1:1-2:10 - Things were difficult for
2:11-3:22 - Salvation,
service, personal faith, life among God’s people - God has much to
teach us. Moses sins (2:12). God graciously forgives (Micah 7:18-19) -
this is salvation. His sin forgiven, Moses is called to service. He is
called by the eternal God, the God who draws near to His people
(3:14-15). Saved by Christ, we are called to serve Him, the eternal
‘God’ who ‘became flesh and dwelt among us’ (John 1:1-14). Saved, we
belong to God’s people (1 Peter 2:10). Serving, we play our part within
the ‘one body’ of Christ (Romans 12:4-5). Moses was to serve God’s
people, the people whose prayer God answered - delivering them from
bondage and leading them on to great blessing (2:23-25; 3:8). Moses was a
key figure, but he did not stand alone. The work of God made progress
because the people of God went forward together. In God’s work, we are
to be participators - not spectators!
4:1-31 - Two
great obstacles had to be overcome - Moses’ sense of inadequacy and
Pharaoh’s stubborn resistance. Moses had to learn that ‘our competence
comes from God’ (2 Corinthians 3:5). Part of God’s provision for Moses
was Aaron (14-16). We are not called to go it alone. What encouragement
there is in the support of our fellow-believers. Weak believers need
strengthening. Stubborn unbelief (Pharaoh) is ready to overwhelm us. We
need strength if we are to ‘attempt great things for God’ and ‘expect
great things from God’ (William Carey). Concerning Pharaoh, God says, ‘I
will harden his heart’ (21). This was also Pharaoh’s own choice -
‘Pharaoh hardened his heart’ (8:15,32; 9:34). God sent circumstances
into Pharaoh’s life which led him to harden his own heart by rejecting
God's Word. Pharaoh’s resistance did not hinder God’s salvation - he was
‘compelled by a mighty hand’ (3:19). God is at work - make sure you
don't miss out on His blessing!
5:1-6:13 - In
4:29-31, we see Moses, the elders and the people worshipping God.
Pharaoh opposes them - ‘Who is the Lord, that I should heed His
voice...?’ (5:2) - , and ‘the foremen of the people of Israel ’
start complaining (19-21). What does Moses do ? - He prays. Notice the
honesty of his prayer - he asks the ‘Why ?’ question, and he protests,
‘You have not rescued Your people at all’ (22-23). God gives His answer -
redemption will be given (6:1,6-8). Redemption - this is God’s answer
to our suffering. He gave His Son to suffer for our sins. Through
Christ, we receive salvation. Moses had to learn to wait for the
fulfilment of God’s promise. God’s own people were not listening to him.
How could he expect the unbelieving Pharaoh to listen to him (6:9,12)?
It was not easy. Nevertheless, this ‘charge’ had been given - ‘bring the
people out’. It shall be done!
6:14-7:24 - This
list of names emphasizes that God is concerned with the ‘little
people’, and not only ‘the big names’ like Moses. Gifted individuals
have their important place in carrying forward God’s purpose. Such
individuals are used by God for the blessing of the whole people of God.
The forward movement of God’s work is often preceded by great
difficulties. We must ‘walk by faith, not by sight’ (2 Corinthians 5:7).
Adverse circumstances must not defeat us. The Lord is calling us on to
greater faith. God’s purpose of grace moves forward according to His
power and not our weakness. Moses spoke ‘with faltering lips’ (30). God
worked miracles (8-24). Turning to ‘sorcerers’ and ‘magicians’, Pharaoh,
the servant of Satan, ‘would not listen’ to God’s servants
(11,13;7:22). ‘Our God is marching on’ - to glorious victory (Church Hymnary, 318)!
7:25-8:32 - God’s work is ‘in the midst of the earth’. He claims His own people for Himself (22-23).
To ‘all the ends of the earth’, He says, ‘Turn to Me and be saved’.
Concerning His own people, He says, ‘In the Lord all the offspring of
Israel shall triumph and glory’ (Isaiah 45:22,25). In the plagues, we
see God’s power and Pharaoh’s pride. There is a conflict between the
reality of God and Pharaoh’s fantasy. Conflict is God’s training ground
for spiritual growth. We take our stand on the reality of God. Those who
oppose God live in a fantasy world, imagining that they can
successfully oppose the mighty God of salvation - ‘To pluck from His
hand the weakest, trembling soul, it never, never can be done’ (Sacred Songs and Solos.
