait for His timing than it is to believe that He will scatter His enemies? Perhaps because one is in the future and one is in the here and now. For sure, I see that Moses began His journey each time the cloud moved with God and His words, and likewise, I need to have God's words as my journey starter.

Father,

I confess not waiting for You to move first before I do. Teach me to wait and trust. Help me to view life's circumstances as Your opportunities. Engraft Your words deeply into my soul and life so that they will be my watchword.

In Jesus name,

Amen 

He Heard the Voice

Num. 7:89

"And when Moses went into the tent of meetng to speak with the Lord, he heard the voice speaking to him from above the mercy seat that was on the ark of the testimony, from between the two cherubim; and it spoke to Him."

When all was completed, set up properly, and the offerings in place from the representative of each of the tribes, then Moses went into the tabernacle. It was an awesome and serious responsibility for Moses to go into the holy place to listen to the voice of God which meant that his way had to bathed in holiness and obedience. If not, instant death was the result. But obedience, holiness, and dedication were the key words on this day for Moses heard the voice of God! The lines of communication were open and operating. God's voice was above the mercy seat and between the two cherubim signifying that God was enthroned here. He was in their midst and would communicate His will and His plan to His people. Is God enthroned within my heart? Do I approach Him with such care and concern? Is listening to His voice of prime importance to me?

Father,

Convict me of careless sins that intrude upon our time together blocking Your voice and Your will. Keep me ever attuned to Your voice so that I may hear You and Your plan for my life.

In His name,

Amen

Blessing

Num. 6:24-26

"The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make His face to shine upon you; the Lord lift up His countenance upon you and give you peace."

After the camp had been organized, positioned properly, and cleansed of uncleanness, the blessing of the Lord could be given. Instead of being written as three separate sentences, it was written as one sentence lending cohesiveness and complexity to the blessing.

First, the Lord promises to bless them with abundant harvests, good crops, children, and even His presence in their midst. He will keep them, guarding and protecting them as they go in and take the Land. Their victory over armies and even giants in the land hinged upon God, His words, and His presence in their midst. 

Secondly, the Lord will shine His face upon them.  His shining face is related to His favor which could be specifically speaking of their salvation as they embarked upon this conquest since Ps. 80:7 says, "Restore us, O God of hosts; let your face shine, that we may be saved!" Also Ps. 119:135 says, "Make your face shine upon your servant, and teach me your statutes."  Their salvation from the enemies would require instruction from God, instruction that they must willingly receive. This is the promise that His words will be their guide.

Thirdly, the Lord will lift up His countenance upon them and give them peace. The countenance usually refers to the face of a person in its expression. In order for God's face to be focused favorably on them, they would have to be holy and wholly following Him. When all is as it should be, not only will His face shine on them but His countenance will be on them. And for what purpose?  Peace. This part of the blessing would be especially meaningful for the Israelites since they were claiming a land that was already inhabited by other people. Knowing that as they waged war God's peace would be their portion had to be such a glorious promise!

The blessing ends with these words, "So shall they put my name upon the people of Israel, and I will bless them."  His blessing as given by the priests will be like a stamp of ownership. In essence this blessings puts God's name upon His people and is His promise that He will do as He has said He would. What glorious words to have as they face the next part of their journey!

Father,
Keep my heart obedient and teachable as I walk by the Spirit. Let nothing in my life block the shine of Your face and Your countenance from me.
In Jesus name,
Amen

Precise Care

Num. 3-4

God gave very precise instructions for the Levites concerning their position and their duties concerning the tabernacle because it was to be cared for in reverent respect for His holiness.  "Before the tent of meeting toward the sunrise, were Moses and Aaron and his sons, guarding the sanctuary itself, to protect the people of Israel. Any outsider who came near was to be put to death." Yet, despite their family and their privileged responsibilities, Aaron's two sons died because they gave an unauthorized incense offering. God's holiness was not to be taken lightly or violated in any way. Complete obedience was a must if God's presence would be in their midst. Am I careless with my temple-body? Am I holy as God is holy? What is my focus, my dedication, my commitment and my desire? Have I allowed grace to be an excuse for any laxity?

Father,

Convict my heart in a mighty way when I am violating Your holiness. Keep Your temple within me as a glory to Your name.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Ready, Set, Go

Num. 1-2

With the completion of the Tabernacle, the people of Israel now had the presence of God in their midst. And, as their God, He was giving detailed instructions for the journey to the promised land. As they began this time of preparation for war, the tribes were counted and positioned around the tent of meeting with the tabernacle at the center stating clearly that  God was the heart of the nation. The Levites were not counted because their mission was the care of the Tabernacle which was the most important thing. Without God in their midst, who were they? What could they possibly accomplish? He was vital to their very existence.

