Leviticus 21-23 Priests and Feasts of Israel

Psalm 19:1-14 Star On Stage

19:1 “The heavens declare the glory of God...4 In them He has set a tent for the sun...

7 Yahweh's law is perfect, restoring the soul. Yahweh's testimony is sure, making wise the simple. 8 Yahweh's precepts are right, rejoicing the heart. Yahweh's commandment is pure, enlightening the eyes. 9 The fear of Yahweh is clean, enduring forever. Yahweh's ordinances are true, and righteous altogether. 10 More to be desired are they than gold, yes, than much fine gold; sweeter... 11 Moreover in/by them is your servant warned. In keeping them there is great reward. 12 Who can discern his errors? Forgive me from hidden errors. 13 Keep back Your servant also from presumptuous sins. Let them not have dominion over me. Then I will be upright. I will be blameless and innocent of great transgression. 14 Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in Your sight, Yahweh, my rock, and my redeemer."

Observations: The key to correctly interpreting Psalm 19 is to recognize the parallelism of “in them” between verses 4 and 11. In the heavens the stage is set for the star (sun) to shine and reflect well on the Creator. In the laws/Revelation of Yahweh the stage is set for the star performer (you) to shine and reflect well on Him.

Note the view of David toward the law, and all the benefits of having an intimate relationship with God's Word.

Application: Meditation (19:14) is thinking thru implications for applications. (Cf Joshua 1:8). That's how the benefits of the Revelation become a reality in your life.

Prayer: My Creator and Director, may I live and act within the purposes You've planned for me, so that I may be pleasing in Your sight. Amen.

Proverbs 5:21-23 "He sees you when you're sleeping, He knows when you're awake..."

5:21 “For the ways of man are before the eyes of Yahweh. He examines all his paths. 22 The evil deeds of the wicked ensnare him. The cords of his sin hold him firmly. 23 He will die for lack of instruction. In the greatness of his folly, he will go astray.”

Observation: No, we're not talking about Santa Claus, but about the All-Seeing Omniscient One, who watches over His children, and lets the rebellious reap the reward of their wickedness. Note how Proverbs teaches wisdom (and the fear of the Lord); it gives us a view of reality, and the consequences of our actions, so we'll take the right path. (Unlike Cain). Unfortunately, some would rather believe in folklore.

Application: Memorize Proverbs 5:21 and be ready to explain why you do what you do.

Prayer: All-Seeing God and Judge of the universe, help me walk the paths of freedom today. Amen.

Leviticus 21-23 Two chapters stress the spotless service required by God. Then chapter 23 gives the calendar of the Seven Feasts. Note that no liturgy is specified, although the ritual sacrifices were. Still no mention of singing. Digging Deeper has a chart comparing the Feasts to the NT prophetic calendar.

Leviticus 21 A Holy God Requires Spotless Priests and Sacrifices

21:1 Yahweh said to Moses, Speak to the priests, the sons of Aaron, no one shall defile himself for the dead among his people; 2 except for his relatives, that are near to him 7 They shall not take a woman that is a prostitute, or profane; neither shall they take a woman put away from her husband: for he is holy to his God. 8 You shall sanctify him therefore; for he offers the bread of your God: he shall be holy to you: for I Yahweh, who sanctify you, am holy. 16 Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying, 17 Speak to Aaron, saying, Whoever he be of your seed throughout their generations that has a blemish, let him not approach to offer the bread of his God. 22 He shall eat the bread of his God, both of the most holy, and of the holy: 23 only he shall not go in to the veil, nor come near to the altar, because he has a blemish; that he not profane my sanctuaries: for I am Yahweh who sanctifies them.

Observations: Blamelessness, both spiritual and physical, was required. Any descendant who had a physical defect could eat the holy offerings, but not offer them, to emphasize the need for absolute purity.

Leviticus 22 A Holy God Requires Perfect Sacrifices

22:1 Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying, 2 Speak to Aaron and to his sons, that they separate themselves from the holy things of the children of Israel, which they make holy to me, and that they not profane my holy name: I am Yahweh. 3 Tell them, Whoever he be of all your seed throughout your generations, that approaches to the holy things, which the children of Israel make holy to Yahweh, having his uncleanness on him, that soul shall be cut off from before me: I am Yahweh. 20 But whatever has a blemish, that shall you not offer: for it shall not be acceptable for you. 21 it shall be perfect to be accepted; 31 Therefore shall you keep my commandments, and do them: I am Yahweh. 32 You shall not profane my holy name; but I will be made holy among the children of Israel: I am Yahweh who makes you holy, 33 who brought you out of the land of Egypt, to be your God: I am Yahweh.

Observations: Fortunately God's people don't have to be perfect, just forgiven and cleansed.

Application: We can't expect God's blessing when we make Him Lord of the Leftovers.

Prayer: Holy God, thank You that I can be acceptable in Your presence. May I only offer You my best, acknowledging Your supremacy. Amen.

Leviticus 23 Festivals and Feasts

23:1 "Yahweh spoke to Moses 2 Speak to the children of Israel, and tell them, The set feasts of Yahweh, which you shall proclaim to be holy convocations, even these are my set feasts."

Observations: This chapter gives a calendar of the mandated festivals at this time in Jewish history. Purim and Hanukkah were added later. The “when” and “how” are specified, but not the “why.” The translation is pretty wooden, but you'll get the idea. One general principle that emerges is that life is not all work and no worship. Theologian John Hammett noted: “Americans tend to worship their work, work at their play, and play at their worship.”

Sabbath 3 Six days shall work be done: but on the seventh day is a Sabbath of solemn rest, a holy convocation; you shall do no manner of work: it is a Sabbath to Yahweh in all your dwellings.

Observations: Other Sabbaths were every seven years, and every seven times seven years.

The seventh month was also significant, containing three feasts.

Passover-Unleavened Bread/Pesah 5 In the first month, on the fourteenth day of the month, is Yahweh`s Passover. 6 On the fifteenth day of the same month is the feast of unleavened bread to Yahweh: seven days you shall eat unleavened bread. 7 In the first day you shall have a holy convocation: you shall do no servile work. 8 But you shall offer an offering made by fire to Yahweh seven days: the seventh day is a holy convocation; you shall do no servile work.

Observations: Passover starts the year and the experience of Israel as God's redeemed people. When originally specified in Ex 12-13, the reason was to remember how God delivered so they would keep the law as they awaited fulfillment of God's promises. See 1Cor 5:6-8.

Exodus 13:8 "You shall tell your son in that day, saying, 'It is because of that which YAHWEH did for me when I came forth out of Egypt.'9 It shall be for a sign to you on your hand, and for a memorial between your eyes, that the law of YAHWEH may be in your mouth; for with a strong hand YAHWEH has brought you out of Egypt. 10 You shall therefore keep this ordinance in its season from year to year."

First-fruits/Shavuot 9 Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying, 10 Speak to the children of Israel, and tell them, When you are come into the land which I give to you, and shall reap the harvest of it, then you shall bring the sheaf of the first-fruits of your harvest to the priest: 12 In the day when you wave the sheaf, you shall offer a he-lamb without blemish a year old for a burnt offering to Yahweh. 14 You shall eat neither bread, nor parched grain, nor fresh ears, until this same day, until you have brought the offering of your God: it is a statute forever throughout your generations in all your dwellings.

Observations: Giving God the first part of the harvest, recognized His ownership and provision, and were expressed faith that the rest of the harvest would come in. Note the emphasis on not even eating until you give God His due. See 1Cor 15:23 for NT usage of first-fruits.