508). Pharaoh was neither the first nor the last to oppose God - and
fail! Put to death by men, Christ was raised by God (Acts 2:23-24) -
Hallelujah!
9:1-35 - Today,
we highlight three lessons: The importance of trusting Christ as your
Saviour, the folly of refusing Christ’s salvation and the danger of
professing conversion without really meaning it. Each of us must choose:
Will you step into Christ or remain outside of Him? Will you flee to
Him and take refuge in Him or will you neglect Him and remain under
judgment? ‘Flee from the wrath to come’. ‘How shall we escape if we
neglect such a great salvation?’ (20-21; Luke 3:7; Hebrews 2:3). You can
enter into salvation through faith in Christ or you can, in unbelief,
remain outside of Christ (Hebrews 4:2-3). Pharaoh ‘confessed’ his sin,
but didn’t really mean it. He had had ‘enough’ of God’s interference.
That was his ‘reason’ for admitting his sin. This was not real
repentance - only a dislike for suffering! Make your decision for
Christ, and make it real!
10:1-29 - The
conflict between God and Pharaoh is a conflict between light and
darkness. We are to shine as lights - for God, the ‘Light’ in whom there
is ‘no darkness at all’ (Matthew 5:16; 1 John 1:5). God’s purpose is
moving forward. Pharaoh becomes more determined in his rebellion.
Pharaoh’s stubborn unbelief becomes his own undoing. Pharaoh doesn’t
want God. God confirms him in his unbelief (28-29). God says, ‘You can
go your own way, but you will be spiritually dead’ (Psalm 106:13-15).
God says, ‘Do not harden your heart. You may be very close to the point
of no return’ (Hebrews 3:8; Proverbs 29:1). Before you lose all
inclination to return to the Lord, let Christ’s love touch your heart.
Only His love can ‘create in you a clean heart’. Only His love can ‘put a
new and right Spirit within you’ (Psalm 51:10).
11:1-12:28 - Here,
we focus attention on two verses which emphasize the importance of
being saved by the Lord and going on to live for Him: ‘when I see the
blood, I will pass over you... you must eat unleavened bread’ (13,20).
In verse 13, we are directed beyond the Passover to Jesus Christ, whose
blood was shed for the forgiveness of sins (John 1:29; 1 John1:7). In
verse 20, we have the call to holy living. In 1 Corinthians 5:6-8 and
Galatians 5:7-9, Paul uses ‘leaven’ as a symbol of ‘sin’, which holds us
back from ‘running a good race’. We are to live as a new creation, who
feast on ‘the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth’. Forgiveness of
sins and holy living belong together. We are not to rejoice in God’s
forgiveness and then gloss over His call to holy living: ‘justified by
faith’, we are to ‘walk in newness of life’ (Romans 5:1; 6:4)
12:29-13:16 - God
delivered His people from their bondage (3,14,16). There is, in the
Exodus, a great picture of the Gospel, which sets us free. Christ sets
us free. He does this by His Word of ‘truth’
(John 8:32,36). The Gospel says, ‘Sin will have no dominion over you...
You have been set free from sin’ (Romans 6:14,18,22). Through ‘the
Spirit of God’, we have received ‘not... the spirit of slavery... but...
the spirit of sonship’ (Romans 8:14-15). Israel’s deliverance from the
land of bondage was also deliverance for a new life in ‘a land flowing
with milk and honey’ (5). We look back in grateful remembrance. We look
forward in eager anticipation. We have received ‘the first fruits of the
Spirit’. There is more to come - ‘the glorious liberty of the children
of God... the redemption of our bodies’ (Romans 8:21-23).
13:17-14:31 - Sin may be ‘near’, but God never leads His people into it (13:17, James 1:13). Following Christ means walking a narrow road (Matthew 7:13-14). We are surrounded by many temptations. Pray that your feet will not slip (Psalm 37:31; 17:5; 44:18). Sometimes, the Lord leads us ‘by way of the wilderness’ - a way of apparent fruitlessness. Why? - So that ‘equipped for battle’, we might learn to serve Him better (13:18). The Lord does not leave His people in the wilderness. Pursued by their enemies (the Egyptians), they were guided by the ‘cloud’ and ‘fire’ (13:21-22). God was with them, and He was about to reveal His saving power in a mighty way (13-14). There is judgment as well as salvation (30). Looking to neither the ‘right’ nor the ‘left’, we must look to the Lord (14:21-22). Rejoicing in ‘the great work’ He has done, our faith ‘in the Lord’ grows strong (31).