The census found 603,550 able-bodied fighting men which means that by the time the women and children were added in, the nation probably numbered around 2 million. But why count? Perhaps because of the leadership potential since Judah, the largest tribe, led the invasion. Or perhaps it was to show the Israelites that they had nothing to fear in the invasion since the census revealed that they had sufficient numbers to wage this war. Finally it showed that God had fulfilled His promise to Abraham. Definitely the people should have felt the presence of God in their midst and had seen His great working as well.  I imagine there must have been great excitement to embark on this journey to gain the land that God had promised them, but apparently, this excitement must have been mixed with fear.  Even though I see that God always orchestrates His callings and His plans, He also stays centered in the lives of His people. For me, He is always in my center, my heart. As He calls me and sends me to accomplish His will, He empowers me with His grace so that all that I do will bring glory to His name. Certainly there are times when my excitement is tinged with fear, but He says "Do not be afraid, for I am with You."

Father,

Keep my faith strong as I walk on the journey. Help me to remember always that You are with me in the very heart of any matter. Build my faith in You as Your grace is perfected in my weakness.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Final Words

Lev. 26:13

"I am the Lord your God."

God had repeatedly told the Israelites who He was. By this point, there should have been no confusion in their minds. He was the God who brought them out of Egypt and who brought them thus far. As God finished giving them the commandments and statutes, He reminded them again that they must obey Him since He would be dwelling among them and they would be His people. Such closeness could countenance no disobedience!

So many blessings would come with obedience: rain in due season, unending crops, peace in the land, no fear, no harmful beasts, and conquered enemies. But all this came at one price: obedience. On the flip side: panic, wasting disease, fever, no crops, defeated and conquered. If that was not enough, God assured them He would break the pride of their power. What a choice! It all came down to knowing that God was their Lord. Am I constantly aware of God as my Lord? Is obedience of key importance to me, or do I think grace will cover it all? 

Father,

As You keep me constantly aware of Your presence, keep my heart tender so that obedience might be my first response in any situation. Thank You for making me Your child and for You being my God.

In Jesus name,

Amen 

Obedience Brings Blessings

Lev. 25: 21

"I will command my blessing on you in the sixth year, so that it will produce a crop sufficient for three years."

If the people obeyed the rules and performed them, then they would be in the land securely even to the point that they would have food in the 7th year without actually sowing or gathering a crop that year. When they sowed in the 8th year, they would still be eating the old  crop, a crop that would last until the new crop arrived in the 9th year. God's plan and directives are His sufficiency for them and for me! "My grace is sufficient for you for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Therefore I will boast all the more of my weaknesses so that the power of Christ may rest upon me."  What He commanded Israel went against logic. How would they live if there was nothing to harvest? Where would the food come from? Who could guarantee a bumper crop in the 6th year? I am sure that many questions came into their heads just as questions come into my head when I take my eyes off God and my focus off His word. What He has promised, He is faithful to do!

Father,

Grow my trust and faith in You daily so that my thoughts become only Your thoughts, so that instead of  falling back on my own devices, I rest on Yours.

In Jesus name,

Amen

The Name

Lev. 22:33-33

"So you shall keep my commandments and do them: I am the Lord. And you shall not profane my holy name, that I may be sanctified among the people of Israel. I am the Lord who sanctifies you, who brought you out of the land of Egypt to be your God: I am the Lord."

Obedience to His commands prevents the profaning of the name of God, a name that is complete holiness. What does His name mean to me?



Ps. 86:12 I give thanks to you, O Lord my God, with my whole heart, and I will glorify your name forever.

Psa 63:4  So I will bless you as long as I live; in your name I will lift up my hands.

Psa 79:9  Help us, O God of our salvation, for the glory of your name; deliver us, and atone for our sins, for your name's sake!
Psa 91:14  Because he holds fast to me in love, I will deliver him; I will protect him, because he knows my name.

Psa 100:4  Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name!
Psa 103:1  Bless the LORD, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name!
1Cr 6:11 And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.

Phl 2:9  Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name,
Col 3:17  And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
2Ti 2:19 But God's firm foundation stands, bearing this seal: "The Lord knows those who are his," and, "Let everyone who names the name of the Lord depart from iniquity."
1Pe 4:14  If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you.
1Jo 3:23  And this is his commandment, that we believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ and love one another, just as he has commanded us.
 
The command for me to honor and glorify His name is equally as strong as Israel's was. Am I glorifying His name in all that I do? Is His name foremost in my mind, heart, and soul?
 
Father,
Impress on me Your name and the name of Your Son. Help me to glorify You in all that I do. Thank You for my salvation, justification, and sanctification in the name of Jesus.
In Jesus name,
Amen

Why Obey?

Lev. 20:7-8

"Consecrate yourselves, therefore, and be holy, for I am the Lord your God. Keep my statutes and do them; for I am the Lord who sanctifies you."

