Exodus 40:34-38

Key Verse(s):

Exodus 40:38 (HCSB)

38 For the cloud of the Lord was over the tabernacle by day, and there was a fire inside the cloud by night, visible to the entire house of Israel throughout all the stages of their journey.

Reflection/Application:

Exodus comes to a close with this very short pericope. But, despite its brevity, the passage brings together the theme of Exodus, and points forward to the journey before the Israelites.

We first see that all the preceding chapters finally culminate with God descending and manifesting among His people in the tabernacle. So much so, that not even Moses can enter the tent of meeting during these times when God filled it. This serves as a reminder of two things:

1. We, as sinful, broken, people, cannot enter into the presence of God. It is not that God does not want us to, it is because it is for our own good. But we have a great promise that one day we will be with God, due to the sacrifice of Jesus.
2. We should celebrate the completion of God’s work and His plan! Despite all the speedbumps and wrong turns, God gets His people to the finish line. This should bring us hope!

The final three verses demonstrate the following:

• When God moves, we should move. When God is still, we should be still. That’s exactly the situation with the Israelites. When God is manifest and filling the tabernacle, they stay put. When God ascends, and leaves the tabernacle, they move. What could make more sense? When God is with us, we are in the right spot. When God leaves us, we ought to chase after Him, follow Him.
• I love the final part of Exodus 40:38: “visible to the entire house of Israel throughout all the stages of their journey.” God is not about hiding. He is visible to us, and as believers we should be even more attuned to His presence. But again, we should find hope and safety that God is with us in the journey He lays before us, just as He was with the Israelites on their journey to the promised land of Canaan.

Prayer:

Lord, thank You for being with us. I pray that we would move when You move, and stay when You are still, always seeking to be near You. Help us to trust in You in our journey, when trials come up, and when things are easy. Amen.

Exodus 40:1-33

Key Verse(s):

Exodus 40:33 (HCSB)

33 Next Moses set up the surrounding courtyard for the tabernacle and the altar and hung a screen for the gate of the courtyard. So Moses finished the work.

Reflection/Application:

So we have been brought to the point of actually assembling the tabernacle, and its surrounding area, and placing all the items within it, all according to the way God commanded. In addition, this passage contains instructions for the washing of Aaron, as well as his anointing, and that of the other priests. This is the culmination, from the human side, of all the work done in producing the tabernacle.

I think much of this has the same significance as the previous 3+ chapters: it highlights the obedience of the Israelites, here embodied by Moses. We see brief summary descriptions from God for the assembly, and brief summary descriptions of Moses carrying them out. And it is easy to simply skim through here and not really see anything new. But I think there is a small nuance here, and it is embodied in Exodus 40:33b.

“So Moses finished the work.” (Exodus 40:33b) Don’t we know from life experience what happens when we start projects, but do not finish them? Almost certainly the end result is unsatisfactory, it falls short of its full potential, or simply fails altogether. And what does that look like in our spiritual life when we make great beginnings, but never reach the finish? Does it leave the door cracked for sin and evil? Does it harden us, through missing out on the reward of completion, to God’s glory? Does it condition us to accept the world and it’s ways rather than God and His?

No doubt the Israelites have had their struggles. Imagine what impact it would have had on them had the tabernacle been built, all the parts and pieces finished, but then never actually assemble and set it up. It would have been catastrophic! Heck, they couldn’t go 40 days not that long ago, while Moses was up on the mountain, without crafting an idol and worshipping it rather than God. Because remember, the tabernacle was to be where God would dwell among His people. So if it never is assembled, it does not exist, and God does not dwell among His people. If God is absent, how long does it take for man to fill His place with something else, whether it be a golden calf, money, food, porn, demons, or self?

This makes me think of Paul’s writing in 2 Timothy:

2 Timothy 4:7 (HCSB)

7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.

It’s very easy to get stuck on the starting. We want to see God’s kingdom expand, see new souls be saved, see people come to know Christ. As we should! But we should not forget the end of the race either. Just as Paul “finished the race,” and Moses “finished the work,” we should be mindful to “finish” as well. God is not a god of starts and no finishes, nor should we, His people, be the same.

Prayer:

Lord, thank You for already finishing it. You hung on the cross, died, were buried, and rose again. You defeated death, You’ve already won the battle. I pray that You would empower us to march with You, to finish string all the races that You have designed for us. Amen.

Exodus 36:8-39:43

Key Verse(s):

Exodus 39:42–43 (HCSB)

42 The Israelites had done all the work according to everything the Lord had commanded Moses. 43 Moses inspected all the work they had accomplished. They had done just as the Lord commanded. Then Moses blessed them.

