Scripture

Exodus 30:7-8

⁷ “Every morning when Aaron maintains the lamps, he must burn fragrant incense on the altar. ⁸ And each evening when he lights the lamps, he must again burn incense in the Lord’s presence.

Observation – What does it say?

As the building plans continue to unfold, God commands the Israelites through Moses to build an altar for offering incense. The incense altar would be placed right outside the curtain that shielded the Ark of the Covenant. And every morning and every evening Aaron was required to burn incense on the altar.

Understanding – What does it mean?

When you consider the greater context of scripture, incense is almost always mentioned alongside, or as a synonym for, prayer:

The true incense that rises as a pleasing aroma to God is the prayers of his people! Today, we have confidence that God hears and delights in our prayers as one would delight in the smell of expensive perfume. And we not only have the opportunity to offer prayers in the morning and evening but continually (1 Thessalonians 5:17)! What an amazing privilege!

Life Application

Pray! Imagine my prayers as incense rising to God and filling the golden bowls that surround his throne.

Scripture

Exodus 29:45

Then I will dwell among the Israelites and be their God.

Observation – What does it say?

God had given detailed instructions and requirements for the tabernacle, courtyard, altar, priests and their garments, sacrifices and offerings. And once fulfilled, God would consecrate all of it and only then would he dwell among them and be their God.

Understanding – What does it mean?

God’s requirements had to be met in order for God to dwell with his people.

Under the Old Covenant of the law, God’s people had to fulfill many requirements in order to have God’s presence with them. And as I read this, I found myself so grateful for the New Covenant; so thankful for Jesus and all he’s done for us. Because of Jesus’ sacrifice, all the requirements of the law were fully satisfied for us who follow him! Done. The Old Covenant was about what man had to do and the New Covenant is about what God has already done.

Romans 8:3-4 “So God did what the law could not do. He sent his own Son in a body like the bodies we sinners have. And in that body God declared an end to sin’s control over us by giving his Son as a sacrifice for our sins. ⁴ He did this so that the just requirement of the law would be fully satisfied for us, who no longer follow our sinful nature but instead follow the Spirit.”

1 Corinthians 3:16 “Do you not know that you are a temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?”

Jesus changed everything! We are consecrated by the blood Jesus shed on the cross. The life we experience from continually being in his presence isn’t because of some good behavior or works we’ve accomplished. God’s presence among us and within us is only a result of God’s grace extended through Jesus Christ. Rather than having to fulfill all the requirements of the law in order to be saved and to enjoy God’s presence, our only work is to believe in Jesus and rest in his completed work.

Life Application

Worship God for fulfilling all the requirements of the law for us and for his continual presence with us!

God, thank you for sending your Son! Thank you for fulfilling the law we could never fulfill. Thank you that we don’t have to wear special clothes to meet with you. Thank you that we don’t have to go to a special tent or to sacrifice animals to be in your presence. My heart is filled with gratitude as I enjoy your presence this morning. I worship you! Amen.

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Scripture

Exodus 28:29

“Whenever Aaron enters the Holy Place, he will bear the names of the sons of Israel over his heart on the breastpiece of decision as a continuing memorial before the Lord.

Observation – What does it say?

Understanding – What does it mean?

The priests didn’t just represent themselves but all God’s people.

1 Peter 2:9 “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession…”

• When Jesus taught his disciples to pray he didn’t have them pray, “My Father… Give me… Forgive me… Lead me..” but rather “Our Father… Give us… Forgive us… Lead us..” (Matthew 6:9-13).
• The Apostle Paul commended the young pastor Timothy for being one who didn’t look out for his own interests but rather showed genuine concern for the welfare of the church (Philippians 2:20-21).
• The Apostle Paul referred to each believer as a member of the body of Christ, each of us connected to each other (1 Corinthians 12:27).

Life Application

Be reminded that I’m not just representing myself when I come before God!

Scripture

Exodus 27:1

“Build an altar of acacia wood, three cubits high; it is to be square, five cubits long and five cubits wide.

Observation – What does it say?

Understanding – What does it mean?

The first thing a worshipper would see when entering the courtyard around the Tabernacle was the altar. It served as a constant reminder that in order to come close to God and to have relationship with him, a sacrifice was necessary as atonement (compensation for) sin.

Hebrews 9:22 “…without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins.”

When Jesus died on the cross, he paid the ultimate price once and for all for the sins of mankind. Now, all believers come to God, not through the Old Testament altar, but through Jesus Christ. No more payment or sacrifice is necessary. This means that rather than coming to God through the altar outside the Tabernacle, we come to God through the altar of Jesus (Hebrews 13:10 refers to Jesus as the Christian’s altar).