In the midst of many commands about a myriad of situations, there is one resounding, often repeated statement, "I am the Lord your God." In chapter 18, God declared himself this way 16 times. The single overriding reason for obedience was the fact that He was their God. As their God, He was their Sanctifier and the One who could make them holy. The same goes for me. I must obey the commands of the Word because He is my God and Sanctifier. It doesn't matter that I don't understand the commands or that they are problematic in any way. What matters is that my Holy God has said it, and His words are my path to holiness, a holiness provided by the grace of my Sanctifier. Am I constantly aware of the truth and the presence of the I am? What are my reasons for obedience? Is my heart pure and sincere?

Father,

Keep my heart obedient and resting in You as my sovereign God. Teach me submission to You and purify my desires so that Your holiness is all that I want.

In Jesus name,

Amen

I Am the Lord your God

Lev. 18:4-5

"You shall follow my rules and keep my statutes and walk in them.  I am the Lord your God. You shall therefore keep my statutes and my rules; if a person does them, he shall live by them: I am the Lord."

There is a decided correlation between God, His rules and His people. The basis for this command and the following compulsory obedience comes from the fact that God is their God. His people belong to Him by right of creation, deliverance, and atonement. Likewise, I am God's child. "But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for His own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light."  As a child of God I am His possession by right of creation, deliverance, atonement, and redemption. My redemption came at the cost of the blood of the Son of God. He became my substitutionary sacrifice making my life possible because of His blood. "For it is the blood that makes the atonement by the life."

Why obey these rules and statutues of God? In Lev. much of it was protection from the evil that was in the land. God did not want His people to be like these wicked people. They were not to be assimilated but expelled. Similarly, I am not to love the world or the things in it. However, distancing myself from the Word increases my desires to be worldly, but saturation in and obedience to the word protects me from the evil of this world. Jesus Himself said "These things I have spoken to you that my joy might be in you and that your joy might be full." Not only does obedience protect me, but it gives me joy. Obedience helps me walk in the Spirit and reflect the holiness of God. Obedience makes a way for me to be in close communion with my heavenly Father, the one who sacrificed His son for me. Obedience is the way for me to delight in and bring glory to the One who loved me first. Is my heart always obedient? Do I live like a child of God who is His possession? What is my attitude and emotional state toward the world and all that it comprises?

Father,

Convict me of whatever is in my life that is obstructing my obedience. I want to be Your possession, one that brings glory to Your name.

In Jesus name,

Amen 

Separate

Lev. 15:31

"Thus you shall keep the people of Israel separate from their uncleanness, lest they die in their uncleanness by defiling my tabernacles that is in their midst."

The regulations regarding leprosy, molds, mildews, fungi, and human discharges provided protection from pollutants and contagion. It was important to God that contagion be stopped because He dwelled in their midst, and His tabernacle could not be defiled. When I read these laws and regulations, I am constantly aware of the specificity that God instituted for the welfare of His people. He was ensuring their safety on so many levels. By way of application, am I correspondingly careful in my life since my body is the dwelling place of God? Am I constantly on the alert to confess and cleanse my heart so that I do not grieve or quench the Spirit? Do I have safeguards in place to protect against spiritual disease and sickness?

I notice that one whole chapter deals with menstruation and semen discharge, things that are normal events. Many people would have no concern about theses things considering them normal life, but God did. Similarly, as I live, there are many things that I accept as normal in my life like my sharp tongue or my irritation and impatience. Even though I accept them as part of my personality, does that make them right? I think God is ever sharpening my awareness of sin, of uncleanness even in my concept of normalcy. My growth in the Spirit is ever refining me, making me aware of anything that separates me from God and His indwelling Spirit. I need to "lay aside ever weight and the sin which clings so closely and run with endurance the race that is set before me, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him, endured the cross despising the shame and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God." I am thinking that these weights and clinging sins can often be hidden under the guise of normalcy.

Father,

Keep me aware of the power of my flesh and the foolishness of my sin. Keep my spirit in tune with Your Spirit so that a sinful separation will not sneak into my heart.  Sharpen my sensitivities and give me an obedient heart to all Your word says.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Consecrate Yourselves

Lev. 11:44

"For I am the Lord your God, consecrate yourselves therefore, and be holy, for I am holy."

In the midst of many restrictions concerning animals, birds, insects, disease, and even childbirth comes the  main point. God wanted these directives obeyed because His people needed to be holy as He was holy. In God's economy, these restrictions separated His people from other people. When they obeyed, they honored Him as the creator and decider of how His creation should be used. In Acts 10 God Himself annulled these distinctions making it clear to Peter that there was no partiality with God either in food, animals, or peoples. God still commands me to be holy. "As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as He who called you is holy, so also be holy in all your conduct." His holiness is my holiness and should be reflected in my response to others. "Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a sincere brotherly love, love one another earnestly from a pure heart..." The identifying mark of my relationship with God is not distinctives of food, animals, or even people, but it is love, love for all without partiality.