Reflection/Application:

I’ve chosen to combine multiple chapters, and obviously many pericopes, into one entry. What is covered here is the actual manufacturing of the tabernacle, the furniture to be placed inside and outside of it, and the garments for the priests. Much of the significance of these items was previously covered when God commanded them originally.

What we should be taking note of here is the obedience of the Israelites. And a few things that stand out to me are as follows:

1. God, although ultimately in control, is not directly overseeing this construction. He has placed the responsibility into the hands of Bezalel. Sometimes that is how God operates: passing His will, His message, through others to us. Allowing others to guide and lead us. Sometimes this is because He has revealed His plan to others, but not to us, sometimes it is just the way He has ordained the hierarchy. But ultimately, we are responsible for following and obeying God, whatever way He chooses to lead us, just as the Israelite workers did here.
2. Bezalel followed God’s instructions. Throughout these chapters we read: “just as the Lord had commanded Moses.” How often are we tempted, or do we, put our own touch, our own spin, on what God has commanded. Success comes from following God’s perfect leadership, not from trying to improve upon it.
3. It is interesting that when the project was complete, everything was made, it was brought to Moses to inspect. We are not without peers as God’s children. Just because God raised Bezalel for the task of managing the construction, it does not mean he did not have a peer in Moses to examine and critique the finished project. God places us in community for a reason. Iron sharpens iron. We correct and lift each other up with God’s guidance and wisdom.

Prayer:

Lord, thank You for working in and through us. I pray that we always remember to enjoy the freedoms You bless us with, but follow closely the guidelines You protect us with. Help us to seek each other out for growth and guidance, and be loving towards each other in our correction and blessing. Amen.

Exodus 35:30-36:7

Key Verse(s):

Exodus 36:1 (HCSB)

1 Bezalel, Oholiab, and all the skilled people are to work based on everything the Lord has commanded. The Lord has given them wisdom and understanding to know how to do all the work of constructing the sanctuary.”

Reflection/Application:

We are reintroduced to Bezalel and Oholiab here, and the construction of the tabernacle is about to begin. There are two verses that stand out to me in this passage.

1. Exodus 36:1 – The wisdom and understanding needed to construct the tabernacle came from God, not man. Make no mistake: the tabernacle is God’s house, designed by God, and built by God through men. And note that God empowers those He selects to do the jobs He appoints them to. What a great comfort this should be to us! There is nothing that God will expect from us that He has not prepared us for, or empowered us to do. God doesn’t put the construction on hold while He waits for Bezalel and Oholiab to go learn the required skills, or train under other great artisans. It was put in hold briefly due to the sin of the Israelites, but not because of some lack of ability. The whole first part of this pericope is about how skill and knowledge come from God, even the ability to impart one’s skill and knowledge on others. Perhaps this is to remind the Israelites, and us, before construction even begins, that God is orchestrating.
2. Exodus 36:7 says, “The materials were sufficient for them to do all the work. There was more than enough.” We have more than enough to do the work God has called us to do! God might use our neighbors, our family, or even strangers, or He might simply provide what we need directly Himself, but He has given us all we need, more than we need. And again the contrast to Pharaoh, who certainly would never have stopped the Israelites from giving him something, even if it was over and above what may have been needed. Yet God does. God cares, He loves, He wants for us also. That manifests as Himself being glorified, but we get to bask in that as well, we get to enjoy the fruits of His blessings. The Israelites had more to give, yet God, in essence, says, “Keep the rest, it is for you.” So not only does God provide what is needed to do the work He calls us to do, but He provides extra to do it, and then He blesses us on top of that with excess. What a great God we serve!

Prayer:

Lord, thank You for Your blessings, for Your preparing us, and providing for us, to do Your work in the world. I pray that we would follow You, that we would carry out the building of Your spiritual temple, Your church, even today. Help us to remain faithful and loyal. Amen.

Exodus 35:4-29

Key Verse(s):

Exodus 35:29 (HCSB)

29 So the Israelites brought a freewill offering to the Lord, all the men and women whose hearts prompted them to bring something for all the work that the Lord, through Moses, had commanded to be done.

Reflection/Application:

With the covenant established again, the Israelites are again commanded to construct the tabernacle: the place where God will manifest among His people. The pericope contains a refresher of everything that needs to be done, but is not a full rehash of the preceding chapters of detail.

There is an interesting contrast in this pericope. On one hand, the construction of the tabernacle is clearly a command from God. Exodus 35:4 says clearly, “This is what the Lord has commanded.” And again, in Exodus 35:10, there is the reminder that the construction of the tabernacle was a command from God. But on the other hand, there is a free will choice for the Israelites. Exodus 35:5, God speaking, says, “Let everyone whose heart is willing.”