15:1-21 - This is a song of redemption - God has redeemed His people; a song of thanksgiving - we give thanks for God's redemption; and a song of hope - we look forward to the complete fulfilment of God's redemption. This is not only a ‘song of God’s
people’. It is also the song of Moses, a personal song. This is worship
- not a mere formality, but worship which arises from the depths of
Moses’ heart. Deeply moved by the grace and glory of God, Moses pours
his heart out to God in worship: (i) He praises the God of grace - ‘my
strength... my song... my salvation’ (2). (ii) He praises the God of
glory - God triumphs ‘gloriously’ (1). His ‘glorious’ power is
demonstrated in His ‘glorious’ deeds (6,11). (iii) Worshipping this God
of grace - the redeeming God (13) - and glory - the reigning God (18) - ,
we say, ‘You are my God, and I will praise You’ (Psalm 118:28). Let us
worship God - personally as well as publicly.
15:22-16:36 - God allows His people to suffer difficulties. Why? - To
strengthen our faith (15:25; 16:4; Deuteronomy 8:2,16; 1 Peter 1:6-7).
He chastens us, to teach us repentance (Revelation 3:19). Don't forget
God’s love. He is faithful: ‘He didn’t bring us
this far to leave us’. He shows us His glory (7). He assures us that He
is God (12). He provides us with ‘daily bread’ (4). Yesterday’s ‘bread’
is insufficient for today’s challenges (19-20). ‘Morning by morning’,
the ‘bread’ is to be gathered (21; Lamentations 3:22-23). Jesus is the
Living Bread (John 6:32-35,48-51). Feed on Him each day. Don’t invite
spiritual starvation by missing days. If you miss some days, don’t let
it continue. Remember: ‘Seven days without prayer makes one weak’! ‘How
long has it been since you talked with the Lord?’ Too long? It is time to pray and feed on Jesus!
17:1-18:27 - Worldly
people create problems (17:3). Moses asks, ‘What shall I do...?’
(17:4). Indecision asks, ‘Is the Lord among us or not?’ (17:7). He gives
victory (17:8-9,13). Joshua is being equipped for special service - ‘in
the ears of Joshua’ (17:14). God’s great concern is that His people
move forward together. The work is not to be left to the few (18). God
is looking to faithful servants who will ‘bear the burden’ together
(21-22). There is much to be done, but we must never forget this:
‘prayer and the ministry of the Word’ (Acts 6:1-4). You may not be a
Moses or a Joshua, but you can play your part. We rejoice in who God is
and what He has done for us. Assured of His presence with us, let us
worship Him: ‘Blessed be the Lord...’ (18:10-11).
19:1-25 - Before
law, there is Gospel - what God has done for us (4). We are to obey in
the Spirit of grace, as those who have been redeemed by His mercy (5-6; 1
Peter 2:9-10). God’s Word is not only for the leader. It is for the
whole people of God (3,7,9,11). God speaks to us concerning possession,
consecration and reverence. Possession - We are His 'own possession' (5). In love, He has claimed us for Himself. We belong to Him. Consecration - God is holy. We are to be holy (10,14; 1 Peter 1:15-16). Reverence
- Don’t rush into God’s presence, presuming on His blessing. We must
not take God’s blessing for granted. That would be arrogance (21-22). We
must come to Him with this humble confidence: God will bless those who
truly call upon Him (2 Chronicles 7:14-16). May God help us to say, ‘All
that the Lord has spoken we will do’ (8).
20:1-20 - God
does not want to see sin in us (20). He wants to see Himself in us. Sin
robs us of His great blessing. He wants to fill us with love (Mark
12:28-31; Galatians 5:14; 1 Corinthians 13:1-13). Before our love for
Him, there is His love for us. He is the God of redemption. He has
redeemed us. We are His people. This is His doing. All the glory belongs
to Him (1-2). We are to live as His people. He is to have first place
in our lives (3). The ‘law’ is ‘holy’ and ‘good’, but it cannot make us
holy and good - without ‘the new life of the Spirit’ (Romans 7:12,6:
8:2; 2 Corinthians 3:3). ‘Moses’ cannot save! There is only one Saviour -
Jesus! Not under law, we yield ourselves to the God of salvation
(Romans 6:13-14). Our obedience comes from faith in Christ - not
legalism (Romans 1:5-6)! Our holiness comes from the Spirit (Galatians
5:22-23).
