Jan 28, 2010 Exodus 33-35:29

Now God was still mad at the Israelites when he told Moses to take the people and go to the land He had promised to give to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. He said that the angel would guide their way, but that He would not go with them because they were so stubborn and He might kill them. When the people heard this they were sorry and sad. God told them to take off their ornaments and they did.

Moses had a tent at a distance away from the camp called the "tent of meeting." When Moses went into the tent all the people watched at the doorways of their tents and watched until Moses went inside the tent. A pillar of cloud would descend upon the tent once Moses was inside. Whenever the people saw the pillar they each worshiped at the entrances of their own tents. I like the description of the Lord speaking face to face with Moses as a friend would speak to you. Moses would leave the tent and return to the camp, but Joshua would not leave the tent.

Moses asks God to help him lead the people. He asks the Lord to teach him what He wants him to know to lead the people so God will be pleased. I like what the Lord tells him "My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest." Then Moses asks God to show him His glory, and God says that he should stand on a rock and when His glory passes by He would put him in the cleft of a rock and cover him with His hand until He passed by, and then He would remove His hand and Moses could see his back but not his face. So I have to admit I am confused about the earlier verse about talking to God face to face.

Then God has Moses prepare two new stone tablets and take them up to Mt. Sinai where he bows down and worships the Lord. Once again God reminds Moses of His commandments and other laws including the Feast of Unleavened Bread, and Redeeming the firstborn of every womb, and remembering to keep the Sabbath holy, to name a few. Moses spent 40 days and 40 nights with the Lord without eating bread or drinking water. And the commandments were written on the new stone tablets.

Moses' face was glowing when he came down from the mountain and the Israelites were afraid to go near him. But he talked to them and they realized that it was OK, that he was still Moses and they weren't so scared. Moses covered his face with a veil anyway, at least until he went to the tent to speak to the Lord.

Moses gathered everyone and reminded them to work six days and rest on the seventh. As I continue to read the Bible I become more impressed about how important it is to God that I keep the Sabbath day holy!

Moses conveys all the commandments and instructions for all the materials for the Tabernacle. After they heard God's message they left Moses and searched their hearts. All who were so moved brought an offering of whatever materials they felt inspired to give. Both men and women brought freewill offerings as they felt moved to.

Tomorrow read Exodus 35:30-37:2