The tabernacle was a required construction. It was necessary for God to be among His people. Therefore it is a command from God. This should help us realize that God’s commands are for our benefit. Certainly God has no need to dwell among men, but we have everything to gain from His manifest presence among us. It is also worth noting the difference between the reaction of God following their disobedience and that of their previous ruler, Pharaoh. Pharaoh commanded for his good, and for the detriment of the Israelites, while God, also ultimately commanding for His glory, also blesses His people.

While the construction was commanded, it was not forced upon the Israelites. God allowed the Israelites to choose to follow, to choose to take part in His plan. We don’t need to get into the debate concerning predestination here to recognize that a choice to bring an offering to God must be made to join Him. In this case it is was materials and skills to construct the tabernacle, in all time it is our surrender to our Savior. Again, we might note the difference between Pharaoh and God. God asks for a free will offering, both of the nation of Israel, but more importantly at the individual level, while Pharaoh enslaved and forced service upon the Israelites.

The tabernacle construction ultimately is a beautiful combination of the surrender and desire to follow and join God, and the will of God coming to be. Exodus 35:29 combines the freewill of the Israelites, and the command of God.

Prayer:

Lord, thank You for weaving all things for Your glory and Your blessings upon us. I pray that we would not choose the yoke of man, of sin, but instead choose to come to You. We pray for Your presence around us, and in us. Amen.

Exodus 35:1-3

Key Verse(s):

Exodus 35:2 (HCSB)

2 For six days work is to be done, but on the seventh day you are to have a holy day, a Sabbath of complete rest to the Lord. Anyone who does work on it must be executed.

Reflection/Application:

This is a very short passage starting chapter 35. God, through the intercession of Moses and by His grace, has yet again rescued Israel. The covenant has been reestablished. And then this pericope comes, a reiteration of the Sabbath command.

How important it was for Israel to be reminded that the seventh day is reserved for God. Even the construction of the tabernacle, as important and God-honoring as it was, was not to trump the command. The worship of man should be aimed at God, not the tabernacle, not the structures and systems put in place to point to Him.

And again the people are reminded that the Sabbath is a day of “complete rest to the Lord.” It’s not a day dedicated to football and restaurants. It’s not a day dedicated to the pursuit of self-indulgence. When our Sabbath turns into “our day”, we have missed what God has given us and twisted it into a path of sin. Our rest comes from God and is found in Him: God should be the center of our Sabbath. Is it a wonder sometimes that our weekends feel so short and rushed? Perhaps we are not truly resting in the Lord.

And this remains a serious command, punishable by death. There is always a line where we, as humans, sit in judgment about God and His choice of penalties for certain things. It might seem extreme to us that God would command execution for spending some time on a Sabbath day catching up on a few work files, yet that’s what God says in Exodus 35:3b. But doesn’t it seem logical that if we cannot follow God concerning a command that refreshes, rejuvenates, and gives us rest, that when hardship comes as a believer, or anything challenging, we are so much less likely to follow Him? In other words, if I cannot, or will not, follow laws that are clearly beneficial to me, am I really a law-abiding citizen?

The confusing part of this passage is the final verse, Exodus 35:3. There are apparently a few explanations that much smarter people have come up with. One being that this possibly refers to metal-working, or some sort of fire necessitated work outside of food preparation. Another suggests it is in fact speaking of food preparation, and that anything that would have required fire should have been done the day before. There is even mention that fire for heat is part of the target, and that flame should have been started before sunset. I don’t know, but I would tend to take this literally and say that if there was going to be a need for fire, it should have already been lit prior to sunset. We can only assume that Moses had some sort of clarification on this.

Prayer:

Lord, thank You for designing Your creation, and the way we operate within it, so that we can rest, so we can realign ourselves to You. I pray that we would honor the Sabbath, not just to serve ourselves, to indulge in selfish pursuits, but to be truly refreshed and focused on You, to honor and glorify You, through that day. Amen.

Exodus 34:29-35

Key Verse(s):

Exodus 34:34–35 (HCSB)

34 But whenever Moses went before the Lord to speak with Him, he would remove the veil until he came out. After he came out, he would tell the Israelites what he had been commanded, 35 and the Israelites would see that Moses’ face was radiant. Then Moses would put the veil over his face again until he went to speak with the Lord.

Reflection/Application:

This shorter passage is all about the effect God’s presence has upon Moses’ appearance, specifically his face, and how the Israelites react. At first it would seem it’s a straightforward account, and might be intended to simply take literally, but I think there is something more to be gleaned.