Pentecost-Harvest/Shabuoth 15 You shall count...from the wave-offering; seven Sabbaths 16...fifty days; and you shall offer a new meal-offering to Yahweh.18 You shall present with the bread seven lambs without blemish a year old, and one young bull, and two rams: they shall be a burnt offering to Yahweh, with their meal-offering, and their drink-offerings, even an offering made by fire, of a sweet savor to Yahweh. 19 You shall offer one male goat for a sin-offering, and two he-lambs a year old for a sacrifice of peace-offerings. 20 The priest shall wave them with the bread of the first-fruits for a wave-offering before Yahweh, with the two lambs: they shall be holy to Yahweh for the priest. 21 You shall make proclamation on the same day; there shall be a holy convocation to you; you shall do no servile work: it is a statute forever in all your dwellings throughout your generations. 22 When you reap the harvest of your land, you shall not wholly reap the corners of your field, neither shall you gather the gleaning of your harvest: you shall leave them for the poor, and for the sojourner: I am Yahweh your God.

Observations: “Pentecost” comes from the Greek word for “fifty” since it was celebrated 50 days from First-fruits. Rabbinical interpretation considers it to commemorate the giving of the Torah or Law. Since the timing coincided with the harvest, the comment about gleaning is appropriate. In the NT the Holy Spirit descended on the day of Pentecost.

Trumpets/Rosh Hashana 23 Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying, 24 Speak to the children of Israel, saying, In the seventh month, on the first day of the month, shall be a solemn rest to you, a memorial of blowing of trumpets, a holy convocation. 25 You shall do no servile work; and you shall offer an offering made by fire to Yahweh.

Observations: The Shofar or ram's horn was sounded at the beginning of every month. In Lev 25:9-10 the blowing of trumpets marked the year of Jubilee, a new start. In rabbinical interpretation, the Feast of trumpets is also considered a memorial of Creation, and viewed as the beginning of the New Year (cx Passover). Here it heralds the Day of Atonement ten days later, so also in rabbinical interpretation it is a call to regather and repent. Isaiah 18:3 and 27:13 point to a future regathering and repentance.

Day of Atonement/Yom Kippur 26 Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying, 27 However on the tenth day of this seventh month is the day of atonement: it shall be a holy convocation to you, and you shall afflict your souls; and you shall offer an offering made by fire to Yahweh. 28 You shall do no manner of work in that same day; for it is a day of atonement, to make atonement for you before Yahweh your God. 29 For whatever soul it be who shall not be afflicted in that same day; he shall be cut off from his people. 30 Whatever soul it be who does any manner of work in that same day, that soul will I destroy from among his people. 31 You shall do no manner of work: it is a statute forever throughout your generations in all your dwellings. 32 It shall be to you a Sabbath of solemn rest, and you shall afflict your souls: in the ninth day of the month at even, from even to even, shall you keep your Sabbath.

Observations: This is the most solemn day of the year, the only one in which the High Priest could enter the Holy of Holies to sprinkle blood on the mercy seat for all sins. Joel 2:11-15 indicates the repentance that should accompany it. See notes on Lev 16, when God first instituted it.

Tents/Booths/Tabernacles/Sukkot 33 Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying, 34 Speak to the children of Israel, saying, On the fifteenth day of this seventh month is the feast of tents for seven days to Yahweh. 35 On the first day shall be a holy convocation: you shall do no servile work. 36 Seven days you shall offer an offering made by fire to Yahweh: on the eighth day shall be a holy convocation to you; and you shall offer an offering made by fire to Yahweh: it is a solemn assembly; you shall do no servile work.

37 These are the set feasts of Yahweh, which you shall proclaim to be holy convocations, to offer an offering made by fire to Yahweh, a burnt offering, and a meal-offering, a sacrifice, and drink offerings, each on its own day; 38 besides the Sabbaths of Yahweh, and besides your gifts, and besides all your vows, and besides all your freewill -offerings, which you give to Yahweh. 39 However on the fifteenth day of the seventh month, when you have gathered in the fruits of the land, you shall keep the feast of Yahweh seven days: on the first day shall be a solemn rest, and on the eighth day shall be a solemn rest. 40 You shall take on the first day the fruit of goodly trees, branches of palm-trees, and boughs of thick trees, and willows of the brook; and you shall rejoice before Yahweh your God seven days. 41 You shall keep it a feast to Yahweh seven days in the year: it is a statute forever throughout your generations; you shall keep it in the seventh month. 42 You shall dwell in booths seven days; all who are home-born in Israel shall dwell in booths; 43 that your generations may know that I made the children of Israel to dwell in booths, when I brought them out of the land of Egypt: I am Yahweh your God. 44 Moses declared to the children of Israel the set feasts of Yahweh.

Observations: Booths was a joyful memorial (commanded to rejoice 23:40) of the time the nation dwelt in booths after the Exodus. In the future it will include all nations. Zech 14:16-21

Application: We should regularly set aside time to reflect on what God has done in our lives from the beginning of our relationship with Him. As we follow Him we should see progressive holiness follow our redemption as we enjoy His blessings.

Prayer: Great and Good God, when I think about where I was, and what You've done since we met, all I can do is say thanks, and seek to obediently please You. Amen.

Digging Deeper:

Note the parallels between the order of the feasts and the NT prophetic calendar. Coincidence?

God in a nutshell: God is frighteningly holy; worship and life must be on His, and only on His, terms. He mandates memorials to keep us mindful of His work and provision in our lives.

Us in a nutshell: We are blessed far beyond what we could ever deserve, but we must still do what God says to be blessed, or we will be cut off from blessings. Because we tend to forget our history in preoccupation with daily living, we need to take a break and reflect on God's blessings and our receipt of them.

Where to Go for More:

Truthbase.net

Leviticus 21-23 (complete text)

Leviticus 21

21:1 Yahweh said to Moses, Speak to the priests, the sons of Aaron, and say to them, There shall none defile himself for the dead among his people; 2 except for his relatives, that is near to him, for his mother, and for his father, and for his son, and for his daughter, and for his brother, 3 and for his sister a virgin, that is near to him, that has had no husband; for her may he defile himself. 4 He shall not defile himself, [being] a chief man among his people, to profane himself. 5 They shall not make baldness on their head, neither shall they shave off the corner of their beard, nor make any cuttings in their flesh. 6 They shall be holy to their God, and not profane the name of their God; for the offerings of Yahweh made by fire, the bread of their God, they do offer: therefore they shall be holy. 7 They shall not take a woman that is a prostitute, or profane; neither shall they take a woman put away from her husband: for he is holy to his God. 8 You shall sanctify him therefore; for he offers the bread of your God: he shall be holy to you: for I Yahweh, who sanctify you, am holy. 9 The daughter of any priest, if she profane herself by playing the prostitute, she profanes her father: she shall be burnt with fire. 10 He who is the high priest among his brothers, on whose head the anointing oil is poured, and that is consecrated to put on the garments, shall not let the hair of his head go loose, nor tear his clothes; 11 neither shall he go in to any dead body, nor defile himself for his father, or for his mother; 12 neither shall he go out of the sanctuary, nor profane the sanctuary of his God; for the crown of the anointing oil of his God is on him: I am Yahweh. 13 He shall take a wife in her virginity. 14 A widow, or one divorced, or a profane woman, a prostitute, these shall he not take: but a virgin of his own people shall he take as a wife. 15 He shall not profane his seed among his people: for I am Yahweh who sanctifies him. 16 Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying, 17 Speak to Aaron, saying, Whoever he be of your seed throughout their generations that has a blemish, let him not approach to offer the bread of his God. 18 For whatever man he be that has a blemish, he shall not approach: a blind man, or a lame, or he that has a flat nose, or any deformity, 19 or a man that is broken-footed, or broken-handed, 20 or crook-backed, or a dwarf, or that has a blemish in his eye, or is scurvy, or scabbed, or has his stones broken; 21 no man of the seed of Aaron the priest, that has a blemish, shall come near to offer the offerings of Yahweh made by fire: he has a blemish; he shall not come near to offer the bread of his God. 22 He shall eat the bread of his God, both of the most holy, and of the holy: 23 only he shall not go in to the veil, nor come near to the altar, because he has a blemish; that he not profane my sanctuaries: for I am Yahweh who sanctifies them. 24 So Moses spoke to Aaron, and to his sons, and to all the children of Israel.

