So Moses set up the tabernacle and all the parts of it as God had instructed him to do on the first day of the first month in the second year. Then a cloud settled over the Tent of Meeting and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle. This cloud was to be a sign to the Israelites to stay put if the cloud did not lift, and to go if the cloud lifted. During the day there was a cloud over the tabernacle and at night it was a firey cloud.
Now God had a place to dwell among the Israelites and enter into a new relationship with them.
Leviticus! VEGETARIAN WARNING: This section contains information about the sacrifice of animals as burnt offerings to the Lord. This blood offering was atonement for sin.
The priests were to build a fire of wood on the altar to receive burnt offerings.
Note: I've tried to do my best on this part. I think I need a chart because there are differences in the kind of offering, the animal offered, and the details of what is to be done with the carcass, and I find it difficult to keep it all straight...so here goes...
Chapter 1 - The Burnt Offering - From the herd (a young bull) without defect was to be presented at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting to be acceptable to the Lord. He (the offeror) is to lay his hands on the head of the animal and symbolically transfer his sin to the animal and kill it. The priests were to present the blood and sprinkle it on the altar. The animal was skinned and cut into pieces and burned on the altar.
If the offering was from the flock (sheep or goat) a male without blemish (perfect) was necessary. The offeror would kill it on the north side of the altar. The blood would be sprinkled around the altar. The animal was skinned, cut into pieces and burned on the altar.
If the offering was a bird (turtledoves or young pigeons) the priest would wring it's head off, drain out the blood, remove the feathers and crop (I assume this means guts) tear it open by the wings without severing it completely and burn it on the altar.
A grain offering was also acceptable. Finely ground grain was to be mixed with oil and incense, and brought to the priests. They burned a handful (called the memorial portion) and the rest was for Aaron and his sons. Offerings of grain could be baked like a cake, or wafers spread with oil, or cooked on a griddle, or cooked in a pan. No offerings could be burned that contained yeast or honey as these aid fermentation and were symbolic of corruption in the human heart.
A fellowship or peace offering from the herd (bull or cow) was similar as described earlier, except the kidney and liver portions with the fat surrounding them were also burned on top of the rest of the offering.
From the flock, the lamb was presented and sacrificed as described earlier, except that the fat tail and other fat was burned with the kidneys and liver. The goats were sacrificed in a similar manner.
The Lord commanded the Israelites not to eat any blood or fat.
Chapter 4 talks about unintentional sins.
If the anointed priest sins unintentionally, the sacrifice is more elaborate. The animal is presented in the same way and killed. But the blood is carried into the Tent of Meeting, sprinkled 7 times before the Lord, and put on the horns of the incense altar. The rest of the blood is poured at the base of the altar just as the blood for all the other sacrifices is. The fat, kidneys, and liver are burned on the altar, but the head, hide, flesh, legs innards and dung are all taken to the ash heap outside the camp to the clean place and burned.
If the whole Israelite community sins unintentionally then the elders bring a sin offering, and perform the sacrifice as described above.
When a leader sins unintentionally he brings a goat as a sin offering. The sacrifice is performed in the normal way.
When a member of the community sins unintentionally he must bring a female goat or lamb as a sacrifice in the normal way.
Tomorrow read Leviticus 5-7
20100130
Jan 30, 2010 Exodus 38-40:16
They continued fashioning the articles for the sanctuary of God. They built the altar out of acacia wood and covered it with bronze. They made the utensils out of bronze. They made the basin for washing as they were instructed. They made all the curtains and stands to hold them for the courtyard. In all, a little over a ton of gold, 3 3/4 tons of silver and 2 1/2 tons of bronze were used! In all 603,550 men aged 20 or more were counted in the census.
Then the priestly garments were made from the blue, purple and scarlet yarn and finely twisted linen. The sacred garments for Aaron, the ephod and the breastpiece were made as Moses instructed. The robes were ornamented with pure gold bells alternating with embroidered pomegranates. Aaron and the priests also wore turbans and sashes. And finally a diadem to be tied on the turban with a blue cord. On the diadem was engraved, "HOLY TO THE LORD."
So when everything was finished, they brought it before Moses to inspect it all. It was done as Moses directed, so he blessed them.
It seem quite a stunning amount of sacred objects. I marvel at the ability these people had to create everything from what they had brought with them from Egypt. And I also wonder what their lives must have been like living in tents and not having things I take for granted, like electricity and power tools, or running water.