20:21-21:32 - So
many instructions - Don’t get bogged down in details. Remember this: We
do not live by an ethic of legalism. This is an ethic of redemption
(20:1-2). Forget the God of redemption, and you have nothing but a lot
of rules and regulations. Become obsessed with rules and regulations,
and there will be no room for the Redeemer and His redemption.
‘Earmarked’ for Jesus, we are to ‘serve Him for life’ (6). No turning
back! We are bound to Him by love - not law! What love He has for us!
Verse 30 speaks of ‘ransom’
and ‘redemption’: What great words of the Gospel (Mark 10:45; 1 Peter
1:18-19)! ‘Eye for eye...’ (24) - This limits vengeance. Remember: Love
is the answer - not vengeance (Leviticus 19:18)! Let Christ’s love give
you strength - to keep on serving Him (Galatians 2:20; Philippians 1:6).
21:33-22:31 - We
travel from grace to glory - from ‘Egypt’ to ‘the promised land’. In
the wilderness there are many pitfalls. We can become careless in our
obedience to Christ. Do not ‘leave a pit open’ - you may cause a brother
to stumble (33; Romans 14:13). Restitution (1-17) - Be faithful in
practical matters (Luke 19:8; 3:10-14). Read of ‘the thief’ (8). Think
of the Lord - and be ready for His return (1 Thessalonians 5:2; Matthew
6:19-21). All our human problems are to be brought ‘before God’. Never
forget Him (8-9,11). God is 'compassionate' (27). We are to be
'consecrated' (31). God loves us. Will we continue to live as those who
have never known His love? - ‘God forbid! How can we who died to sin
still live in it?’ (Romans 6:2).
23:1-33 - God
is love: He loves ‘the stranger’ (9). God is holy: He ‘will not acquit
the wicked’ (7). He wants to reproduce His love and holiness - in us.
Not holiness without love: that is self-righteous legalism. Not love
without holiness: that is spineless sentimentalism. To Israel, He sent
'an angel...' (20). To us, He has sent Christ: He is the Way to
the place prepared for us (John 14:2-3,6). Through the Holy Spirit,
Christ continues His ministry among us (John 14:25-26). ‘Pay attention’
to the words of Christ. ‘Listen’ for the voice of the Holy Spirit (21).
Do not ‘quench’ or ‘grieve’ the Holy Spirit (1 Thessalonians 5:19;
Ephesians 4:30). It may take time - ‘little by little’ (30) - but God will work through his obedient people - ‘I will... you shall...’ (30-31).
24:1-18 - Moses
was alone with the Lord - receiving the Word of the Lord (1-2). Moses
went to the people - speaking the Word of the Lord (3). There was also a
written ministry of the Word (4). At the heart of our worship, there is
‘the blood of the covenant’ (8; 12:13; John 1:29; Hebrews 9:22; 10:4;
9:13-14; 1 John 1:7). Moses worshipped on ‘the mountain of God’ (12-18).
We worship ‘in spirit and truth’ (John 4:19-24). We come to the Father
through Christ and in the Spirit (Ephesians 2:18). We come on the basis
of Christ’s blood shed for us (Hebrews 10:19-22). We come as those to
whom the Spirit has been given (John 1:33; 3:34). With ‘the Spirit of
God’ living in us and helping us as we pray, let us feast on Christ, the
Truth, the living Word, to whom the written and spoken words point us
(Romans 8:9,26; John 14:6; 1:1,14; 17:17).
25:1-40 - This is full of Christ! We don't ‘read into’ the Old Testament things which aren’t really there. We read this part of Scripture in the light of the full
revelation of God. We see Christ as the Central Theme. Above everything
else and everyone else, there is Jesus Christ our Saviour. God dwells
among His people (8). Christ lives in us (Galatians 2:20; Colossians
1:27). God is merciful to us (17-22; Psalm 103:8-12; Micah 7:18-19).