Leviticus 22

22:1 Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying, 2 Speak to Aaron and to his sons, that they separate themselves from the holy things of the children of Israel, which they make holy to me, and that they not profane my holy name: I am Yahweh. 3 Tell them, Whoever he be of all your seed throughout your generations, that approaches to the holy things, which the children of Israel make holy to Yahweh, having his uncleanness on him, that soul shall be cut off from before me: I am Yahweh. 4 Whatever man of the seed of Aaron is a leper, or has an issue; he shall not eat of the holy things, until he is clean. Whoever touches anything that is unclean by the dead, or a man whose seed goes from him; 5 or whoever touches any creeping thing, whereby he may be made unclean, or a man of whom he may take uncleanness, whatever uncleanness he has; 6 the soul that touches any such shall be unclean until the even, and shall not eat of the holy things, unless he bathe his flesh in water. 7 When the sun is down, he shall be clean; and afterward he shall eat of the holy things, because it is his bread. 8 That which dies of itself, or is torn by animals, he shall not eat, to defile himself therewith: I am Yahweh. 9 They shall therefore keep my charge, lest they bear sin for it, and die therein, if they profane it: I am Yahweh who sanctifies them. 10 There shall no stranger eat of the holy thing: a sojourner of the priest`s, or a hired servant, shall not eat of the holy thing. 11 But if a priest buy any soul, the purchase of his money, he shall eat of it; and such as are born in his house, they shall eat of his bread. 12 If a priest`s daughter be married to a stranger, she shall not eat of the heave-offering of the holy things. 13 But if a priest`s daughter be a widow, or divorced, and have no child, and be returned to her father`s house, as in her youth, she shall eat of her father`s bread: but there shall no stranger eat of it. 14 If a man eat of the holy thing unwittingly, then he shall put the fifth part of it to it, and shall give to the priest the holy thing. 15 They shall not profane the holy things of the children of Israel, which they offer to Yahweh, 16 and [so] cause them to bear the iniquity that brings guilt, when they eat their holy things: for I am Yahweh who sanctifies them. 17 Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying, 18 Speak to Aaron, and to his sons, and to all the children of Israel, and tell them, Whoever he be of the house of Israel, or of the sojourners in Israel, that offers his offering, whether it be any of their vows, or any of their freewill-offerings, which they offer to Yahweh for a burnt offering; 19 that you may be accepted, [you shall offer] a male without blemish, of the bulls, of the sheep, or of the goats. 20 But whatever has a blemish, that shall you not offer: for it shall not be acceptable for you. 21 Whoever offers a sacrifice of peace-offerings to Yahweh to accomplish a vow, or for a freewill-offering, of the herd or of the flock, it shall be perfect to be accepted; there shall be no blemish therein. 22 Blind, or broken, or maimed, or having a wen, or scurvy, or scabbed, you shall not offer these to Yahweh, nor make an offering by fire of them on the altar to Yahweh. 23 Either a bull or a lamb that has any deformity or lacking in his parts, that may you offer for a freewill-offering; but for a vow it shall not be accepted. 24 That which has its stones bruised, or crushed, or broken, or cut, you shall not offer to Yahweh; neither shall you do [thus] in your land. 25 Neither from the hand of a foreigner shall you offer the bread of your God of any of these; because their corruption is in them, there is a blemish in them: they shall not be accepted for you. 26 Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying, 27 When a bull, or a sheep, or a goat, is brought forth, then it shall be seven days under the hen; and from the eighth day and thenceforth it shall be accepted for the offering of an offering made by fire to Yahweh. 28 Whether it be cow or ewe, you shall not kill it and its young both in one day. 29 When you sacrifice a sacrifice of thanksgiving to Yahweh, you shall sacrifice it that you may be accepted. 30 On the same day it shall be eaten; you shall leave none of it until the morning: I am Yahweh. 31 Therefore shall you keep my commandments, and do them: I am Yahweh. 32 You shall not profane my holy name; but I will be made holy among the children of Israel: I am Yahweh who makes you holy, 33 who brought you out of the land of Egypt, to be your God: I am Yahweh.

Leviticus 23

23:1 Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying, 2 Speak to the children of Israel, and tell them, The set feasts of Yahweh, which you shall proclaim to be holy convocations, even these are my set feasts. 3 Six days shall work be done: but on the seventh day is a Sabbath of solemn rest, a holy convocation; you shall do no manner of work: it is a Sabbath to Yahweh in all your dwellings. 4 These are the set feasts of Yahweh, even holy convocations, which you shall proclaim in their appointed season. 5 In the first month, on the fourteenth day of the month at even, is Yahweh`s Passover. 6 On the fifteenth day of the same month is the feast of unleavened bread to Yahweh: seven days you shall eat unleavened bread. 7 In the first day you shall have a holy convocation: you shall do no servile work. 8 But you shall offer an offering made by fire to Yahweh seven days: in the seventh day is a holy convocation; you shall do no servile work. 9 Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying, 10 Speak to the children of Israel, and tell them, When you are come into the land which I give to you, and shall reap the harvest of it, then you shall bring the sheaf of the first-fruits of your harvest to the priest: 11 and he shall wave the sheaf before Yahweh, to be accepted for you: on the next day after the Sabbath the priest shall wave it. 12 In the day when you wave the sheaf, you shall offer a he-lamb without blemish a year old for a burnt offering to Yahweh. 13 The meal-offering of it shall be two tenth parts [of an ephah] of fine flour mingled with oil, an offering made by fire to Yahweh for a sweet savor; and the drink-offering of it shall be of wine, the fourth part of a hin. 14 You shall eat neither bread, nor parched grain, nor fresh ears, until this same day, until you have brought the offering of your God: it is a statute forever throughout your generations in all your dwellings. 15 You shall count to you from the next day after the Sabbath, from the day that you brought the sheaf of the wave-offering; seven Sabbaths shall there be complete: 16 even to the next day after the seventh Sabbath shall you number fifty days; and you shall offer a new meal-offering to Yahweh. 17 You shall bring out of your habitations two wave-loaves of two tenth parts [of an ephah]: they shall be of fine flour, they shall be baked with yeast, for first-fruits to Yahweh. 18 You shall present with the bread seven lambs without blemish a year old, and one young bull, and two rams: they shall be a burnt offering to Yahweh, with their meal-offering, and their drink-offerings, even an offering made by fire, of a sweet savor to Yahweh. 19 You shall offer one male goat for a sin-offering, and two helambs a year old for a sacrifice of peace-offerings. 20 The priest shall wave them with the bread of the first-fruits for a wave-offering before Yahweh, with the two lambs: they shall be holy to Yahweh for the priest. 21 You shall make proclamation on the same day; there shall be a holy convocation to you; you shall do no servile work: it is a statute forever in all your dwellings throughout your generations. 22 When you reap the harvest of your land, you shall not wholly reap the corners of your field, neither shall you gather the gleaning of your harvest: you shall leave them for the poor, and for the sojourner: I am Yahweh your God. 23 Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying, 24 Speak to the children of Israel, saying, In the seventh month, on the first day of the month, shall be a solemn rest to you, a memorial of blowing of trumpets, a holy convocation. 25 You shall do no servile work; and you shall offer an offering made by fire to Yahweh. 26 Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying, 27 However on the tenth day of this seventh month is the day of atonement: it shall be a holy convocation to you, and you shall afflict your souls; and you shall offer an offering made by fire to Yahweh. 28 You shall do no manner of work in that same day; for it is a day of atonement, to make atonement for you before Yahweh your God. 29 For whatever soul it be who shall not be afflicted in that same day; he shall be cut off from his people. 30 Whatever soul it be who does any manner of work in that same day, that soul will I destroy from among his people. 31 You shall do no manner of work: it is a statute forever throughout your generations in all your dwellings. 32 It shall be to you a Sabbath of solemn rest, and you shall afflict your souls: in the ninth day of the month at even, from even to even, shall you keep your Sabbath. 33 Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying, 34 Speak to the children of Israel, saying, On the fifteenth day of this seventh month is the feast of tents for seven days to Yahweh. 35 On the first day shall be a holy convocation: you shall do no servile work. 36 Seven days you shall offer an offering made by fire to Yahweh: on the eighth day shall be a holy convocation to you; and you shall offer an offering made by fire to Yahweh: it is a solemn assembly; you shall do no servile work. 37 These are the set feasts of Yahweh, which you shall proclaim to be holy convocations, to offer an offering made by fire to Yahweh, a burnt offering, and a meal-offering, a sacrifice, and drinkofferings, each on its own day; 38 besides the Sabbaths of Yahweh, and besides your gifts, and besides all your vows, and besides all your freewill -offerings, which you give to Yahweh. 39 However on the fifteenth day of the seventh month, when you have gathered in the fruits of the land, you shall keep the feast of Yahweh seven days: on the first day shall be a solemn rest, and on the eighth day shall be a solemn rest. 40 You shall take on the first day the fruit of goodly trees, branches of palm-trees, and boughs of thick trees, and willows of the brook; and you shall rejoice before Yahweh your God seven days. 41 You shall keep it a feast to Yahweh seven days in the year: it is a statute forever throughout your generations; you shall keep it in the seventh month. 42 You shall dwell in booths seven days; all who are home-born in Israel shall dwell in booths; 43 that your generations may know that I made the children of Israel to dwell in booths, when I brought them out of the land of Egypt: I am Yahweh your God. 44 Moses declared to the children of Israel the set feasts of Yahweh.