Next, they set up the tabernacle and the Tent of Meeting on the first day of the first month. In it they placed the ark, the table and the things that went with it, the lampstand and the lamps, and the altar of incense. The altar of burnt offering was placed at the entrance to the tabernacle with the basin between the Tent of Meeting and the altar, and fill it with water. (I'm going to find a diagram of this - I do so much better with pictures.) Then everything was anointed with oil to consecrate (set apart for God) it all.
Then Moses did what God had said and brought Aaron and his sons to be washed and dressed and anointed. This anointing was "to a priesthood that will continue for all generations to come."
Tomorrow we finish Exodus! Also read Leviticus ch 1-4
Then the priestly garments were made from the blue, purple and scarlet yarn and finely twisted linen. The sacred garments for Aaron, the ephod and the breastpiece were made as Moses instructed. The robes were ornamented with pure gold bells alternating with embroidered pomegranates. Aaron and the priests also wore turbans and sashes. And finally a diadem to be tied on the turban with a blue cord. On the diadem was engraved, "HOLY TO THE LORD."
So when everything was finished, they brought it before Moses to inspect it all. It was done as Moses directed, so he blessed them.
It seem quite a stunning amount of sacred objects. I marvel at the ability these people had to create everything from what they had brought with them from Egypt. And I also wonder what their lives must have been like living in tents and not having things I take for granted, like electricity and power tools, or running water.
Next, they set up the tabernacle and the Tent of Meeting on the first day of the first month. In it they placed the ark, the table and the things that went with it, the lampstand and the lamps, and the altar of incense. The altar of burnt offering was placed at the entrance to the tabernacle with the basin between the Tent of Meeting and the altar, and fill it with water. (I'm going to find a diagram of this - I do so much better with pictures.) Then everything was anointed with oil to consecrate (set apart for God) it all.
Then Moses did what God had said and brought Aaron and his sons to be washed and dressed and anointed. This anointing was "to a priesthood that will continue for all generations to come."
Tomorrow we finish Exodus! Also read Leviticus ch 1-4
20100129
Jan 29, 2010 Exodus35:30-37:29
Moses told the Israelites that God chose Bezalel and Oholiab to be the main designers and master craftsmen to create His sanctuary along with others who would assist. Moses called these people and they recieved the offerings that had been gathered from the freewill offerings. In fact, it soon became clear that they had more than they could use, so Moses sent word not to offer any more for the sanctuary. Details are given about the making of the linen curtains of the Tabernacle and the loops to join them together. Descriptions of the frames, bases and crossbars for the tabernacle of acacia wood overlaid with gold are given next.
Bezalel made the ark as directed out of acacia wood, overlaid with pure gold inside and outside.
I have been wondering why today's reading is so short. I looked ahead to tomorrow and found that it begins with ch 38, so I guess the number 9 got left off my schedule. So read to the end of ch 37. Sorry about that!
So to finish chapter 37, they also made the table, and the lampstand - like a giant menorah - it weighed 75 pounds and was made of solid gold! They made the Altar of Incense as directed and the special incense too.
Tomorrow read Exodus 38 - 40:16
Bezalel made the ark as directed out of acacia wood, overlaid with pure gold inside and outside.
I have been wondering why today's reading is so short. I looked ahead to tomorrow and found that it begins with ch 38, so I guess the number 9 got left off my schedule. So read to the end of ch 37. Sorry about that!
So to finish chapter 37, they also made the table, and the lampstand - like a giant menorah - it weighed 75 pounds and was made of solid gold! They made the Altar of Incense as directed and the special incense too.
Tomorrow read Exodus 38 - 40:16
20100128
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
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
20100127
Jan 27, 2010 Exodus 30-32
We rejoin Moses as he is with God on Mt.Sinai receiving instructions for the tabernacle and it's sumptuous furnishings. God instructs Moses to have an insense altar crafted from acacia wood and covered with pure gold. God then tells Moses that each person must pay the Lord a ransom for his life when he is counted. Everyone is to give the same amount regardless of their wealth. Then God told Moses He wanted a basin for washing fashioned out of bronze, in which, the priests were to wash their hands and feet whenever they enter the Tent of Meeting. A recipe for anointing oil was given next. This sacred anointing oil was not for personal use and was only to be used by the priests in their sacred duties. A recipe for incense is given next, and again, it is not for personal use.