Through Christ, we have received ‘mercy’ (Ephesians 2:4-7; Titus 3:4-7).
From ‘mercy’ we move on to 'testimony' (18). The two are vitally
related (1 Timothy 1:12-17). The ‘bread of the Presence’ (30) turns our
thoughts to the Cross. The ‘lampstand of pure gold’ calls us to shine
brightly for Christ, who ‘came... to save sinners’ (1 Timothy 1:15).
26:1-37 - From
the outside, it was a ‘tent’. On the inside, the tabernacle was a place
of great beauty. Many look at Christ, and see ‘no beauty that we should
desire Him’ (Isaiah 53:2). The believer looks at Christ, and says, ‘You
are beautiful beyond description, too marvellous for words, too
wonderful for comprehension, like nothing ever seen or heard’ (Mission Praise,
788).The ‘veil’ has been removed (2 Corinthians 4:3-4,6). Our sin had
separated us from God, hiding His face from us (Isaiah 59:2). When
Christ died, ‘the curtain of the temple was torn in two...’ (Mark
15:37-38). He has changed everything (Hebrews 9:7-8,11-12). Once, we
were ‘separated... alienated... strangers... far off’. Now, we are ‘in
Christ Jesus’ - ‘brought near in the blood of Christ’ (Ephesians
2:12-13; Hebrews 10:19-22).
27:1-19 - We highlight two interesting phrases - (a) ‘as you were shown on the mountain’ (8); (b) ‘towards the sunrise’ (13, New International Version).
We need both ‘the Scriptures’ and ‘the power of God’ (Mark 12:24). Our
faith is based on divine revelation - ‘according to the Scriptures’ (1
Corinthians 15:3-4). We are ‘not’ to ‘go beyond what is written’ (1
Corinthians 4:6). Face the risen Son - We may not always be facing the
rising sun, but we should always be facing the risen Son! The
revelation, the resurrection, the Scriptures, the Son - these are the
great focal-points of our Christian Faith: God has revealed Himself,
Christ has risen. Encouraged by the Scriptures, and empowered by the
Son, we face the risen Son and we say, ‘I will proclaim the glory of the
risen Lord’ (Romans 15:4; Matthew 28:18-20; Mission Praise, 14).
27:20-29:9 - The ‘lamp’ was ‘set up to burn continually’ (27:20) - ‘May we be a shining light... Let the flame burn brighter...’ (Songs of Fellowship 389; Mission Praise, 743). A ‘royal priesthood’, we have been called by God - to let His light shine (1 Peter 2:9). He
has called us to serve Him (28:1 John 15:16; Acts 20:28; 13:2; 9:15;
Hebrews 5:4). The divine call is accompanied by a divine empowering -
‘the Holy Spirit sent from heaven’ (1 Peter 1:12). We are precious to
God - Our ‘names’ are written on His heart (9-12,21,29-30; Luke 10:20;
Philippians 4:3; John 10:3). In Christ we are cleansed (29:4 1 John 1:7), anointed (29:7; 1 John 2:27) and robed
(29:5-6,8-9; Isaiah 61:10). In Christ, we have ‘the best robe’ (28:2;
Luke 15:22; Revelation 7:9-10,13-14). In Him, we are ‘consecrated’ by
the Word and ‘anointed’ by the Spirit (28:3,41; John 17:17; 14:16-17, 26; 16:13-14).
29:10-46 - There is a great contrast between the many sacrifices of the Old Testament and the one
sacrifice of Christ (Hebrews 9:25-28; 10:1-4, 10-14). Looking to
Christ, we focus attention on verses 42-46. For God’s people, ‘the tent
of meeting’ was a special place concerning which God said, ‘I will meet
with you, to speak there to you. There I will meet with the people of
Israel, and it shall be sanctified by My glory’ (42-43). Let us pray
that, in both the pulpit and the pew, there will be the glory of God.
Aaron and his sons were ‘consecrated to serve’ (44). We look beyond them
to Christ who ‘came... to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for
many’ (Mark 10:45). He dwells among us (45; John 1:14). He has provided
for us a ‘better’ redemption than the redemption of Israel from Egypt -
He is ‘much more excellent’ (46; Hebrews 8:6; 9:23-24).