Exodus 29-31 Consecration, Dedication, And Sacrifices

Psalm 14:5-7 Antidote for Alligators

14:1 “The fool has said in his heart, "There is no God." They are corrupt, they have done abominable deeds, There is no one who does good. 2 The LORD looks down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there are any who understand, who seek God. 3 They have all turned away, They have together become corrupt; There is none who does good, No, not one. 4 Have all the workers of iniquity no knowledge, Who eat up my people as they eat bread, And do not call on the LORD?

5 There they are in great fear, for God is present with the generation of the righteous.

6 You evildoers frustrate the plans of the poor, but Yahweh is their refuge.

7 Oh, that the salvation/deliverance for Israel would come out of Zion! When Yahweh restores the fortunes (NIV) of His people, Let Jacob rejoice and Israel be glad."

Observations 14:1-4 See post on Genesis 35 for vv 1-4, where David laments the departure of people from being dependent upon God, to instead seeking to devour those who are loyal to Him.

14:5-7 David affirms that God is with the righteous, which causes the wicked to fear. The evildoers desire to oppress the poor, but God is the refuge of the righteous. He ends with a prayer for God to act, and restore the fortunes (reverse the captivity) of His people. Then they will rejoice.

Application: Call upon God when the wicked are seeking to take bites out of you, and trust that He will be your refuge and defense, and hope that at the appropriate time, He will totally deliver you.

Prayer: God, You are my God, and I will always trust You to protect and prosper me, because that is what You said You would do for the righteous. Amen.

Proverbs 4:17-19 Light and Dark

4:17 “For they eat the bread of wickedness, and drink the wine of violence. 18 But the path of the righteous is like the dawning light, that shines more and more until the perfect day. 19 The way of the wicked is like darkness. They don’t know what they stumble over.“

Observations: 4:17-19 The unrighteous both consume and are consumed by wickedness and violence. They wind up downed in the dark, not knowing what hit them. The righteous who walk in the light, progress to greater light, until they will stand in the secure light of God's presence on that perfect day when He returns.

Application: Make sure your choices and steps lead to light and not darkness.

Prayer: God, may the wisdom of Your word guide my steps so I don't stumble in the dark, but walk with You in the light. Thanks. Amen.

Exodus 29-31 The Consecration of the Aaron and sons in Exodus 29 introduces us to a number of sacrifices/offering which are explained in more detail in the opening chapters of Leviticus (the next book).

Exodus 29 Consecration and Dedication

29:1 "This is the thing that you shall do to them to make them holy, to minister to me in the priest`s office: take one young bull and two rams without blemish, 2 unleavened bread, unleavened cakes mixed with oil, and unleavened wafers anointed with oil: you shall make them of fine wheat flour. 4 You shall bring Aaron and his sons to the door of the tent of meeting, and shall wash them with water. 5 You shall take the garments, and put on Aaron...7 Then you shall take the anointing oil, and pour it on his head, and anoint him. 8 You shall bring his sons, and put coats on them.

10 "You shall bring the bull before the tent of meeting: and Aaron and his sons shall lay their hands on the head of the bull. 11 You shall kill the bull before Yahweh, at the door of the tent of meeting. 12 You shall take of the blood of the bull, and put it on the horns of the altar with your finger; and you shall pour out all the blood at the base of the altar. 13 You shall take all the fat that covers the innards, the cover of the liver, the two kidneys, and the fat that is on them, and burn them on the altar. 14 But the flesh of the bull, and its skin, and its dung, you shall burn with fire outside of the camp: it is a sin-offering. 

15 "You shall also take the one ram; and Aaron and his sons shall lay their hands on the head of the ram. 16 You shall kill the ram, and you shall take its blood, and sprinkle it around on the altar. 17 You shall cut the ram into its pieces, and wash its innards, and its legs, and put them with its pieces, and with its head. 18 You shall burn the whole ram on the altar: it is a burnt offering to Yahweh; it is a sweet savor, an offering made by fire to Yahweh. 19 "You shall take the other ram; and Aaron and his sons shall lay their hands on the head of the ram. 20 Then you shall kill the ram, and take some of its blood, and put it on the tip of the right ear of Aaron, and on the tip of the right ear of his sons, and on the thumb of their right hand, and on the big toe of their right foot, and sprinkle the blood on the altar round about. 21 You shall take of the blood that is on the altar, and of the anointing oil, and sprinkle it on Aaron, and on his garments, and on his sons, and on the garments of his sons with him: and he shall be made holy, and his garments, and his sons, and his sons` garments with him. 22 Also you shall take some of the ram`s fat, the fat tail, the fat that covers the innards, the cover of the liver, the two kidneys, the fat that is on them, and the right thigh (for it is a ram of consecration), 23 and one loaf of bread, one cake of oiled bread, and one wafer out of the basket of unleavened bread that is before Yahweh. 24 You shall put all of this in Aaron`s hands, and in his sons` hands, and shall wave them for a wave-offering before Yahweh. 25 You shall take them from their hands, and burn them on the altar on the burnt offering, for a sweet savor before Yahweh: it is an offering made by fire to Yahweh. 26 "You shall take the breast of Aaron`s ram of consecration, and wave it for a wave-offering before Yahweh: and it shall be your portion. 27 You shall sanctify the breast of the wave-offering, and the thigh of the heave-offering, which is waved, and which is heaved up, of the ram of consecration, even of that which is for Aaron, and of that which is for his sons: 28 and it shall be for Aaron and his sons as their portion forever from the children of Israel; for it is a heave-offering: and it shall be a heave-offering from the children of Israel of the sacrifices of their peace-offerings, even their heave-offering to Yahweh. 29 "The holy garments of Aaron shall be for his sons after him, to be anointed in them, and to be consecrated in them. 36 Every day shall you offer the bull of sin-offering for atonement: and you shall cleanse the altar, when you make atonement for it; and you shall anoint it, to sanctify it. 38 "Now this is that which you shall offer on the altar: two lambs morning...evening 43 There I will meet with the children of Israel; and the place shall be sanctified by my glory. 44 I will sanctify the tent of meeting and the altar: Aaron also and his sons I will sanctify, to minister to me in the priest`s office. 45 I will dwell among the children of Israel, and will be their God. 46 They shall know that I am Yahweh their God, who brought them forth out of the land of Egypt, that I might dwell among them: I am Yahweh their God."