Father,

Keep my heart obedient so that I will be transformed into your holiness. Crucify my fleshly passions and infuse me with Your love and grace.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Unauthorized Fire

Lev. 10:2-3

"And fire came before the Lord and consumed them, and they died before the Lord. Then Moses said to Aaron, this is what the Lord has said, among those who are near me, I will be sanctified and before all the people I will be glorified."

Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, were trained in the sacrifices, the offerings, and the right way to function in this holy office. They were called for this specific task. Yet, they rejected their training and chose to freelance. God does not approve of freelance offerings or of reigning self-will. Obviously, these men felt they had something to offer God and that their way was in some way superior to God's. But God answered that with a fatal NO! Their instant death showed that God's holiness can not be violated. Self-will always violates the holiness of God and can not be tolerated by a holy God.

God sent His son to be the saving sacrifice and the only way to be saved. Any other option, method, or plan is an violation of the holiness of God and will be fatally ineffective. As a chosen believer, I am to be holy as He is holy not as I envision holiness. He did not choose me because I had something that He wanted to use or because He was short on plans and needed help. He chose me because of His great grace. Not only is my salvation is a gift that brings Him glory, but my life is the temple of the Holy Spirit and whatever I offer to God must be of grace not of unauthorized fire. My will and my way must be crucified with Christ. His grace is my sufficiency, and His power is made perfect in my weakness therefore I rejoice in my weaknesses that the power of God may rest upon me.

Father,

Convict me when my desire for 'strange fire' surfaces. Keep me ever seeking Your holiness, Your way, and Your glory.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Continually Burning

Lev. 6:13

"Fire shall be kept burning on the altar continually, it shall not go out."

There were so many distinctives about all the different types of offerings. Each one had to be obeyed explicitly, but I thought it was interesting that the fire for the burnt offering never went out. It was constantly ready for service so that the worship of the Lord could continue without interruption. That is how my worship should be, continuous and uninterrupted. Is my fervor and passion unending? Am I constantly caring for the altar and disposing of the ashes? Am I obedient in all that God has called me to do? Am I worshiping non-stop?

Is my living sacrifice holy and acceptable to God so that I might worship in spirit and in truth? Conformity to the world must be replaced with a renewed and transformed mind. The end result is that I will know what is the will of God, but all of this comes through mercy and grace. For me the sacrifice is not something that I bring or burn, it is through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ and His precious blood. "If I confess my sins, He is faithful and just to forgive me my sins and to cleanse me from all unrighteousness." This is the path of uninterrupted worship.

Father,

Thank You for making me a way to worship You. Keep me ever focused on confessing sin so that my offering is wholly Yours.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Pleasing Aroma to the Lord

Lev. 2:13

"You shall season all your grain offerings with salt, You shall not let the salt of the covenant with Your God be missing from your grain offering with all your offerings you shall offer salt."

As I read about the offerings in Lev.1-4, I see that God is specific about what is offered to Him, about what is a pleasing aroma to Him. First I think of Rev. 5:8, "the four living creatures and the elders fell down before the Lamb, each holding a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints." My prayers are to be that pleasing aroma to the Lord. Prayer must be a vital part of what of my living sacrifice, my spiritual worship.

Then I notice that no offering can be made with leaven since leaven symbolizes corruption. "Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump? Cleanse out the old leaven that you may be a new lump...Let us therefore celebrate the festival, not with the old leaven, the leaven of malice and evil, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth." Obviously, nothing that I offer to God must be tainted with sin. This leaven (sin) is part of my old nature and must be cleansed out (I Jn. 1:9). It must be transformed by the renewing of my mind so that I can approve what is the good and acceptable will of God. God is specific about my living sacrifice as well. Thank God I have grace-scrubber to cleanse out all the leaven.

Then there must be salt in the offering because the salt demonstrates the permanence of the relationship. In my relationship with God Matt. 5:13 says, "You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under foot." His grace in my life is the demonstration of the lasting covenant that He has with me. It is this salt that I show to the world and to fellow believers. "Let your speech be always gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person."  Salt is my preservative as well. When I offer my life as a living sacrifice, it needs to be leaven-less and seasoned with salt. Is my living sacrifice salty? Is if free of leaven? Am I remembering these two elements as I live my daily life? Am I just offering what I have whether lacking in salt or leaven-stained? Have I taken myself out of the offering and allowed His salt to consume me? Does grace allow me to be careless about my living sacrifice, about leaven and salt?

Father,

Convict me of old pockets of leaven tucked deep inside my heart. Grant me true repentance so that my offering is a pleasing aroma to You. Show me how to live 'salty' in deed and in word.

In Jesus name,

Amen

The Glory of the Lord

Ex. 40:34

"...and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle."

