Reading: Exodus 28:5-39 When the High Priest served in the tabernacle he wears special garments showing he was holy to the Lord. His garment includes two onyx stones set in gold, and engraved with the names of the twelve sons of Israel. He also wears the breastplate with twelve precious stones engraved with the same… Continue reading Meditation: Exodus 28 (2 of 2)

Reading: Exodus 28:1-4 The priests perform a very important function in the tabernacle. Sinful people cannot come before holy God, therefore they need a mediator who stands between God and the people to reconcile them. In the Old Testament (OT) the priests perform this task and in this they represent Jesus Christ. The Israelites understand… Continue reading Meditation: Exodus 28 (1 of 2)

Reading: Exodus 27: 9-19 The tabernacle consists of the inner tent and the surrounding court. The inner tent has two parts, the most holy place and the holy place. The first contains the ark with the mercy seat where God dwells. Only the High Priest has access to it, and only once per year. The… Continue reading Meditation: Exodus 27

Reading: Exodus 26:31-37 The most holy place of the tabernacle is covered by a veil (curtain). The holy place is covered by a screen (heavy curtain). Later, the temple built by King Solomon has a similar veil separating the most holy place from the rest of the temple.  Apart from the priests, the Israelites are… Continue reading Meditation: Exodus 26 (2 of 2)

Reading: Exodus 26:1-30 God gives instructions to build the tabernacle. It is to be a majestic and most beautiful structure. For example, the inner tent curtains are fine linen with blue, purple, and scarlet thread; woven with artistic designs of cherubim, and connected with golden clasps. Its wood is overlaid with gold. The tabernacle is… Continue reading Meditation: Exodus 26 (1 of 2)

Reading: Exodus 25:10-22 God gives instructions for the design of the ark, the most holy object in the tabernacle. It is also called “the ark of the covenant of the LORD.”  We recall that the covenant contains a promise and an obligation, summarised in Genesis 17:1 “I am Almighty God; walk before Me and be… Continue reading Meditation: Exodus 25 (2 of 2)

Reading: Exodus 25:1-9 God wants Israel to construct “a sanctuary that I may dwell among them” (Exodus 25:8). He first asks the Israelites to contribute material gifts for the building of the tabernacle and its furniture. Each person is to give according to their ability; in other words although the poor give less than the… Continue reading Meditation: Exodus 25 (1 of 2)

Reading: Exodus 24:9-11 In Exodus 24 God confirms the covenant with Israel by a solemn ceremony. The people promise to obey the Book of the Covenant. The ceremony is sealed with animal blood symbolizing the Jesus Christ’s blood. In vs 9-11 God concludes the ceremony. He invites Moses, Aaron, Nadab, and Abihu, and seventy elders… Continue reading Meditation: Exodus 24 (3 of 3)

Reading: Exodus 24:8 In Exodus 24 God confirms the covenant with Israel by a solemn ceremony. The ceremony is sealed with the blood of the sacrificed animals. This blood is sprinkled on the altar and the people.  Blood is necessary to make possible the covenant between God and His people. Why? Holy God cannot just… Continue reading Meditation: Exodus 24 (2 of 3)

Reading: Exodus 24:1-7 In this passage God confirms His covenant with Israel by a solemn ceremony. The covenant is the formal and holy relationship between God and Israel, His special treasure (Exodus 19:5). God has the authority to make this covenant since He was Israel’s (and the world’s) creator and their Redeemer. In this covenant… Continue reading Meditation: Exodus 24 (1 of 3)

Reading: Exodus 23:14-33 Israel will inherit the Promised Land which is currently occupied by ungodly nations.  When Israel moves in and gradually needs more territory these nations will be driven out by God, little by little (vs 30). The nations’ gods and feasts are attractive to the carnal flesh and can become a snare for… Continue reading Meditation: Exodus 23 (2 of 2)

Reading: Exodus 23:1-9 Here we learn another important principle about God’s justice, namely “You shall not circulate a false report” (vs 1). James 3:6 says the tongue is destructive: “And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity. The tongue is so set among our members that it defiles the whole body, and sets… Continue reading Meditation: Exodus 23 (1 of 2)

Reading: Exodus 21:12-26 and 22:1-15 In this passage we learn some basic principles of divine justice, including just punishment to fit the crime, fair restitution for loss, and serious sentences as warnings to encourage responsibility and discourage crime. Three different types of crime are mentioned: killing, injury and criminal negligence. Not every crime is the… Continue reading Meditation: Exodus 21 & 22

Reading: Exodus 20:18-26 Israel is going to the Promised Land which is occupied by nations serving idols. Their idolatry is so dangerous that God warn against it immediately after giving the Law (vs 23). God repeats this warning many times. Isaiah 45:21 “And there is no other God besides Me”. Why these frequent warnings?  Idolatry… Continue reading Meditation: Exodus 20 (2 of 2)

Reading: Exodus 20:1-17 The 10 commandments summarise God’s covenant law; the Bible provides more details about the law and its application. Example 1: In Exodus to Deuteronomy Moses expands on and explains how the Law is to be applied. About the sixth commandment (you shall not kill) we read “When you build a new house,… Continue reading Meditation: Exodus 20 (1 of 2)

Reading: Exodus 19:7-25 God is preparing Israel to receive and accept His law. Through the mouth of Moses God speaks to Israel to impress upon them His majesty, power and covenant mercy. However, God needs to do more to address Israel’s stubborn pride, spiritual sleepiness and rebelliousness. God therefore adds another lesson; He will Himself… Continue reading Meditation: Exodus 19 (3 of 3)

Reading: Exodus 19:5-6 God is preparing Israel to receive and accept His law. God not only brought Israel to Himself; He also made a legal agreement (the covenant) with them. He promises to be their God and care for them, without fail. Psalm 105:8 says “He remembers His covenant forever, the word which He commanded,… Continue reading Meditation: Exodus 19 (2 of 3)

Reading: Exodus 19:1-4 and 20:1 and 2. Israel arrives at Mt Sinai. There for 12 months God instructs Israel in His divine classroom. They receive the written law, its explanation and application. On God’s instruction Israel also builds the tabernacle and brings it into service. God is very gentle. He does not immediately give Israel… Continue reading Meditation: Exodus 19 (1 of 3)

Reading: Exodus 18:13-27 Moses is God’s prophet. God speaks to him and Moses tells Israel. Moses is also Israel’s leader. He has understands God’s statutes and laws (vs 16). It therefore is quite natural that he also becomes the people’s judge to settle disputes. However Israel is a nation of many people and there are… Continue reading Meditation: Exodus 18

Reading: Exodus 17:1-17 Life is a spiritual battle. Israel’s faith in God is constantly under attack; sometimes from the outside, as with Pharaoh. At other times the attack is from within – this battle (against sin and unbelief) is in every believer’s heart. So it is in this chapter. God leads the Israelites to Rephidim.… Continue reading Meditation: Exodus 17