Observations: God sets apart/sanctifies His servants, deals with their sin, and then prepares them for unreserved service to Him.
29:4 The preliminary washing might indicate a desire for holiness, or maybe they didn't want to get the nice clothes dirty.

29:14 The first offering, a bull, is a sin-offering, slain as their substitute for the death penalty of sin. Its blood was kept in the tent; its fat, representing the best of the animal was burned (same word for burning incense) on the altar, but the body, tainted with sin, was totally consumed by fire (different word for burn) outside the camp.

29:14 The first ram, a whole burnt offering, was entirely dedicated to God (up in smoke). 

29:21 The second ram, the ram of consecration, was marked on the ear (hear the Word), thumb (do the Word), and toe (walk in the Word), and sprinkled on the beautiful garments as a reminder of the covenant to obey, when Moses sprinkled the people with blood (Exodus 24:8).

29:24 The wave-offering was a symbol of giving the first and best of what one has (time, money, strength) back to God. Normally one would give the wave offering to Aaron and the priests to eat (which is why it was waved rather than burnt), but in this case Aaron burns it, showing God's ownership of all.

29:28 The peace-offering was more of a fellowship meal, for now God and man were in right relationship.

Application: Have you gone beyond getting your sins forgiven to dedicating yourself to serving God? That's the path to true fellowship with Him.

See: the sermon Holy Priests Offer Pleasing Sacrifices for part III. The Poor Saints Guide to Big Ticket Sacrifice.

Prayer. Lord, I recognize that You desire all believers to be Your priests, may I be wholly serving You with the best of my life. Amen.

Exodus 30 Incense, Census, and Oils

30:1 "You shall make an altar to burn incense on. 3 You shall overlay it with pure gold...6 You shall put it before the veil that is by the ark of the testimony, before the mercy seat that is over the testimony, where I will meet with you. 8 When Aaron lights the lamps at evening, he shall burn it, a perpetual incense before Yahweh throughout your generations. 9 You shall offer no strange incense on it, nor burnt offering, nor meal-offering; and you shall pour no drink-offering on it. 10 Aaron shall make atonement on its horns once in the year...It is most holy to Yahweh."

12 "When you take a census of the children of Israel, each man shall give a ransom for his soul to Yahweh, when you number them; that there be no plague among them when you number them. 14 from twenty years old and upward 15 The rich shall not give more, and the poor shall not give less, than the half shekel 16 You shall take the atonement money from the children of Israel, and shall appoint it for the service of the tent of meeting; that it may be a memorial for the children of Israel before Yahweh, to make atonement for your souls.

18 "You shall also make a basin of brass, in which to wash. 21 So they shall wash their hands and their feet, that they not die...23 "Also take fine spices: of liquid myrrh, cinnamon, fragrant cane, 24 cassia, and olive oil. 26 You shall use it to anoint the tent of meeting, the ark of the testimony, 27 the table and all its articles, the lampstand and its accessories, the altar of incense, 28 the altar of burnt offering with all its utensils, and the basin with its base. 29 You shall sanctify them, that they may be most holy. Whatever touches them shall be holy. 30 You shall anoint Aaron and his sons, and sanctify them, that they may minister to me in the priest`s office. 31 You shall speak to the children of Israel, saying, `This shall be a holy anointing oil to me throughout your generations. 34 sweet spices, gum resin, and onycha, and galbanum; with pure frankincense: 35 make incense of it, seasoned with salt, pure and holy: 36 and you shall beat some of it very small, and put some of it before the testimony in the tent of meeting, where I will meet with you. It shall be to you most holy. 37 The incense which you shall make, according to its composition you shall not make for yourselves: it shall be to you holy for Yahweh. 38 Whoever shall make any like that, to smell of it, he shall be cut off from his people."

Observations: Incense, census/tax, basin/laver, two anointing oils.

30:1 The smoke from the incense would ascend toward God and be something pleasing to Him. The prayers of the saints are equated with incense in Revelation 5:8 and 8:3-4. Not all prayers smell equally nice.

30:12-17 The census tax is said to ransom and atone for their souls and serve as a memorial and for maintenance.

30:23 & 31 Perfumed anointing oils are specified, one for the place, the other for people, and any other use would result in discipline.

30:38 Keeping ourselves in a state where God can bless still requires holy obedience, not just ritual.

Application: Are your prayers sweet-smelling incense offered from a holy heart, or a smelly laundry list of things you badger God about?

Prayer: O God who inhabits the Holy of Holies, may my words and works be a fragrant offering to You. Amen.

Exodus 31 Spirit and Sabbath

31:1 "Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying, 2 "Behold, I have called by name Bezalel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah: 3 and I have filled him with the Spirit of God, in wisdom, and in understanding, and in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship, 4 to devise skillful works, to work in gold... 6 I, behold, I have appointed with him Oholiab...and in the heart of all who are wise-hearted I have put wisdom, that they may make all that I have commanded you...13 "Speak also to the children of Israel, saying, `Most assuredly you shall keep my Sabbaths: for it is a sign between me and you throughout your generations; that you may know that I am Yahweh who sanctifies you. 14 You shall keep the Sabbath therefore; for it is holy to you. Everyone who profanes it shall surely be put to death; for whoever does any work therein, that soul shall be cut off from among his people. 18 He gave to Moses, when he finished speaking with him on Mount Sinai, the two tablets of the testimony, stone tablets, written with God`s finger."

Observations: 31:3 Being filled or controlled by the Spirit of God is necessary for serving God acceptably. Wisdom (choosing the right objectives {devise} and the right means of attaining them {work}), Understanding, Knowledge, and Skill in our work are areas the Spirit should infiltrate and permeate. See Digging Deeper below.

31:13-19 God repeats and emphasizes only one of the Ten Commandments, the fourth, about the Sabbath, since it is the sign of the covenant. Treating it as common resulted in being cut off and death. It's tough for a dead person to be blessed.

31:18 The tablets were a testimony/witness to the covenant God made with Israel, and placed in the ark of the covenant/testimony. So much for these being man's ideas. People prone to lying, think everyone lies and makes up stories.

Application: Does the Spirit of Truth fill/control/permeate your desires and Day-Timer?

Prayer: Lord, I ask that Your Spirit would fill every area of my life, so the work of my life would accomplish Your design and desires. Amen.

Digging Deeper:

God in a nutshell: God uses people to accomplish His purposes, but those He uses must first be separated from what they were and dedicated to whole-burnt-offering obedience. He is pretty specific about what He requires. The greater the service, the greater the requirements, but He does compensate His servants well. God provides reminders to His people, but ritual is no substitute for a real relationship with Him.