Moses followed the Lord's instructions explicitly doing all as the Lord commanded. When he had finished the work, the glory of the Lord filled the place. As they journeyed God gave them direction through the cloud and the fire. His presence was in their midst, visibly there for them. They were not to lean on their own understanding, but on the guidance of the Lord. The same goes for me:  "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths." Thus far, the Israelite people had obeyed and done all that was commanded of them to make God His dwelling place. They were trusting in the guidance of the Lord for their movement and their plans.  Am I leaning on my own understanding or trusting in Him? To trust means I have to wait, sometimes wait until the 'cloud' lifts and leads. The waiting is hard! But in the waiting and trusting is His glory revealed and His presence made known. 

Father,

Thank You for being my trust-giver and for leading me. Keep me patiently waiting for your direction even when situations seem to pull me away.

In Jesus name,

Amen

The Lord Had Put the Skill

Ex. 36:2

"And Moses called Bezalel and Oholiab and every craftsman in whose mind the Lord had put skill, everyone whose heart stirred him up to come to do the work."

These men were called of God for a special task, that of building the tabernacle. When God called them, He also enabled them giving them the "skill and intelligence to know how to do any work in the construction of the sanctuary in accordance with what the Lord commanded."  In the same way in the preceding chapter the Lord enabled all the people to give toward the construction of he tabernacle. "And they came, everyone whose heart stirred him, and everyone whose spirit moved him, and brought the Lord's contribution to be used for the tent of meeting, and for all its service, and for the holy garments."  They brought things like brooches, earrings, rings, armlets, yarn, fine linen, wood, gemstones, spices, and oil. In fact they brought such a huge offering that Moses had to close the offering. The people brought "more than enough."

When God moves in the hearts of His people, not only will there always be more than enough, but it will be a willing and generous offering. The result was unity: "So the tabernacle was a single whole." The people had a heart for obedience and God worked through that. Bezalel and Oholiab were given the needed skills because the tabernacle was all of God, all of His grace. For it to bring glory to His name, it had to be made with the strength that God supplied. "As each one has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's  varied grace. whoever speaks, as one who speaks the oracles of God; whoever serves as one who serves by the strength that God supplies-- in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ." My words and my works must all be of God to be used of Him in His callings.

Father,

Keep me humble and needy so that I always seek You for the strength and the skill that I need to do your callings. I bring to You my heart asking that You work in it transforming me to the image of Your Son.

In Jesus name,

Amen

A Shining Face

Ex. 34:29

"Moses did not know that the skin of his face shone because he had been talking with God."

What a relationship Moses had with God! Moses listened to the words of God as he communed with his friend, the God of the universe. What intimacy to be called a friend of God!

And the Lord would speak with Moses...Thus the Lord used to speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend...

Moses wanted to know the ways of God and to find favor with God. He was seeking God's grace as he interceded for the nation since Israel's sin had removed God from their midst. God responded by giving Moses favor.

I will make my goodness pass before you and will proclaim before you my name, The Lord. And I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious and will show mercy on whom I will show mercy. But you cannot see my face, for man shall not see me and live.

Even though the fate of the nation rested ultimately with the mercy of God, God wanted to be closer with Moses and honor Moses' request.

Behold, there is a place by me where you shall stand on the rock, and while my glory passes by I will put you in a cleft of the rock, and I will cover you with my hand until I have passed by. Then I will take away my hand, and you shall see my back, but my face shall not be seen.

What care God bestowed on Moses! He not only protected him, but he cherished their relationship.  After Moses cut the new stone tablets and went up the mountain with the Lord, God descended and stood with Moses proclaiming His name. Unimaginable!

The Lord, the Lord, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness, keeping steadfast love for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, but who will by no means clear the guilty...

Moses' response was humility and worship as he pleaded for the people again asking that God be in their midst. This began his 40 day/night food-free stay with the Lord as he transcribed what the Lord said on the tablets of stone. When Moses came down from the mountain, his face shone because he had been talking with God! Wow! It shone so much that Moses had to cover his face with a veil every time he went in to speak with the Lord.

What is my time with the Lord like? Am I visibly changed when I worship? Is my heart for others when I pray? Do I seek His glory above all? I praise God that He has protected me in the cleft of the Rock, Jesus Christ and given me safety in His hands. Is a relationship like Moses had with God a one-of-a-kind?  What about Moses was different from others or even from Aaron who worked side-by-side with him in the miracles? Why did Aaron go into calf-building while Moses sought the higher ground and the glory of God? The answer: I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious...God's sovereign will and purpose ultimately controls all, but Moses' heart must have been singularly focused on God. What is the focus of my heart?

Father,

Focus my heart on You as I seek to glorify You by my obedience. Take my will and my way out of our relationship so that You are my all.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Written with the Finger of God

Ex. 31:18

"And He gave to Moses, when He had finished speaking with Him on Mount Sinai, the two tablets of the testimony, tablets of stone, written with the finger of God."