Life Application

Remember that Jesus’ sacrifice is what makes it possible for me to draw near to God.

Just as the Israelites were reminded every time they approached the Tabernacle, I want to remind myself every time I approach God in prayer today: This relationship required the sacrifice of Jesus!

Scripture

Exodus 26:30

³⁰ “Set up the tabernacle according to the plan shown you on the mountain.

Observation – What does it say?

The Tabernacle was a tent in the very center of Israel’s camp that was a constant reminder of God’s presence with them and a place for worship and sacrifice. It was made to be portable since God’s people are still traveling from Egypt, through the wilderness, to the Promised Land. This passage lists the detailed construction plans God gave Moses on Mt. Sinai for the Tabernacle. Trying to imagine a tent out of all these construction details can be difficult. If there is one passage it would be nice to have a pictures of, it would be this one!

Part way through the instructions God paused to remind Moses to stick to the plan he had given him on the mountain.

Understanding – What does it mean?

When God gives specific instructions, he expects his people to follow them!

Moses is relaying these instructions to builders and artists who will carry out the plans. And, it’s almost as though God can see a builder coming with an idea to construct things a bit differently or an artist wanting to get creative with one part of the project. And he reminds Moses, “Stick to the plan!” He didn’t give all those details so they could be treated as options. And as a matter of fact, I cant think of any detailed instruction in scripture that God gave as an option.

When God says, “Forgive one another just as in Christ, God forgave you,” he doesn’t leave us the option of saying, “I’ll forgive everyone except that person. God knows what they did to me and he understands.” Nope. He didn’t leave us that choice. When God says, “You also must testify…” he doesn’t leave us the option of saying, “I get nervous and so I’ll leave telling people about Jesus to the pastors and evangelists.” God expects us every one of us to share about him!

“God knows my heart,” or, “God knows how hard this is for me,” or, “God knows how busy I am,” aren’t acceptable excuses for disobedience.

Life Application

God, are there any areas of my life that I’ve been deviating from your instructions? Are there any excuses I’ve been making where I should just be obeying?

Scripture

Exodus 25:22

²² There, above the cover between the two cherubim that are over the ark of the covenant law, I will meet with you and give you all my commands for the Israelites.

Observation – What does it say?

God gave Moses detailed instructions for building the Tabernacle, which would be God’s dwelling place among them. They would build an ark, a wooden box overlaid with gold that would hold the two stone tablets with the 10 commandments written on them. On each side would be a statue of a cherubim (angel). Between the two cherubim, the cover of the ark formed a kind of chair, a throne for God. And it was on that ‘mercy seat’ that God intended to dwell and where Moses could come meet with him.

Understanding – What does it mean?

Before Jesus came, it was only Moses or the high priest who had permission from God to approach the ark and meet with God. But now under the new covenant it’s not just one or two men who God invites to his throne to meet with him but all believers!

Hebrews 4:16

¹⁶ Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

God invites us to his throne! It’s in that place that we receive mercy and where God gives supplies us with his grace – all the wisdom, strength, guidance, healing, comfort and courage we need for every need we face.

After Jesus died on the cross the temple curtain was torn in two, symbolizing that God’s presence would no longer dwell in temples built by human hands but within every believer. Now that we are temples of the Holy Spirit, we don’t have to travel to some building on Ruether Avenue or anywhere else or to God’s throne in heaven to meet with him. Rather, he is with us permanently, enthroned in our hearts. The journey to God’s throne for us today takes place in our hearts whenever we chose to acknowledge and engage him. This means we have the privilege of coming to him whenever and wherever we desire!

Life Application

Take advantage of the access I have to God!

Scripture

Exodus 24:4a

Moses then wrote down everything the Lord had said.

Observation – What does it say?

Moses shared with the people of Israel all the commands God had given, and then Moses took the time to write down every last word God had said.

Understanding – What does it mean?

When God speaks, it’s worth taking time to write it down!

If someone were to ask me, “What was God speaking to you about during your times with him 2 weeks ago?” It would most likely be difficult for me to remember. If I can barely remember what God was speaking to me about 2 weeks ago, how can I expect to remember what he spoke 2 months or 2 years ago? Those words become lost to me, unless I take the time to write them down.

I’ve been so amazed reading back through my old journals about things God had shown me in his word, significant dreams, prophetic words, and impressions he gave me in my times of prayer. Many of which I had completely forgotten about until I opened my old journals and read them.