Us in a nutshell: We have a tendency to forget where we've come from, and what God has done for us, thus taking God for granted, and setting ourselves up for discipline. Participation in Biblical corporate worship provides a partial corrective, but a personal daily dedication to doing things God's way works wonders.

Where to Go for More:

Truthbase.net

Filled with the Spirit & Spilling all Over

Walk by the Spirit in Dependent, Fruitful Victory

See part III. of the sermon Holy Priests Offer Pleasing Sacrifices:

The Poor Saints Guide to Big Ticket Sacrifice 

Exodus 25-28 Architecture and Fashion

Psalm 14:1-4 Seek God

14:1 “The fool has said in his heart, "There is no God." They are corrupt. They have done abominable works. There is none who does good. 2 Yahweh looked down from heaven on the children of men, to see if there were any who did understand, who did seek after God. 3 They have all gone aside. They have together become corrupt. There is none who does good, no, not one. 4 Have all the workers of iniquity no knowledge, who eat up my people as they eat bread, and don't call on Yahweh?”

Observation: Unless you are a self-caused being, it is more reasonable to believe in a Creator than not. Thus it is foolish to choose the unreasonable. (See 7 QUESTIONS in sidebar and outlines on Truthbase.net in Resources below.)

14:3 “gone aside” and “become corrupt” points to the move away from what's right. We're either headed uphill or sliding downward.

14:4 Note that this is not a blanket condemnation of humanity, but of a group of evil doers who oppress God's people (see rest of the Psalm).

Application: Don't live like a practical atheist. Seek God, do good, call on Him.

Jeremiah 29:13 You shall seek me, and find me, when you shall search for me with all your heart.

Prayer: God, thanks that you promised I will find You when I seek You wholeheartedly. Amen.

Proverbs 4:14-16 Avoiding the Paths to Sin

4:14 “Don’t enter into the path of the wicked. Don’t walk in the way of evil men. 15 Avoid it, and don’t pass by it. Turn from it, and pass on. 16 For they don’t sleep, unless they do evil. Their sleep is taken away, unless they make someone fall.“

Observations: 4:14-16 If you don't walk down the path toward sin, you can't enter or fall in its traps. Therefore, don't follow the ways of the wicked, or you'll become wicked. The wise person will take preventative action to identify and avoid the entry points on the expressway to evil. If they find themselves near it or are caught unawares, they will turn from it and pass by it. The wicked actively do their master's will, compelled to make others like themselves. Don't even go near them

Application: Identify the entrance or trigger points for sin (temptation) and avoid at all costs.

Prayer: God, give me insight into the paths to sin that I might be tempted by, and give me the grace to flee. Amen.

Exodus 25-29 Lots of architectural and fashion details (see pictures), which are elaborated later in the book. Some people devote more time than is wise speculating on the symbolism. We'll spend our time on the things God specifically states He wants us to believe and do. The Tabernacle was a portable temple (tent) which lead Israel into the Promised Land. Eventually Solomon built a more permanent temple in Jerusalem.

Exodus 25 The Tabernacle

25:1 Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying, 2 "Speak to the children of Israel, that they take an offering for me. From everyone whose heart makes him willing you shall take my offering. 8 Let them make me a sanctuary, that I may dwell among them.10 "They shall make an ark 11 You shall overlay it with pure gold. Inside and outside...16 You shall put the testimony which I shall give you into the ark. 17 You shall make a mercy seat of pure gold...18 You shall make two cherubim of hammered gold...20 The cherubim shall spread out their wings upward, covering the mercy seat with their wings, with their faces toward one another. 22 There I will meet with you, and I will tell you from above the mercy seat, from between the two cherubim which are on the ark of the testimony, all that I command you for the children of Israel. 23 "You shall make a table 24 overlay it with pure gold 28 You shall make the poles of acacia wood, and overlay them with gold, that the table may be carried with them. 29 You shall make its dishes, its spoons, its ladles, and its bowls to pour out offerings with. Of pure gold shall you make them. 30 You shall set bread of the presence on the table before me always. 31 "You shall make a lampstand...40 See that you make them after their pattern, which has been shown to you on the mountain."

Exodus 26 Mercy Seat

26:1 "Moreover you shall make the tent 30 You shall set up the tent according to the way that it was shown to you on the mountain. 31 "You shall make a veil...with cherubim. The work of the skillful workman shall it be made. 33...and the veil shall separate the holy place from the most holy for you. 34 You shall put the mercy seat on the ark of the testimony in the most holy place. 35 You shall set the table outside the veil, and the lampstand..."

Observations: 25:2 Giving for the tabernacle was a free-will response to God. They had the gold because they obeyed God in asking the Egyptians for it.

2Cor 9:7 Let each man give according as he has determined in his heart; not grudgingly, or under compulsion; for God loves a cheerful giver.

25:10 Note the order of importance, first place goes to the ark that would contain the testimony or covenant. The mercy seat, where they sprinkled the blood of certain sacrifices, was placed between the law and God. When He looked down upon the law and and saw that it was violated (rebellion punishable by death) He would see the blood covering over (atoning for) their sin until Christ could pay the actual penalty.

Hebrews 10:4 For it is impossible that the blood of bulls and goats should take away sins.

25:30-1 The table on which was placed the bread, was followed by the lampstand, and then the tent/tabernacle itself in chapter 26.
The lampstand contained a talent of gold (75 pounds) worth over two million US dollars today. There is not a specific explanation of the meaning of the tabernacle table of bread and the lamp in Scripture, although bread and lampstands are mentioned. Decent explanations might be that the table of bread symbolized fellowship with God, since covenants were initiated and renewed with a meal. The covenant served as the basis of Israel being a light to the nations, a light resulting from their pure relationship with God, which was never to go out.
25:40; 26:30 Everything had gold rings, through which went gold covered poles to carry them. All had to be made as God showed Moses. Heb 9:23 says these are copies of the originals in the heavens.

26:33 The most holy place, in which was the ark of the covenant covered with the mercy seat, was separated, by a veil, from the holy place containing the table, bread, and lampstand.

Application: God gives to us so we can give to him.

See: Five part series outlining Faithfulness with our Treasure/Money on Truthbase.net.

Prayer: Lord, thanks that by Your mercy, I have a new heart. May I honor You with all my responses to Your goodness to me.  Amen.

Exodus 27 Altar, Court, and Tent of Meeting

The Arch of Titus in Rome. The Jewish captives can be seen in Rome carrying the pure golden Menorah from the Second Temple in Jerusalem together with other holy vessels from the Temple.

27:1 "You shall make the altar of acacia wood...2...overlay it with brass. 3 You shall make its pots to take away its ashes, its shovels, its basins, its flesh hooks, and its fire pans: all its vessels you shall make of brass. 9 You shall make the court of the tent...20 You shall command the children of Israel, that they bring to you pure olive oil beaten for the light, to cause a lamp to burn continually. 21 In the tent of meeting, outside the veil which is before the testimony, Aaron and his sons shall keep it in order from evening to morning before Yahweh: it shall be a statute forever throughout their generations on the behalf of the children of Israel.

Exodus 28 Holy to Yahweh

28:1 "Bring Aaron your brother, and his sons with him, near to you from among the children of Israel, that he may minister to me in the priest`s office, even Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar, Aaron`s sons. 2 You shall make holy garments for Aaron your brother, for glory and for beauty. 3 You shall speak to all who are wise-hearted, whom I have filled with the spirit of wisdom, that they make Aaron`s garments to sanctify him, that he may minister to me in the priest`s office.