In the midst of this holy time, of God recording His covenant with Israel came sin.  It was not enough that the people had seen God deliver them from Egypt, that they had seen the Red Sea parted and become a walking path, and that the Egytpians had been destroyed in that same sea. It was not enough that God had miraculously provided their food and meat on the journey, or that they had made a covenant with God. Impatience carried the day! Without Moses physically there, they sought their own way. Even though Aaron could speak, he obviously wasn't the strong leader that Moses was. When the people came to him, he caved and did what they requested building them a god in the form of a golden calf. He even went so far as to build an altar to the Lord in front of it. How like man to justify his disobedience! 

Moses was on the mountain with God receiving the tablets of testimony written with the finger of God. Even there God knew of their great idolatry and wanted to deal with it harshly, but Moses intervened for them. Yet, when Moses came down the mountain and witnessed the debacle, his anger burned hot and he threw the tablets and broke them at the foot of the mountain. Moses' response mirrored God's and his breaking of the tablets mirrored the horrible effect of the sin of idolatry. The people had broken the first law of God, there shall be no other gods before me! They had violated God's directive!

The situation ended with the question, "Who is on the Lord's side?"  That day 3000 men were slain because of their disobedience. Moses pleaded with God to blot out the sin of the people, but God said He would visit their sin upon them which came in the form of a plague. Sin is no laughing matter with God! "And this is my covenant...I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts. And I will be their God and they shall be my people." God's law is written on my heart, and these laws I must obey. Do I obey even when the wait is long and my impatience cries out? Do I create idols of my own making? Do I try and pollute the worship of God by mixing in my own ideas, my own values? Do I try and hide my sin like Aaron who claimed that the calf jumped out of the fire? Do I justify making my own decisions apart from God? I must ask myself, am I truly on the Lord's side?

Father,

Teach me how to obey the laws that You have written on my heart. Expose my stubborn will and the creations it crafts to pull my spirit away from You.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Why ?

Ex. 28-29

In these two chapters intricate details of the attire of Aaron and his sons and of the offering's substance and schedule were given. There was so much detail as to color, fabric, engraving, etc. for the priest's clothing.  Why? Throughout the chapter, it said "For glory and beauty" and "Holy to the Lord." But at the end of chapter 29 God concluded. The offerings were to be a pleasing aroma  to the Lord.  The offering that would be sanctified by His glory would be there where God would meet with the people. God Himself would consecrate the tabernacle, the altar, Aaron and his sons. Then God said, I will dwell among the people of Israel and will be their God. And they shall know that I am the Lord their God, who brought them out of the land of Egypt that I might dwell among them. I am the Lord their God. All of the detail, the richness, and the specific instruction was to make it clear to Israel that God was their God and that He would dwell among them.

By way of application, Jesus came and died for man for the same reasons. To provide a way for God to swell among man, He died on the cross paying the legal debt of their sin. No more intricate instructions on animal sacrifice. He did it once and for all! Now the Spirit of God dwells within believers. The believers' lives have become the meeting place of God and man. Such grace is this! Even though the new covenant has fulfilled the Old and the forms are drastically different, should the believers' attitude and actions reflect the same care, concern, and detail? I appeal to you, therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to the world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. Is my life a living sacrifice? Have I consecrated myself wholly to God? Am I truly transformed and not conformed to the world? Am I giving to God the best that I have and am?

Father,

Guide me in the path of this transformation so that my mind is renewed in Your great grace. Show me what it means to be a living sacrifice and to have the Spirit of God dwelling within me.

In Jesus name,

Amen

The Sanctuary

Ex. 25-27

Since God had chosen these people to be His treasured possession, He would dwell in their midst not in the cloud and the fire any more, but in the tabernacle tent. Even though these people were traveling, God's dwelling place was not makeshift. It was to be fashioned very specifically and with the best of supplies given as contributions from His people. This sanctuary would be holy place much like the ground at the burning bush because God would dwell with the people here. He would be in the midst of His people.  

Likewise, God dwells in the midst of the details of my life, in the midst of my journey. " Do you not know that you are God's temple and that God's Spirit dwells in you? If anyone destroys God's temple, God will destroy him. For God's temple is holy, and you are that temple." Just as the holiness of God was in the tabernacle, His holiness abides within me personally. What are my contributions for this temple? Have I brought my best in precious metals and fine linens? As I am on this journey does my worship reflect the holiness of God? I am afraid that at times I get so busy with life that my worship suffers. Certainly, I don't miss my gathering at church, but the issue here is my heart. Is my heart wholly the Lord's? "For I am Christ's and Christ is God's."