1. The presence of God has a lasting impact. Moses was in the presence of God, as close and personal as any man has ever been, and the impact was long lasting. Note that Moses was not in any pain, there was nothing wrong with him. But it was clear that he had been close to God. Shouldn’t it be clear and obvious to all when we are close to God? That we are in his presence?
2. Those close to God glow, those separated from God fear. Although God has reestablished His covenant with the Israelites, they are still sort of the “outside” in a way. Moses alone was allowed up the mountain. Moses alone speaks directly to God. Moses alone intercedes successfully. And when Moses returns, the Israelites know the radiance is due to God being with Moses, and they are afraid! Look, there is something to be said for a healthy fear of God, it is a good thing. And it’s not necessarily bad that the Israelites transfer some of that fear to Moses due to his closeness with God. But if we are constantly afraid to come close to God, or even His people (i.e. the church?), we might want to take stock of where we are in relation to God.
3. The veil continues. The Israelites have been separated from God, despite being His chosen people. Moses is their mediator, and now, as he moves closer and closer to God, there is a veil between him and the Israelites. The veil between Moses and the Israelites is sort of like the veil in the tabernacle: a separator, something that makes a distinction between the holiest of places and the outside. But we should take heart! Because, instead of simply removing himself from the presence of the Israelites, just as God continues to endure us and remain among us, Moses stays among the Israelites.

Prayer:

Lord, thank You for sticking with us, despite our sin and failures. Help us to not be afraid of You, but to fear You in a reverent way, constantly seeking to be closer. I pray that we would glow in the world, a light drawing your people to You. Amen.

Exodus 34:10-28

Key Verse(s):

Exodus 34:15–16 (HCSB)

15 “Do not make a treaty with the inhabitants of the land, or else when they prostitute themselves with their gods and sacrifice to their gods, they will invite you, and you will eat their sacrifices. 16 Then you will take some of their daughters as brides for your sons. Their daughters will prostitute themselves with their gods and cause your sons to prostitute themselves with their gods.

Reflection/Application:

This pericope is a repeat of the establishment of the covenant between God and His people. This is almost all familiar stuff from previous chapters, but that is by design. The Israelites had broken the covenant, they had turned from God, and this is a re-establishment of the covenant… thus the repetition.

Exodus 34:15-16 seems like a bit of pivot point in the pericope to me. In the beginning of the passage God lays out what He will do, and how the Israelites should respond to the inhabitants of Canaan. And then the warning is laid out, how even just a crack results in full-fledged sin and separation. The rest of the passage seems to be how God’s people follow Him. Worshipping God consists of doing the things in the remainder of the passage. Keeping oneself safe, guarded from sin, consists of doing the things in the remainder of the passage.

Exodus 34:15-16 itself is interesting. The initial command is to not make a treaty with the people that God will be driving out of Canaan. And although this seems logical: God’s plan is to give the land wholly to His people, they are to remain pure, it is God and His people dwelling in the land He has designed and predetermined to be theirs. Seems to me there is nothing inherently wrong with a treaty. But what I think we see here is the idea of a “guardrail”. There are areas where we should not be because they are gates to sin. For the Israelites, who have repeatedly demonstrated that they are quick to turn on God, entering into a treaty with the people of Canaan is that area. God reveals that it will lead to worshipping false gods. I think this is why these verses exist, and also is a reason for the reiteration of the commands that follow: to keep Israel focused on God, in safe areas, apart from sin and the temptation that drags us into sin.

Prayer:

Lord, thank You for protecting us, for knowing what we can and cannot handle. I pray we would seek to remain in the safe areas, not in the spaces that tempt us into sin. Help is to recognize and avoid them, instead clinging to You. Amen.

Exodus 34:1-9

Key Verse(s):

Exodus 34:1–2 (HCSB)

34 The Lord said to Moses, “Cut two stone tablets like the first ones, and I will write on them the words that were on the first tablets, which you broke.