4 These are the garments which they shall make: a breastplate, and an ephod, and a robe, and a coat of checker work, a turban, and a sash 9 take two onyx stones, and engrave on them the names of the children of Israel: 12 put the two stones on the shoulder-pieces of the ephod...and Aaron shall bear their names before Yahweh on his two shoulders for a memorial. 15 "You shall make a breastplate of judgment 17 set in four rows of stones: 21 according to the names of the children of Israel, twelve....like the engravings of a signet 29 Aaron shall bear the names of the children of Israel in the breastplate of judgment on his heart, when he goes in to the holy place, for a memorial before Yahweh continually. 30 You shall put in the breastplate of judgment the Urim and the Thummim...31 "You shall make the robe of the ephod all of blue. 33 On its hem you shall make pomegranates and bells of gold 35 It shall be on Aaron to minister: and the sound of it shall be heard when he goes in to the holy place before Yahweh, and when he comes out, that he not die. 36 "You shall make a plate of pure gold, and engrave on it, like the engravings of a signet, `HOLY TO YAHWEH. 38 It shall be on Aaron`s forehead, and Aaron shall bear the iniquity of the holy things, which the children of Israel shall make holy in all their holy gifts; and it shall be always on his forehead, that they may be accepted before Yahweh. 40 "You shall make coats for Aaron`s sons, and you shall make sashes for them and headbands shall you make for them, for glory and for beauty. 41 You shall put them on Aaron your brother, and on his sons with him, and shall anoint them, and consecrate them, and sanctify them, that they may minister to me in the priest`s office. 42 You shall make them linen breeches to cover the flesh of their nakedness; from the loins even to the thighs they shall reach.

Observations: 27:2 A gold altar for incense was in the holy place, at the entrance to the holy of holies (Exodus 30). A brass altar was outside the holy place in the courtyard, where sin offerings were made.
28:3 Here's an example where wisdom is artistic, knowing what to make (right objective) and the skill to execute the design (means of attaining the objective).
28:36 It might not be a bad idea to impress on our brain "Holy to Yahweh," that way good actions might follow.

Application: We approach God on the basis of the sacrifice that paid for our sin (brass altar) in covenantal obedient fellowship (bread) and purity (oil), maintaining our witness. Only then can we offer prayers that are a pleasing sweet aroma (altar of incense) to Him.

Prayer: Holy God, I praise You for making an intimate relationship with You possible, may I live in Your presence continually.  Amen.

Digging Deeper:

God in a nutshell: God not only guides by general principles, but sometimes has something very specific in mind for us to do. God gives to us (usually through obedience) so we have all we need to do His will. God is only intimate with those who are holy, and He makes provision for our holiness.

Us in a nutshell: We should consider ourselves privileged to be invited into a relationship with God, and do whatever it takes to be in His presence. If we don't keep holiness in the forefront of our thinking, we'll default into defilement.

Exodus 1-3 God Remembers, Pharaoh Doesn't

Psalm 10:1-7 The Self-Talk of a Sinner

10:1 "Why do You stand far off, Yahweh? Why do You hide Yourself in times of trouble? 2 In arrogance, the wicked hunt down the weak. They are caught in the schemes that they devise. 3 For the wicked boasts of his heart's cravings. He blesses the greedy, and condemns Yahweh. 4 The wicked, in the pride of his face, has no room in his thoughts for God. 5 His ways are prosperous at all times. He is haughty, and Your laws are far from his sight. As for all his adversaries, he sneers at them. 6 He says in his heart, "I shall not be shaken. For generations I shall have no trouble." 7 His mouth is full of cursing, deceit, and oppression. Under his tongue is mischief and iniquity...11 He says in his heart, "God has forgotten. He hides His face. He will never see it." 12 Arise, Yahweh! God, lift up Your hand! Don't forget the helpless. 13 Why does the wicked person condemn God, and say in his heart, "God won't call me into account?"

Observations: The wicked have no fear of God, therefore they oppress others, thinking God won't take action against them. Note the “self-talk” of the arrogant. We tend to put down others to boost our worth and value. However, God has revealed Himself to be the Great Leveler. He will lift up those oppressed and bring down the oppressors.

Application: Keep God and His Word in your thoughts, and you won't think incorrectly and pridefully.

Prayer: All-Seeing God, keep me from the presumptuous arrogance of thinking I don't need You, and that You won't do what You promised. Amen.

Proverbs 3:13-16 A Long, Rich, and Honorable Life

3:13 “Blessed is the man who finds wisdom, the man who gets understanding. 14 For her good profit is better than getting silver, and her return is better than fine gold. 15 She is more precious than rubies. None of the things you can desire are to be compared to her. 16 Length of days is in her right hand. In her left hand are riches and honor.“

Observations: 13:13-16 No one says “I want a short, poor, dishonorable, unpleasant and miserable life,” but then, they order their steps to get just that. Solomon exhorts his readers to get wisdom and understanding because they yield a better profit and return than getting silver and gold. (Here are two of those “betters” in Proverbs.) The next verses will mention the benefits of pleasantness, peace and a fulfilled life. Most people don't value wisdom (the ability to choose the right objectives and the right means of obtaining them), nor understanding (insight or discernment into the real nature of things), because they've never reaped the benefits of them. You've got to have wisdom before you can use it and get blessed as a result of making the right choices. Most never find wisdom, because they don't fear the Lord (Proverbs 1:7).

Application: The person who fears God and follows His ways every day, will enjoy life all of his/her days, and be honored at the end.

Prayer: God, thanks that in Your word, You tell me both what constitutes the good life, and how to go about getting it; may I desire Your wisdom more than temporal trinkets. Amen.

Exodus 1-3 God Remembers, Pharaoh Doesn't

The book is about the Exit from Egypt, but is not just about saving the Hebrews or fulfilling His promises. It starts with the Israelites groaning in Egypt and ends with God's glory dwelling in the midst of His people on the way to the Promised Land. Genesis described the physical creation of the nation. In Exodus we'll be observing how God creates the spirituality of a people with whom He can have an intimate relationship. {Hint: Holiness probably has something to do with it.}

Exodus 1 Forgetful Pharaoh And God-Fearing Midwives

Note Upright Snake

1:6 "Joseph died, as did all his brothers, and all that generation. 7 The children of Israel were fruitful, and increased abundantly, and multiplied, and grew exceedingly mighty; and the land was filled with them. 8 Now there arose a new king over Egypt, who didn’t know Joseph. 9 He said to his people, “Behold, the people of the children of Israel are more and mightier than we...12 But the more they afflicted them, the more they multiplied and the more they spread out...16 and he said, “When you perform the duty of a midwife to the Hebrew women, and see them on the birth stool; if it is a son, then you shall kill him; but if it is a daughter, then she shall live.” 17 But the midwives feared God, and didn’t do what the king of Egypt commanded them, but saved the baby boys alive. 20 God dealt well with the midwives, and the people multiplied, and grew very mighty. 21 It happened, because the midwives feared God, that he gave them families. 22 Pharaoh commanded all his people, saying, “You shall cast every son who is born into the river, and every daughter you shall save alive.”

Observations: 1:1 Starts with “now.” In Hebrew, it is a single letter which looks like a stroke of the stylus “1” (called: vav or waw consecutive) prefixed to a word, giving the meaning “and” or “now.” Its significance is that it links Exodus to Genesis as a continuation, giving a clue to the authorship of the books. See Digging Deeper (below) for chronology issues.

1:8 How soon they forget. Joseph was the one responsible for the Pharaoh owning everything and collecting 20%. It's just like Americans forgetting the cause of their prosperity.

1:7,12,20 God remembers His promise of blessing, fruitful and multiply, fill the earth...

1:17, 21 God blesses the midwives for fearing Him. When ordered to do wrong, we must obey God rather than man. (Acts 5:29)

God uses the affliction by the Egyptians to strengthen His people, and develop deeper dependence upon Him in preparing them for the Exit from Egypt.