God tells Moses that He has chosen two craftsmen named, Bezalel and to assist him, Oholiab, to be the creators of these works. God filled them with His Spirit to give them the ability and knowledge to bring forth these objects. God also gave skill to all the other craftsmen to help make everything He commanded.
The Lord told Moses to remind the Israelites to observe the Sabbaths. God worked six days to create heaven and earth and abstained from work and rested on the seventh and that's just what He wants us to do to. I really like to rest! Then the Lord finished speaking and gave Moses the two stone tablets "inscribed by the finger of God". How I would love to see those!
Now while Moses was gone, remember he was gone for 40 days and 40 nights, the Israelites were getting rowdy waiting for him to return. So Aaron tells them to give him their gold and he makes a golden calf. In verse 4 of ch 32, it says Aaron used a tool and fashioned an idol. The Lord sees this and tells Moses to get back back down to the Israelites because they have made an idol and worshiped it. Then God tells Moses that He wants to destroy them. Moses talked to God and spoke on their behalf that the Lord not destroy them, to remember his promise to Abraham, Isaac and Israel to multiply their descendants as the stars of the heavens. So God relented and did not bring the disaster he had threatened. Moses went down with the tablets and smashed them when he saw what they were up to. Then he took the calf and burned it and ground it into powder and scattered it over the water and made them drink it. So Moses asked Aaron what he was thinking. Aaron was left in charge and the Israelites conned him. Then Aaron lies to Moses and tells him that he threw the gold jewelry into the fire and a golden calf just popped out! Moses looks at the Israelites all running around like crazy people, and yells at the crowd for those who are with him come over to where he is. So all the Levites go over to Moses - like, if you're not with me then you're against me! Then Moses tells them to put on their swords and kill everyone who is out of control. So they did and killed about 3000 people. I'm guessing that Moses understood why God was SO mad once he saw for himself what they were doing after they had made the covenant with God 40 days earlier. It doesn't really say what they were doing, but I have to admit that sometimes I hear about someone somewhere doing something horrible and I can understand capital punishment.
The next day Moses tells the remaining people that they have sinned greatly, but he will go before the Lord and try to atone. Moses asks the Lord to blot him out of His book if He can't forgive him. But God tells Moses that whoever sins against Him will be blotted out of the book. Then God tells Moses that He wants him to take the Israelites to the place He spoke of. Then the Lord caused a plague upon the people because of their grevious sin.
Tomorrow read Exodus 33-35:29
God tells Moses that He has chosen two craftsmen named, Bezalel and to assist him, Oholiab, to be the creators of these works. God filled them with His Spirit to give them the ability and knowledge to bring forth these objects. God also gave skill to all the other craftsmen to help make everything He commanded.
The Lord told Moses to remind the Israelites to observe the Sabbaths. God worked six days to create heaven and earth and abstained from work and rested on the seventh and that's just what He wants us to do to. I really like to rest! Then the Lord finished speaking and gave Moses the two stone tablets "inscribed by the finger of God". How I would love to see those!
Now while Moses was gone, remember he was gone for 40 days and 40 nights, the Israelites were getting rowdy waiting for him to return. So Aaron tells them to give him their gold and he makes a golden calf. In verse 4 of ch 32, it says Aaron used a tool and fashioned an idol. The Lord sees this and tells Moses to get back back down to the Israelites because they have made an idol and worshiped it. Then God tells Moses that He wants to destroy them. Moses talked to God and spoke on their behalf that the Lord not destroy them, to remember his promise to Abraham, Isaac and Israel to multiply their descendants as the stars of the heavens. So God relented and did not bring the disaster he had threatened. Moses went down with the tablets and smashed them when he saw what they were up to. Then he took the calf and burned it and ground it into powder and scattered it over the water and made them drink it. So Moses asked Aaron what he was thinking. Aaron was left in charge and the Israelites conned him. Then Aaron lies to Moses and tells him that he threw the gold jewelry into the fire and a golden calf just popped out! Moses looks at the Israelites all running around like crazy people, and yells at the crowd for those who are with him come over to where he is. So all the Levites go over to Moses - like, if you're not with me then you're against me! Then Moses tells them to put on their swords and kill everyone who is out of control. So they did and killed about 3000 people. I'm guessing that Moses understood why God was SO mad once he saw for himself what they were doing after they had made the covenant with God 40 days earlier. It doesn't really say what they were doing, but I have to admit that sometimes I hear about someone somewhere doing something horrible and I can understand capital punishment.