Moses wrote down all God spoke to him. King David wrote down many of his prayers. King Solomon wrote down the wisdom God revealed to him. The prophets wrote down the visions and dreams God gave them. And Matthew, Mark, Luke and John were compelled to write about their experiences with Jesus and all Jesus had taught and said.

Life Application

When God speaks, write it down!

I am committed to soul journaling, but also want to continue to take the time to write down my dreams that seem significant, things God has put in my heart to pray for and any prophetic words from others.

God, thank you for giving us lots to write down! Thank you for speaking to us through your word and through other people, circumstances, dreams and visions, etc. (We remember that every prophetic word/dream/vision/etc is subject to Scripture and that your word is the ultimate authority and primary avenue through which you speak.) May we show that we treasure your words to us by writing them down. May we be good stewards of every word you speak. Amen.

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Scripture

Exodus 22:21

“Do not mistreat or oppress a foreigner, for you were foreigners in Egypt.”

Observation – What does it say?

God is giving his people laws and commands to live by. As he desires his holy people, his chosen nation whom he brought out of Egypt, to live a certain way. These aren’t arbitrary or random commands, but they each boil down to loving God and each other. In verse 21, he gives them the specific command not to mistreat anyone who is a foreigner because they were once foreigners.

Understanding – What does it mean?

When God’s people remember where they were when God rescued them, it should cause them to treat people differently.

When God saves us we experience new life and things begin to change. We begin to desire God more than the things we used to, we begin replacing our old Friday night activities with new ones, we let go of old relationships in order to form new relationships with God’s people, etc. Everything changes as God transforms us more into the image of Jesus. It’s a wonderful thing! But with that change comes a natural separation from our old life and often times the people that were a part of it.  The more God transforms us and the farther removed we become from our old life, the easier it becomes to separate ourselves from the world and eventually, if we aren’t careful, we’ll find ourselves looking down our noses at those still living in sin.

When we would look down upon someone who doesn’t have God in their life, God would remind us, “Don’t forget that used to be you! Your sin may have looked different, but you weren’t any better than them when I found you and rescued you! So be compassionate, don’t mistreat them. Don’t oppress them. Instead, do what I did for you. Have compassion on them, serve them, love them, and seek to save their soul by introducing them into saving relationship with me.”

Life Application

When I see someone who is living in sin, rather than judging them, remember where I was when God saved me, and find a way to love them! … Specifically those on my PII card – pray for, invest in and invite them to DSC and into relationship with Jesus.

God, thank you for saving me! May I never lose sight of where I was when you rescued me. Fill us with compassion for the lost. Give us more of your heart for them and make us a church without walls. A church that doesn’t hide out in our little bubble together, but who loves and serves those who don’t know you and invites them into personal relationship with you. Amen.

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Scripture

Exodus 21:15,17

¹⁵ “Anyone who attacks their father or mother is to be put to death.

¹⁷ “Anyone who curses their father or mother is to be put to death.

Observation – What does it say?

God is giving his commands to the Israelites outlining the way he desires his people to live. Part of his instruction is to kill anyone who attacks or curses their father or mother. The most significant thing I observed reading it this time is that there is no age cut off for honoring our parents.

Understanding – What does it mean?

God is passionate about his people honoring their parents.

Thankfully we are under the new covenant and don’t kill rebellious children anymore, otherwise I wouldn’t be here today… And my son might not be either. But our unchanging God isn’t any less serious about us honoring our parents today than when he gave this command.

Jesus called out the religious leaders who were using the excuse that they were giving to God so they couldn’t give to support their parents. Then the Apostle Paul reminded the Ephesian church…

Ephesians 6:1-3

Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. ² “Honor your father and mother”—which is the first commandment with a promise— ³ “so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.”

There is no “when you turn 18” clause under that command. Honoring our parents is the command whether we are 4 years old or 40+ years old. Yet in our American culture youth are taught, and it’s enforced by their parents, that parents are responsible for their kids only until they are 18 and we only have to honor our parents until we are 18. “Come 18, I’m going to get that tattoo and date that girl because my parents wont be able to tell me what to do anymore.” The tragedy is that this is the common way of thinking not just for unbelievers but for most of the Christians I know!

Although there comes a time where children become adults and begin having to take full responsibility for their lives and decisions, adulthood doesn’t mean we do what we want and God no longer cares about us honoring our parents. Before we are 18 we honor and obey because we have to, but after we have the opportunity to honor and obey because we want to and see it as an opportunity to honor God.

Life Application

Regardless of my age, honor my parents!