30:1-38 - The Word of God (‘the testimony’) declares the mercy of God, leading to our meeting with God (6). We highlight several features of our worship: (a) ‘the blood of the sin offering of atonement’ (10) - This points to the ‘how much more’ sacrifice of Christ on the Cross for us (Hebrews 9:13-14); (b) ‘washing’ (18) - Christ ‘has washed us from our sins in His blood’ (Revelation 1:5; 1 Corinthians 6:11; Titus 3:5-6); (c) ‘holy anointing oil’
(25) - We are to be ‘consecrated’, ‘most holy’, servants of the Lord,
‘making holiness perfect in the fear of God’, living in the power of the
Holy Spirit (29-30; 2 Corinthians 7:1; Zechariah 4:6); (d) ‘incense’
(35) - We are to be ‘the aroma of Christ’, spreading His ‘fragrance’ (2
Corinthians 2:14-16). Christlike living is grounded in prayer (Psalm
141:2; Revelation 5:8; 8:3-4; Luke 18:1; Ephesians 6:18; 1 Thessalonians
5:17).
31:1-32:14 - ‘Called’ by God and ‘filled’ with His Spirit (31:1-3), Bezalel had the support of Oholiab and ‘all able men’ (31:6). Few may be called and equipped to lead, but many
are required for God’s work to be done - effectively (1 Corinthians
12:4-10). ‘All’ of us receive our strength from the ‘Spirit’ (1
Corinthians 12:11). We offer ourselves in service with this faith,
‘Jesus is Lord’. Faith is God’s gift: ‘no one can say “Jesus is Lord”
except by the Holy Spirit’. There are many gifts. They are varied
expressions of one gift - the faith which confesses that ‘Jesus is Lord’
(1 Corinthians 12:3). The people fell into idolatry and immorality
(32:6): a ‘warning’ to us (1 Corinthians 10:6-12). We have God’s help -
to overcome temptation (1 Corinthians 10: 13). Moses sets for us a godly
example: he spent time with God, hearing His voice and prevailing in
prayer (32:1,7-14).
32:15-33:23 - In Moses, we see the holiness and love
of God: a deep hatred of sin (32:19), an intense longing for sinners to
be forgiven (32). Filled with ‘the fear of the Lord’, Moses was
fearless before men. God’s Word to sinners is clear: He warns them
(Proverbs 29:1); He calls them to repent (Acts 2:38); He invites them to
return to Him (Hosea 6:1). Moses’ faithful and fearless preaching
emerged from his closeness to God: ‘The Lord spoke to Moses face to
face, as a man speaks to his friend’ (11). Moses prayed; God heard; God
answered (33:17). Moses prayed for a revelation of God’s glory (33:18).
God revealed Himself as the good God, the God of grace and mercy
(33:19). Let us go up to God and bring down all that is needed to build
the Body of Christ that God may take pleasure in it and that He may
appear in His glory (Haggai 1:8).
34:1-35 - God
gives His promise (33:19). God keeps His promise (5-7). The glory of
Christ is revealed to those who are learning to love Him (John 14:21).
We are not yet ready for the full glory (33:20). When Christ returns, ‘we shall see Him as He is’
(1 John 3:2). There is to be ‘no other god’ but the Lord (14). We are
not to be squeezed into the world’s mould (Romans 12:2). ‘No molten
gods’, ‘no graven image’ - We are to be remoulded by God, ‘conformed to
the image of His Son’ (17; 20:4; Romans 12:2; 8:29). Moses’ face was
shining - Other people noticed (29)! Let others see Christ in you. Never
take pride in your own spirituality - ‘If anyone imagines that he knows
something, he does not know (the Lord) as he ought to know (Him)’ (1
Corinthians 8:2). Keep your eyes on Jesus. The glory comes from Him. No
glory for me - All glory to Him (2 Corinthians 3:18)!
35:1-36:7 - The work of God is shared by many different people with many different gifts. The work is done according to (a) the Lord’s command (35:1,4,10; 36:1,5); (b) heartfelt obedience (21; 36:3,5-7); (c) the God-given abilities
(24-25; 36:2,4,8). There is something for ‘everyone’ to do - everyone
‘whose heart is stirred whose spirit is moved’ (21). Many gifts are
needed (31-35). Underlying them all, there is this: ‘filled with the
Spirit of God’ (31). In God’s work, there is to be ‘full’ obedience.