Exodus 2 Mighty Moses Makes a Mistake

2:3 "When she could no longer hide him, she took a papyrus basket for him, and coated it with tar and with pitch. She put the child in it, and laid it in the reeds by the river’s bank...9 Pharaoh’s daughter said to her, “Take this child away, and nurse him for me, and I will give you your wages.” 10 The child grew, and she brought him to Pharaoh’s daughter, and he became her son. She named him Moses, and said, “Because I drew him out of the water.” 11 when Moses had grown up, he saw an Egyptian striking a Hebrew, one of his brothers. 12 He looked this way and that way, and when he saw that there was no one, he killed the Egyptian, and hid him in the sand. 13...two Hebrews were fighting with each other. He said to him who did the wrong, “Why do you strike your fellow?” 14 He said, “Who made you a prince and a judge over us? Do you plan to kill me, as you killed the Egyptian?” Moses was afraid, and said, “Surely this thing is known.” 15 Now when Pharaoh heard this thing, he sought to kill Moses. But Moses fled from the face of Pharaoh, and lived in the land of Midian, and he sat down by a well.

19 They said, “An Egyptian delivered us out of the hand of the shepherds, and moreover he drew water for us, and watered the flock.” 21 Moses was content to dwell with the man. He gave Moses Zipporah, his daughter. 22 She bore a son, and he named him Gershom, for he said, “I have lived as a foreigner in a foreign land.”

23...the children of Israel sighed because of the bondage, and they cried, and their cry came up to God because of the bondage. 24 God heard their groaning, and God remembered his covenant with Abraham, with Isaac, and with Jacob. 25 God saw the children of Israel, and God was concerned about them."

Observations: 2:9 God uses “the enemy” to protect and train His servant who eventually decimates them, reversing the benefits of Joseph. Delicious irony.

2:11 In just a handful of verses we have 40 years of Moses' life. He humbly presents mainly his flaws. After jumping the gun in trying to save his people, Moses spends another 40 years learning to shepherd dumb sheep in the wilderness, which would be good preparation for the final 40 years of shepherding God's people. We get this chronology from Acts 7 in which Stephen gives an inspired history lesson just before he gets stoned to death for telling the Truth.

Acts 6:22 "Moses was instructed in all the wisdom of the Egyptians. He was mighty in his words and works. 23 But when he was forty years old, it came into his heart to visit his brothers, the children of Israel. 24 Seeing one of them suffer wrong, he defended him, and avenged him who was oppressed, striking the Egyptian. 25 He supposed that his brothers understood that God, by his hand, was giving them deliverance; but they didn't understand."

2:23-25 It looks like it took Israel about 80 years to actually cry out to God (and even then they weren't receptive to His solution). Just because God doesn't immediately answer, or doesn't do what we expect, it doesn't mean that He doesn't care. Maybe He's got a better plan and timetable than we do.

Application: Moses missed the will of God in round 1. Don't make the same mistake. Check out this Will of God outline if you haven't already done so (and see the other outlines in Digging Deeper below). You might save 40 years.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, I praise You for being the God who knows and cares. I know You see and care about my circumstances. Help me trust You to do what's best when it's best. Amen.

Exodus 3 Identity Issues

3:1 Now Moses was keeping the flock of Jethro, his father-in-law, the priest of Midian, and he led the flock to the back of the wilderness, and came to God’s mountain, to Horeb. 2 The angel of Yahweh appeared to him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush. He looked, and behold, the bush burned with fire, and the bush was not consumed. 4 When Yahweh saw that he turned aside to see, God called to him out of the midst of the bush, and said, “Moses! Moses!” He said, “Here I am.”

5 He said, “Don’t come close. Take your sandals off of your feet, for the place you are standing on is holy ground.” 6 Moreover he said, “I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” Moses hid his face; for he was afraid to look at God. 7 Yahweh said, “I have surely seen the affliction of my people who are in Egypt, and have heard their cry because of their taskmasters, for I know their sorrows. 8 I have come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians, and to bring them up out of that land to a good and large land, to a land flowing with milk and honey; to the place of the Canaanite...

11 Moses said to God, “Who am I, that I should go to Pharaoh, and that I should bring the children of Israel out of Egypt?” 12 He said, “Certainly I will be with you. This will be the token to you, that I have sent you: when you have brought the people out of Egypt, you shall serve God on this mountain.” 13 Moses said to God, “Behold, when I come to the children of Israel, and tell them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you;’ and they ask me, ‘What is his name?’ What should I tell them?” 14 God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM,” and he said, “You shall tell the children of Israel this: ‘I AM has sent me to you.’”

15 God said moreover to Moses, “You shall tell the children of Israel this, ‘Yahweh, the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has sent me to you.’ This is my name forever, and this is my memorial to all generations. 16 Go, and gather the elders of Israel together, and tell them, ‘Yahweh, the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Jacob, has appeared to me, saying, “I have surely visited you, and seen that which is done to you in Egypt 18...king of Egypt, and you shall tell him, ‘Yahweh, the God of the Hebrews, has met with us. Now please let us go three days’ journey into the wilderness, that we may sacrifice to Yahweh, our God.’19 I know that the king of Egypt won’t give you permission to go, no, not by a mighty hand. 20 I will reach out my hand and strike Egypt with all my wonders which I will do in its midst, and after that he will let you go. 21 I will give this people favor in the sight of the Egyptians, and it will happen that when you go, you shall not go empty-handed. 22 But every woman shall ask of her neighbor, and of her who visits her house, jewels of silver, jewels of gold, and clothing; and you shall put them on your sons, and on your daughters. You shall plunder the Egyptians.”

Observations: 3:2 The burning bush brings the reader back to when God made the covenant with Abe (as does the list of nations in this chapter).

Genesis 15:13 "He said to Abram, "Know for sure that your seed will live as foreigners in a land that is not theirs, and will serve them. They will afflict them four hundred years.14 I will also judge that nation, whom they will serve. Afterward they will come out with great wealth...16 for the iniquity of the Amorite is not yet full." 17...flaming torch passed between these pieces.18 In that day Yahweh made a covenant with Abram, saying..."

3:5 Dirt is holy when it is set apart from other dirt by the presence of God (3:2 called Him an angel/messenger of Yahweh; similar to Jacob's opponent).

3:8 Not only good pastureland (grass for cows to make milk), but beautiful, (full of flowers for bees to make honey).

3:14 God's name stresses His ever-present self-existence.

3:19 When God called each of the major prophets to deliver His message to His people, He added a PS-”They won't listen”. Yet God's servants have the responsibility to do what God said even though they “know” it won't work. God is frequently working out a plan to glorify Himself and bless His people that we have difficulty grasping. All we have to know is what God has told us to do.

Application: The question is not “Who am I?” but “Who is my God?” By the way, Who is your God? In whom or what do you trust?

Prayer: O Eternal “I AM,” You were, are, and always will be trustworthy.  I trust You to give me what I need to do Your will. Amen.

Digging Deeper:

Some folks educated beyond their intelligence date the Exodus at 1200 BC, assert that there is no evidence of the Jews being in Egypt at that time, and conclude that Exodus and the history of the Jews is a fable. Amazing! The Book that changed the world, started Western Civilization, demystified the universe, brought in the Scientific Revolution, championed property rights, human rights, women's rights, social justice, resulted in the abolition of slavery, and done incomparably more to improve the human condition, is a work of fiction???

There are two approaches to Egyptian chronology. The early flawed theory assumes that one Pharaoh takes up rule when his predecessor dies. The correct archaeologically authenticated theory (Truth is that which best explains all the facts.) recognizes the overlap of reigns. In other words, co-regents. The new guy started before the old guy died. Stones don't lie.