The next day Moses tells the remaining people that they have sinned greatly, but he will go before the Lord and try to atone. Moses asks the Lord to blot him out of His book if He can't forgive him. But God tells Moses that whoever sins against Him will be blotted out of the book. Then God tells Moses that He wants him to take the Israelites to the place He spoke of. Then the Lord caused a plague upon the people because of their grevious sin.
Tomorrow read Exodus 33-35:29
20100126
Jan 26, 2010 Exodus 28 & 29
God instructed Moses to have sacred garments made for Aaron to give him dignity and honor, and also sacred garments made for Aaron's sons as well. God wanted them to serve Him as priests. God gave all the skilled men wisdom to know what and how to do this work. I like reading these instructions, I guess because I really like to sew clothing. I must admit that the patterns I have used are vastly different. I have had many creative ideas and sometimes I feel inspired because I can't figure out where the ideas would have come from. I marvel to imagine that the skilled craftsmen and artists had the knowledge impressed into their minds by God so that what they were to do made perfect sense to them. I must also admit that I tend to get lost in the details. Fortunately, I have found some helpful pictures on the web when I typed in Ephod, and Aaron's sacred garments. Some of the gemstones described are unfamiliar to me. Also, reading all these details it's clear why God had told the children of Israel to ask the Egyptians for gold and silver and precious things as they left Egypt. God had plans for those materials!
The garments made according to God's command were to become part of the consecration of the priests. Since a blood sacrifice was necessary, a bull and two rams without defect were needed. Also cakes made of fine wheat flour without yeast, mixed with oil were needed as well. Detailed instructions were given about dressing the priests in these special garments. The animals were to be slaughtered in a very specific way and burned on the altar. The blood was sprinkled on the altar and on their clothes, also, they were to put blood on their right ear lobes, right thumbs and right big toes. After this Aaron and his sons and their garments would be consecrated.
God explained about peace offerings, sin offerings, and something called wave offerings. He also said the sacred garments would be handed down from one generation to the next. The consecration was to continue for seven days, then the altar would be most holy and whatever touched it would be holy too. This all was required so that God could dwell among the Israelites.
Next read Exodus ch 30-32
The garments made according to God's command were to become part of the consecration of the priests. Since a blood sacrifice was necessary, a bull and two rams without defect were needed. Also cakes made of fine wheat flour without yeast, mixed with oil were needed as well. Detailed instructions were given about dressing the priests in these special garments. The animals were to be slaughtered in a very specific way and burned on the altar. The blood was sprinkled on the altar and on their clothes, also, they were to put blood on their right ear lobes, right thumbs and right big toes. After this Aaron and his sons and their garments would be consecrated.
God explained about peace offerings, sin offerings, and something called wave offerings. He also said the sacred garments would be handed down from one generation to the next. The consecration was to continue for seven days, then the altar would be most holy and whatever touched it would be holy too. This all was required so that God could dwell among the Israelites.
Next read Exodus ch 30-32
20100125
Jan 25, 2010 Exodus 25:10-27:21
God instucted Moses very specifically about the tabernacle He wanted constructed in order to have a place where He could visit Moses. This place consisted of a number of sacred objects which is what they were to make from the offerings of precious metals, stones and textiles. For each object exact dimensions are given and the materials which were to be used are described in some detail. They were to create an ark - a representation can be seen by watching Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark - a table and a lampstand all of which were to be placed inside a large linen tent called a tabernacle. It sounds very beautiful from the use of much red, blue and purple, and gold. Instructions were also given for an altar of burnt offerings to be made of acacia wood overlaid with bronze. A courtyard was to surround the tabernacle and was to be about 150 feet long and about 75 feet wide. It too was to be made of curtains made of the finest linen. Clear oil of pressed olives was to be used for the lamps which were to be kept burning from evening until morning. Aaron and his sons were in charge of keeping the lamps lit.
Tomorrow we'll learn about the priestly garments and the consecration of the Priests by reading Exodus ch 28 & 29
Tomorrow we'll learn about the priestly garments and the consecration of the Priests by reading Exodus ch 28 & 29
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