The tabernacle was to be tended by Aaron and his sons "from evening until morning before the Lord."  The tabernacle and the worship of God occupied their full time, their entire lives. The same goes for me. I am the temple of the Lord 24/7. Does my life reflect the great holiness that dwells in me? What great grace that God would have me be the temple of His Holy Spirit!

Father,

Keep me ever aware of Your Spirit within me. Keep my life and my heart wholly holy in and through Your grace.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Pay Attention

Ex. 23:13

"Pay attention to all that I have said to you, and make no mention of the names of other gods, not let it be heard on your lips."

God has given the rules, statutes, and even laws that comprise His covenant with His people, His treasured possession. After many specifics, God seems to emphasize one specific area, that is idolatry. It seems to go beyond committing idolatry to just having the name of another god on their lips. Why so severe? Could it reflect what God has already told them? " I the Lord your God am a jealous God." His holiness dictated that His possessions be free of contamination. Sadly, in just a few short chapters, the people have gone far beyond mentioning a false god, to worshipping one. How quickly man falls! God's injunction, if obeyed, would have been a safeguard for His people.

For me, it is similar: "Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry."  Why flee? Perhaps the inroads that idolatry makes are so covert that I could be infected without even knowing it. I John even ends with this warning, children, keep yourself from idols." What is involved in this keeping? Having a guard and being constantly vigilant, but more than just the negative side, I should have the One True God in my life to the exclusion of all other things. He should fill me with His holiness. Later in Ex. 23 it says, "You shall make no covenant with them and their gods. They shall not dwell in your land, lest they make you sin against me, for if you serve their gods, it will surely be a snare to you." Sin and its presence and power seems so blatant. I might think that I could certainly spot it, but it comes as a snare, a trick, a trap to take me down. Therefore, I must flee. I must run into the arms of my God.

Father,

Reveal to me the inroads that idolatry has worn into my heart and life. Give me your eyes to spot and avoid the snares so that I do not sin against You.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Eagles' Wings

Ex. 19:4

"You have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles' wings and brought you to myself. Now therefore, if you will indeed obey my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my treasured possession among all peoples, for all the earth is mine."

What a way to travel! It is interesting to note that they were traveling from somewhere to somewhere. It was not just an escape from Egypt, but it was a plan to bring them right to God. They had personally seen this great deliverance unlike the generations to follow who just heard the stories of these great events. Their lives and hearts had experienced the miraculous saving power of a God who wanted them to be His treasured possession. But their relationship all hinged on one thing: obedience. Obedience to God and His covenant would be their provision since all the earth was His. There would be no worries over famine or oppression, but instead they would be valued and treasured by the creator God. 

These same eagles' wings are mine! "They who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint."  His grace fills me and brings me to Him. Is obedience key to my relationship as well? Yes, the NT is rampant with commands that require obedience. Jesus Himself had to learn obedience. "Although He was a son, He learned obedience through what He suffered."  Can a servant be different from his master? I am to follow in His footsteps. "For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in His footsteps."  Am I too a treasured possession? "But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for His own possession..." Yes, I am His possession, carried on eagles' wings with a heart willing to obey.

Father,

Keep me ever aware of Your great power and the eagles' wings that are ready to deliver me. Give me Your strength to follow in His steps and learn obedience.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Contentment vs. Grumbling

Ex. 16:4

"Behold, I am about to rain bread from heaven for you, and the people shall go out and gather a day's portion every day, that I may test them, whether they walk in my law or not."

Sounded like a simple thing! Bread appeared each day and needed to be gathered according to certain guidelines. Yet, even though it was miraculously provided and met all their hunger needs, the Israelites were not happy; in fact, they grumbled. In the grand scheme of sin, grumbling does not sound like that devastating of a sin either, but really it is discontentment with God's provision. When my perspective becomes God's perspective, grumbling becomes heinous! How can man reject God's provision? How can man reject Jesus Christ, the bread from heaven?

The purpose of the provision was so that God could see their obedience. Amazing to me, but certainly not to God, was the fact that He could know their hearts through a simple thing like bread. If they couldn't obey God in food gathering, what would their obedience be like in other areas? Even though Moses told them specifically how to gather, how much to gather, and when to gather the manna, many could not do it. But those who gathered it exactly as Moses said, that is measuring it with an omer, had nothing left over nor did they lack anything. If they obeyed the instruction, their physical hunger needs were met exactly. "My grace is sufficient for You."  What He gives will always be my sufficiency and meet my needs exactly. Am I satisfied with my circumstances in life? Am I seeing God's hand behind the provision or am I struggling with self-will and wanting more? Instead of God's way, do I want my own way?

It was hard for Moses to deal with their constant grumbling and disobedience. He became angry. The sin that grew from dissatisfaction and self-will in the people, produced sin in the leader. Even though Moses obeyed and was contented with God's provision, He was being sifted as well. His unchecked anger would be his undoing in the future. What is my heart like when the attitudes of others are sinful? Do I take it personally forgetting to go to God for more grace? Do I constantly remember that the people God calls me to minister to are His people and not mine? I must be contented with the way that He is working in other's lives even if it is different than how He is working in my life. I am tested as well to show whether or not I walk in God's laws or not.