Reflection/Application:

This pericope conveys the restoration following the golden calf ordeal. Some things to note:

1. The phrase “which you broke” in Exodus 34:1, in reference to the first set of tablets, strikes me as being a bit of a double-entendre. On one hand there is the literal meaning referring to Moses breaking the original set upon seeing the Israelites apostasy. That much is clear, and possibly is tied to Moses having to cut a new pair of tablets for the second set. On the other hand, it seems there could be a spiritual meaning, referring to Israel’s apostasy having broken the commands contained on those tablets. tablets. This interpretation seems to flow nicely into God’s proclamation concerning Himself as well.
2. Forgiveness and love do not mean lack of discipline and punishment. God, in Exodus 34:6-7, lists a number of His qualities (by no means a complete list), of which are “forgiving wrongdoing, rebellion, and sin” and “rich in faithful love”. But, in v7 He also confirms that “He will not leave the guilty unpunished”. We have a hard time, in our current culture, correlating those two things: forgiveness and punishment. But, the two can, and in God’s case, do, coexist. Just as the loving parent will use punishment as a tool to deter their child from danger and to keep them safe and happy, God uses punishment to refine us. Surely love is the chief ingredient in coming to know and love Christ, but make no mistake that punishment molds us into people that can love.
3. Being aligned with God means caring for what, and who, He cares about. Moses, rather than pointing out how he did not sin like the rest of the Israelites, or throwing them under the bus in some other way,  intercedes yet again. In fact, he puts his own relationship on the line by presenting himself, and any favor he has, as the reason for God to capitulate. It seems to me that this is a micro-model of what the church should look like: petitioning God on behalf of each other rather than back-biting.

Prayer:

Lord, thank You for not being done with us. In the pits of our depravity, in our embracing of ourselves and our sin, You write another set of tablets, make another offer, continue to forgive our sins. I pray that we each can model Moses, coming before You on behalf of our brothers and sisters. Help us to remain Yours, and lean on You when we must endure the punishment of our sin. Amen.

Exodus 33:12-23

Key Verse(s):

Exodus 33:19 (HCSB)

19 He said, “I will cause all My goodness to pass in front of you, and I will proclaim the name Yahweh before you. I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.”

Reflection/Application:

This passage seems to be the detail of Exodus 33:11, from the last passage, with Moses speaking face to face with God. We continue to see the contrast between Moses and the rest of the Israelites when it comes to the relationship with God. Here is what we might note from this passage:

1. Moses speaks freely with God. Isn’t that what a relationship does? It is not that Moses is crude or disrespectful, like we can often be even with our best and closest friends, but he has the freedom to speak his mind, his concerns and cares, and his differences with God’s plans. This is what our relationship with Jesus should look like, not a sanitized, through the motions, vanilla relationship. We should plead with Jesus, just as Moses pleads with God, as well as rejoice with Him over things that are joyful.
2. Intercession works! The idea of God “changing His mind” is something that troubles me a bit, and I think is a bit of theological quicksand, but it seems undeniable that Moses’ intercession here changes the trajectory of events. God had said He would not be traveling with the Israelites on their trek to Canaan, but Moses does not accept that and continues to ask God to change His mind. And what we end up seeing are two shifts. First, in Exodus 33:14, God concedes to going with Moses. The second “you” in v14 is a singular use, so it would seem that God is specifying just Moses as the one He will be with. But Moses follows up again with a request for God to be with all the Israelites, all His people (also suggesting that v14 was directed solely to Moses). And then we have the second shift, and God relents and grants that He “will do this very thing you have asked.”
3. Just like we can reap the negative repercussions of sin, even the sin of others, we can also reap the rewards of the obedience and intercession of others. God has changed His mind, He has decided to honor Moses’ request, and will be with the Israelites. But notice in Exodus 33:17, it is not because of the Israelites, it is because God knows Moses, and Moses has found favor. Perhaps this is why there are plenty of spots in scripture that guide us to associate with believers over those opposed to God?
4. God decides who will receive His grace and compassion. Even though it seems like God has changed His mind, and done it twice in a matter of seconds, it seems to me that this is not a literal description of God. I think that this section of scripture is emphasizing the relational aspect of God, and specifically our interaction with Him, thus He is described with some human-like attributes. I say that because in Exodus 33:19 God reminds us that He’s the one who decides. It’s not a group thing, He’s not accepting and considering input from man, there is no internet poll that He has posted. I think all along God knew this was His decision, I think the intercession was for Moses, and by extension, for us. It is a practical example of what a facet of our prayer life should look like. It was a chance for Moses to experience the grace and mercy of God. There is nothing to suggest that suddenly, because Moses asked for Him to come along, God now might not destroy the stiff-necked people… yet He is coming along. God is never out of control, and He always knows what is to happen. And that should be a great comfort to us, no matter what the situation.

Prayer:

Lord, thank You for Your grace and mercy. And thank You for being always in control. And thank You for bringing us into Your family, and establishing a relationship with us. I pray that we will continually draw closer to You, and deepen our prayer life through honest conversation with You, just as though You were our best friend sitting across from us. Thank You for listening to us, and for allowing us to join You in Your plans. Amen.