The Story So Far
40 Then the LORD said to Moses: 2 “Set up the tabernacle, the tent of meeting, on the first day of the first month. 3 Place the ark of the covenant law in it and shield the ark with the curtain. 4 Bring in the table and set out what belongs on it. Then bring in the lampstand and set up its lamps. 5 Place the gold altar of incense in front of the ark of the covenant law and put the curtain at the entrance to the tabernacle.
6 “Place the altar of burnt offering in front of the entrance to the tabernacle, the tent of meeting; 7 place the basin between the tent of meeting and the altar and put water in it. 8 Set up the courtyard around it and put the curtain at the entrance to the courtyard.
Exodus 40:1–8
Next week we will kick off our new series in Leviticus: where Bible plans go to die. That’s not really the title, but it could be right? Levicitus is often thought of as a repetitive, boring and strange book of the Bible. Almost like you are reading the instruction manual of becoming a Roman Catholic. I’m hoping that by the end of the series - you’ll think differently.
But to understand Leviticus, you need to remember Exodus. So let’s just do a quick recap of Exodus:
i) God promised Abraham that through him would come a blessed people who would bless all nations.
ii) Israel (the descendents of Abraham) are an enslaved people in Egypt.
iii) God raises us Moses and through him rescues Israel out of Egypt.
iv) God gives Israel his law and makes a covenant to be with them if they love/trust him.
v) Israel breaks God’s law by worshipping a golden calf.
vi) God remains faithful to his promises to Abraham and will bring Israel to the promised land.
vii) God commands Israel to make a tabernacle or tent where he will dwell with Israel and meet with them.
I’ll cover the last moments of Exodus in Saturday’s blog but this gets us to Exodus 40. And worth using our last few words to just remind us of the significance of what’s happening here. Not since Eden has God offered to dwell with humans and meet with them.
We think it would be amazing to have a meeting with Tom Hanks. Or to play golf with Tiger Woods (sorry that’s probably just me - insert your own activity/person). God’s offer to Israel is that he, the God of creation, the God of love, will dwell amongst them. Get your head around that.
Today:
Pray:
6 “Place the altar of burnt offering in front of the entrance to the tabernacle, the tent of meeting; 7 place the basin between the tent of meeting and the altar and put water in it. 8 Set up the courtyard around it and put the curtain at the entrance to the courtyard.
Exodus 40:1–8
Next week we will kick off our new series in Leviticus: where Bible plans go to die. That’s not really the title, but it could be right? Levicitus is often thought of as a repetitive, boring and strange book of the Bible. Almost like you are reading the instruction manual of becoming a Roman Catholic. I’m hoping that by the end of the series - you’ll think differently.
But to understand Leviticus, you need to remember Exodus. So let’s just do a quick recap of Exodus:
i) God promised Abraham that through him would come a blessed people who would bless all nations.
ii) Israel (the descendents of Abraham) are an enslaved people in Egypt.
iii) God raises us Moses and through him rescues Israel out of Egypt.
iv) God gives Israel his law and makes a covenant to be with them if they love/trust him.
v) Israel breaks God’s law by worshipping a golden calf.
vi) God remains faithful to his promises to Abraham and will bring Israel to the promised land.
vii) God commands Israel to make a tabernacle or tent where he will dwell with Israel and meet with them.
I’ll cover the last moments of Exodus in Saturday’s blog but this gets us to Exodus 40. And worth using our last few words to just remind us of the significance of what’s happening here. Not since Eden has God offered to dwell with humans and meet with them.
We think it would be amazing to have a meeting with Tom Hanks. Or to play golf with Tiger Woods (sorry that’s probably just me - insert your own activity/person). God’s offer to Israel is that he, the God of creation, the God of love, will dwell amongst them. Get your head around that.
Today:
- Start reading through Exodus (see if you can read it in a week).
- Reflect on John 14:23 - that the God of the universe has made a home in you.
- Ask God to help you know and recognise his presence with you.
Pray:
- Praise the Father for his grace in choosing to dwell again with his people
- Give thanks for Jesus who gives us the righteousness to meet with God
- Ask God for His Holy Spirit to help you and others recognise God’s presence with you.
Posted in Exodus
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