When we are fully obedient, there will be ‘an overflowing blessing’ (Malachi 3:10). ‘The people bring much more than enough...’. There ‘was sufficient to do all the work, and more’
(36:5,7). God is ready to bless. Are we ready to obey? ‘If my people...
I will...’(2 Chronicles 7:14). ‘Always abounding in the work of the
Lord’ (1 Corinthians 15:58)!
36:8-38 - Moses
may have been the leader among God’s people, but he could not do all
the work by himself! Two of his helpers - Bezalel and Oholiab - are
named (1-2). Most - ‘all the able men’ - remain anonymous (8). Anonymous
yet indispensable - Without them, the work of God would have been left
undone! To those who are full of their own importance, God says, ‘No-one
is indispensable. I will find someone else to do My work’. To those
who, without fuss, get on with doing His work, God says, ‘You are my
servants, through whom My work will make good progress’. Building
Christ’s Church is a long process, involving suffering and
disappointments as well as hard-fought victories. In so many ways, the
tabernacle pointed to Christ: ‘God with us’ (Matthew 1:23). May God help
us to lead many people to Christ!
37:1-29 - Pure gold
(2,6,11,16-17,22-24, 26); Jesus Christ is ‘pure gold’. He is ‘God with
us’. His body was broken for us. We feed on Him, the living Bread. His
light is shining. He spreads the fragrance of His holiness, and the
aroma of His love (Matthew 1:23; Luke 22:19; John 6:35; 8:12; 2
Corinthians 2:14-16). Read about the ark, the mercy seat, the table, the
lampstand, the altar of incense, the holy anointing oil... Think of Christ:
He is the ‘mercy seat of pure gold’ (6). ‘The Lord is merciful and
gracious...’: In mercy, He withholds His judgment from us - He is ‘slow
to anger’. In grace, He pours His blessing on us - He is ‘abounding in
steadfast love’ (Psalm 103:8). We deserve judgment. We receive
salvation. Why? Christ took our judgment that we might receive His
salvation. This is the Gospel - and it is ‘pure gold’!
38:1-31 - We read, in verse 8, of ‘the ministering women...’. See also 35:25-26,29 - ‘all women ... all the women... All the men and women...’.
Male and female - We need each other. We are ‘one in Christ Jesus’. In
Him, ‘there is neither male nor female’ (Galatians 3:28). There should
never be a competitive spirit. We are to complement each other. In verse
25, we read of ‘the silver from those of the congregation’.
God’s work does not depend entirely on those who have been called to be
leaders. Each of us must play our part. There should be no pulling in
different directions. We belong together. We are to work together. Let’s
pull together, pooling our resources, pulling our weight. Among God’s
people, there is ‘gold’ - but it must be ‘used for the work’ (24). Will
you be worth your weight in gold - for God?
39:1-43 - ‘As the Lord had commanded...’ (1,5,7,21,26,29,31-32,42-43): Obedience to God - this is the most important thing. ‘And Moses blessed
them’ (43): Where there is obedience, there is blessing - there’s a
vital connection between the two. In Jesus, we see perfect obedience:
‘My food is to do the will of Him who sent me, and to finish His work’
(John 4:34). Jesus was fully obedient to the Father’s will: ‘He became
obedient unto death, even death on a Cross’ (Philippians 2:8). Through
His obedience, there is blessing for us: ‘by one Man’s obedience many
will be made righteous’ (Romans 5:19). We look beyond the Old Testament
priesthood to Christ, the ‘High Priest of the good things that have
come’ - By ‘His own blood’, He has secured for us ‘an eternal
redemption’ (Hebrews 9:11-12).
40:1-38 - Here, we highlight three lessons: (a) The work of God begins with the Word of God: ‘The
Lord said to Moses...’ (1). Before we can do anything for God, we must
be taught by God. (b) The work of God must proceed in the way of God:
‘Thus did Moses; according to all that the Lord commanded him, so he
did’ (16). If we are to accomplish anything for God, we must do God’s
work in God’s way. (c) The work of God must lead to the worship of God:
‘The glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle’ (34). If we are really
seeking to work for God, we must seek to give Him the glory for all that
is accomplished. Making these our priorities - the Word, way and
worship of God - , we will look for ‘the cloud and fire’, the presence
and power of God among us: He will be our Guide ‘throughout all our journeys’ (38).
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