Father,

Rain down Your grace in my life so that my heart may be right toward You. Grow Your Spirit's fruit in my life so that I will respond to others in Your love.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Fear and Grumbling

Ex. 14:10

"And they feared greatly."

The Israelites had just been delivered from 400 plus years of bondage in Egypt. God had worked visibly  and miraculously to bring this about. Even though His hand of deliverance had been powerful, they instantly let fear overtake them as soon as Pharaoh drew near them in the wilderness. How strong and how blinding is human fear! It would seem that they did not think that a God who rescued them could be the same God who could keep them safe. Moses gave the solution for this fear:"Fear not, stand firm, and see the salvation of the Lord, which He will work for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall never see again. The Lord will fight for you, and you have only to be silent." What do I need to do when fear overtakes me? Stand firm, trusting in my Sovereign God, the one who has orchestrated my entire life. My fight is done by the Lord. I only have to be silent. What grace!

Moses obeyed the Lord and stretched his hand over the Red Sea and the people passed through on dry land. Then the Lord commanded the reverse action on the confused and frenetic Egyptians who were covered over by the water. What God had said did come to pass! They would never see these Egyptians again! "Israel saw the great power of the Lord used against the Egyptians, so the people feared the Lord, and they believed in the Lord and in His servant, Moses." Yet it was only 3 days after this great victory and the great songs of deliverance and celebration that bitter water undid the people again. Instead of trusting in a God of unlimited power, they grumbled. How weak is human flesh! Many times at the first obstacle, the human tendency is to see only the obstacle and not the hand of God. Do I keep my eyes focused on God when human obstacles come into my life? Do I allow the fear of circumstances to separate me from God? Am I fearful or even grumbling at what God has placed in my life? Do I believe in his promises that all things in my life are for my good, even bitter water and a pursuing army?

Father,

Vanquish my fear and discontented grumbling. Help me to see Your hand in all that is in my life and to use each thing as a stepping stone to walk closer to You.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Sovereign God

Ex. 10-12

"that you may know that I am the Lord."

"That my wonders may be multiplied in the land of Egypt."

This passage gives some understanding into why God does what He does. Whether there are natural disasters, plagues on livestock and the land, death, hardening of the heart, deliverance of people, and even plundering of people by their willing gifts, God's will and purpose are responsible. He is behind all, the negative and the positive. In the past when I had read about Pharaoh, I had often thought he got a raw deal because his heart was hardened, but now I see that God mentioned that fact to show that He even hardens the heart. He orchestrates all of life. What a hard concept to grasp! Man likes to think he makes his own decisions and shapes his own destiny, but that can not be true if God is sovereign. In two places God states why He brings all this to pass: so man may know He is the Lord, and so that His wonders will be evident. God wanted all Israel and Egypt to realize He was the sovereign God. He made this fact known through the many wonders that he had Moses and Aaron do. What a hard concept to grasp! How was Israel spared on the night that death went through the country? By the blood on the doorposts, by the Passover lamb. "When I see the blood, I will pass over you." It is the same for me. It is the blood of the Lamb of God that gives me eternal life and gives me status as a child of God, a child whose heart is circumcised and obedient.

Father,

Thank You for teaching me more about Your ways in the hearts of man. Soften my heart for obedience to You.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Then the Lord Said...

Ex. 7-9

The words, "And the Lord said to Moses..." are repeated numerous times in these chapters. In fact Moses and Aaron did nothing apart from the Lord speaking to them. He was the prime director who gave the prime directives. He did not just give them ideas, but gave them the exact words to speak. This process established Moses as "God to Pharaoh, and your brother Aaron shall be your prophet." The obedience of Moses was not just in words but in actions. Every time God spoke to Moses, the passage says that Moses and Aaron did as the Lord commanded. This is obedience! When my words are the words of God and my actions are in accordance with those words, then I am obedient!

The actions and attitudes of Pharaoh are equally notable in this passage. He refused to listen, heed, or do as the Lord asked. The passage says that the Lord hardened his heart. In fact, Moses knew from the get-go that Pharaoh's heart would be hardened. Yet, he was to go and give him the words of God. Why? Perhaps God  wanted to demonstrate how He can use an evil person and nation for His bidding, or perhaps He was demonstrating how a sovereign God has orchestrated all that transpires in the world. And perhaps, I am not to know the real reason because His thoughts and ways are not mine. But I do know that He is sovereign and His will and purpose will happen without a hitch.

Father,

Graft Your words deep in my spirit and transform my heart to one of instant obedience. Soften and mold me to be Your willing and obedient servant.

In Jesus name,

Amen